Bhagalpur/Patna: The Bihar government has set a target of attracting Rs Five lakh crore in investment in the information technology sector as part of a broader plan to position the state as a leading hub for IT and artificial intelligence, minister Nitish Mishra said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House in Bhagalpur, Mishra said the state had prepared a roadmap focused on expanding digital infrastructure, promoting manufacturing and generating employment.
IT and AI expansion roadmap
Mishra said the state’s IT policy is being shaped after studying models adopted by other states, with a focus on creating jobs through relatively low-capital investment.
He said a state-of-the-art data centre in Patna has been completed and will be inaugurated soon.
The minister also said laptop manufacturing has begun in Bihar, though he did not specify production details or timelines.
Referring to the state’s recent AI Summit, Mishra said Bihar was working to connect with professionals of Bihari origin active in global AI ecosystems and gather inputs from engineering students to strengthen the startup ecosystem.
Transfer policy for municipal employees
Mishra also announced plans to introduce a transfer policy for employees in urban local bodies, saying many staff members currently spend their entire careers in a single municipal posting.
He said the department was working on a “transparent and structured” framework for transfers across civic bodies.
Bhagalpur civic projects under review
As minister in charge of Bhagalpur, Mishra said he would chair a high-level review meeting on Monday to assess the progress of urban development projects in the city.
The review will cover issues related to water supply, drainage systems, sewage treatment plants (STPs), electric crematoriums and projects linked to BUIDCO (Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation).
He said pending files related to urban development would be processed more quickly and invited local representatives to submit proposals for projects requiring state approval.
Investment push continues
Mishra said the state government was continuing efforts to attract investment from Biharis living across India and abroad.
He added that during his tenure as industries minister in 2024, projects worth Rs. 1.81 lakh crore had received approval, and the government was now seeking to build on that momentum through the IT sector.
