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Modi govt cannot insist on ‘negligent implementation’ of schemes: Congress on PM-KUSUM

Posted on by darion

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday slammed the central government for implementing the PM-KUSUM initiative, launched in 2019 to boost solar energy use in agriculture across the country, saying the Modi government cannot persist in such a “disrespectful” implementation of the schemes.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has revealed “startling facts” about the PM-KUSUM project, which was launched with “great fanfare” in 2019 to increase the use of solar energy in agriculture across the country.

“Here’s an update from 2024, two years ahead of the 2026 target completion date: Promise: Installing 10,000 MW of decentralized solar power plants on agricultural land. Reality: Installed 256 MW (2.56% of target),” Ramesh said in a post on X.

“Promise: Installation of 14 lakh solar pumps. Reality: 3.97 lakh solar pumps installed (about 28% of the target),” he said.

“Promise: Solarisation of 35 lakh additional pumps. Reality: Solarisation of 13,562 pumps (0.38% of target),” he said.

Ramesh said the only indicator that the programme is doing well is the installation of solar pumps.

Further analysis reveals that many of the pumps have been installed in only three states: Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, Ramesh said.

It is to be noted that for most of this period (2019-2024), all these states were “single-engine Sarkars” run by the Congress and coalition partners, the Congress leader said.

“Transitioning to renewable energy is a key economic priority for India, given our vulnerability to climate change and the significant economic incentives for clean energy.

“The non-biological prime minister and his government cannot persist in such disregard for the implementation of the plans,” Ramesh said.