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Nitish Welcomes PM's Bihar Package, Demands Its Implementation

Nitish Welcomes PM's Bihar Package, Demands Its Implementation
PATNA, INDIA - JULY 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at 87th ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Foundation Day Celebrations, SKM Hall, on July 25, 2015 in Patna, India. Modi said the nation can no longer wait for the second green revolution, which must come from eastern India. He said India must aim to become totally self-sufficient in the agriculture sector. During a rally, Modi targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allying with RJD, saying he was trying to drag the state back to the 'jungle raj', and asked the voters to reject such people as they 'cannot be trusted' again and elect NDA with a two-third majority for changing Bihar's fate. (Photo by AP Dube/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
PATNA, INDIA - JULY 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at 87th ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Foundation Day Celebrations, SKM Hall, on July 25, 2015 in Patna, India. Modi said the nation can no longer wait for the second green revolution, which must come from eastern India. He said India must aim to become totally self-sufficient in the agriculture sector. During a rally, Modi targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allying with RJD, saying he was trying to drag the state back to the 'jungle raj', and asked the voters to reject such people as they 'cannot be trusted' again and elect NDA with a two-third majority for changing Bihar's fate. (Photo by AP Dube/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

PATNA -- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today for the first time welcomed the Prime Minister's Bihar package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore and the additional investment of Rs 40,000 crore, and demanded their sincere implementation for development of the state.

"I welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's package for Bihar of Rs 1.25 lakh crore with additional investment of Rs 40,000 crore for running projects...from here onwards I would like sincere implementation of the package," he said in the legislative Assembly today while replying to the debate on the Governor's address to the joint sitting of the Bihar Assembly.

Kumar had earlier trashed the Bihar package which the Prime Minister had announced at an official function in Ara (Bhojpur district) on September 18 and had described it as "repackaging of old schemes" during election rallies.

The Chief Minister also urged Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to constitute a joint committee of the members of the two Houses for monitoring implementation of the package and utilisation of the committed funds against specific projects.

"I leave it to you (Speaker) to constitute a joint committee of members of House of Bihar legislature or the legislative assembly only for monitoring of the implementation of the Prime Minister's Bihar package," he said.

"The choice is yours," the Chief Minister said looking in the direction of the Speaker.

Kumar stressed that no politics should be played in the state's development and said the construction of National Highway (NH), electricity generation through Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) and other schemes would go a long way in fulfilling the state's aspiration for infrastructure.

Imploring the NDA government at the Centre for implementation of the package, he said that it should not only remain on paper, but must be seen on ground.

Brushing aside interruptions by Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar who wanted him to announce bonus for paddy procurement and speak on law and order situation, Kumar completed his 75-minute speech on his dedication to the state's development through implementation of his seven-point commitment with an investment of Rs 2.70 lakh crore over the next five years.

He said that his government will launch specific programmes to boost agrarian development, human resources development, health, education, welfare programmes and road and electricity infrastructure in order to build a developed Bihar in a time-bound manner.

He said that the state government will ensure peace in Bihar and added that the rule of law will prevail at all times.

The Chief Minister made specific commitments like Wi-Fi facility in all educational institutions, reduction of fertility rate through education of girls upto minimum of intermediate level, bringing all students dropping out from schools back to their classes, Rs 4 lakh student credit card for higher education, computer literarcy programme for students and making them conversant in English language, besides skill development for their employability.

Among other commitments, he said that the state goverment will provide electricity to all households by next year and also supply water through pipeline.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.