Gaya: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday laid the foundation stone for a Rs170-crore MSME Technology Centre in the Khizarsarai area of Gaya district. Once constructed, the centre will train 7,000 entrepreneurs every year in fields including general and heavy engineering, as well as textiles.
To be built on 20 acres, the technology centre will feature state-of-the-art training facilities and residential accommodation for entrepreneurs. According to official figures, Rs86 crore will be allocated for civil works, while another Rs84 crore will be used to procure machinery for training purposes.
Addressing a public meeting after the foundation-laying ceremony, the CM stated that people of Bihar would no longer have to look outside the state for employment, as all efforts are being made to fast-track the process of industrialisation. In this context, he referenced the state government's decision to provide automatic clearance for the establishment of industrial units within 30 days of receiving an application.
The CM also announced the allotment of 40 acres of government land near the technology centre for the construction of an international-standard stadium. Earlier, Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had requested the CM to allot government land for the stadium. Choudhary mentioned that he is a cricket lover and that the stadium project is very close to his heart.
Further, the CM emphasised that the road to progress lies through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which, besides contributing to the GDP, have the potential to provide jobs to crores of people due to their labour-intensive nature.
Highlighting the growth of MSMEs in Bihar, the CM noted that the sector has witnessed massive expansion in the state over the past three to four years. As against only six lakh registered MSMEs in Bihar in 2023, the number has now risen to 46 lakh, he said. MSMEs provide employment to no fewer than 1.87 crore people in the state, he added.
Reiterating his predecessor Nitish Kumar's policy of zero tolerance towards crime, corruption and communalism, the CM affirmed his commitment to following the path charted by the veteran leader.
The CM praised Manjhi for his broad-mindedness in choosing Khizarsarai for the technology centre outside his own parliamentary constituency. In a lighter vein, he expressed hope that Manjhi would not disappoint his voters and would do something equally significant for Gaya as well.
The CM expressed regret that local MP Surendra Prasad Yadav did not attend the event despite receiving an official invitation. The area falls under the Jehanabad parliamentary constituency.
Among those who addressed the gathering were assembly speaker Prem Kumar, agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, and industries minister Shreyasi Singh.
