Patna: On Tuesday, the Bihar cabinet resolved that the 35 percent quota for women in government positions will now be limited to only those who are permanent residents of the state.

This decision comes just a few months before the state elections, amidst increasing calls for a domicile policy in government employment.

“The cabinet has approved a significant proposal from the General Administration Department, which restricts the 35 percent quota for women in government jobs to permanent residents of Bihar. This new policy aims to improve financial independence and job security for women who are permanent residents of the state,” stated Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions against the Election Commission’s decision to conduct SIR in Bihar.

The government initially established a 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs across all levels in 2016. Previously, women from any state were eligible to benefit from this.

As the assembly elections approach, the demand for a domicile policy has intensified.

Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, has pledged ‘100 percent domicile’ if his RJD party wins the upcoming elections.

Union minister Chirag Paswan, an ally of the BJP, has also advocated for a domicile policy while questioning the RJD’s sincerity regarding the matter.

Recently, a significant number of job seekers protested in the state capital, urging the government to implement a domicile policy for government jobs.

Dilip Kumar, a leader among the demonstrators, expressed support for the government’s decision.

“The government must now establish a domicile policy to guarantee 90 percent representation of the state’s youth in government positions,” he remarked.