Dismal state of Electricity Department in Kishanganj, Bihar

While the Central Government is trying to electrify the rural areas of the country under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project (RGREP) there are still many big cities, especially district headquarters where the condition of electricity is very pathetic. Bihar tops the list and Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) is unable to tackle with the situation. In fact, the tall claims of Nitish led NDA government in Bihar falls apart, and the dismal position of electric department is visible at almost every part of the state. Kishanganj is one such unfortunate district that is battling with electricity problem for a long time. The harsh reality about the negligence of Bihar State Electricity Board is a matter of concern for the state government as well as the Centre.

Office of Electricity Department Kishanganj


Now the situation has so much worse that the light is nothing less than a dream for locals of Kishanganj. There is no any surity how long the department will provide electricity daily, on the whole the people in the district, even in the district headquarters for 8 - 10 hours. And, more shockingly most of the areas get very low voltage.



The ill-fated building of Electricity Department in Kishanganj

Further, the negligence of the electricity department put extra burden on the pockets of local people. Despite getting very less electricity, people usually get high amount bills. When revealed the fact, I found that the whole department has only one staff to take the metre reading in the whole town. And the staff is so much corrupt that he visit the houses in a gap of 4 to 5 months to take the meter reading. Every month consumers get electricity bill with Zero (0) reading, and most surprisingly even after consumption of single unit they pay electricity bill of Rs. 140 to 150 every month.

A whooping bill sent by the department after many months

And when the meter reading staff wakes up from his long sleep after almost 4 months he takes back the total units consumed by the consumers. As per rule of Bihar State Electricity Board, a consumer needs to give compound interest if he fails to submit the bill on time. Most importantly, every time the consumers suffer, and the department enjoying huge profit without proper service.

The office of Head Clerk (Bada Babu), he is absent from his chamber and waisting electricity by ligthing a 100W bulb in the broad day light.


Despite being an aware citizen, I faced the same problem recently and tried to rectify the bill amount.When I visited my home this vacation I saw a whooping bill of around Rs. 2500 for 4 months. Before that I had received many bills with Zero (0) reading. The amount was totally unacceptable and thought there must be any human error. I thought it better to visit the electricity department office to get my bill cleared. But first the ill fated department building shocked me a lot, and later the concerned person in the office given me silly clarifications.
On the whole, making false promises or introducing new projects like Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project (RGREP) is not a welcome step. Until and unless the Central Government make essential rectifications on the modus operandi of the electricity departments of the states across the country.

A Zero Unit Consumed Bill, but it demans Rs. 140

For Kishanganj, I would like to request DM Kishanganj Mr. Feraque Ahmad to seriously look into the matter and make the life easier of common people who are battling with the negligence of BIHAR STATE ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT. Sir, the office of electricity department is just a few meters away from your residence, just pay a surprise visit and take strong action the careless staff.