Thu Jul 17 03:32:38 UTC 2025: **Summary of the Text:**

The article reports on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s announcement of free electricity for domestic consumers up to 125 units starting August 1, 2025. This will benefit an estimated 1.67 crore families. The government also plans to install solar power plants on rooftops or nearby public places within the next three years, fully funding the initiative for extremely poor families through the Kutir Jyoti scheme and providing financial assistance to others. Kumar estimates the state could generate up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy in three years. The announcement is seen as a pre-election move, following a prior directive to expedite teacher recruitment, ensuring a 35% quota for women residents of Bihar.

**News Article:**

**Bihar CM Announces Free Electricity for Millions Ahead of Elections**

**Patna, July 17, 2025** – In a move widely seen as an attempt to sway voters ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday that domestic consumers across the state will receive up to 125 units of electricity free of charge, beginning August 1, 2025. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 1.67 crore families.

“We have been providing electricity to everyone at affordable rates,” Kumar stated. “Now we have decided that…all domestic consumers in the State will not have to pay any money for electricity up to 125 units.”

In addition to the free electricity, the government plans to install solar power plants on rooftops or in nearby public places within the next three years. The state will fully cover the installation costs for extremely poor families under the Kutir Jyoti scheme, while providing financial assistance to others.

Kumar estimates that Bihar could generate up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy within the next three years.

This announcement follows a directive issued yesterday, instructing the Education Department to accelerate teacher recruitment, including a 35% quota for women who are residents of Bihar. These back-to-back announcements are clear pre-election moves, aiming to bolster the Chief Minister’s popularity as Bihar prepares to head to the polls later this year.

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