Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Karnataka's Gruha Jyothi Scheme Cuts Power Thefts Under CESC
Karnataka is a state in India.
Its government promised people free electricity up to 200 units every month, called Gruha Jyothi.
Before the scheme, many people stole electricity by not paying for it.
Since the free power plan started, fewer people are stealing power.
The electricity company that serves parts of Karnataka checks homes and wires for theft.
In 2023-24 there were 1,192 serious theft cases.
By this year, only 166 such cases were found up to June.
People caught stealing still have to pay fines.
Some rural customers take power from nearby poles because meters are delayed.
The company shared these numbers with a newspaper.
Karnataka's Congress government introduced Gruha Jyothi, offering free power up to 200 units to domestic consumers.
Cognizable power theft cases in CESC areas fell from 1,192 in 2023-24 to 166 till June 2026-27.
CESC vigilance staff checked 32,006 installations and detected 3,134 cognizable theft cases since 2023.
CESC recovered Rs 2,34,45,059 in penalties in 2026-27 till June, after Rs 8,41,04,571 in 2025-26.
Officials say rural thefts often involve drawing power from nearby poles, sometimes due to meter installation delays or missing NOCs.
- Who
- Karnataka's Congress government, CESC (Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation), its vigilance personnel, and power consumers in CESC's five districts.
- What
- Power theft cases declined in CESC's jurisdiction after the Gruha Jyothi free electricity scheme was implemented.
- When
- 2026-27 fiscal year till June, compared with the previous three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).
- Where
- Districts under CESC: Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Hassan in Karnataka.
- Why
- Free power supply up to 200 units for domestic consumers reduced the incentive to steal electricity.
- Scheme
- Gruha Jyothi - free power up to 200 units for domestic consumers
- Implementing utility
- Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC), Mysuru
- Jurisdiction
- Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Hassan
- Cognizable theft cases 2023-24
- 1,192
- Cognizable theft cases 2025-26
- 888
- Cognizable theft cases till June 2026-27
- 166
- Installations checked since 2023
- 32,006
- Penalty recovered till June 2026-27
- Rs 2,34,45,059