Nitish Kumar Transfers ₹802 Crore to 16.4 Lakh Construction Workers Ahead of Vishwakarma Puja

Patna, September 19, 2025 

In a sizable welfare move timed with Vishwakarma Puja, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday transferred more than ₹802 crore to the bank accounts of 16.4 lakh registered construction workers. Under the state’s Annual Clothing Assistance Scheme, the assistance amount per worker has been increased from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000. This scheme, which falls under the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers Rules, 2016, aims to extend financial support to marginalized sectors working in tough conditions. Kumar emphasized that this is part of the state’s ongoing commitment to uplift such workers and integrate them more securely into the socio-economic mainstream. The announcement coincided with the launch of the “Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana” web portal. This new digital platform is designed to enhance youth employment, offering structured internship opportunities. For the 2025-26 period, the plan is to offer 5,000 internships, with ambitions to scale up to 20,000 annually over the next five years, accumulating to 105,000 internships. Chief Minister Kumar also instructed officials to track down and register eligible construction workers who may not yet be covered. He urged that no worker deserving of aid be left out. The initiative has drawn praise as a timely intervention ahead of major festivals, offering both relief and recognition to many who work under tough circumstances.