Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced a significant increase in monthly pensions under the Social Security Pension Scheme, marking a major pre-election move. He stated that all elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and widowed women will now receive ₹1,100 per month, up from the current ₹400. Sharing the update on X, he wrote, “All elderly, disabled, and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹1,100 instead of ₹400 every month.”
Nitish Kumar announced that the revised pension amount will be credited starting from July, with a commitment to ensure disbursal by the 10th of each month. The decision is expected to benefit over 1.09 crore people across Bihar.
Describing the elderly as “a precious part of society,” the Chief Minister said, “It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all beneficiaries on the 10th of each month.”
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, he added, “The elderly are a precious part of society, and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority. The state government will continue its efforts in this direction.”
The announcement comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year, with the ruling Janata Dal (United) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aiming to bolster their position against the opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his fifth visit to Bihar in 2025, visited Siwan on Thursday as part of the NDA’s outreach to voters. During the visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in the district, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Highlighting the state’s development under Nitish Kumar, PM Modi said, “The launching pad required for Bihar’s rapid progress has already been prepared through the efforts of Nitish Kumar.” He emphasized that the BJP, along with its allies, is committed to reviving Bihar’s ancient glory and transforming the state into a vital driver of a developed India.
Tejashwi Yadav Calls PM Modi a ‘Pickpocket’, Sparks Political Storm in Bihar
A major political row erupted in Bihar on Friday after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him a “pickpocket” and accusing the NDA of misusing government resources to gather crowds for political rallies.
Yadav’s comments came in response to Modi’s recent visit to Siwan, where the PM inaugurated development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore. “We do not want a prime minister who is a pickpocket (‘pocketmaar’),” Yadav said at a press conference, as quoted by PTI.
He further alleged, “The NDA parties misuse government machinery and public funds to stage crowds… This is simple pickpocketing. We neither want a pickpocket PM nor a chief minister who is not in his senses.”
The statement drew sharp criticism from the ruling NDA, with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary comparing Yadav’s remarks to a dramatic film dialogue. “Such statements show Tejashwi Yadav’s mindset. Just like Amitabh Bachchan had ‘Mera Baap Chor Hai’ written on his hand in a Hindi movie, something similar is happening with Tejashwi,” he said, taking a jibe at the RJD leader.
“He is also the son of a convicted individual,” he remarked, referring to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s father and former chief minister Lalu Prasad’s conviction in the fodder scam cases.
Several NDA leaders condemned Yadav’s language, accusing him of lowering political discourse.
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