Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced a substantial increase in the monthly pension amount for the elderly, disabled individuals, and widowed women under the state’s Social Security Pension Scheme. From July onwards, beneficiaries will receive ₹1,100 per month, up from the existing ₹400.
“I am pleased to share that from July, all senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and widowed women enrolled in the scheme will receive ₹1,100 monthly. The revised amount will be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts on the 10th of each month,” announced Nitish Kumar taking to social media platform "X".
This revision is expected to benefit over 1.09 crore people across Bihar. “The elderly are a valuable part of our society. Ensuring their dignity and well-being remains a top priority for our government,” the Chief Minister added.
The announcement comes just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, with the ruling Janata Dal (United) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aiming to bolster their support base against the opposition coalition led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
The Bihar government has also revised operational limits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Village heads, or mukhiyas, can now independently approve development schemes up to ₹10 lakh, doubling the previous ceiling of ₹5 lakh.
Additionally, the state cabinet has approved an increment in allowances for elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system. The monthly allowance for Zilla Parishad Presidents has been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000. Vice Presidents will now receive ₹20,000, up from ₹10,000. Meanwhile, mukhiyas will receive ₹7,500 per month, up from the earlier ₹5,000.
