PATNA, June 9 -- In a move that will hit the pocket of farmers and property owners across Bihar, the state cabinet has approved a sharp increase in fees for measuring land plots, making an already cumbersome process even more expensive. The decision, cleared during a meeting chaired by chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday, was part of 25 proposals approved by the cabinet. According to the new rates recommended by the revenue and land reforms department, the fee for measuring raiyyati land in urban areas under municipal corporations, town councils and nagar panchayats will now be Rs.2,000 per plot with a maximum cap of Rs.8,000. In rural areas, it will be Rs.1,000 per plot, up to a maximum of Rs.4,000. This marks a significant jump from the existing charges of Rs.500 in rural areas and Rs.1,000 in urban areas for normal measurements. For urgent measurements, the fees have been doubled across both rural and urban regions - Rs.4,000 per plot (max Rs.16,000) in urban areas and Rs.2,000 per plot (max Rs.8,000) in rural pockets. Officials said the hike aims to bring the charges in line with rising costs and administrative expenses, though it is likely to draw criticism from landowners already struggling with land-related paperwork. Briefing reporters after the meeting, additional chief secretary (cabinet), Arvind Kumar Chaudhary said that the cabinet gave its nod for the release of Rs.3,662 crore from the Bihar contingency fund to ensure timely payment of social security pensions for May, June and July 2026. Under six state-run schemes, beneficiaries receive Rs.1,100 per month through direct benefit transfer (DBT). The government has also decided to make payments a regular affair by the 10th of every month. The cabinet also gave its nod to implement the Centre-sponsored Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the state from the Rabi season 2026-27. This will replace the existing Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme that has been running since Kharif 2018. nder the new scheme, insured farmers will get compensation matching the cost of cultivation in case of crop loss, with no upper limit on insured land - a relief for those with larger holdings. To boost rural livelihoods, the cabinet approved the 'Viksit Bharat - Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Ke Liye Guarantee Mission (Gramin)', also known as 'Viksit Bharat - Ji Ram Ji Yojana, Bihar-2026'. The scheme will roll out across the state from July 1 this year, focusing on generating employment opportunities at the panchayat level and making better use of available manpower. In a relief measure for sugarcane growers, the government cleared the payment of over Rs.42.99 crore towards pending dues for previous crushing seasons at the now-defunct Sasamusa Sugar Works in Gopalganj. The move is expected to help restart operations at the mill. Under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0), the cabinet accorded administrative approval for water supply and sewerage projects worth Rs.736 crore in Biharsharif, Hajipur, Begusarai and Saharsa. In the irrigation sector, it sanctioned revised funds for two major projects: Rs.251.55 crore for the remaining works of the Dakranala Pump Canal Scheme in Munger and surrounding areas, and Rs.196.89 crore for the restoration of the Sindhwarani Reservoir and its main canal. The cabinet also approved budget provisions for flood management works for the financial year 2026-27. In a significant transport department reform, the cabinet removed certain controversial clauses from the standard operating procedure for scrapping vehicles older than 15 years. The changes apply to both government and private vehicles. The cabinet also approved the registration department's proposal to dismiss Maniranjan, a former sub-registrar from Samastipur currently posted in Gaya, from the service. The department acted against the officer after an inquiry found him guilty in breaching the Bihar government servants rules....