In a political dig aimed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Uttar Pradesh’s Energy and Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma on Saturday mocked Kumar’s latest promise of providing free electricity in the state. Referring to the Bihar government’s recent approval of a scheme offering 125 units of free power per household starting August 1, Sharma sarcastically remarked, “Electricity is free in Bihar but only when it is actually supplied. Na bijli ayegi, na bill ayega… free ho gayi (There will be no electricity, no bill — that’s how it becomes free).”

The Bihar Cabinet, under the leadership of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, had announced the approval of a major subsidy initiative during a meeting held in Patna on July 18. As per the scheme, the state government will bear an additional burden of ₹3,797 crore to compensate the Bihar State Power Holding Corporation Ltd (BSPHCL) for the free electricity being offered to domestic consumers.

In addition to this subsidy, the government has also introduced financial support for households to install rooftop solar power systems. Consumers will receive assistance to set up 1.1-KW solar units, while extremely poor households will get the installation fully funded by the government. Other eligible families will benefit under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana.

Speaking on the future of energy in Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar stated that over the next three years, solar power systems will be installed either on rooftops or in nearby public spaces with the consent of domestic consumers. The government is aiming to generate up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy through this initiative.

However, the free electricity scheme has been met with skepticism and political criticism. BJP’s Arvind Sharma emphasized that while promises of free electricity sound appealing, their effectiveness depends on actual power supply — a challenge Bihar continues to face in several rural and semi-urban areas.