Patna, August 1:
In a key pre-election announcement, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday declared a substantial hike in the honorarium for support staff across government schools, including Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) cooks, night watchmen, and physical education and health instructors.
The announcement, made via the Chief Minister’s official post on X (formerly Twitter), underlines the government’s continued focus on strengthening the education system through enhanced welfare measures for frontline workers.
According to the revised structure, MDMS cooks will now receive Rs 3,300 per month—double the earlier amount of Rs 1,650. Night watchmen deployed in secondary and higher secondary schools will see their monthly honorarium rise from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Physical education and health instructors will now earn Rs 16,000 per month, up from Rs 8,000, with their annual increment also doubled from Rs 200 to Rs 400.
“These workers play a vital role in supporting the education infrastructure. Doubling their honorarium will not only improve their morale but also enhance their dedication and performance,” CM Nitish Kumar stated.
Reflecting on the evolution of Bihar’s education sector since his government assumed office in 2005, the Chief Minister noted the education budget had risen from Rs 4,366 crore in 2005 to a significant Rs 77,690 crore in 2025. He credited this growth to major investments in teacher recruitment, school infrastructure, and institutional development.
This latest move follows a series of welfare-oriented initiatives by the Bihar government ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. Earlier, the government hiked pensions for journalists and senior citizens, increased incentives for ASHA and MAMTA workers, and launched schemes targeting grassroots welfare.
The announcements are seen as part of a broader effort to consolidate support among working-class and rural segments ahead of the upcoming polls.
