Summer heat leaves thousands of Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries without power subsidy in Sangareddy

Thousands of Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries in Sangareddy lost their electricity subsidy during April and May after power consumption crossed the 200-unit limit amid intense summer heat. Beneficiaries have urged the government to provide concessions for the first 200 units consumed.

Sangareddy: The simmering heat had forced the many Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries in the district to lose their benefit as they had used more than 200 units of power during the April and Many months. Since the temperatures touched 46 degrees Celsius multiple times, the beneficiaries used the coolers, and fans throughout day and night, to beat the heat. Some people, who had elderly or bedridden persons at their homes, were forced to use ACs as well even though they were poor.

The district had 2.26 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme who were exempted from paying any electricity bill up to 200 units. They were exempted from paying a maximum of Rs 800 benefit. Since most of them were poor and lower middle class families, the benefit proved very helpful for them.

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However, nearly 16,000 families in April and 22,000 families in May used more than 200 units of the power which denied them the benefit during these two months. The beneficiaries urged the government to consider giving them benefit upto 200 units even if they used more than that.

They said that they were ready to pay the bill for the excessive units they used. Meanwhile, the Transco officials said that those who did not get the benefit during these two months, would again get the benefit when they consume less than 200 units. Thousands of beneficiaries of Gruha Jyothi lost the benefit during the April and May months across the state.