Govt increases old age, widow pension by Rs700
Patna: In a major move, the state govt on Saturday announced a nearly three-fold increase in social security pensions, raising the monthly allowance for widows, senior citizens and persons with disabilities from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The hike will benefit over 1.9 crore beneficiaries, who will begin receiving the revised amount from next month.
Announcing the decision via social media, CM Nitish Kumar emphasised the importance of ensuring a dignified life for the elderly, describing them as a "precious part of society". He added that the enhanced pension amount would be credited directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts by the 10th of every month.
"I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all elderly citizens, disabled people and widowed women will now receive Rs 1,100 per month instead of Rs 400. The revised amount will be disbursed from July and will be credited to accounts by the 10th of each month. This will benefit 1,09,69,255 people," Kumar wrote in his post.
The opposition RJD was quick to respond, accusing the govt of mimicking its policies.
"The govt is adopting our announcements out of fear of our imminent return to power," said leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. "I announced a hike in the social security pension to Rs 1,500 at a press conference on Dec 6 last year. Now the NDA govt has been compelled to follow suit."
The JD(U) defended the move as a continuation of the govt's development agenda. "This hike reflects Nitish Kumar's commitment to 'development with justice'," a party spokesperson said, advising Tejashwi to focus on serving the poor rather than criticising the govt.
Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary hailed the decision as historic and thanked the CM for addressing the needs of vulnerable people.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM should write to Prez against guv: Venugopal
Kottayam: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that the governor is degrading the constitutional position he holds. He demanded that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan should write to the President about it. Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha on Saturday that the post of the governor is the highest constitutional post in a state. "He has decided to forfeit its value. It is not a post that should be used for selfish political interests. The President should intervene in such matters. The CM should write a letter to the President at the earliest, pointing out that the governor is misusing his post," he said. Venugopal also asked why the CM is not ready for it. He said that the finance minister's announcement that welfare pension will be provided from the 20th of this month was only to influence the voters of Nilambur and misuse the election. This is a blatant violation of the election code of conduct. The Election Commission should take this seriously. The UDF will consider filing a complaint, he said. He said that during the Nilambur byelection, he strongly criticised the way welfare pension is being distributed in arrears. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Welfare pension is the right of the common man. They are entitled to receive it without arrears. This is the govt that came to power saying that welfare pension would be increased to Rs 2,500. Now, even as their term is about to end, it is only Rs 1,600," he added. Venugopal said UDF is confident that it will win the Nilambur byelection. "It is because of this certainty that the LDF has not paid the pension. There has never been another election where there was so much unity in the UDF. The Muslim League was more enthusiastic than the Congress. Sadikkali Thangal and P K Kunhalikutty worked as if it were their own election. The IUML cadres worked with more enthusiasm than they would have worked for an IUML candidate. All the leaders and cadres of the Congress worked together in unison," Venugopal said. The AICC general secretary also said Shashi Tharoor is an indivisible factor of the Congress. "Congress is a party that ensures freedom of expression. Congress has its own ideas and goals. Everyone has instructions to go along with it. The party has the right to take action if that 'Lakshman Rekha' is violated anywhere. Congress is not a party that violates anyone's freedom of expression and freedom of movement," Venugopal said in response to a question.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
As civic chief & BJP members spar in Loni, Rs 100cr projects take a hit
Ghaziabad: Development projects worth over Rs 100 crore in Loni have been stalled amid a deepening political rift between Loni Nagar Palika chairperson Ranjeeta Dhama and the ruling dispensation. The delay, attributed to tenders not being opened, has mounted frustration among residents, who claim basic civic works, including fixing potholes on roads and cleaning clogged sewer lines, remain unfinished ahead of the monsoon. Dhama has accused officials within the Loni Nagar Palika of deliberately withholding approvals under political pressure. "There is a section of public representatives who cannot tolerate development work because it does not suit their political agenda," she said. Dhama staged a two-day protest last week, demanding that tenders be opened, and claimed she received an assurance that the process would soon resume. Caught in the crossfire are thousands of residents. "It's been more than four months, and nothing has moved," said Net Ram, a resident of Ward 20. "We were promised road and sewer repairs, but with monsoon just days away, we will have to wade through waterlogged streets this year too." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's Why So Many Americans Are Rushing To Install This Water Filtration System H2O Smart Home Solution Learn More Undo Ajay Choudhary, a resident of DLF Ankur Vihar, echoed the sentiment. "There is clearly a political tug-of-war going on. The chairperson and the MLA are trying to outdo each other, and we are the ones suffering." Loni, a dense and largely rural township bordering north Delhi, has long struggled with crumbling infrastructure, waterlogging, and overflowing drains. Its two main urban pockets — DLF Ankur Vihar and DLF Ved Vihar — face frequent complaints about clogged sewers, poor sanitation, and encroachment. MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar denied interfering in Nagar Palika affairs. "I do not meddle in the Palika's functioning," he said. "If work is stalled, the chairperson must answer why. She herself is facing allegations of financial mismanagement, and some councillors are opposed to her leadership." The administrative head of the civic body, executive officer KK Mishra, confirmed the delay but attributed it to procedural issues. "Some technicalities held up the tender process. We are addressing those and hope to begin work soon," he said. When asked about Dhama's allegations of political interference, he declined to comment. Dhama, once a BJP member, won the chairperson's post on an SP-RLD alliance ticket after defeating BJP-backed Pushpa Pradhan. Since her defection, tensions between her and the MLA have simmered, with the current impasse visibly stalling Loni's development.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Next-gen netas add flavour to old jaat-paat politics in battle for Bihar
Family Drama: The romance saga involving Lalu's older son Tej Pratap Yadav (right) has become a political issue. It has also created a rift with brother Tejashwi The forthcoming 2025 Bihar assembly election promises to be interesting in many ways. First, it is shaping up to be an election dominated by youth—or, at least, by leaders who are being projected as 'youthful' by their parties. Leaders like RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav , Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi's son Santosh Kumar Suman, and the UK-return Pushpam Priya Choudhary are actively holding public rallies and campaigning across Bihar's villages, towns, and bastis. Although most of these leaders are aged between 35 and 55, many young voters in Bihar identify with them. They are seen as relatively fresh, energetic alternatives to older politicians, and not 'phunka hua teer' (a spent, ineffective arrow) or 'chala hua khokha' (an empty, fired shell of a bullet), colloquial jabs that youth often use to describe those past their political prime. Still, this is less a break from the past than a rebranding of it. Except for Kishor, most of these contenders are inheritors of political legacies—sons and daughters stepping into dynastic shoes. There is also speculation that Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, may contest because of concerns over his father's health. This generational churn reflects Bihar's demographic reality: according to Census data, 57% of its population is under 25—the highest proportion of young people in the country. That youth bulge is beginning to reshape the political conversation. Second, adding a dramatic subplot to the political theatre is the ongoing family saga involving Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav. In a twist worthy of a prime-time soap opera, Tej Pratap recently declared his love for Anushka Yadav on social media, claiming a 12-year-long relationship—despite still being married to Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former CM Daroga Prasad Rai. Though he later claimed his Facebook account was hacked and the photos doctored, Lalu responded by expelling his son from the RJD for six years, citing 'irresponsible behaviour' and actions 'not in accordance with our family values and traditions.' This is no longer just a private family 'affair'—it has entered the political sphere and is likely to influence the election discourse. The controversy has triggered heated inter-generational debates across Bihar, especially between youth and parents in rural and urban areas. Some critics seized the opportunity to question the moral character and family values of RJD, framing the situation as an injustice against Tej Pratap's estranged wife Aishwarya Rai. While many RJD leaders have been on the defensive, some have pointed to similar precedents—such as Ram Vilas Paswan's second marriage — to argue for personal freedom. Among young voters, opinion is split. Some, especially those under-25 voters, seem to sympathise with Tej Pratap and feel Lalu was unnecessarily harsh on his son. Others, particularly in rural Bihar, are uncomfortable with the spectacle and the social media melodrama, especially given the unresolved allegations of domestic abuse from his marriage to Aishwarya. Beyond the controversy, this younger (or young-adjacent) generation of politicians does appear to have injected new energy into the campaign. Their social media battles are flashier, complete with rap tracks and viral videos. More significantly, they are foregrounding issues such as employment, education, youth welfare, public health, and development. Tejashwi Yadav—who focused on unemployment and migration in the 2020 campaign—has promised a 100% domicile policy and job opportunities for locals if voted to power. Prashant Kishor, too, has laid out a vision aimed at reversing Bihar's migration crisis and boosting employment. This shift signals a possible transformation in Bihar's political culture—one that may be inching away from traditional identity politics toward more development-centric narratives. Still, it would be naïve to assume that jaat-paat no longer matters; parties know full well how caste arithmetic can make or break electoral fortunes. No surprise then that, besides nationalism, the NDA is expected to counter the Mahagathbandan's narrative by focusing on its own initiative to include caste data in the upcoming national Census. In a state as politically fragmented as Bihar, it's tough to tell which of these leaders or coalitions will get the upper hand. But what's clear is that the voices and aspirations of young Biharis will dominate the discourse—by sheer demographic force, if nothing else. And in the background, the saga of Tej Pratap Yadav will likely continue to echo through the campaign— reminiscent of the age-old tota-maina stories with love, loyalty and betrayal. Narayan is director, G B Pant Social Science Institute
