A research group, in its assessment report, has claimed that the beneficiaries of the Saubhagya scheme have witnessed significant improvement in their lifestyle after getting electricity connections in their homes. As per a report in the New Indian Express, the research group has stated that the beneficiaries have reported better marital prospects for their children, better familiar relationships and many more improvements after getting electricity connections.
A BJP-linked research group, the Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC), in its report, which was released by the Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahashrabuddhe, stated that the Saubhagya scheme has brought about qualitative changes in the lives of the beneficiaries.
A researcher at PRPC, Vidushi Sahani, said that they carried out field research in a number of villages in Madhya Pradesh, which completed 100 percent coverage under the Saubhagya scheme. People in villages around Guna, who earlier struggled to find brides for their sons, shared their delight at better marriage prospects of their children after their homes were electrified under the scheme.
She enlisted gains the scheme brought to the villagers. They no longer had to walk 50Kms to get their mobiles recharged. “In Kakadsela village, the locals said they don’t have to spend a whole day travelling to a village, which had electricity, to get their mobile phones recharged. In the past, the villagers could only use their mobile phones in a restricted manner. Now, they can not only make better use of their phones but also have access to a host of other utilities,” Sahani said.
She also contended that the PPRC team came across a large number of women in villages who had positive stories to share about their improved matrimonial relationships as the uninterrupted electricity at their households enabled them to get done with their household chores early and spend more time with their families.
According to Sahani, the women in these villages have seen a marked Qualitative improvement in their life after the implementation of Saubhagya Scheme. They have become more assertive in expressing their choices and more confident in leading their lives in a hassle-free manner.
