12, 000 solar irrigation pumps distributed to farmers
Raipur, 19 June 2017
Chief
Minister Dr. Raman Singh today instructed the officials to distribute as
many solar energy-based irrigation pumps as feasible in the 85 Adivasi
development blocks. Chief Minister was reviewing the functioning of the
Energy Department at his official residence. Dr. Raman Singh added that
'Sour Sujla' yojana is the top priority of the State Government. He
expressed his satisfaction that the Department had distributed more
solar energy-based irrigation pumps than the targets and congratulated
the officials.
The Energy
Department officials said that about twelve thousand 161 solar pumps had
been distributed to the farmers till now. Dr. Raman Singh stressed upon
the need to cover twenty thousand farmers under the solar energy-based
project. He added that farmers in the remote parts of the State, in
inaccessible regions, should be provided with solar energy -based
irrigation pumps. Those residing on the banks of rivers and canals
should also be provided with irrigation pumps under the Project. It may
be mentioned here that farmers are provided with irrigation pumps on a
highly subsidized rates. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had launched
the scheme on Rajyotsav Day on 1 November 2016 in Raipur. The Solar
Irrigation pump worth Rs 3.5 lakh (three horse power) is given to
depressed classes at nominal Rs Seven thousand only, for Other Backward
Castes at Rs Twelve thousand only and for General Category farmers at Rs
Eighteen thousand only. The rest of the amount is shouldered by the
State Government.
The
officials also mentioned that four thousand 105 solar pumps had been
installed for providing drinking water purposes. There is a proposal to
install 1886 more solar pumps in the near future. Chief Minister
instructed officials to provide clean drinking water through
Chlorination of solar pump water. Dr. Raman Singh called upon the
officials to hasten the electrification of all hamlets and habitats
before March 2018. He urged them to complete the process of installation
of electric sub-stations by March 2018. Chhattisgarh Power holding
Company Chairperson Mr. Shivraj Singh, Energy Department Additional
Chief Secretary Mr. N. Baijendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister Mr. Aman Kumar Singh and several senior officials were also
present.
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