Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Releases ₹1,247 Crore for Increased Pension Scheme Benefiting 1.12 Crore People
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken a big step to support senior citizens, widows, and disabled people in the state. On Sunday, he released ₹1,247.34 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to over 1.12 crore social security pension beneficiaries. This release follows his announcement on June 25, 2025, to increase the monthly pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The first instalment was sent on July 11, 2025.
The number of pension beneficiaries increased from 1.11 crore last month to 1.12 crore this month. CM Nitish Kumar expressed happiness at this growth. “Nobody should be left out of the benefits,” he said at a public event in Patna. This shows the state government’s strong commitment to reaching out to vulnerable people and ensuring they get financial help on time.
What Is the Pension Scheme About?
This pension scheme provides monthly financial support to the elderly, widows, and disabled people who belong to low-income families. The government wants to improve their quality of life by increasing the pension amount and including more beneficiaries. Earlier, the monthly pension was ₹400, which was low considering the rising costs of living. Now, the pension has been raised to ₹1,100 per month. This increase will help the pensioners meet basic needs such as food, medicine, and other essentials.
Funds Released for Six Social Security Pension Schemes
The ₹1,247.34 crore was released for six important pension schemes. These include:
- Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana for elderly people
- Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension for widows
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension for disabled people
- Laxmi Bai Social Security Pension
- Bihar State Disability Pension
All these schemes provide monthly payments to help vulnerable groups live with dignity and security.
How Will the Pension Help?
For many pensioners, this monthly money is their only source of income. The increased pension amount means they can afford better food, medicines, and daily needs. This financial support also reduces their dependency on family members or others. It gives them more independence and peace of mind.
With 1.12 crore beneficiaries, the scheme covers a large part of Bihar’s population who are in need. This is a strong social welfare program aimed at reducing poverty and supporting the weakest sections of society.
Easier Pension Access at Panchayat Level
To improve pension services, the Bihar government plans to link all six pension schemes with the Right to Public Service (RTPS) at the panchayat level. This means pension holders can get their services and updates at their village offices without traveling to distant block offices.
This change will make the pension process easier, faster, and more transparent. Beneficiaries will get help closer to their homes, saving time and money. It will also reduce the chances of corruption and delays.
New Toll-Free Helpline for Pension Holders
The government has also launched a toll-free number, 18003456262, to support pension holders. Beneficiaries can call this number to get information about their pension, report problems, or lodge complaints. This step shows the government’s commitment to making the pension system user-friendly and accessible.
Increased Budget for Social Welfare
To meet the growing needs of pensioners, Bihar’s social welfare department received an additional ₹10,169 crore in the 2025–26 supplementary budget. This brought the department’s total budget to ₹18,837 crore.
The large supplementary budget of ₹57,946 crore was approved in the monsoon session of the state assembly. It aims to cover increased expenses for various social welfare schemes, including the pension program.
Political Promises on Pensions Ahead of Bihar Elections
With Bihar’s assembly elections coming soon, political parties have promised higher pensions to attract voters. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has pledged to raise pensions to ₹1,500 per month. They also plan to give ₹2,500 under their Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana for women if they come to power.
Jan Suraj Party leader Prashant Kishor has promised a ₹2,000 pension monthly. The Congress party also launched the Mai Bahin Maan Yojana, offering ₹2,500 to women once the Grand Alliance government is formed.
These promises show how important pension schemes have become in Bihar politics. Political parties want to win the support of poor and vulnerable people, who form a large voting group.
Experts’ Views on Pension Increase and Election Promises
Social analyst Nawal Kishor Choudhary said this pension increase is a big social welfare move. “It affects 1.12 crore poor families in Bihar, regardless of caste or religion,” he said. He added that about 55 lakh beneficiaries are old age pensioners, which is why all parties promise better pensions during elections.
D.M. Diwakar, former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, noted that during election time, governments focus on common people who are often ignored. “Governments act when it suits their interests,” he said. “But if common people get benefits, it is a positive outcome.”
What This Means for Bihar’s People
The pension increase will directly help millions of elderly, widows, and disabled people. It will improve their financial stability and reduce poverty. Easier access to pension services and a new helpline will also make the system more efficient and user-friendly.
This is a strong example of how a government can support its vulnerable citizens with well-planned social welfare schemes. The upcoming elections may bring more changes, but for now, this pension scheme is a major step forward for Bihar’s poor and elderly people.
