Aiming for Equitable Distribution of Electricity Subsidies with Increased Aadhaar Linking

Shimla, December 30: The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board’s e-KYC initiative has made remarkable progress, with over 16 lakh electricity meters already linked to Aadhaar, representing 68.66% of the state’s electricity consumers. With the December 31 deadline rapidly approaching, there are speculations that the government may extend the timeline to ensure complete linkage and compliance.

The primary goal of the e-KYC drive is to streamline the distribution of electricity subsidies by accurately identifying the number of meters under each consumer’s name. Presently, the state government offers a subsidy of 125 units of free electricity per meter. However, with the e-KYC process nearing completion, subsidies will be restricted to one meter per household, aiming to reduce the financial burden on the state while ensuring fair and equal benefits for all consumers.

In an effort to meet the ambitious target, the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board has mobilized a team of officials, including Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), to accelerate the e-KYC registration process. Despite the intensive efforts, around 33% of consumers have yet to complete the required procedure. Nevertheless, the board remains optimistic about achieving full compliance before the deadline and is preparing to submit a comprehensive report to the government regarding the distribution of meters among various categories of consumers.

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As part of broader reforms, starting January 1, 2025, grade one and two officers will no longer be eligible for electricity subsidies. These officers will be billed at full rates, marking a significant step in the state’s financial restructuring and its move towards promoting self-reliance. The government’s overarching objective is to ensure a fair distribution of electricity subsidies and strengthen the financial health of Himachal Pradesh.