The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA Scheme) has marked the completion of four successful years since its inception. The chief accomplishment of this scheme is the electrification of 2.82 crore households as recorded on 31st March, 2021. Launched in 2017, this nationwide project was aimed at illuminating every rural and urban household across India.
About the SAUBHAGYA Scheme
The SAUBHAGYA Scheme was designed to ensure that electricity reaches every corner of the country. The primary mission is to achieve universal household electrification through last-mile connectivity. In addition to providing access to electricity for all un-electrified households in rural areas, this scheme also set out to support poor households in urban areas that lack power supply.
Beneficiaries were identified based on the data procured from the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011. However, the scheme also extended its reach to un-electrified households not listed in the SECC data, offering them electricity connections at a nominal fee of Rs 500.
Expected Outcomes of the Scheme
The SAUBHAGYA Scheme was not limited to just electrification; it envisioned far-reaching impacts on the environment, education, health, and connectivity.
Environmental conservation was one of its main objectives, accomplished by substituting kerosene with electricity for lighting purposes. The scheme anticipated an improvement in education services, better health services, and enhanced connectivity via mediums such as radio, television, and mobiles. It also aimed to boost economic activities and job creation, thereby improving the quality of life overall, especially for women.
Related Initiatives
The SAUBHAGYA Scheme is backed by several other initiatives that collectively aim to brighten up every household in India. These include the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), PM-KUSUM, Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), and the Grameen Vidyutikaran (GARV) App.
Each of these initiatives plays a crucial role in bolstering the country’s power infrastructure. While the DDUGJY focuses on feeder separation (rural households & agricultural) and strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution infrastructure, the PM-KUSUM initiative installs solar power grid and ensures financial security to farmers. The IPDS offers a robust power transmission system in urban areas, the UDAY scheme ensures a stable and efficient operational performance in DISCOMs, and the GARV app monitors rural electrification in real-time.
The SAUBHAGYA Scheme, with its widespread impact and successful implementation, stands as a testament that electricity, a basic human need, is within reach for all residents of the country, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location.
