Karnataka Residents Hit with Massive Electricity Bills, Question Govt's Gruha Jyothi Scheme

What was once hailed as a boon for households under the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, the Gruha Jyothi Scheme has turned into a nightmare for thousands across Karnataka. The scheme, aimed at providing free electricity to beneficiaries, is now under scrutiny after reports emerged of exorbitant electricity bills being issued due to alleged errors during meter readings. Initially lauded for its promise of free electricity, the Gruha Jyothi Scheme hit a snag with numerous consumers receiving bills amounting to thousands of rupees. The debacle has primarily affected residents in the Yeswantpur area, where over 20 customers have reported receiving bills after months of enjoying zero charges under the scheme.

According to affected residents, the sudden bills ranging from Rs 1,646 to Rs 4,273 this month have come as a shock, attributing the issue to negligence on the part of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) meter readers. Complaints have flooded the Yeswantpur BESCOM office, demanding a thorough investigation into the irregular billing practices.

In light of these developments, concerns over the scheme’s implementation and oversight have surfaced, raising questions about its future viability and the government’s accountability. With the Karnataka Assembly Monsoon Session commencing Monday, the opposition parties, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS), are poised to capitalise on this controversy, adding to their arsenal of grievances against the Siddaramaiah-led administration.

The opposition’s agenda for the session includes highlighting alleged scandals involving hundreds of crores of rupees in state corporations, mismanagement of guarantee schemes, and the delayed appointments of assistant professors selected in 2021. The latter issue has escalated to the point where candidates have petitioned the Governor, expressing frustration over prolonged delays and threatening drastic measures if their concerns are not addressed promptly.

As the assembly session unfolds, all eyes are on how the government will navigate these challenges amidst mounting pressure from opposition factions and disgruntled beneficiaries of the Gruha Jyothi Scheme.