Bihar Government Announces Increased Payments for Anganwadi Workers
The state government has approved an increase in the monthly honorarium for Anganwadi workers and assistants. Under this new scheme, the honorarium for workers will rise from ₹7,000 to ₹9,000, while assistants will receive an increase from ₹4,000 to ₹4,500 per month. The cabinet has sanctioned an additional annual expenditure of ₹345.19 crore from the state plan fund for this initiative. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, where 25 agenda items were approved. Detailed information was provided by Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat, during a press conference held at the Information Building.
The Revenue and Land Reforms Department has received approval for 3,303 new positions for revenue staff. This move aims to expedite the resolution of increasing land revenue cases.
The Additional Chief Secretary stated that the enhanced honorarium for Anganwadi workers and assistants will take effect from September 1. The role of these workers is crucial in implementing the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program. The increase in their honorarium is a response to rising inflation and aims to improve their quality of life and work performance.
Additionally, ₹50 crore has been allocated from the Bihar Contingency Fund for the phased construction of marriage mandaps in 8,053 panchayats under the Chief Minister's Kanya Vivah Mandap scheme. This is a new initiative, hence the advance funding from the contingency fund. Furthermore, ₹100 crore has been approved to meet the targets of the Chief Minister's Rural Solar Street Light Scheme, also funded from the state plan.
Other significant decisions were also made in the cabinet meeting. An administrative approval of ₹73.66 crore has been granted for the construction of the state headquarters of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (Jeevika) in Patna. The Urban Development and Housing Department will provide land for various public works and infrastructure projects, including drains, roads, administrative buildings, and solid waste management facilities, enhancing urban aesthetics and citizen amenities.
The Isha Foundation based in Coimbatore has been granted a one-acre lease at a token fee of ₹1 for establishing and operating gas (LPG) crematoriums in six cities: Patna, Gaya, Chapra, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai. Approval has also been given for the formation of a planning division at the municipal level, which includes the creation of positions for assistant municipal planning officers to facilitate the execution of municipal responsibilities.
Arvind Kumar Chaudhary announced that funds have been approved for the installation of CCTV cameras and dashboards in 176 new police stations, as well as in older stations that are being renovated. A budget of ₹280.60 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
The path has been cleared for the construction of the Uderasthan Barrage under the irrigation division in the Jehanabad district. After resolving ongoing legal issues, ₹651.13 crore has been approved for this project, and an agreement has been reached with the contractor. Alongside the barrage construction, modernization of the existing canal systems of the Uderasthan Weir project will also be undertaken.
During the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister Fellowship Scheme was announced, with an allocation of ₹31.85 crore for the selection of 121 fellows for a two-year period. Selected experts will be contracted through IIM Bodh Gaya and will receive monthly stipends of ₹1.5 lakh, ₹1.25 lakh, ₹1 lakh, and ₹80,000, depending on their placement in various departments.
