Providing huge relief, the central region power distributor on Thursday eased the cost burden on the poor by launching a staggered payment plan for electricity infrastructure in unauthorised colonies.

Announcing the launch of the 'Sukham Vidyut' scheme, the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company (MKVVCL) said that the scheme will address issues faced by residents in unauthorised localities across Madhya Pradesh, and will remain in effect for two years.

As part of the scheme, the cost of infrastructure can be paid in installments, subject to certain conditions.

Applicants from unauthorised colonies—not registered with RERA—planning to construct electrical infrastructure will be eligible under this scheme.

Benefits under the scheme will be available only to individual applicants and groups of applicants. Housing societies, builders, and colonisers are not eligible for the benefits.

Both individual and group applicants will be required to pay a minimum of 25 percent of the total infrastructure costs at the time of filing their requests, while the remaining amount will be payable in monthly installments—paid as part of the electricity bill—over the next two years.

The power distributor, however, cautioned that failing to adhere to the payment terms may result in the localities being disconnected from the electricity network at the conclusion of a 15-day notice period.

Unauthorised colonies, often mistakenly referred to as 'illegal colonies', are residential projects that arise in contravention of town and country guidelines without requisite permissions from the administration.In most cases, these localities represent the only hope for affordable housing for the urban poor.