Four Years of SAUBHAGYA Scheme

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    In News 

    • Recently, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) completed four years of successful implementation.

    Achievements of 4 years 

    • Since the start of SAUBHAGYA, 2.82 crore houses have been electrified. 
    • As of March 2019, 2.63 crore un-electrified households in rural and urban areas of the country had received electricity connections in an unprecedented 18-month time frame.
    • 82 crore households have been electrified since the launch of SAUBHAGYA till 31st March 2021.
    • The generation of electricity has changed lives drastically, starting from domestic use to industrial activities and bringing reliable power to all homes.

    SAUBHAGYA Scheme

    • About:
      • It was launched in September 2017 to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.
      • It is one of the world’s largest electrification drives. 
      • The scheme envisages electricity connection for each household by drawing a service cable from the nearest electricity pole to the home, installing an energy meter, and wiring for a single light point with an LED bulb and a mobile charging point.
      • Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) is the nodal agency for the operationalization of the scheme throughout the country.
    • Goal: 
      • To achieve Universal Household Electrification in the country by establishing last-mile connectivity and delivering power to all un-electrified rural families and poor urban households. 
    • Coverage: 
      • It covers both urban and rural households.
    • Beneficiaries:  
      • The beneficiaries for free electricity connections would be identified using Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. 
      • However, un-electrified households not covered under the SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500 which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 instalments through electricity bill.
    • Funding: 
      • The Government of India largely provided funds for the Scheme to all States/UTs.
    • Benefits: 

    Image Courtesy: TOI

    Conclusion

    • While the set objectives of the scheme have been achieved, team SAUBHAGYA has continued its work of providing a 24×7 quality power supply to all.
    • All states have been requested to launch special campaigns in their respective states to identify any left out un-electrified households and subsequently provide electricity connections to them. 
    • A dedicated toll-free helpline has also been launched for that purpose.

    Other Similar initiatives 

    •  DeenDayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY):
      • Minstry: Ministry of Power.
      • Focus: On strengthening & augmentation the existing infrastructure and metering of existing feeders/distribution transformers to improve the quality and reliability of power supply in rural areas.
      • Objectives: 
        • To provide electrification to all villages
        • Feeder separation to ensure sufficient power to farmers and regular supply to other consumers
        • Improvement of Sub-transmission and distribution network to improve the quality and reliability of the supply
        • Metering to reduce the losses
    • “Integrated Power Development Scheme” (IPDS): 
      • Ministry of Power, Government of India notified IPDS on 3rd December’14 with the following components:
    • Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in the urban areas.
    • Metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers in the urban areas.
    • Schemes for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and IT enablement of balanced urban towns are also included under IPDS. The scope of IT enablement has been extended to all 4041 towns as per Census 2011.
    • All Discoms will be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
    • Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP):  
      • It was launched with a focus on the establishment of baseline data, fixation of accountability, reduction of AT&C losses up to 15% level through strengthening & up-gradation of Sub Transmission and Distribution network and adoption of Information Technology during XI Plan.
    • Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY): 
      • Ministry of Power, GoI launched Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 5th November 2015. The scheme envisages:
      • Financial Turnaround
    • Operational improvement
    • Reduction of cost of generation of power
    • Development of Renewable Energy
    • Energy efficiency & conservation

    Source: PIB

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