Nitish bets big on Bihar models

Patna, Aug 11 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed pleasure over Congress president Sonia Gandhi's advice for Congress-ruled states across the country to replicate the Bihar model of RTI Call Centres.

Mr Kumar told newspersons here that the state government was committed to implementing the Right to Information (RTI) Act ''in letter and spirit'' in the state, adding the provision of seeking information over telephone was a step in this direction.

'' Any person can seek information on specific subject from RTI Call centre in Bihar, '' Mr Kumar said.

According to him, it was pleasing to note that Ms Gandhi had appreciated the Bihar model of RTI Call Centre and advised the Congress-ruled states to follow the same.

Mr Kumar also said the NDA government had conceptualised and implemented several innovative schemes, being widely appreciated in the country.

'' It is possible that many such schemes may be adopted in other states in future, '' he said.

Several states had also initiated the steps for ensuring 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayati raj and other local bodies, after the Bihar government accorded that quantum of reservation to the fair sex in rural level, he added.

'' Ration and kerosene coupon system, to be introduced in Bihar through public distribution system, is yet another innovative scheme aimed at checking the pilferage and black-marketing of the foodgrains, '' Mr Kumar said exuding confidence that such scheme would be widely appreciated and might even be emulated in other states in coming days.

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