Bihar CM Nitish Kumar transfers ₹5,000 to construction workers on Vishwakarma Puja, PM Modi’s birthday

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday transferred ₹5,000 each as direct financial assistance to construction workers across the state.

The financial aid was disbursed under the Annual Clothing Assistance Scheme, coinciding with Vishwakarma Puja and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. A total of ₹802.46 crore has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of 16.4 lakh construction workers.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, also launched Pratigya, a dedicated web portal for contractual workers, at an event in Patna.

Speaking at the launch, CM Nitish Kumar said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to honouring the contribution of workers.

“Our working brothers and sisters are the real strength of Bihar. Without their development, Bihar’s progress is incomplete,” he said, reiterating the government’s focus on mainstreaming marginalised sections of society.

Political observers have described the move as a masterstroke by the JD(U)-BJP alliance, offering both economic relief and a strong political message to the working class ahead of the polls.

While Congress and RJD leaders criticised the transfer, accusing the government of using public funds to woo voters, JD(U) and BJP leaders hailed it as proof of their commitment to workers’ welfare.

Nitish Kumar also extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Modi, lauding his efforts for the nation’s development – a gesture widely seen as reinforcing the JD(U)-BJP alliance and consolidating ties with the BJP-led central leadership.