Bihar Government Unveils Major Initiatives for Social Welfare and Education
In a significant move aimed at enhancing social welfare and educational opportunities, the Bihar government has announced a series of new measures. Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahani informed the state assembly on Wednesday about these initiatives, which are set to benefit various vulnerable groups across the state.
New Schools for Children with Disabilities
The government has decided to establish one 10+2 standard school for children with disabilities in each of the nine administrative divisions of Bihar. These schools are scheduled to commence operations from the 2026-27 financial year. Each institution will have a capacity to accommodate 500 students, providing specialized education and support tailored to their needs.
Enhanced Social Security for Health Conditions
Minister Sahani provided updated figures on individuals receiving social security benefits in the state. Currently, there are 72,204 people living with AIDS in Bihar, each of whom receives Rs 1,500 per month under the social security scheme. Similarly, 14,461 leprosy patients are also covered by this scheme, with each patient receiving the same monthly amount of Rs 1,500.
Additional Benefits and Financial Assistance
The minister announced several other welfare measures. Children attending Aanganwadi Kendras will receive uniforms starting from April this year. For disabled students preparing for competitive examinations, the government will provide monetary assistance: Rs 50,000 after clearing preliminary tests for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) final examinations, and Rs 1 lakh for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) final examinations.
Furthermore, interested individuals will be covered under the CM Udyami Yojana. This scheme offers a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh and a loan of Rs 5 lakh, repayable in 84 installments, to support them in starting their own economic activities.
Budget Allocations and Political Context
These announcements were made during the government's reply to the House debate on the allotment for the social welfare department from the third supplementary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The total allotment for this supplementary budget is Rs 12,165.43 crore. This includes Rs 9,586.39 crore under the scheme (plan) head and Rs 2,579.04 crore earmarked for committed expenditures such as salaries, pensions, and family pensions.
The budget was passed by voice vote, along with the allotment for the social welfare department. However, opposition members walked out of the House in protest against remarks made by Minister Sahani criticizing the previous RJD governments for not doing enough in social welfare. Sahani credited the current government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with substantially increasing social security pensions.
Capital Expenditure for Infrastructure
Later, Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav moved the appropriation bill pertaining to the third supplementary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. He stated that Rs 3,483 crore would be utilized as capital expenditure to create infrastructure assets, highlighting the government's focus on long-term development alongside immediate social welfare measures.
