Contentious solar irrigation pump purchase contract gets nod from Maharashtra govt

solar pumps that were to be purchased for farmers in the drought-hit Vidarbha-Marathwada regions. The decision to go ahead wit purchase was put on hold in Jan 2016, in the wake of serious allegations of overpricing made by opposition leader Dhananjay Munde.

tenders were received by the state government which maintained it had diligently pursued the procedures. Jain Irrigation was qualified for the project from this lot.

amount charged by Jain Irrigation for each 5 HP pump as per contract signed. This is Rs. 1.4 lakh more than what neighbouring Gujarat is paying for the same capacity pumps, Munde claimed.

Maharashtra govt. gives the go-ahead for the procurement nullifying allegations that solar pumps were priced unreasonably.

This is how much the pumps will cost the state exchequer.