In a bid to tap maximum potential through non-conventional sources of energy for irrigation purposes in the state, specially in the horticulture sector, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Centre to enhance subsidy on solar water pumps from 30 to 80 per cent.
Badal raised this demand before Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, who called on him at his residence here, a government spokesman said.
During the meeting, Badal said the Centre had been providing 80 per cent subsidy of the benchmark price for solar water pumps as central assistance till 2004, but thereafter reduced it to 30 per cent and urged the Union Minister to restore the earlier subsidy available to farmers.
In addition to this, the Chief Minister asked Abdullah to introduce inverters and battery backup systems in existing solar water pumps to enable farmers to utilise their existing pumps instead of purchasing new motors, which was not financially viable for them.
Regarding the state's share of Rs 285 crore for development of non-conventional energy as per recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission, Badal asked the Union Minister to expedite early release of funds.
Abdullah assured Badal that he would soon take up all issues with the Prime Minister for early solution, especially the issue of subsidy enhancement for solar water pumps.
Emphasising on use of renewable energy sources, the Union Minister said the Centre has supported installation of solar power plants on roof tops of all government buildings like offices, institutions, colleges, hostels and hospitals to provide uninterrupted power supply besides water heating systems to reduce load on conventional power sources.
Appreciating efforts of the state government in popularising solar and bio-mass energy, Abdullah asked Punjab government to launch a massive awareness campaign for optimum utilisation of these energy sources.
