Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ,Saubhagya Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana: This topic holds significance for the upcoming UPSC Exams, and candidates are encouraged to comprehend the Saubhagya scheme thoroughly. It is essential to grasp the scheme’s intricacies, including its features, goals, benefits, and associated concerns. The Saubhagya Yojana bears relevance to General Studies Paper 1 in the UPSC Prelims Exam and General Studies Paper 2 in the Mains Examination.

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, also known as the “Saubhagya” scheme, is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at ensuring universal household electrification. Launched on September 25, 2017, the scheme is aligned with the government’s vision to provide 24/7 power for all by the year 2019. An overview of the Saubhagya scheme and important facts are given below.

Saubhagya Scheme

• The scheme mandates states and union territories to achieve complete household electrification, aligning with the government’s goal of providing 24/7 power for all by 2019.
• Beneficiaries for free electricity connections are identified based on the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC).
• Un-electrified households, not covered by the SECC, are required to pay Rs. 500 for an electricity connection, recoverable by electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) in ten installments through the electricity bill.
• The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) is the designated nodal agency for nationwide scheme implementation.
• Essential equipment like transformers, meters, and wires will be available at subsidized prices.
• In remote areas without electricity, solar power packs (200Wp-300Wp) with battery banks will be provided for rural households. These packs include a DC power plug, a DC fan, and five LED lights, with maintenance and repairs covered for five years.
• Household surveys for beneficiary identification and on-the-spot registration will be facilitated through a mobile application.
• Gram Panchayats or Public Institutions in rural areas are responsible for the application process and documentation, and they are authorized to distribute bills and collect revenue in consultation with Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

The program seeks to achieve the following goals and objectives:

1. Mitigation of environmental degradation by eliminating the use of kerosene for lighting purposes.
2. Enhancement of educational services.
3. Advancement of health services.
4. Improvement in communication infrastructure.
5. Enhancement of public safety and overall quality of life, with a primary focus on women.
6. Augmentation of employment opportunities.
7. Stimulation of increased economic activity.

Condition of the Power Sector in India

1. The Ministry of Power became an independent entity in 1992, focusing primarily on the development of electrical energy in the country.
2. India holds the third position globally in terms of electricity production.
3. In line with the Paris Accord on Climate Change, India pledged that by 2030, 40% of its installed power generation capacity would be based on clean sources, aiming to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022.
4. The breakdown of the 175 GW target includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power, and 5 GW from small hydropower.
5. India ranks fifth globally in overall installed renewable energy capacity, fourth in wind power, and fifth in solar power.
6. As of October 2018, the total installed renewable energy capacity in the country reached approximately 73.35 GW, with contributions from 34.98 GW from wind, 24.33 GW from solar, 4.5 GW from Small Hydro Power, and 9.54 GW from Bio-power.
7. The power sector in India allows for a 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) permit, resulting in a significant boost in FDI inflows into the sector.

Features of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

Key features of the Saubhagya scheme include:

1. Free and Subsidized Connections: Economically disadvantaged households qualify for a complimentary metered connection, while non-disadvantaged households are required to pay a Rs. 500 fee, distributed over ten monthly installments through electricity bills.
2. Spot Registration Camps: Registration camps will be set up in villages or clusters of villages for on-the-spot enrollment.
3. Mobile Application Integration: A mobile application will facilitate the identification of beneficiaries and streamline electronic registration, including the submission of necessary documentation.
4. Real-time Progress Monitoring: The scheme ensures close-to-real-time monitoring and updates via the web to track its progress efficiently.
5. Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Remote or inaccessible areas will benefit from solar photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone systems provided to households.
6. Flexible Implementation: States have the flexibility to choose from various implementation options, including Departmental, Turnkey, or Semi-Turnkey approaches.
7. Subsidies on Equipment: The scheme will provide subsidies on essential equipment such as wires, transformers, and meters.

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