Lok Sabha Question No. 310 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-24
Subject: Electricity Connections under Saubhagya
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.310

## ANSWERED ON 24.03.2022

## ELECTRICITY CONNECTIONS UNDER SAUBHAGYA

*310.  SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total numbers of households who have been provided electricity connections under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana(Saubhagya) in West Bengal, district-wise;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  pace  of implementation of Saubhagya in the rural areas of West Bengal; and
- (c) the time by which the Government proposes to provide electricity connections to all rural households in West Bengal?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) :  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  STARRED  QUESTION NO.310  ANSWERED  IN  THE  LOK  SABHA  ON  24.03.2022  REGARDING  ELECTRICITY CONNECTIONS UNDER SAUBHAGYA

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(a) to (c) : Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana -  Saubhagya  in  October,  2017  with  the  objective  to  achieve  universal  household electrification by providing electricity connections to all willing un-electrified households in  rural  areas  and  all  willing  poor  households  in  urban  areas  in  the  country.  A  total  of 7,32,290 households were electrified in West Bengal since the launch of Saubhagya. The State of West Bengal has reported that 100% rural electrification has been completed in the State. District-wise details of households electrified in the State of West Bengal are at Annexure.

The Steps taken by the Government to increase the pace of implementation of Saubhagya including in West Bengal are as under:

- i. Launching  of  Saubhagya  Strategy  Formulation  workshops  in  the  States  to  give impetus to quick start the programme.
- ii. Establishing camps in villages/ cluster of villages wherein public representatives (MLAs, MPs, Gram Pradhans) for creating awareness amongst public at large and for on spot registration.
- iii. Infrastructure Support-Additional Infrastructure of Rs.14,270 Crore for electrification of households under Saubhagya, adequate funding provided to the States by Government of India.
- iv. Communication  plan,  24*7  'One  nation  One  number'-toll-free  helplines  1912, 1800-121-5555, special campaign 'Saubhagya Rath' for creating awareness  and all  media  options  viz.  print  media,  radio,  television,  social  media  (Facebook, twitter etc.).
- v. Flexibility  to  States  in  mode  of  implementation  (Departmental/  Turnkey/  Semiturnkey).
- vi. A  comprehensive  Web  portal  'saubhagya.gov.in'  was  developed  and  DISCOMs were  provided  access  for  updating  of  progress  on  the  portal  for  day-to-day monitoring.
- vii. Coordination  with  Indian  Electrical  &  Electronics  Manufacturers'  Association (IEEMA) to ensure speedy supply for completion of targets.
- viii. To  facilitate  availability  of  adequate  skilled  manpower  with  requisite  skill, coordination with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for training the workforce.
- ix. More than 350 Engineers viz. Gram Vidyut Abhiyantas (GVAs) were deployed in monitoring and the expeditious implementation of projects.
- x. Helicopters and support from the Indian Railways were instrumental in transporting the essential goods to the unexplored geographies.
- xi. Monitoring  &  Reviews  at  all  levels  of  the  Government  with  the  States  and Distribution utilities.

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ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE STATEMENT LAID IN REPLY  TO  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  310  ANSWERED  IN  THE  LOK  SABHA  ON 24.03.2022 REGARDING ELECTRICITY CONNECTIONS UNDER SAUBHAGYA ***********

District-wise details of households electrified in West Bengal under Saubhagya

| District          | Number of households electrified   |
|-------------------|------------------------------------|
| Bankura           | 24415                              |
| Bardhaman         | 65767                              |
| Birbhum           | 36859                              |
| Cooch Behar       | 35043                              |
| Dakhshin Dinajpur | 6828                               |
| Darjiling         | 10434                              |
| Hooghly           | 41692                              |
| Howrah            | 27827                              |
| Jalpaiguri        | 17130                              |
| Maldah            | 32871                              |
| Murshidabad       | 54433                              |
| Nadia             | 51631                              |
| North 24 Parganas | 61078                              |
| Paschim Medinipur | 21901                              |
| Purba Medinipur   | 33407                              |
| Purulia           | 52234                              |
| South 24 Parganas | 144401                             |
| Uttar Dinajpur    | 14339                              |
| Total             | 7,32,290                           |

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