'Bihar to be among top five states in literacy in 2021'

Patna, Apr 14: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today (Apr 14) said he would ensure that Bihar figured in the list of top five states in the field of literacy in 2021.

"I am satisfied with the progress in the literacy rate of the state. But I'll take effective steps to ensure that the state figures in the list of five top states in the field of literacy in 2011," Kumar told a function on the occasion of the Ambedkar Jayanti here.

Referring to the Mahdalit Commission set up by his government in 20O7 for the uplift of the extremely backwards among the dalits, Kumar said he was happy to note that the Centre had given due recognition to the Commission.

Stating that uplift of poor is the main parameter of development, Kumar said his government would constitute a Human Development Mission.

"We shall further strengthen the Mahadalit Upliftment Centres and Talimi Markaj Centres for imparting skills for unemployed minority youths," he said.

The state government would give money to the dalits to purchase radios and urged private firms to organise fairs for ensuring sale of radios at an appropriate price.

He said the state government had also laid thrust on prohibition and would observe ''Prohibition Day'' on November 26 every year.

PTI