State Announces Funding for Makhana, Horticulture, and Flood Management Schemes
Bihar’s government unveiled a comprehensive financial package during a cabinet gathering led by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. The central‑sector Makhana Development Scheme for the 2026‑27 fiscal year was granted ₹89.79 crore, and the National Mission on Edible Oil secured a ₹2.10 crore contribution. The Integrated Horticulture Development Mission obtained a budget of ₹68.66 crore to strengthen horticultural activities across the state.
A one‑time settlement programme to clear outstanding dues of brick‑kiln operators was also approved, easing long‑standing financial bottlenecks. The Employment Guarantee Mission now offers up to 125 days of skilled wage work for applicants meeting eligibility criteria. Additionally, the Bihar Water‑Source Restoration and Sludge Management Policy for 2026 received cabinet endorsement, aiming to rejuvenate water bodies and improve sludge handling.
The meeting also cleared six para‑vest school positions in Patna, contractual hiring for 386 posts at the state medical college, and similar contractual recruitment for the dental college until regular appointments are made. The proposal to remove Dr. Ravishankar Prasad from service due to repeated absenteeism was accepted.
Infrastructure initiatives included a ₹2,520 crore allocation for the Vishnupad Corridor in Gaya, modeled after the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, and the development of helipads in aspirational districts. The cabinet adopted the Bihar State Marketing Cadre recruitment rules for 2026, revised the district mineral federation regulations for the same year, and approved two additional State Information Commissioners.
Petroleum retail outlets in Muzaffarpur, Purnia and Bhagalpur will be operated by selected oil firms following the cabinet’s decision. In flood and irrigation management, the cabinet authorized a ₹996 crore investment in the Son‑Falguni river‑linking project and directed a ₹1,000 crore release from the Bihar Contingency Fund to the Water Resources Department for flood‑control and irrigation works.