Patna: The ministers of Bihar government are entitled to government-funded facilities and allowances worth more than Rs 10 lakh a month, according to official provisions and political claims that have once again reignited debate over public spending in one of India’s poorest states.
2017 controversy returns to spotlight
The issue has resurfaced alongside references to allegations made during the Mahagathbandhan government in 2017, when two ministers — Abdul Ghafoor and Shivchandra Ram — were accused by the then opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of renting out government bungalows for private functions such as weddings and engagement ceremonies.
At the time, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had demanded the dismissal of both ministers and called for criminal cases to be filed against them. He alleged that government residences were being converted into “banquet halls” for additional income despite ministers already receiving extensive state-funded privileges.
Salary, allowances and official residences
Under Bihar’s ministerial entitlement structure, ministers receive salaries and allowances estimated at between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh a month. In addition, they are provided with furnished government bungalows in upscale areas of Patna, official vehicles, staff, office facilities and free electricity and water.
Luxury vehicles and travel perks
Ministers are currently entitled to use vehicles worth up to Rs. 35 lakh after the discontinuation of the Ambassador car model once commonly used by politicians. Escort vehicles and fuel are provided through the police headquarters, while ministers also receive travel allowances at the rate of Rs. 25 per kilometre despite access to government transport.
Hospitality and ceremonial allowances are granted separately. Expenses for official travel by aircraft, helicopter or special train are borne by the state government.
Communication and office expenses covered
Communication and office-related expenses are also covered. Ministers can purchase mobile phones worth up to Rs. 40,000 and claim monthly call expenses of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
They are permitted to spend Rs. 3 lakh annually on furnishing office chambers, while government residences can incur expenses of up to Rs. 6 lakh for furniture and equipment.
Additional provisions include computers, printers, fax machines, newspapers, magazines and cable television connections at official residences and offices.
Extensive security arrangements
Security arrangements are extensive. Alongside three personal security personnel, ministers are provided with additional Special Branch protection and police constables. Between one and four house guards may also be stationed at official residences.
Bihar’s low per capita income raises questions
The debate over ministerial expenditure has gained attention because Bihar continues to record the lowest per capita income in India. According to official estimates for 2024-25, Bihar’s per capita income at current prices stands at Rs. 69,321.
Repeated hikes in ministerial benefits
Former chief minister Nitish Kumar’s government has increased ministerial salaries and allowances multiple times in recent years, including revisions in 2018, 2022 and again ahead of the last assembly elections, when benefits reportedly rose by nearly 30%.
Allegations of renting out government bungalows
The allegations regarding government bungalows being rented out for private events had claimed that charges of Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh per day were collected for hosting ceremonies.
The accusations had triggered political controversy but also renewed scrutiny over the scale of privileges available to ministers in a financially constrained state.
