Income ceiling for CM health aid fund increased to Rs4 lakh

Patna: The state cabinet on Wednesday increased the maximum income limit for beneficiaries seeking assistance under the Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayata Kosh (Chief Minister’s Health Assistance Fund) from the existing Rs2.5 lakh to Rs4 lakh.Cabinet secretariat department additional chief secretary Arvind Kumar Choudhary said the proposal, moved by the health department, is aimed at increasing the number of beneficiaries. Altogether, 13 proposals were approved at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief minister Samrat Choudhary, he added.In another significant decision, the cabinet sanctioned Rs164 crore for implementation of the PM Sookshm Khadya Udyam Unnayan Yojana (PM Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme) during 2026-27, following the Centre’s decision to extend the scheme till Sept 30, 2026.Under the scheme, individual entrepreneurs will receive capital subsidy of up to 35% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs10 lakh, for setting up micro food processing units. For group-based ventures, the subsidy payable will be 35% of the investment. The scheme will be widely publicised to attract beneficiaries.The cabinet also sanctioned Rs31 crore, including a central share of Rs18 crore and a state share of Rs12 crore, for establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park in the Banasur fish spawn area of Bhojpur district. The centrally-sponsored scheme aims to enhance fish production, productivity and fisheries infrastructure.The cabinet approved a proposal of the youth, employment and skill development department for establishment of a new Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Nabinagar in Aurangabad district by Bharatiya Rail Bijli Company Limited during 2026-27. The company is a subsidiary of NTPC and a joint venture with railways. Initially, training will be imparted in five trades.The cabinet also approved creation of 38 new posts for the institute, entailing an annual expenditure of Rs2 crore. As per the MoU, the campus developed by the company will be handed over to the state govt free of cost.Further, the cabinet sanctioned creation of 19 posts in the youth, employment and skill development department, involving an annual expenditure of Rs2 crore, for preparation and implementation of projects aimed at doubling employment opportunities.The cabinet also approved a proposal of the health department for filling low-lying areas around the upcoming AIIMS-Darbhanga through the water resources department. The land will be filled using silt obtained from desiltation of nearby rivers, including the Khiroi, Bagmati and their tributaries. The earlier project cost was estimated at Rs309 crore.The cabinet further approved creation of two posts each of chief engineer and superintending engineer in the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited to establish a two-tier mechanism for redressal of consumer grievances.