Gruha Jyoti: How To Apply For Free Electricity Scheme In Karnataka, Eligibility, Other Details

The Congress government in Karnataka has announced that it will keep its five key poll promises that include the 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme which will provide free electricity to the people of the state.

The scheme will come into effect from July 1. Will every household in the state get 200 units of free electricity?

Well, the majority of the household will get it for free. The average units of electricity used by consumers in the last 12 months will be taken into account by the electricity board and will give free electricity up to 10 per cent more than the average usage.

In February, a household might have used 120 units and in April the consumption might have gone up to 180 units. Based on the average consumption from the last 12 months, the free power will be given to the household.

If a consumer uses about 150 units of electricity a month on an average, he can get free power up to 165 units of power. If he exceeds the limit, then he will have to pay for the rest of the units consumed, which will be the net power consumption.

However, if the usage exceeds 200 units of power, the consumer will have to pay the full amount of the electricity bill. Consumers have to pay the arrears by June 30 within three months, the government said.

The government notification further said that the electricity meter usage and the meter reading have been made mandatory. The total electricity consumption will be displayed on the monthly bill.

How to get free electricity?
Every beneficiary has to link the customer ID or account ID with the Aadhaar number. Any consumer cannot integrate more than one electricity meter with the scheme. Those who want to avail the benefit will have to enrol themselves in the 'Seva Sindhu' website of the state government.

The government also mentioned that the beneficiaries of 'Bhagya Jyoti', 'Kuteera Jyoti' and 'Amruta Jyoti' schemes, which are various existing schemes offering free electricity to the economically and socially backward communities, will be merged with the 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme.

Are Those Living In Rented House Eligible For the Scheme?
The answer is 'yes'. The RR (Revenue Register) number, which is a unique identification number given to each electricity connection with a separate meter, will be considered, Power Minister KJ George told The New Indian Express. "So regardless of the landlord or tenants, they are eligible for the scheme provided they have a unique RR number," he said.

Who Are Excluded?
Apart from commercial connections, new buildings are excluded from the scheme as the authorities cannot asses their annual consumption.

'Gruha Jyoti' Scheme Highlights
Up To 200 Units Of Free Electricity To Every House Hold
Rented House Owners Are Also Eligible
Link Your Aadhaar Number With Customer ID or Account ID On Seva Sindhu Portal