Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister Arvind Kumar (AK) Sharma has taken a dig at the free power scheme announced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government in Bihar. Sharma has said about this plan, ‘Neither electricity, nor bill will come’, indicating that such free schemes are far from reality and because there is a huge reduction of electricity in the villages. This comment is also important because the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is led by both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states. In such a situation, it also highlights the internal differences of the party over the power and energy scheme between the governments of two states of the same coalition. Assembly elections are going to be held in Bihar this year and the power minister of the neighboring state is not giving good signs to tighten electricity on electricity. This comment can become another challenge for the ruling Nitish government in Bihar, especially when it comes to important issues like energy.
What did Nitish Kumar announce about the electricity bill?
Nitish Kumar had announced a few months before the upcoming assembly elections that 125 units of electricity will be given absolutely free to domestic consumers in Bihar every month. This decision will be effective from 1 August 2025. This will benefit about 1.67 crore families. The government estimates that about Rs 3800 crore will be spent on this scheme. It also includes additional subsidy given to consumers.
Congress took a pinch
On social media, the Congress has enjoyed taunting the Bihar government on social media. The Congress wrote on the post, ‘This is a game.’ Let us tell that both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are trying to deal with the energy crisis in their own way, but such rhetoric can a little hot.