Tenants in Karnataka will continue to receive the benefits of the Gruha Jyothi scheme, a state government initiative providing free electricity up to 200 units per month. This assurance comes amid apprehension among tenants that they might lose these benefits due to issues with Aadhaar details linked to their electricity bills.
The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) addressed these concerns, clarifying that tenants will not be disenfranchised from the scheme. Previously, tenants had expressed worries that if the electricity bills for their rented accommodations still had the Aadhaar details of previous occupants, they might be ineligible for the free electricity subsidy.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme: Ensuring Access for All Domestic Consumers
The Gruha Jyothi scheme, launched by the Karnataka government, aims to reduce the electricity burden on residential households. It provides a subsidy for electricity consumption up to 200 units per month, calculated based on a household’s average consumption between April 2022 and March 2023, with certain conditions. A key feature of the scheme is its inclusivity, extending benefits to both homeowners and tenants, irrespective of whether the electricity meter is registered in the landlord’s name or a previous tenant’s.
To avail the scheme, tenants typically need to provide a rental agreement or a self-declaration confirming their occupancy, along with their Aadhaar details and the electricity connection’s account ID. The government has emphasized that the scheme is exclusively for domestic consumers, and commercial establishments or shops are not eligible.
Verification Drive Underway to Ensure Scheme Integrity
The Karnataka government has recently initiated a statewide verification drive for the Gruha Jyothi scheme beneficiaries. This exercise, conducted by personnel from all Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) including Bescom, HESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM, and CESC, aims to plug potential irregularities and ensure that benefits reach only genuine domestic consumers. During these door-to-door visits, officials verify the identity and eligibility of beneficiaries by collecting essential documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and, for tenants, a valid rental agreement.
The re-verification process is crucial for identifying ineligible beneficiaries, such as those with commercial connections or multiple electricity accounts, and ensuring the subsidy is applied correctly to single domestic connections linked to a single Aadhaar number. Consumers are urged to cooperate with ESCOM personnel during this verification period.
Eligibility and Application Process for Tenants
For tenants to continue receiving Gruha Jyothi benefits, they must ensure their Aadhaar is linked to the electricity account and that the connection is used for domestic consumption. While a rental agreement is often required, some guidelines suggest a self-declaration may suffice in certain cases. The scheme’s benefit is capped at one electricity connection per Aadhaar number. This measure is in place to prevent misuse and ensure the subsidy benefits genuine households.
The Gruha Jyothi scheme, which merges previous initiatives like Kuteera Jyothi, Amrutha Jyothi, and Bhagya Jyothi, has benefited millions of registered consumers across Karnataka. The continued provision of benefits to tenants underscores the government’s commitment to making electricity affordable for all residential users in the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk