Ahead of polls, Bihar Cabinet nod for internship scheme with stipend, development of temple at Sita's birthplace

Indian Express

01-07-2025

Ahead of the coming Assembly elections, the NDA government in Bihar on Tuesday approved proposals for direct cash support to youths and artists, major outlays for religious and rural development, and reforms across the health, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.
In a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the 'Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana' was given approval. It is an internship scheme promising a monthly stipend to those in the 18-28 age group, who have completed skill development training or possess educational qualifications ranging from class 12 to postgraduate degrees.
Under the scheme, candidates who have passed class 12 will receive Rs 4,000 per month, those who have gone to Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) or diploma holders will get Rs 5,000, and graduates and postgraduates will receive Rs 6,000. Those interning outside their home district will be entitled to an additional Rs 2,000 per month, while those working outside Bihar will get an extra Rs 5,000.
Aimed at 5,000 youths this year and one lakh over five years, the scheme will have an outlay of Rs 685.76 crore, with the financial support to be paid directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts. The internships will range from three to 12 months, with the additional livelihood support capped at three months.
The Cabinet also gave the green light to a Rs 882.87-crore plan for the comprehensive development of Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, believed to be the birthplace of Sita, aiming to transform it into a major religious tourism hub. Meanwhile, over 40 acres of land was handed over to the tourism department for the development of Simaria ghat in Begusarai.
The Cabinet also rolled out the 'Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana', offering a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to artists aged 50 and above who have a decade of experience in traditional, classical, visual, or performing arts, provided their annual income does not exceed Rs 1.2 lakh.
Another scheme, called the 'Mukhya Mantri Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana', aims to preserve and promote rare and endangered art forms with a two-year training programme. Backed by a Rs 1.11 crore allotment for the current year, it will offer incentives of Rs 15,000 to gurus, Rs 7,500 to musicians, and Rs 3,000 to pupils.
The health sector saw several key decisions, including the extension of the 'Mukhya Mantri Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh' — financial aid for medical treatments — to cover elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and Gram Kutchery. Further, 20.60 acres of land was transferred to the Health Department for the construction of a government medical college and hospital at Rampur Kodarkatti in Araria district.
Judicial reforms were also on the agenda, with the Cabinet approving the 'Retired Chief Justices and Judges Domestic Help(s) Rule and Other Benefits Rules, 2025'. Retired High Court judges or their spouses will receive Rs 55,000 per month for domestic help or drivers, while retired Chief Justices or those elevated to the Supreme Court will receive Rs 60,000. An additional Rs 15,000 per month will be provided for telephone, internet, secretarial, and security services.
On the agricultural front, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs 36.35 crore for the National Mission on Natural Farming for 2025-26, Rs 80.99 crore for agricultural extension under the Fourth Agriculture Road Map, Rs 30.49 crore for the establishment and strengthening of soil health and fertiliser quality labs, and Rs 41.02 crore for agricultural training and outreach.
Infrastructure development was bolstered with the approval of Rs 37.07 crore for a 12.8-km road and two major bridges in Motihari under the Sulabh Samparkta Yojana, and Rs 32.48 crore for the integrated management of Gokul Reservoir in Bhojpur, a centrally sponsored scheme with a 60:40 funding split up to 2028-29.