Big reduction in fixed electricity charges of small shopkeepers of Bihar, Nitish government gave gift to 20 thousand businessmen

News India Live, Digital Desk: There is good news for thousands of shopkeepers running betel kiosks, small grocery shops and other small businesses in the urban areas of Bihar. Giving huge relief to small businessmen, the State Government and the Electricity Regulatory Commission have announced a huge reduction in the ‘fixed charge’ of electricity. Under this new decision, which came into effect from April 1, shopkeepers will now have to pay one-fourth less amount as fixed charge than before. This step of the government will reduce the burden on the pockets of more than 20 thousand small shopkeepers of the state.

Now the fixed charge will be only Rs 150, not Rs 200.

Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved this relief after thorough deliberations on the petition presented by the power company. Let us tell you that earlier it was mandatory for small consumers having load of half kilowatt (0.5 KW) in urban areas to pay a fixed charge of Rs 200 every month. Now it has been reduced to just Rs 150. Thus, every shopkeeper will get a huge saving of Rs 50 per month and Rs 600 directly on annual basis.

Consumers of these categories will get direct benefits

This special concession will be available mainly to those shopkeepers of NDS-II category, whose load is limited to half a kilowatt. According to the official data of the electricity company, currently 2595 consumers of this category are active in North Bihar and about 9458 consumers are active in South Bihar. It is estimated that within a year the number of such consumers will cross 20 thousand. All these consumers have started getting the benefits of reduced rates from April 1.

Small industries also got a dose of relief

This reduction in electricity rates has not been limited only to small shops, but small industries (LTIS category) have also been given its benefit. As per the new rates, the fixed charge in LTIS-I category has been reduced from Rs 288 to Rs 278. Whereas for LTIS-II category, it has been reduced from Rs 360 to Rs 350 per month. Departmental officials say that the main objective of reducing fixed charges is to strengthen the economic condition of small businessmen and entrepreneurs so that they can expand their business without any additional financial burden.