Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, has strongly advocated for the widespread adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to accelerate the execution of development projects across the state. He emphasized that this approach ensures timely completion while requiring minimal government investment.
Virtual Address at 'Manthan' Training Programme
Choudhary made these remarks on Thursday while addressing the concluding session of the 'Manthan' programme via videoconference. The event was organized by the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) in Gaya. The programme aimed to train government officials on policy formulation, development strategies, and implementation mechanisms.
Senior officials, including divisional commissioners, district magistrates, and other key administrators, participated in the session. The Deputy CM joined them virtually from the state capital, Patna.
PPP Success in Key Departments
Elaborating on the benefits, Choudhary stated that the PPP model allows for faster infrastructure development with a low financial burden on the state exchequer. He pointed to concrete examples where this model is already delivering results.
The Road Construction Department has embraced the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), a form of PPP. "After the introduction of the HAM model, projects worth Rs 17,000 crore were taken up under it," Choudhary revealed.
He also highlighted progress in other sectors:
- Energy Department: Working under the PPP framework with a target to produce 10,000 MW of power.
- Urban Development: Garbage management initiatives under PPP have received a positive public response.
Directive to District Officials
The Deputy Chief Minister issued a clear directive to officials on the ground. He urged divisional commissioners and district magistrates to actively explore and adopt the PPP mode for projects at the district level.
He explained the government's role in such partnerships, noting, "Under this mode, the government provides the land and it also has to make a very low amount of investment." To foster this environment, he instructed officials to hold monthly meetings with business organizations to facilitate collaboration.
Choudhary also spotlighted the untapped tourism potential of Bihar. He asserted that applying the PPP model in the tourism sector could significantly boost employment generation and increase revenue for the state.
The push for PPP underscores the state government's strategy to leverage private sector efficiency and capital for public infrastructure, aiming to bridge development gaps more swiftly.
