In a departure from the Bihar government’s current policy of not needing domicile for state government jobs, the Cabinet on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for mandatory domicile for the existing 35 per cent quota for women in all government jobs.
This would mean that women who are not residents of Bihar would not be eligible for state government jobs. The government has, in the past, faced criticism for not applying the domicile policy during the mass recruitment of teachers.
This is the first instance of the domicile policy being implemented by the Bihar government in the recent past.
The Bihar additional chief secretary (cabinet), S Siddharth, told reporters after the cabinet briefing, “A woman who is a resident of Bihar alone would now be able to avail the existing 35 per cent quota in jobs.”
The decision assumes significance ahead of the Assembly polls in the state and is ostensibly another attempt by the Nitish Kumar-led government to try and consolidate its “caste-neutral” women’s vote bank.
In another significant Cabinet decision, the state government announced the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, which is aimed at providing more employment opportunities to the state’s young population.
The commission will play a key role in advising the government on matters related to improving the condition of youth in society, coordinating with government departments to ensure better education and employment for them, and making them self-reliant, skilled, and employment-oriented, said Siddharth.
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The Bihar Youth Commission will consist of a chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven members, with a maximum age limit of 45.
The commission will prioritise youth employment in the private sector within the state, protect the interests of those studying and working outside Bihar, and prepare programs to prevent social evils such as addiction.
