By Solar Times Bureau
Specially subsidy for SC, ST category of farmers, they want to provide 100 per cent subsidy for setting up solar power pumps
The Cabinet Sub-committee on solar energy of Tamil Nadu has proposed a plan to state government to promote solar energy for agricultural and household purposes in the state. A committee meeting was held on 7th May, Tuesday to discuss the proposal. The committee meeting was headed by finance minister Anam Ramanarayan Reddy, they have proposed three recommendations to the state government regarding to the promotion of solar pump sets. The first recommendation is that the state government should increase the subsidy by 20 per cent to the existing 30 per cent provided by the central government, for the farmers who want to set up solar pump sets of 3 HP and 5 HP solar pump sets. Along with this they have recommended to promote solar power sets in the localities were there are no power connections.
The second recommendation is proposed specially subsidy for SC, ST category of farmers, they want to provide 100 per cent subsidy for setting up solar power pumps, currently Central and State government is providing 50 per cent subsidy.
The third recommendation of the panel is to make solar pump sets a component for SC, ST farmers under the Indira Jala Prabha programme. The minister said the Group of Ministers (GoM) has also decided to recommend for promotion of solar geysers and water heating system with 20 and 30 per cent subsidy respectively. ‘’Officials have been asked to work out the cost for setting up solar-based lighting, geysers, water heating system and even cooking in government hostels including welfare hostels, integrated welfare hostels and residential schools and colleges,’’ he said.
Other Suggestions:
■ Ryots ready to bear 50 pc of cost of 3 HP, 5HP pump sets be provided with 50 pc subsidy
■ SC, ST farmers be given 100 subsidy
■ Solar pumps sets should be promoted in agency areas not having power supply
■ Solar pump sets be made a component under Indira Jala Prabha