Nitish's pre-poll doles: Vikas Mitras to get tablets, phones for Shiksha Sevaks

New Delhi: The 'X' account of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is being keenly watched these days as he has been announcing cash transfers for different sections of people. Bihar is scheduled for assembly elections in November and before that Kumar has been doling out freebies for the first time to woo the Bihar voters.

On Sunday, Nitish Kumar announced that 'Vikas Mitras' people who were working under 'Bihar Mahadalit Development Mission' to facilitate welfare schemes to Mahadalits, will be given ₹25,000 as a one-time payment for the purchase of tablets. Kumar said this would help them store the data of beneficiaries of government schemes. There are around 9,600 Vikas Mitras in the state and the total amount spent would be roughly ₹24 crore.

He announced a one-time payment of ₹10,000 to Shiksha Sevaks, who were working for promoting education among the SCs, STs and backward communities, for purchasing smarphones. There are around 26,000 Shiksha Sevaks in Bihar. "...This will boost the morale of Vikas Mitras and Shiksha Sevaks, and they will perform their duties with greater enthusiasm and dedication," Kumar posted on X.


Bihar government officials told ET that preparations are going on for direct benefit transfer of ₹10,000 as first instalment under 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' in the first stage to 50 lakh women on Monday.

Bihar rural development minister Shrawan Kumar told media persons in Patna that the scheme will start on the first day of Navratri on Monday. Under the scheme, women can take ₹10,000 as government help for the first instalment to start a business. The business will be reviewed after six months and if required further assistance up to ₹2 lakh could be provided. The state government has received applications from 1.11 crore women for the scheme, of which 1.06 crore applications have been received from rural areas. After releasing the first instalment on Monday, the remaining would be provided in different phases. The government is making arrangements to make this a huge celebration at the panchayat and block levels in rural areas.