In a bid to subsidise power consumption in the state, the Karnataka state government has announced the launch of a scheme called Gruha Jyothi. The free electricity scheme will seek to offer users subsidised electricity consumption at home, although with several very specific limits.
The government has launched a dedicated portal for the Gruha Jyothi scheme on the Seva Sindhu website, and the registrations have started today. Moreover, the government has confirmed that there will be no deadline for availing of this scheme. Moreover, the government claims that over 51 lakh customers have registered for this scheme through the online portal and its authorised centres.
On this note, here’s looking at the Gruha Jyothi free electricity scheme, how to apply it, how it could benefit residents, what exclusions and restrictions are, and everything else that has happened about it so far.
| Scheme Name |
Gruha Jyothi Scheme
|
| Who can apply? |
Citizens of Karnataka
|
| Mode of Registration | Online/ Offline |
| Registration Start Date | June 18, 2023 |
| Registration Last Date | July 5, 2023 |
| Official Website | |
| Application Status Check Online |
How to Apply for Gruha Jyothi Scheme on Seva Sindhu Portal Online?
There are different ways through which one can apply for the Gruha Jyothi scheme. However, one of the easiest ways is through the Seva Sindhu portal. Here’s how you can do it:
- You can either click on the link here or search for and log on to the Karnataka state government’s Seva Sindhu platform – sevasindhugs.karnataka.gov.in.
- Click on the Gruha Jyothi scheme option, which is present on the website, right next to Gruha Lakshmi Scheme.
- You will be taken to the registration page. If it does not open for the first time, you can reload or refresh the page.
- There, you need to fill up key details, including ESCOM name, account ID, account holder name as in ESCOM, and address.
- Apart from this, one also needs to enter the type of occupancy, Aadhaar card number, name on the Aadhaar, and mobile number.
- Once done, you need to click on Agree to the Declaration and enter the word verification code.
- Once review all the parameters and then click on Submit button to register for the scheme.
According to the Karnataka state government, users can also visit the nearest Bangalore One, Grama One or Karnataka One outlet to register for the Gruha Jyothi scheme. Registrations at these centres start at 11 AM on June 18th.
There is no deadline for registering to #GruhaJyothiScheme. Consumers can register for the scheme without any worries.#gruhajyothi #gruhajyothischeme #freepower #freeelectricity #Karnataka #KarnatakaNews @NammaBESCOM @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @thekjgeorge @EnergyDeptGoK pic.twitter.com/nsznSLoLf2
— MD BESCOM | ಎಂಡಿ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ (@mdbescom) June 21, 2023
How to check Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme Application Status?
One can easily check the status of the Gruha Jyothi scheme by following these steps:
- Open Seva Sindhu portal or simply click on this link.
- Now click on Know the Status of your application section on the top of the homepage.
- You will be redirected to a new page where you need to select the ESCOM name and account ID, that you used during the registration of the Gruha Jyothi scheme.
- Now enter the details and click on Check Status to know the current status of the scheme.
Seva Sindhu Portal: How to Download Gruha Jyothi Acknowledgement Slip
At the time of writing, the official Seva Sindhu portal does not support the option for checking the application status for the scheme. However, once you finish the registration process, the website shows an acknowledgement slip. One can take a screenshot of the same and save it on your PC or mobile for future reference. Apart from this, there is another option to get the reference ID on the portal. Here’s how you can do it:
- Click on this link or you can visit the Seva Sindhu portal and then click on the Gruha Jyothi scheme registration page.
- Now, select the ESCOM name and then enter the account ID/connection ID.
- Click on Check Status and you will see a pop-up message that tells you that you have already registered for this scheme.
- You can either note down the reference ID or take a screenshot for future reference.
ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದಿನಾಂಕ 27 ಜೂನ್ 2023 ರ ವರೆಗಿನ ವರದಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ 26,10,083 ಗ್ರಾಹಕರು ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ನೋಂದಾಯಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.@NammaBESCOM @BescomHelpline @BLRSmartCity @CMofKarnataka @KJGeorgeOffice #sevasindhu #GruhaJyothischeme #rigisternow #bescom pic.twitter.com/2x6wCEEbWY
— MD BESCOM | ಎಂಡಿ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ (@mdbescom) June 27, 2023
Consumers with Arrears Can Also Get the Benefit of the Gruha Jyothi Scheme
Interestingly, consumers with arrears can also get the benefit of the Gruha Jyothi scheme. As per the official information, if a consumer enrols on the Gruha Jyothi scheme within July 25, he/she will be able to get free electricity for the month of July.
Similarly, if a consumer applies for the scheme within August 25, he/she will get the subsidy for the month of August. However, it is important to note that the monthly consumption should be under 200 units on average. Moreover, the meter reading cycle runs from the 25th to the 25th of every month.
What is Gruha Jyothi Scheme 2023?
The Gruha Jyothi, a free electricity scheme, is akin to subsidised power services offered in various states and territories, such as Delhi. Under this scheme, state residents who live in private households — both owned and rented — can potentially get their electricity consumption of up to 200 units for free.
Here are the key schemes behind this scheme:
- The Gruha Jyoti scheme will come into place from August 1 and will be applicable to users from the total metered units that they will be billed for in July and will need to pay for in August
- Yesterday, the Karnataka state government announced that registrations for the scheme, which were expected to begin today, have been postponed to June 18
- The scheme will be applicable for up to 200 units in residential properties only, leaving any office spaces and shops out of it.
- The total number of subsidised electricity units every resident will get is 10 per cent more than their calculated monthly average.
- Subsidy of electricity will be calculated by the state electricity department, BESCOM, by calculating the average electricity consumption of the previous year.
- Registration for the Gruha Jyothi Scheme is absolutely free at Electricity Office, Nadakacheri, or online platform.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ #ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ನೋಂದಾಯಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ, ಮಾಸಿಕ 200 ಯೂನಿಟ್'ಗಳವರೆಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಪಡೆಯಿರಿ.
ನೋಂದಣಿ ಜೂನ್ 18, 2023 ರವಿವಾರದಿಂದ ಆರಂಭ.#gruhajyothi #gruhajyothischeme #scheme #karnataka @CMofKarnataka @EnergyDeptGoK @mdbescom @siddaramaiah @MinOfPower @thekjgeorge pic.twitter.com/eXmNBgou3K
— Namma BESCOM | ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ (@NammaBESCOM) June 17, 2023
Gruha Jyothi Scheme 2023 Eligibility Criteria
Here are some of the eligibility criteria for this scheme:
- The applicant should be a resident of the respective state where the scheme is implemented.
- The applicant should be an owner or tenant of the house for applying for the scheme.
- The free power scheme will only be available to residential homes; business facilities will not be included.
- Customers who register at Grama Panchayath, Grama One, Bengaluru One, and Karnataka One have to pay a specified service charge only for registration.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme Registration: Documents Required
The individual should produce some valid documents in order to register for this scheme. As per the official information, users eligible for the scheme need to present their consumer ID or RR number along with their Aadhaar Card details. Apart from this, customers must all present their mobile number and a recent electricity bill in their name or proof of connection to apply for this scheme.
Key Restrictions of the Gruha Jyothi Scheme
The state government of Karnataka has detailed a number of key restrictions that will apply to users looking to avail of the Gruha Jyothi scheme. They are as follows:
- Suppose a user registered an average monthly electricity consumption of 150 units last year. In that case, their total number of subsidised electricity units starting from July (next month) will be 10 per cent, i.e. 15 units, added to 150 units of monthly average last year. This brings the total subsidised units figure to 165.
- However, the plan will not apply to any user whose total electricity consumption is above 200 units. Hence, if your total electricity consumption is above 200 units per month, you will not be subsidised for the first 200 units — and will be needed to pay the entire bill amount.
- Households with two meters under one name will not be subsidised for both meters — only one will be opened for subsidy.
- Shop owners and owners of commercial establishments will not be allowed to apply for the subsidy.
- New residents of the state are yet to receive details in terms of what subsidy they will be allowed to avail
Tariff Hike for Users and Expected Revisions
On June 8, the Karnataka government raised electricity consumption prices for those above the 200 units bracket by Rs 2.89 per unit. This has led to widespread criticism of the scheme by users and the opposition alike. In response, KJ George, energy minister of the state of Karnataka, said on June 10 that the process would be “simplified”, — which could include relaxation from compulsory linking of Aadhaar to avail the service.
Beware of Fake Seva Sindhu App and Websites for Gruha Jyothi Scheme
Beware, consumers!
Do not click on fake websites/links named Seva Sindhu.@NammaBESCOM @BescomHelpline #fakelink #GruhaJyothischeme #cybersafety #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/D7R4n1NNxi
— MD BESCOM | ಎಂಡಿ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ (@mdbescom) June 22, 2023
It has come to notice that there are multiple fake websites available online, which are fake. Moreover, there have been multiple reports of fake applications surfacing on the app store for applying for the scheme. Apart from this, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also cautions the customers about the middlemen who are charging money for applying to the Gruha Jyothi scheme. He says that people should be aware of such middlemen and only resort to official channels to apply for the subsidy.
Customers are advised to only follow the official link and not click on fake websites or links that are named Seva Sindhu. Clicking on these websites may lead to a security breach and your personal information might get hacked. So to ensure you are visiting the correct website, please go to https://sevasindhugs.karnataka.gov.in/
Gruha Jyothi Scheme Latest News
Gruha Jyothi Scheme Achieves a Milestone with 1 Crore Registrations
BESCOM has revealed that the Gruha Jyothi Scheme has achieved a new milestone. Under this scheme, over 1 crore customers have registered.
76 Lakh Consumers Successfully Registered for Gruha Jyothi Scheme till now
BESCOM has confirmed that around 71 lakh consumers have opted for the Gruha Jyothi Scheme in Karnataka as on June 28, 2023.
Over 51 Lakh Users Registered for Gruha Jyothi Scheme in Karnataka
Over 51 Lakh customers have registered for the Gruha Jyothi scheme in Karnataka. BESCOM has revealed that it has achieved a new milestone of 51 lakh registrations for this scheme.
BESCOM Confirms Over 12 Lakh Registrations Occured Till June 21
BESCOM has confirmed that over 12 lakh registrations for Gruha Jyothi Scheme have been successfully confirmed. The company also urges the users that there is no deadline for the scheme, meaning that they opt for it anytime for now. As per the official data, a total of 12.51 lakh registrations have been confirmed till June 21, 7:00 PM.
Over 8 Lakh Users Register for Gruha Jyothi Scheme in Karnataka
In just three days over 8 lakh people have registered for the Gruha Jyothi Scheme till Tuesday. As per the latest data released by BESCOM, the total registration of users has reached 8,16,631.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme gets over 1 Lakh Registrations in two Days
BESCOM has confirmed that a total of 1,61,958 consumers have registered to the Gruha Jyothi scheme in two days. On the second day, over 1,06,958 users registered for subsidy. Moreover, BESCOM has also confirmed that there is no deadline fixed for the registration process, meaning that customers can easily do the registration for the scheme.
Over 55,000 Customers Registered for the Gruha Jyothi Scheme on the First Day
Currently, 55,000 customers registered for the subsidy scheme on June 18th. However, the process of registering was hampered due to the unavailability of the website as the servers were down. The scheme will come into effect from August 1 for July’s electricity bill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who are eligible for Gruha Jyothi Scheme?
As per the official information, every individual is eligible for the scheme. However, it is important to note that the scheme is meant for domestic consumption only and not commercial.
How will the zero bills be calculated under this scheme?
The calculation of zero bills is quite simple under this scheme. If a user has electricity consumption of less than 200 units, the bill will be zero. However, if the bill exceeds the limit, then users need to pay the entire amount of the bill.
Do we have to link Aadhaar ID in order to avail of this scheme?
Yes, you need to link your Aadhaar card for registering for the Gruha Jyothi scheme.
Can tenants apply for this scheme?
Yes, tenants can also apply for this scheme. However, it is important to note that the tenant’s Aadhaar card address should be the same as the residency one in order to register for this scheme. Tenants must present a copy of the leasing agreement or a voter ID if the Aadhaar address differs.
Can I get a subsidy under this scheme if I have more than one meter for my household?
No, you cannot have a subsidy if you have more than one meter at home. The scheme is restricted to one electricity meter per household.
