On July 1, 2025, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, approved 24 key proposals designed to empower youth, preserve cultural heritage, and boost religious tourism. These initiatives are a major part of the government’s vision ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
1. Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana (Internship Support)
This scheme aims to bridge the gap between education and employability by providing a monthly stipend to youth while they gain real-world experience.
| Educational Qualification | Monthly Stipend | Additional Support |
| Class 12 Pass | ₹4,000 | +₹2,000/month for interning outside the home district. |
| ITI / Diploma Holders | ₹5,000 | +₹5,000/month for interning outside the state. |
| Graduate / Postgraduate | ₹6,000 | Out-of-state/district aid limited to 3 months. |
- Eligibility: Age 18–28 years; permanent resident of Bihar.
- Payment: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after verification of skill training completion.
- Target: 5,000 youth in FY 2025–26, scaling to 1 lakh youth over five years.
2. Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana
To support the state’s cultural ambassadors, the Cabinet introduced a dedicated pension for senior artists.
- Benefit: ₹3,000 per month.
- Eligibility: Senior artists (age 50+) with at least 10 years of experience in classical, visual, or performing arts.
- Financial Cap: Annual family income must be less than ₹1.2 Lakh.
- Preservation: Alongside this, the Mukhya Mantri Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana was launched with a ₹1.11 crore outlay to fund training for rare and endangered arts.
3. Religious Tourism: Punaura Dham Development
The Cabinet sanctioned ₹882.87 Crore for the comprehensive redevelopment of Maa Janaki Janmasthali Temple at Punaura Dham, Sitamarhi (believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita).
- The Vision: Modelled on the architecture and grandeur of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
- Budget Breakdown:
- ₹137 Crore: Temple restoration and sanctum development.
- ₹728 Crore: Tourism infrastructure (Parikrama Path, Yatri Niwas, 3D Digital Gallery).
- ₹16 Crore: Long-term maintenance and security.
- Implementing Agency: Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).
4. Social Reform: Factory Rule Amendment
In a move toward gender equality in the industrial workforce, the Cabinet amended the Bihar Factory Rules, 1950.
- Key Change: Women (excluding pregnant or lactating mothers) are now permitted to work in units classified as “hazardous industries.”
- Purpose: To increase the female labour force participation rate and provide women with higher-paying technical roles in the manufacturing sector.
5. Other Notable Decisions
- Health: Transfer of 20 acres for a new Medical College and Hospital in Araria.
- Simaria Dham: Transfer of 40 acres in Begusarai for integrated riverfront and temple development.
- Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh: Expansion of medical grants for elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions.