Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said on Sunday that the state will start a campaign from December 1.
The campaign will encourage financially well-off families and income tax payers to give up their free electricity voluntarily.
Right now, eligible households get the benefit of 125 units of free electricity.
A unit is one unit of power use, the measure shown on an electricity bill.
Choudhary made the announcement while talking to reporters during a Diwali visit to slum areas in Patna.
He said the appeal is meant to help the state use its resources for development.
Key points
- A campaign to encourage well-off families to give up free power starts on December 1.
- The state spends around Rs 23,000 crore a year on electricity subsidies.
- The appeal is similar to Prime Minister Modi's request for people to give up LPG subsidies.
- Modi is expected to visit Bihar on November 21.
Why does the government want richer families to give up the subsidy?
Choudhary made a similar appeal at a youth parliament in Patna last week.
He said the state spends around Rs 23,000 crore every year on electricity subsidies.
He also said the government gives about Rs 10,000 a year in power subsidy to each family.
So the money spent on wealthier households is a big part of that total.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
He compared his request with Modi's appeal to people to give up their LPG subsidies.
Choudhary said those who voluntarily give up the benefit will be recognised for their contribution.
What happens next with the campaign?
The campaign will begin on December 1. Choudhary did not give full details of how people can give up the benefit.
Modi is expected to visit Bihar on November 21.
Choudhary said the Prime Minister is expected to announce several development and infrastructure projects during the visit.
What did he ask officials to do during Diwali?
Choudhary also asked public representatives and officials to visit tribal areas.
He asked them to meet Dalit and other extremely backward communities and celebrate Diwali with them.
He said officials should share both joys and sorrows of these families.
"Festivals should be celebrated by everyone, and nobody should be left out," he said.
Explainer
What happened before
- Choudhary made an appeal at a youth parliament in Patna last week about electricity subsidies.
- He said the state spends around Rs 23,000 crore every year on electricity subsidies.
- Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to people to give up their LPG subsidies, and Choudhary said his appeal is similar.
Why it matters
The state wants to use public money for development, and the appeal affects families who now get free power.
What to watch next
- The campaign starts on December 1.
- Modi is expected to visit Bihar on November 21 and announce development and infrastructure projects.
