Saurabh Bhagat, commissioner secretary science and technology, said saffron growers should avail benefits of PM-KUSUM scheme which is offering 80% subsidy. Under this scheme Diesel Powered Pumps could be replaced by Solar Pumps and New pumps could also be installed in no-grid areas under decentralized application, whereas under Component ‘C’, Electrical Pumps could be replaced with Solar Powered Pumps by the farmers. Under both the categories, the Ministry provides a subsidy of 50% on the cost of the pump, 30% of the cost is being provided by the Government of J&K and the beneficiary/farmer has to bear only 20% cost of the pump.
