PM Saubhagya Scheme: Objectives, Features & Benefits

Indian villages are the backbone of our economy, with a large population of 65.07%, according to the World Bank’s 2020 report. Therefore, it is essential to develop the rural infrastructure by equipping the households of Indian villages.

The Saubhagya scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is such a scheme to provide electricity facilities in every Indian household. Keep reading to know the objectives, features and benefits of this scheme.

The Saubhagya scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, aims for 100% rural electrification. The Prime Minister of India announced this scheme on 25th September 2017 and launched a website on 16th November 2017.

Meanwhile, Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, designed this website to monitor the process of electrification. Users can derive real-time data on Household Electrification progress and status from this portal.

The primary objectives of the Saubhagya yojana are as follows:

• Aiming for optimum connectivity by providing electricity connections to economically backward and un-electrified rural households.
• Setting up a standalone system named Solar Photovoltaic for households in remote and unfeasible habitations or rural areas. It will help electrification where grid extension is costly or not feasible.

Below are some salient features of the Saubhagya Scheme:

• This scheme provides a metered connection free of cost to economically deprived households.
• It also offers a charge of ₹ 500 to households besides the poor. After delivering the connection, it will be reimbursed in installments for 10 months in their electricity bills.
• It ensures on-the- spot registration by setting up camps in villages or clusters of villages. 
• This scheme also identifies beneficiaries and processes electronic registrations along with documentation through its web portal or mobile app.
• The app also helps in monitoring and updating electrification progress simultaneously.
• The Indian Government conducts communication programs to generate awareness about this scheme, its features and benefits.
• The states also have the freedom to choose their implementation mode, whether it is Turnkey, Semi-turnkey or departmental.

The ones who are eligible for PM Saubhagya Scheme are:

• All types of DISCOMs along with Private Sector DISCOMs
• RE Cooperative Societies
• State Power Departments

Follow these simple steps to apply online for the Saubhagya scheme:

• Step 1: Visit the official web portal and click on“Guest” from the home page.
• Step 2: Then, click on “Sign-in”, and a new page will appear. Choose roll ID, email ID or mobile number and enter the same along with a password you create.
• Step 3: After that, click on “Sign-in” on that page to register yourself.
• Step 4: Navigate the portal to access the data and track monthly targets, electrification progress, and achievements.

The Saubhagya scheme has funding of ₹ 16,320 crores, including ₹ 12,320 crores of Gross Budgetary Support. In addition, the Ministry of Power allowed ₹ 14,109 crores with ₹ 9,093 crores of grant.