Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a cabinet meeting today, where pivotal decisions were made, including a proposal seeking special category status for Bihar, and an increase in dearness allowance (DA) for government employees.
The cabinet endorsed a proposal urging the Central Government to grant special category status to Bihar, a move aimed at addressing longstanding demands for the state’s economic development. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his plea on social media, emphasizing the significance of the special status for Bihar and urging prompt action from the Central Government. The demand for special category status has been a consistent pursuit by the Bihar government since 2010, marked by rallies and official communications.
बिहार को विशेष राज्य का दर्जा प्रदान करने की पुनः मांग की।
देश में पहली बार बिहार में जाति आधारित गणना का काम कराया गया है। जाति आधारित गणना के सामाजिक, आर्थिक एवं शैक्षणिक स्थिति के आंकड़ों के आधार पर अनुसूचित जाति के आरक्षण सीमा को 16 प्रतिशत से बढ़ाकर 20 प्रतिशत, अनुसूचित…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) November 22, 2023
CM Nitish highlighted the historical context of the demand for special category status, citing past efforts including a rights rally in 2012 and a letter written to the Central Government in May 2017. Despite the formation of the Raghuram Rajan Committee and its subsequent report in September 2013, the attainment of special category status for Bihar remained elusive, prompting renewed calls for its fulfillment.
In a significant move benefiting government employees, the cabinet approved a 4 percent hike in dearness allowance. This increase, applicable from July 1, 2023, will be extended to 10 lakh employees and pensioners, marking a rise in DA from 42 percent to 46 percent. Notably, employees under the seventh pay scale are set to receive the revised DA, inclusive of arrears in the December salary.
In addition to these decisions, the government announced financial assistance for the underprivileged. A sum of Rs 2 lakh, distributed in installments, will be allocated for employment support, accompanied by an additional Rs 1 lakh 20 thousand for housing.
