With the Bihar assembly elections approaching later this year, political parties have begun their campaigns, making promises to woo the electorate. In a recent development, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a threefold increase in social assistance pensions. This announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, who accused the government of copying the RJD’s plans. Yadav stated that the pension increase was a response to the ruling party’s ‘tension’ regarding the possible formation of a Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar.
During a press conference, Tejashwi Yadav claimed that Nitish Kumar increased the pension due to election-related anxieties, further alleging that the government was acting as a copycat. The RJD leader pointed out that the impending Mahagathbandhan government was causing them ‘tension’ and that the NDA was imitating the RJD’s announcements. He accused the NDA of copying their plans.
Tejashwi Yadav asserted that the Chief Minister increased the pension amount because of the RJD’s pressure, emphasizing that the RJD had earlier proposed the social security pension hike. He displayed videos to show the RJD’s previous demands, highlighting their efforts to include the pension increase in the budget. He said, ‘We announced this 7 months ago, consistently requested the government, and called for including our announcements in the budget with a separate budget allocation. We repeatedly said that we would make this government increase pensions, and we have done it.’
Tejashwi also criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He claimed that the CM was ‘in an unconscious state’. He attacked the two Deputy Chief Ministers. He alleged that the BJP would only use Nitish Kumar during the elections and discard him afterward.
Nitish Kumar’s government announced a significant increase in social assistance pensions on Saturday. Widows, senior citizens, and the differently-abled under the social security pension scheme will now get ₹1100 per month instead of ₹400. This will benefit nearly 10.9 million beneficiaries. The increased pension will be disbursed by the 10th of each month, starting in July.