The word ‘Bihar’ invokes different reactions from people living in different locations in India. Many of us might not have seen or visited Bihar, but I have seen how easy it is to criticise or have a different, not so good opinion, just based on what we see on the internet and in the media. Bihar was one of those states of India which was relegated to the last few places in the list of developing states, but things are changing now, and I have seen how rapidly development has come about.
We might have a lot of negative connotations associated with Bihar, but here I want to talk about the good initiatives and steps I think are contributing to the development of Bihar!
7 Nischay Bihar Yojana
Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar in 2016 launched 7 Nischay Bihar Yojana, which covers the seven ‘resolves‘ that the government will focus on.
The Kushal Yuva Program (KYP) will focus on providing skill development to youngsters between the age group of 18-25. The scheme will further provide unemployment benefits with a monthly allowance.
There is also the provision of credit card facilities for students who have cleared their class 12th exams. This is along with the provision of a loan of Rs. 4 Lakh without any security or collateral at a minimum interest for 4% per annum to be charged after the student completes graduation.
In a step towards empowering women, this agenda promised 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs.
‘Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal’ (water in every tap) proposed ample water access to all through a pipeline connection. Nitish Kumar allotted around 47,700 Crores for this mission.
Bihar came to suffer power cuts, and next to no electricity facility in many village areas. This scheme aims to provide electricity to each and every house in Bihar. I would say this has been relatively successful.
Another point int his agenda promised proper road and drainage facility to households. This scheme also promised all-weather roads to connect all villages. I have seen much improvement in the transport situation in Bihar.
The government introduced a scheme to ensure that toilet and sanitation facilities are available to all. According to the scheme, the Government will provide toilet facility to those households who don’t have toilets installed in their houses. This is to address the fact that according to the 2011 Census, as many as 14.5 million households did not have latrines in their homes and 11.8 million did not have bathrooms In Bihar.
The government under this seven-point agenda had given assurance that they will inaugurate new educational institutes to promote higher education.
Facilities For The Homeless
Nitish Kumar in 2018 announced that the government, under the Mukhya Mantri Vas Sthal Kraya Sahayata Yojana, will provide Rs.60,000 for those availing the scheme to buy lands to build their homes, and Rs 1,20,000 will be given to renovate Indira Awas Yojana houses under the Mukhya Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana.
Old Age Pension Scheme
The CM recently launched the Old Age Pension Scheme for those above 60 years of age, leading Bihar to become the first state to initiate a uniform old-age pension scheme. Kumar said any individual above the age of 60, not covered under any state or central government pension scheme, will be entitled to a pension under the Mukhyamantri Vriddha Pension Yojna.
Girl Power!
In my opinion, I would say that much has been done by the state to empower the girl children, and encourage their parents to provide proper education. Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana (MKUY), each new-born girl will get Rs 5000, all Intermediate level pass-outs will get Rs 10,000, and graduates will get Rs 25,000. The government was said to spend a total of Rs 60,000 on each girl student!
Girl students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) will be able to avail free education till post-graduation level, the government had announced. I strongly feel this has helped many young students.
Infrastructure Development
I would say, the infrastructure in Bihar is developing at such a huge speed that the local areas, cities, and towns have been completely transformed. Some major government projects I would like to highlight include the inauguration of an auditorium with a capacity of seating 5,000 people, the new Bihar Museum in Patna with its fancy interior and advanced technical capabilities!
With the rapid development of roadways in the form of 4-lane roads that will improve connectivity and the announcement that work will begin on around eleven medical colleges and more medical institutes, I am sure of Bihar losing the ‘negative’ tag I have seen people associate with it.