There is good news for the government employees of Bihar. The Bihar government has intensified preparations to pay pending salaries to government employees ahead of Diwali and Chhath festivals. Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit has directed all government departments to release the outstanding salaries of the employees before the festivals. He made it clear that there should be no delay in getting salaries of any employee during festivals. For this, the departments have been instructed to take immediate necessary steps.
The order was given during the review meeting
In a high-level review meeting held virtually with District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all districts on Friday, Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit expressed concern over the delay in payment of salaries in several departments, including education, health, rural development, home and revenue and land reforms. He directed all the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and District Magistrates to ensure the payment of pending salaries at the earliest. Departments have been asked to keep offices open on Saturdays as well, if required, to complete necessary formalities.
Stresses on the need to improve work culture
Chief Secretary Amrit also stressed on the need to improve the work culture. He said that additional efforts should be made as and when needed to streamline the system. Meanwhile, the state government has also decided to launch an awareness campaign across Bihar from November 10 to 16 on the occasion of Chhath festival. The grandeur of the festival will be depicted through traditional folk songs, promotional ‘jingles’ and welcome gates. As part of the campaign, traditional Chhath songs and promotional jingles will be played at railway stations, bus terminals, airports and Patna Metro.
Posters related to Chhath festival will also be put up at these places. Chhath songs will be broadcast daily from one to two pm through the central announcement system in the offices of the Secretariat. At the same time, publicity jingles will be played at major government offices and public places. The government will also build attractive ‘Chhath Swagat Dwars’ at entry points of all 18 border districts and major entry points of other districts.
Earlier, a major policy step has been taken regarding the floods that cause havoc in Bihar every year and the silt that accumulates in the rivers. A key MoU has been signed between the Union Ministry of Road Transport and the Government of Bihar under the ‘Bihar Water Resources Restoration and Desilt Management Policy 2026’ in New Delhi. Under the agreement, signed in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, the silt extracted scientifically from rivers and reservoirs will now be used for the construction and filling of national highways. Bihar has become the first state in the country to implement a sludge management policy.
