Himachal Electricity Board Clarifies Kangana Ranaut’s ₹1 Lakh Bill Claim:

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut recently sparked debate by claiming she received a nearly ₹1 lakh electricity bill for her unoccupied Manali residence. The statement, made during a public meeting in Mandi, went viral on social media and drew criticism towards the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government. In response, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has issued a clarification, stating the claim was "completely wrong and misleading."

Electricity Board Clarifies Billing Details

According to a statement by HPSEBL, the total ₹90,384 electricity bill was for two months (January and February), not a single month, and included outstanding dues of ₹32,287. The house in question, located in Simsa village, Manali, has a registered domestic connection under Kangana Ranaut's name.

The board noted that the connected load for the property is 94.82 KW, which is approximately 15 times higher than that of a typical residential home. The unusually high usage contributes to elevated bills, even if the house appears unoccupied.

Previous Dues and Consumption Patterns

Ranaut had not cleared her bills from October to December 2024, which totaled ₹82,061. The January–February consumption amounted to 14,000 units, with bills eventually being paid on March 28, according to HPSEBL.

The statement also noted that monthly electricity usage at the property ranged between 5,000 to 9,000 units, making the billing amount consistent with consumption. Moreover, the board emphasized that Kangana receives a government subsidy on her electricity bill, just like other eligible residents.

Public Reaction and Political Undertones

Ranaut, elected from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, used the electricity bill incident to criticize the state government during a campaign rally. Her remarks triggered political reactions and prompted the electricity board to issue an official clarification to prevent misinformation.