GS 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.

Why in News?

• 8 States have achieved 100% saturation in household electrification under Saubhagya namely Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Bihar, J&K, Mizoram, Sikkim, Telangana and West Bengal.

100% Electrification:

The Minister informed that as many as 2.1 crore connections have been released under Saubhagya so far.

Many more State like Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh etc. are left with small number of un-electrified households and expected to achieve saturation any time.

Nation is expected to achieve 100% saturation in the country by 31st December, 2018.

Saubhagya – ‘Pradhan MantriSahajBijliHarGharYojana’:

Its objective is to provide access to electricity connections to all the remaining households in the country.

Scheme will provide subsidy on equipment such as transformers, wires and meters.

Ministry of Power would be the implementing authority.

Power connection will be provided in both rural and urban areas of the country.

The scheme was launched on the occasion of the birth centenary of PanditDeenDayalUpadhyaya on 25th.

Award Scheme under Saubhagya:

For creating healthy competition amongst various DISCOMs, an award scheme has been instituted with awards of more than Rs 300 crore to be won by States/Discoms.

The first DISCOM/Power Departments to complete 100% household electrification will be felicitated with cash award of Rs. 50 Lakh for the employees and Rs.100 crore grant to be spent for distribution infrastructure.

For the purpose of award, States have been divided into 3 categories and award would be given in each of these categories.

The States completing 100% household electrification by 31st 2018 will also receive additional grant of 15% of the project cost (5% for special category States) sanctioned under Saubhagya.