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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar showcased achievements of his government on Monday amid the bandh called by JD (U)'s collation partner RJD, which disrupted normal life across the state. Lathi wielding RJD supporters were enforcing the bandh by shutting down the shops and educational institutions in Patna, when Kumar was listing rule of law as one of the major achievements of his regime.
Presenting a report card of 10 years of his rule, Kumar was flanked by all of his ministers. He said, "When I took the reins of the state, there was an impression that nothing could happen in Bihar. I changed that and proved that Bihar could move ahead. Bihar has grown at a rate of 10 per cent between 2005-15 at fixed prices and 18 per cent at current prices."
Kumar made several declarations, apparently keeping the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in mind. The Chief Minister declared that his government will pay regular salaries to the contract teachers which will be effective from July 1, 2015. The move is aimed to appease 3.85 lakh contract teachers in Bihar who have been protesting to get pay parity with the government teachers. Kumar has announced that his government will bring a new law for grievance redressal. "With this, grievance redressal will be the right of common people in the state," he said. He also announced enhancing retirement age of doctors by two years to 67.
He also underlined the growth in education and health sectors, marking the increase in literacy level among girls as the most satisfying achievement for him. "The health sector in state has witnessed a complete overhaul during our rule. In 2005, only 39 patients used to be treated on month basis in our PHCs, today this number has jumped to 11,000 patients per month. We have surpassed the national average with 78 per cent immunisation," said the chief minister.
Adding that his government has already kick-started the second phase reforms in education sector, Kumar said, "Education has always been our focus area. In 2005, 12 per cent children were out of school, which has reduced now to 1.72 per cent. Even in this, we concentrated our efforts on girl's literacy. Due to this, Bihar clocked the highest decadal growth in girls' literacy in 2001-10."
Rubbishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that nothing has been done in power sector in Bihar during JD-U rule, Kumar said, "The per capita consumption of electricity has increased from 70 units in 2005 to 203 units in 2015. Power supply has increased from 700 Mw in 2005 to 3,012 Mw in 2015. This reflects the speed of growth in our state. Still, if one cannot see this, then I can suggest an eye doctor to them." The chief minister said a total of 66.508 km of roads and bridges has been constructed in Bihar and this is providing better connectivity to the remotest corners of the state.
The chief minister said the most remarkable sign of change is the improvement in law and order situation in the state. "We have established a rule of law in the state. Fear has vanished from the mind of people."
However, when Kumar was making this claim, lathi wielding supporters of RJD were busy in disrupting normal life across the state. The RJD has called this bandh to press for release of caste census figures. Several trains were halted by RJD workers.
Even, several judges of Patna High Court got delayed in reaching the court. The high court later pulled up officials and asked whether the state government was supporting the bandh call. RJD chief Lalu Prasad, party leaders and several workers were later arrested and taken to the camp jail of Bihar Military Police.
