The Union Budget for 2018-19 will have an overall positive impact on the power sector as the thrust towards expanding electricity access through flagship schemes is expected to boost demand. The budget allocates Rs 3,800 crore for Deendayal Upadhayaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DUGJY) and Rs 4,900 crore for Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS). The government has also allocated Rs 16,000 crore for the Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) to enable last mile connectivity for rural households. DUGJY is targeted to be completed by May 2018 and Saubhagya by March 2019.
