BENGALURU: Three days after CM Siddaramaiah announced 'free electricity' up to 200 units to all eligible citizens of Karnataka from July 1 onwards, the energy department on Monday notified rules and conditions for availing the benefit under its 'Gruha Jyothi' scheme, reports Niranjan Kaggere.Citizens must register for the scheme by submitting separate applications on the Seva Sindhu portal along with other required details.
Officials said the state government has ensured that the programme will benefit maximum number of citizens without allowing anyone to misuse it.
The facility will be applicable only to domestic LT consumers, not commercial LT consumers.
Linking customer or bank account ID with Aadhaar must All those who wish to avail the facility must apply on the Seva Sindhu portal.
It is mandatory for citizens to link their customer ID or bank account ID with Aadhaar numbers.
The existing Kuteera Jyothi and Bhagya Jyothi beneficiaries will also be merged with the Gruha Jyothi scheme.
Those wishing to avail the free power scheme must have cleared their previous dues until June 2023.
If the consumer fails to do so, power supply to such installations will be disconnected," the notification explained.
No date has been announced on when registrations on Seva Sindhu will begin.Tenants too eligibleThe notification though lacked details on whether tenants or individual apartments will be eligible.
"The order says only one power connection per person will be considered for the scheme.
But we are tenants and all meter connections are in the house owner's name.
How will we avail the facility?" wondered Shylaja, a Banashankari resident.
Similarly, Manjunath AN who moved into an apartment recently is yet to get the power connection transferred in his name.
"How will I be eligible for the scheme," he asked.Allaying fears, Bescom officials said those staying on rent too are eligible for the scheme.
"Even though their houses will have the same customer ID as that of the owner, they have to provide their Aadhaar which will help us in differentiating."