CM Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government Announces Key Infrastructure, Economic, and Social Welfare Initiatives

The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has taken forward various developmental initiatives, giving priority to infrastructure improvement, economic growth, and social welfare. Today, in an important press briefing organized by the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Bihar, Dr. S. Siddhartha, Additional Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, informed about the key decisions taken to boost the state's infrastructure, economic growth, and social welfare. In the press briefing, important approvals and schemes were announced in several key sectors such as transport security, urban development, health services, and industrial investment, which are expected to accelerate the overall development pace in the state.

Key approvals and initiatives

1. General Administration Department: Dr. S. Siddhartha informed that under the General Administration Department, the Government of Bihar has approved the official holiday calendar for Bihar Government offices for the year 2025. It also includes enacted holidays in the state. This annual calendar aims to maintain administrative efficiency and ensure the smooth functioning of government offices.

2. Transport Department: Mukhyamantri Chaalak Kalyan Yojana, 2024: To promote road safety and social and economic welfare of professional drivers, especially drivers of trucks, buses, autos, taxis and other vehicles, the Cabinet has approved various assistance programmes under the “Mukhyamantri Vahan Chaalak Kalyan Yojana, 2024”. These measures are aimed at improving their work skills and improving the social and economic condition of their families. The source of funds for these schemes will be from the Bihar Road Safety Fund. The state government hopes that these efforts will reduce road accidents and ensure the welfare of drivers.

3. Urban Development and Housing Department: In the field of urban planning, the government approved the inclusion of Dhanchuha and Jagdishpur villages under Maharajganj Nagar Panchayat in Siwan district. The decision is expected to lead to better urban management, infrastructure development and improved supply of services in the newly included areas.

4. Building Construction Department: In a significant administrative decision, the Cabinet has approved the formation of "Bapu Tower Committee", which will be under the control of the Building Construction Department. This committee will be registered under the Bihar Societies Registration Act, 1860 and will monitor the development of Bapu Tower, an important public infrastructure project.

5. Commerce and Tax Department: VAT Cut on Natural Gas: The state government also addressed issues related to the sale of natural gas. For city gas distribution systems, VAT on natural gas (CNG and PNG) to consumers has been reduced from 20% to 12.5%, while VAT on CNG sales to industrial units has been reduced from 20% to 5%. These changes are expected to boost industrial development and reduce costs for businesses and households.

6. Education Department: L.N. Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change: The Cabinet approved the Service Conditions (Amendment) Rules, 2024, related to L.N. Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change. This initiative is likely to improve the operational efficiency of the institute and will promote higher education in the field of economic and social studies.

7. Home Department (Prisons): Pay Hike for Non-Gazetted Staff: A significant step was taken for the welfare of prison staff in Bihar. The Cabinet has approved honorarium equivalent to one month’s salary per financial year for non-gazetted staff of the Prison Cadre (such as Warden, Senior Warden, and Chief Warden). The decision is in line with the honorarium provided to non-gazetted personnel of Bihar Police and recognises their service and contribution.

8. Public Health Engineering Department: For improving water supply infrastructure, the Cabinet approved a total amount of ₹2,863.43 lakh for completion of 180 pending ward water supply schemes. Of these, 169 wards are under the control of the Panchayati Raj Department, while 11 wards come under the jurisdiction of Public Health Engineering Department. This approval is expected to provide essential water services in many rural communities of Bihar.

9. Finance Department: Amendment in Family Pension Scheme: A significant reform regarding family pension was also approved in the Finance Department. A provision was made to provide dual family pensions to eligible children after the death of parents in cases where both husband and wife are covered under the old pension scheme. Also, certain conditions of family pension for disabled children were relaxed, ensuring a more inclusive pension system.

10. Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Cabinet approved renaming the Bihar Forest College and Research Institute at Munger and upgrading it as a high-level institution to promote forestry education and research in the state. The decision aims to promote environmental protection and sustainable forestry practices.

11. Health Initiatives: Key health-related decisions include approval for the construction of a 100-bed palliative care centre for cancer patients at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Muzaffarpur. A one-time grant of ₹1.12 billion will be provided to Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai for construction of this centre, which will provide better care and support to cancer patients.

12. Minority Welfare Department: The Cabinet also approved the construction of several residential schools under the Bihar Minority Residential School Scheme. A residential school with a capacity of 560 seats was sanctioned in the Basantpur area of Supaul district at a cost of ₹4,973.86 lakh. Additionally, approval was received for similar residential schools in Madhepura and Muzaffarpur districts with an estimated budget of ₹5,652.42 lakh and ₹5,555.69 lakh respectively.

13. Sports Department: Rajgir Hockey Asian Championship Trophy 2024: Another important decision was the approval of the state government to provide a grant of ₹10 crore to Hockey India for hosting the Women's Hockey Asian Championship Trophy at Rajgir (Nalanda) during November 11-20, 2024. The decision is a significant step towards making Bihar a hub of major international sporting events and promoting women's sports in the region.

14. Industrial investment and healthcare: To boost investment in the healthcare sector, the state government has approved the setting up of a 300-beded specialized hospital at Shri Netaji Subhash Medical College and Hospital, Bihta, Patna. The project comes under the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Rules, 2016, which aim to encourage private investment in healthcare.

15. Public works and rural development: Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-I), the government granted revised administrative approval for the construction of two important bridges in the Amour block of Purnia district. These infrastructure projects will cost ₹30.74 crore and ₹35.54 crore respectively and will improve connectivity in rural areas.

The Cabinet Secretariat also announced that several additional provisions have been made for rural development, including ₹118.40 crore for salary expenditure in the financial year 2024-25 for various offices.