By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, May 20, 2026: A significant Cabinet meeting was held at the Main Secretariat Auditorium under the chairmanship of CM Samrat Choudhary, during which the Bihar Cabinet approved 13 important agenda items aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating public welfare initiatives.
The meeting, held after the recent expansion of the Council of Ministers, witnessed detailed discussions on the state’s development roadmap.
Senior ministers and Principal Secretaries from various departments participated in the deliberations and expressed consensus on measures related to administrative efficiency and developmental priorities.
Samrat Choudhary, the government approved a direct flight from Gaya to Bangkok:
One of the most notable decisions taken during the meeting was the approval of a new direct international air service between Gaya and Bangkok.
Under the state government’s policy to improve international air connectivity from Bihar, the Cabinet approved the tender submitted by IndiGo for operating a non-stop flight service on the Gaya—Bangkok route.
To support the initiative, the government sanctioned Rs 10.40 crore as Viability Gap Funding for a maximum period of 12 months.
According to the Samrat Choudhary government, the launch of direct international flights from Gaya International Airport to Bangkok is expected to significantly increase the inflow of foreign tourists to Bihar, particularly Buddhist pilgrims from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
The Bangkok flight will boost religious tourism in Bihar:
Every year, thousands of devotees and tourists travel to Bihar to visit major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations such as Bodh Gaya, regarded as one of the holiest sites in Buddhism.
Officials believe the new route will strengthen Buddhist tourism and further expand tourism-related activities across the state.
Samrat Choudhary also stated that the direct flight service is likely to stimulate economic activity in sectors including hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, and local trade, while simultaneously generating employment opportunities for local residents.
The cabinet expressed confidence that the new international connectivity will help strengthen Bihar’s position on the global tourism map and contribute to the state’s long-term economic and cultural growth.
Samrat Choudhary’s government is focusing on industrial development and power generation:
Industrial development approvals also included incentives worth Rs 73.45 crore for setting up a 60 KLPD grain-based ethanol plant and a 2-megawatt power generation unit in Kaimur. The proposed project is expected to generate employment for 93 workers.
The Cabinet further approved the allocation of 324 acres of land to the Water Resources Department out of the 1.300 acres being acquired by BIADA under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor.
A reservoir with a storage capacity of 8.5 MCM and water availability of 19 MLD will be developed on the site.
In the field of science and technology, approval was granted for the creation of 53 posts for the Bihar Council on Science and Technology and its subordinate offices.
The Cabinet also approved the “Young Professionals Selection Policy 2026” for technical and expert services under the Department of Science and Technology.
Additionally, approval was granted for the transfer and utilization of funds for the financial year 2026-27 in accordance with the recommendations of the 6th State Finance Commission, previously approved for the period between 2021 and 2025.
EOM.
