Rajasthan
Solar power can cut Rs 16k-crore subsidy to farmers by 50%: RSA | Jaipur News
JAIPUR: The state government can save nearly 50% of the power subsidy given to farmers if the irrigation demand is met through solar power, opined the Rajasthan Solar Association.
The government provides power to nearly 16 lakh farmers at 90 paise a unit as against the discom purchase cost of Rs 6.40. This puts a subsidy burden of Rs 16,000 crore on the government annually.
In 2022-23, the government made power up to 1,000 units free for farmers. This increased to 2,000 units in 2023-24. Besides, the number of agriculture connections rose as the government tried to woo rural voters.
While there have been discussions in the energy department to meet the agriculture power demand through solar energy sources, no concrete steps have been taken.
Raj govt should use solar power to reduce subsidies drastically: RSA
According to the Rajasthan Solar Association, agriculture connections in the state require 17 lakh units and to generate that solar projects producing 17,000MW are required.
Speaking to TOI, Sunil Bansal, president of RSA, said, “Andhra Pradesh has also promised free power to farmers. But they have invited tenders for setting up solar projects. Maharashtra has already launched a few solar schemes. Solar power is cheaper and the state government should use it to reduce subsidies drastically.”The opportunity to save Rs 7,000-8,000 crore in subsidies from the Rs 16,000 crore (2021-22) given annually should be given priority, he said.
“The woeful financial condition of discoms is an open secret because of non-payment of subsidies by the government. In such a situation, solar power is a simple solution,” Bansal said.
The solar industry also believes that this would generate huge economic opportunities for the MSME sector. Agriculture lines cannot carry more than 10MW. This means there would be hundreds of small solar power plants linked to local sub-stations.
“The solar MSME sector will get a huge boost. It will generate thousands of jobs and create demand for various types of locally manufactured components. The state’s economy will get a substantial boost,” Bansal said. Last week, TOI had reported that the government has failed to pay the power subsidies to the discoms which had a cumulative debt of over Rs 79,000 crore.
The government provides power to nearly 16 lakh farmers at 90 paise a unit as against the discom purchase cost of Rs 6.40. This puts a subsidy burden of Rs 16,000 crore on the government annually.
In 2022-23, the government made power up to 1,000 units free for farmers. This increased to 2,000 units in 2023-24. Besides, the number of agriculture connections rose as the government tried to woo rural voters.
While there have been discussions in the energy department to meet the agriculture power demand through solar energy sources, no concrete steps have been taken.
Raj govt should use solar power to reduce subsidies drastically: RSA
According to the Rajasthan Solar Association, agriculture connections in the state require 17 lakh units and to generate that solar projects producing 17,000MW are required.
Speaking to TOI, Sunil Bansal, president of RSA, said, “Andhra Pradesh has also promised free power to farmers. But they have invited tenders for setting up solar projects. Maharashtra has already launched a few solar schemes. Solar power is cheaper and the state government should use it to reduce subsidies drastically.”The opportunity to save Rs 7,000-8,000 crore in subsidies from the Rs 16,000 crore (2021-22) given annually should be given priority, he said.
“The woeful financial condition of discoms is an open secret because of non-payment of subsidies by the government. In such a situation, solar power is a simple solution,” Bansal said.
The solar industry also believes that this would generate huge economic opportunities for the MSME sector. Agriculture lines cannot carry more than 10MW. This means there would be hundreds of small solar power plants linked to local sub-stations.
“The solar MSME sector will get a huge boost. It will generate thousands of jobs and create demand for various types of locally manufactured components. The state’s economy will get a substantial boost,” Bansal said. Last week, TOI had reported that the government has failed to pay the power subsidies to the discoms which had a cumulative debt of over Rs 79,000 crore.
