In a major pre-poll move likely to resonate with a vast segment of Bihar’s electorate, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced a near three-fold increase in monthly pensions for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and widowed women. From July, beneficiaries under the state’s Social Security Pension Scheme will receive ₹1,100 per month, up from ₹400.
The revised pension scheme is expected to benefit 1,09,69,255 individuals, Kumar said in a formal announcement, marking the most substantial enhancement in the scheme’s history.
“I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹1,100 instead of ₹400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot,” Kumar stated.
Describing the elderly as a “precious part of society,” he added, “The elderly are a precious part of society and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority. The state government will continue to make efforts in this direction.”
The timing of the announcement is significant, coming just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. The ruling Janata Dal (United), in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is seeking to fend off a united challenge posed by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
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In addition to the pension hike, Kumar’s government also unveiled a slew of measures aimed at rural empowerment and governance reform. Under a revision of powers in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), village heads — or mukhiyas — can now independently sanction development schemes worth up to ₹10 lakh. This is a doubling of the earlier cap of ₹5 lakh.
Further, the Chief Minister has approved a significant increase in allowances for elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system. As per the revised entitlements:
- The Zilla Parishad (ZP) President will now receive ₹30,000 per month, up from ₹20,000.
- The ZP Vice President’s monthly allowance rises from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000.
- Mukhiyas will be entitled to ₹7,500, a ₹2,500 increase from the earlier ₹5,000.
The flurry of welfare announcements is being seen as an attempt to strengthen JD(U)’s standing in rural Bihar, particularly among low-income and marginalised segments.
While critics may view the timing as politically expedient, supporters of the Chief Minister have lauded the move as long overdue and impactful. Either way, the initiatives are set to influence the tone and tenor of the forthcoming electoral battle in the state.
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