CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In a landmark welfare initiative ahead of the upcoming state elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a significant increase in social security pensions. The monthly pension amount for elderly citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities will be increased from Rupees 400 to Rupees 1,100, a nearly threefold rise. This is the first pension enhancement since Nitish Kumar assumed office in 2005 and is seen as a strategic political move as the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for October–November 2025.
The pension hike comes just a few months before the elections, indicating a calculated effort by the ruling NDA government to bolster voter support and address rising public expectations. The announcement, made via social media, also follows a recent public rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar, hinting at a coordinated political strategy to strengthen the alliance’s electoral appeal. The measure is expected to directly benefit over 1.09 crore citizens, providing financial relief to some of the state's most vulnerable populations.
Highlights Of Pension Revision
Previous Amount: Rupees 400/month
New Amount: Rupees 1,100/month
Applicable Groups: Senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities
Implementation Date: Starting July 2025
Mode of Disbursement: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiary bank accounts, credited by the 10th of every month
Total Beneficiaries: 1,09,69,255 individuals
Additional Welfare Enhancements
The government also approved several financial enhancements for local self-government representatives, which are expected to improve grassroots governance and boost rural development:
Zilla Parishad President: Allowance raised from Rupees 20,000 to Rupees 30,000
Vice-President of Zilla Parishad: From Rupees 10,000 to Rupees 20,000
Mukhiya (Village Head): From Rupees 5,000 to Rupees 7,500
Financial Powers of Mukhiyas: Doubled from Rupees 5 lakh to Rupees 10 lakh for sanctioning projects under MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme)
Social Security Schemes: Context And Significance
Bihar’s Social Security Pension Program aims to provide financial stability to marginalized communities, particularly:
Vridhjan Pension Yojana (for the elderly)
Vidhwa Pension Yojana (for widows)
Divyang Pension Yojana (for the disabled)
These are administered under the broader umbrella of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and are meant to supplement central schemes like the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The use of DBT ensures timely and transparent payments, reducing leakages and corruption.
Political Implications
Analysts view this welfare boost as a counter to promises made by the Opposition, especially amid rising concerns about inflation, unemployment, and public dissatisfaction. With this move, the Nitish Kumar government seeks to shore up its support base among economically weaker sections and rural voters, who form a significant part of Bihar’s electorate.
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