Bengaluru : The Congress government in Karnataka released guidelines for rollout of two pre-poll guarantees. On free bus travels riders to get smart cards in 3 months as guidelines issued for the ‘Shakti Yojana’, under which women can travel free in state
Run buses from June 11. This was one of the five poll gurantees that Congress had poromised if elected. Under the scheme, women are required to apply through the seva sindhu portal to obtain Shakti Smart Cards, which serve as identity cards, to avail themselves of the free bus services. Transgender too can make use of the scheme. Applicable only for travel within the state and luxury buses, Rajahamsa , Non-AC sleeper and EV Power plus buses not included.
On free electricity another pre-poll promise guidelines issued said that free power only for domestic users. As earlier Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced ‘free electricity upto 200 units to all eligible citizens of Karnataka from July 1 onwards. The energy department notified rules and conditions for availing the benefit under its ‘Guha Jyothi’ scheme. Citizens must register for the scheme by submitting separate applications on the Seva Sindhu portal along with other required details. Officials said the state government has insured that the programme will benefit maximum number of citizens without allowing anyone to misuse it. The facility will applicatble only to domestic LT consumers, not commercial LT consumers.
Meantime A substantial rise in the monthly electricity bills issued by various Electricity Supply Companies (Escoms) across Karnataka on Monday left thousands of citizens in state of shock. The ‘fixed charges’ saw a sharp rise—ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 75 depending on the consumption load. In the electricity bill generated by the Escoms for month of June. Many citizens took to social media to slam the hike as a direct result of the ‘Free Power’ guarantee that was announced by the congress government in state last week. Some of the Twitter user wrote : “ All those who are asking for free power, please check your houses power bill. The fixed charge has shot up from Rs 125 to Rs 200 in one go. The task of fooling voters has just begun” it said.
BJP Members in large number staged protest over electricity price hike at freeddom park against Congress government. They said hike in electricity bill is direct result of the ‘Free Power’ guarantee that state administration announced last week.
