By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Nitish Kumar cabinet approved a total of 46 agendas during its meeting on Tuesday. Among the key decisions was the approval for the creation and recruitment of 6,421 teachers on a regular salary basis for the newly established upgraded higher secondary schools across the state. The Bihar High Court Service Amendment Rules 2024 were also passed during the meeting.
A revised administrative sanction of Rs 197.26 crore was granted for the construction of a 321-bed facility at the Mental Hospital in Koilwar, Bhojpur. Additionally, 37.3 acres of land belonging to the Health Department will be transferred free of cost for the establishment of AIIMS Darbhanga.
The cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Chief Minister Gram Setu Yojana, aimed at improving connectivity in rural areas. The Bihar Tourism Branding and Marketing Policy 2024 was also approved. Furthermore, the Chief Minister Rural Road Upgradation Scheme has been endorsed to ensure systematic reconstruction, upgrading, and renewal of rural roads.
Approval has been granted for the recruitment of 231 assistant engineers on a contract basis under the Rural Works Department. For the benefit of tourists, the cabinet has sanctioned the construction and operation of three five-star hotels in Patna under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Notably, the iconic Transport Bhawan will be preserved as a heritage site and will not be demolished.
In addition, 60 new posts have been created to manage the administrative work of Bihar Health Sciences University, Patna. The cabinet has also approved the creation of 56 posts for the establishment and operation of the Physical Pattern Center in Veerpur, under the Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project.
Under the Fourth Agriculture Road Map (2023–28), approval was granted for the formation of the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing within the Agriculture Department. This directorate will focus on ensuring fair pricing for farmers, the storage and marketing of agricultural products, value addition, export promotion, and the development of rural haats (markets). Additionally, the cabinet extended the Bihar Taxation Disputes Resolution Act 2024 by six months.
