Cabinet OKs urban land survey rules, land purchase policy

Patna: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the govt’s proposal regarding the Bihar Special Survey and Settlement (Amendment) Rules, 2026, paving the way for the survey of land falling under various urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state.While the special survey of ‘ryoti’ land in rural areas has been underway since 2012, the revenue and land reforms department (RLRD) had conducted a pilot project for urban land survey in Dehri-on-Sone to develop a model for surveys in urban areas.According to the cabinet note approved by the cabinet chaired by chief minister Samrat Choudhary, “It was felt that some definitions of various matters related to land survey have to be changed and inserted in the new rules framed in 2026 in the context of the urban land, so that the survey of land falling under urban local bodies is smoothly facilitated and also conducted speedily.”Additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department Arwind Kumar Choudhary said changes have been made in 24 clauses, including the definition of landowner.In another major decision, the cabinet approved the Bihar Ryoti Land Purchase Policy, 2026, aimed at facilitating acquisition of both urban and rural land for central and state govt projects.Under the policy, compensation for acquisition of urban land will be fixed at twice the market rate or minimum value rate (MVR), whichever is higher. For rural land, compensation will be four times the market rate or MVR, whichever is higher. Besides, landowners will receive an additional 10% incentive amount after negotiations.The cabinet also sanctioned Rs3,743.65 crore for widening, upgradation and strengthening of five state highways under the Bihar State Highway-IV Project. The approved amount includes Rs632.72 crore for Madhubani-Rajnagar-Babubarhi-Khutauna road, Rs 434.37crore for SH-52 connecting Sitamarhi, Pupri and Benipatti, and Rs 990.03 crore for SH-97 and SH-52. Besides, Rs 703.95 crore was sanctioned for SH-92 and Rs982.58 crore for Brahmpur-Koransarai-Itahi-Buxar road and Ujiarpur-Kukraha-Indore Samada road.The cabinet approved the creation of the youth, employment and skill development department by integrating the Bihar State Council for Vocational Training and Bihar State Overseas Employment Bureau. The department will also facilitate employment opportunities for physically challenged persons. Approval was given for creation of 57 posts in the employment directorate and 55 posts in the students and youth welfare directorate.The cabinet also cleared the proposal for framing the Bihar Small and Medium Health Services Institutes (Establishment and Registration) Rules, 2026, to regulate private health service institutions through state and district-level bodies.Approval was also granted for creation of 39 posts for the spine sub-speciality unit in the orthopaedic department of PMCH to strengthen treatment facilities for trauma patients, particularly road accident victims.Besides, the cabinet approved cashless medical treatment facilities for present and former legislators and their dependents, serving and retired All India Services officers and their dependents, as well as state govt employees, staff and pensioners.