300 Units of Free Power Soon for 1.16 Lakh Poorest Families in Himachal
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to launch its much-awaited scheme to provide up to 300 units of free electricity every month to the state’s most economically vulnerable families. After an extensive verification exercise, the Rural Development Department has finalized a list of around 1.16 lakh eligible beneficiaries who are expected to receive the benefit.
Officials said the selection process was designed to ensure that support reaches families genuinely in need. Instead of relying solely on income certificates, the government adopted a more comprehensive approach, evaluating households on multiple socio-economic parameters.
Under the scheme, priority has been given to families with an annual income of ₹75,000 or less. Special consideration has also been extended to daily-wage labourers, households with seriously ill members, persons with disabilities, widows, single and divorced women, and families responsible for the care of orphaned children.
To maintain fairness and transparency, the Rural Development Department conducted a detailed seven-stage verification process. The exercise assessed applicants on six key socio-economic indicators, including social status, employment conditions, and health-related challenges faced by family members.
Officials emphasized that the rigorous screening was aimed at preventing ineligible applicants from availing benefits while ensuring that the state’s poorest residents receive the assistance they need.
A spokesperson for the Rural Development Department said the verification process has now been completed and the final report will soon be submitted to the state government for further action and implementation of the scheme.
The beneficiary identification exercise involved multiple levels of scrutiny, beginning at the gram panchayat level and moving through block and district administrations. Elected panchayat representatives, local bodies, and departmental officials worked together to verify documents and assess the actual socio-economic conditions of applicant families.
According to officials, this multi-tier verification mechanism was introduced to strengthen accountability and ensure that public welfare benefits reach the deserving sections of society without leakages.
Once implemented, the scheme is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of low-income households by reducing their monthly electricity expenses and easing financial pressure on some of the state’s most vulnerable families.
