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Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (PMSBHGY)

January 16, 2019 / Leave a comment

Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (PMSBHGY) which aims at providing ‘last mile electricity connectivity to all rural and urban households’.

The main purpose of the scheme is to provide energy access to all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas to meet universal household electrification in the country.

Use of electricity improves quality of life and it plays an important component for the human development and economic growth of the country. First of all, access to electricity decline the use of kerosene which plays and important fuel in the households particularly in the rural areas which results in hazardous emissions thereby access to electricity will save people from health hazards. Also, it is the central to the ability of almost all developed societies to function and enjoy the modern amenities available to them.

According to the Ministry of Power,

The total outlay of the project is Rs. 16, 320 crore while the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) is Rs. 12,320 crore. The outlay for the rural households is Rs. 14,025 crore while the GBS is Rs. 10,587.50 crore. For the urban households the outlay is Rs. 2,295 crore while GBS is Rs. 1,732.50 crore. The Government of India will provide funds for the Scheme to all States / UTs

Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

Under the Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, the beneficiaries for free electricity will identify by using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Despite that, if any of the household is not covered under SECC, they can also avail the scheme by paying the nominal charges of Rs. 500 which will recover by DISCOM in 10 installments through electricity bill.

For houses located in remote and inaccessible areas where it is not viable to extend grid lines, solar power packs of 200 to 300 Watt and battery back with 5 LED light. 1 DC Fan, 1 DC power plug would provide along with Repair and Maintenance (R and M) facility for 5 years.

Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

The government have decided to use Mobile app in order to conduct household survey for fast and easy implementation of the scheme. Government will do the identification of the beneficiaries by using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and their application for electricity connection along with their photograph and identity proof and register them on the spot. The Gram Panchayat / Public institutions in the rural areas may be authorized to collect application forms along with complete documentation, distribute bills and collect revenue in consultation with the Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

Note: [The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (RECL) will remain the nodal agency for the operations for the scheme throughout the country].

Expected outcome of the scheme

The expected outcome of the scheme is as follows:

(a) Environmental up gradation by substitution of Kerosene for lighting purposes

(b) Improvement education services

(d) Enhanced connectivity through radio, television, mobiles, etc.

(e) Increased economic activities and jobs

(f) Improved quality of life especially for women

The Government have asked the States and Union Territories to complete the household electrification work by the 31st of December 2018.

FAQs

Last mile connectivity and electricity connection to households

Under the scheme the last mile electricity connections to households, the electricity connection will be provided by drawing a service cable from the nearest electricity pole to the household. In case electricity pole is not available, extra pole will be built and provide conductor and associated accessories.

Along with that Government will install an energy meter and provide wiring for a single light point with LED bulb and a mobile charging point.

Will electricity connection would be free of cost for every un - electrified household?

Yes, under this scheme electricity would be free for every poor un – electrified households. In case an household doesn’t fit in the eligibility criteria, they can pay Rs. 500 to avail the scheme which will be recovered later by power department.

Does the free electricity include free power for consumption?

No, as per prevailing tariff of the power department, the costs of electricity consumption have to be paid by the consumer only.

What are the criteria for allocation of funds to the States?

Projects under the scheme would be sanctioned based on the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) submitted by the States. There is upfront allocation of fund under the scheme.

How many un - electrified households would be covered under Saubhagya?

According to the government reports, about 4 crores un – electrified households would be covered under the scheme. 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.

Is there any plan for creating awareness amongst public at large about the Scheme so that more & more people are benefited from the Scheme?

Government of India would take up publicity campaign through Radio, Print Media, Television, Sign Boards etc. Lack of awareness about procedure to get electricity connection including cost of connection, uses of electricity, cost of uses vis – à – vis Kerosene, benefits of using electricity (Direct and Indirect) etc. has been cited as one of the major reasons of slow progress on household electrification in various research studies.

So wide multi – media campaign would be undertaken to make people aware of all aspects the Scheme. The DISCOM officials would also organize camps in rural areas for creating awareness about electricity as well as Saubhagya. School teachers, Gram Panchayat members, local literate / educated youth would also be associated in the awareness campaign.