Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In a significant move, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has announced the waiver of old electricity bills for 38.41 lakh consumers under the 200-unit free electricity scheme. This decision, which was approved in the state cabinet on August 29, has been hailed as a political masterstroke ahead of the upcoming elections. The scheme, implemented by Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) on August 1, is part of Soren’s broader initiative to provide relief to domestic consumers.
Under this scheme, 39.44 lakh consumers, out of the total 52 lakh domestic users in the state, have been covered. Those consuming up to 200 units of electricity are eligible for the waiver of their outstanding bills. So far, 38.41 lakh consumers have had their previous bills waived, with the remaining to be cleared soon.
The initiative is seen as a major electoral strategy, benefiting millions of voters across the state. With this scheme, Hemant Soren is expected to consolidate a large voter base, particularly among the lower and middle-income households.
Technical Delays for Remaining Consumers
While the majority of consumers have received the benefit, around one lakh consumers are yet to have their bills cleared due to technical issues. The JBVNL has assured that these problems will be resolved soon, and all pending bills will be waived. Cities including Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and Hazaribag have already seen massive bill waivers, with Ranchi alone benefiting 3.63 lakh consumers.
