Haryana Power Minister, Ranjit Singh on Thursday said that the State Government has set a target of providing 50,000 solar pumps to the farmers.

The Minister said this while addressing a State-Level Energy Conservation Award Ceremony organized for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 by the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) through virtual medium here.

He said “We have to use our natural resources judiciously and wisely for sustainable development and a better future for our coming generations.”

The Government of India has started an ambitious programme to use 450 GW renewable energy power by 2030. So far, a target of 89 GW has been achieved. In Haryana too, about 561 MW capacity of renewable energy have been added till now, he said.

The Minister further said that the government is implementing a major programme for the installation of 15,000 solar pumps alongwith giving 75 percent subsidy which aims to meet the irrigation needs of farmers in an environmentally friendly way through clean energy.

Additional Chief Secretary, New and Renewable Department, TC Gupta said that Haryana was ranked first in the entire country in the State Energy Efficiency Index last year.

Director General, New and Renewable Department, Dr. Hanif Qureshi said that Panchkula has been selected to increase solar energy and green energy.

As part of efforts made for energy conservation and energy efficiency, the state gives awards to various categories of energy consumers every year, in which a shield, certificate and cash prize is given from Rs 50, 000 to Rs 2 lakh, he added.

It was informed that out of 18 applications for the year 2017-18, seven applications have been selected for the award. For the year 2018-19, out of 32 applications, eight applications have been selected for the award and one application has been selected for an appreciation letter.