More than 98 lakh elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities in Bihar received increased social security pension benefits on Monday after Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary transferred around Rs 1,100 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The beneficiaries will now receive Rs 1,100 per month, up from the earlier monthly assistance of Rs 400.

The increase provides an additional Rs 700 each month to eligible beneficiaries covered under various state social security pension schemes. The assistance is intended to help vulnerable sections meet essential expenses, including food, medicines and other household requirements. The government has positioned the higher pension as part of its efforts to strengthen social protection across Bihar.

Addressing a Social Welfare Department DBT programme through video conferencing, Chaudhary stressed the state government’s responsibility towards poor, underprivileged and needy citizens. The pension schemes cover senior citizens aged 60 years and above, widows and persons with disabilities, providing them with regular financial assistance through their bank accounts.

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The government has also designated the 10th of every month as ‘Bihar Pension Day’. Officials will seek to ensure that pension payments are credited around this date each month, with the objective of making the release of financial assistance more predictable for beneficiaries.

Chaudhary urged eligible senior citizens who are not currently receiving pension benefits to apply through the prescribed process and enrol themselves in the schemes. He also advised beneficiaries facing difficulties with payments to verify their bank account and Aadhaar details, particularly where Aadhaar has not been linked to the bank account required for DBT transfers.

The government stated that the initiative is intended to make Bihar’s social security system more regular, transparent and accessible by transferring assistance directly to beneficiaries. The decision to raise the monthly pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 was taken ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly election by then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the increase has now been implemented by the Samrat Chaudhary government.

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