Ahead of Bihar polls, more MNREGA sanction power to mukhiyas, PRI allowances increased

In a significant decision ahead of Bihar Assembly polls, due later this year, Bihar has increased sanction amount MNREGA by a mukhiya from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. A mukhiya will have to seek any administrative approval for sanctioning amount up to `10 lakh in a financial year. Allowances for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) would be also increased.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced this at a meeting of mukhiyas and PRIs. The matter is subject to cabinet approval later. Bihar has three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions — village panchayat (8053), panchayat samits (533) and zila parishad (38).

The CM also said allowances of zila parishad president and vice presidents, mukhiyas, sarpanchs and ward members would be increased. Monthly allowance of zila parishad president was increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. A zila parishad vice president’s allowance goes up from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15000. A mukhiya’s allowance was increased to Rs 7,500 from Rs 5,000.

Panchayati Raj department secretary Manoj Kumar told reporters that a panchayat representative’s family would get ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh in case of accident death or normal death in service years.

Santosh Singh

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.   ... Read More