A social media post claiming that the Karnataka Congress government has set multiple requirements to qualify for the free electricity scheme is doing rounds on social media platforms. Alleging that these conditions are not advantageous for the underprivileged, it emphasizes that individuals must meet certain criteria, such as not owning any land, not having any two-wheeler or four-wheeler vehicles, and not having their children enrolled in private schools, in order to be eligible for the scheme. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Karnataka Congress government has set multiple requirements to qualify for the free electricity scheme.
Fact: Karnataka government has announced to roll out the scheme from 01 July 2023 and will be reflected in the bills of power consumers from the month of August 2023. However, contrary to the claim made in the viral post, all residential consumers within the state are eligible for the scheme. Even tenants living in rented houses are also eligible for the scheme. Government did not stipulate any conditions like not owning land or vehicles to avail the scheme. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Congress party, in its manifesto has promised to provide 200 units of free electricity to households in Karnataka. Following the election victory, in its first cabinet meeting the Congress government has granted in-principle approval to the Gruha Jyothi scheme.
Subsequently, the government has announced to roll out the scheme from 01 July 2023 which will be reflected in the bills of power consumers from the month of August 2023. However, contrary to the claim made in the viral post, all residential consumers within the state are eligible for the scheme.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme:
The scheme’s explanatory document explicitly states that there are no specific conditions (like owning land, vehicles, etc) imposed by the government for accessing the scheme. It is clearly mentioned that all residential consumers within the state are eligible for the scheme. Even tenants living in rented houses are also eligible for the scheme.
The registration process to avail of the scheme will commence on 15 July 2023. To avail of the scheme, individuals must register through the Seva Sindhu website. Offline applications are also an option.
As per the government, only one meter per household is eligible for the scheme and the benefit is calculated based on average consumption for Financial Year 2022-23 + 10% increase (total amounting to less than 200 units).
This implies that households consuming fewer units than the eligible average will receive a bill of 0, without any additional taxes or charges. For households consuming more than the eligible average but less than 200 units, they would be required to pay the bill amount along with a 9% tax. Those consuming over 200 units will not be eligible for the scheme and will have to pay the full bill amount.
To sum it up, all households within the state of Karnataka are eligible for Karnataka’s Gruha Jyothi scheme. Viral stipulations are fake.
