Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 172 development projects worth Rs 133.24 crore in Sheikhpura district as part of the fourth phase of his Pragati Yatra. The projects, unveiled remotely from Ghatkusumma block, include 120 completed schemes worth Rs 96.33 crore and the foundation of 52 new schemes amounting to Rs 36.71 crore.
CM Nitish also reviewed development works in the district, inaugurating a sports complex in Gagaur village built at a cost of Rs 9.92 lakh and the renovated Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra, which underwent a Rs 14.99 lakh upgrade. He interacted with players at the sports ground and inaugurated a library established by Jeevika Didis, aimed at fostering academic, entrepreneurial, and skill development for rural youth. He also inspected the newly built Panchayat Government Building in Gagaur, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.31 crore, stating that it would centralise essential services for local residents.
The chief minister visited the Kasturba Gandhi Girls School in Gagaur, inaugurating an astronomy laboratory and interacting with students about the solar system. He encouraged them to embrace curiosity and technological advancements. He also attended an art exhibition showcasing student work and stressed the importance of balancing academics with artistic pursuits. At the local middle school, he listened to children sing a song highlighting the benefits of Bihar’s liquor prohibition policy and praised their awareness efforts.
CM Nitish inaugurated a science exhibition and a new Drone Robotics facility at the middle school before unveiling renovation work on a pond and the construction of a PCC road leading to a health and wellness centre. At a nearby fishery pond under the Mukhyamantri Matsya Marketing Yojana, he recommended the construction of a staircase to improve accessibility. He later inaugurated the Adarsh Anganwadi Centre and interacted with children and teachers there.
The chief minister inspected the newly built Mukhiya Sarpanch, Panchayat Training Centre (DPRC) and visited a local health and wellness centre, where he reviewed the availability of medical services. He stressed the importance of telemedicine in ensuring better healthcare access.
At the program venue, CM Nitish visited stalls set up by various government departments, including health, rural development, agriculture, transport, and education. He symbolically distributed cheques and benefits under schemes such as the Chief Minister Udyam Yojana, Startup Yojana, Student Credit Card Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat. Among the disbursed funds, Rs 18.58 crore was allocated to 211 beneficiaries under the Udyam Yojana, while Rs 1.64 crore went to 221 recipients under the Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana. Tricycles and subsidised e-rickshaws were also distributed to beneficiaries.
The event also highlighted the achievements of Jeevika self-help groups. CM Nitish presented a symbolic cheque of Rs 49.46 crore to 1,200 self-help groups, acknowledging their role in empowering women in Bihar. He commended their journey towards economic independence and credited the expansion of self-help groups since 2005 for transforming the socio-economic landscape of rural Bihar.
