Politics Over Power Bills in Himachal: 10 Lawmakers Receive Bills Exceeding ₹17 Lakh

Shimla, August 21:
Electricity bills of several legislators have sparked a political storm in Himachal Pradesh, with debates echoing from the Assembly to the streets. The power bill for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s official residence, Oak Over, amounted to ₹3,76,174 for 14 months. When combined with the bills of cabinet ministers, the total reaches a staggering ₹17,95,879 for the same period.

The highest bill—₹6,78,892—was issued to Tourism Development Corporation Chairman R.S. Bali, though he has termed the figure incorrect. These details surfaced in response to a question raised in the Assembly regarding BJP legislators Sudhir Sharma and Kewal Singh Pathania’s decision to forgo power subsidies.

As the issue gained traction, CM Sukhu clarified that some ministers had been overcharged for a 14-month period. He pointed out that Bali’s bill, exceeding ₹6 lakh, also included arrears, despite the fact that Bali rarely stays in Shimla. The Chief Minister announced that smart and prepaid meters would be installed in the future to ensure accurate billing, and an inquiry would be conducted to identify the lapses.

R.S. Bali also raised the matter in the Assembly under a Point of Order and later told the media that the inflated bill appeared to be either a departmental error or a deliberate act. According to him, while the correct amount was ₹1.68 lakh, the department mistakenly issued a bill of ₹6.78 lakh.

Similarly, Oak Over’s actual bill should have been ₹1.47 lakh, but a demand of ₹3.76 lakh was raised instead. Bali said the inflated figures had tarnished his image, adding that he would henceforth personally clear the bills of his official residence. He also emphasized that he already contributes ₹1.75 crore annually to the government as personal expenses and even covers the cost of 170 streetlights in his constituency.