Patna, The journey in Bihar has become expensive from today. There has been an increase in toll taxes. However, the government has provided some relief in the electricity bill. Especially, farmers will now have to pay the electricity bill only four times a year.
Starting from Monday, electricity bills in the state will be reduced by 15 paise per unit. Meanwhile, toll taxes will increase by up to twenty rupees. The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission has announced electricity rates for the financial year 2024-25, effective April 1, 2024, across Bihar. With this, not only will there be a reduction of 15 paise per unit in electricity bills for consumers of all categories, but farmers will now receive only four electricity bills annually instead of monthly bills. The Regulatory Commission had accepted the proposal to generate electricity bills for agricultural consumers according to the crop harvesting cycle, which companies are set to implement from April 1. Home institutions will also be provided electricity at domestic rates in the new fiscal year.
The fixed rent for streetlights has also been reduced. Supply companies have stated that from April 1, the fixed charge for meterless streetlights will be reduced from Rs 7500 per kilowatt per month to Rs 4250 per kilowatt per month. Fixed charges will remain unchanged in other categories. New consumer categories of 132kV/220kV HTSS, HTIAS 400kV, and HTES 400kV will be added. The existing incentive limit for oxygen gas manufacturers will be reduced from 75 percent to 70 percent.
Toll taxes increased by five to twenty rupees
From April 1, all toll plazas in the state will have to pay five to twenty rupees more in toll taxes. There has been an increase of about 2.6 percent in the current toll tax rate. After approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India has issued a notification to collect toll taxes at new rates at all toll plazas. Currently, toll tax on cars, jeeps, vans, and other small vehicles at the Bakhtiyarpur toll plaza in Patna is Rs 130. The tax for light commercial vehicles and minibusses is Rs 200. Buses, trucks, and six-wheeled vehicles have a tax of Rs 400. More than this, the tax for vehicles with more than six wheels is Rs 605. There will be a 2.6 percent increase in these rates.