Karnataka to end free Gruha Jyothi electricity for 10 lakh non-voters
The Karnataka government has announced plans to discontinue its Gruha Jyothi free electricity scheme for approximately 10 lakh beneficiaries in Bengaluru and across the state who are not registered voters. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Monday that the welfare benefits will be restricted exclusively to registered voters of Karnataka.
The decision follows a six-month audit of the popular guarantee programme, which offers free electricity up to 200 units every month to households. The audit, conducted by the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, revealed that over 10 lakh non-voters in Karnataka have been availing themselves of the scheme.
To address this, the state government is planning to introduce a Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. This process will verify whether beneficiaries are registered voters in Karnataka and confirm that the registered Revenue Register (RR) numbers belong to residential units.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the decision, stating that the welfare schemes are not meant for outsiders. He questioned why benefits should be extended to those who do not vote in the state, adding that the government will ensure the benefits are enjoyed only by voters in Karnataka.
In addition to targeting non-voters, the audit flagged a considerable number of individuals drawing free power through multiple RR numbers. Guarantee Implementation Authority vice-chairperson Dinesh Gooligowda noted that the scheme is strictly limited to one domestic RR number per beneficiary.
According to Gooligowda, many urban households have two RR numbers—one for domestic lighting and another for water pumping motors or borewells. The audit found that several beneficiaries were claiming free electricity for their water pumps and borewells, despite the scheme being intended solely for domestic household consumption. In some instances, beneficiaries were also found diverting free electricity for commercial activities.
Currently, at least 1.7 crore beneficiaries receive free power under five electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the state. This subsidy costs the Karnataka government approximately Rs 800 crore a month.
