CHENNAI: Electricity Minister V Senthilbalaji on Monday reiterated that 100 free units for domestic, subsidised supply for handloom and powerloom and free supply for huts and agricultural consumers would not be interrupted after linking Aadhaar number.

“Some people are worried that they’d not get 100 free units if they have multiple connections. No need to fear. If a person has 3 or 5 domestic service connections on his/her name, he/she will continue to get 100 free units for all the connections. There is no change in the government subsidy scheme,” he told reporters after inspecting the special counters opened for linking consumer service numbers with Aadhaar at Dr RK Salai here.

The minister urged consumers to make use of special counters to link their Aadhaar till December 31. “Out of 2.33 crore domestic connections in the State, Aadhaar has been linked for 15 lakh connections as on date. Until December 31, consumers can pay their bills without linking Aadhaar. People who have to name transfer service connections can do so at special counters,” he explained.

When asked about the need to link Aadhaar, Senthilbalaji said, “The government needed data on the number of people living in their own homes, rented houses, and those who are accruing benefits from the subsidy. We also need to know the number of connections in a person’s name. It is being done for the development of the Tangedco.”

Asked about the Supreme Court order that Aadhaar should not be made mandatory to avail subsidies, he said that the Apex court had only stated that linking Aadhaar with the Voter ID is not mandatory. “To plug revenue leakages, the Aadhaar linking is a must,” he reiterated.

Out of 2.33 crore domestic connections in the State, Aadhaar has been linked for 15 lakh connections as on date — V Senthilbalaji,

EB Minister