In a significant move towards economic transformation, the newly formed NDA government in Bihar led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given its approval to four groundbreaking proposals aimed at positioning the state as eastern India's premier technology destination. The decisions were taken during the cabinet's first meeting on Tuesday, marking a bold step towards creating a new-age economy for Bihar.
Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit announced the cabinet's decisions, emphasizing that the overall objective is to achieve rapid industrialization and generate substantial employment opportunities for the state's youth. The approval covers comprehensive plans that include establishing a global bank hub, creating global workplaces, providing fresh support to startups, and implementing widespread artificial intelligence applications across various sectors.
Comprehensive Development Strategy
The cabinet has cleared an ambitious roadmap that extends beyond technology initiatives. In alignment with the broader vision for development, the government has approved proposals to establish satellite townships near all nine divisional headquarters, as well as near Sonepur and Sitamarhi. The satellite township in Sitamarhi will be named Sitapuram, coinciding with the development of a new Ma Janaki temple at Punauradham in the district.
Additionally, the cabinet has given the green light to reopen nine closed sugar mills and establish 25 new mills across the state. This move is expected to revitalize the agricultural processing sector and create numerous employment opportunities in rural areas.
Tech Hub Infrastructure Development
The technology transformation plan includes establishing a defence corridor, semiconductor manufacturing park, global capability centers, and a mega tech city or Fintech city. To ensure effective implementation, a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary will be formed, comprising national and international experts as members.
This committee will submit detailed recommendations based on which a comprehensive implementation plan will be prepared. The government's approach demonstrates a systematic method towards building Bihar's technological infrastructure from the ground up.
Global Banking and Workplace Initiatives
Under the industries department, another high-level committee will be established, again headed by the chief secretary with national and international advisors. This committee has been tasked with recommending concrete steps for establishing a global bank hub and global workplace over the next five years.
The committee will submit its report within a defined time frame, after which immediate implementation will begin. This initiative aims to position Bihar as a significant player in the global financial services sector.
Startup Promotion and AI Mission
Aligned with the broader technology strategy, the government has decided to actively promote startups in the state by engaging both national and international players, including entrepreneurs from Bihar. A separate high-level committee comprising noted startup promoters from India and abroad, including those with Bihar connections, will submit its recommendations for immediate implementation.
In the IT sector, the government has proposed the Bihar AI Mission to establish the state as an advanced player in artificial intelligence. The chief secretary highlighted that the state government is committed to taking innovative measures in governance, where various departments can utilize AI and the general public can access its services.
Implementation Timeline and Process
Chief Secretary Amrit clarified that work on all approved proposals will commence once the committees formed to examine them submit their recommendations within fixed time frames. Cabinet Secretariat Department Additional Chief Secretary Arvind Chaudhary was present during the briefing, underscoring the importance of these decisions.
The government has adopted a phased approach to implementation, beginning with the development of 11 satellite townships in the first phase. Similarly, for the sugar mills initiative, a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary will study the reopening of closed mills and establishment of new ones, with work plans being prepared and executed based on its recommendations.
This comprehensive development package represents one of the most ambitious economic transformation initiatives undertaken by the Bihar government in recent years, with potential to significantly alter the state's industrial and technological landscape.
