Financially well-off households and income taxpayers in Bihar will soon be urged to relinquish their electricity subsidies. The state administration has finalized a special campaign scheduled to roll out on the first of December, aimed at encouraging citizens who can afford their utility bills to voluntarily step away from state-backed power concessions.
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announced this upcoming initiative while visiting impoverished families living in slums across Patna on the occasion of Diwali. During his visit, he distributed sweets among the residents and celebrated the festival with them. Highlighting the fiscal scale of the program, he noted that the state government currently allocates nearly 23,000 crore rupees annually toward electricity subsidies. If affluent citizens willingly forgo the benefit of 125 units of free electricity, the administration can channel these conserved funds into public works and infrastructure development.
Explaining the rationale behind the drive, the Chief Minister drew parallels to a prominent national precedent. He stated that just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously appealed to citizens to surrender their LPG subsidies, the Bihar government is now undertaking a similar endeavor. Under the existing framework, the administration provides roughly 10,000 rupees annually in electricity subsidies to each household. Those who choose to surrender this facility of their own accord will also be officially honored for their civic contribution. A similar appeal was earlier made by the Chief Minister during a youth parliament event held in Patna last week.
Celebrating Festivals with Marginalized Communities
Beyond fiscal measures, the administration also issued a call to action for public representatives and bureaucratic officials. The Chief Minister urged lawmakers and government officials to visit tribal pockets and celebrate Diwali alongside Dalit and extremely backward communities. He emphasized that authorities must immerse themselves in the joys and sorrows of these neglected groups to ensure that no individual feels left out of mainstream celebrations. This inclusive vision was the primary reason behind his own visit to the urban slums.
Upcoming Visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The address also touched upon national security and leadership engagement, with praise directed toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting security personnel in Bastar to celebrate Diwali. The Chief Minister remarked that visiting frontline troops during major festivals has been a consistent tradition for the Prime Minister. Furthermore, it was officially announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar on November 21. State authorities anticipate several major announcements regarding developmental and infrastructure projects for the region during this upcoming visit.
