Zero takers in Karnataka for PM-KUSUM’s most lucrative solar scheme: Report
Mangaluru: Karnataka has failed to generate any demand under Component A of the PM-KUSUM scheme, the most lucrative part of the initiative that allows farmers to set up solar power plants of up to 2 MW on their land and sell surplus electricity to distribution companies.
Despite the potential for a steady income stream and the promotion of clean energy, the component has seen no uptake in the state, even six years after the scheme’s launch, as reported by The New Indian Express on Monday.
Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to reduce agriculture’s dependence on diesel, provide reliable solar power for irrigation, and improve farmers' income. The scheme is divided into three parts: Component A for decentralised solar plants, Component B for off-grid solar pumps, and Component C for solarising grid-connected agricultural pumps, including feeder-level solarisation.
A statement in Lok Sabha by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power, cited by TNIE, highlighted that while Components B and C have seen some progress in Karnataka, the overall implementation remains uneven and significantly below the sanctioned targets.
As of July 2025, Karnataka had been sanctioned 41,365 solar pumps under Component B, but only 2,388 have been installed. Similarly, under Component C (Feeder Level Solarisation), 6.28 lakh pumps were approved, but only 23,133 have been solarised. No demand has been raised for individual pump solarisation under Component C, underscoring underutilisation.
Despite these setbacks, some districts have shown a better adoption rate. Tumakuru leads the state with 6,160 grid-connected solar pumps, followed by Chikkaballapur (5,364) and Ramanagara (3,788). However, key agricultural districts like Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru report almost negligible uptake, highlighting the inconsistency across the state.
On a national scale, Karnataka's performance remains modest, with 23,761 farmers benefiting from the PM-KUSUM scheme. This number pales in comparison to states like Maharashtra (7.27 lakh farmers), Gujarat (1.95 lakh), and Rajasthan (1.56 lakh), which have fully harnessed the potential of the scheme..
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
