Aadhaar Mandatory for Free Electricity in Telangana, Says Energy Department Gazette

The Telangana Energy Department has made it mandatory for beneficiaries of the free electricity scheme 'Gruhajyothi' to undergo Aadhaar verification. A gazette notification to this effect was issued. The department mentioned that names will be registered under the Gruhajyothi scheme only after completing the verification through a biometric method.

The Energy Department has directed the Distribution Companies (Discoms) to undertake the Aadhaar verification process. Beneficiaries must provide the Aadhaar of the individual under whose name the residential electricity connection is registered to the staff. If anyone lacks an Aadhaar, they must apply for one immediately and present proof of application. Until Aadhaar is issued, other forms of identification such as photocopies of bank or post office passbooks with the account holder's photo, PAN card, voter ID card, employment guarantee scheme ID card, Kisan passbook, driving license, ration card, or a verification letter issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar can be used to register names.

As part of the biometric verification, beneficiaries must have their fingerprints or iris scanned. The Discoms are responsible for ensuring the necessary arrangements for this. If biometric devices fail to work, Aadhaar number registration should be verified through an OTP sent to the owner's cellphone. If this is also not feasible, the details should be verified by scanning the QR code on the Aadhaar card.

The Energy Department has instructed Discoms to select beneficiaries in accordance with the regulations stipulated in orders issued from time to time for the implementation of this scheme. Therefore, comprehensive guidelines related to the selection of beneficiaries are expected to be released shortly.