The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today launched SAUBHAGYA,(Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna), Prime Ministers initiative, which aims to provide free electricity connections to poor people identified by the Socio Economic and Caste Census of 2011 and others sections for Rs 500, payable in 10 installments in the bill., The scheme promises on-the-spot registration of applications, which should include an identity proof.While launching the scheme at a function held here today, the deputy chief Minister said that it will go a long way in ensuring that all households especially those in the rural areas will be getting the electricity connections that too free of cost and the others will have to pay a nomial fee of Rs 500 that too in 10 installments payable in the bill. He said that it is one of the many initiatives of the Prime Minister to ensure that the poor of the country are empowered by giving them all the basic and necessary amenities.Dr Singh while directing the officers to ensure the success of this scheme said that they should all work in co-ordinate efforts to ensure that the beneficiaries are identified in a transparent manner, so that the benefit percolates to the genuine ones. He said that the special teams should be formulated in consultation with different line departments to the electric connections are provided to the deserving poor.
While referring to the various initiatives being undertaken in the power sector , the Deputy Chief Minister said that necessary mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that the augmentation of electric infra takes place , so that the power generation and the transmission capacity of the state gets increased. This will ensure that the people get the requisite amount of power even during the lean seasons and the Prime Ministers vision of Power For All becomes a success.The function was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Power Development Department, Mr Hridesh Kumar, Managing Director, JKSPDC, Development Commissioner Power, Secretary Technical (Power), Chief Engineers and other senior officers of the department.