Gruha Jyothi: Confusion over electricity bills

As people start receiving the first monthly electricity bills after the launch of Gruha Jyothi scheme, confusion prevailed over the calculation of entitlement units.

A few of them opined that they were entitled to more units, while the Bescom had calculated the average to be lower. Many, unaware of the conditions of the scheme, argued that the government had failed to keep up its promise of providing 200 units of free electricity.

The confusion was especially high in houses that had remained vacant for a long period before being occupied recently. For instance, a resident of Kadubeesanahalli complained that their entitlement units were declared to be just two units even though they had used close to 130 units since April this year when they moved into the rented house.

However, further inspection by Bescom revealed that the house had been vacant for nearly nine months last financial year and, as a result, the entitlement units were low. Bescom MD Mahantesh Bilagi urged people to visit the nearest Bescom office if there is any confusion.

“We have the data for the consumption in the last financial year, and entitlement units are calculated purely based on it. We urge people to visit the nearest Bescom office and our officials will help them understand the modalities of the program and how the entitlement units were calculated,” Bilagi said.