Bihar's Bold Promise: Free Electricity for Millions as Elections Loom

As the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections draw closer, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has unleashed a series of populist measures, with a groundbreaking announcement set to bring significant relief to millions of households: free electricity for up to 125 units. This ambitious initiative, effective from August 1, 2025, and reflected in July's bills, aims to ease the financial burden on approximately 1.67 crore families across the state.

Taking to X on Thursday, Kumar declared, "We have consistently worked to provide affordable electricity to everyone. Now, we've decided that from August 1, 2025 – meaning with your July bill – all domestic consumers in the state will receive up to 125 units of electricity completely free of charge." He further emphasized the vast reach of this scheme, confirming it would benefit "a total of 1 crore 67 lakh families in the state."

Lighting Up the Future: The 'Kutir Jyoti' Solar Initiative

Beyond immediate relief, the Chief Minister also unveiled a visionary plan to boost renewable energy in Bihar. Under the 'Kutir Jyoti' scheme, the government aims to install solar power plants on rooftops or at nearby public spaces for domestic consumers over the next three years. "We've also decided that within the next three years, with the consent of these domestic consumers, solar power plants will be installed on their rooftops or at nearby public places to provide additional benefits," Kumar stated.

Crucially, the government has pledged full financial support for installing these solar systems for the state's most impoverished families, while others will receive "suitable financial assistance." This strategic push is projected to unlock up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy within the next three years, significantly enhancing Bihar's energy independence. "This means domestic consumers will no longer have to bear any cost for electricity up to 125 units, and simultaneously, it's estimated that within the next three years, up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy will be available in the state," Kumar elaborated.

Beyond Power: Teacher Recruitment on the Fast Track

The electricity announcement is the latest in a series of pre-election sops. Just a day prior, Chief Minister Kumar directed the Education Department to swiftly assess vacancies for teachers in government schools and initiate the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE 4). Emphasizing the government's commitment to filling these crucial positions without delay, he urged officials to expedite the recruitment process.

Kumar also reiterated the state's policy on women's reservation in recruitment, affirming that the 35% quota for women will exclusively apply to those who are bona fide residents of Bihar. These strategic moves underscore the Chief Minister's proactive approach to addressing key public concerns as he prepares for the upcoming electoral challenge.