Saubhagya Scheme

The Indian Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – “Saubhagya” which aims to provide last mile electricity connections to all willing households in rural as well as urban areas. The scheme intends to achieve electrification programme to reach universal electrification as it facilitates sustainable economic and social growth in the country. Let us look in detail about the Saubhagya Scheme in this article.

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Scope of the Scheme

Under this scheme, the un-electrified households would be identified by the Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone system. Any left out economically weaker un-electrified households that are located in the remote and inaccessible villages or habitations, where the grid extension is not feasible or cost-effective are also detected and provided with the electrical connections to such households. The non-poor urban households are excluded from availing electricity access under this scheme.

Salient Features of Saubhagya

The following are the salient features of the Saubhagya Scheme that are listed below:

The beneficiary households for the free electricity access under this scheme would be identified using the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) database. However, un-electrified households that are not covered under the SECC database would also be provided with electricity connections under this scheme on the payment of Rs.500 which would be recovered by the DISCOMs in 10 instalments through the electricity bill.
The electricity connections to un-electrified households would include the provision of the service line cable, energy meter including pre-paid or smart meter, single-point wiring. The LED lamps and associated accessories in line with the technical specifications and construction standard.
In the case of un-electrified households that are located in the remote and inaccessible areas, the power loads of 200 to 300 Wp (with the battery bank) with the maximum number of 5 LED lights, 1 DC Fan, 1 DC power plug etc. would be given along with the terms of Repair and Maintenance (R&M) for the period of 5 years.
The Saubhagya award scheme will also facilitate the power distribution firms (DISCOMs) and Power Department of the different States and their employees for achieving 100 per cent household electrification.
All DISCOMs including the Private Sector DISCOMs, State Power Departments and RE Cooperative Societies would be eligible for the financial grant under the scheme in line with the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). Some eligible entities are to provide free electricity connections to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households already sanctioned under the DDUGJY. In case of such entities are not able to find enough number of the BPL households in the project area, such households would not be considered for the funding of service connection cost under the Saubhagya Scheme to avoid any possibility of duplication.
The information of consumers viz, name and Aadhaar card number/contact number/bank account/driving license/voter identity etc., as available would be collected by the DISCOMs.
The defaulters whose electricity connections have been disconnected would not be given any benefit under this scheme. However, the utilities would consider the settlement of old dues and reconnection as per the norms.

Documents Required

The eligible beneficiary must attach the below following documents to apply for the electricity connection under the scheme:

Identity Proof: PAN, Aadhaar, Driving License, Voter Identity Card, etc.
Address Proof: Aadhar card, legal Passport, Utility bill, Property tax bill, etc.
Electricity Bill
Below Poverty Line Certificate
Any other documents (if applicable)

Funding Pattern

The funding structure of Saubhagaya is tabulated as under:

Agency	Nature of support	Quantum of support
Special Category States	Other than the Special Category States
Government of India	Grant	85%	60%
Utility/State Contribution	Own Fund	5%	10%
Loan (FIs/Banks)	Loan	10%	30%
Additional Grant from the GOI on the achievement of prescribed milestones	Grant	50% of the total loan component (10%) that would be 5%	50% of the total loan component (30%) that would be 15%
Maximum Grant by the GOI (including additional grant on the achievement of prescribed milestones)	Grant	90%	75%

Application Procedure

The DISCOM in the area would organize camps in the villages or cluster of villages and prior detail about such camps would be widely published. The applicant needs to approach the DISCOM officials in the camp and must get the application form for the electricity connection that would be registered on spot. The electricity connection would be released by the DISCOM after the verification process, that would be mostly on spot. In the case, the applicants are not able to get details about the camp, one can also approach the nearest DISCOM office for the required guidance. On the other hand, the applicant will be requested to give their contact details to the concerned officials and after which the applicant will be contacted by the concerned agency. There is certain provision under the Saubhagya Scheme to provide the last mile connectivity to the left out un-electrified households such as the erection of pole, conductor etc. and the electrical connection can be released to such households as per the scheme guidelines. On submission of the application for the electricity connection, the DISCOM officials would track/verify the site to find out additional electricity infrastructure required for the releasing electricity connection for such house.

Note: If the earlier connection was disconnected due to default in the payment of electricity dues that are still outstanding or not paid till date, then the applicant will not be eligible to get new connection under Saubhagya Scheme.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Saubhagya Scheme: Universal Electricity Access in India.

Under the Saubhagya Scheme, beneficiary households identified using the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) database are eligible for free electricity connections. Additionally, un-electrified households not covered in the SECC database can also receive connections by paying a nominal fee of Rs. 500, which is recoverable through their electricity bills.

The electricity connection package under the Saubhagya Scheme includes provision of a service line cable, an energy meter (prepaid or smart meter), single-point wiring, LED lamps, and associated accessories. For remote and inaccessible areas, a solar photovoltaic system with battery bank, LED lights, a DC fan, and a DC power plug will be provided.

For un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas where grid extension is not feasible or cost-effective, the Saubhagya Scheme provides solar photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone systems with power loads of 200 to 300 Wp, along with battery banks, LED lights, a DC fan, and a DC power plug. Repair and maintenance support for these systems is provided for 5 years.

The funding pattern for the Saubhagya Scheme is as follows: The Government of India provides a grant of 85% for Special Category States and 60% for other states. The utility/state contributes 5% for Special Category States and 10% for other states from its own funds. The remaining amount is provided as a loan from financial institutions/banks, which can be partially offset by an additional grant from the Government of India upon achieving prescribed milestones.

Applicants can approach the DISCOM (power distribution company) officials during camps organized in villages or clusters of villages. The DISCOM will widely publicize the details of these camps. Applicants can register their application on the spot and provide the required documents. If unable to attend the camps, applicants can also approach the nearest DISCOM office for guidance.

The required documents include identity proof (such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving license, or voter ID), address proof (such as Aadhaar card, passport, utility bill, or property tax bill), a Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate (if applicable), and any other relevant documents.

No, households whose electricity connections have been disconnected due to non-payment of dues are not eligible for the benefits of the Saubhagya Scheme. However, the utilities may consider settlement of old dues and reconnection as per their norms.

The Saubhagya Scheme includes an award scheme to facilitate DISCOMs, state power departments, and their employees for achieving 100% household electrification. All eligible entities, including private sector DISCOMs and renewable energy cooperative societies, can receive financial grants under the scheme, similar to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).

DISCOMs will collect consumer information such as name, Aadhaar card number, contact number, bank account details, driving license, voter identity, and other available details.

No, households that have already been sanctioned free electricity connections under the DDUGJY scheme will not be considered for funding of service connection costs under the Saubhagya Scheme to avoid duplication of benefits.