Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hikes pension to ₹1,100 for elderly, disabled, widows ahead of polls

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced a major hike in the Social Security Pension Scheme, increasing the monthly amount from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The revised pension will be given to elderly persons, disabled individuals, and widowed women across the state. The announcement comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

The chief minister made the announcement during a public meeting in Siwan on June 20. In a post on X, he said, “All the elderly, disabled, and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹1,100 instead of ₹400 every month.” He added that the new amount will be disbursed starting July, and efforts will be made to ensure it reaches beneficiaries by the 10th of every month.

According to the Bihar government, over 1.09 crore people will benefit from the revised pension scheme. Nitish Kumar said the state government is committed to ensuring a dignified life for the elderly. “It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month,” he stated during the Siwan meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Siwan a day earlier, on June 19, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various development projects. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the projects launched in Siwan are worth over ₹5,200 crore. Modi said that the groundwork for Bihar’s progress has been laid, and the BJP-NDA alliance aims to develop Bihar as a key contributor to India’s growth.

Following the Prime Minister’s visit, a political controversy erupted when RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the rally. He accused the NDA of using government machinery and public funds to mobilize crowds. “We do not want a prime minister who is a pickpocket (‘pocketmaar’),” Yadav said at a press conference. “The NDA parties misuse government machinery and public funds to stage a crowd... This is simple pickpocketing.”

In response, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, “Such statements of Tejashwi Yadav show his level. Just like Amitabh Bachchan had 'Mera Baap Chor Hai' written on his hand in a Hindi movie, something similar is happening with Tejashwi.” He also referred to Tejashwi’s father and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad’s conviction in the fodder scam. Several NDA leaders condemned Yadav’s remarks, calling them inappropriate.