Patna: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the statewide Block Support-cum-Public Welfare Camp programme and unveiled projects worth development across the Phulwari Sharif Assembly constituency.
At an event held in Nadiyawan village under Ismailpur Dhibra Gram Panchayat in Patna district, Choudhary used remote technology to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for 73 development schemes. The camps are being organised across all 534 blocks of Bihar to improve access to government welfare programmes.
Focus on Welfare Delivery
During the programme, the Chief Minister inspected departmental stalls set up by the Home, Health, Agriculture, Education, Transport, Social Welfare, Revenue and Food and Consumer Protection departments.
Officials briefed him on several schemes, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana and social security pension programmes.
Beneficiaries received certificates, symbolic cheques and scheme-related assistance during the event.
Call for Ayushman Card Enrolment
Addressing the gathering, Choudhary urged eligible residents to obtain Ayushman Cards through the camps. He described the initiative as a public welfare campaign aimed at ensuring that government benefits reach eligible citizens efficiently.
He said social security pensions for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities had been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
According to Choudhary, around 18 to 20 lakh eligible beneficiaries remain outside the pension system due to incomplete KYC formalities or Aadhaar-bank account linkage issues. He directed district administrations to identify and assist such individuals.
Employment and Women’s Empowerment
Chief Minister said 48 lakh women in Bihar have already achieved the status of “Lakhpati Didi” and the government aims to increase the number to one crore within the next two years through the Jivika programme.
He also announced that pending financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme would be transferred to eligible beneficiaries within a month.
On rural employment, Choudhary said he had met Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who assured him that Bihar’s pending MGNREGA dues of Rs 4,000 crore would be released by June 30.
Education and Infrastructure Plans
The Chief Minister announced plans to establish model schools named “Saraswati Vidya Niketan” in all 534 blocks of Bihar. He said the schools would provide quality education to children from all social backgrounds.
He further announced that Nadiyawan Upgraded Middle School would be upgraded into a Plus-Two institution.
For infrastructure, Choudhary said the Natthupur road would be connected to the AIIMS roundabout to ease traffic congestion in the area.
Investment and Law and Order
Highlighting Bihar’s economic ambitions, Choudhary said the state government was working to attract investments through township development projects across Bihar. He claimed these projects could bring investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore.
He assured farmers that fair compensation would be provided for land acquired for township projects.
On law and order, he said the government was taking swift action against criminals and prioritising women’s safety.
Healthcare Reforms and University Projects
Choudhary said the government plans to reduce unnecessary patient referrals from subdivision and district hospitals beginning August 15. Strict action would be taken against doctors found referring non-critical patients to tertiary institutions unnecessarily.
He also highlighted the revival of Nalanda University and announced that the foundation stone for the restoration of Vikramshila University would be laid later this year.
