Patna: Following the Bihar government’s announcement of 125 units of free electricity per month for domestic consumers, more than 50,000 applications for new connections have been received across the state within the last 20 days. The surge is seen as a direct response to the July 17 announcement made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar under the new power subsidy scheme.
In Patna city alone, 1,528 applications have been submitted—marking a nearly 50% increase compared to the average 800–1,000 applications received earlier in the PESU (Patna Electric Supply Undertaking) area.
Strict Verification Before Approval
Officials from the South Bihar Power Distribution Company (SBPDCL) have confirmed the spike and clarified that all new connection requests will now undergo strict verification before approval. SBPDCL’s General Manager (Revenue), Arvind Kumar, had earlier directed field officers to conduct thorough inspections of the premises before issuing any fresh connections.
Applicants must now submit original ownership or occupancy documents, including:
- Registered sale or partition deed
- Rent or lease agreements
- Heir certificates
- Will documents
- Government housing allotment orders
Only after verification will new meters be installed. In families where a member already has an electricity connection, additional connections will not be allowed.
No Change for Existing Consumers
The discom has clarified that existing consumers—even those with multiple meters in one family—will continue to be treated as valid. The new rules do not affect them, and their eligibility for free electricity will remain unchanged.
How the Free Electricity Scheme Works
Under the new scheme:
- 125 units per month are completely free for all eligible domestic users.
- Consumption beyond 125 units will be charged as per the slab:
- ₹2.45 per unit for Kutir Jyoti and rural consumers
- ₹5.52 per unit for urban domestic consumers
The initiative is expected to provide significant relief to low-income households, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Curbing Misuse of Subsidy
Officials say the verification process aims to prevent misuse, such as families attempting to claim multiple free units by applying for duplicate or unnecessary connections.
“This is a welfare measure, but it has to be implemented carefully to ensure only genuine consumers benefit. Hence, every application will go through physical inspection and document validation,” said an SBPDCL official.
The rush for new connections is likely to continue over the coming weeks, especially in anticipation of increased electricity consumption during the festive season.
