Bihar Cabinet approves $500 million World Bank loan for urban economic zones

Key facts

• The Bihar Cabinet approved an in-principle proposal to secure a $500 million (Rs 4,700 crore) loan from the World Bank to strengthen urban centres and promote integrated urban economic zones.
• E-voting for the 2026 municipal elections was cleared to facilitate remote voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with serious illnesses, and voters residing away from their registration place.
• The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, was selected as the implementing agency for e-voting at an estimated cost of Rs 31.45 lakh.
• The Cabinet approved structured AI-governance training for members of both Houses of the state legislature and government officials under the Bihar Finance (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
• Multiple erosion control projects along the Ganga river were cleared with a combined outlay of over Rs 174 crore.
• Land allotments were approved for Kendriya Vidyalayas in Arwal and Sheikhpura districts.
• Eighteen non-gazetted posts were created for additional courts in Darbhanga and Madhubani to ensure faster disposal of cases under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.
• A proposal was approved enabling state government employees and pensioners to avail advance salary, pension, and loans through banks and financial institutions.