In a bid to add more ‘power’ to Indian infrastructure and economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the ‘Saubhagya’ scheme. Addressing the gathering after launch of Saubhagya Yojana, PM Modi said, “Less than 3,000 villages remain unelectrified from 18,000 villages that were without power three years back.” India becoming electricity surplus from deficit,” PM added. Also he said four crore out of 25 crore families do not have power connection even after 70 years of independence. Talking about solar power, Modi said, ” Solar power tariff has dipped to Rs 2.44 per unit.” He also mentioned how LED usage is growing day by day. “Households save Rs 13,700 crore annually on account of use of LED lights,” Modi said. “Price of LED bulb has come down from Rs 310 in February 2014 to Rs 40 in September 2017,” Modi added.

Here are things to know about the Saubhagya Yojana:-

– The Saubhagya scheme basically means Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana

– The Saubhagya scheme aims to provide electricity to all families in India

– The Saubhagya scheme will provide free electricity connection to poor families of India

– The total outlay for Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana is pegged at Rs 16,320 crore

– The amount will be funded largely by Centre

– Saubhagya Yojana will give access to electricity to all ‘willing’ households

Also, Power Minister R K Singh on Monday said that India will achieve the target of power for all by December next year, while all villages will be electrified by the end of this year, much ahead of the schedule. Government had set the deadline for electrifying all villages by May 1, 2018. Similarly, it was aiming to provide 24X7 power to all by March, 2019.

“Prime Minister has said December 2018 is the target. We will do it. This is a tight target but we will do. Every household will get electricity by December 2018,” Singh said at the launch of ‘Saubhagya’ scheme for providing power to all households.

“One more important target we have got, that is 24X7 power, reliable and quality power. We will take a proposal to the Prime Minister,” he said.