Gruha Jyothi takes largest share of guarantee spending in Bengaluru

In Bengaluru, 38,91,445 households have availed themselves of the free electricity scheme since its inception, according to data released by the government

The Gruha Jyothi scheme accounts for nearly half of the expenditure incurred on the five guarantee schemes in Bengaluru, with the State government spending ₹9,625 crore on providing free electricity to eligible households since its launch in August 2023.

In Bengaluru, 38,91,445 households have availed themselves of the free electricity scheme since its inception, according to data released by the government on Wednesday. Expenditure on Gruha Jyothi accounts for 46.65% of the total ₹20,632.77 crore spent on implementing the five guarantee schemes within the limits of the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Recently, the power department revisited the Gruha Jyothi scheme to weed out “ineligible” and “bogus” beneficiaries and conducted a door-to-door survey. Over one lakh beneficiaries have reportedly refused to participate in the survey.

Further, Gruha Lakshmi accounts for the second-largest share of expenditure in Bengaluru. A whopping ₹5,309.52 crore (25.73%) has been spent on the scheme, according to the data. This is followed by Shakti, under which ₹3,963.61 crore (19.21%) has been spent on providing free bus travel to women in State-run transport buses.

The government will also revisit the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, for which a blueprint is being prepared for door-to-door verification. Further, the government has initiated work to issue smart cards for travel under the Shakti scheme.

Further, the government has spent ₹1,672.14 crore on Anna Bhagya, accounting for 8.1% of the total spending, while ₹62.50 crore has been spent on Yuva Nidhi, which accounts for 0.3%.

The trend in Bengaluru differs from the overall State expenditure pattern. Across Karnataka, Gruha Lakshmi accounts for the largest share of guarantee spending. A whopping ₹79,404.06 crore has been spent on Gruha Lakshmi, accounting for 51.27% of the total expenditure of ₹1,54,861.58 crore.

Meanwhile, Gruha Jyothi accounts for ₹30,521.98 crore (19.71%) of the State’s total expenditure. This is followed by Shakti at ₹22,281.94 crore (14.39%). Anna Bhagya accounts for ₹21,231.60 crore (13.71%), while ₹1,422 crore has been spent on Yuva Nidhi (0.92%) in the State.

Overall, expenditure within the Greater Bengaluru Authority limits accounts for approximately 13.3% of the State’s total spending on the five guarantee schemes.