Bihar govt raises DA by 5%, forms civil aviation and youth-focused departments

The Bihar government has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners by 5 per cent and approved the creation of three new departments, including the Civil Aviation Department, the Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department, and the Higher Education Department.

The decisions were taken during the second cabinet meeting of the newly-formed Bihar government held in Patna on Tuesday. A total of 19 agendas were approved in the meeting.

Advertisement

The DA has been increased from 252 to 257 per cent for government employees, pensioners, family pensioners of the state receiving salary or pension under the 6th Central Pay Commission. This will be effective from 1 July 2025.

State government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners receiving salary or pension under the 5th Central Pay Commission will receive 474 per cent DA instead of 466 per cent. This will also be effective from 1 July 2025.

A new Civil Aviation Department will be formed to further expand the potential of civil aviation in the state and to make air travel more convenient. At present, issues related to civil aviation are dealt with by the Civil Aviation Directorate, under the Cabinet Secretariat Department.

The cabinet also approved the formation of the “Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department” to ensure holistic development of the youth, to provide more and more jobs and employment opportunities, and to develop them into a skilled workforce.

The government accepted the creation of the “Higher Education Department” to improve the quality of higher education in the state. Currently, the functions related to higher education are consolidated under the Education Department.

Approval has also been granted for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bihar government and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSEIL), Mumbai, to implement the Student Skilling Programme aimed at the empowerment and skill development of the youth of Bihar.

Under the Student Skilling Programme, the NSEIL, Mumbai, will conduct investor awareness and training programmes through online webinars and offline seminars to increase awareness among students, beneficiaries, and business communities.

The compassionate appointment of Md. Imdad Raza, dependent son of BSF Sub-Inspector Late Md. Imtiyaz, martyred during Operation Sindoor, also received approval from the cabinet.