Nitish Kumar Announces 125 Units of Free Electricity Per Month for Bihar Households Ahead of Polls

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that all households in the state will receive 125 units of electricity free of cost per month starting August 1, a move that will benefit 1.67 crore families ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.

Taking to X, Nitish Kumar said the decision will apply from the July billing cycle, with the state government aiming to provide relief to domestic consumers while ensuring affordable power supply across Bihar. “From the very beginning, we have been providing electricity to everyone at affordable rates. Now, we have decided that starting from August 1, 2025 — meaning from the July billing cycle — all domestic consumers in the state will not have to pay anything for up to 125 units of electricity,” Kumar posted.

The announcement comes just days after the Bihar government approved 30 key proposals, including a promise to provide one crore jobs to youth in the state over the next five years, signalling the ruling NDA’s push to strengthen its outreach ahead of elections later this year.

The Chief Minister also announced a solar energy plan for the state, stating that within the next three years, solar panels will be installed on rooftops of households or at nearby public places with residents’ consent to further reduce energy costs and boost renewable power generation in Bihar.

“We have also decided that within the next three years, after obtaining consent from these domestic consumers, solar power plants will be installed either on their rooftops or at nearby public places to provide further benefits,” Nitish Kumar added.

The free electricity scheme is expected to cover nearly 1.67 crore households, reducing financial burden for millions of families in the state while addressing electricity consumption needs, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

The announcement is seen as a significant electoral strategy to counter opposition criticism on employment and cost-of-living issues in the run-up to the elections. Political analysts believe the move could influence undecided voters by addressing household expenses amid rising inflation and concerns over power cuts during the summer months.

The Bihar assembly elections are expected to be announced later this year, with Nitish Kumar’s NDA government facing challenges from the opposition, which has targeted the administration over unemployment and public service issues in recent months.