Bihar to run drive from December 1 for giving up 125 free power units

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said on 8 November 2026 that the state will start a campaign on 1 December asking well-off families and income tax payers to give up their 125 units of free electricity. He spoke to reporters in Patna while visiting slum areas for Diwali.

Giving up the benefit is voluntary. Choudhary said those who do it will be honoured for their contribution, and compared the drive to PM Narendra Modi's appeal to give up LPG subsidy. No process or form to opt out has been announced yet.

Bihar spends about ₹23,000 crore a year on power subsidy, roughly ₹10,000 per family. Free power up to 125 units started on 1 August 2025 and covers about 1.67 crore families.