Nitish Kumar increases the monthly pension to Rs. 1100 for widows, elderly and handicapped.

Patna, June 21, 2025: In a major pro-people move ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a substantial hike in the Social Security Pension Scheme.

The monthly pension for widows, elderly, and disabled citizens has been increased from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1100, benefiting over 1.09 crore people in the state. The new pension amount will be disbursed on the 10^th of every month, starting from July 2025.

Nitish Kumar officially announced on social media:

Making the announcement on platform X (formerly Twitter), CM Nitish Kumar wrote: “I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, widowed women, elderly and disabled people will now receive Rs.1100 per month instead of Rs.400. The increased pension will be effective from July.”

Political analysts see this pension hike as a strategic masterstroke by the JD(U)-led NDA government to strengthen its voter base ahead of the high-stakes elections, especially in response to opposition promises.

Political context: Competing welfare promises:

The move is also seen as a direct response to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s poll promise of giving Rs. 2500 per month to women if elected.

While the Nitish Kumar government currently does not provide direct cash to women under a universal scheme, it has supported them through multiple initiatives like cycle and dress schemes for girls, tap water connections and health incentives.

The decision has been widely welcomed by ruling party leaders.

Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary said: “The increase in pension from Rs.400 to Rs.1100 is a historic decision. I thank CM Nitish Kumar for this move that will benefit our elderly, widows, and disabled citizens.”

Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Kumar Sinha added: “People demanded Rs.1000 pension. Our CM has given even more—Rs. 1100. This shows our commitment to governance with compassion.” He also announced that a marriage hall will be constructed in every panchayat, along with other key development schemes.

JDU MLC Neeraj Kumar took a swipe at the opposition, saying: “Nitish Kumar has shown timely, respectful governance. If Tejashwi Yadav is serious, he should start a Lalu/Tejashwi pension scheme by selling his family’s wealth worth billions.”

Election-Year strategy with nationwide echoes:

Election-year welfare decisions have played a critical role in shaping outcomes in states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Maharashtra, where schemes targeted at women and the poor significantly influenced voter behavior.

The Nitish-led NDA appears to be             following a similar path ensuring a direct impact on over 1 crore families through this pension hike.

Also Read: CM Nitish Kumar inspects Ganga Ghats revival works in Bakhtiyarpur, sets June 2025 deadline.

EOM.