Saubhagya-Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana.

Introduction

• Worldwide, India ranks as the third largest producer of electricity. However, it is ironic that most of the rural Indian villages yet to access electricity in their lifetimes.
• Taking this into consideration, the Government of India has announced, "SAUBHAGYA-Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana" on September 25, 2017.
• Under this, the government aim to achieve 100% village electrification to the last mile connectivity.
• Its main objective is to provide free electricity connection to Above Poverty Line (APL), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Poor families in rural areas and poor families living in urban areas.
• As per the government estimates, there are about 4 crore un-electrified households in the country.
• Rural Electrification Corporation has been designated as the nodal agency for Saubhagya scheme.
• Under the Saubhagya scheme, the Power Distribution Department will organize camps in every village and facilitate on-the-spot filling of application forms, including issuing electricity connections to households.
• The details of the consumers like name, address and identity proof as available (Aadhaar number / mobile number / bank account / driving license / voter ID card etc.) will be collected by the power distribution company for providing electricity connection.
• There is no up front fee or charges for getting electricity connection under Saubhagya.
• Non Poor families will also take advantage of this scheme.
• They will have to pay a nominal fee of Rs. 500/-, which will be adjusted on your electricity bills in 10 instalments.
• Aadhaar Number is not mandatory for getting electricity connection.
• Under Saubhagya, the electricity connection will be released by pulling a service cable from the nearest pole to the domestic premises, which includes construction of poles, conductors etc., if required.
• This includes installation of energy meters, single point wiring with LED bulbs, mobile charging points and switches at no cost to the user.
• However, if the family wants to use more power points, additional wiring and equipment will have to be arranged by the household itself.
• There is no provision to provide free electricity to any category of consumers in the scheme.
• For households located in remote and inaccessible areas, where grid expansion is not possible or the cost is high, SPV based stand alone system will be provided. Such families will be given 5 LED bulbs, 1 DC fan and 1 DC electric plug free of cost.

Objective

• To provide free electricity connections to all un-electrified households.
• To provide Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) based standalone system where grid extension is not possible.
• To provide electricity connection to all poor households living in urban areas.
• Non poor households are excluded from this scheme.
• Main objective is to achieve universal household electrification.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the SAUBHAGYA Scheme, the applicants must fulfil any of the given criteria: -
  • Below Poverty Line (BPL) Families.
  • Above Poverty Line (APL) Families.
  • Households living in rural areas.
  • Poor families living in urban areas.
  • Families that are covered under Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
• Also, families who are not eligible under the above category can also take advantage of this scheme.
  • To get electricity connection, they will have to pay Rs 500 per family.
  • If the earlier connection was disconnected due to default in payment of electricity bills and the payment is still pending then they are not eligible to get a new connection under this scheme.
• As per the guidelines of the scheme, all un-electrified households in rural areas as well as poor un-electrified households in urban areas are eligible for electricity connections.

Households Eligible for Free Electricity Connection

• Below mentioned households are eligible for free electricity connection :-
  • Households without shelter.
  • Destitute, living on alms.
  • Manual scavenger families.
  • Primitive tribal group.
  • Legally released bonded labour.
• Below mentioned category are eligible for free connection if they fulfil any of the below given condition :-
  • Households with only one room, kucha wall and kucha roof.
  • No adult member between the age of 16 and 59.
  • Female headed household with no adult member between age of 16 and 59.
  • Households with disabled member and no abled-bodied member.
  • Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe Household.
  • Households with no literate adult above 25 years.
  • Landless labour.

Households Eligible to get Electricity Connection for Rs.500/-

List of households mentioned below are not eligible for free connection under Saubhagya scheme, but they can get electricity connection after paying a nominal fee of Rs.500/- :-

• Motorized 2/3/4 wheeler/fishing boat.
• Mechanized 3-4 wheeler agriculture equipment.
• Kisan credit card with credit limit of over Rs. 50,000/-.
• Household member government employee.
• Households with non-agriculture enterprises registered with government.
• Any member of household earning more than Rs. 10,000/- per month.
• Paying income tax.
• Paying professional tax.
• Three or more rooms with pucca walls and roof.
• Owns a refrigerator.
• Owns landline phone.
• Owns more than 2.5 acres of irrigated land with 1 irrigation equipment.
• 5 acres or more of irrigated land for two or more crop seasons.
• Owning at least 7.5 acres of land or more with at least one irrigation equipment.

Benefit of the Scheme

• Under Saubhagya below mentioned benefits will be given to the beneficiary family :-
  • Free Service Line Cable.
  • Free Pre-Paid Energy or Smart Meter.
  • Free Single Point Wiring.
  • Mobile Charging Points and Switches.
  • Free LED Bulb.
  • And any required accessories.
  • Erection of Pole and Conductors to extend service to far flung households.
• If the unelectrified household located in remote and inaccessible area, then the beneficiary will get :-
  • Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) based System.
  • 200 to 300 Watt Power Packs with Battery Backup.
  • Maximum 5 LED Light.
  • 1 DC Fan.
  • 1 DC Power Plug.
  • Repair and Maintenance for 5 Years.
• The households not found eligible as per SECC data would also be provided electricity connection on payment of Rs. 500 per household which shall be recovered by respective Power Departments as per the scheme in 10 instalments of Rs. 50 each along with electricity bill.

Documents Required

• Any of the Identity Proof is sufficient to take electricity connection:-
  • Voter ID.
  • Passport.
  • Driving License.
  • Ration Card.
  • Aadhar Card.

Features of the Scheme

• The eligible beneficiary households for free electricity connection under the Saubhagya scheme will be identified using SECC 2011 data.
• However, the un-electrified households which are not covered under SECC data will also be provided electricity connection under the scheme on payment of Rs 500, which will be adjusted to their electricity bill in 10 equal instalments.
• Electricity connection in un-electrified households includes provision of service line cables, energy meters including pre-paid/smart meters, single point wiring.
• LED lamps and associated accessories in line with technical specifications and construction standard.
• In case of un-electrified household is located in remote and inaccessible areas, electricity connection will be provided with a maximum provision of 200 to 300 watt battery power pack with 5 LED lights, 1 DC fan, 1 DC power plug etc.
• Five years repair and maintenance (R&M) is also provided under the scheme.
• The power distribution company will collect the details like name of the consumers and Aadhar number / mobile number / bank account / driving license / voter ID etc. for electricity connection.
• The defaulters whose connections have been disconnected will not be given the benefit of the scheme. However, after settlement of old dues as per norms, request may be considered.

How to Apply

• The Power Distribution Company of the area will organize camps in villages/groups of villages.
• Prior information about such camps will be widely publicized.
• Citizens need to approach the power distribution officials in the camp.
• The application for the connection will be registered on the spot.
• The electricity connection will be issued mostly on the spot, after due verification of the documents by the power distribution company.
• Camp information can also be obtained by contacting the office of the Power Distribution Company for necessary guidance.
• After few days electricity connection will be provided to the registered families.

Distribution Company Help Line Numbers

Important Links

• Saubhagya Official Website.
• Ministry of Power.
• Rural Electrification Corporation Limited.
• Saubhagya Official Guidelines.
• All State Electricity Department Toll Free Numbers.
• Ministry of Power Contact Details.
• UMANG APP.
• Subhagya FAQs.

Contact Details

• Saubhagya Toll Free Number :- 18001215555.
• UMANG Helpline Number :- +919007765011, 1800115246.
• UMANG Email :- customercare@umnag.gov.in.