Patna: Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Friday outlined the state government’s commitment to economic growth and social justice, emphasizing employment generation as a key priority under its Seven Resolves (Part-2) initiative. Addressing the joint sitting of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Bihar Legislative Council at the start of the Budget session, he asserted that the administration was focused on creating jobs and fostering inclusive development, with the Centre’s continued support aiding this effort.
With the upcoming state elections later this year, the Governor highlighted that the government had significantly exceeded its initial employment targets. While the original plan under Seven Resolves (Part-2) aimed to generate 10 lakh jobs and an equal number of employment opportunities, progress had outpaced expectations. “So far, over 9.35 lakh jobs have been provided, and recruitment is ongoing for the remaining positions. The government is now committed to increasing this figure to 12 lakh jobs before the elections,” Khan said.
In terms of broader employment generation, he noted that the initial estimate of 10 lakh opportunities had already expanded to 24 lakh, with the target now revised to 34 lakh in the coming months.
The Governor also spoke about welfare schemes aimed at economic upliftment, citing the ‘Laghu Udyami Yojana,’ which provides financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to 94 lakh economically disadvantaged families identified through the state’s caste survey.
Khan further acknowledged the Central government’s role in Bihar’s development, highlighting recent budget allocations for infrastructure projects and flood protection initiatives, including the Kosi-Mechi link project. He noted that the fourth agricultural roadmap, with an investment of Rs 1.62 lakh crore, was underway to enhance food grain and vegetable production, along with boosting self-sufficiency in fisheries.
The state government’s focus on education and healthcare reforms, as well as women’s empowerment, was also underscored in his address. Initiatives such as a 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and a 35% quota in government jobs have been instrumental in increasing female participation in governance and the workforce.
