By The Sampadak Express
Patna: In a significant move reflecting cultural sentiments and religious heritage, the Bihar government has officially renamed the historic town of Gaya as Gaya Ji. The decision was approved during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday.
The proposal, submitted by the General Administrative Department (GAD), was among 69 others cleared by the cabinet. The renaming acknowledges the town’s deep-rooted spiritual importance, especially for Hindu rituals such as Pind Daan during Pitrapaksha, which draws lakhs of devotees and tourists from across the globe every year.
According to legends and scriptures such as the Vayu Purana, the town derives its name from the demon Gayasur, who performed intense penance and was sanctified by Lord Vishnu, becoming a revered figure. The move to officially rename Gaya has been long sought by local representatives, including Gaya MLA and Cooperative Department Minister Prem Kumar, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for honoring local sentiments. Notably, the Gaya Municipal Corporation had passed a resolution in 2022 recommending the renaming.
DA Hike Announced for State Employees and Pensioners
In another key decision, the state government has approved a hike in dearness allowance (DA) for its employees and pensioners, aligning with recent directives from the Central government. Effective from January 1, 2025, the DA for those under the Seventh Pay Commission has been increased from 53% to 55%.
Employees and pensioners under the Sixth Pay Commission will now receive 252% DA (up from 246%), while those under the Fifth Pay Commission will get 466% (up from 455%). This revision is expected to result in an additional annual financial burden of over ₹1,000 crore on the state exchequer.
