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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nitish disburses Rs1,100 monthly pension to over 1 crore beneficiaries
1 2 Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Friday disbursed the first instalment of the enhanced social security pension – Rs 1,100 per month – directly to the bank accounts of over 1.11 crore beneficiaries across the state, including senior citizens, widows and people with disabilities. A total of more than Rs 1,227 crore was transferred under six different pension schemes during a function held at the chief minister's official residence here. The increase in pension – from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per beneficiary – had been approved by the state cabinet on June 24. Bandana Preyashi, secretary of the social welfare department, said 54.5% of the beneficiaries of the Social Security Pension Scheme are women. "This reflects inclusive development and social justice," she added. Addressing the gathering, Nitish said, "Ever since we (NDA) came to power in Bihar on Nov 24, 2005, we have continuously worked for the development of the state. From the beginning, we have implemented several schemes for the upliftment of all sections." He added that the social security pension schemes were designed for the benefit of the elderly, differently abled and widowed women, under which all sections had been receiving Rs 400 per month. However, the decision to increase this amount came during an interaction with women representatives. "During the 'Mahila Samvad' programme on June 21, 2025, while conversing with women representatives, we considered increasing the pension amount," he said. "The state govt has now decided that under the social security pension schemes, elderly people, differently abled people and widowed women will receive Rs 1,100 per month instead of Rs 400. The increased pension has been directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank accounts today. I am very pleased." The CM also asked the officials concerned to ensure that pension payments are credited by the 10th of every month going forward. Taking a swipe at RJD, Nitish said those in power before 2005 had squandered the opportunity to bring about meaningful change. "Before 2005, those who had the opportunity to work did nothing for the development of Bihar or the upliftment of women. They only engaged in baseless rhetoric," he said. Nitish highlighted his govt's focus on women's empowerment, highlighting policies enacted over the years. "From the beginning, we have worked for the upliftment of women. Our govt has provided 50% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. Women are being given 35% reservation in all state govt jobs. Women are becoming self-reliant," he said. Nitish asserted that development under his leadership had been inclusive and equitable. "We have worked equally for the development of all sections of society and all regions of the state. No one has been neglected," he said.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Bihar Election 2025: Rahul Gandhi's image on sanitary pads sparks political row– ‘an insult of women'
Bihar Election 2025: The Congress party's attempt to woo women voters by distributing sanitary pads has triggered a political controversy over a picture of Rahul Gandhi on the boxes being distributed to over 5 lakh women in the poll-bound state. The initiative, called Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana, aims to raise menstrual hygiene awareness and is part of the Congress's broader women-centric outreach. The sanitary pad boxes feature a photo of Rahul Gandhi, with the Congress's poll promise of a ₹ 2,500 dole per month to women from deprived families. "An insult of women of Bihar with Rahul Gandhi's picture on a sanitary pad! Congress is an Anti-Women party! Women of Bihar will teach the Congress and RJD a lesson," BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said in a post on X. The RJD is the Congress party's alliance partner in the INDIA bloc in Bihar. An insult of women of Bihar with Rahul Gandhi's picture on sanitary pad! Congress is an Anti-Women party! Political parties have been focusing on women-centric issues ahead of Bihar Elections 2025 scheduled later this year. While the opposition Mahagathbandhan has promised a monthly cash transfer of ₹ 2,500 into women's bank accounts under its 'Mai Behan Maan Yojana' if it was elected to power, the Nitish Kumar-led government has launched a 'Mahila Samvad' program - a village-to-village outreach program to connect with 2 crore women. Key Takeaways Political campaigns are increasingly targeting women voters with specific initiatives. The backlash against Congress highlights the sensitivity surrounding women's issues in political discourse. Initiatives promoting menstrual hygiene can be both empowering and controversial in the political arena.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of polls, Nitish hikes social security pension in Bihar to ₹1,100; Jeevika workers honorarium doubled
In a move to further strengthen the NDA's women vote bank ahead of assembly polls due in October-November, the NDA government in Bihar led by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced an increase in the monthly pension for elderly, disabled persons, and widowed women from ₹ 400 to ₹ 1,100. The decision, which will take effect from July, would impact 1,09,69,255 beneficiaries under the state's Social Security Pension Scheme. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and others poses for pictures after the 'Mahila Samvad' program in Patna on Saturday. (PTI) In another major decision, Kumar also announced to double the honorarium of all the workers associated with Jeevika. The state government announced to bear the additional amount of honorarium increase of these employees. There are nearly 1.40 lakh workers working for various types of administrative, training and other works related to self-help groups and are doing good work towards making women empowered and self-reliant. The CM also announced to lower the interest rate on loans taken by self-help groups under the Jeevika project. 'Self-help groups will now have to pay only 7 percent interest on bank loans of more than ₹ 3 lakh. Earlier, self-help groups had to pay 10 percent interest on bank loans of more than ₹ 3 lakh. Now after the reduction in interest rate, the additional amount to be given to the banks as interest will be given by the government. This will increase the income of Jeevika sisters and their standard of living will improve further,' said Kumar through at post on X. 'I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹ 1100 instead of ₹ 400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot,' Kumar announced on X. The announcements were made after a review meeting on Saturday of 'Mahila Samvad Programme' after holding similar programmes at different districts, a programme through which NDA government is trying to reach out nearly 37,257,477 women voters which form 47.75% of Bihar's total voting population of 78,022,933 as per revised voter list published in January this year. 'The core of the programme was around 12.7 million Jeevika didis,' said an official. The announcement comes in the backdrop of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav announcing that ₹ 2,500 will be deposited in the accounts of women under Mai-Bahin Samman Yojna, if his party forms the government in the state, and Beti (Benefit Education Training Income) Samman Yojana for girls' education. The Congress has also announced a Mai Behan Man Yojana. The Janata Dal (United) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are seeking to consolidate their position against an opposition front led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in October and November this year, and the NDA, which consists of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will be once again looking forward to returning to power while the INDIA Bloc will be giving a competition to the incumbent Nitish Kumar government. Women form the core voters for Nitish Kumar in particular and the NDA in general. Kumar's three main initiatives, the improved law and order, especially related to women security; the 'Jeevika' poverty alleviation programme started by Nitish; and the 50 per cent quota for women in panchayat and municipal bodies, have helped in a long way in retaining their faith over the years. Earlier on June 12, chief minister Kumar had increased the limit of giving administrative approval of schemes in MNREGA for the head of the Gram Panchayats from the existing ₹ 5 lakh to ₹ 10 lakh. The government also announced increasing the monthly allowance of representatives of all levels of Panchayati Raj institutions by one and a half times. Mukhiyas and Sarpanchs in Bihar would now be getting ₹ 7,500 per month as against ₹ 5,000 earlier, whereas Ward members and Panchs would be getting ₹ 1,200 per month as against ₹ 800 per month earlier. The remuneration was earlier hiked last year (2024) from ₹ 2,500 per month to ₹ 5,000 per month for mukhiyas and sarpanchs. Similarly, the salaries of Ward members and panch were raised from ₹ 500 to ₹ 800. The proposal would now go to cabinet for clearance. There are 8,062 panchayats in Bihar.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi gave in on caste census, questions silence on Trump's ceasefire claim
Rahul also targeted Modi over his silence on former US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. 'Trump has made the statement of brokering peace between India and Pakistan many times. Trump has said publicly 11 times, 11 times, that I made Narendra Modi surrender. Narendra Modi is unable to respond, and unable to say that Trump is lying because it's the truth,' he said. He alleged that the Modi government would never conduct a proper caste census, as it would end their style of politics. 'I doubt the government conducting caste census properly with no officers from the OBC, tribal community finalising the questionnaire,' he added. Rahul also criticised the Nitish Kumar-led state government over what he called a rising crime rate in Bihar. 'Bihar was once considered the land of truth, justice, and non-violence. It showed the path to the entire world; people from across the globe used to come to study at Nalanda University,' he said. 'People from Bihar are now forced to migrate to other states and even abroad because there are no employment opportunities here. Bihar has now become the crime capital of the country,' he said. Earlier, Rahul visited Dashrath Nagar village in Gaya district as part of his outreach campaign in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. He met the family of the late Dashrath Manjhi, famously known as the 'Mountain Man' for carving a road through a hill in Gehlor village to connect it with Wazirganj block. Rahul was received by Manjhi's son Bhagirath Manjhi, who reportedly expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming Assembly elections from Bodh Gaya, although no formal announcement was made. Rahul later went to Gehlor village and garlanded the statue of Dashrath Manjhi. This was his sixth visit to Bihar in six months. He also held a Mahila Samvad in Gaya and interacted with women.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM lays foundation for projects worth over Rs 64 cr
Begusarai: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday inaugurated as well as laid the foundation for 107 development projects worth over Rs 64 crore in the district. The projects which were inaugurated included five projects worth Rs 12.37 crore besides 102 others worth Rs 51.82 crore for which foundation was laid. The CM had arrived here to participate in a ' Mahila Samvad programme ' with women associated with various self-help groups and Jeevika at Pidhauli panchayat under Teghra block of the district. The CM on this occasion distributed symbolic cheques worth over Rs 58.32 crore as bank loans to 23,352 women of various self-help groups under the district. He also inspected the special development camps organised under 'Ambedkar samagra seva abhiyan' located in areas inhabited by people belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes people. Operation Sindoor How India shut down Pakistan's second desperate bid to escalate tensions Pak used civilian planes as shield to launch failed drone attack: India S-400, Spyder, Akash: What is in India's air defence arsenal? He took stock of the status of the distribution of e-shram card, Aadhaar card and land deeds for their this, the CM visited the Yamuna Bhagat stadium in 'Barauni khel gaon' under Teghra block to watch a football match played under Khelo India Youth Games 2025 . He met the players of teams of different states on the occasion. Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, state water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Union minister Giriraj Singh, Matihani MLA Rajiv Kumar Singh besides principal secretary to the CM Dipak Kumar, secretary to the CM Kumar Ravi, Begusarai range DIG Aashish Bharti and Begusarai DM Tushar Singla accompanied him during these programmes.
