The Bihar Cabinet has approved an ambitious proposal to create one crore (10 million) jobs and employment opportunities over the next five years, a move that comes months ahead of the state assembly elections.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, cleared the Labour Department’s plan and decided to form a 12-member committee headed by the Development Commissioner to identify possibilities and take necessary steps to implement the scheme.
On Sunday, Kumar announced that from 2025 to 2030 the government aims to double its previous target by providing government jobs and additional employment opportunities to one crore youths. He said that alongside government jobs, new opportunities will be generated in the private sector, especially in industrial areas. A high-level committee will oversee this drive.
Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha confirmed that the proposal aims to benefit young people across Bihar in the coming five years. He said a committee headed by the chief secretary will coordinate the effort.
The Cabinet also cleared 30 proposals from different departments on Tuesday, including several significant infrastructure decisions.
Kumar said in a post on X on Sunday that so far the state has provided government jobs to 10 lakh youths and created employment for about 39 lakh people, adding that the target of over 50 lakh will be met. He highlighted the state’s ongoing ‘Saat Nischay’ programme which focuses on youth skill development and self-employment. The scheme will be expanded further in the next five years, he said.
The Cabinet has also sanctioned more than Rs 179 crore for maintenance of the priority corridor of Patna Metro Rail, which is set to become operational from August 15, 2025. Additionally, Rs 21.15 crore has been approved for hiring three single-set metro cars on rent.
The three-coach trains will run on a 6.49-kilometre elevated stretch between Malahi Pakri and New ISBT, covering one of the city’s busiest traffic corridors.
Reacting to the Cabinet’s announcement, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav told reporters that the government’s promise is nothing but an attempt to mislead people ahead of polls.
“I must say that the government is in a state of unconsciousness. They know they will be thrown out by the people in the coming assembly elections. They are certain to lose power. People know NDA leaders never fulfil promises and can make any announcement before polls,” Yadav said.
He questioned the feasibility of the plan, asking where the funds for creating one crore jobs will come from, and urged journalists to press the government for answers.
Follow us
