Status of implementation and coverage of SAUBHAGYA in the country

• The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy recently informed about the status of implementation and coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana -"SAUBHAGYA" in the country.
• A total of 2.86 crore households have been electrified since the launch of Saubhagya.
• All households were reported electrified by the States, except 18,734 households in Left Wing Extremists (LWE) affected areas of Chhattisgarh.

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana - SAUBHAGYA

• It was launched in October, 2017
• Objective: Achieving universal household electrification, by providing electricity connections to all un-electrified households in rural areas and all poor households in urban areas in the country.
• The beneficiaries are identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
• However, un-electrified households not covered under the SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500.
• The Ministry of Power is the implementing authority.

Prelims Takeaway

• Saubhagya Scheme
• Left Wing Extremism