Patna: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the state-level Independence Day ceremony at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on August 15, outlining the Bihar government’s plans for development, employment, investment, infrastructure and public services.
Choudhary said the government was working towards ensuring equal opportunities and dignity for citizens, while focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, employment and security.
30-Day Deadline For Grievance Redressal
Referring to the government’s ‘Sahyog Shivir’ public grievance camps, Choudhary said officials have been given a strict 30-day deadline to resolve citizens’ complaints.
According to figures cited by the chief minister, 6,46,181 applications have been received so far, with around 95% resolved.
He said 17,773 officials and employees had received a first notice for negligence, while 860 received a second notice and 48 received a third notice. Citizens dissatisfied with the resolution have also been provided an avenue for further appeal, he said.
Women’s Safety Among Government Priorities
Choudhary said women’s safety remained a key priority for the state government. He said 32,450 women police personnel are currently serving in Bihar and that further recruitment and training are underway.
The chief minister also announced the launch of the ‘Police Didi’ service on Raksha Bandhan. Under the initiative, women police personnel will be deployed near schools and colleges, with around 5,000 bikes and scooters provided for the purpose.
He also said emergency services, including ambulances, fire services and police, had been integrated under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). The government is working towards enabling police to reach incident locations within about 10 minutes, he said.
Village Development And Panchayat Plans
The chief minister said village development would remain a government priority. Development schemes and new proposals will be reviewed on the last Sunday of every month as part of ‘Panchayat Vikas Diwas’, he said.
The initiative is intended to provide a regular mechanism for reviewing development work and planning new projects at the village and panchayat level.
Rs 5 Lakh Crore Private Investment Target
Choudhary said the government has set a target of attracting Rs 5 lakh crore in private investment in Bihar by next November.
He said the investment drive was aimed at expanding industrial activity and creating employment opportunities in the state.
The chief minister said 10 sugar mills are currently operational in Bihar, while five more are planned.
He added that more than 100 industrial areas have been developed and that 14,600 acres of land are being acquired for further industrial development.
The state government will procure 30% of its supplies from industries established within Bihar, he said.
Rs 51,000 Crore Of MoUs Signed
Choudhary said memoranda of understanding worth Rs 51,000 crore had been signed in a single day, including agreements linked to five steel plants.
He also announced plans to develop infrastructure worth Rs 1 lakh crore, with townships featuring industrial hubs and other infrastructure.
According to the chief minister, work on the Patahi Airport in Muzaffarpur is scheduled to begin this month.
Free Solar Panels For 4.25 Lakh BPL Families
The government will install free solar panels at the homes of 4.25 lakh families classified as below the poverty line, Choudhary said.
He said the initiative would help reduce electricity costs for poor households while encouraging the use of renewable energy.
The chief minister also said around 60 lakh farmers had been digitally connected. Weather information is being provided to farmers through digital platforms to help them make decisions based on local weather conditions.
Patna-Gaya Travel Time Target
Choudhary said the government plans to further improve Bihar’s transport infrastructure over the next five years.
He said the government aims to enable travel between Patna and Gaya in about 30 minutes through rapid rail services in the coming years.
The chief minister said the state’s development programme would be accelerated further, with an emphasis on ensuring that its benefits reach different sections of society.
Bihar’s Budget Has Expanded
Highlighting the state’s economic growth, Choudhary said the budget of undivided Bihar stood at around Rs 6,000 crore 27 years ago, compared with the current state budget of Rs 3.47 lakh crore.
He said the government’s broader priorities included improving the quality of education, strengthening healthcare, promoting industry and sports, and expanding infrastructure.
The announcements at Gandhi Maidan formed part of the government’s broader development agenda, with the chief minister stressing employment, investment, public services, security and infrastructure as key areas of focus.
