On September 25, 2017, PM
Narendra Modi launched the Saubhagya Scheme.
What is the
objective of this new scheme?
The objective of the Saubhagya Scheme is to provide
energy access to all by last mile connectivity and electricity connections to
all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas to
achieve universal household electrification in the country.
What all is included in last mile connectivity and
electricity connection to households?
The electricity connection to households include
release of electricity connections by drawing a service cable from the nearest
pole to the household premise, installation of energy meter, wiring for a single
light point with LED bulb and a mobile charging point. In case the electricity
pole is not available nearby from household for drawing service cable, the
erection of additional pole along with conductor and associated accessories
shall also be covered under the scheme.
Will electricity connection would be totally free
of cost for every un-electrified households?
Yes. Poor households would be provided electricity
connections free of cost. Other households would also be provided electricity
connections under the scheme on payment of Rs.500 only which shall be recovered
by the DISCOMs/Power Departments in ten (10) instalments along with electricity
bills.
Does the free electricity connection also
include free power for consumption?
There is no
provision in the scheme to provide free power to any category of consumers. The
cost of electricity consumption shall have to be paid by the respective
consumers as per prevailing tariff of the DISCOM/Power Deptt.
What is the provision for households where it
is not feasible to extend grid lines?
For households
located in remote and inaccessible areas, solar power packs of 200 to 300 Watt
and battery back with 5 LED lights, 1 DC Fan, 1 DC power plug along with repair
and maintenance for 5 years would be provided.
Two major schemes, DDUGJY for rural areas and IPDS
in urban areas, are already under implementation then what is the need for a
new scheme?
DDUGJY envisage creation of basic electricity
infrastructure in villages / habitations, strengthening & augmentation of
existing infrastructure, metering of existing feeders / distribution
transformers / consumers to improve quality and reliability of power supply in
rural areas. Besides this, last mile connectivity and free electricity
connections are also provided to BPL households only identified by the States
as per their list. However, in villages which are electrified in past for a
long period, many households do not have electricity connections for many
reasons. Some of the really poor households do not have BPL cards but these
households are not capable of paying applicable initial connection charges.
There is also lack of awareness as to how to get connection or taking
connection is not an easy task for illiterate people. There may not be
electricity pole nearby and the cost of erection of additional pole, conductor
is also chargeable from the households for obtaining a connection.
Similarly, in urban areas, IPDS provides for
creation of necessary infrastructure to provide electricity access but some
households are not yet connected mainly on account of their economic condition
as they are not capable of paying the initial connection charges.
Therefore, Saubhagya has been launched to plug such
gaps and comprehensively address the issues of entry barrier, last mile
connectivity and release of electricity connections to all un-electrified
households in rural and urban areas.
What are the criteria for allocation of funds to
the States?
Projects under the scheme would be sanctioned based
on the DPRs to be submitted by the States. There is no upfront allocation of
fund under the scheme.
How the scheme would be implemented in the
entire country?
Project proposals
shall be prepared by the State DISCOMs / Power Deptt. And sanctioned by an
inter-ministerial Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary (Power), GOI. The
electrification works under the sanctioned projects shall be executed by
respective DISCOMs/Power Deptt. Through turnkey contractors or departmentally
or through other suitable agencies capable of doing this work as per norms.
How many un-electrified households would be
covered under Saubhagya?
There are about 4
crore un-electrified households estimated in the country of which about 1 crore
BPL households in rural areas are already covered under sanctioned projects of
DDUGJY. Thus, total of 300 lakh households, 250 lakh households in rural areas
and 50 lakh in urban areas, are expected to be covered under the scheme.
