Chhattisgarh is a leader in the country in using to illuminate villages, provide drinking water and supplyingelectricity in far-flung areas of the state.
An official Communication said rapid work has been done in solar energy. The Chhattisgarh State RENEWABLE ENERGY Development Agency has won the National Award for installing most solar pumps in the country and for energy conservation.
A total of 71,753 solar Irrigation pumps were set up in the state by CREDA in the last four years. A total of 86,104 hectares have been irrigated through these pumps.
More than 1.17 lakh solar irrigation pumps of 3 and 5 hp have been installed in the state to irrigate 1.17 lakh hectares of land. Over 1.26 lakh farmers benefit from the scheme.
Under the Saur Sujala Yojana, farmers are given a maximum grant of up to Rs 2 lakh by the government to set up solar irrigation pumps of 3 and 5 horse power capacity. Arrangements have been made to supplydrinking water for animals and irrigation facilities in 4,970 Gauthans.