Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced in the assembly that his government will not hike electricity rates and will give a subsidy of ₹13,114 crores.
"Our cabinet has decided that we will not allow the electricity tariff to increase for the people of Bihar and the tariffs will remain the same as it was last year. For that, we have increased the subsidy from ₹8,895 crores to ₹13,114 crores." Nitish Kumar also alleged that the Central government of charging higher electricity rates from Bihar despite it being a 'gareeb rajya' (poor state).
"Center should think about 'gareeb rajya'," says Nitish Kumar
"Maharashtra gets electricity at ₹4.32 per unit, despite being the richest state, while Bihar is getting it ar ₹5.82 per unit. Last year we use to get it for ₹5.82 per unit but it's been hiked to ₹5.82 per unit", said Nitish Kumar.
"The regulatory body decides the rate but the final ball is in our courts, we are in the category of poor states, Madhya Pradesh gets electricity for ₹3.49 per unit. The Center should think about 'gareeb rajya', we get costly electricity. We have been demanding one nation one tariff for long." added the CM further.
Tejashwi Yadav praised government
Earlier Bihar Electricity Regulation Commission ordered a hike of 24.1 percent and the revised rates were to be regulated from April 1. But now after the government announcement, consumers do have not to bear the extra burden. After Nitish Kumar's announcement, Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav praised the government's decision and called it a decision taken in favour of the public and farmers.
