'Na bijli ayegi na bill': UP minister mocks Bihar's scheme; chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' last week over power woes

Days after facing criticism on social media for not addressing public complaints about power cuts, Uttar Pradesh energy minister Arvind Kumar Sharma on Saturday took a swipe at Bihar’s decision to provide 125 unit of free electricity to domestic consumers in the state.

"Electricity is free in Bihar but it will be free only when it will be supplied... na bijli ayegi na bill ayega... free ho gayi. Hum bijli de rhe hain," the UP minister said when asked by the reporters whether UP will follow Bihar's move.



The Bihar Cabinet on Friday, July 18, cleared a proposal for providing 125 units of electricity free of cost every month to domestic consumers across the state starting August 1.

VIDEO | Mathura: UP Energy and Urban Development Minister AK Sharma (@aksharmaBharat) on free electricity up to 125 units in Bihar, says, "Electricity is free in Bihar but it will be free only when it will be supplied... na bijli ayegi na bill ayega... free ho gayi. Hum bijli de… pic.twitter.com/aXAsIPN0uO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 19, 2025

The decision is expected to benefit nearly 1.67 crore families in the state.

UP minister's remark comes days after he came under fire on social media after he avoided addressing public complaints about power outages, and instead chanted "Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bajrang Bali" before driving away.

Surrounded by the locals in Sultanpur, the minister was seen listening to their electricity woes, but did not give them any verbal assurance. "We are getting electricity for only three hours," one of the locals is heard saying in the clip.

The minister first folded his hands and said, "Okay, okay, let's see," and then started shouting "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman".