Bihar Cabinet Hikes DA, Forms New Depts; Sitamarhi Encroachment Protest Erupts

• Bihar Cabinet approved 19 agendas, including a DA hike for government employees and pensioners.
• State government employees under the Sixth Central Pay Scale will now receive 257% DA, and those under the Fifth Central Pay Scale will receive 474% DA.
• Three new departments were created: Youth Employment and Skill Development, Higher Education, and Civil Aviation.
• Several departments were renamed, including Animal and Fisheries Resources, Labor Resources, and Art, Culture, and Youth.
• An encroachment drive in Sitamarhi led to protests, homes being set on fire, and police deployment.

Why It Matters: Bihar's cabinet decisions boost employee pay and reshape state administration.