NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday threw the switch on the poll season after he promised 125 free units of electricity to voters just months ahead of the high-stakes assembly elections in the state.
"We have been providing electricity to everyone at affordable rates from the very beginning. Now, we have decided that from 1 August 2025 — that is, from the July bill onwards — all domestic consumers in the state will not have to pay any charges for up to 125 units of electricity," Nitish said in a social media post on X.
The announcement triggered political squabbling, as the NDA hailed it as “historic,” while opposition parties accused the state government of copying their schemes without originality.
NDA h ails 'double-engine sarkaar'
Deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary termed the announcement a "golden day for those who use less than 125 units."
"Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced free electricity up to 125 units... This will benefit a total of 1.67 crore families in the state. This is a golden day for those who use less than 125 units," Chaudhary said.
He also assured that the state government would install solar power panels on rooftops within the next three years.
"In the next three years, solar power plants will be installed on rooftops or at nearby public places to provide benefits. Under the Kutir Jyoti scheme, for extremely poor families, the state government will bear the entire cost of installing solar power plants. For the rest, the government will provide appropriate support," he added.
Deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "This is a major step for the poor people of Bihar. Currently, there are 1.86 crore domestic electricity consumers in the state, out of which 1.67 crore will receive free electricity. The remaining 20 lakh consumers will get up to 125 units free, and charges will apply only beyond that."
"Now, 90% of Bihar's population will get free electricity under our government. This is a significant step taken by the double-engine government towards the welfare of the poor and deprived sections of society," he added.
Union minister Jitan Ram Majhi also welcomed the decision and said, "The decision of the Nitish government is welcome. 125 units of electricity have been made free. This will provide relief to the people. There will be no reduction in revenue due to this," he said.
‘Imitative government’
However, Mahagathbandhan parties dismissed the scheme, accusing the government of "stealing" ideas from the opposition.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "The Nitish government is an imitative government; it steals Tejashwi Yadav's schemes. The Chief Minister shares information about these on social media. Recently, many schemes announced by Tejashwi Yadav were revealed by Nitish Kumar, but he has never openly acknowledged it. They are copying everything from Tejashwi Yadav — but even copying requires some intelligence."
Congress leader Udit Raj criticised the move and claimed that the chief minister is "mentally unstable."
"It seems that those who are saying Nitish Kumar is not mentally stable anymore are not wrong. Nitish Kumar himself had stood in the Assembly and said that electricity bills should not and cannot be waived. But now that the RJD and Congress have raised the demand for 200 units of free electricity, the current government is talking about giving 125 units for free," he said.
"This is an election jhulma. This also proves that Nitish Kumar's mental health is not right," he added.
RJD chief spokesperson Shakti Yadav claimed, "If a leader like Tejashwi Yadav is the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, then Nitish Kumar has no choice but to bow down. Governments do bend; they just need someone who can make them. That strength lies in Tejashwi Yadav's resolve and commitments."
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said, "This is a scheme to deceive people. Under the name of smart meters, electricity bills in every household have tripled or quadrupled. Now, this promise of 125 units of free electricity — it's clear that during elections, new announcements are made every day. Public conveniences are increased. New dreams are sold to the people."
"We have been providing electricity to everyone at affordable rates from the very beginning. Now, we have decided that from 1 August 2025 — that is, from the July bill onwards — all domestic consumers in the state will not have to pay any charges for up to 125 units of electricity," Nitish said in a social media post on X.
The announcement triggered political squabbling, as the NDA hailed it as “historic,” while opposition parties accused the state government of copying their schemes without originality.
NDA h ails 'double-engine sarkaar'
Deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary termed the announcement a "golden day for those who use less than 125 units."
"Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced free electricity up to 125 units... This will benefit a total of 1.67 crore families in the state. This is a golden day for those who use less than 125 units," Chaudhary said.
He also assured that the state government would install solar power panels on rooftops within the next three years.
"In the next three years, solar power plants will be installed on rooftops or at nearby public places to provide benefits. Under the Kutir Jyoti scheme, for extremely poor families, the state government will bear the entire cost of installing solar power plants. For the rest, the government will provide appropriate support," he added.
Deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "This is a major step for the poor people of Bihar. Currently, there are 1.86 crore domestic electricity consumers in the state, out of which 1.67 crore will receive free electricity. The remaining 20 lakh consumers will get up to 125 units free, and charges will apply only beyond that."
"Now, 90% of Bihar's population will get free electricity under our government. This is a significant step taken by the double-engine government towards the welfare of the poor and deprived sections of society," he added.
Union minister Jitan Ram Majhi also welcomed the decision and said, "The decision of the Nitish government is welcome. 125 units of electricity have been made free. This will provide relief to the people. There will be no reduction in revenue due to this," he said.
‘Imitative government’
However, Mahagathbandhan parties dismissed the scheme, accusing the government of "stealing" ideas from the opposition.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "The Nitish government is an imitative government; it steals Tejashwi Yadav's schemes. The Chief Minister shares information about these on social media. Recently, many schemes announced by Tejashwi Yadav were revealed by Nitish Kumar, but he has never openly acknowledged it. They are copying everything from Tejashwi Yadav — but even copying requires some intelligence."
Congress leader Udit Raj criticised the move and claimed that the chief minister is "mentally unstable."
"It seems that those who are saying Nitish Kumar is not mentally stable anymore are not wrong. Nitish Kumar himself had stood in the Assembly and said that electricity bills should not and cannot be waived. But now that the RJD and Congress have raised the demand for 200 units of free electricity, the current government is talking about giving 125 units for free," he said.
"This is an election jhulma. This also proves that Nitish Kumar's mental health is not right," he added.
RJD chief spokesperson Shakti Yadav claimed, "If a leader like Tejashwi Yadav is the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, then Nitish Kumar has no choice but to bow down. Governments do bend; they just need someone who can make them. That strength lies in Tejashwi Yadav's resolve and commitments."
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said, "This is a scheme to deceive people. Under the name of smart meters, electricity bills in every household have tripled or quadrupled. Now, this promise of 125 units of free electricity — it's clear that during elections, new announcements are made every day. Public conveniences are increased. New dreams are sold to the people."
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