Bihar govt launches Equipment Bank, Land Bank for development:Nit

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The Bihar Government has launched unique 'Equipment Banks' and 'Land Banks' to boost the construction of roads and industrialisation in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said here the state government is spending about Rs 3000 crore in the current financial year on construction of roads. ''It is also planning to spend a whopping Rs 17000-18000 crore during the eleventh plan period on both the construction of new roads and upgrading the existing ones.

Targeting the Centre for not sanctioning money for the construction of National Highways in the state, Mr Kumar said the state government has directed the Public Works Department to construct National Highways passing through the state and has sanctioned Rs 300 crore for the purpose, which would be later recovered from the Centre.

However, the government was facing a number of problems in getting contractors from outside the state for road construction projects as many of them were busy in executing similar assignments in various other states of the country under the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojna and other programmes.

Moreover, there was dearth of ''sincere contractors'' due to the rampant corruption prevailing earlier in road construction sector, he said.

In view of the contractors in Bihar lacking in terms of equipment, the state government has launched a unique concept of 'Equipment Banks', the Chief Minister added.

''Under this project, the state government is providing land where a private party having such equipment could keep them as an 'equipment bank' and contractors could hire them.

''The government is making sure that quality roads are constructed in the state and taking firm steps against corruption. Action has been taken in a number of cases against corrupt persons who have to now face speedy trial. Moreover, proper monitoring is being done,'' he informed.

The state government has also launched 'Land Banks' for which Rs 400 crore has been earmarked. For these land banks aquisition of land is being done at 2.4 times the registration rate so that people give the land willingly. These land banks would be used for future industrialisation, he informed. He said since sugar industry and other agro-based industries have come to Bihar, it would support the farmers who would not oppose them as has happened in the case of Nandigram in West Bengal.

MORE UNI