PM Modi launches Saubhagya scheme :Poor to get free power as PM Modi launches Rs 16k crore Saubhagya scheme

*Saubhagya aims to provide "access to electricity to all willing households." The scheme will provide free power connections to poor families

*The total outlay is pegged at Rs 16,320 crore

*The outlay for rural households is Rs 14,025 crore, while that for urban households is Rs 2,295 crore

*Rs 12,320 crore has been earmarked as gross budgetary support for Saubhagya

*The Union government will provide a 60 per cent grant toward funding the scheme, while the states will provide a 10 per cent grant. The remaining amount will be covered by loans

*The beneficiaries for free electricity connections will be identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data 

HIGHLIGHTS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, or 'Saubhagya,' which is expected to provide 'last mile electricity connectivity to all rural and urban households.'

Here are 10 facts about the scheme

*Unelectrified households not covered under SECC data will also be provided connections on payment of Rs 500, which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 installments through electricity bills


*The government has said that the scheme will ensure "a substitute to kerosene; improvement in educational and health services, communications, public safety, and job opportunities"




*States and Union Territories are required to complete household electrification by March 31, 2019