Cabinet OKs key projects, social schemes
Patna: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of major development and welfare initiatives, including large-scale infrastructure projects, enhanced support for marginalised groups and implementation of policy announcements made by CM Nitish Kumar following consultations with women's self-help groups (SHGs) and panchayati raj institution (PRI) representatives.
Among the key approvals was the intra-state Kosi-Mechi river linking project with a projected cost of Rs 6,282 crore. Once completed, the project will offer flood protection and irrigation to 2.14 lakh hectares across Araria (69,642 ha), Purnia (69,970 ha), Kishanganj (39,548 ha) and Katihar (35,653 ha). The centrally sponsored project includes a central share of Rs 3,652 crore.
The cabinet also cleared the introduction of inter-state AC and non-AC deluxe bus services for passengers, including migrant workers, travelling to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and West Bengal.
Following consultations with respective state governments, 74 non-AC buses (Rs 50 crore) and 75 AC deluxe coaches (Rs 55 crore) will be procured by Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). An additional Rs 30 crore will be allocated for 150 deluxe buses to operate under a public-private partnership during festive periods such as Durga Puja, Chhath and Holi.
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To address urban infrastructure needs, Rs 331 crore has been sanctioned for a stormwater drainage system on Saidpur Nala in Patna.
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The cabinet also approved the extension of J P Ganga Path via Digha, Sherpur and Bihta up to Koilwar (35km) using the Hybrid Annuity Model.
In the education sector, Rs 281 crore was approved for building boys' and girls' hostels at engineering colleges in Arwal, Rohtas and Jehanabad, as well as at the Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT) and polytechnics in Madhubani (West Champaran) and Saharsa. New digital planetariums and space/astronomy education centres will be set up in East Champaran, Jamui, and Purnia.
A sum of Rs 32 crore was sanctioned for a drinking water supply system in Jehanabad.
The cabinet also gave its formal approval to the policy announcements made by CM Nitish Kumar following his recent dialogues with Jeevika Didis and elected PRI representatives. This includes increasing the project sanctioning cap for mukhiya from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and enhancing the honorarium and ex gratia payment for PRI and Gram Kutchery representatives.
If an elected member dies during their term, their family will receive Rs 5 lakh.
A significant welfare move was the increase in pensions for elderly, widows and persons with disabilities – from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month. The cabinet also approved an interest subsidy scheme for loans taken by Jeevika Didis from banks. While banks charge 10.40% to 12.40% interest, the women will now pay only 7%, with the state govt covering the rest.
Further, the cabinet approved the construction of 8,053 Kanya Vivah Mandaps, one in each panchayat, at a cost of Rs 50 lakh per mandap. These community halls for weddings and social functions will be built by the panchayats themselves, with the full project costing Rs 4,026 crore over five years.
Highlighting the need for targeted economic support, chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said the 2022-23 caste-based headcount and economic survey revealed 94 lakh families in the state with a monthly income of just Rs 6,000. The cabinet has now set up a five-member committee, headed by the chief secretary, to expedite the disbursement of Rs 2 lakh to each of these poorest households to enable microeconomic activities and entrepreneurship.
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