Bihar increases dearness allowance for employees and pensioners
The state cabinet approved 31 proposals including a DA hike and funds for rural housing and startup schemes.
The Bihar government on Tuesday increased the dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners ahead of the Chhath festival, according to The New Indian Express. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
For employees under the Seventh Pay Commission, the DA has been raised to 63 per cent from 60 per cent. This hike is effective from July 1, 2026, and will include arrears for the intervening months.
The cabinet also approved DA increases for those under the Fifth Pay Commission, from 483 per cent to 497 per cent, and the Sixth Pay Commission, from 262 per cent to 269 per cent. Eligible family pensioners will also receive the revised rates.
Other approvals included Rs 1,399.6028 crore from the Bihar Contingency Fund for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), comprising a Rs 450.1554 crore central share and a Rs 949.4474 crore state contribution. The government will also launch the 'Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge' with an administrative approval of Rs 88.20 crore to benefit up to 2,100 female students.
Additionally, the cabinet approved Rs 1,174.81 crore for the PM-SETU scheme to establish training centres at government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Rohtas, Munger, Patna, Purnia and Madhubani. A revised cost of Rs 4,572.53 crore was also granted for the Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur bridge project.