West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that consumers under the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution system will start receiving electricity bills every month from January 2027, replacing the existing quarterly billing system.
The announcement was made during the discussion on the Power Department’s budget allocation in the Assembly.
Monthly billing to replace quarterly system
Addressing the House, the Chief Minister said that the practice of issuing electricity bills once every three months in areas served by the State Electricity Board will end from January 2027.
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“From January, the quarterly electricity billing system in the State Electricity Board areas is being withdrawn. Consumers will receive their electricity bill every month,” he said.
At present, consumers served by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution network receive bills once every three months, unlike CESC consumers, who are billed monthly. The existing system has often drawn criticism from consumers over the large cumulative bills issued at one time.
Smart meters not mandatory for domestic consumers
The Chief Minister also clarified that smart meters will not be compulsory for households.
He said that domestic electricity consumers will not be required to install smart meters, addressing concerns raised over the rollout of the technology.
CM targets left parties over electricity issue
Responding to questions raised by both the Treasury and Opposition benches on power-related issues, Adhikari also took a swipe at the Left parties and SUCI.
“What will the Left parties protest about now? We will not leave you any opportunity to organise rallies,” he said.
WBPDCL to be listed on the stock market
The Chief Minister announced that the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL), the state’s power generation company, will be listed on the stock market.
According to the announcement, WBPDCL will become a publicly listed company with an authorised share value of Rs 12,000 crore.
He said the company’s dividend will be used directly for the state’s economic growth and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Coal auction and new power projects announced
The government also plans to auction an additional 3 million tonnes of coal produced from six state-owned coal mines through a transparent process based on international market prices. The revenue generated from the auctions will go to the Power Department.
The Chief Minister further announced several new energy infrastructure projects across the state:
An 800 MW unit will be set up at the Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station, in addition to the planned project at Santaldih, at an estimated cost of Rs 10,970 crore.
A 200 MW floating solar power plant will be developed at Bakreshwar with an investment of Rs 2,014 crore.
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Battery Energy Storage Systems with capacities of 80 MW and 320 MW will also be established at Bakreshwar.
At Kolaghat, the government will develop a Battery Energy Storage System worth Rs 1,238 crore, along with a solar power project worth Rs 183 crore.
Sanitary napkin vending machines for schools and colleges
The Chief Minister also announced that the Power Department will install sanitary napkin vending machines in 1,000 higher secondary schools and colleges for girls across the state.
The Assembly discussion on the Power Department’s budget was attended by CPM MLA Mustafir Rahman, ISF MLA Naushad Siddique, and BJP MLA Shankar Guchhait, who took part in the debate.
FAQs:
When will monthly electricity bills start in West Bengal?
Monthly electricity billing for consumers under the State Electricity Board will begin from January 2027, replacing the current quarterly system.
Are smart meters mandatory for domestic electricity consumers in West Bengal?
No. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said smart meters will not be mandatory for domestic electricity consumers.
