&w=3840&q=100)
Bihar Cabinet reserves 85% of teaching jobs for natives ahead of polls
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced on Monday that the policy would be applied to the recruitment process for school teachers.
'The proposal for giving preference to native residents of the state in teachers' recruitment exams was cleared,' said Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddharth following the cabinet meeting.
He said that more than 50 per cent of seats were already reserved for residents of the state, as quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) accounted for nearly 50 per cent, with an additional 10 per cent set aside for the economically weaker sections.
Siddharth also noted that 35 per cent of posts are reserved for women, and the government has already decided that only Bihar residents will be eligible under that category.
The additional chief secretary further stated that of the remaining positions, 40 per cent would now be allocated to native residents of Bihar who had completed their class 10 and class 12 education within the state. He added that this would result in the effective reservation for native residents exceeding 85 per cent.
Increased honorarium for school support staff
On August 1, Nitish Kumr announced a revision of the honorarium for support staff working in government schools, including cooks, night watchmen, and physical education and health instructors.
In a post on X, Kumar stated that the monthly honorarium for cooks under the mid-day meal scheme had been increased from ₹1,650 to ₹3,300. Night watchmen would now receive ₹10,000 per month, while physical education and health instructors would be paid ₹16,000. Additionally, the annual salary increment for instructors has been raised from ₹200 to ₹400.
Hike announced for ASHA, Mamta workers
In July, the chief minister had also announced a rise in monthly incentives for ASHA workers, increasing their pay from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000. The incentive for Mamta workers was likewise doubled—from ₹300 to ₹600 per delivery. Kumar stated that the revised incentive structure would enhance worker morale and help strengthen healthcare services in rural areas.
In the lead-up to the Assembly polls, there have been growing efforts to rally public support around the issue of domicile in the state. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has pledged to implement a '100 per cent domicile' policy if the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) forms the government. Union minister Chirag Paswan also recently backed the demand for a domicile policy. Assembly elections in Bihar are expected to be conducted in November.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Approve BC quota bills or face ‘political tsunami' in '29: Revanth to Modi
Hyderabad: Chief minister A on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Centre of deliberately stalling the approval of Telangana's 42% Backward Classes (BC) reservation bills. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He warned Telangana's BC empowerment model and a bold quota expansion would turn into a political tsunami and "wash away the Modi-led BJP into the Bay of Bengal." Revanth's remarks came during a dharna—dubbed 'BC Poru Bata'—held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which saw participation from a wide spectrum of INDIA bloc parties, Congress ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and prominent BC leaders. While Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were not present as they had gone to attend JMM leader Shibu Soren's funeral on Tuesday night, they deputed senior party leaders and MPs to show solidarity with what Revanth described as a 'historic moment' for BCs. Revanth declared, "If PM Modi wants to remain in office, he must ensure the approval of the two BC reservation bills. Telangana's BC community is prepared to sacrifice everything for this cause. If Modi fails, the OBCs will bring down his govt and make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister." "Don't force us to return to Delhi again in such numbers. Next time, we will confront you in Telangana. Either sign the blls while you are still PM or watch us implement them after Rahul Gandhi takes charge. You have delayed them for four months. That's why we are here—not in Hyderabad—to expose your 'anti-BC' stance on a national stage. We are vowing from Jantar Mantar on behalf of four crore people of Telangana that we will bring down Modi govt in 2029. " Revanth also questioned the rationale behind the Centre's objection to the state-specific legislation. "We are not asking for a piece of land in Gujarat or its ports. We're only demanding the right to implement 42% reservations in Telangana—for our people, in our state. Who gave you the authority to crush this mandate?" He dubbed Modi the "biggest enemy of the BCs" and didn't spare state BJP leaders either, calling out Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, and Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao for their 'silence'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "With what face will you go to BC voters now? You didn't even join this dharna. Have you aligned with Modi to block BC empowerment?" he asked. Revanth also targeted the BRS for its past decisions, blaming former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao for capping overall reservations at 50% under the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018. "We've moved an ordinance to scrap that cap. It's now pending with the President," he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP's 2029 ambitions, Revanth responded to party MP Nishikant Dubey's comments that Modi will again be the PM face. "Let Modi contest 2029. Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc will defeat him decisively, and the BJP won't cross 100 seats," he claimed. He invoked Rahul Gandhi's slogan 'Jitni hissedari, utni bhagedari' (proportional representation for social justice), warning political consequences for those who ignore it. "No matter how powerful, if anyone opposes Rahul Gandhi's vision, Telangana will mark the death of their political career," the CM said. Revanth alleged that the BJP's continued delay is a deliberate attempt to suppress the aspirations of BCs. "The BC quota bills are pending with the President for the last four months. If we don't get an appointment with her tomorrow (Thursday), it will confirm BJP's 'anti-BC' bias," he said. Calling himself as a 'crusader for social justice,' Revanth added, "Over 300 chief ministers have led different states in India, but I am proud to be the one who conducted a caste survey and passed 42% BC reservations. I thank my cabinet colleagues and Rahul Gandhi for their unwavering support."
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Poll Rollout: City Wards Mapped, Voters Up 1L
Nagpur: Taking a key step towards holding civic elections, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) submitted its draft of ward boundaries to the state urban development department (UDD) on Tuesday. The redrawn structure, approved by an internal committee, retains the earlier number of 38 wards (prabhags) but features minor changes in boundaries to account for updated voter data and demographic considerations. As per the draft, each ward is now set to represent between 62,000 and 65,375 voters based on the newly updated total of 24,84,250 registered voters — an increase of over one lakh since the 2024 assembly elections. The structure retains four-member representation in 37 wards and three members in prabhag 38, keeping the total strength of the general body at 151 corporators, as in 2017. The boundaries were redrawn using a combination of Google Earth, block-wise population data, and natural demarcations such as roads, rivers, and railway lines. Officials were directed to maintain geographical continuity, safeguard representation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and avoid splitting existing neighbourhoods — a major source of legal contention in previous demarcations. Now that the draft has been submitted, the next steps are set to follow a defined timeline. The UDD will forward the proposal to the State Election Commission (SEC) by August 11. The SEC or its authorised officers will then review and recommend revisions. NMC is expected to publish the draft for public objections and suggestions between August 22 and 28, followed by hearings from August 29 to September 8. Based on the feedback, a final version will be submitted to the UDD by September 15, which will then forward it to the SEC for approval by September 22. The final ward structure will be officially notified between October 3 and 6. The NMC has been functioning under an administrator since March 6, 2022, following the end of its elected body's term. Although the Supreme Court directed that urban local body elections be held within four months, the actual poll dates are yet to be announced. The State Election Commission recently indicated a three-phase model, and senior political leaders expect that NMC elections will follow the zilla parishad and municipal council polls, possibly by February 2026. While the ward structure has largely remained the same, political observers point out that even minor boundary tweaks could impact electoral outcomes — especially for the ruling BJP, which swept the 2017 elections with 108 out of 151 seats. The Congress won 29, BSP 10, Shiv Sena 2, NCP 1, and one independent, with five nominated members. Once the final ward map is approved, a lottery system will be used to allocate reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women. Recently, the Supreme Court paved the way for local body elections in the state with a 27% quota for OBCs by confirming its May 6 directives on OBC reservation in local body elections and also ruled that the 2017 ward formations will apply. Of the 156 total seats (including five nominated members), 78 will be reserved for women, including 12 for SC women and 6 for ST women. As per 2017 reservations for candidates, 68 seats will be reserved for general candidates, 30 for SC, 12 for ST, and 41 for OBC. Polling booths will be around 3,150, said sources. Despite the ongoing uncertainty over poll dates, political parties have already begun groundwork, eyeing every shift in ward demarcation as a potential advantage or challenge in what promises to be a fiercely contested civic battle.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
If Telangana's BC reservation Bills don't get approval, BJP will be proven anti-OBC: Revanth Reddy
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday led a dharna in Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding the President's assent for two Bills passed by the State Assembly, to provide 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in education, employment, and local body elections. Mr. Reddy said if the Bills are not cleared, it will mean that the BJP is 'against Backward Castes'. The Congress leader said his government had delivered on their promise to the people by conducting the caste census and passing the Bills for 42% Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation. The Bills are awaiting Presidential assent for the last four months. Mr. Reddy accused the Centre of being indifferent to the pleas of the State government regarding the Bills. 'That is why we have decided to protest -- on the streets and in Parliament,' he said. He also said that he and his Cabinet had sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu but hadn't received any response. 'If the Bill is not granted assent, it will be clear that the BJP is against Backward Castes. If we are denied an appointment with the President, and if Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi refuses to answer in Parliament, we will not return to Delhi. Instead, anyone from the BJP who comes to Telangana will have to answer for this. The BJP will be wiped out in Telangana,' he added. Addressing the crowd earlier, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said he hoped Mr. Modi, who claims to be a champion of the OBCs, would hear the voices of those suffering at the hands of his government in Telangana. Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav said the Modi-led government made lofty claims of taking care of Backward communities but rarely delivered on its promises. 'Though the government claims they will count caste during the Census, we need to remain vigilant,' Mr. Yadav said. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a post on X thanked INDIA leaders who extended support to the protest and said, 'This fight is not just for Telangana. It is a collective fight to ensure that Indians from marginalised communities have their rightful share in power and progress.'
