PATNA, Sept. 20 -- With Assembly elections barely two months away, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar has launched a major outreach drive targeting the state's vast migrant workforce outside Bihar, urging them to return home during the festive season - and, implicitly, to cast their votes. "Tyoharon par apno se milna Bihar sarkar ne kiya aasaan (Bihar government facilitates meeting your near and dear ones during festivals)," reads the headline of full-page advertisements splashed across leading newspapers in Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal - the states where a bulk of Bihar's migrants live and work. According to the Census 2011, Bihar had 74.54 lakh (7.45 million) migrants spread across India. However, surveys conducted during 2020-21 and data on COVID-19 relief suggest the actual number of migrant workers is closer to one crore (10 million). Attempts to access updated official data remained unsuccessful, with officials in the labour department redirecting queries without sharing fresh figures. Beginning Saturday, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) will operate special buses under three categories - non-AC seater, AC seater and AC sleeper - to ferry migrants from the five neighbouring states back home for Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath. The services will run until November 30, coinciding with the timing of government formation in the state. The buses will be operated under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model, with the government providing subsidies to ensure affordable fares. "During the 72-day festive window, 65 buses will ply between Delhi and Bihar, 30 between Haryana and Bihar, 25 between Jharkhand and Bihar, 26 between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and 58 buses between West Bengal and Bihar," said Atul Kumar Verma, administrator, BSRTC. The government has rolled out a multi-pronged subsidy plan for bus operators. Those purchasing new buses in 2025 are entitled to a subsidy of Rs.20 lakh per bus for five years, with Rs.30 crore earmarked for 150 buses already approved. Operators of buses bought between 2021 and 2025 will get a seat subsidy backed by a budget of Rs.35.36 crore over five years. To directly ease passenger fares, a one-year "festival subsidy" worth Rs.24 crore has also been announced. This brings down the cost of a Delhi-Patna non-AC ticket to Rs.1,133 (after a subsidy of Rs.394), an AC seater ticket to Rs.1,254 (after Rs.619 subsidy), and an AC sleeper ticket to Rs.1,893 (after Rs.919 subsidy). "In addition, we have tied up with roadside hotels and dhabas to provide subsidised meals priced between Rs.100 and Rs.150 per person, about 20% cheaper than regular rates," Verma said....