Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Launches Major Development Initiatives During Samriddhi Yatra
During his two-district Samriddhi Yatra on Thursday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a total of 261 schemes with a combined value of Rs 326 crore. This significant event was conducted via remote control from the campus of the Kajra solar power plant located in Lakhisarai district, marking a pivotal moment in the state's development agenda.
Focus on Solar Power and Energy Storage
The Kajra solar power production plant stands as an ambitious program of the Bihar government. In its first phase, work related to the production of 185 MW of solar power and a 202 MW hour battery energy storage unit has been successfully completed. Currently, work on the second phase is underway, which involves the production of 116 MW of solar power and a 241 MW battery energy storage unit. During his visit, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspected the control room and hybrid energy management system, seeking detailed information from officials and engineers about their functioning and operational efficiency.
Review of Ongoing Schemes and Future Plans
On this occasion, the Chief Minister reviewed ongoing schemes in both Lakhisarai and Munger districts. He directed officials to expedite implementation and ensure quality work under the Saat Nishchay-2 program and those schemes announced during his Pragati Yatra. Notably, a total of 430 schemes were announced for the entire state during the Pragati Yatra, highlighting the government's commitment to widespread development.
Additionally, Nitish Kumar sought details from officials regarding the implementation of the Saat Nishchay-3 program. Addressing public meetings in Munger and Lakhisarai, he emphasized that the industrial, infrastructural, and educational activities envisioned under Saat Nishchay-3 are aimed at bringing Bihar into the category of developed states. This initiative targets providing jobs and work opportunities for 1 crore youths over the next five years, a crucial step towards economic growth and social upliftment.
Strengthening the Dairy Sector and Social Welfare
In Munger district, the Chief Minister announced specific steps to strengthen the dairy sector. This includes setting up milk producers' committees in 124 villages and opening Sudha milk outlets in 99 panchayats. Furthermore, an Adarsh school and a degree college will be established in each of the nine blocks in Munger, enhancing educational infrastructure and access.
Nitish Kumar also highlighted social welfare achievements, noting that during the caste-based headcount in 2023, approximately 94 lakh families were identified as poor with a monthly income of less than Rs 6,000. Of these, 83.20 lakh families have been covered under the Rojgar Yojana, with plans to include the remaining families by next month. Under the Mahila Rojgar Yojana, Rs 10,000 has been provided to each of 1.76 crore women, with future plans to offer more than Rs 2 lakh after assessing the viability of their economic activities.
Public Engagement and Official Presence
As part of his 'jan samvad' program, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed public meetings in both districts, engaging directly with citizens to discuss development plans and gather feedback. The meetings were attended by prominent figures including Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Cane Minister Sanjay Kumar. Senior officials from the state, division, and district administrations, as well as representatives from the Chief Minister's secretariat, were also present, underscoring the collaborative effort in driving Bihar's progress.
This Samriddhi Yatra not only showcases the government's dedication to infrastructure and economic development but also reinforces its focus on renewable energy, job creation, and social welfare, setting a robust foundation for Bihar's future growth.
