Cabinet doubles land measurement fees, clears Rs3,662cr for pensions

Patna: The state cabinet on Monday approved 25 proposals, including a decision to double fees for the measurement of ryoti (private landholding) land in both urban and rural areas, and sanctioned funds to ensure timely payment of social security pensions.

Cabinet secretariat department additional chief secretary Arvind Kumar Choudhary said the revised rates would apply to land located within municipal corporations, nagar parishads, nagar panchayats and rural areas.

Under the revised structure, the fee for land measurement in urban areas has been increased to Rs 2,000 per khesra, subject to a maximum of Rs 8,000. In rural areas, the charge will be Rs 1,000 per khesra, with a ceiling of Rs 4,000. For urgent measurements, the fee will be Rs 4,000 per khesra in urban areas and Rs 2,000 per khesra in rural areas, with maximum limits of Rs 16,000 and Rs 8,000 respectively.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to make the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) the single nodal agency for investment-related matters. The board will be authorised to coordinate with departments and prepare standard operating procedures.

To ensure regular pension payments, the cabinet approved withdrawal of Rs 3,662 crore from the state contingency fund. The amount will cover payments for May, June and July under six social security schemes. Beneficiaries receive Rs 1,100 each month through direct benefit transfer, and the govt has decided to release payments on the 10th of every month.

In another major decision, the cabinet approved implementation of the Centre’s PM Crop Insurance Scheme from the 2026-27 rabi season, replacing the state crop assistance scheme that has been in force since 2018. Farmers affected by crop loss will receive compensation linked to agricultural input costs.

The cabinet also approved implementation of the Viksit Bharat Gram scheme from July, revival of Sasamusa Sugar Works Private Limited in Gopalganj district with payment of Rs 43 crore in pending cane dues to farmers, and sanctioned Rs 736 crore for water supply and sewage infrastructure projects in Biharsharif, Hajipur, Begusarai and Saharsa.

It also approved revised estimates of Rs 252 crore for the Dakranala pump canal scheme and Rs 197 crore for restoration of the Sindhvarini reservoir scheme and its main canal.