The Bihar government has announced a significant and welcome decision for the general public. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared a substantial increase in the pension amount provided under the Social Security Pension Scheme.
Patna: Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has presented a significant gift to the people by tripling the monthly pension amount under the Social Security Pension Scheme. Under this new arrangement, widows, senior citizens, and disabled individuals will now receive a pension of ₹1100 per month instead of ₹400.
Nitish Kumar's announcement is being viewed not only as economic relief but also as a calculated electoral strategy. This will directly benefit over 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand beneficiaries in Bihar.
Chief Minister's Social Media Message
On Friday, CM Nitish Kumar shared information about the changes to the scheme on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, writing: "I am pleased to announce that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, widows, senior citizens, and disabled individuals will now receive a pension of ₹1100 per month instead of ₹400. All beneficiaries will receive the increased pension from July. This amount will be transferred to the beneficiaries' accounts by the 10th of the month."
Government's Priority for Senior Citizens
In his message, CM Nitish also stated that senior citizens are an invaluable part of society, and ensuring their dignified livelihood is among the government's top priorities. He reiterated his government's commitment to social welfare and pledged to take further such steps. Currently, under Bihar's Social Security Pension Scheme, categories such as old-age pension, widow pension, and disability pension received a monthly amount of ₹400. This amount had remained unchanged for years and had been criticized for its inadequacy in the face of rising inflation.
The increase to ₹1100 will not only provide significant financial support to beneficiaries but also reflects the government's commitment to development and public welfare. With Bihar's assembly elections scheduled for the end of 2025, the opposition has consistently targeted the government on issues of inflation, unemployment, and the neglect of the poor. Nitish Kumar's announcement is therefore considered highly impactful from a political perspective.
