Many poor families in Haryana struggle to pay their electricity bills on time. As a result, their electricity often gets cut off due to unpaid bills that keep building up. To help such families, the Government of Haryana has launched a new scheme called Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana.
Under this scheme, poor families belonging to the Antyodaya category will get major relief on their electricity bills. Antyodaya families are those families that earn less than Rs 1 lakh per year. There are over 7 lakh such families in Haryana.
The main objective of the Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana is to help poor families get their electricity connection back. The scheme was launched by the Chief Minister of Haryana Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar on 6th December 2023.
Through this scheme, eligible families will only need to pay half of their outstanding electricity bill amount. They will not be charged any interest or late fees on unpaid bills. The government will also allow families to pay this bill amount in small instalments if they cannot pay it in one go.
In this way, the Haryana government aims to provide electricity access and bill relief to poor families under the Antyodaya category. We will further discuss the benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents and application process of this scheme in this article.
Key Details Of Haryana Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana
Who launched this scheme?
The scheme was launched by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar on 6th December, 2023.
Who will benefit from the scheme?
Only families that belong to the Antyodaya or poorest of poor category will benefit. Antyodaya families are those families whose total yearly income is less than Rs 1 lakh.
What is the main benefit?
The main benefit is that disconnected electricity connections will be restored for eligible families. Many poor families had lost electricity access as they could not afford to pay the pending bills.
How many families can benefit?
As per data, there are over 7 lakh families in Haryana with income below Rs 1 lakh. Their electricity connections had been cut off due to unpaid bills. All these families can now get back electricity access.
What kind of bill discounts will be offered?
Eligible families will now only have to pay half of their outstanding electricity bill amount. No interest or late payment charges will be applied. This will lower the bill payments.
Can discounts be availed over time?
Yes, families can pay the 50% bill amount in easy EMIs or small installments over few months. Lumpsum payment will not be needed.
So in short, the Antyodaya Energy Security Scheme aims to restore electricity access to over 7 lakh poor families through discounted bill payments and flexible installments.
Scheme Benefits and Features
- Getting electricity back: Disconnected electricity will be restored back for eligible poor families. This is a major benefit.
- No interest or late fees: Families will not have to pay any interest or late payment charges on their pending electricity bills anymore.
- Pay only half of bill amount: Instead of paying the full pending electricity amount, families will only need to pay half the amount now. This is a 50% discount.
- Can pay in installments: The 50% bill payment can also be done in small EMIs. Families need not pay the full half amount at one go. Easy installments are allowed.
- What’s the bill eligibility? Even families whose yearly electricity bill comes to Rs. 12,000 can avail the scheme benefits. Both rural and urban families are covered.
Eligibility Criteria for the Haryana Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana
Who can apply?
- Only families that belong to the Antyodaya or BPL category can apply. Antyodaya families are extremely poor families with income less than Rs 1 lakh per year.
Residence requirement:
- The applicant family must be living and residing in the state of Haryana. Only Haryana residents are eligible.
What is the income limit?
- As mentioned before, families should have a total yearly income of less than Rs 1 lakh to be considered as Antyodaya family. There is no minimum income criteria though.
Bill amount requirement:
- Families whose yearly electricity bill amounts upto Rs. 12,000 can also apply. Both rural and urban families are covered.
So in short the key criteria are:
- Belonging to the Antyodaya BPL category
- Living in Haryana
- Having an income less than 1 lakh/year
- Having electricity bill amount up to Rs. 12,000/year
Only families fulfilling the above 4 eligibility conditions can apply to get benefits under this scheme.
Required Documents for Application
Aadhaar card:
- This is needed as an ID proof and also to link the electricity connection to get benefits.
Residence proof:
- A document like voter ID or ration card is needed as residence proof to show the applicant lives in Haryana.
Income certificate:
- A certificate from the Tehsildar is required to prove that the family’s annual income is less than Rs 1 lakh.
Electricity bill copy:
- A copy of the latest electricity bill is required to process the application and give connection.
Ration card:
- The BPL or Antyodaya ration card copy serves as income proof.
Mobile number:
- Mobile number is needed for registration and future communication.
Applicants must have these documents ready before applying to the scheme to get smooth processing and approval of their application.
Application Process For Haryana Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana
How to apply?
The detailed application process is yet to be announced by the government. Families may be able apply through both online and offline modes.
Online application:
For online application, families can visit the official website once launched. The website link will be provided soon. One can apply by filling an online form.
Offline application:
For offline process, forms may be made available at electricty board offices or common service centres. Forms can be filled and submitted along with documents at these centers.
Application processing:
The applications will be processed by electricity department and connections will be approved for eligible families.
Installing meter:
After approval, a new meter will be installed at the applicant’s house by department.
Getting electricity flow back:
Within few days of meter installation, electricity supply will resume for approved applicants.
So eligible families can soon apply through online or offline mode by submitting required documents. Their application will then be processed and new electricity connection will be setup.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided a good understanding of the key details of the Haryana Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana 2023.
Through this scheme, the Haryana government aims to provide major electricity bill relief to poor families belonging to the Antyodaya category. Families with income less than Rs 1 lakh per year are eligible to apply.
Key benefits include restoring electricity connections, waiving off interest and charges on unpaid bills, and discounts up to 50% on outstanding principal amounts. Families can also pay these discounted bills in easy EMIs as per convenience.
The eligibility criteria, required documents and application process has been explained in detail earlier for ready reference. Interested families can check if they meet the eligibility conditions to apply under this welfare scheme.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for our readers. The Haryana Antyodaya Urja Suraksha Yojana promises to make electricity accessible and affordable for poor families of the state. We will keep you updated as more information is released on the official website.
