Patna: Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary said on Sunday the state govt would launch a special drive, ‘Give It Up’, on Dec 1, urging affluent residents and income-tax payers to voluntarily give up the 125 units of free monthly electricity provided under the state subsidy scheme.Samrat made the announcement while speaking to reporters during a visit to a Mahadalit settlement on Digha-Ashiana road, where he celebrated Diwali with members of underprivileged communities and distributed gifts. He also offered prayers before the idol of Mahalakshmi Devi on the same road, seeking happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being for Bihar.The CM said the free power initiative currently benefits households across economic categories, covering 1.92 crore families. He said the subsidy places a considerable burden on the state exchequer, costing around Rs 23,000 crore annually, or nearly Rs 10,000 per family each year.“From Dec 1, we will launch a campaign encouraging those who wish to voluntarily contribute towards the electricity subsidy. Just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to voluntarily give up their LPG subsidies, we are making a similar appeal,” Samrat said.The 125-unit free electricity facility under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana was announced by former CM Nitish Kumar on July 17, 2025, and implemented across Bihar from Aug 1, 2025.Officials said the proposed ‘Give It Up’ campaign would be voluntary, with free electricity up to 125 units a month continuing for economically weaker sections and needy consumers. Savings from affluent beneficiaries who opt out will be channelled directly into improving educational infrastructure and other development projects in the state.Asked about PM Modi’s proposed visit to Bihar, Samrat said he would arrive on Nov 21 to mark one year of the current NDA govt in the state. Bihar would receive several important “gifts” during the visit, giving fresh momentum to its development, he added.Samrat said he had urged public representatives and administrative officers to celebrate Diwali among Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Extremely Backward Class communities. Sharing the joys and sorrows of deprived and needy sections was a collective social responsibility, he added.
