Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Announces Free Electricity for 1.67 Crore Families from August 1, 2025

Move seen as pre-poll push; poor households and cottage industries to get 100% subsidy for solar installations under new state scheme.

Patna – In a major pre-election announcement, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared that 1.67 crore families in the state will receive free electricity up to 125 units per month starting August 1, 2025. The decision, revealed via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is expected to provide significant relief to middle and lower-income households across Bihar.

CM Kumar stated that consumers will start seeing the benefit in their electricity bills for July, which will be issued in August. The move is seen as a significant step to reduce the financial burden on the common man, especially as the state heads toward the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, scheduled for October–November.

“The state government has decided to provide 125 units of electricity free of cost to 1.67 crore families in Bihar from August onwards,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

Alongside this electricity relief measure, CM Nitish Kumar also announced an ambitious plan to install rooftop solar power units on every household in the state within the next three years, subject to the owner’s consent. He said that the government aims to ensure a 10,000 MW power capacity for Bihar in the same period.

To support this vision, the government will provide subsidies for rooftop solar panel installations on private homes and public places. Importantly, 100% subsidy will be offered to poor families and those involved in cottage industries, Kumar said.

This announcement comes on the heels of several other populist decisions by the Nitish Kumar-led government, including:

Hiking old-age pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100 per month.
35% reservation in government jobs for women who are natives of Bihar.

Political analysts believe these announcements are part of a larger strategy to consolidate voter support ahead of the upcoming elections. The focus on energy subsidies, solar power, financial aid to poor families, and job reservations for women highlights the government’s emphasis on inclusive development and sustainable welfare.