Harivansh Singh

Senior Journalist, 

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Despite being devoid of resources like potatoes, sand, and mineral wealth, Bihar is now writing a new chapter in the annals of progress.

Bihar, which has no coal reserves, has emerged as a model state in power supply after the state's division. During this period, despite the scarcity of resources, Bihar underwent a transformation in its power sector due to reforms. Until 2005, Bihar's power situation was a matter of national concern. 

The entire state, especially the capital Patna, lived in perpetual darkness. In other parts of the state, where electricity reached, there were frequent power cuts. Industrial growth had come to a standstill. 

Agriculture was in crisis due to lack of electricity for irrigation. The circumstances were adverse. After the state's division, when all the natural resources remained with Jharkhand, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initiated bold reforms. 

The results are there for all to see. According to the development index study released by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 2023, Bihar ranks first in the country with a record 474% growth in the power sector. According to the 'Night Time Light Atlas' prepared by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) for 2012-2021, while the national average growth was 43%, Bihar recorded a growth of 474%, the highest compared to other states in the country.

The state government reorganized the Bihar State Electricity Board. Five electricity companies were formed. It not only provides administrative and financial assistance in implementing electricity improvement projects on priority but also took many steps for the facilities of the electricity consumers. Digital payment options have been expanded to improve electricity distribution and revenue collection. 

Electricity rates have been reduced. Penalties for delays in electricity connections have been introduced. For the first time in 58 years, in 2022-23, Bihar's electricity distribution companies made a profit of 215 crores. Farmers affected by low rainfall will receive 14 hours of electricity for farming. By 2018, electricity had reached all households. There is a plan to complete the installation of smart meters across the entire state by 2025.

The government faced significant difficulties in starting the Kounti Nagar plant. However, the Chief Minister personally monitored it and resolved land acquisition issues, ensuring fair compensation for farmers. With the cooperation of NTPC, three 660 MW units and two 660 MW units were started in flood-affected areas. 

Bihar is also working rapidly in the field of solar power and wind power. Bihar is working to install separate agricultural feeders so that farmers can get a minimum stable electricity supply regularly. Perhaps this was the reason why the then Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand admitted that the situation was better in Bihar. Later, he became the Chief Minister.

Do you remember when Jharkhand was formed? Its capital, Ranchi, was plunged into darkness daily. Blackouts were a part of life. Newspapers were printed using generators. Power cuts were a common feature inherited from the Bihar days. Even in remote rural areas, electricity access was incomplete. Even then, Jharkhand was the largest coal producer and supplier in the country. 

The total coal reserve here is 86.66 billion metric tons. There are 150 mines. But the total power generation by the central, state, and private sectors is 2600 megawatts. Even today, power cuts are regular in many parts of the capital, Ranchi. According to Nivedita Yadav, an expert at the Centre for Science and Environment, there has not been even a one-fold increase in the energy production in Jharkhand over the past two decades.

A 2020 study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water found that every household in Jharkhand experiences power cuts. In some areas, these outages last up to eight hours. Imagine a situation where even the capital city, Ranchi, faces power cuts on Diwali. 

The power cuts in Jharkhand are twice as frequent as those in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, leading to an increased reliance on generators and consequently more pollution. Over the past two and a half decades, the state has failed to increase its power generation capacity. There has always been a lack of a clear power vision. The state's first electricity minister had publicly assured that Jharkhand, with its abundant coal reserves, would soon become a major power supplier to the nation. However, these ambitious plans never materialized.

It is important to remember that development is no longer confined to metropolitan cities. People in smaller towns and rural areas now play a crucial role in driving change, and reliable 24-hour power supply is essential for this. If the capital city itself is facing power shortages, one can only imagine the situation in remote areas. Why is Jharkhand, with its vast coal reserves that illuminates the nation, experiencing darkness? Who will answer this question?

But what happened? Economic experts had predicted that the newly formed state of Jharkhand would contribute three-fourths of Bihar's economy. (These views are solely those of the author.)

Translated by Santosh Deepak 

Courtesy : Dainik Bhaskar

Edited by Smita DeyTarafder