Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana - DDUGJY

The Indian government, to provide uninterrupted power supply in the rural parts of India, launched the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana in 2015. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the scheme on 25th July in Patna. Since then, the scheme has not only been focusing on providing round-the-clock power in rural regions but also on strengthening the feeder separation of power distribution, i.e., separate electricity transmissions for household and agricultural purposes in the rural regions of India. When the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in 2015, it replaced the then-existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

After launching the scheme, the Ministry of Power also kickstarted a digital app called GARV-II to access real-time data regarding the execution of rural electrification programs across all the six lakh villages in the country. This digital app allows ordinary citizens to give their feedback and suggestions about the rural electrification program.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Objectives

DDUGJY has been launched with the objective to:

• Provide electricity in the rural regions of India
• Strengthen the feeder separation of power distribution
• Improve the quality or reliability of the electricity supply
• Install good quality meters to reduce the losses

Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Power, the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited is responsible for implementing the scheme. The scheme includes a total outlay of Rs. 75,893 crores, financed through the government, DISCOM contributions, and bank loans.

At its launch, the government granted 60% of the project cost, out of which 85% was reserved for special states. When the first prescribed milestones were achieved, the government granted additional 15% funds, out of which 5% was reserved for special states.

Role of Rural Electrification Corporation Limited

• Administer the grants given by the Government of India
• Regularly update the guidelines and formats required for the implementation of the scheme
• Monitor the finances and physical progress of the scheme
• Employ third parties for the manpower required for the construction/repair work
• Create and evaluate detailed project reports and submit them to the monitoring committee and Ministry of Power from time to time
• Develop a web portal for maintaining the documents of the scheme and for submission of detailed project reports (DRP)

Monitoring Committee for Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

A monitoring committee was set up under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Power. The committee regularly monitors the project's development through detailed project reports submitted by the REC. The convener of the committee is the Chairman and Managing Director of the REC. Additionally, on behalf of the Ministry of Power, a Tripartite agreement was also signed between the REC, DISCOM, and the state government to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme.

Monitoring Committee Representatives

The committee consists of representatives from:

• Ministry of Power
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Rural Development
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Benefits

• All households in the rural regions of India will get electricity
• All the agricultural lands in rural India will have access to 24/7 electricity
• Improvements in bank services in the rural regions
• Better healthcare facilities for all in the villages
• Schools will perform better with the help of reliable electricity connections

The progress of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana has been exceptional, and the government says that all the rural villages in India have been electrified. However, close monitoring is still being done to review the progress and strategize a further plan of action.

FAQs on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

Q.1. What is the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana?

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana or DDUGJY is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2015 to provide 24/7 electricity in all the rural regions of India.

Q.2. Is the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana the same as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana?

When the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in 2015, it replaced the then-existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

Q.3. What is the timeline of the rural electrification program?

The whole program has been divided into 12 stage milestones, and each milestone also follows a timeline for effective and timely implementation.

Q.4. Are there separate electricity connections for households and agricultural lands?

Yes, a feeder separator is used to separate electricity connections for households and agricultural lands.