Karnataka to end free electricity for 10 lakh non-voters
The Karnataka government is set to discontinue its popular free electricity scheme, Gruha Jyothi, for approximately 10 lakh consumers who are registered as non-voters in the state. The decision, which affects residents in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, comes after a government audit flagged a massive number of ineligible beneficiaries.
The Gruha Jyothi scheme, which provides up to 200 units of free electricity every month to households, is currently undergoing a strict review. The State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority initiated a six-month audit of the programme to identify discrepancies and ensure that welfare benefits are directed to the correct recipients.
Following the audit's findings, the state government decided to strictly enforce eligibility criteria. Under the revised guidelines, all beneficiaries of the free electricity scheme must be registered voters in Karnataka. Additionally, the government has mandated that a single beneficiary can only claim the benefit under one Revenue Register (RR) number.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the policy change, stating that the state's welfare schemes are not meant for "outsiders." He questioned the rationale behind extending state-funded benefits to individuals who do not participate in the local electoral process.
"We’ll ensure the benefits are enjoyed only by voters in Karnataka," Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said. "Why should we extend these benefits to those who do not vote here?"
This audit and subsequent tightening of rules for the Gruha Jyothi scheme follow a similar clean-up operation of another major state guarantee initiative, the Gruha Lakshmi programme. The government is systematically auditing its various welfare schemes to eliminate ineligible claimants and streamline public spending.
With over 10 lakh non-voter residents identified in the audit, a significant portion of the population is expected to lose access to the free electricity benefits. The government has not yet specified the exact timeline for when the subsidies for these non-voters will be discontinued.
