Patna: Bihar’s developmental landscape has seen a remarkable transformation following the central government’s special package, with the state advancing in multiple sectors including skill training, agriculture, fisheries, and storage infrastructure. The so-called ‘double engine’ governance has translated policies into visible on-ground projects, steering Bihar toward self-reliance and employment generation.
Skill Development Surpasses Expectations
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), more than 6,33,000 youth were trained, exceeding the original target of 1,00,000. A total of Rs 508.40 crore was allocated for the initiative. In the power sector alone, 11,894 candidates were trained by March 31, 2023, with Rs 14.75 crore invested.
Agricultural Research Gets a Boost
Pusa was granted Central Agricultural University status by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on May 28, 2016. A National Research Center on Integrated Farming System was also established in Motihari at a cost of Rs 62.25 crore.
Fisheries Thrive Under Blue Revolution
The PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) helped develop ponds, seed rearing centers, and fishermen’s houses, with an expenditure of Rs 31.96 crore. Additional projects—such as disease diagnostic facilities, a testing lab, and a retail fish market—worth Rs 5.13 crore are nearing completion to further bolster the fisheries sector and improve farmer incomes.
Support for Agriculture and Farmers
Micro-irrigation systems were implemented across 32,577 hectares under water management schemes, costing Rs 165.96 crore. For agricultural mechanisation, Rs 117.67 crore was disbursed. However, the Bihar government had to return Rs 16.7 crore under a seed project due to unutilised funds.
Expansion in Storage and Silos
Warehouses with a capacity of 2.84 lakh metric tonnes have been constructed at 25 sites with a spend of Rs 247.64 crore. Additionally, silos with a combined capacity of 1.50 lakh metric tonnes were built in Darbhanga, Samastipur, and Katihar at a cost of Rs 135 crore.
Eight more warehouses with a total capacity of 1.20 lakh metric tonnes are being built across Sitamarhi, Sheikhpura, Ara, Gopalganj, Saharsa, Nalanda, Hajipur, and Samastipur under the PEG scheme, with an estimated investment of Rs 104.7 crore. Moreover, silos with a cumulative capacity of 7.25 lakh metric tonnes are under construction at 16 sites, expected to cost Rs 652.5 crore.
