Patna: Electricity consumers in Bihar will now receive extra financial relief as the Energy Department has introduced several new incentives for those who pay their bills on time. The department says the initiative is meant to make bill payments easier, promote smart meter usage and help consumers save money while ensuring better power management across the state.
Under the new rules, consumers who use smart prepaid meters will get an additional discount of 25 paise per unit on their energy charges if they pay their bills on time. To further encourage regular payments, the department will provide interest at the bank rate fixed by the Reserve Bank of India to consumers who maintain a balance of more than Rs 2,000 for three consecutive months. Officials say this will encourage people to keep their smart meters recharged in advance.
The state government has also announced that all consumers will get a 1.5% discount for paying their bills before the due date. On top of that, a 1% discount will be given to those who pay their bills online. Rural consumers have been offered an additional benefit: if they clear all their bills for an entire quarter on time, they will receive a 1% discount. The Energy Department believes these steps will strengthen rural bill payments and improve the financial health of the power sector.
A spokesperson for the department said that smart prepaid meters are the quickest and most convenient way to manage electricity usage. Through the Suvidha App, consumers can recharge their meters, check their power consumption and monitor their balance without visiting any office. The spokesperson added that timely payment and adoption of smart meters will help ensure uninterrupted power supply and long-term savings for households.
