Nitish Kumar Doubles Pay for School Cooks, Guards and Instructors Ahead of Bihar Elections

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced a twofold increase in honorariums for school cooks, guards, and instructors, with annual raises included. This comes ahead of state elections, as part of broader welfare measures. The move addresses long-standing demands and reflects the state’s increased education budget and infrastructure investments.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced a significant increase in honorariums for school staff, including mid-day meal cooks, guards, and physical education and health instructors. The decision comes just months before the state heads into assembly elections, marking another welfare initiative in a string of recent pre-poll announcements.

The honorarium for cooks will now rise from ₹1,650 to ₹3,300, guards from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, and instructors from ₹8,000 to ₹16,000. Each category will also receive an annual increment ranging from ₹200 to ₹400. Kumar stated that the move aims to uplift morale and enhance the dedication of these essential contributors to the school system. He added that this is part of his broader efforts to strengthen Bihar’s education infrastructure.

In a social media post, the chief minister highlighted that the education budget has seen a sharp rise—from ₹4,366 crore in 2005 to ₹77,690 crore today. This increase has supported major expansions in school facilities and recruitment across the state. Physical education instructors had held protests in June demanding better pay, which has now been addressed through this announcement.

Kumar’s government has also introduced several other measures over recent months. These include boosting old-age pensions, increasing panchayat representatives’ allowances, and granting greater financial independence to local bodies. Critics view these as election strategies, though JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha defended the steps as part of the chief minister’s long-term development agenda.

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Jha insisted the initiatives reflect Bihar’s progress and Kumar’s ongoing commitment to social equity. With this move, Kumar has once again placed emphasis on inclusive growth by recognising the foundational roles played by school staff across the state.