Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today claimed that his state has forged ahead in the last 10 years under his stewardship, clocking a 10 per cent growth rate and development in health, roads, power, agriculture and education sectors among others.
Reeling out figures, Kumar, who took over the reins of a largely backward Bihar in 2005, took credit for bringing the ratio of boys and girls to almost equal at senior secondary level despite skewed sex ratio, saying this represented a growth journey of the state.
Presenting a report card of 10 years of his rule flanked by all ministers of his Cabinet, Kumar said, "There was an impression that nothing could happen in Bihar. I changed it and proved Bihar could move ahead."
Also Read
The chief minister said that Bihar maintained a 10 per cent growth rate at fixed prices during the period 2005-15.
Kumar also made some new announcements like a pension scheme for journalists with effect from August 1, 2015 and promise to bring a Public Grievance Redressal Bill in the coming session of Assembly.
He also announced enhancing retirement age of doctors, employees of Ayush and those teaching in medical institutions by two years to 67.
The most remarkable sign of improvement was in the law and order situation in the state, as the chief minister claimed, "We have established rule of law in Bihar. Fear has vanished from mind of citizens of the state and they could go anywhere anytime as per their needs."
Presenting data, Kumar said that in 2005 the police strength per lakh was 57, which saw a jump to 88 now.
"'The Apki Sarkar Apke Dwar' programme has been completed in 8 districts, 25 blocks and 65 panchayats," he said, adding, under the Integrated Area Plan in the extremist-affected districts a total of Rs 927.77 crore had been spent on 10,806 completed projects between 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Kumar said that the most satisfying achievement for him was to lift the literacy level among girls attributing this to the innovative idea of distributing bicycles and uniforms to students.
