Patna, May 9: Bihar will borrow Rs 21,613 crore from various sources in the market to finance the welfare schemes being implemented in the state.

The plan was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar today evening.

"The state cabinet has approved the proposal to borrow Rs 21,613 from the open market, including market loans worth Rs 19,497 crore, to finance the implementation of various government schemes. The borrowing was provisioned in the state budget for 2017-18," cabinet secretariat department principal secretary Brajesh Mehrotra said.

He said the state indulges in market borrowing every year, and is limited to less than 3 per cent of gross state domestic product. The borrowings are expected to go towards the implementation of Nitish's "seven resolves for a developed Bihar" and other state-sponsored schemes. It may also go towards financing infrastructure works.

The cabinet also approved Rs 43 crore for a new scheme on police modernisation, of which Rs 25 crore will be spent during the current financial year.

The scheme is sponsored by the Centre and will include construction of police stations, barracks and purchase of weapons and other gadgets.

The cabinet also approved amendments in the appointment process for amins (government employees who measure land).

Henceforth, they would be appointed on the basis of marks in written tests and interviews.

Previously, this was done through written examination.

Also, candidates to the tune of 10 times of the existing vacancies will be shortlisted on the basis of their qualification.

They would appear in the examination and interview. The Bihar Staff Selection Commission and Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board will now conduct the examination.

The move will help the state tide over the dearth of amins.

The cabinet also approved the revised estimate of Rs 233 crore for the construction of Mandai weir in Gaya and a connected canal system. It also gave its nod to salary and other retirement benefits till the age of 65 to doctors under the Bihar Health Service, who retired at the age of 62 between January 28 and December 22 in 2011.

The nod comes following a Patna High Court order in a contempt petition. The payment will be given on the condition of taking it back if a different order in the special leave petition is filed by the government in the Supreme Court.

The cabinet also approved payment of Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 per month as honorarium to state and district consumer forum members.

They used to get Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 per month respectively.