Nitish counters PM's spl package with Rs 2.70 lakh cr vision

To counter the Prime Minister's Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today unveiled a Rs 2.70 lakh crore development plan in the next five years that would include free electricity and drinking water connection in every household.

Taking a jibe at the PM's special package, Kumar told a press conference here, "Unlike the much hyped package which is nothing but repackaging of old schemes, my (Rs 2.70 lakh crore) vision comprises programmes which are doable and I have worked out mobilisation of resources for it."

"Its my 'dil ki baat' (talks from heart) and not 'maan ki baat' (talks of mind)," Kumar said.

The 7-point development plan was in addition to the ongoing schemes in different sectors, Kumar said here as he was flanked by state Finance Minister Bijendra Yadav and senior minister Vijay Chaudhary.

Faced with a flurry of questions if it was the manifesto of JD(U) or secular alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress, Kumar answered in negative and said "its my commitment towards the people and I know they have faith in me that I do what I say."

When further grilled if RJD and Congress share his vision, he said, "I am the leader of the secular alliance in the coming Bihar election."

Kumar's 7-point development, has special focus on youths, women, unemployed, young enterpreuners and on infrastructure needs like drinking water, electricity and toilet.

Elaborating on the 7 points in his development plan, Kumar highlighted five new programmes for youths, who constitute the bulk of the state's population.

The CM said youths in the age group of 20-25 would get Rs 1,000 monthly allowance twice for a period of nine months each to meet expenses during search for jobs.

Every youth who has passed class XII would get a student credit card with the help of which a loan of Rs 4 lakh from any bank could be availed. The state government would provide 3 per cent interest subvention on the loan taken from this credit card, Kumar said.

The state government would establish a Rs 500 crore Venture capital fund from which young enterpreuners would get start up capital to set up manufacturing units, he said.

The CM promised to provide free wi fi facility in all colleges and universities in the state.

He further said Registration and Modern employment consultancy centres would be opened in all 38 districts to provide basic computer education, language training and skill development to 1.5 crore youths in the state.

The plans for youths would cost about Rs 49,800 crore in next five years, he said, adding "he has in mind from where to mobilise the resources."

To give pace to women empowerment, Kumar said 35 per cent seats would be reserved for women in all state jobs.

Presently, 35 per cent reservation is given to women in recruitment in police from constable upto Inspector level and this would be extended in all other state jobs, he added.

With electricity emerging as a major election issue in Bihar, Kumar said all left out villages and habitations would be connected with electricity in next two years and after that state government on its own expenses would connect every house with the electricity.

"Through increased availability of electricity the dream to illuminate every house in the state with 24 hour electricity would be realised," Kumar said.

The future power projects would cost Rs 55,600 crore in five years which would be arranged, he said.

All houses in rural and urban areas would be connected with drinking water pipeline in next five years, the Bihar Chief Minister said.

A total of 1.95 crore households in rural areas and 16 lakh in urban areas would be benefitted by this, he added.

The project would cost Rs 47,700 crore in five years. Likewise, all houses in rural and urban areas with concrete sewage at an estimated cost of Rs 78,000 crore, he said.

All the villages and habitations would be connected with all weather roads further from the point where Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna stops, Kumar said.

Kumar said the state government would build toilet in every household which does not have it. An estimated 1.72 crore toilets would be constructed in rural areas and 7.52 lakh in urban areas for all categories of population as part of the exercise at a cost of Rs 28,700 crore.

In addition to this, 5 new medical colleges would be established in Bihar. Besides, there would be an Engineering college, women ITI and para-medical institutions in every district, he added.

The special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore announced by the PM at Arrah on August 18 and also additional Rs 40,000 crore residual money out of previous packages to Bihar has triggered hectic politicking in the poll-bound state.

While, BJP and its NDA allies are not leaving any stone unturned to cash on it, Kumar, RJD and Congress have trashed the sop.

The Bihar CM's vision to spur growth of the state came two days before the rally of the secular alliance in Patna on August 30 in which Congress President Sonia Gandhi is expected besides Kumar and Lalu Prasad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally at Bhagalpur on September 1.