As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections, a major political pledge has captured public attention: the promise of one government job for every family with no current state employees. Spearheaded by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, this ambitious proposal aims to address rising unemployment in the state. The ’20-20 formula’ suggests a law within 20 days of forming government and job provision within 20 months for eligible families. While hailed as ‘historic and transformative,’ the feasibility of this pledge faces significant scrutiny.
Data from the Bihar Caste Survey 2023 reveals approximately 2.76 crore families in the state, with around 18 lakh individuals currently in government service. This leaves nearly 2.58 crore families without a government job. To fulfill the promise, over 2.5 crore new jobs would be needed. However, existing government vacancies in Bihar are estimated at only 5 lakh, making mass recruitment a monumental challenge. The financial implications are also staggering. The current annual salary expenditure for the Bihar government is around Rs 54,000 crore. Providing jobs to 2.58 crore people, even at a modest Rs 25,000 monthly salary, would balloon the annual wage bill to an estimated Rs 7.7 lakh crore – more than double the state’s total budget of Rs 3.17 lakh crore, potentially leading to financial instability.
Political reactions have been sharp, with some leaders dismissing the pledge as unrealistic. Despite these criticisms, the promise resonates deeply with Bihar’s youth, who aspire to the security and respect associated with government employment. Observers suggest that, regardless of its economic practicality, the pledge could significantly influence the electoral narrative and capture the imagination of young voters. The incumbent government has also highlighted its job creation efforts, claiming to have provided substantial employment opportunities in recent years. Ultimately, while the promise of one job per family is a powerful political statement, its realization remains a significant economic and logistical hurdle.