Union minister R K Singh hits out at Bengal govt for 'not implementing' PM Kusum scheme
R K Singh on Sunday criticised the West Bengal government for «not implementing» the PM Kusum scheme, which could have helped farmers by way of lower power costs. The scheme envisages installation of solar panels for running irrigation pumps, which are usually operated with diesel.
Singh, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, said under the scheme, the Centre provides 30-per cent assistance as viability gap funding.
«With this viability gap funding, solar power generation costs would come down and farmers can benefit from lower electricity tariff… But the Bengal government has not implemented it,» Singh said here.
The electricity distribution company of the state government would only have to invite bids from private agencies, which set up solar panels, and then buy power from them, he said.
The agency with the lowest bid would be awarded the contract.
