Only 84% rural households have electricity in four States’

Only 84% rural households have electricity in four States’

1. According to a private sector survey, only 84% of rural households have electricity connection in the four States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Rajasthan. This is in contrary to Saubhagya Scheme data. The government data claims that 100% household electrification has been achieved in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha; and 99.9% in Rajasthan.
2. The study has also found 16% of households use non-grid-electricity sources such as solar home systems, rechargeable batteries, mini-grid electricity, and diesel generators. This is because a) electricity connections remain financially unviable for poor families, b) unreliable supply of electricity, c) inadequate supply of electricity, and d) lack of residence proof.
3. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana or Saubhagya Scheme was launched in 2017. It aims to achieve universal household electrification in India. It seeks to provide last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all un-electrified households in rural areas and poor un-electrified households in urban areas. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has been designated as the nodal agency for implementation of the scheme.