Fresh MNRE Advisory Against Fraudulent Websites Inviting Registration for PM-KUSUM Scheme

It has recently come to the ministry?s notice that two new websites had launched recently illegally claiming registration portal for the PM-KUSUM Scheme. The web addresses of the said websites were https://kusum-yojana.co.in/ and https://www.onlinekusumyojana.co.in/.

In a statement, the Ministry of Power specifically warned, ?The miscreants behind these websites are potentially duping general public and misusing data captured through these fake portals. While MNRE is taking action against the miscreants behind these websites, it is advised to all potential beneficiaries and general public by the ministry to be informed and avoid depositing money or data on these websites.?

The release further advised news portals to check the authenticity of websites claiming to be a registration portal for Central Government schemes before publicising them on digital or print platforms.

It may be stated that administrative approval for the PM-KUSUM scheme was issued by MNRE on March 8, 2019. The guidelines for implementation of the scheme were issued on July 22, 2019. The scheme provides for the installation of solar pumps, solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps and installation of grid-connected renewable power plants.

However, following the scheme?s launch, it was noticed that a few websites had cropped up claiming to be the registration portal for the PM-KUSUM scheme. To avoid any loss to the general public, MNRE had issued similar advisories on March 18, 2019, and June 3, 2020, advising beneficiaries and the general public to refrain from depositing any registration fee and sharing their data on such websites.

The PM-KUSUM scheme is being implemented through implementation agencies in the respective states. Details of such agencies are available on MNRE?s website, www.mnre.gov.in. MNRE has said that it does not register beneficiaries under the scheme through any of its websites and, therefore, any portal making such claims was potentially misleading and fraudulent. Any suspected fraudulent website, if noticed by anyone, may be reported to MNRE.

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the Scheme and implementation procedure is available on the MNRE. Interested people among the general public may either visit the website or call on the toll-free helpline number 1800-180-3333 for more details.