Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced significant relief for the state's residents ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. He has declared that from August 1, 2025, all domestic consumers in the state will receive up to 125 units of electricity free of charge every month. This scheme will be effective from the electricity bills of July. This decision by the government will directly benefit approximately 16.7 million families in the state.
This scheme will not only reduce the burden of electricity bills for the general public but is also seen as a crucial part of Nitish Kumar's election strategy.
Chief Minister Shares Information on Social Media
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shared information about this scheme on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He wrote,
"We have been providing electricity to everyone at affordable rates from the beginning. Now, we have decided that from August 1, 2025, i.e., from the bills of July, all domestic consumers in the state will not have to pay for up to 125 units of electricity. This will benefit a total of 16.7 million families in the state."
The Chief Minister further stated that the government's intention is not limited to just free electricity, but it also aims to make the state self-reliant in the field of solar energy, keeping the future in mind.
Solar Energy Plants to be Installed
The government has also announced that solar energy plants will be installed on the rooftops of these beneficiary families' homes or at nearby public places in the next three years. This scheme will help in making the electricity supply sustainable and robust.
According to the Chief Minister, under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana, the state government will bear the entire cost of these plants for very poor families. At the same time, other domestic consumers will also be provided with appropriate financial assistance from the government. Nitish Kumar stated that with this scheme, the production of up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy will be possible in the state in the next three years.
This initiative is not only expected to reduce electricity consumption but is also considered a significant step towards environmental protection.
A Major Masterstroke Before Elections
Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the state at the end of 2025. Experts believe that this free electricity scheme could prove to be an electoral masterstroke for Nitish Kumar's party, Janata Dal United (JDU), and its alliance, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
According to experts, in a state like Bihar, where electricity bills are still a major concern for millions of families, free electricity up to 125 units will come as a major relief. The poor and middle-class families will benefit the most from this. This decision has the potential to influence voters in both urban and rural areas.
Impact on Economy and Environment
This scheme is not limited to electoral gains, but it will also impact the state's economy and environment. The reduction in electricity expenses will increase people's purchasing power, while the expansion of solar energy will promote green energy.
Experts in the power sector believe that if this scheme is implemented properly, Bihar could become one of the leading solar energy producing states in the country in the coming years.
