Bihar ministers gets a pay hike

The Bihar cabinet, at its meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, approved a proposal to hike the monthly allowances of the ministers by around ₹35,000.

The Bihar cabinet, at its meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, approved a proposal to hike the monthly allowances of the ministers by around ₹35,000. The ministers will now be getting around ₹2.65 lakh per month in salary and allowances.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at the Assembly on Tuesday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

Last year, the cabinet has increased the pay and perks of the members of the state’s legislative assembly and council.

“The emoluments of the ministers have been increased in the same proportion as that of the MLAs and MLCs,” said a minister who attended the meeting.

The cabinet also gave its nod to the education department’s proposal to launch a scholarship scheme for students of backward and extremely backward classes. “The state government has to launch the scheme from its own resources, as the previously run scheme with 50% assistance from the Centre has been discontinued. The earlier scheme was meant for the students of class 9 and 10 ,” said the minister, adding that the state government would release additional amount to provide scholarship to other students under the Centrally aided scheme.

In another important decision, the cabinet sanctioned the creation around 7,000 teachers’ posts under the education department. Besides, the government also approved the proposal for development civic and beautification of Simaria Ghat on the bank of river Ganga.