(NDTV)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ‘Saubhagya scheme’ to give free electricity connections to poor families in both cities and villages by 2018 with a total outlay of Rs. 16,320 crores, which will be funded largely by the centre. No poor person will have to pay for electricity connections, the Prime Minster has said.
“New India will not only have power in all villages but in every home,” said PM Modi on Monday evening while the announcing the scheme, adding, “We have decided the burden for this will not be borne by the poor. The poor used to have to go around in circles trying to get power… the government will now go to their homes to give them electricity.”
Four crore homes in the country still don’t have power connections, which means that of the 25 crore homes in India, he said. “25 percent people are without power, living in 18th century,” PM Modi said. The scheme will turn around the fortunes of such families, PM Modi said, explaining its name – Saubhagya means good fortune.
