The Bihar government has announced a significant increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees and pensioners, mirroring the benefits provided by the central government. The DA has been raised to 58% from the previous 55%. This decision was made during a special cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, shared details of the cabinet decisions during a press conference held at the Information Building.
The cabinet approved 129 proposals. The increased DA will be effective from July 1, 2025, benefiting government employees and pensioners. This measure will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 917 crore for the state.
In addition to the DA hike, several other key decisions were made:
* The Chief Minister’s Boy/Girl Scholarship Scheme will provide increased financial aid, with the annual amount rising to Rs 3600 from Rs 1800 for students in classes 9 and 10. Increases have also been implemented for lower grade levels.
* Under the ‘Economic Solution, Strength to Youth’ initiative, graduates will be included in the Chief Minister’s Self-Help Allowance Scheme, receiving Rs 1000 per month for two years.
* A three-year stipend of Rs 5,000 per month was approved for advocates enrolled on or after January 1, 2024.
* Financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to advocate associations for establishing e-libraries. The Bihar Advocate Welfare Trust Committee will receive Rs 30 crore as a one-time grant for this purpose.
* Significant changes were made to the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme, including interest-free education loans up to Rs 4 lakh and extended repayment periods.
* The Akshar Anchal Yojana for marginalized communities will see an increase in the annual amount provided to education workers.
* Retired army drivers from the Army Welfare Placement Organization Agency will see their honorarium increased for their work on the Emergency Assistance System (ERSS) project.
* Development friends under Scheduled Castes and Tribes will receive assistance to buy tablets.
* Contractual ANM employees will receive an increased honorarium.
**Recruitment and Establishment:**
* Establishment of 45 posts at the National Dolphin Research Center, Patna.
* Approval for 172 posts for wildlife management at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park.
* Creation of 9 new forest divisions and 927 positions within the Forest and Environment Department.
* Establishment of 78 posts in the Secretariat and related offices under the Department of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change.
* Creation of 42 posts in the Fire Service Headquarters.
* Establishment of 40 posts for retired clerks and 40 for computer operators in Beltron.
* Approval of the Bihar Civil Court, Court Manager (Selection, Appointment and Other Service Conditions) Rules 2025.
* Creation of 73 new posts in the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
* Establishment of new Gavy Vikas offices in 9 districts and creation of 72 new posts.
* Establishment of 139 new posts for the Directorate of Museums and other government museums.
**Airport Development:**
* The state government allocated Rs 1 crore 21 lakh 58 thousand for pre-feasibility studies for airports in Motihari, Chhapra, and Bhagalpur.
* Administrative approval of Rs 472 crore 12 lakh for land acquisition for a greenfield airport in Bhagalpur.
* Approval of Rs 147 crore 76 lakh for land acquisition for runway expansion in Saharsa.
**Additional Decisions:**
* Common Service Centers will be used for annual life certification of pensioners.
* Approval of the formation of the Bihar Administrative Service Rules 2025.
* Expansion of the Chief Minister Divyangjan Empowerment Student Scheme Sambal.
**Establishment of Cyber Crime and Security Unit:**
A dedicated Cyber Crime and Security Unit has been established to handle the growing incidence of cybercrime in the state. The unit will operate under the Police Headquarters and is allocated 23 new positions, with some existing positions being reallocated. New regulations are being developed to address property seizure in criminal cases, aiming to expedite the process.