Nitish: Villagers now using ACs, TVs

Tremendous improvement in Bihar power situation, says CM

Lakhisarai/ Sheikhpura ( Bihar), Dec. 29: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said the state has witnessed a tremendous improvement in power situation since he came to power 12 years ago, due to which even people living in villages could now enjoy televisions and airconditioners.

Addressing a public meeting at Parpar village in Ariyari block of Sheikhpura district as part of his state- wide “Vikas Samiksha Yatra”, Mr Kumar, however, cautioned the people against “wasteful consumption” of electricity. “When we assumed power in 2005, peak power demand in the state used to be around 700- 800 MW. By 2012, things had started looking up and the peak power demand had risen to more than 1700 MW. Things have improved even more rapidly in the last few years and the figure reported in October this year was in excess of 5000 MW”, Mr Kumar said to drive home the point.

“This has brought a transformation in the people’s lifestyle. Televisions and airconditioners are no longer items of luxury that only those living in the cities enjoy. People in villages are using these too,” he said. He, however, said “I would like to add that though power situation has improved, and it is likely to only get better with time, it is in our own interest not to indulge in wasteful consumption.”

The CM had on Wednesday announced that all villages in the state have been electrified.

He had further said that the state government would meet its target to provide free electricity connection to every household by end of next year.