Patna: The Bihar government has said it will pay February salaries to its employees before the festival of Holi, in a move aimed at easing concerns over the state’s finances and providing relief to workers.
Speaking in the state assembly on Tuesday, the finance minister, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, announced that salaries would be disbursed ahead of the festival. The statement came amid a political row over Bihar’s fiscal health.
Opposition leaders, including the Tejashwi Yadav, have repeatedly alleged that the state treasury is under strain. The opposition has accused the government of financial mismanagement and claimed that it could soon struggle to meet salary obligations.
Responding to the criticism, the finance minister rejected suggestions that the treasury was empty. He told the House that the state’s finances were “completely balanced” and that there would be no disruption to salary payments. Instructions had been issued to all departments, he said, and treasury-level preparations were complete to ensure there were no delays.
The announcement was welcomed by employee groups across departments. Representatives said that receiving salaries before a major festival would help families manage expenses, including travel, shopping and other preparations associated with Holi. Pensioners are also expected to receive their payments on time.
Several employees described the move as a morale boost, saying it would ease financial pressures during the festive period.
