Patna: In a significant step towards inclusivity and rural support, the Bihar cabinet has approved multiple initiatives aimed at empowering marginalised groups, ensuring agricultural resilience, and improving social infrastructure.
Under the Chief Minister Divyangjan Empowerment Scheme ‘Sambal’, male Divyangjan candidates from backward classes, economically weaker sections, and general categories will now receive incentives for clearing civil services prelims. Those clearing BPSC prelims will get Rs 50,000, while UPSC prelims qualifiers will receive Rs 1 lakh.
To counter the impact of irregular monsoon or drought, the government released Rs 100 crore for diesel subsidy under the 2025-26 financial year. Farmers will receive Rs 750 per acre per irrigation for Kharif crops, calculated at 10 litres of diesel per acre at Rs 75 per litre. Paddy seedlings will get Rs 1,500 per acre for two irrigations, and other crops including pulses, oilseeds, maize, and vegetables will get Rs 2,250 per acre for a maximum of three irrigations. Each farmer can avail diesel subsidy for up to eight acres.
The cabinet also approved the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy 2025 and formation of Bihar State Corporate Social Responsibility Society to monitor and effectively implement CSR funds. A committee headed by the chief secretary will decide allocations for various schemes.
Additionally, the cabinet cleared Rs 65 crore 80 lakh for constructing a 720-bed Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Residential School in Kudhni block of Muzaffarpur, Chainpur, and Kolhua zone of Adhaura block in Kaimur district. Approval was given for similar schools in blocks with a Scheduled Caste population above 5,000.
Other key decisions include approving the Bihar New and Renewable Energy Sources Promotion Policy 2025 to enhance energy conservation and reduce emissions; allocating Rs 105 crore to operate Jeevika Didi bank under Bihar State Jeevika Nidhi Credit Cooperative Union Limited; and encouraging natural gas adoption under the Bihar Urban Gas Distribution Policy 2025.
Infrastructure approvals covered a wide range of projects such as Rs 65 lakh for an RCC bridge on Mahe to Bhatandi road over the Kareh river in Samastipur, Rs 35 crore 19 lakh for Bagodar to Ursa Ahar road under HH-8 on Hisua bypass in Nawada, Rs 69 crore 70 lakh for widening and strengthening roads across Nawada, and Rs 33 crore 53 lakh for widening Kurmuri to Bandhwa road in Ara district.
