Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma has stirred controversy with a recent jab at Bihar's free electricity scheme, delivered during an event in Mathura. Sharma's remark, "Na bijli ayegi, na bill ayega... free ho gayi," which translates to "no electricity, no bill... it's free," was a sarcastic commentary on the perceived gap in Bihar's electricity infrastructure. This jab has ignited a fresh wave of political debate, highlighting the ongoing comparison between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in terms of development and governance.
The minister's remarks alluded to Bihar's decision to provide 125 units of free electricity to domestic consumers starting August 1, a move expected to benefit approximately 1.67 crore families in the state. The Bihar cabinet has already approved the proposal, allocating ₹3,797 crore for this purpose. Furthermore, the Bihar government intends to provide financial assistance for installing solar power plants on rooftops. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has emphasized that this initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on households and expand access to affordable electricity. The state is also targeting the generation of 10,000 MW of solar energy.
Sharma's taunt wasn't the first time he's been in the news regarding electricity issues. Just days prior, the UP Energy Minister faced criticism for his response to complaints about power outages in Sultanpur. Instead of directly addressing the concerns of residents who claimed to receive only three hours of electricity per day, Sharma chanted "Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bajrang Bali" before departing. This response drew flak on social media, with many users finding it insensitive and dismissive of the public's concerns.
Following the backlash, Sharma posted on X, stating that he had listened to the concerns and promised action. He also pointed out that the electricity board had shared updates regarding the power supply situation. Sharma further asserted that Uttar Pradesh has been a leader in electricity supply for the past three years, delivering 2.5 times more peak power compared to the Akhilesh Yadav government (2012-2017). He urged critics to examine the electricity records from their own tenures. He also added that the increased demand is due to scanty rainfall and that the electricity department is addressing the local issues on a war footing.
The contrasting approaches of the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments to electricity provision have fueled a political face-off. While Bihar promotes free electricity as a welfare measure, Sharma's comments suggest skepticism about its feasibility and effectiveness. This incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding populist schemes and their practical implementation, particularly in the context of infrastructure gaps and developmental disparities between states.
