Manjhi cabinet hikes MLA development fund by 1 crore

With a day left for the crucial confidence vote on February 20, Bihar cabinet today decided to hike MLA development fund from the present Rs 2 crore in a year to Rs 3 crore from the next financial year.

Decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

The Bihar cabinet also decided to reserve 35 per cent seats for women in government jobs for non-gazetted employees in group C and D grade, Special Secretary of State Cabinet Coordination department Vijay Kumar Dwivedi told reporters.

Showering bonanza, the Manjhi cabinet gave its approval to a proposal to pay 13 months salary in place of 12 months to policemen upto inspector rank.

For home guard, it enhanced the daily wage to Rs 400 from Rs 300 at present.

It also decided to recommend to the Centre to pay an additional Rs 1,000 per month to cook engaged under mid-day meal scheme in schools.

Similarly, for agricultural advisors the cabinet decided in principle to enhance their payment to Rs 7,000 per month from Rs 6,000 per month at present.

The Manjhi cabinet also decided to replace Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto with Binod Kumar Kanth.

Altogether 19 agendas were taken up during the cabinet meeting held at chief minister's residence.

Earlier in the day, the Patna High Court allowed the government to take decision but ordered its implementation should be done only after February 21.