Did CM Nitish Transfer Rs 5,000 to Contractual Workers on Vishwakarma Puja and PM Modi's Birthday?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Direct financial aid of Rs 5,000 provided to construction workers.
- Initiative coincides with Vishwakarma puja and PM Modi's birthday.
- Approximately 16.4 lakh workers benefited from the scheme.
- Launch of the Pratigya web portal for contractual workers.
- Political implications observed ahead of upcoming elections.
Patna, Sep 17 (NationPress) In a significant move that is seen as pivotal ahead of the elections, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday disbursed Rs 5,000 directly to construction workers throughout the state.
This financial support was announced to coincide with the celebrations of Vishwakarma puja and the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As part of the Annual Clothing Assistance Scheme, the Bihar government has transferred a total of Rs 802.46 crore to the bank accounts of 16.4 lakh construction workers.
During the event, CM Nitish, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, also introduced a new web portal named Pratigya, designed specifically for contractual workers in Patna.
After unveiling the portal, CM Nitish Kumar articulated that this initiative seeks to recognize the invaluable contributions of workers.
"Our working brothers and sisters are the backbone of our society. The development of Bihar cannot be realized without their upliftment," he stated.
This initiative has been interpreted by political analysts as a strategic maneuver by the JD(U)-BJP alliance, offering economic aid while also delivering a potent political message to the working class.
CM Nitish reiterated the commitment of the government to include marginalized groups in the mainstream.
"We will persist in our efforts to celebrate and honor the labor and contributions of our workers," he affirmed.
In light of this action, leaders from the Congress and RJD accused him of leveraging state funds to attract voters as elections near.
Conversely, representatives from JD(U) and BJP defended the scheme, portraying it as a testament to their dedication to workers' welfare.
The Chief Minister also took a moment to wish PM Modi a happy birthday, commending his dedication to national growth—a move perceived as strengthening ties with the BJP-led central government.
Political analysts suggest that this Rs 5,000 gesture, just before the festive season, could serve as a powerful electoral strategy to rally worker support and solidify the strength of the JD(U)-BJP coalition.