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Bihar Govt Set To Give Women Employees Houses On Rent Near Offices
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A DM-led committee will ensure the houses are safe and have basic amenities like water and electricity. The rent will be fixed by the concerned Sub-Divisional Officer
The Bihar government has announced a new housing benefit for its women employees ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in 2025. In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, it was decided that women working in state government departments will now be eligible to receive rented accommodation near their workplaces. According to political commentators, the move comes as part of a broader push to introduce welfare measures in the run-up to the polls.
This new scheme is expected to benefit approximately 4 lakh women. According to S. Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, this initiative aims to enhance both the safety and convenience of women employees.
No HRA
Women opting for this scheme will not receive House Rent Allowance (HRA), which is typically provided to employees to cover rental expenses besides their salary.
Houses On Lease
The government will lease houses from private owners, seeking applications from interested landlords through Expressions of Interest.
Committee Selection
A committee led by the District Magistrate will be formed to select suitable houses for the scheme.
The committee will ensure that the houses are safe and equipped with essential facilities such as electricity and water. The rent will be determined by the respective Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).
Priority Beneficiaries
Initially, this facility will be available to women employees working at the district and division levels.
Rural Process
For women employees in blocks or villages, an application must be submitted to the concerned SDO via their office head to initiate the process.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to support women in Bihar. In Bihar, women are given 35% reservation in government jobs. This reservation goes up to 50% in panchayat and urban local body elections. Additionally, women also receive 50% reservation in primary teacher recruitment. The government asserts that this new scheme is another significant step towards providing better and safer living conditions for women.
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 15:17 IST
