Bhagalpur, March 17 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said the state government is providing various facilities and incentives to encourage people to set up industries and start self-employment in the state. He emphasized that the government's primary objective is to improve the standard of living of the people and provide them with dignified employment opportunities.

During his 'Samriddhi Yatra' in Bhagalpur's Jagdishpur block, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting, where he discussed the following issues: The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the implementation of announced projects and directed their speedy completion.

Bhagalpur DM Dr. Naul Kishore Choudhary presented the details of ongoing development work in the district through a presentation. The Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite work on approved schemes. Projects under 'Saath Nischay-2' should be completed with transparency, and work on 'Saath Nischay-3' should begin immediately. The government's goal is to honor every citizen and make their daily life easier.

The Chief Minister clarified that Bihar can be made a self-sufficient state only through industrial development and self-employment, and all obstacles in this path will be removed. You all know that on November 24, 2005, the NDA government was formed in Bihar for the first time, and since then, the rule of law has been established in the state, and we have been continuously working on development.

Before 2005, Bihar was in a very bad state. People did not venture out of their homes after evening. There was a lot of conflict in society, the education system was pathetic, and there were frequent Hindu-Muslim conflicts. The education system was very poor, and very few children attended school. Earlier, there was no complete arrangement for treatment. The roads were in disarray, and power supply was limited to a few places. Now, there is no atmosphere of fear or terror. The state has an atmosphere of love, brotherhood, and peace.

Earlier, there were many Hindu-Muslim conflicts, so since 2006, the fencing of graveyards has been started. On a large scale, the fencing of graveyards has been done. Now, there are no conflicts. Since 2016, the fencing of 60-year-old Hindu temples has also been started, which has stopped incidents of theft, etc.

The Chief Minister said that we have given special attention to the education sector. We have restored contract teachers, opened a large number of new schools, and implemented the cycle and uniform scheme for students in government schools. Since 2023, 2.58 lakh government teachers have been appointed through the Bihar Public Service Commission. From 2006 to 2023, 3.68 lakh contract teachers were appointed, out of which 28,976 have become government teachers through the BPSC.

After that, the government decided that contract teachers would not need to take the BPSC exam; they would be made government teachers by taking a simple exam. It was decided to give them five opportunities. So far, four exams have been held, and 2.66 lakh contract teachers have passed. Now, only 73,000 are left, who will be given one more opportunity. The total number of government teachers is now 5.24 lakh. In addition, the BPSC is also starting the recruitment process for 45,000 new posts.

The Chief Minister said that earlier, the health system was very poor, with only 39 patients visiting primary health centers every month, i.e., one or two patients per day. Since 2006, free medicines and treatment have been arranged in hospitals. Now, an average of 11,600 patients visit primary health centers every month. Earlier, there were only six medical colleges in Bihar, which have now increased to 12. This year, six more medical colleges will be built, and new medical colleges will be constructed in all the remaining 21 districts.

The Chief Minister said that in 2015, under 'Saath Nischay', the schemes of 'Yuvaon ko Bal', 'Mahilaon ko Bal', 'Har Ghar Bijli', 'Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal', 'Har Ghar Awas', 'Tolaon ko Pakki Sadak se Jodna', and 'Aage Badhein, Padhein' were implemented. In 2018, electricity was provided to every household. The government has been providing electricity at a very low rate since the beginning. Almost all domestic consumers are getting free electricity.

Now, the government will install solar panels on the roofs of all willing individuals' homes. This work has started, and 50 lakh houses have been approved for solar panel installation, which will be completed soon. From 2020, under 'Saath Nischay-2', 'Yuva Shakti Bihar Ki Tarakki', 'Masthishk Mahila - Atmanirbhar Mahila', 'Har Khet Ko Pani', 'Swachh Gaon - Samruddh Gaon (Solar Street Lights)', 'Swachh Shehar - Samruddh Shehar', 'Sabke Liye Swasthya Suvidha (Telemedicine and Bal Hriday Yojana)' have been implemented.

The Chief Minister said that in 2023, a survey was conducted based on caste, in which information was also gathered about the economic condition of the people. In this, 94 lakh poor families were identified, including upper castes, backward castes, extremely backward castes, Dalits, Mahadalits, and Muslims. All these families will be provided with Rs 2 lakh for employment. So far, 83.20 lakh families have been linked to the employment scheme and provided with funds. The remaining families will be provided with funds by next month. If needed, more than Rs 2 lakh will also be provided.

The Chief Minister said that in 2006, 50% reservation was given to women in Panchayati Raj institutions, and in 2007, it was given in municipal bodies. So far, four elections have been held. Since 2013, 35% reservation has been given to women in the police. Now, Bihar has the highest number of women in the police force in the country. Since 2016, 35% reservation has been given to women in all government jobs.

Earlier, the number of self-help groups in Bihar was very low. In 2006, a self-help group called Jeevika was formed with a loan from the World Bank. Now, the number of self-help groups has reached 11.5 lakh, with 1.69 crore Jeevika didis. Since 2024, self-help groups have also been formed in urban areas, with 77,000 groups and approximately 10.78 lakh Jeevika didis.

The Chief Minister said that to complete the remaining development work, during the Pragati Yatra in December 2024 and January-February 2025, we visited all the districts and reviewed the development work. We also came here and inspected the development work, talked to people, and became aware of the problems. To solve these problems, seven schemes have been approved, which are being worked on and will be completed soon.

These include the construction of the Fateh Bor check dam, the construction of a sports complex in the Naugachia sub-division, the establishment of a cancer institute for cancer treatment in Bhagalpur district, the construction of the Vikramshila bridge parallel to the Ganga river, and the construction of a 2500-bed medical college and hospital in Bhagalpur.

The Chief Minister said that an engineering college and polytechnic institute have been established in Bhagalpur. Women's ITI and ITI have been established in all sub-divisions. GNM institutes and para-medical institutes have been established. In 1998, the riots between Hindus and Muslims in Bhagalpur were not investigated. When we got the opportunity in 2005, we investigated the matter in 2006 and took action against the culprits and provided compensation to the affected families.

During my Pragati Yatra in December 2024 and January-February 2025, I visited all the districts to inspect the development work. We also came here and inspected the development work, talked to people, and became aware of the problems. To solve these problems, seven schemes have been approved, which are being worked on and will be completed soon.

The Chief Minister said that under 'Saath Nischay 3' for the next five years, the per capita income of the state will be doubled under the 'Dugna Rozgar, Dugni Aay'. The Chief Minister said that under the women's employment scheme, every woman has been given Rs 10,000. To further their employment, additional assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh will be provided. In the next five years, one crore youth will be provided with employment and employment opportunities.

For this, the 'Youth Employment and Skill Development Department' has been established. Under 'Sukhi Udyog, Masthishk Bihar', full attention will be given to the establishment of industries in the next five years. Industrial areas are being set up in all districts. Free land and grants are being provided for new large industries. Old, closed sugar mills will be restarted.

In agriculture, a lot of work has been done for development. A new Bihar Marketing Promotion Corporation has been established to further accelerate this work. The production of makhanah is being promoted. Special attention is being given to dairy and fish farming. Under the 'Uchch Shik