Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar delivered on a key pre-election promise Tuesday by approving significant salary increases for Anganwadi workers and assistants, benefiting nearly 2.5 lakh staff members across the state. The decision emerged from a comprehensive Cabinet meeting that cleared 26 proposals from various departments.
Revised Pay Structure in Bihar
Under the new compensation framework, Anganwadi workers will receive ₹9,000 monthly, up from ₹7,000, while assistants’ pay increases from ₹4,000 to ₹4,500. The enhanced honorarium takes effect October 1, 2025, requiring an additional annual allocation of ₹345.19 crore to the Social Welfare Department.
The pay revision addresses long-standing demands from Anganwadi personnel who play critical roles in child nutrition, maternal health, and early childhood education under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
Broader Welfare Initiatives
The honorarium increase forms part of CM’s extensive pre-election welfare drive targeting diverse social segments. Recent announcements include women-centric schemes such as dedicated pink buses for female passengers, demonstrating the administration’s focus on gender-specific policy interventions.
Multi-Departmental Approvals
Beyond Anganwadi worker benefits, Tuesday’s Cabinet session approved diverse infrastructure and security measures. The Urban Development and Housing Department secured allocation of one acre of surplus State Housing Board land each in Begusarai and Katihar districts, transferred at token ₹1 rent for constructing houses for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Police Modernization Drive in Bihar
Under Home Department proposals, the Cabinet approved establishing the Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission, 2018, superseding 2010 regulations. Additionally, authorities sanctioned CCTV camera installation across all police stations, district headquarters, and jails statewide to enhance surveillance, transparency, and law enforcement efficiency.
Political analysts interpret these successive Cabinet approvals as strategic moves to appeal to women, economically disadvantaged populations, and grassroots communities ahead of Assembly elections. The government has systematically rolled out welfare measures ranging from Anganwadi worker pay hikes to women-focused transportation services.
The Cabinet also cleared proposals spanning health, education, social welfare, planning and development, food distribution, consumer affairs, and Panchayati Raj departments, indicating comprehensive governance attention across multiple sectors during this crucial pre-election period.
