Patna, Nov 10 — The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Tuesday approved 31 proposals, including an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners ahead of the Chhath festival.
As a pre-Chhath gift, the Bihar government has raised DA for employees and pensioners covered under different pay commission scales.
Those receiving salaries or pensions under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) will now get DA at 63 per cent, up from 60 per cent.
For beneficiaries under the 5th CPC, the rate has been increased from 483 per cent to 497 per cent, while those covered by the 6th CPC will receive 269 per cent instead of 262 per cent.
In another major decision, the state Cabinet approved the launch of the 'Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge' scheme, which aims to benefit 2,100 students between the financial years 2026-27 and 2029-30.
An allocation of Rs 88.20 crore has been approved for the initiative.
The Bihar Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 1,399.60 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for the 2026-27 financial year.
The amount will be used to provide financial assistance to selected rural families for constructing permanent houses.
Another proposal approved Rs 8.25 crore for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to operate 159 kiosks under the 'Prison Calling Solution' across 59 jails in Bihar.
The facility will be implemented on an operational expenditure (OPEX) model for five years.
The Bihar Cabinet also gave its nod to the Bihar Building Code 2026, aimed at promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living, while reducing regulatory compliance requirements.
The new code is expected to simplify the building permission process and make it more transparent and citizen-friendly.
In another decision, the Bihar government approved Rs 44.52 crore for acquiring 9 acres and 73 decimals of land for the construction of a bus stand in Hajipur.
The decisions cover a range of areas, including employee welfare, entrepreneurship, rural housing, prison infrastructure, urban development and public transport.