Gruha Jyoti Scheme Karnataka: Eligibility, Registration, How To Apply Online, Benefits

The Karnataka Government announced the execution of the ‘Gruha Jyoti Scheme’ for the welfare of the residents by providing free power to the citizens of Karnataka state. The main objective of this scheme is to reduce electricity costs by providing free electricity for up to 200 units to every residential household of Karnataka. The government also stated that the existing Kuteera Jyothi, Amrutha Jyothi and Bhagya Jyothi schemes would be merged with the Gruha Jyothi scheme.

Latest Update:

The Karnataka Cabinet changed the Gruha Jyoti Scheme rules. As per the changed rules, an additional 10 units of electricity will be provided to households consuming electricity below 90 units on their average consumption as against the previous rule of a 10% increase. The cabinet also noted that there are about 1.95 crore people in Karnataka that use about 53 units of power. As of 15 January 2024, about 1,65,48,007 people registered for the Gruha Jyothi scheme to avail free power.

Highlights of Gruha Jyoti Scheme

Gruha Jyoti Scheme Karnataka

The Gruha Jyothi scheme in Karnataka aims to raise the living conditions of residents. When citizens use electricity up to 200 units per month, they are exempted from paying the electricity bill, saving about Rs.1,000 each month.

The Energy Department anticipates to get 5 to 10 lakh applications daily for the Gruha Jyothi scheme. Residents of Karnataka state can register for this scheme online on their laptops, phones and desktops through the Seva Sindhu portal. They can also visit the Bangalore One, Karnataka One or Grama One Centres to register for this scheme offline.

This scheme will assist 2.14 crore families that consume less than 200 power units per month on average over the past year in Karnataka State. The government implemented this scheme from 1 August 2023, i.e. for electricity usage in July. The citizens will receive a zero electricity bill when the usage is below 200 units per month. 

How to get free electricity in Karnataka?

People residing in Karnataka can get free electricity from July under the Gruha Jyothi scheme. The Karnataka State government announced that all the consumers consuming average electricity units less than 200 (average will be taken based on the usage in 2022-23) would get a zero-electricity bill under this scheme.

Calculation of average electricity consumption for Gruha Jyoti Scheme

All consumers will get free electricity when their average electricity consumption for the previous year is below 200 units. The government will calculate the average electricity consumption for a connection in the below manner: 

Average electricity consumption = Average of the electricity units consumed between April 2022 to March 2023 + 10% increase. 

If the average electricity consumption for the financial year 2022-23 is above 200 units, such consumers will not get free electricity. Consumers whose average consumption is below 200 units will not have to pay when their monthly consumption is below or equal to their average consumption units.

If the monthly electricity consumption is more than the average consumption units but below 200 units, consumers will have to pay for the difference as the net bill. Consumers whose average electricity consumption is below 200 units but consume power more than 200 units in a month will have to pay the entire bill amount for that month.

Let's take an example: 

1. The average electricity consumption of 'X' between April 2022 and March 2023 is 150 units. 
2. Plus 10% increase will be added, i.e. 150 + 10% = 165 units. 
3. Thus, X will get 165 units of free electricity every month. 

X will get a zero electricity bill when the monthly consumption is below or equal to 165 units. However, for any month, if the electricity consumption is 175 units, then X will have to pay for the difference (175-165 = 10), i.e. X will have to pay the amount for 10 units. If X consumes electricity of 210 units for any month, X will have to pay the entire bill since the consumption is more than 200 units, i.e. X will have to pay the amount for 210 units for that month.

When a consumer has built a new house or shifted to a new place, there will be no record of the previous year's electricity consumption to calculate and arrive at the average electricity consumption units. In such a case, the government will take an average of 53 units of free electricity every month plus a 10% increase, which will result in an average of 58-59 units of free electricity per month. 

When the electricity consumption is below 200 units but above 58-59 units, consumers must pay only for any additional usage of units exceeding the 58-59 limit. After completion of one year in the new house, the government will calculate their average electricity consumption, and they will get free units equal to their average consumption.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme eligibility

• Only people residing in Karnataka State can apply under this scheme. 
• Only domestic/resident household connection is eligible.
• A house owner will get the scheme benefit for only one electric meter connection.
• Tenants can get the benefit even when the meter is in the house owner’s name. 
• Non-residents residing in Karnataka can also get the scheme benefit when residing in Karnataka.
• The Aadhaar card should be linked with the account/consumer ID of the electricity bill.

How to apply for the Gruha Jyoti Scheme? 

The eligible persons can apply for Gruha Jyoti Scheme from 18 June on the Seva Sindhu portal. The following are the steps to apply for this scheme:

Step 1: Visit the Seva Sindhu portal.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Gruha Jyoti’ scheme icon.

Step 3: Select the language and enter the required details, such as ESCOM name, account ID/ connection ID found in the electricity bill, account holder name or owner name, account holder address or house address, type of occupancy, Aadhaar number, name and mobile number.

Step 4: Tick the declaration, enter the captcha code and click ‘Submit’.

An acknowledgement will be sent to the registered consumer through email/SMS. Keep the acknowledgement for future purposes.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme application form

The eligible persons can visit the nearby Grama Panchayat, Nadakacheri, Bangalore One, Karnataka One or Grama One Centres and get the Gruha Jyoti Scheme application form. They must fill out the form and submit it to the respective centres. However, they may have to pay the applicable service charges to the respective centre.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme link

The government has created an exclusive portal to apply for the Gruha Jyoti Scheme. The link to the Gruha Jyoti Scheme application portal is - https://sevasindhugs.karnataka.gov.in/. 

Registration from the Gruha Jyoti Scheme on the exclusive portal is absolutely free.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Electricity bill
• Consumer ID or account ID on the electricity bills
• Rental agreement (In case of tenants and non-residents residing in Karnataka)

Gruha Jyoti Scheme Karnataka acknowledgement

After the application is submitted, registered consumer will receive the acknowledgement through email/SMS. However, if you have not received the acknowledgement or have lost it, you can get another copy of acknowledgement by following the below process:

• Visit the Gruha Jyoti Scheme Acknowledgement Reprint website.
• Select your ESCOM name and enter your account or connection ID.
• Click on ‘Download Acknowledgement’. You acknowledgement copy will be downloaded.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme application status

Here are the steps to check the application status of Gruha Jyoti Scheme:

Step 1: Visit the Seva Sindhu portal.

Step 2: Click on ‘Track Your Application Status’  tab.

Step 3: Select your Escom, enter your account ID and click ‘Check Status’.

The status of your application will be displayed on the screen.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme Karnataka benefits

Under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme, people residing in Karnataka will receive up to 200 units of free electricity monthly. Free electricity is provided to all residents, irrespective of caste and residence status. Thus, tenants and people from other states residing in Karnataka can get free electricity for up to 200 units, thereby paying less for their electricity and saving money. 

Under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme, people residing in Karnataka will receive up to 200 units of free electricity monthly. Free electricity is provided to all residents, irrespective of caste and residence status. Thus, tenants and people from other states residing in Karnataka can get free electricity for up to 200 units, thereby paying less for their electricity and saving money. 

It encourages households to adopt energy-efficient practices and conscious use of electricity, such as turning off lights when not required, using LED bulbs, etc., to ensure the electricity consumption is below 200 units. Thus helping reduce the overall demand for electricity and saving money on electricity transmission and generation. The reduction of electricity also results in a reduction in carbon footprint, which is important for tackling climate change.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme helpline number

Helpline number – 08022279954, 8792662814, 8792662816

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