Page 6 - Nitish Kumar

Nitish govt failed EBCs, only used them as a vote bank: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi vowed that if the INDIA bloc comes to power in Bihar, it would scrap the 50 per cent cap on reservations

Nitish Kumar launches infrastructure projects worth ₹10,000 cr in Patna

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday launched projects worth Rs 10,000 crore in the state capital Patna. The projects were of the Road Construction, and Urban Development and Housing departments. The CM laid the foundation for the construction of the 35.65-km extension of J P Ganga Path Project from Digha area in Patna to Koilwar Bridge at a cost of over Rs 6,495 crore. According to a statement issued by the chief minister's office, "The extension of the J P Ganga Path Project will provide connectivity to the Patna-Ara-Buxar National Highway (NH-922), the Purvanchal Expressway between Lucknow-Ghazipur, and the Ara-Mohania National Highway (NH-319). It will also alleviate the traffic congestion on the Danapur-Chitnawan-Maner Road. The CM directed officials to ensure timely completion of the extension of the J P Ganga Path to Koilwar." The CM also laid the foundation stone for five other road projects in various districts, with a total length of 225.475 km and costing Rs 2,900

Nitish govt unveils schemes before polls; Oppn calls them INDIA bloc copy

Ahead of the assembly polls, the NDA government in Bihar has announced a series of schemes, prompting the opposition to claim that after remaining in power for 20 years, all that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could offer was a copy of promises made by the INDIA bloc. Among several promises of the opposition was 200 units of free electricity, which the longest serving CM has sought to neutralise by announcing, notwithstanding his earlier anti-freebies stands, that consumers will not have to pay for 125 units in a month. Kumar on Sunday announced that over 10,000 'Vikas Mitras', who work in villages to make SC and ST people aware of government schemes and convert them to beneficiaries, would be given a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 each for purchasing tablets so that they can do their work effectively. Their transportation allowance will also be increased from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, and their stationery allowance will be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 per month. The governmen

Nitish Kumar announces ₹25,000 allowance for 'vikas mitras' to buy tabs

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced that over 10,000 'Vikas Mitras', who work in the villages to reach the benefits of government schemes to SCs and STs, would be given a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 each for purchasing tablets so that they can do their work effectively. He said their transportation allowance will also be increased from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, and their stationery allowance will be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 per month. The government has also decided to provide Rs 10,000 each to more than 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz, who connect children belonging to Mahadalit, minorities and extremely backward communities to formal school education, for purchasing smartphones. It was also decided to increase the amount paid for teaching materials, from Rs 3,405 to Rs 6,000 per centre per year, the CM said. Kumar made the announcements with weeks left for the assembly elections in the state. "Our government is continuously working for th

Prashant Bhushan alleges high-level corruption in Bihar land deal

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Saturday charged the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar with indulging in "corruption at the highest level" by leasing out 1,000 acres of land to a leading conglomerate at a throwaway price. Addressing a press conference here, Bhushan referred to an upcoming power project at Bhagalpur, for which a 30-year lease has been secured by the business group, reportedly at a rate of just one rupee per annum. Bhushan alleged that the NDA government has agreed to a deal, which would "result in an estimated annual loss of Rs 5,000 crore" to the state exchequer and suspected "corruption at the highest level" in awarding the contract. He also stressed the need for "transparency and fairness" in the state's mechanism for land acquisition, and suggested that a commission be set up to ensure the affected people got adequate compensation. The Congress had led a march in the city over the issue earlier this week, but state industry minister Nitish Mishra

Bihar govt to provide Rs 1,000 monthly aid to unemployed graduates: CM

The Bihar government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month to unemployed youths who have graduate degrees for a period of two years under 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana', Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday. Earlier, this scheme was applicable for unemployed youths who had passed their intermediate exams only. Kumar, in a post on X, said, "I am pleased to inform that under the state government's seven resolves programme, the previously operated 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana' has now been expanded. Under this, the benefit of the Self-Help Allowance Scheme, which was previously being provided to intermediate-passed youth, has now been extended to unemployed graduate youth who have passed in arts, science, and commerce. "Graduate-passed youth in the 20-25 age group who are not pursuing any studies anywhere, are striving for jobs/employment, do not have any self-employment, or have not obtained government, private

Nitish transfers ₹802 cr to 1.64 mn workers' accounts on Vishwakarma Puja

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced the transfer of around Rs 802 crore to the accounts of 16.4 lakh construction workers under an annual scheme, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja. The state government will also launch a web portal of the Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojna' on the occasion, which also coincides with the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Assembly polls are due in Bihar later this year. Today is the day of worship of Lord Vishwakarma (Vishwakarma Puja), the divine architect of the universe, and it is also the birthday of PM Narendra Modi jee. The PM is tirelessly working with complete dedication for the upliftment of the country and its citizens without stopping or getting tired. It is a happy coincidence that today, funds are being transferred to the accounts of workers under the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Kumar said in a post on X. A total of around Rs 802.46 crore is being directly transferred to the

Bihar CM announces interest-free education loans for Class 12 pass students

The Bihar government on Tuesday announced that interest-free loans will be provided to students who passed the class 12 board examinations under the Student Credit Card Scheme to help them pursue higher education. Earlier, education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh were provided at an interest rate of 4 per cent to general male applicants, and 1 per cent to female, differently-abled, and transgender applicants. "Now, the loan will be interest-free for all applicants," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said in a post on X. The Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme has been in effect since October 2, 2016. Kumar said the provision for repaying a loan of up to Rs 2 lakh in 60 monthly instalments has now been extended to a maximum of 84 monthly instalments. "For loans above Rs 2 lakh, the repayment period has been extended from 84 monthly instalments to a maximum of 120 monthly instalments," he said. Kumar said the objective of his government is to ensure that students can pursue higher education. He

Bihar polls: CM Nitish announces interest-free education loans for students

Bihar Assembly elections 2025: Kumar also extended the repayment period for loans up to ₹2 lakh to 7 years from 5 years, whereas loans above ₹2 lakh need to be repaid in 10 years

Oppn can't digest Bihar's development: PM Modi slams RJD, Cong in Purnea

Referring to the recently announced GST reforms, PM Modi said that the Centre has given a "very big gift" to the poor and middle class

Nitish Kumar disburses ₹1,200 cr pension to 1.13 cr beneficiaries

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday disbursed over Rs 1,200 crore among 1.13 crore beneficiaries of social security pension schemes in the state. A total amount of Rs 1,263.95 crore was given away to the beneficiaries of six social security schemes, through direct benefit transfer, at a function held at the chief minister's official residence. The state's longest-serving CM, who had recently hiked the monthly pension amount from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100, said on the occasion, "The increase became effective from June. Payments have already been made for the months of June and July. Now, payment is being made for August." "My government has always given priority to help the vulnerable sections of the society. It has been our endeavour to ensure that no eligible senior citizen, woman or specially abled person is left out," he added. According to an official statement, there has been a sharp rise in the number of people applying for social security pensions since the hike. The nu

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hikes stipend for anganwadi workers, helpers

In yet another populist move ahead of the assembly polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday announced a hike in the stipend given to anganwadi workers and helpers in the state. In a post on X, Kumar said anganwadi workers (sevika) will now get Rs 9,000, up from Rs 7,000 they had been receiving so far. Similarly, the stipend for helpers (sahayika) has been hiked from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500, the CM said, adding "instructions have been issued to the department concerned". Kumar hailed the "big role" played by anganwadi sevikas and sahayikas in "improving the nourishment and overall wellbeing of children and pregnant women". "Since we came to power in November 2005, various schemes have been launched for the welfare of children and pregnant women. Recognising the role played by anganwadis in the implementation of these measures, we have decided to incentivise them", the JD(U) president added. Over the past few years, the NDA government in the state has announced a plethora of

Nitish launches ₹1,159 cr projects, inaugurates Bihar's first cable bridge

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday launched projects worth around Rs 1,159.84 crore in Patna district. The CM also inaugurated Bihar's first cable suspension bridge, modelled on the iconic Laxman Jhula of Rishikesh (Uttarakhand). The bridge over the Punpun River has been built at a cost of Rs 82.99 crore. A statement issued by the chief minister's office here said, "The CM on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 17 development projects in Patna district." These projects include the construction of a bridge and approach road over Punpun River between Samda and Gularia Vigha villages in Paliganj block at a cost of Rs 19.77 crore, development of tourism facilities at the Ular Sun Temple in Paliganj at a cost of Rs 14.99 crore and construction of a connecting road from Punpun station via Akona village to the Patna Ring Road at a cost of Rs 88 lakh. Other projects include construction of a two-lane road linking Sohagi Mor of the Sadikpur-Pabheda-Masaurhi Road to

Bihar polls in sight, Nitish Kumar announces women's employment scheme

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the new employment initiative aims to empower women while expanding local job opportunities, helping reduce the need for people to leave Bihar for work

PM Modi launches development projects worth ₹6,880 cr in Bihar's Gayaji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched several projects, including the 660 MW Buxar thermal power plant, worth a total of Rs 6,880 crore in Bihar's Gayaji district on Friday, officials said. The PM also flagged off two trains -- Amrit Bharat Express between Gayaji and Delhi and Buddhist Circuit train between Vaishali and Koderma. The latter will give a boost to tourism and pilgrimage across key Buddhist sites in the region. The Buxar thermal power plant will significantly enhance power generation capacity, improve energy security, and meet the growing electricity demand of the region, they said. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and several Union ministers, state ministers, MPs and MLAs were also present on the occasion. The PM also inaugurated the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Muzaffarpur. The medical facility includes advanced oncology OPD and IPD wards, operation theatres, modern

Bihar CM transfers ₹456 crore to bank accounts of flood-hit families

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday transferred over Rs 456 crore directly to the bank accounts of more than 6.51 lakh families affected by the recent flood. Each family hit by the deluge received Rs 7,000 as gratuitous relief, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) here. The amount was transferred at a function held at the official residence of the CM in Patna. A total sum of Rs 456.12 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 6,51,602 flood-affected families in 12 districts," the CMO statement said. The CM had recently announced an increase in the gratuitous relief money from Rs 6,000 per family to Rs 7,000. A large number of people have been affected by the floods in Bihar, where several rivers are in spate due to torrential rain in the past 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday. The affected districts include Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the ..

Bihar Assembly polls: The votes that built Nitish Kumar's stronghold

Ahead of Assembly polls, Bihar CM sharpens women-focused agenda with domicile quota, banking on female voters' rising clout and support

Nitish announces 'special economic packages' to boost investment in Bihar

In a bid to promote investments in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced several "special economic packages" for the investors. The CM announced the government's decision in a social media post. In a post on X, he wrote, "Our government has set a target to provide jobs and employment to one crore youths in the next five years. The government is encouraging those setting up industries and pursuing self-employment in the state by providing various facilities." "Now, entrepreneurs setting up industries in Bihar will be given a special economic package. To encourage private sectors to set up industries in Bihar, the government has decided to provide a special economic package," he added. All these facilities will be provided to entrepreneurs for setting up industries within the next six months. In addition, several other provisions have been made to significantly assist entrepreneurs setting up industries in the state. A detailed notification in this regard will be .

Nitish Kumar cuts preliminary exam fee in Bihar to ₹100; Mains to be free

The decision, which will likely benefit lakhs of youth in Bihar, was announced just a few months before the assembly elections in the state

Legacy of U-turns: Timeline of Nitish Kumar's alliance shifts over a decade

From Lalu Prasad's RJD to BJP to RJD to BJP again and back, Nitish Kumar's shifting alliances have redrawn Bihar's political map more than once. Here's how and why he flipped