In a key decision aimed at enhancing youth employability and cultural preservation, the Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) approved the Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana, under which financial assistance will be extended to young individuals undertaking internships in various companies.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The State is bound to go for Assembly elections sometime later this year.

Under the scheme, youth aged between 18 and 28 who have completed training under skill development programmes, or hold qualifications such as Class 12, ITI, diploma, graduate, or postgraduate degrees, will be eligible for financial assistance during the course of their internships.

Cabinet Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary S. Siddharth said at a post-Cabinet briefing that youth with Class 12 qualifications would receive ₹4,000 per month, while those with ITI or diploma qualifications would be entitled to ₹5,000 per month. Graduates and postgraduates will receive ₹6,000 per month.

Additionally, those pursuing internships outside their home districts will receive an extra ₹2,000 per month, while those interning outside Bihar will receive ₹5,000 per month as livelihood assistance. This additional support will be limited to a maximum of three months.

The financial support will be credited directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. A task force committee, headed by the Development Commissioner and including members from industry bodies such as CII and FICCI, has been formed to oversee implementation.

Mr. Siddharth added that 5,000 beneficiaries would be supported in the financial year 2025–26, while the scheme aims to benefit one lakh youth over the next five years starting from 2026–27.

Pension scheme for artists

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana under which artists engaged in classical, visual, or performing arts for at least 10 years will be given a monthly pension of ₹3,000.

Mr. Siddharth said the scheme seeks to preserve Bihar’s rich cultural heritage by providing support to eligible artists aged 50 years or older, with an annual income not exceeding ₹1.2 lakh. An initial outlay of ₹1 crore has been sanctioned for the current fiscal year.

₹882 crore for Punaura Dham

The Cabinet also cleared ₹882.87 crore for the integrated development of the Maa Janaki temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district, believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita.

The temple complex is to be developed on the lines of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Of the total sanctioned amount, ₹137 crore will be utilised for developing the old temple and premises, ₹728 crore for tourism-related infrastructure, and ₹16 crore for a decade-long maintenance plan.

The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation will implement the project.

Employment rules amended

The Cabinet also approved a proposal by the Labour Resources Department to amend the Bihar Factory Rules, 1950, allowing women — excluding pregnant and lactating women — to work in factories classified as hazardous.

Mr. Siddharth said the move would help expand employment opportunities for women in the industrial sector.

A total of 24 agendas were passed in the cabinet on Tuesday.