The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Tuesday approved 31 proposals, headlined by an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners ahead of the Chhath festival.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

Employees and pensioners under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay structure will now get DA at 63 per cent, up from 60 per cent. For those under the 5th CPC, the rate rises from 483 per cent to 497 per cent, while beneficiaries under the 6th CPC will receive 269 per cent instead of 262 per cent. PTI reported that the increase takes effect from July 1, 2026, bringing Bihar's rate in line with the revised central rate.

Source: PTI via News89

Rs 1,399.60 crore for rural housing

The Cabinet sanctioned Rs 1,399.60 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for the financial year 2026-27. The amount will be used to provide financial assistance to selected rural families for constructing permanent houses.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the launch of the 'Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge' scheme, which aims to benefit 2,100 students between the financial years 2026-27 and 2029-30. An allocation of Rs 88.20 crore has been approved for the initiative.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

New building code, prison calling and a Hajipur bus stand

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the Bihar Building Code 2026, aimed at promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living while reducing regulatory compliance. The new code is expected to simplify the building permission process and make it more transparent and citizen-friendly.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

Another proposal approved Rs 8.25 crore for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to operate 159 kiosks under the 'Prison Calling Solution' across 59 jails in Bihar, to be implemented on an operational expenditure (OPEX) model for five years. The government also approved Rs 44.52 crore for acquiring 9 acres and 73 decimals of land for the construction of a bus stand in Hajipur.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

According to IANS, the day's decisions cover employee welfare, entrepreneurship, rural housing, prison infrastructure, urban development and public transport.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press