Nitish's 'determinations' adopted as state policy

The Bihar government has formally adopted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "seven determinations", which includes unemployment allowances, 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs and a venture fund for new entrepreneurs, as its roadmap for development.

In his half-an-hour address on Friday at the joint session of the Bihar Legislature at the start of the winter session, which was approved by the new Nitish Kumar government, Governor Ram Nath Kovind expressed hope that state government would take advantage of "positive environment" created by formation of a government with overwhelming majority and establish "new milestones of development."

Spelling out Nitish government's thrust areas for the next five year, the Governor stated that rule of law would prevail in the state. The government stated that it plans to provide credit card for students for pursuing higher education and establish counselling centres for employment and skill development in every block of the state.

To help young unemployed in search of jobs, the government promised monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 1,000 for eight months twice within two years. The government has also promised 35% reservation for women in government jobs. The government also promised to set-up a venture capital of Rs 500 crore for young entrepreneurs and provide free wi-fi in college and universities to boost connectivity.

Besides, the government has said that it is determined to link every household in the towns and villages with drinking water supply pipeline and constructing toilet in every household.

In addition to the seven new determinations, the state government highlighted its achievements in the field of road, electricity, education, agriculture and industry among others and promised to continue them with renewed vigour.

Kumar announced these "seven determinations" during the run-up of the state elections to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore along with Rs 40,000 crore of past schemes. Kumar had estimated that his "seven determinations" would entail an expenditure of Rs 2.70 lakh crore in the next five years, which he had said on several occasions during polls that the state would arrange from its own resources and "would not go with begging bowl to the Centre."

Listing achievements of the past 10 years, the Governor's speech highlighted that the state's average growth rate was 10.2% at the current price. The revenue collection has gone up by seven times during this period, it said.

"Bihar's 54% of the population was below poverty line earlier which has come down to 33% now...more than 20% reduction in poverty level goes to show that development has been inclusive in Bihar," the Governor read from the text which was approved by the new Nitish Kumar government.