What Is Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Saubhagya scheme, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, on September 25, 2017. The scheme aims to provide electricity to all households in India, targeting both rural and urban areas that still lack electricity.

About 99.93% of households in India have been electrified under this govt scheme as of 2021, leading to improved living conditions and boosting economic development.

Key Features Of The Saubhagya Yojana

The following are the key features of Saubhagya Yojana, a central government scheme:

Power Universal Access:
Electricity supply to all willing households, ensuring a sustainable and reliable power source.

Alternative to Kerosene:
This Sarkari yojana helps people shift from kerosene consumption to electricity, creating a cleaner and safer environment.

Improved Health Services:
The efficiency of health services is improved, leading to better medical care.

Enhanced Communication:
Access to radios, televisions, and internet tools for communication purposes is provided.

Increased Job Opportunities:
The scheme results in more employment opportunities through new business start-ups and industry development.

Improved Quality of Life:
A reduction in household burdens, especially on women, by improving lighting for educational purposes.

Objectives Of The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

This government scheme has many objectives such as

• Providing electricity to houses that do not have any connection.

• Improve the quality of life with access to electricity, enhancing education, healthcare, and safety.

• Promote development with modern technology.

• Support gender equality by enabling women to participate more in education and employment with the help of a proper electricity supply.

Eligibility Criteria For This Govt Scheme

• Rural and Urban Households: any area without electricity qualifies.

• Willingness: Households must be interested in getting a new power connection.

• Economic Status: PPriority is given to BPL families with an annual income below ₹27,000, but APL households with an annual income above ₹27,000 may also qualify depending on the scheme's provisions.

• No Previous Connection: The household should not have been using electricity before.

• Ownership of Property: Applicant must own the property or have relevant documents indicating their residence.

Application Process

• Identification and Survey: Mobile applications are used to conduct surveys to identify beneficiaries.

• Submission of Application: A mobile app or official website can be used for submitting applications with address proof, identity proof, and a passport-size photo.

• Verification: Authorities will verify all submissions. Panchayat Raj institutions collect applications in rural areas while they are checked by local bodies in urban areas.

• Approval and Installation: If the application is verified, service cables along with energy meters and wiring will be set up.

• Completion and Monitoring: Every step is monitored to ensure timely implementation as well as that the beneficiaries get instructions to use safely.

Implementation And Funding

The Sarkari Yojana is backed by a substantial total budget of INR 16,320 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to ensuring electricity access for all.

Out of this, the government has allocated INR 12,320 crore to support the initiative. A significant portion of the budget, INR 14,025 crore, is dedicated to rural households, recognising the greater need for infrastructure development in these areas.

Meanwhile, INR 2,295 crore is earmarked for urban households, ensuring that the benefits of the scheme are extended to cities as well. This allocation strategy highlights the government's focus on bridging the energy gap across both rural and urban regions of India.

Rural And Urban Impacts

In rural areas, this Sarkari scheme supports Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) towards strengthening power infrastructure. In towns, it supplements the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) that facilitates the provision of essential infrastructure required for providing power connections.

Enhancing Quality Of Life

Daily life and human development are affected positively through electricity in ways such as

• Reducing kerosene use leads to less indoor pollution hence fewer health issues.

• Introducing modern medical services.

• Providing better lighting after sunset enhances security, especially among women thus promoting social-economic activities.

• Allowing children to study late into the night as they can see

Reduction In Subsidies And Import Bills

Replacement of kerosene with electricity will reduce subsidies and import bills. A reliable supply of power improves communication and gives farmers ideas on how best to farm hence increasing agricultural production as well as earnings.

Promotion Of New Businesses And Industries

Reliable power attracts new ventures such as shops, garages, mills for grinding flour, and small-scale businesses which help increase employment within the region’s economy.

Employment Generation

The implementation of this project is expected to generate around one million man-days of employment requiring semi-skilled and skilled manpower to take electricity to each household.

Conclusion

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana is a significant move to improve the standard of living as well as promote economic development in India. Bridging the digital divide through universal access to electricity can also enhance social integration among different communities resulting in improved socio-economic conditions.

For more information and to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, visit the official site or mail at indiaportal@gov.in.