From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 1: Gruhajyothi guarantee scheme for providing 200 units of free power for all domestic consumers is operational from July 1, Saturday, and the benefit will be available from the bill from the respective electricity supply companies in the State for the month of July payable in August.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said the electricity supply companies will be billing the consumers for their power consumption during the month up to 200 units.

However, as part of the plans to ensure that domestic consumers do not use excess power merely because of the Gruhajyothi guarantee, average of 12 months consumption plus 10% extra will be taken as the basis. Thus, if the monthly average consumption of a household including the 10% extra comes to 160 units, that household is eligible for free power. This is to ensure that people do not consume more power by using more gadgets merely because of the guarantee by the Congress government.

The chief minister said the cash component for the 5 kgs of rice that the government has not been able to procure under its promise of 10 kg of rice per person per month under Anna Bhagya will be credited to the accounts of all the eligible BPL and Antyodaya cardholders after the 10th of every month.

“We had promised 10 kgs of rice under the Anna Bhagya guarantee. After the Centre blocked the sale of rice from Food Corporation of India and the government’s inability to procure the 2.28 lakh tonnes of rice required, the State Cabinet has decided to credit Rs 170 per person per month at Rs 34 per kg, the rate for FCI supply, under DBT to the BPL cardholders bank account every month, ‘’ he said and made it clear that government has not said the amount will be credited on the first of every month.

The cash component under Anna Bhagya will be credited into bank accounts after the 10th but definitely before the end of the month, he said.

GST Day

The chief minister later participated in the GST Day celebrations, being held on July 1 annually, and released a handbook on Handling Digital Evidences and a mobile app for use in the administration of the Commercial Tax Department.

The mission of GST Day is to recognize and appreciate the compliance of the business community to the new tax law and the contribution of taxpayers to the economic growth of the country. It highlights the impact of GST on India's focus on simplification and economic growth in the taxation system.

The purpose of this year's GST Day celebrations is also to commemorate the benefits that the GST tax regime has brought to business transactions and overall economic activity.

Chief Minister’s Political Secretaries Nasir Ahmed and Govindaraju and Additional Chief Secretary Finance Department L.K Atheeq, Shikha. C, Commissioner Commercial Taxes Department were present on the occasion.