Patna, Sep 15 (IANS) A total of 17 proposals were approved at a Bihar Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday, with major decisions covering agriculture, healthcare, education, water resources, taxation, recruitment and infrastructure development.

Among the key decisions, the Cabinet approved an allocation of Rs 89.79 crore for the Central Sector Makhana Development Scheme for the financial year 2026-27.

The Cabinet also approved the contractual appointment of Assistant Professors against 366 vacant posts across five government medical colleges under the Health Department, pending completion of regular recruitment.

The institutions covered under the decision are Government Medical College, Bettiah; Government Medical College, Purnea; Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College, Madhepura; Government Medical College, Chhapra, Saran; and Ram Janaki Medical College, Samastipur.

Approval was also granted for contractual appointments against vacant posts of Professor, Associate Professor, Reader, Lecturer and Assistant Professor in government dental colleges and hospitals under the Health Department, pending regular recruitment.

The Cabinet also approved the termination of the services of Dr Ravi Shankar Prasad, a General Medical Officer posted at the Additional Primary Health Centre in Bahadurpur, Alauli, Khagaria.

The action was taken over his continuous unauthorised absence from duty since November 17, 2021.

An allocation of Rs 2.10 crore was approved for the implementation of the centrally sponsored National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) during 2026-27.

The scheme aims to promote oil palm cultivation and reduce dependence on imports by increasing domestic edible oil production.

The Cabinet also approved Rs 78.34 crore for programmes under the centrally sponsored Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for 2026-27 and 2027-28.

One of the major decisions was administrative approval of Rs 3,516.05 crore for the development of the Vishnupad Temple precinct in Gaya on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.

The project will include several infrastructure and pilgrim-facility works, including a multi-level car park, elevated pathway, a ramp connecting the Mansarovar-Manpur bridge, dormitory and canteen facilities, ghat development and construction of Sita Kund.

The Cabinet also approved the construction of an intake well 23 kilometres upstream of the Indrapuri Barrage.

The facility will enable the required quantity of water to be transferred from the Sone River to the North Koel Main Canal through a pipeline.

The Cabinet approved expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore by the Water Resources Department, to be drawn in advance from the Bihar Contingency Fund.

A One-Time Settlement scheme was also approved to address outstanding dues of brick kiln operators.

According to the government, Rs 266 crore is currently outstanding against brick kiln operators, and the scheme is intended to provide them relief in settling their dues.

Two additional posts were approved for the State Information Commission.

The Cabinet further approved the creation of six posts—four instructors and two lower-division clerks—for establishing a school at Bihar Animal Sciences University in Patna.

An amount of Rs 45,98,832 was sanctioned for the purpose.

The Cabinet approved the Bihar State Aviation Cadre Recruitment Rules, 2026, paving the way for recruitment and service-related arrangements for the state’s aviation cadre.

It also approved the Bihar District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2026.

The decisions taken at the meeting cover a range of sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, water management, tourism-related infrastructure and administrative reforms, with the government aiming to accelerate development and improve public services across the state.

–IANS

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