Patna: The Bihar government has announced a sweeping set of policy decisions, including doubling compensation for migrant workers who die outside the state, as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a cabinet meeting that cleared 17 proposals on Friday. Families of deceased migrant workers will now receive Rs 4 lakh instead of Rs 2 lakh, with the government also committing to bear the cost of transporting bodies back to their home districts.
Officials said the cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to injured workers, with free medical treatment to continue under existing welfare schemes. The move is aimed at strengthening social security for Bihar’s large migrant workforce, many of whom work in other states or abroad in hazardous conditions.
In a bid to accelerate justice for victims of sexual offences, the cabinet approved the creation of new judicial posts to fast-track hearings in Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases. Around 6,000 such cases are currently pending in Bihar. The cabinet also cleared amendments to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, including changes in legal terminology for state-level implementation.
The government also approved Rs 349 crore for its flagship scheme providing up to 125 units of free electricity per month to households, reinforcing its welfare-driven energy policy. New registration rules were introduced for vehicles older than 15 years, applying to both government and private vehicles, signalling a push to modernise the state’s transport regulations.
In infrastructure and climate resilience, the cabinet decided to complete the Veerpur Centre of Excellence in Hydrology in Supaul using state funds, approving an initial Rs 32 crore. The centre, previously supported by the World Bank, is expected to play a crucial role in studying the Kosi river’s flow and sediment patterns, improving the design of dams and embankments, and strengthening flood management across the region.
