New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- The Union cabinet is expected to consider a proposal worth around Rs.51,000 crore to extend the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), with the government proposing a shift towards feeder-level solarisation and battery storage as it seeks to reduce agriculture's dependence on conventional grid power.

Under the proposed second phase, central financial assistance (CFA) would be released when projects are commissioned rather than linked to electricity generated, according to three officials aware of the development. Projects are expected to have capacities of 500 kW to 2 MW.

The proposal includes Rs.35,000 crore for new projects and Rs.16,000 crore to meet existing liabilities. The new...