New Delhi (Agency): The Energy Minister of Karnataka, K J George, announced the formal launch of the scheme, stating, “We had announced that from July, the electricity will be free up to 200 units, and July’s bill will come in August. We have now started the process of giving the bills. Under this ambitious scheme, already 1.42 crore consumers have registered.”
The decision to organize the formal launch event in Kalaburagi came on the suggestion of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet colleagues, legislators, and others. The event was graced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, among other dignitaries. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has instructed all ministers to organize similar events in their respective districts.
The ‘Gruha Jyothi’ scheme calculates the benefit provided to households based on the average electricity consumption for the financial year 2022-23, with an additional 10 percent. However, the total benefit remains limited to less than 200 units. Close to 18 lakh applicants have been received so far, and among them, approximately 2 lakh applicants are beneficiaries of existing schemes like Bhagya Jyothi, Kuteera Jyothi, and Amrut Jyothi.
Energy Minister K J George clarified that households consuming more than 200 units would not be eligible for the scheme, and their applications would be rejected. He explained, “Those consumers who have applied and their consumption is within 200 units, based on the average and ten per cent additional, they will get a zero bill. If the consumer has used above average and 10 per cent, but is still under 200 units, they will be charged the differential amount (between average and used units).”
The scheme has already received registrations up to July 27, and those registered by this date are eligible for the benefits. There is no cutoff date for the scheme, allowing individuals to register and benefit from the scheme even after the formal launch.
Regarding the impact of the scheme on electricity consumption, the minister stated that there is no direct relationship between the announcement of the scheme and changes in electricity usage.
In the state, there are approximately 2.16 crore Revenue Register (RR) numbers, unique identification numbers assigned to each electricity connection. Out of these, around 2.14 crore consumers use less than 200 units, while only 2 lakh consumers use more than 200 units.
Tenants can also apply for the scheme, but they have a different eligibility criteria based on the state average of 53 units, plus 10 percent additional usage.
The Karnataka government has also implemented other poll guarantees, such as the ‘Shakti’ scheme, which provides free services for women in public transport buses. Another scheme, ‘Anna Bhagya’, provides cash payments in lieu of the additional 5 kg rice to beneficiaries.
Looking ahead, the government plans to implement two more guarantees. The first is the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme, which will provide Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family from August 16. The second is the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme, which aims to provide Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders by November or December.
With the launch of the ‘Gruha Jyothi’ scheme, the Karnataka government aims to provide much-needed relief to households and alleviate the burden of electricity bills for eligible consumers.
