Patna, Members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council will now receive a fixed monthly telephone allowance of ₹8,300 with no obligation to submit bills or vouchers, under amendments to the state’s legislators’ remuneration rules tabled on Wednesday.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary placed the Bihar Vidhan Mandal (Sadasyon ka Vetan, Bhatta aur Pension) (Sanshodhan) Niyamavali 2025 on the table of the House during the ongoing winter session. The revised rules replace the earlier reimbursement-based system with a consolidated, non-accountable allowance intended to cover mobile and landline expenses.
Under the previous arrangement, legislators were required to produce vouchers to claim telephone expenditure. The new provision removes that requirement entirely, allowing members unrestricted use of the ₹8,300 for any number of telephone or mobile connections.
The change brings Bihar’s policy broadly in line with practices in several other states where fixed communication allowances are paid without supporting documentation.
In a separate development on the same day, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while moving the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address, urged opposition members to “salute” Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Centre’s contribution to Bihar’s development. Mr Kumar highlighted central assistance in infrastructure, health, education and rural electrification over the past two decades, and credited continued Union government support for the state’s projected growth trajectory. The remark triggered laughter in the House.
The amended rules are expected to be notified shortly after formal adoption by both Houses.
