Ahead of polls, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar rolls out sops

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna Sunday. (Express Photo by: Prashant Ravi)

Two days after PM Narendra Modi set the tone for the Bihar Assembly elections by launching a host of mega projects during his visit to the state, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday rolled out his poll sops in an attempt to steal the BJP’s thunder. The chief minister announced a regular pay scale for 3.5 lakh contract teachers from this month itself. He also sought to consolidate his position at the panchayat level by fixing retirement age for tola sevaks and education volunteers at 60 years, and increasing their honorarium by Rs 3,000.

Releasing his government’s 10-year report card, Nitish Kumar said that only “those with poor eyesight were unable to see” Bihar’s growth.

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While announcing a pension scheme for journalists from August 1 this year, the CM said that relatives of teachers, tola sevaks and other functionaries will get Rs 4 lakh compensation in the event of their death during their job tenure. “We had introduced Right to Public Services Act in 2011 and have so far dealt with over 10 crore applications for 51 services. We will bring the right to grievances redressal bill in coming session,” the CM said.