The Karnataka government has announced that the July electricity bill under the Gruha Jyothi scheme will be calculated based on the average consumption over the previous three months. This measure applies only to the July billing cycle, as confirmed by state officials.
Door-to-Door Verification Underway
BESCOM and other electricity supply companies have initiated door-to-door verification of households enrolled in the Gruha Jyothi scheme. The verification aims to ensure accurate billing and prevent misuse of the free power benefit.
According to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), the average usage method is temporary. Consumers will see their July bill reflect the mean of their consumption from April, May, and June 2026. This approach is intended to smooth out fluctuations and provide a fair charge while verification is completed.
Impact on Consumers
Households that consumed lower-than-average power in the preceding months may see a slightly higher July bill, while those with higher usage might pay less. The government emphasized that the adjustment is only for July and that subsequent bills will revert to actual consumption once verification is finalized.
A BESCOM official stated, "The three-month average ensures continuity of the Gruha Jyothi benefits without disruption during the verification process." The scheme provides up to 200 units of free electricity per month to eligible households.
Background of Gruha Jyothi
Launched in 2023, the Gruha Jyothi scheme is a flagship program of the Karnataka government, offering free power to domestic consumers who use up to 200 units monthly. Over 2 crore households have enrolled. The door-to-door verification is part of efforts to eliminate duplicate or ineligible beneficiaries.
Consumers are advised to cooperate with verification teams and keep their enrollment documents ready. For queries, BESCOM has set up a helpline. The July bills will be dispatched starting mid-July, with payment due by the end of the month.
