Patna: The NDA government in Bihar will ensure investments worth Rs5 lakh crore before completing one year of its present term on November 20 this year, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced on Friday. He stressed the need to improve the industrial and education sectors in the state. The CM said airports, airstrips, rapid rail in different parts of Bihar, and the defence corridor in Munger and Rajgir will generate employment and transform the state.
Large-Scale Investments and Infrastructure Projects
The state is now attracting large-scale investments, and work on a data centre project is set to begin soon, he said, adding that work is also progressing swiftly on projects such as cement plants, beverage units, and data centres. "Bihar would emerge as one of the country’s leading industrial states. To streamline the industrial approval process, a 30-day deadline has been set, after which necessary permissions will be granted automatically," he reiterated.
Bihar's Role in Viksit Bharat Vision
"Bihar would play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047," he said during a media interaction on the completion of PM Narendra Modi’s 12 years at the Centre. Samrat said the PM has asked every NDA CM to review projects pending for more than two years and expedite work.
Financial Contributions and Self-Help Groups
Thanking PM Modi for helping Bihar develop at a fast pace, Samrat said a large chunk of the state budget is financed through a share in central taxes and GST as it generates only about Rs60,000 crore on its own out of the Rs3.47 lakh crore annual budget. He said self-help groups (Jeevika didis) in Bihar contribute Rs1.46 lakh crore to the state’s economy. He said 30 lakh out of 1 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' in the country are in Bihar.
Progress in Roads, Power, and Transport
"Bihar ranks among the leading states in the country regarding rural road construction and connectivity. The state has made remarkable progress in the road and power sectors," he said. "Now, Vande Bharat trains run on every route and rapid rail will be introduced in Bihar soon to reduce the commuting time from Patna to Gaya or Rajgir to 40 minutes. NTPC has invested Rs1 lakh crore in the energy sector. The government has already invested Rs13,000 crore in solar pump storage projects to manage power tariff in the state. A target has been set to connect 50 lakh households to solar power over the next two years under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Bihar government provides Rs23,000 crore on power subsidy, compared to Rs6,000 in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Key Projects in Health, Education, and Industry
Projects such as AIIMS-Darbhanga in the health sector, Karpoori Thakur Skill University in the education sector, and the Defence Corridor in the industrial sector will steer Bihar’s future in a new direction, the CM said. Following the development of airports in Darbhanga and Purnia, work is underway on several new airport, airstrip, and helipad projects. Serious efforts are also being made regarding the rapid rail project connecting Rajgir, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur. "Ajgaibinath and Sonepur will soon have airports, and I have signed a proposal on Friday itself for two airstrips—one at Rajgir and another between Sasaram and Kaimur," the CM said.
Central Support and Fiscal Management
Highlighting the Centre’s contribution under PM Modi’s leadership, Samrat said the state has received Rs12.90 lakh crore in central taxes and assistance from the central government over the last 12 years, which is more than four times the amount compared to Rs2.80 lakh crore in the 2004-14 period of the UPA government. The CM said Rs72,000 crore taken as loans for development projects are well-planned, and repayments are being made regularly. "Despite the ban on alcohol, Bihar is benefiting from the tax collection mechanism under the GST regime. The state government’s daily expenditure is around Rs1,000 crore. As of June 12, more than Rs1,500 crore is available in the treasury. Teachers’ salaries and pensions are their fundamental right; therefore, they cannot be withheld under any circumstances," he said.
Security and Maoist Situation
Praising the Centre for getting rid of Maoists, Samrat said, "I am the MLA of the very constituency where Maoists once killed a superintendent of police (SP). However, the situation has changed and the country is now almost free from Maoists," he said.
