Bihar Govt Hikes Old Age and Widow Pension by ₹700; Tejashwi Yadav Calls Move "Election Gimmick"

By A Staff Reporter

Patna, Bihar: In a significant welfare move ahead of the upcoming elections, the Bihar government has announced an increase of ₹700 per month in old age and widow pensions. The revision raises the monthly pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100, offering financial relief to thousands of beneficiaries across the state.

However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who alleged that the timing of the announcement was politically motivated.

“For the last 20 years, Nitish Kumar has not increased the old age, widow pension. That's why we had promised to increase it from ₹400 to ₹1,500 once we come to power,” Yadav said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), targeting the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance.

Accusing the government of lacking both vision and empathy, he added, “Those who are in power don't have a vision and are not concerned about people. They know they will be thrown out of power this time, which is why they have increased the pension now.”