Bihar Increases Compensation for Snake Bite Deaths to ₹10 Lakh

Patna: In a significant move for public safety, the Bihar government has more than doubled the compensation for deaths caused by snake bites. Previously, the Disaster Management Department provided ₹4 lakh to the families of victims, but the amount has now been increased to ₹10 lakh. The directive was issued by Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr. Prem Kumar after a detailed review.

Legislative Question Triggers Review
The issue was raised during the 2026 budget session by BJP MLA from Darbhanga, Jivesh Mishra. He questioned whether snakes are considered wild animals under government policy and highlighted the disparity in compensation for snake bite deaths compared to other wildlife-related fatalities. The matter was discussed with the concerned minister, who struggled to provide a clear answer.

Speaker Holds Review Meeting
Following this, Speaker Dr. Prem Kumar conducted a review meeting in his chamber and instructed that snakes be officially classified as wild animals. This aligns with a prior assurance by former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi during his tenure.

Compensation Now ₹10 Lakh
Under the revised directive, families of victims who die due to snake bites will now receive ₹10 lakh instead of ₹4 lakh. Departmental officers have also been directed to complete the necessary procedures for disbursing the enhanced compensation.

Eligibility Criteria
To claim this compensation, the hospital death certificate must explicitly state that the cause of death was a snake bite. This policy ensures parity with other wildlife-related fatalities and provides financial relief to affected families.