Patna, Bihar — The NDA government in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has announced a series of populist welfare schemes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition. Critics from the INDIA bloc and the RJD have accused the chief minister of “copying” their poll promises after having been in power for 20 years.
Among the key announcements made by the government are:
- Free Electricity: In a move that mirrors the opposition’s promise of 200 units of free electricity, the Nitish Kumar government has announced that consumers will not be charged for the first 125 units of monthly electricity consumption. This scheme is expected to benefit over 1.67 crore families in the state.
- Unemployment Allowance: The government has expanded its Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana to provide an unemployment allowance of ₹1,000 per month for two years to both unemployed graduates and those who have completed Class 12. This is an extension of a scheme that previously only covered intermediate-pass youth.
- Financial Support for ‘Shiksha Sevaks’: More than 30,000 ‘Shiksha Sevaks’ and ‘Talimi Markaz’ workers, who help connect marginalized children with formal education, will receive a one-time allowance of ₹10,000 each to purchase smartphones.
- Benefits for Social Workers: The government has also increased the honorariums of Jeevika, Anganwadi, and ASHA workers and announced a ₹5,000 clothing allowance for 16 lakh construction workers.
- Pension and Women’s Empowerment: In a decision made in June, the government increased monthly pensions for senior citizens, widows, and people with disabilities by ₹700, with the increased amount of ₹1,100 being transferred directly into the bank accounts of over 1.11 crore beneficiaries. Additionally, under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, women entrepreneurs will receive an initial installment of ₹10,000, with the potential for an additional ₹2 lakh based on their business initiatives.
Reactions from Political Parties
The announcements have ignited a political debate ahead of the polls. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary was quick to criticize the moves, stating, “They (NDA leaders) are simply copying our welfare agendas. The youth of Bihar want to get rid of this copycat and useless government.” He added that the RJD and its leader, Tejashwi Yadav, have a “vision for Bihar” that the current government is trying to imitate.
In defense of the government’s decisions, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad highlighted Nitish Kumar’s long-standing commitment to the state’s development. “Nitish Kumar jee is a visionary leader and he has been tirelessly working for the overall development of the people of the state,” Prasad said. He also claimed that the recent decisions, including the promise of “one crore jobs and employment opportunities” in the next five years, would make Bihar “the growth engine of the East.”