Context:
The Meghalaya government recently issued notifications for the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme in the state.
Saubhagya Scheme:
- Name – Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
- Launched in – 2017
- A concurrent program to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti
- Aim – To ensure electrification (24×7) of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.
- Major objectives –
- Last mile connectivity and electricity connection to all un-electrified households in rural areas
- Last mile connectivity and electricity connection to all remaining economically poor un-electrified households in urban areas.
- Nodal agency – Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC).
- Implemented by – Ministry of Power.
- Beneficiaries –
- Beneficiaries for free electricity connections identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
- Non-poor urban households are excluded from this scheme.
- Solar for remote areas – Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone system for un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti is a scheme designed to provide continuous electricity supply to rural India.
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?
1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on a yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Funds left in the district can be carried forward for utilization in the subsequent years. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
