Tejashwi Yadav gave many guarantees before the elections. These include restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees, ₹ 30,000 annually to women, and free irrigation electricity and bonus on MSP to farmers.
Before the first phase of voting in Bihar elections 2025, the stir in the politics of Bihar has intensified. The election campaign for the first phase will end at 5 pm today, but just before that, Grand Alliance’s CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav made a big election bet by holding a press conference in Patna. Tejashwi said, “The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will be restored in Bihar as soon as our government is formed. It is a question of respect and safety of government employees.”
Promise to restore old pension scheme
Tejashwi Yadav said that if the Grand Alliance government is formed, then all the government teachers, health workers and policemen of the state will be given the benefits of the old pension scheme. “We will end the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and implement OPS. This is the right of the employees, not a favour,” he said.
Tejashwi told that before 2004, OPS was applicable in the country, in which fixed pension was given after retirement, dearness allowance (DA) was added on the pension every six months and the pension amount was given entirely from the government treasury. He said that NPS has abolished this security, hence now the need of the hour is to restore OPS in Bihar.
Help of ₹ 30,000 under Mai-Bahan Maan Yojana
Tejashwi also made a big announcement regarding women. He said that on January 14, Makar Sankranti, ₹ 30,000 for one year will be transferred to the account of every mother and sister under the ‘Maa-Bahan Maan Yojana’. He said that the women of Bihar have taken care of the family in every difficult time, now it is our turn to honor them.
₹2000 per month and interest waiver to Jeevika Didis
On behalf of the Grand Alliance, Tejashwi also announced relief for the women of Jeevika Didi and Anuj group. He said, “The sisters through whose livelihood groups the state government provides work, will be given an honorarium of ₹ 2000 per month. We will waive off the interest of those women who are paying interest on loans.” Along with this, it was also announced to provide insurance cover of ₹ 5 lakh for each Jeevika Didi.
Now posting of employees within 70 kilometers from ‘home district’
Tejashwi Yadav said that teachers, nurses, policemen and other employees of the state will no longer have to go far from their homes. If our government is formed, transfer and posting will be done within a radius of 70 kilometers from the home district. This is a matter of justice. Giving an example, Tejashwi said, “Nurses from Champaran are sent to Jamui, where both living and expenses are difficult. We will change this system.”
Announcement of free electricity and bonus for farmers
To woo the farmers, Tejashwi said that the electricity used for irrigation will now be completely free. Currently the government charges 55 paise per unit from farmers, but our government will reduce it to zero. He said that farmers will also get bonus on the price of their crops. An additional ₹ 300 per quintal bonus will be given over the MSP on paddy, and ₹ 400 bonus will be given over the MSP on wheat.
Traders also get the status of ‘people’s representative’
Tejashwi said that the presidents of trade chambers and office bearers of organizations of the state will be given the status of public representatives. Also, he said that “honorarium payment to the technical personnel working in 863 fax machines of the state for decades will be considered under the Cooperative Department.”
We are not making announcements, we are giving guarantees – Tejashwi
Tejashwi Yadav said that his party is not giving promises but guarantees. He said, “We will do what we said. We will restore OPS, give respect to women, give relief to farmers and jobs to the youth. This is our commitment, not a slogan.” Taking aim at BJP and JDU, he said, “These people made only promises in 20 years, we proved every time that the name of work is brilliant.”