Patna : Ministers in Bihar are set to receive a notable hike in their salaries and allowances, following the approval of 27 key proposals at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday. The decision comes just months before the state heads to the polls.
Under the revised structure, ministers’ salaries will increase from Rs50,000 to Rs65,000. Regional allowances have gone up from Rs55,000 to Rs70,000, daily allowances from Rs3,000 to ₹3,500, and hospitality allowances from Rs24,000 to Rs29,500. Reimbursement for official travel has also been raised from Rs15 to Rs25 per kilometre.
The revision applies to Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, and those with equivalent status in boards and corporations. Amendments to the Bihar Ministers’ Salary and Allowances Rules, 2006, have been cleared to formalise the changes.
The cabinet also approved the formation of the Seventh State Finance Commission, with the chairperson receiving cabinet rank and members designated as Ministers of State.
Over 20,000 New Posts in Health Department
In a major administrative move, approval has been granted for the creation of 20,016 new posts under the Health Department, including positions within the public health and hospital management cadres. Three director-level roles will also be introduced.
Elsewhere, 2,590 posts in the Agriculture Department will be reorganised under the new Clerk Cadre Rules 2024, while 35 data entry positions will be added to the Bihar Staff Selection Commission.
Six new excise chemistry labs will come up in Rohtas, Aurangabad, West Champaran, Begusarai, Kishanganj and Gopalganj, with 48 associated posts created. The 50-bed AYUSH Hospital at Nawab Manzil in Patna will also see 36 new appointments.
Assistant Urdu Translator Posts to Double
The number of Assistant Urdu Translator posts will increase from 1,653 to 3,306 under the 2016 cadre rules. The decision follows a recent announcement by the Chief Minister and aims to strengthen bilingual administrative support.
To enhance oversight in the school system, the newly approved Bihar Education Administration Cadre Rules 2025 will establish a dedicated cadre for monitoring and evaluation from primary to higher secondary levels.
Water Supply Projects, Fiscal Decisions and Disciplinary Measures
An allocation of Rs156 crore has been sanctioned for the Buxar water supply project under the AMRUT scheme. The Bihar Contingency Fund will be temporarily increased from Rs350 crore to Rs10,000 crore for the 2025–26 financial year.
Disciplinary action was also announced: Dr Raman Raj Raman, a General Medical Officer at Bakri Sub-Divisional Hospital in Begusarai, has been dismissed for prolonged unauthorised absence, while Dr Tabrez Akhtar, principal of a government college, has been compulsorily retired.
Surya Kiran Air Show Scheduled in Patna
Residents of Patna will be treated to an aerial display by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team on April 22 and 23. The two-hour show, featuring nine Hawk jets, will take place at JP Ganga Path from 10:15am to 12:15pm each day. The event is being organised with the support of the state government.
