Nitish Cabinet Approves Safe Housing For Women Staff, Faster Digital Birth And Death Certificates in Bihar

Patna: Seven government doctors in Bihar have been dismissed from service for prolonged absence, as part of a series of decisions approved during the Nitish Kumar cabinet meeting on Tuesday, which cleared 22 agenda items in total.

The Health Department took action after the doctors failed to report to duty despite multiple notices, officials said. Those dismissed include medical officers posted across Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, and other districts. The move was described as necessary to ensure “administrative discipline and quality in public health services.”

The dismissed doctors are: Dr Ashish Kumar, Dr Mohammad Firdaus Alam, Dr Jagriti Sonam, Dr Anamika Kumari, Dr Anupam Kumari, Dr Anupam Kumar, and Abhinav Kumar.

In another significant decision, the cabinet approved a plan to provide safe housing for all women employed in government service, including female teachers. The state will arrange housing near their place of posting by leasing properties from private landlords, with the government covering the costs. The scheme aims to support the safety and well-being of female staff.

Separately, the cabinet approved new rules to streamline the issuance of birth and death certificates. Under the updated Bihar Birth and Death Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2025—replacing regulations in place since 1999—certificates will now be issued digitally and more efficiently.

Officials said this reform would simplify a range of administrative processes for citizens, from obtaining school admissions and driving licences to applying for passports and voter registration. Birth and death certificates will now be generated quickly via computer, saving time and reducing bureaucratic delays.

The new rules are expected to make life easier for thousands of people who currently face cumbersome procedures in obtaining official documentation.