Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the establishment of a youth commission as well as a 35% reservation for women in state government jobs on Tuesday. This announcement comes ahead of the assembly elections expected in October and November.
This new statutory body approved by the state cabinet will tend to issues such as unemployment, financial incentives for persons with disabilities preparing for civil services exams. The reservation of 35% posts in various departments of the state government can only be availed by women with a Bihar domicile. The initiative aims to enhance women's role, make Bihar youth skilled and increase job opportunities, according to India Today.
Kumar tweeted, "I am pleased to inform you that to provide more employment opportunities to Bihar's youth, train them, and make them empowered and capable, the government has decided to constitute the Bihar Youth Commission. The cabinet has given its nod for this today,"
The 35% reservation for women is a move to solidify Nitish Kumar’s appeal in the coming election, as women in Bihar have higher voter turnout than men. Thus, making women a critical bloc according to Hindustan Times.
Taking to X, the Chief Minister said the decision is aimed at ensuring that more women enter the workforce and play a larger role in governance and administration in Bihar. He added that the commission will bolster youth employment and ensure better education, “It will also coordinate with the government departments to ensure better education and create employment opportunities.”
The Bihar Youth Commission is to consist of a Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons, and seven members, all of whom will have a maximum age limit of 45 years. The commission will monitor that local youth are given priority in private sector employment within the state and will also work to safeguard the interests of youth studying or working outside Bihar, as per Kumar’s tweet.
Another key responsibility of the commission will be to draft programmes to prevent the spread of social evils such as alcohol and other intoxicating substances, and to submit recommendations to the government in such matters.
The CM writes, “This visionary initiative by the state government aims to make the youth self-reliant, skilled, and employment-oriented, thereby securing their future.”
Hindustan Times reported that the initiatives by Kumar are seen as a response to opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav’s promises of a 100% domicile policy and a Youth Commission. Yadav has promised fee waivers for competitive exams and increased quotas for deprived castes and criticised the governance record.
Yadav has previously accused the government of being anti-youth and failing to address systemic issues such as unemployment and migration. Opposition parties have questioned the timing of these decisions, alleging they have been designed for electoral gains.
