Bihar Cabinet approves 35% quota for women in all govt jobs ahead of crucial state polls
"The second important decision related to general administration is that only women native to the state will be allowed 35% horizontal reservation on all posts in direct appointment in all star and all government service cadres of Bihar state..." said Bihar Chief Secretary S Siddharth
Additionally, the state cabinet has approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission on Tuesday, which will advise the government on education and employment for youth in the state. The commission will consist of one chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven members, with a maximum age limit of 45 years. The decision was taken with a few months left before the assembly elections, amid criticisms from the opposition, alleging a lack of employment opportunities in the state.
In the run up to the poll battle in Bihar, Nitish Kumar has also announced that a comprehensive development plan for Punaura Dham, the revered birthplace of Goddess Sita in Sitamarhi district, was approved. The plan includes the construction of a grand temple and other structures modelled after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya. The cabinet has approved a budget of Rs 882.78 crore for the construction of the temple at Punaura Dham, which is considered to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the wife of Ram.
Big cash moves
Caste and social justice have long dominated
Bihar polls
, however, cash promises are in play now.
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On June 21, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that all elderly, disabled, and widowed beneficiaries will receive a monthly pension of ₹1,100, up from ₹400. According to the state government, 1.10 cr people will benefit from the hike.
Soon after, political rivals rushed to outdo the move. Jan Suraj leader Prashant Kishor promised to raise the pension to Rs 2,000 if voted to power, while RJD's Tejashwi Yadav claimed his party had already proposed Rs 1,500 and accused the government of acting under pressure
Nitish Kumar also announced a doubling of the honorarium for 1.4 lakh workers under his flagship Jeevika project, which connects with 1.4 crore Jeevika Didis across Bihar. Additionally, self-help groups taking bank loans above Rs 3 lakh will now pay 7% interest instead of the earlier 10%, with the state government covering the difference. The move reinforces Kumar's focus on welfare schemes for women - a core segment of his support base.
The Opposition RJD and Congress earlier announced to launch the Mai-Bahin Scheme, to provide Rs 2,500 per month to the Bihar women on the lines of schemes in other states.
In recent elections, political parties across states have increasingly relied on cash schemes for women, with many implementing payouts after securing victory. In neighbouring Jharkhand, the Maiyan Samman scheme-offering Rs 2,500 per month to women-was seen as a key factor in the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc's win.
Given Kumar's track record, the Bihar government is likely to announce a cash scheme for women ahead of the elections.
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