According to the government, 15 states in India have achieved 100 percent household electrification under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna (SAUBHAGYA) program so far.

Mercom had reported on the launch of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) to electrify all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas using solar power by Prime Minister Modi. The program began in 2017 with a project outlay of ₹163.2 billion (~$2.5 billion) and Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of ₹123.2 billion (~$1.89 billion).

The eight new states that have joined the list of 100 percent household electrification are: Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Sikkim, Telangana, and West Bengal.

Other states like Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh have a small number of unelectrified households and are expected to achieve 100 percent household electrification soon, according to Power Minister R.K. Singh.

As many as 21 million connections have been released under SAUBHAGYA so far. The target of 100 percent electrification is expected to be achieved by December 31, 2018.

“Achievement of 100 percent household electrification in the country would be a major milestone in the direction to achieve 24×7 power for all. The government is committed to ensure 24×7 access to electricity for all by March 31, 2019”, Power Minister R.K. Singh said.

Recently, the government announced that it has instituted an award of more than ₹3 billion (~$42.95 million) to be won by states/DISCOMs. Mercom previously reported that the state completing 100 percent household electrification at earliest in each group would be eligible for the reward.

The first DISCOM/Power Department to complete 100 percent household electrification will be awarded ₹5 million (~$71,680) for the employees and ₹1 billion (~$ 14.31 million) grant to be spent for distribution infrastructure.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer