Government has been promoting convergence of PM KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana with suitable Central and State programmes and funding sources, wherever feasible, to facilitate wider adoption of the schemes. For instance, PM KUSUM scheme guidelines allow for convergence with other central schemes including:

• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme for access of easy financing
• Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for solarization of segregated agriculture feeders
• Promotion of micro irrigation techniques and Per Drop More Crop scheme
• Replacement of agriculture pumps with energy efficient pumps
• Gram Urja Swaraj Campaign to enhance self-sufficiency at village level

Similarly for PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the convergence is taken up with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), for implementing the Solar Didi Programme under which women Self-Help Group (SHG) members under DAY-NULM are trained. Convergence of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds is also encouraged with PM Surya Ghar for eligible beneficiaries, particularly BPL households, PMAY beneficiaries and other vulnerable sections.

The Ministry has already issued communications and possible areas of convergence to all the states for convergence of PM KUSUM and PMSG Schemes with scheme of Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development etc.

This information was submitted by the Union Minister of State for Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

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Nihi Sharma