'Bihar Administrative Reform Mission' launched with DFID assistance

Patna, Nov 18 (UNI) The much-awaited 'Bihar Administrative Reform Mission'(BARM) was formally launched here today to further improve the state governance, modernise the administration up to the world standard and make them more responsive to the peoples' need.

The Mission, jointly launched by Chief minister Nitish Kumar and British Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander, in presence of British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg and several other dignitories, started with a special financial asssistance of 18 million pounds(Rs 150 crore) from the Department for International Development(DFID) of the United Kingdom.

Aimed at improving the government functioning for betterment of the condition of general public through various sectors, the BARM would primarily work in departments like general administration, land registration, land measurement, commercial tax administration, primary education and health.

Referring to his personal experience about the overall scenario of public Health and Education in the state, the Mr Alexander said he had visited one school and a government hospital at Jehanabad district in South Bihar today and found that several 'developmental and positive steps' had already been taken there under various government sponsored programmes.

''But I felt that something more was needed to be done at the local level to further improve the situation,'' the British Minister said adding that ''keeping these in mind the DFID had come forward to provide financial and other assitance under several time bound schemes.'' '' That kind of change doesn't just happen. It's the result of change driven by people and leaders. I am impressed by the reforms of Mr(Nitish)Kumar and his administration- may the trend continue,'' Mr Alexander emphasised.

Also announcing the DFID's additional assistance of 60 million pounds(Rs 500 crore) during the next six years(2008-2014) to help the Bihar government accelerate its urbanisation programmes and strengthening of 28 urban local bodies, Mr Alexander promised more assistance for the improvement of child health and nutrition.

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