Latest news with #GruhaJyothi
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Gruha Jyothi scheme has seen 99% success in Mysuru district: George
Energy Minister K.J. George on Wednesday said Mysuru district had achieved a 99% success rate in the implementation of the Gruha Jyothi scheme, which provides free electricity to eligible households. Speaking to the mediapersons after a departmental progress review meeting, the Minister said the State government allocates ₹9,000 crore annually to Escoms under the guarantee scheme of supplying free power to the beneficiaries. Mr. George promised that in the event of a transformer failure, restoration will be completed within 24 hours in urban areas and within 48 hours in rural areas. During the meeting, K.R. Nagar MLA, D. Ravishankar, raised concerns about the conduct of CESC staff and linemen, alleging that they were unresponsive and discourteous towards farmers. Responding to the complaint, the Minister stated that strict action would be taken against any official or lineman found misbehaving with farmers. All staff must handle power-related grievances with courtesy and responsibility, he instructed. CESC managing director K.M. Munigopal Raju informed that the underground cabling work in Mysuru city is progressing well and will be completed in the next two years. Despite damage caused by recent heavy rains, emergency measures have been initiated to restore power supply and maintain infrastructure. He said power projects across the CESC jurisdiction are being implemented efficiently and on schedule.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Guarantee schemes hailed as a boon to women, youth
The State government's guarantee schemes are playing a transformative role in empowering women and youth, said vice-president of the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority S.R. Mehroz Khan. Speaking at an event to interact with beneficiaries of Yuva Nidhi scheme at Mahatma Gandhi Auditorium in Gulbarga University on Wednesday, Mr. Khan highlighted the impact of the scheme on youth employment. 'Due to the implementation of Yuva Nidhi, the unemployment rate in the State has dropped to 2.25% from 4.8%,' he said. He added that these welfare schemes, which cost the government around ₹52,000 crore annually, are unparalleled globally. 'International studies have affirmed that such comprehensive welfare models are rare. These schemes have helped secure the lives of millions of people in Karnataka,' he noted. Mr. Khan also pointed out that the Shakti scheme has not only supported women's professional journeys but also helped them lead independent lives. As a result of the Shakti and Gruha Lakshmi schemes, women's entrepreneurship in the State has risen to 12%. Similarly, the Anna Bhagya scheme has alleviated hunger, while free electricity under Gruha Jyothi has further lightened the financial burden on households, he said. 'There are often allegations of corruption in other welfare schemes but the guarantee schemes have been implemented transparently without any misappropriation. Credit for this goes to the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,' Mr. Khan said. He urged beneficiaries facing technical issues with Yuva Nidhi disbursements to call the toll-free helpline 1800-599-7154 for resolution. He also encouraged youth to take the lead in spreading awareness about these schemes in their communities. Several beneficiaries shared their experiences during the interaction. 'For the past 11 months, I've been receiving financial support through Yuva Nidhi. It has helped me buy books and attend training to secure employment,' said Shivalingayya. 'Coming from a farming family with limited financial means, the Yuva Nidhi scheme has helped me and my brother undergo job training in Dharwad. Gruha Lakshmi funds are also being received and free electricity under Gruha Jyothi has brightened our home,' said Vijayalakshmi, a postgraduate student. Nabi, another student, called for gender-inclusive access to the benefits of the Shakti scheme for both male and female students. 'Thanks to the Shakti scheme, I have been able to travel and visit places I never imagined. This free travel is enabling parents to consider higher education for their daughters,' said Pooja, a chemistry student. Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena urged students to actively participate in extracurricular activities and discussions alongside their studies. 'Success in life is possible through hard work. Make full use of the university campus and library facilities. Yuva Nidhi must be used wisely,' he said. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority chairperson Chandrika Parameshwari, vice-chairperson Somashekhara Hiremath, Chief Planning Officer S.S. Mathapati, Project Director Jagadeva, Assistant Director of the District Employment Exchange Bharathi, Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Bheemaraya and Gulbarga University Registrar Ramesh Landankar.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hope floats as cabinet to decide on new beneficiaries for Gruha Jyothi scheme
Bengaluru: After refusing to revise eligibility criteria under the Gruha Jyothi scheme and reassess free units of power for newly built houses, energy minister KJ George made a U-turn, saying he would present the issue before the cabinet and find a feasible solution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the inauguration of an EV charging facility near Kempegowda International Airport on Monday, George suggested that new beneficiaries could be included. This comes barely a week after the minister, during a visit to Ramanagara last week, ruled out revising the eligibility criteria. The scheme, which provides 200 units of free power for all households, completes two years this Aug. Pressure is now mounting on the govt to include beneficiaries who were initially left out of the scheme — one of the govt's five flagship guarantees — and to reassess free units for newly built houses. While rolling out the scheme in 2024, the energy department had assessed consumption of households, based on patterns over a year (2023). Based on this assessment, households consuming less than 200 units per month were covered under the scheme, while those consuming more than that threshold were left out. But the govt had assured citizens who were left out that they could avail benefits a year later — provided they reduce consumption and bring it under the 200-unit ceiling. Similarly, newly built houses which had no history of consumption over the previous year were allowed 53 free units — the state average consumption per month — plus an additional 10% of free power. George had again promised these residents that the govt would assess their monthly average consumption after a year and revise the number of free units. However, with the scheme set to complete two years, there is no clarity yet on rules for new beneficiaries or a decision on reassessing free units. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Radha G, a consumer from Banashankari said, "When the scheme was launched, we were consuming more than 200 units a month. We reduced consumption to less than 200 units over the past year. But when we tried to register for the scheme, Bescom engineers told us that we are ineligible. The govt must include beneficiaries afresh if their consumption is less than 200 units." Krishnakumar, who moved into a newly built house on Hesaraghatta Main Road a year ago, was allowed only 58 units of free power. "Although we have been using less than 200 units over the past year, we are only eligible for 58 free units and are being charged for the other 50 units. Had the govt reassessed usage, we would have been eligible for 110 to 120 free units. It's disappointing," he said. However, minister George told TOI that while the govt is aware of these grouses, his department alone cannot decide on a solution. "The state cabinet must take a call on this after a detailed discussion. We will take this proposal to cabinet in a week or two," George said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Ensure effective implementation of guarantee schemes that draw national, international attention: Mehroz Khan
Saying that the State government's five guarantee schemes are being lauded nationally and internationally, S.R. Mehroz Khan, vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Guarantees' Implementation Authority, urged officials to ensure that the schemes are effectively implemented. Chairing a review meeting on the progress of the schemes in Bidar on Tuesday, he highlighted the importance of efficient execution to maintain the credibility and success of the schemes. 'Karnataka's guarantee schemes, implemented at an annual cost of ₹52,000 crore, have empowered the economically weaker sections. Bidar district had achieved a remarkable 98% implementation rate. These schemes have helped the poor and middle-class families to establish small businesses and lead self-reliant lives,' he said. Emphasising the importance of outreach, Mr. Khan instructed officials to launch special awareness campaigns in colleges and among young people to promote the Yuva Nidhi scheme. He also directed transport authorities to ensure that school and college buses operate on schedule and stop appropriately to avoid inconvenience to students. In the light of recent reported cases on the smuggling of Anna Bhagya scheme rice, Mr. Khan warned fair price shops, entrusted with the responsibility of distributing the rice to beneficiaries, of stringent legal action, apart from cancelling their licences and blacklisting them. Providing implementation statistics, Mr. Khan said that, as of May, 3,74,323 women from a total of 3,81,970 ration card-holding families in Bidar have registered under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. A cumulative amount of ₹1,197.64 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries. Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, a total of 13,13,305 beneficiaries have benefited from an expenditure of ₹333.28 crore. From July 2023 to January 2025, the cash equivalent of 5 kg of rice was transferred. From February 2025 onwards, beneficiaries have been receiving 10 kg of rice. Mr. Khan urged the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure that this rice is not illegally diverted. Regarding the Yuva Nidhi scheme, Mr. Khan stated that 10,489 youth have registered in Bidar district, with a total of ₹15.98 crore disbursed to them. He also mentioned that 3,49,588 beneficiaries have been covered under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, with ₹327.69 crore spent. Speaking about the Shakti scheme, Mr. Khan noted that from June 11, 2023, to May 31, 2025, 8.15 crore trips were made, with an average of 1.3 lakh women travelling daily. This has resulted in an expenditure of ₹233.27 crore. Daily revenue from all passengers has averaged ₹32.4 lakh. 'Overall, Bidar district has recorded a total of 8,01,86,364 beneficiaries across all five guarantee schemes, with an aggregate expenditure of ₹2,107.86 crore so far. I appeal to all officials to continue their sincere efforts in delivering these benefits effectively and to ensure that citizens are made fully aware of the schemes available to them,' he said.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka cabinet to take call on OC for power linking
BENGALURU: Energy Minister KJ George on Thursday said the state cabinet will take a decision on removing the mandate requiring obtaining Occupancy Certificate (OC) to get power connection. He said the government understands the challenges faced by industries and homes due to mandate. The issue has been deliberated with the chief secretaries and a report with possible solutions has been prepared to be placed before the cabinet for approval. He was speaking during an interaction with party workers at the KPCC head office. George said the government had mandated the need for an OC following Supreme Court directions. 'However, to address the challenges, a by-law amendment is being considered. The issue was recently discussed in a cabinet meeting,' he said. On de-linking old RR numbers incase of new rentals to avail the Gruha Jyothi scheme, George said the process is now available online and incase people are facing problems, they can approach the jurisdictional officials.
