Nitish fulfills poll promise of 35% quota for women

Bihar government on Tuesday announced 35 per cent reservation to women in government jobs in the state at all levels.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Briefing about the cabinet decisions, principal secretary Cabinet Coordination department Brajesh Mehrotra told reporters the cabinet accepted a proposal of General Administration Department to extend 35 per cent reservation to women in all categories of government jobs for which direct recruitment is made.

The state government which had provided 35 per cent reservation to women in police job extended it in all other jobs by today decision.

Providing reservation to women was one of the important poll promises made by Nitish Kumar in the recently concluded Bihar elections. Women had voted overwhelmingly to Nitish Kumar and his coalition in the poll.

Other important decisions approved by the cabinet included a proposal to increase entry tax on electronic items, bidi and tobacco items, ready made garments and footwear among others in the range of 5 per cent to 12 per cent.

The state cabinet also decided to appoint an officer in all departments to accept application under public grievance redressal, Mehrotra said.