Bihar Cabinet approves constitution of commission for upliftment of sanitation workers

The Nitish Kumar Government on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) approved the constitution of the Bihar State Safai Karmachari Commission for the all-round socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers in the State.

A meeting of the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved a proposal of the Urban Development and Housing Department in this regard.

The decision assumes significance with Assembly polls due to be held later this year.

“The decision to constitute the commission has been taken with an aim to ensure the protection, welfare, rehabilitation, social upliftment, grievance redressal, and monitoring of various welfare schemes for the rights and interests of sanitation workers in the State,” an official said.

The Bihar State Safai Karmachari Commission will consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five members, including a woman or a transgender person, he said.

The commission will play a significant role in integrating the deprived sections of society engaged in sanitation work into the mainstream and contributing to their social and economic development, he added.

The CM had announced on Sunday (July 28) that his government had decided to constitute the Bihar State Safai Karmachari Commission.

“This commission will provide suggestions related to the interests of sanitation workers, advise the government on the protection of their rights, and take appropriate action to review and implement welfare schemes related to those engaged in sanitation work,” he had said in a post on X.

The State Cabinet also approved a proposal to amend the rules of the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana 2019 so that all retired journalists, registered with the State Government, receive the increased pension of ₹15,000 per month. Earlier, they used to get ₹6,000 per month.

Additionally, in the event of the death of journalists receiving a pension, their dependents will also get a monthly pension of ₹10,000 instead of ₹3,000 for their lifetime.

The decision was announced by Mr. Kumar last week.

Briefing reporters following the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S. Siddharth said it was also decided to bring Munger’s popular ‘Sitakund Mela’ under the management of Bihar State Fair Authority.

“Now the Sitakund Mela will be organised under the supervision and management of the State Government,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Coudhary said the decision was taken in view of the fair’s religious, social and cultural significance.

“Lakhs of devotees from Munger and nearby districts, such as Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Saharsa, Purnia and Lakhisarai, participate in the Sitakund Mela. Every year, approximately 5,000 foreign tourists also visit the Sitakund temple for worship and sightseeing,” he said.

“It is believed that this is the place where Goddess Sita entered into the pyre of fire for ‘Agni Pariksha’,” he added.

The ‘Sitakund Mela’ is organised every year on the occasion of Maghi Purnima, and continues until Phalgun Purnima, lasting for about a month.