Mahagathbandhan Releases Manifesto for Bihar Elections: Govt Job for Every Family, Free Electricity, Ban on Waqf Law Changes
Patna (The Uttam Hindu): Ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the Mahagathbandhan alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) released its joint manifesto on Tuesday, titled “Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran” (Tejashwi’s Pledge for Bihar).
During the joint press conference in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav stated, “We are not just forming a government, we are rebuilding Bihar. This is our solemn pledge. We will fulfill every promise, even if it costs us our lives.”
He accused external forces of trying to turn Bihar into a colony and targeted CM Nitish Kumar, alleging that BJP has made him a mere puppet. “After this election, the BJP will not make him CM again,” he added.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “The Mahagathbandhan is the first to declare its CM face and release a joint manifesto, proving our commitment to Bihar’s future. This manifesto includes every key issue needed to rebuild Bihar.”
Key Highlights of the Manifesto
1. Government Job for Every Family
A new law will be introduced within 20 days of forming the government to ensure one government job per family. Recruitment will start within 20 months.
2. Government Status for JEEViKA Didis
All Community Mobilizer (CM) Didis will be recognized as government employees with a monthly salary of ₹30,000, interest-free loans for two years, and loan interest waivers.
3. Regularization of Contract and Outsourced Employees
All contractual and outsourced workers will be given permanent status.
4. Industrial and Employment Policy
Employment generation through IT parks, SEZs, dairy, agro-industries, renewable energy, logistics, health, and tourism sectors.
Plans include setting up a 2,000-acre Educational City and building five new expressways.
5. Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
The Old Pension Scheme will be reinstated for state employees.
6. “Maa-Bahin Maan Yojana”
Women will receive ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year) as financial aid. Under the “BETI” and “MAI” schemes, daughters will get support for education and mothers will get housing and food security.
7. Social Security Pension
Senior citizens and widows will get ₹1,500 per month, while differently-abled citizens will receive ₹3,000 per month, with a ₹200 annual increment.
8. Free Electricity
Every household will receive 200 units of electricity free of cost.
9. Control on Microfinance Companies
A regulatory law will be enacted to stop unfair collection practices and regulate interest rates. Steps will be taken to recover funds from fraudulent investment schemes like Sahara India.
10. Relief in Competitive Exams
Form and exam fees will be waived, free travel to exam centers provided, and strict action taken against paper leaks or irregularities.
11. Expansion of Colleges
Every subdivision will get a women’s college, and new degree colleges will be opened in 136 blocks without one.
12. Transfer Policy for Teachers and Health Staff
Postings to be within 70 km of their home district.
Private, non-aided colleges will get financial recognition and equal pay as government colleges.
13. MSP Guarantee for Farmers
Legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, revival of mandis, and restoration of the APMC Act.
14. Free Health Insurance
Each citizen will receive ₹25 lakh free health insurance.
District hospitals to be upgraded to super-specialty centers, and government staff to get CGHS-like facilities.
15. MGNREGA Expansion
Daily wage to rise from ₹255 to ₹300, workdays from 100 to 200, and a national wage of ₹400 to be demanded.
16. Law to Protect Extremely Backward Classes
A new “Extremely Backward Class Protection Act” will be introduced.
200 SC/ST students will receive foreign scholarships annually.
17. Reservation Enhancement Initiative
State legislature to pass a law increasing reservation beyond 50%, to be placed under the 9th Schedule of the Constitution.
OBC reservation in panchayats to rise from 20% to 30%, SC from 16% to 20%, and STs to get proportional increase.
18. Zero Tolerance on Crime
Police officers to have fixed tenure, and accountability to be fixed for law-and-order failures.
19. Minority Rights and Waqf Law
Ban on the Waqf Amendment Bill, with transparent management of Waqf properties.
Control of Bodh Gaya temples to be handed over to the Buddhist community.
20. Equal Opportunities in Education
Technical institutes and skill centers in every district.
Free study material and digital subsidy for competitive exam aspirants.
21. Support for MSMEs and Industry
Special financial aid, training, and marketing policies for small and medium enterprises.
Creation of industrial clusters over 2,000 acres.
22. Flood and Drought Relief Policy
A permanent relief and rehabilitation plan for flood and drought-affected regions with new irrigation projects.
23. Corruption-Free Governance
Empowerment of the Public Grievance Redressal System, strict accountability of officials, and adoption of E-governance for transparency.