In a significant move aimed at working to expand youth employment and improve cultural preservation, the Bihar Cabinet approved a number of welfare schemes on July 1, 2025, including Mukhya Mantri Pratigya Yojana to support internships, Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana for senior artists, and a Rs 882 crore development project for Punaura Dham temple, Sitamarhi, all part of a government effort to deal with employment, culture and tourism ahead of upcoming Assembly elections.
Under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Cabinet approved 24 important proposals on July 1, 2025 related to youth welfare, support for cultural artists and sending focus on religious tourism before the upcoming elections. The Cabinet approved the proposals to help create more income or employment reducing unemployment, promote heritage tourism, give economic support to cultural artists and community.
1. Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana – Internship Support Scheme.
• Purpose of the scheme: To provide replacement support by way of financial assistance to youth for pursuing an internship.
Eligibility.
• Age: Between the ages of 18 and 28.
• Education: Class 12 (12th, after primary), ITI, Diploma, Graduate or Post-graduate.
• Must be trained through a skill development programme.
Benefits.
• Class 12 will get Rs 4,000/month,
• Rs 5,000/month for an ITI or Diploma
• Rs 6,000/month for graduates and post-graduates
• If they are undertaking their internship outside of their normal home district an additional payment of Rs. 2,000/month.
• And if the internship is undertaken outside of Bihar, max payment of Rs 5,000/month (up to 3 months only).
• The money will be direct benefit transfer (DBT) from the government to their bank account,
• The implementation of the scheme will be through a Task Force that will be made up of the Development Commissioner, representatives from CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) like industry bodies to monitor the programme.
Target
- 5,000 beneficiaries in 2025–26
- 1 lakh youth over five years (2026–2031)
2. Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana – Pension for Artists
• Purpose: To provide financial support to senior artists for preservation of Bihar’s cultural legacy.
Eligibility
• Minimum 10 years of classical, visual or performing arts experience.
• Minimum age of 50 years.
• Annual income of below ₹1.2 lakh.
• Facility: ₹3,000/month pension.
• Budget: ₹1 crore allocated for 2025–26.
3. ₹882.87 Crore for Maa Janaki Temple (Punaura Dham)
• Location: Sitamarhi district; believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita.
• Project Vision: Inspired by the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Fund distribution
• ₹137 crore for temple restoration and site.
• ₹728 crore for tourism-related infrastructure.
• ₹16 crore for 10 years of maintenance.
• Implementing Agency: Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation.
