Nearly 88,000 households of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups to be provided electricity under PM JANMAN: Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister – EQ

In Short : The Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister announces the provision of electricity to nearly 88,000 households belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups under the PM JANMAN initiative. This underscores the government’s commitment to extending electricity access and promoting inclusivity among marginalized communities.

In Detail : More than 5,000 households of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups to be provided electricity under New Solar Power Scheme: Union Power and NRE Minister

The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed that the Government of India has electrified the un-electrified villages and strengthened the sub-transmission and distribution network under the Deen Dayal Gram Jyoti Yojana. Under the scheme, total 18,374 villages were electrified of which a total of 2,763 villages were electrified through renewable resources.

Besides, Government of India also launched the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) at the national level for universal electrification of households un-electrified till then. A total of 2.86 crore households have been electrified under the scheme. All States certified that all unelectrified households were electrified under the scheme.

Tariff is being declared by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC). Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) to be levied on consumers, if any, is regulated by SERC, in accordance with the law and the rules.

The State-wise details of Government of India grant disbursed since 2020-21 under the schemes of DDUGJY and SAUBHAGYA are as given below.

(Rs in Crore)

State-wise, Year-wise Release of funds under DDUGJY & Saubhagya

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), launched by Government of India with the objective of improving the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient Distribution Sector, has an outlay of Rs. 3,03,758 Crore having Gross Budgetary Support of Rs. 97,631 Crore from Government of India over a period of five years from 2021-22 to FY 2025-26. RDSS has a universal coverage and is mainly focused on strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network of project areas for the benefit of consumers. The Central Government in line with its commitment is further supporting States for electrification of households which were missed out under SAUBHAGYA, under the ongoing scheme of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). In addition, all identified PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Households under PM-JANMAN for on-grid electricity connection shall be eligible for funding under RDSS as per the scheme guidelines.

Under RDSS, proposal for 4.96 lakh Household electrification works have been sanctioned for the State of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh till date for a cost of Rs. 813 crores. Further, under PM-JANMAN, as on date on-grid electrification of a total of 87,863 Households in 7,113 Habitations have been sanctioned. State-wise details of number of Households and cost sanctioned under RDSS are as given below.

a) Electrification of Additional Households under RDSS

b) Electrification of PVTG Households under PM-JANMAN Mission (Funded under RDSS)

Government of India has taken up rural electrification works based on the renewable resources under the earlier schemes, details of which are provided at (a) above. Further, Government of India has issued a New Solar Power Scheme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Habitation/ Villages under PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan). This scheme will cover electrification of all un-electrified PVTG household by provision of off-grid solar systems where electricity supply through grid is not techno-economically feasible. In addition, the scheme has provision for providing solar lighting in 1500 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in PVTG area where electricity through grid is not available. A total financial outlay of Rs. 515 crores has been provided under the Scheme. Further, the Scheme provides for electrification of HHs through standalone solar home lighting systems where households are scattered and through solar mini-grid for a cluster of Households. The details of the sanction issued, based on the proposals received from states, are as given below.

Details of number of PVTG households sanctioned for electrification works in renewable mode

This information has been given by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha today, February 6, 2024.