a day ago
Govt limits women's job quota to state residents
Patna: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to restrict the 35% reservation in govt jobs for women to those who are permanent residents of Bihar. This move means that women from other states will no longer be eligible for this quota, which was introduced as part of the state's efforts to empower Bihar's women.
The decision was taken amid demands for the implementation of a domicile policy in govt jobs in the state.
"With the clearance of this proposal, the women job aspirants from other states will now have to compete for Bihar govt posts under the general category," said additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department, S Siddharth, during a press briefing.
The decision will not affect women from outside Bihar who have already availed themselves of the 35% reservation and are currently serving in state institutions.
Effectively, the cabinet's move brings a partial implementation of a domicile policy within the women's job quota, closing access to non-residents.
In another key decision, the cabinet approved financial assistance for divyang (physically challenged) candidates preparing for the main examinations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), after clearing their preliminary examinations.
Under the scheme, eligible candidates will receive Rs 50,000 for preparing for the BPSC mains and Rs 1 lakh for the UPSC mains. Siddharth said earlier physically challenged people from backward classes, economically weaker sections (EWS) and the general category were not receiving such support under the govt's 'Sambal' scheme.
The cabinet also approved the Bihar Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy, 2025, aimed at ensuring effective implementation and continuous monitoring of projects funded through CSR contributions.
A 24-member State CSR Society will be established under the policy to oversee the execution of such projects.
"The society, constituted under the policy, will monitor all schemes implemented with CSR funds. Suppose someone wants a school built in Bihar using CSR contributions, they can do so, but its implementation will be monitored by this body, as the government wants such funds utilised under official oversight," Siddharth said.
The cabinet also gave its nod to the Bihar Urban Gas Distribution Policy, 2025, aimed at encouraging the use of natural gas in households to reduce carbon emissions. The policy includes provisions to restore road infrastructure damaged during the laying of gas pipelines.
In a financial move, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 105 crore as share capital for Jeevika Cooperative Bank, which supports self-help groups. The funds, drawn from the state's contingency fund, will be used both as grants and for establishment-related expenses during the 2025-26 financial year.
To boost infrastructure, the cabinet approved road construction projects worth Rs 707 crore across 13 districts, as proposed by the road construction department.
The cabinet cleared Rs 100 crore for diesel subsidies to support farmers during the ongoing Kharif season, particularly in light of erratic rainfall. The subsidy will assist farmers in operating diesel pumps to irrigate up to eight acres of farmland, helping offset water shortages caused by a weak monsoon.
