Electricity is very important in our daily lives. It powers our lights, fans, TVs, mobile chargers, etc. Without electricity, life becomes difficult, especially in today’s modern world. However, many families in India, especially in villages and remote areas, did not have electricity for a very long time. To solve this problem, the Government of India launched a special scheme called Saubhagya – Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana.
This scheme was started with one simple goal – to provide electricity to every household in the country, especially to poor families who could not afford it. Let’s understand everything about this scheme in a very simple and easy way.
What is the Saubhagya Yojana?
Saubhagya is short for Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana. It was launched on 25th September 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The aim of the scheme is to provide electricity connections to every household in India. It focuses mainly on poor and rural families who were living in darkness for many years.
Before Saubhagya, the government had already started a mission called Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), which focused on providing electricity to villages. But even if a village was declared as “electrified”, many houses in that village still did not have electricity connections. Saubhagya was launched to fill that gap and make sure every single home in every corner of the country has access to electricity.
Objectives of the Saubhagya Scheme
Here are the main goals of the Saubhagya Yojana:
- To provide electricity connections to all un-electrified households in rural and urban areas.
- To give free electricity connections to poor families (BPL – Below Poverty Line).
- To use modern technologies and ensure quick and easy connections.
- To promote the use of solar power in areas where regular power lines are not possible.
Who Can Get the Benefit?
The scheme is mainly for those who do not have electricity in their homes. The main target groups are:
- Poor families who are listed under the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
- People in rural areas living in huts or small houses.
- Families in urban slums or other poor localities without electricity.
- Households that are not listed under SECC can also get connections by paying a small amount in installments.
So, basically, everyone who does not have electricity can apply and get the benefit of this scheme.
How Does Saubhagya scheme Work?
The process to get electricity under the Saubhagya scheme is very simple and hassle-free. Here is how it works:
- Survey: First, a survey is done in each area to find out which households do not have electricity.
- Identification: Based on the survey, eligible households are identified.
- Application: People can also apply online or offline. The scheme has a mobile app and website for quick applications.
- Free Connection: BPL families get the connection for free, including the wiring, meter, and other basic equipment.
- Partial Payment: Non-BPL families can also get connections by paying the amount in 10 easy installments.
- Solar Packs: In very remote areas where electric poles cannot be set up, solar-based systems are provided.
What Does the Government Provide in Saubhagya scheme
Under this scheme, the government provides the following:
- One electric meter per household.
- Internal wiring (for one or two rooms).
- Switches, sockets, and light bulbs.
- A small fan and charging point.
- Solar panel kits in remote areas.
All these things help the family start using electricity for basic needs right from the first day.
How Much Does It Cost?
For poor families (BPL), the electricity connection is completely free.
For other families (non-BPL), they can pay ₹500 in 10 easy installments of ₹50 each. This small amount is added to their electricity bill every month, so they don’t have to pay it all at once.
Impact of the Saubhagya Scheme
The Saubhagya scheme has created a huge positive impact in the lives of millions of Indians. Here are some important results:
1. Electricity for Millions: By 2019, the government announced that almost all willing households in India had been given electricity connections under the Saubhagya Yojana. More than 2.8 crore homes received power connections under this scheme.
2. Improved Quality of Life: People can now use fans, lights, TVs, and mobile phones. This has made life more comfortable and safer, especially at night.
3. Better Education: Children can now study at night under proper lighting. This has improved education in many rural areas.
4. Health Benefits: Families can now use fans during hot weather, helping reduce heat-related health issues. Also, health centers and clinics in villages now have better electricity, which helps in treating patients.
5. Employment Opportunities: With electricity, small shops and businesses can run better. This has created jobs and income for many people in rural India.
6. Women Empowerment: Women feel safer at night, and can also use electric machines like sewing machines, leading to more self-employment options.
Use of Technology in Saubhagya
The government used technology in a smart way to make this scheme successful. Some of the tech features used were:
- Mobile apps for tracking applications and progress.
- Online portals for applying and checking status.
- GPS and GIS mapping to locate houses without power.
- Biometric devices to verify identity and avoid corruption.
Challenges in Saubhagya scheme
While the scheme has been largely successful, there were some challenges too:
- Some houses are located in very remote and hilly areas, making it hard to install power lines.
- People’s awareness was low in some areas, so they did not apply.
- In a few places, connection was given but supply was irregular due to local power issues.
- Maintaining solar power systems in remote areas is sometimes difficult.
However, the government is continuously working to solve these problems and ensure regular power supply.
Current Status and Future Plans
As per the government’s data, nearly 100% electrification of households has been achieved. Still, the government continues to monitor and support states to connect the few remaining families.
Now the focus is not only on connections but also on quality power supply, 24×7 electricity, and renewable energy sources like solar power.
The government is also pushing for smart meters, better billing systems, and power reforms under programs like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Conclusion
The Saubhagya Yojana is truly a life-changing program for millions of Indians. It brought light, hope, and new opportunities to people who lived in darkness for generations. It has improved education, health, safety, and economic conditions in rural India.
The success of this scheme shows what can be achieved when the government works with a clear vision and strong execution. Electricity is a basic need, and with schemes like Saubhagya, India is moving forward towards becoming a fully electrified and developed country.
Let us hope that in the coming years, every Indian family continues to enjoy the power of electricity, without any hurdles or darkness in their lives.