Bihar government rules out free electricity

The Bihar government has reaffirmed that it will not provide free electricity to consumers, despite opposition demands. Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav emphasized that electricity is already provided at heavily subsidised rates, with the government allocating Rs 15.34 billion in subsidies for the current fiscal year, up from Rs 13.11 billion in 2023-24.

In response to the opposition RJD’s promise of 200 units of free electricity if elected, Yadav reiterated the government’s long-standing stance against free power.

Additionally, Yadav announced that the installation of smart prepaid electric meters, which has already covered around 5 million households, will be completed across the state by 2025. The government is offering rebate schemes to incentivize consumers who recharge their smart meters in advance. Despite opposition protests scheduled for October 1 against the installation of these meters, the government remains committed to completing the process on schedule.