Patna, July 9 -- The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday decided that the existing 35% quota for women in government jobs will now be restricted to only permanent residents of the state, with the decision just months ahead of the crucial assembly polls coming amid a growing demand from jobseekers as well as political opponents for the implementation of a domicile policy in government jobs. The cabinet, chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar, also approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, which is aimed at providing more employment opportunities to the young population in the state. It also increased the pension for widowed and differently abled women to Rs.1,000 per month from earlier Rs.400. "The cabinet approved an important proposal of the General Administration Department, allowing the 35% quota for women in government jobs to be restricted only for permanent residents of Bihar. The new policy will enhance financial independence and job security for permanent resident women of the state," additional chief secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The Nitish Kumar-led government had introduced 35% reservation for women, including those from other states, in government jobs at all levels in 2016. After the cabinet decision, women who are not a permanent resident, or domiciled, of Bihar would not be eligible to avail the 35% state jobs quota. Ahead of the assembly polls, which are likely to be held in October-November this year, the demand for the implementation of a domicile policy has been growing. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has promised to implement "100% domicile" in the state if his party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), comes to power following the polls. Union minister Chirag Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) both in state and at the Centre, has also raised his voice for a domicile policy. He also questioned the RJD's commitment to the domicile issue. Last week, a large number of job aspirants held a demonstration in Patna, demanding the implementation of the domicile policy in government employment. The domicile reservation for women decision, just ahead of the state polls, is being seen as the Nitish Kumar-led government's attempt to consolidate its women vote bank. Over the last few years, women have emerged as a key voting bloc in Bihar, logging higher turnouts than men. Anupriya Patel, the spokesperson for Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), hailed the cabinet decision as a "revolutionary step" toward women empowerment. "It is a historic decision that strengthens Nitish Kumar's vision of development with justice and empowers the daughters of Bihar," she added. In another significant decision, the Bihar cabinet also announced the formation of the youth commission, which will focus on creating job opportunities for youngsters, enhancing skill development, and streamlining recruitment processes for government jobs, the additional chief secretary said. Taking to social media, CM Nitish Kumar said the commission will ensure that the local youth are given priority in the private sector jobs....