Scheme for solar pump sets on subsidy for farmers

The government of Kerala in collaboration with the government of India is offering solar pump sets on subsidy basis for farmers in the State.

A press note issued here said 1,380 pumps of 3HP capacity would be on offer on subsidy basis.

The Central and State subsidies would amount to 30 to 35 per cent of the total cost of a pump. As the pump operates directly from the solar panel, there is no need to install a battery. A farmer who installs the pump would be able to make good his investment in three to four years, the press note said.

Farmers who have at least 50 cents of farmland can apply for the pumps under this scheme.

Existing facility

There should be an existing facility to pump water from a well, a pond or a lake. The solar pumps can be used to pump water from a maximum depth of 50 metres.

Existing pumps that run on electricity cannot be converted to solar pumps, the press note said.

The price of a 3HP DC submersible pump is Rs. 4.5 lakh. The price of a 3HP AC submersible pump is Rs. 4.3 lakh. While the former can be had for a post-subsidy price of Rs.2,98,500, the latter can be purchased for Rs. 3,02,800. Farmers who require pump sets should download the application form from the websitewww.anert.gov.inand submit the completed application form, along with a demand draft of Rs. 500, to the ANERT office at PMG Junction.

On receipt of an application form, a registration number would be assigned to it. Following this, the applicant can select one of the two companies empanelled by ANERT and conduct a pre-feasibility study.

Then, the applicant can select the pump model and give the work order to the agency concerned.

Following this, the applicant should remit the cost of the pump — minus the subsidy amount — drawn as a DD or cheque in the company’s name and remit it at the district office of ANERT. Once the work order is given the company should install the solar pump within 45 days.

For receiving the subsidy, the completion certificate along with relevant documents should be submitted to the district office of ANERT.

Warranty

The solar pumps come with a warranty of five years. Any complaints within this period can be settled by contacting the regional service centre of the agency concerned.

As per the scheme, complaints should be attended to within 48 hours and rectifications done within four days. Further instructions can be had from the ANERT office on phone 0471-2338077, 2333124, the press note added.

Subsidies will amount to 30 to

35 per cent of

the total cost

of a pump.

Source : The Hindu