The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has addressed recent claims made by Kangana Ranaut, a member of Parliament from Mandi and a well-known Bollywood actress. She accused the board of issuing her an inflated electricity bill.
During a public event in Mandi, Ranaut suggested that she received a bill of nearly ₹1 lakh for her vacant home in Manali, directing sharp criticism towards the state government, which she labeled a “pack of wolves.”
In response, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who is currently in Gujarat, dismissed her comments, stating, “I don’t take her statements seriously. She often makes such remarks.”
Sandeep Kumar, the Managing Director of HPSEBL, clarified that the bill of ₹90,384, dated March 22, 2025, included ₹32,287 in outstanding charges and covered electricity usage from January and February 2025. This connection is registered under Ranaut’s name for her property located in Simsa village, Manali.
Kumar pointed out that the electricity load at Ranaut’s property is significantly higher than the average household; it is about 1,500% greater, at 94.82 kW. He mentioned that previous bills totaling ₹82,061 from October to December 2024 were settled late, and the bill for January and February was paid at the end of March 2025. Additionally, he noted that Ranaut benefits from government subsidies on her electricity usage, including a subsidy of ₹700 for February 2025.
Naresh Chauhan, the principal media advisor to the Chief Minister, commented that Ranaut’s statements seem to be a strategy to distract from her work as an MP, stating that her claims lack foundation and are simply sensationalist.
Efforts to contact Ranaut’s team for further comments did not receive a response.
At the same event, Ranaut also criticized the Congress Party, highlighting various scandals from before 2014, including the 2G and coal scams. She praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, likening his integrity to a moon that has no blemishes.
This exchange has triggered significant discussions regarding the management of electricity bills and government accountability, further fueling the political narrative in the region.
