PATNA: Bihar's Power Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav today claimed that 'Saubhagya' power scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been adopted from 'Bihar model'.
"We have no hesitation to say with pride that the Union government has adopted this scheme from 'Bihar model' for which we give thanks to the PM," Yadav told reporters.
The PM had yesterday launched 'Saubhagya' scheme.
The scheme promises to provide free electricity connection to over 4 crore households by December 2018.
Free electricity connection to every household of Bihar is an important component of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "seven resolves" and it has been adopted by the state government as policy of good governance, the minister said.
Nitish Kumar had launched the ambitious free electricity connection to every household on November 15, 2016.
Nitish Kumar has now joined hands with BJP to form a new government in Bihar after dumping the 'grand alliance' in July last.
Yadav said a budgetary provision of Rs 1897.50 crore has been made by the state government for its power scheme.
"Providing electricity connection to everybody by organising camps is also part of 'Bihar model'," the minister claimed.
He said that a total of 13,883 households have free electricity connection so far in the state.
He also claimed that the new power tariff implemented by the Bihar government provides subsidy directly to the consumer and it has been widely appreciated.