200 Free Units for AAY Families Near Approval, Govt Informs Assembly – Alfaaz – The Words

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has introduced an Electricity Amnesty Scheme for domestic consumers and is in the final stages of approving a proposal to provide 200 units of free electricity per month to households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) across the Union Territory.

The announcement was made in a written reply to a starred question raised by Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly regarding electricity-related liabilities. The government informed the House that the Amnesty Scheme has been notified through Government Order No. 114-JKPDD dated August 4, 2025.

Under the scheme, interest and surcharge accrued on outstanding electricity dues up to March 31, 2025 will be fully waived. The amnesty will remain operative until March 31, 2026, providing domestic consumers a time-bound opportunity to clear pending bills without additional financial burden.

On the proposed free power initiative, the government said it is committed to extending 200 free electricity units every month to all AAY-category households in Jammu and Kashmir. The reply noted that the project approval is at its final stage, paving the way for implementation once formal clearance is accorded.

The government said the twin measures are aimed at easing the financial stress on economically weaker sections, encouraging timely bill payments, and improving revenue realization in the power sector.

The House was further informed that the initiative forms part of wider reforms being pursued by the Power Development Department to address long-pending electricity liabilities, reduce consumer burden, and strengthen power distribution mechanisms in the Union Territory.