In anticipation of upcoming assembly elections, the Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has decided to issue arms licenses to representatives of the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions. This move comes in response to a rise in violent attacks on panchayat representatives, particularly Mukhiyas (village heads). The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, who instructed officials to expedite the licensing process and prioritize applications from panchayat representatives. Recent incidents, including the shooting deaths of a Mukhiya and his associate in Lakhisarai district and the murder of a deputy Mukhiya in Gaya district, have raised serious security concerns. The government has directed all district magistrates and superintendents of police to begin processing applications while emphasizing strict adherence to verification protocols. This initiative is seen as one of several steps taken by the state government to garner support from local representatives before the assembly elections scheduled for October-November. The government has also approved the construction of marriage halls in every panchayat for economically weaker women, allocating a budget of ₹4,026 crore for the project, to be implemented through local women’s self-help groups.
