JBIC financial assistance likely to come to Bihar
Patna, Jul 21 (UNI) After West Bengal and Orissa, Bihar could well be the third state in Eastern India to receive considerable financial assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation(JBIC) for undertaking projects related to drinking water and improved drainage system.
In order to explore the opportunity for extending long term credit to the Bihar government for undertaking a number of socio-economic projects here and elsewhere in the state, a four-member JBIC team, led by its Depty Director Bito Yoshibun, arrived here today from New Delhi.
Soon after the arrival, the team members called on Urban Development Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey to discuss the government plan to improve the age-old drainage and sewerage system besides undertaking a number of drinking water projects here and elsewhere at a cost of several hundred crores of rupees.
Urging the Minister to submit separate Detailed Project Report (DPR) for each of the proposals, the JBIC members also inquired about the technical expertise available with the state government for implementing the projects on time.
Mr Choubey also drew the attention of the Japanese delegation towards the alleged over-exploitation of groundwater in different urban areas in the state and sought their technical assistance as well as financial help to convert river water into safe drinking water for all.
Later the team members were taken around to some of the areas of the state capital, which continued to remain waterlogged even after two days of heavy rain to show them the sheer ineffectiveness of the present drainage system, constructed about a century ago.
During the two-day stay, the JBIC members are expected to meet state Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Finance Minister Sushil Kumar Modi to discuss the financial aspects of the long term credits and their repayment schedule.
Incidentally, if accepted the maiden JBIC funded projects in Bihar at an estimated cost of more than Rs 200 crores were expected to be completed by 2010, official sources here said.
UNI