Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has transferred ₹1,247.34 crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 1.12 crore people under various social security pension schemes. The move comes weeks after his June 25 announcement that monthly pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities would rise from ₹400 to ₹1,100.
The first payment under the increased rate was issued on July 11. Beneficiary numbers have climbed from 1.11 crore in June to 1.12 crore this month. Speaking at an event in Patna, Nitish Kumar expressed satisfaction at the growth in coverage, saying, “Nobody should be left out of the benefits.”
Toll- free number, 18003456262, has also been launched for queries and complaints. The disbursement covered six schemes — Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana, Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension, Laxmi Bai Social Security Pension, and Bihar State Disability Pension.
Social welfare department secretary Bandana Preyashi announced that all these schemes will soon be linked to the Right to Public Service (RTPS) platform at the panchayat level, making it easier for beneficiaries to access services without visiting block offices.
Deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, social welfare minister Madan Sahni, and several senior officials attended the programme.
To support the expanded coverage, the social welfare department has been allocated an extra ₹10,169 crore in the first supplementary budget for 2025–26, taking its total funding to ₹18,837 crore. The state assembly recently passed a record ₹57,946 crore supplementary budget, following the main budget of ₹3,16,989.5 crore approved in March.
With elections approaching, rival parties have unveiled their own pension promises. The RJD has offered ₹1,500 per month along with ₹2,500 under its proposed Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has promised ₹2,000 a month, while the Congress has pledged ₹2,500 for women under its version of the Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana.
Political analysts see the pension increase as a potentially decisive move. Nawal Kishor Choudhary described it as a major welfare measure likely to sway voters, pointing out that around 55 lakh of the beneficiaries are elderly citizens. However, he noted the difference between making promises and delivering on them.
Former AN Sinha Institute director D.M. Diwakar called the development part of “competitive populism,” where political parties focus on the masses during elections. He added, “No government gives anything unless it suits its interests… but if it benefits the common people, it is worth welcoming.”
Conclusion
Nitish Kumar’s ₹1,247 crore pension release directly benefits over 1.12 crore people in Bihar, marking one of the state’s largest welfare payouts in recent years. While it offers much-needed support to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, the timing, so close to the elections–raises questions about its political motives. In a state where poverty and unemployment remain high, this scheme could sway voters. But it also sparks a deeper debate: Do the people of Bihar truly need more pensions, or is the real need for sustainable employment?
