Patna, August 2: The Bihar government on Friday announced a sharp increase in monthly honorariums for cooks, night watchmen, and physical education and health instructors employed in government schools, just months ahead of Assembly elections in the eastern Indian state.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said in a post on social media platform X that the move is aimed at recognising the contributions of support staff to the state’s education system and boosting their morale.
Under the revised structure, cooks working under the mid-day meal scheme will now receive ₹3,300 per month, up from ₹1,650. Honorariums for night watchmen have been doubled to ₹10,000, while physical education and health instructors will now earn ₹16,000 per month, compared to the previous ₹8,000.
The annual increment for physical education and health instructors has also been increased from ₹200 to ₹400, Kumar added. “This will boost the morale of the working staff, and they will perform their duties with greater enthusiasm and dedication,” Kumar said. The announcement comes as the ruling Janata Dal (United) prepares for elections expected later this year.
Kumar, who has been in power since 2005, said that his administration has consistently worked to improve the education sector. “In the year 2005, the total education budget was ₹4,366 crore, which has now increased to ₹77,690 crore,” he said, citing major improvements such as large-scale teacher recruitment, new school buildings, and upgraded infrastructure.
