Haryana Revises BPL Criteria: Annual Electricity Bill Limit Raised to Rs 20,000

The Haryana government has announced a significant change in Below Poverty Line (BPL) eligibility criteria by raising the annual electricity bill limit to Rs 20,000. This revision comes as state authorities grapple with a dramatic increase in BPL beneficiaries, which currently account for 70% of the state's population. 

Digital Integration to Ensure Authentic Beneficiaries

In a move towards greater transparency, the government plans to link various data points through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (family ID) system. This integration will include property records, crop production data from Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal, and electricity consumption details. Officials confirm that families failing to meet the revised criteria will automatically lose their BPL status.

Current Welfare Distribution Statistics

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department currently serves over 51.72 lakh BPL families, comprising nearly 1.99 crore individuals. Each month, these families receive substantial benefits, including:

• 5 kg of food grain per family member  
• 2 liters of subsidized mustard oil at Rs 40
• 1 kg of sugar at Rs 13.5
• The monthly distribution amounts to approximately 10 lakh quintals of food grain.

Physical Verification on the Horizon 

The government is set to reintroduce physical verification of BPL families, moving away from the current self-declaration system. This change aims to create a more accurate database of genuine beneficiaries and ensure welfare reaches those truly in need.