Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (File photo)

PATNA: Bihar cabinet on Friday approved a 3 per cent increase in the dearness allowance (DA) for its employees, pensioners and family pensioners in order to provide relief to the common people during the festive season of Diwali and Chhath.“The cabinet has taken a decision to increase DA by three per cent from the existing 55 per cent to 58 percent. It will be payable with effect from July 01, 2025. The hiked DA will be payable to government employees, pensioners and family pensioners,” Cabinet Secretariat Department’s additional chief secretary Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters during a briefing here.“The move would have an additional financial burden of Rs 917 crore on state’s exchequer,” Chaudhary said, adding that the decision to increase DA has been taken in view of the Centre’s decision to increase DA for its employees and pensioners from July 01, 2025.A total of 129 decisions were taken today at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar.The cabinet also decided to set up “Bihar Film & Drama Institute” in view of the shortage of such training institutions in the state, Chaudhary said, adding that talented students of the state are dependent on National School of Drama, New Delhi or FTII, Pune to realize their dreams.It also approved the tourism department’s proposal to issue Letter of Award to Sarga Hotel Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, for setting up a five star hotel at Bankipore bus stand premises’ land measuring 3.24 acres under PPP mode, he said adding that it would provide better facilities and quality accommodation to the tourists visiting the state.It also decided to appoint Ahmedabad based HCP Design Planning and Management Pvt Ltd as “Principal Consultant” on nomination basis for the integrated development of Gaya Ji temple premises on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Varanasi.