Social pension hike sparks politial slugfest

Patna: A day after CM Nitish Kumar announced a nearly three-fold increase in social security pensions , a war of words has begun in the state with the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance and the opposition RJD trading accusations of imitation and inaction ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.

On Saturday, the govt raised the monthly pension for widows, the elderly and the differently abled from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100. While the JD(U) credited the hike to feedback received during Nitish Kumar's "Pragati Yatra" across the state, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav accused the CM of copying the opposition's promise to increase the pension to Rs 1,500. He alleged that Nitish lacked the strength or originality to initiate new welfare measures and was merely replicating ideas raised by the opposition, which he claimed had consistently focused on social justice.

Reacting sharply, JD(U) spokespersons Anjum Ara and Anupriya defended the CM, questioning the RJD's contribution to women's empowerment during its previous tenure. They argued that the hike was part of Nitish's long-standing commitment to social welfare and not a reaction to the RJD's agenda. "If RJD was so serious about pensions, why didn't they act during the 37-month-long Grand Alliance govt?" they asked.

Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary also countered Tejashwi's allegations, saying that the state has witnessed consistent development over the last two decades under Nitish Kumar's leadership. Highlighting a spate of recent initiatives, Choudhary pointed to the social pension hike, PM Narendra Modi's announcement of Rs 6,000 crore in new projects and the ₹33,000 crore allocated for 52 National Highway Authority schemes in Bihar.

He also mentioned the construction of Kanya Vivah Bhavans in over 8,000 panchayats, expansion of Jeevika Didis' roles in govt services and the doubling of their honorarium. "The govt has also begun providing financial aid to 94 lakh poor families identified in the caste survey and proposed the construction of a grand Ma Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi," he said.

As the state heads toward elections in Oct-Nov, the clash over credit and development narratives appears set to intensify with both sides laying claim to the state's social and infrastructural progress.