CM lauds farmers' feat

PATNA: In a state where 76% population is dependent on agriculture, the government is working for capacity building of farmers while acquainting them with new technologies. While presenting the state government's Report Card 2013 on Monday, CM Nitish Kumar said the farmers of Bihar had surpassed the national average in terms of production and productivity of paddy, wheat and corn.

In its endeavour for a rainbow revolution in agriculture sector through the "Agriculture road map", the government was also providing subsidy under various schemes to give a positive direction to agricultural development. "A total of Rs 992 crore has been sanctioned for the establishment of an agriculture university at Kishanganj," said Kumar, adding that the rain caused due to cyclone Phailin was beneficial for Rabi crops.

With the notification of a new policy for setting up private industrial area, the CM expressed hope that private entrepreneurs would be able to avail land for setting up their units more easily. "In the last one year, 91 units have started commercial production in the state, totalling an investment to Rs 495 crore," said the CM, adding that till date 191 units had started production (since Bihar Industrial Incentive Policy 2011) while 184 others were at various stages of construction.

That a diamond cutting and polishing unit was established in Patna, was in itself an indication of the improved law and order situation in the state, claimed the CM. "When our demand for special category status is accepted, more investors would flock to the state as there would be concessions in central government taxes," said Kumar, reiterating that the campaign for special category status would not stop till it was achieved.

Throwing light on his government's achievement in the infrastructure sector, the CM said that 9,094km of district and rural roads and 230km of state and national highways had come up during the last one year. "A 'long-term output and performance-based assets maintenance contract system' was put in place and over Rs 2,579 crore was sanctioned for the upkeep of nearly 9,064km of road," the CM said. He also listed Lok Nayak Ganga Path, AIIMS-Digha elevated corridor and several other overbridges that were under construction. He also said that the green cover in the state had increased to 10.3% from 9% last year and the target of 15% would be achieved by 2017.

TOI, Patna

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