Identity cards to bidi workers in Bihar: Modi

Patna, Mar 25 (UNI) The Bihar government today announced in the Assembly that identity cards will be issued to bidi workers in the state.

Replying to a call attention of members of the Lower House, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said special camps would be organised to distribute I-cards among the bidi workers.

In view of their larger strength in Jamui, Nalanda and Begusarai districts, the camps would be initially held in these places.

He said keeping in mind the socio-economic conditions of the bidi workers, the state government has fixed a target to construct five lakh pucca houses in the next fiscal, while 2.5 lakh houses were being constructed in the current financial year.

He informed that 1520 houses were being constructed in Jamui, 815 in Begusarai and 805 in Nalanda.

Outlining the schemes, Mr Modi stated that Rs 45,000 had to be spent on construction of each house with Centre contributing Rs 40,000 and the bidi workers bearing Rs 5000 for the purpose.

To minimise the financial burden of the bidi workers, Mr Modi said the state government was sharing Rs 4000 and the beneficiary had to pay just Rs 1000.

He assured to review the housing policy of neighbouring West Bengal government for the bidi workers and implement the same in Bihar.

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