New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that every single rural family will have electricity and a clean cooking facility by 2022.
"By 2022, the 75th year of independence, I assure that every single rural family except those who are unwilling to take the connection will have electricity and a clean cooking facility," she said while presenting the Budget for 2019-20 in Lok Sabha.
"At the centre of everything, we keep the village, poor and farmer. Prime Minister's two mega initiatives Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Saubhagya Yojna (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ) has transformed the life of every rural family dramatically improving their ease of living."
Sitharaman said that the government keeps 'Antodaya' (development of all) at the centre of all its programmes.
"Household access to clean cooking gas has seen an unprecedented expansion through the provision of 7 crore LPG connections. All villages and almost 100 per cent households across the country have been provided with electricity," she said.
Hailing the success of her government's schemes, Sitharaman said that a combination of efficient implementation and enthusiastic adoption has significantly improved access to energy to rural households.
LED bulbs under Ujala scheme
Around 35 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under Ujala Yojana leading to cost saving of Rs 18,341 crore annually, Finance Minister Sitharaman said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
"The government aims to bring greater ease of living in the lives of citizens. 35 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under Ujala leading to cost saving of Rs 18,341 crores annually," Sitharaman said while presenting her maiden budget in Lok Sabha.
The Union Minister further said that India is going to be free of incandescent bulbs and the government will promote the use of solar stoves and battery chargers.
The main objective of the Ujala scheme is to promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduces electricity bills and helps in preserving the environment.
The Electricity Distribution Company and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) is a public body, which is implementing the programme.
