The Bihar government is going to launch a special drive to give up electricity subsidy from 01 December. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said on Sunday that an appeal will be made to financially well-off families and income tax payers to voluntarily give up the benefit of 125 units of free electricity.
The Chief Minister made this announcement on the occasion of Diwali in Patna by reaching out to poor and deprived families living in slums. During this time, he also distributed sweets among the people and shared the joy of the festival with them. Chaudhary said that the state government is spending about Rs 23,000 crore annually on electricity subsidy. In such a situation, if affluent families voluntarily give up the benefit of 125 units of free electricity, then the government will be able to use these resources in development works.
“Under this campaign, people will be encouraged to voluntarily give up the benefits of subsidies,” he said. Just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to the people to give up LPG subsidy, the Bihar government is also taking this initiative. According to the chief minister, the government is giving an electricity subsidy of around Rs 10,000 annually to each family. Those who voluntarily give up this facility will also be honored for their contribution. Earlier, during the Youth Parliament held in Patna last week, the Chief Minister had appealed to affluent families and income tax payers to give up the electricity subsidy.
Appeal to celebrate Diwali with underprivileged communities
The Chief Minister also appealed to the people’s representatives and administrative officers to go to tribal areas and celebrate Diwali with the people of Dalit and extremely backward communities. He said that the officers should be involved in the joys and sorrows of the people of these communities and become a part of their lives. He said that the festival should be celebrated by all together and no one should be deprived of it. For this purpose, he himself has reached out to the people living in the slums.
PM Modi to visit Bihar on November 21
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bastar and celebrating Diwali with security forces. He said that the Prime Minister has been celebrating the festival among the jawans posted on the borders in the past. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar on November 21. During this time, he is expected to announce several development and infrastructure projects for the state.
