Bihar restricts 35% quota in govt jobs to resident women

The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday decided that the existing 35% quota for women in government jobs will now be restricted to only permanent residents of the state, with the decision just months ahead of the crucial assembly polls coming amid a growing demand from jobseekers as well as political opponents for the implementation of a domicile policy in government jobs.

- Subhash Pathak

The cabinet, chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar, also approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, which is aimed at providing more employment opportunities to the young population in the state. It also increased the pension for widowed and differently abled women to ₹1,000 per month from earlier ₹400.

“The cabinet approved an important proposal of the General Administration Department, allowing the 35% quota for women in government jobs to be restricted only for permanent residents of Bihar. The new policy will enhance financial independence and job security for permanent resident women of the state,” additional chief secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha told reporters after the cabinet meeting.