Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary’s appeal to give up free electricity triggers row

The Bihar government announced that it would seek to discontinue the free electricity supply that has been provided to households and small businesses for several years. The scheme, introduced to ease the cost of living for low‑income families, has become a major line item in the state budget, consuming a large share of revenue. Officials say the rising fiscal deficit and mounting debt have forced the administration to reconsider the sustainability of the subsidy, prompting the chief minister to make a public appeal for its removal.

Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, responded with a forceful critique, stating that the National Democratic Alliance led by Samrat Choudhary is "on the verge of bankruptcy". He argued that abandoning the free electricity plan would hurt the poorest citizens and could be used as a political tool to shift blame for economic difficulties. The opposition has called for a detailed audit of the programme's costs and warned that any abrupt termination could trigger public unrest in rural and urban areas alike.

For readers across India, the debate highlights the broader challenge of balancing social welfare with fiscal responsibility. Electricity subsidies affect millions of households and influence electoral calculations in many states. If Bihar scales back the scheme, other states may follow, reshaping how governments allocate limited resources. The outcome could also impact private power distributors and the overall stability of the state's power grid, making it a story of national relevance.