Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his Samriddhi Yatra in West Champaran
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday asserted that Bihar would no longer lag behind and would move rapidly towards development, with full support from the Centre. Addressing a public gathering during the Samriddhi Yatra, which began from West Champaran, the Chief Minister said extensive work would be undertaken in education, health and employment to place Bihar among the country’s developed states.
He announced that a new policy would be introduced to ban private practice by government doctors, while sportspersons would be provided government jobs. “These steps will ensure overall progress and strengthen Bihar’s future,” he said.
Speaking at a public meeting in West Champaran, Kumar said the state government was fully committed to the development of districts. Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he remarked that while his government continued to deliver work with the Centre’s cooperation, some leaders were only engaged in making baseless allegations. “They did nothing earlier. The condition of the state was extremely poor,” he said.
The Chief Minister said eight major schemes had already been approved for West Champaran and work on them was underway, with instructions issued for their early completion. A degree college has been opened in the blocks across the Gandak river to ensure students do not face difficulties in higher education.
He outlined several infrastructure projects, including widening of Betia’s main roads, development of modern facilities at Betia Stadium, construction of a bypass, expansion of the industrial area, and construction of two key roads—from Mananpur to the Uttar Pradesh border and from Inarwa to Valmikinagar. A Luv–Kush Park is also being developed in the district.
Under the Saat Nischay scheme, numerous development works will be carried out between 2025 and 2030. The Chief Minister said ₹10,000 each had already been provided to 6.62 lakh women in the district, while additional assistance of ₹2 lakh would be given to promote employment.
During public interaction, Kumar announced that every block would have a degree college for higher education along with one model school. “Bihar’s youth will no longer need to migrate outside the state for jobs. New industries will be established here,” he said.
Highlighting achievements in education, the Chief Minister said schemes such as bicycles, uniforms and scholarships for girls had strengthened enrolment, while over 5.24 lakh teachers had been recruited. He added that healthcare facilities had improved significantly, with medical colleges established in every district, and further reforms were planned, including a ban on private practice by government doctors.
He said electricity had now reached every household and preparations were underway to install rooftop solar systems. Pension amounts for women and senior citizens had been increased, while Jeevika women self-help group members were being supported with financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh. Women have been given 35 per cent reservation, he added, and efforts were being made to ensure inclusive development across all sections of society.
The Chief Minister said the Centre was extending full cooperation in Bihar’s development, with initiatives such as Khelo India being promoted in the state. Sportspersons would be offered government jobs, he reiterated, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was actively supporting development works in Bihar. The state government has set a target of doubling per capita income and is preparing to build a strong industrial base, including the revival of closed sugar mills.
Recalling past conditions, Kumar said West Champaran had once been severely backward, but now engineering colleges, polytechnics, women’s colleges, medical and paramedical institutions, auditoriums, roads and bridges had been established, ensuring development in every sector.
He announced that women would receive ₹2 lakh assistance for employment, closed industries at Kumarbagh would be revived, sugar mills in Chanpatia would be restarted, Sudha milk sale centres would be opened in every panchayat, degree colleges would be set up in all blocks, and Betia Hospital would be upgraded into a specialised hospital.
During the visit, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones for 125 schemes worth ₹153 crore and inaugurated 36 schemes costing ₹29 crore. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary, Disaster Management Minister Narayan Sah, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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