Nitish Kumar cabinet clears ₹15,995 crore subsidy to power consumers

In order to give relief to power consumers, the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sanctioned ₹15,995 crore as subsidy to consumers during 2025-26.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In order to give relief to power consumers, the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sanctioned ₹15,995 crore as subsidy to consumers during 2025-26.

Cabinet Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S Siddharth said that the sum has been sanctioned under “Mukhya Mantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayta Yojana” to give per unit subsidy to power consumers.

The amount would be given directly to National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) through the Reserve Bank of India, he added.

The subsidy amount is reflected in every month’s energy bill, he said, adding that the subsidy has been sanctioned for a period of April 2025 to March 2026.

The state government gives subsidies every year to power consumers to offset the higher tariff rate. 

Expansion of air connectivity network

With a view to expanding the air connectivity network in the state, the Bihar cabinet on Friday gave its nod to carry out ‘Pre-Feasibility Study’ to start commercial flight operations from six towns of the state. The Bihar cabinet today approved altogether 34 decisions.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) will carry out ‘Pre-Feasibility Study’ in six towns of Madhubani, Birpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Bhagalpur and Saharsa, Cabinet Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S Siddharth told reporters in a post cabinet briefing.

It also sanctioned a sum of ₹2.43 crore for carrying out the study, Mr. Siddharth said adding that the ‘Pre-Feasibility Study’ would incorporate the factors like what would be the expected number of passengers on a particular route (place), the length of airstrip required, the type of aircraft among many factors may be used for operating commercial flights. 

The move would pave the way for construction of airports in these six towns which would not only ensure easy and smooth travel for people of the state especially locals but would also boost economic development of the region. 

In another important decision, the cabinet also sanctioned ₹119 crore for organising a mega sporting event of ‘Khelo India Youth Games’ 2025 being held in Bihar for the first time.

The 7th edition of games will be held between May 4 and 15 at five places Patna, Rajgir (Nalanda), Gaya, Bhagalpur and Begusarai. Around 10,000 athletes including trainers, support and technical staff and other staff would participate in 27 different sporting disciplines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the sporting event on May 4.

A grand temple would be built at Punauradham, the birthplace of goddess Sita, in Sitamarhi district on the lines of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya for which a design consultant M/s Design Associates INC has been selected for the purpose on nomination basis.

The cabinet approved the tourism department’s proposal for selection of the design consultant. This is the same consultant which has designed the Ram temple.

The move would help promote tourism in the state. Mr. Kumar had announced it during Pragati Yatra for the integrated development of the religious place.

A total of 17 acres of land was available at Punaurdham temple premises besides the process is currently underway to acquire 50 acres of additional land to develop the place on a grand scale.

Grant to create teaching, non-teaching post

The Bihar cabinet also gave its nod to the education department’s proposal to create 526 posts that included 422 teaching and 104 non teaching staff for the proposed degree colleges.

It also sanctioned the creation of 663 non technical posts of different categories for 71 offices of integrated urban engineering organisations constituted under the Urban Development and Housing department.

The Bihar cabinet also approved the creation of 244 posts of different categories for smooth functioning of Bihar Sports University, Rajgir. 

“The cabinet has also approved Bihar Vishesh Sarvekshan Evam Bandobast (Sanshodhan) Niyamawali 2025 (Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Amendment Rules 2025) which will allow farmers to exchange their land. It would be applicable to those farmers who had exchanged their land on oral basis,”Mr. Siddharth said. 

Till now, there was no such provision wherein one farmer can exchange his land from another farmer.