Patna, Jan 29 (NationPress) The Bihar government, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, has given its nod to 31 proposals during a cabinet meeting convened in Patna.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saw the participation of both Deputy Chief Ministers and ministers representing various departments.

A major highlight was the substantial increase in the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, which will take effect from the fiscal year 2025–26.

The updated annual scholarship amounts are Rs 1,200 for students in Classes 1 to 4, Rs 2,400 for Classes 5 to 6, Rs 3,600 for Classes 7 to 10, and Rs 6,000 for hostel students from Classes 1 to 10.

The scholarship rates, which were last adjusted in 2011, have now been doubled.

This scheme is expected to benefit around 27 lakh students, with the state government projecting an expenditure of Rs 519.64 crore.

Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of a music college in Dumraon, located in Buxar district, to be named after the esteemed Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.

The previous administrative sanction of Rs 14.52 crore for this project has been revoked, and a new sanction of Rs 87.81 crore has been approved under the state plan.

This funding will cover the construction of the college building, installation of furniture, internal roads, and boundary walls.

The college's mission is to offer students diverse opportunities to pursue education across various music disciplines.

Moreover, the Cabinet approved an increase in the honorarium for Special Armed Police (SAP) personnel, effective from the order's issuance date.

In efforts to bolster law and order, combat crime, and mitigate extremism, the government has authorized the recruitment of 17,000 retired personnel from the Indian Army and Central Paramilitary Forces on a contractual basis in the fiscal year 2026–27.

Furthermore, starting from the fiscal year 2025–26, the monthly grant under the Chief Minister’s Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Hostel Scheme has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per student, resulting in an estimated expenditure of Rs 19.56 crore.

From the fiscal year 2026–27, the annual family income limit under the Chief Minister’s Backward Classes Merit Scholarship Scheme has been raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, with an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 117.98 crore.

Additionally, the Cabinet has approved an increase in scholarship rates under the Chief Minister’s Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme effective from the fiscal year 2025–26.