Rs 1,66,593 crore to be spent for 8.5 per cent growth:Nitish

Patna, Dec 25 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said a whopping sum of Rs 1,66,593 crore would be required for investment in the state during 11th five year plan for achieving a growth of 8.5 per cent in Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

After approval of the vision paper for 11th five year plan by the state Cabinet, Mr Kumar told reporters that Rs 58,310 crore would be mopped up through state resources, while Rs 1,08,283 crore would be mobilised from private investments.

''Vision paper has been prepared with the aim of achieving the target of 8.5 per cent GDP growth and requirements for alround development of the state,'' he stressed.

''During preparation of vision papers, special emphasis has been laid for improvement in health, water resources, education, industries and rural sectors,'' Mr Kumar added.

He said the state government would soon take up an ambitious plan of interlinking of rivers in Bihar which would increase the availability of water for irrigation in the state.

Mr Kumar said he had raised the issue of perennial problem of flood faced by the state during National Development Council meeting in New Delhi. ''An ambitious plan of utilising the excess water of northern Bihar to cater to the needs of water deficient south Bihar was the need of the hour,'' he emphasised.

''I have urged the Centre for investment in oil refineries and petrochemicals in the state,'' he added.

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