The Labour Department, Govt. of Bihar on April 01, 2026, notified regarding the Revision of Minimum Wages and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for Agricultural Employment in Bihar (Effective from April 01, 2026).
The following has been stated:
• The Government has introduced a formula for calculating Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) as part of the minimum wages for scheduled agricultural employment.
• The VDA is based on the All India Consumer Price Index (Base: 2016 = 100). For the period July to December 2025, the average index is 9696.43 (converted to the 1960 base). Based on this average, revised VDA rates are made effective from April 01, 2026.
• For key categories:
o General agricultural workers (excluding harvesting): Minimum wage ₹405/day + VDA ₹8 = ₹413 per day
o Tractor drivers/pump operators: ₹14,675/month + VDA ₹272 = ₹14,947 per month
o Tractor khalasi/pump khalasi/chowkidar/sipahi: ₹14,421/month + VDA ₹212 = ₹14,633 per month
o Harvesting work: Paid in kind (1 bundle for every 10 bundles harvested)
[Notification no. - 5/M.W.-40-17/2021 Sr. no. - 48]
