Bihar to be a developed economy by 2015: Nitish

Patna, Nov 24 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said his government had targeted to turn the state into a developed economy by 2014-15.

Releasing a comprehensive analytical 'Report Card' of his government highlighting the performance and achievements during the past three years he said, ''Thanks to our united efforts, Bihar is now identifed as one of the most enterprising states in every sector. We have targeted to turn Bihar into a developed economy by 2014-15.'' Christened 'Three years of Development with Justice', the 48-page colour booklet provides details of the performance of each department of the JD(U)-led coalition which came to power this day three years ago under the leadership of Mr Kumar.

''As a result of sustained and dedicated efforts of my government, the general conception about Bihar as one of the most corrupt, backward and poor states in terms of law and order has undergone a sea change since November 2005,'' Mr Kumar told a news conference here to mark the occasion.

The function was also attended by all ministers, bureaucrats and senior police officials.

Reiterating that 'speedy development and good governance' were the top priorities of his government since he assumed office, the Chief Minister said developmental work was going on in full swing and no compromise would be brooked to improve law and order and instill confidence among the people.

Mr Kumar inaugurated 115 road and river bridges across the state simultaneously with the push of a button and said work for about 1,000 more bridges was going on in full swing to connect the remotest areas with nearby roads and national highways. More than Rs 1115 crores had already been spent for this purpose during the past one year, he said.

About the ''vastly improved'' law and order in the state, including Patna, Mr Kumar claimed that such a situation was 'unthinkable in the previous regime'.

Quoting latest anti-crime figures, he said compared to 4300 arrests of anti-socials during 2006, in the first year of his governance as many as 9034 criminals had been put behind bars during the first nine months of the current year.

He pointed out that enough steps had been taken to maintain communal harmony and amity among members of different communities in the state.

On industrial rejuvenation, Mr Kumar claimed that investment to the tune of Rs 70,000 crores were in the pipeline for setting up industrial units in a number of sectors like power, chemical and sugar industries during the next few months.

''In order to boost the development programmes our planned expediture had been increased from about Rs 3,000 crores in 2004-05 to more than Rs 13,500 crores during 2008-09,'' the chief minister said and pointed out that the figures of the non-planned expenditure was also much higher.

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