Aiming for the state polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar makes a major move to woo voters. The state cabinet has approved ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana’ on Tuesday. Under the scheme, marriage halls will be constructed in all the panchayats for the economically weaker sections. The government has approved Rs 40 billion 26 crore 50 lakh for the scheme. According to this, marriage halls will be constructed in about 8000 panchayats.

Additionally, in the ‘Didi Ki Rasoi’ initiative supported by Jeevika, meals will now be available at ₹20 per plate instead of ₹40. The state government will provide a ₹20 per plate subsidy to Jeevika. Furthermore, the loan limit for Jeevika’s business activities will be increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh, with the government bearing the interest on the additional amount.

Pension Hiked

The cabinet has approved an increase in the amount under the social security pension scheme. Previously, widows, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities received ₹400 per month. This has now been raised to ₹1,100. The revised pension will be disbursed starting July and credited to beneficiaries’ accounts within the first 10 days of each month. A total of 1,09,69,255 beneficiaries will benefit from this move. The hike will place an additional financial burden of ₹9,202 crore on the state government.

CM Shared On X

“I am delighted to inform that our government will construct marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate the marriage ceremonies of daughters from poor families in the rural areas of the state. Today, the cabinet has approved the ‘Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Mandap Scheme.’ An approval of 40 billion 26 crore 50 lakh rupees has been granted for the construction of marriage halls in panchayats. These marriage halls will be operated by Jivika Didis. The construction of marriage halls at the panchayat level will greatly benefit economically weaker families.”

Other Benefits

In addition, approval has been granted to increase the scheme amount for Gram Panchayats from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, raise the honorarium of personnel at all levels of the Panchayati Raj system by 1.5 times, and provide an ex-gratia grant of ₹5 lakh even in the event of the natural death of Panchayat representatives. The State Council of Ministers has also approved a plan to construct 4,079 roads across 38 districts. These roads will span a total length of 6,484 kilometres, with an estimated expenditure of ₹5,627 crore.