CM Nitish Kumar distributes social security pension to 1.11 crore beneficiaries in Bihar

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Patna, July 11 (IANS) With the Assembly elections round the corner, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday disbursed social security pensions to 1.11 crore beneficiaries from his official residence in Patna, providing them with Rs 1,100 each under various state-run welfare schemes.

A total of Rs 1,227.27 crore was transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha were also present during the event.

“Earlier, we were providing Rs 400 as a social security pension, which has now been increased to Rs 1,100 to benefit widows, disabled persons, and senior citizens under different government schemes,” Kumar said.

Highlighting his government’s efforts towards women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister mentioned the 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and the improvement in their social status.

“Earlier, the condition of women was weak, but now they wear better clothes and live life with respect. The government is constantly working to improve the standard of living of all sections of society. Our priority is to give respect and security to every section, and we are continuously working in this direction,” he added.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Kumar remarked, “Whatever has happened in the last 20 years, they have no special contribution in it. Before 2005, someone used to do something; we went there (with RJD) twice by mistake, but have these people done anything special?”

He further stated that a new era of politics would begin in Bihar, emphasising that all would move forward together on the path of development.

“We will never go here and there in the future, but will walk together for the development of the state,” he said while looking at Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

Reiterating his commitment to women’s uplift, Kumar said that his government has taken many important decisions and launched several schemes aimed at improving the condition of women in Bihar.

–IANS

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State Health Minister Ma Subramanian, in a statement on Wednesday, said the department has ensured an adequate supply of essential medical resources to manage heat-related illnesses. The government is closely monitoring real-time data through the Integrated Health Information Platform under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health.

“In anticipation of heatwave cases, we have stocked up on the required medical inventory and kept ambulances on standby,” the minister said. He added that between two to ten beds have been allocated in primary health centres, government hospitals, and government medical college hospitals across the state for the treatment of those affected by the heat.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued for the treatment of heat-related ailments. In addition, steps have been taken to ensure the availability of drinking water and oral rehydration solutions (ORS) at public locations.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has warned that maximum temperatures could rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in several regions over the next four days. Interior districts are expected to face harsher conditions due to the fading influence of minor weather systems and intensifying dry conditions.

Light to moderate easterly and northeasterly winds in the lower troposphere are contributing to the temperature surge.

Northern coastal districts — including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur — are likely to experience this increase in maximum temperatures.

Meteorologists have attributed the early onset of summer heat to the La Nina effect, which delayed the northeast monsoon’s withdrawal and resulted in a milder winter.

The lack of cloud cover and decreased sea moisture levels have further worsened the warming trend across both coastal and interior parts of the state. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 38 to 39 degrees Celsius, which is in line with trends from previous years.

Notably, interior districts such as Karur, Erode, and Salem have already recorded elevated temperatures as early as February.

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In response to the rising heat, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) has issued a detailed advisory urging the public to take protective measures against heat-related illnesses.

Citizens are encouraged to stay well-hydrated by drinking fluids such as lemon water, buttermilk, lassi, and fruit juices with a pinch of salt. They are also advised to consume fruits and vegetables with high water content and remain in cool, well-ventilated spaces. During the daytime, windows and curtains should be kept closed, while at night they may be opened for ventilation.

The health department has recommended scheduling outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day and avoiding exposure between noon and 3 p.m. Individuals should also steer clear of alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated drinks, high-protein foods, and stale food.

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After LOP, breach of privilege motion against another BJP Bengal legislator

Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) A breach of privilege motion was moved against actor-turned-BJP legislator Hiran Chatterjee in the West Bengal Assembly on Thursday for allegedly accusing the state government of receiving awards for its developmental projects on payment of hefty amounts.

The breach of privilege motion was moved against Chatterjee, the MLA from Kharagpur (Sadar) Assembly constituency in West Midnapore district, by Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya and Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay had accepted the notice.

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Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee, who was the presiding officer at that point in time, asked Chatterjee to submit the supporting documents in support of his claims to the Assembly.

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Speaking to the media after garlanding Bapu’s statue at Vidhana Soudha on his death anniversary, he said: “Mahatma Gandhi believed that India was a land of villages and that national progress was possible through rural development.

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