CM Nitish Kumar Welcomes 16th Finance Commission, Highlights Bihar’s Developmental Progress

Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar today attended the meeting of the 16th Finance Commission held at 'Samvad' in the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

Addressing the program organized on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great happiness that the 16th Finance Commission has arrived on a 3-day visit to Bihar. On this occasion, I heartily welcome all the members including the Chairman of the Finance Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, on the land of Bihar. All of you are very experienced and capable and Bihar has a lot of expectations from you. He said that it is a matter of pride that the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya ji is also the Chancellor of Nalanda University, Rajgir. That is why he is familiar with the social and economic background of Bihar.

The Chief Minister said that since November 24, 2005, when we came to power, there is rule of law in the state. We are continuously working for the development of the state. He said that before 2005, people did not come out of their homes after evening. There were a lot of disputes in the society. There used to be Hindu-Muslim fights. Very few children studied in schools. There was no proper arrangement for treatment in hospitals. There was a shortage of roads in the entire state and the existing ones were in a bad condition. The condition of electricity was very bad in the capital Patna and other places. Special attention was given to improving the education and health sector. For this, a large number of new schools were opened. In the year 2006-07, a uniform scheme was started for boys and girls. In the year 2008, a cycle scheme was started for ninth class girls. Then from the year 2010, a cycle scheme was started for boys as well. A large number of government teachers have been appointed. He said that a lot of improvement was also made in health services. Earlier, 39 patients used to come to the primary health centers for treatment every month, that is, only 1 or 2 patients used to come every day. From the year 2006, complete arrangement for free medicine and treatment has been made in hospitals. Now more than 11 thousand patients come to the primary health center every month.

The Chief Minister said that a large number of roads, bridges and elevated roads have been constructed in the state. Along with this, electricity has been ensured in every house. Many works have been done for the empowerment of local bodies. In the year 2006, 50 percent reservation for women was started in Panchayati Raj institutions and in the year 2007 in urban bodies. Work has been done to build Panchayat Government Buildings in Panchayats. Earlier, the number of self-help groups in Bihar was very less. In the year 2006, by taking a loan from the World Bank, a self-help group was formed in the state which was named 'Jeevika'. Now the number of self-help groups has increased to 10 lakh 61 thousand in which the number of 'Jeevika didis' has increased to 1 crore 31 lakh. Self-help groups are also being formed in urban areas, whose number has increased to 34 thousand in which there are about 3 lakh 60 thousand Jeevika didis.

The Chief Minister said that in the year 2005, the budget of the state was only 30 thousand crore rupees. After that, a lot of work has been done by the government every year, due to which the size of the budget has increased continuously. This year the state budget has increased to Rs 3 lakh 17 thousand crores. He said that since the year 2006, our government has been continuously working for the development of Bihar. The current central government is also getting full cooperation in the development of Bihar.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of happiness that in the budget presented in the year 2024 after the formation of the current central government for the third consecutive time, a large amount was announced for road, industry, health, tourism, flood control as special economic assistance for Bihar. He said that again this year in 2025, in the budget presented by the Central Government, the establishment of Makhana Board for Bihar, development of new airports in Bihar, financial assistance for the Western Kosi Canal Project and expansion of Patna IIT have been announced.

The Chief Minister said that keeping all things in mind, the state government has also prepared a memorandum regarding its needs, which will be presented before the Commission today. I am confident that all these points will be seriously considered by the Commission. Ministers and senior officers of the state government are present here. Everyone is welcoming you and listening to you seriously. I once again thank the Chairman of the Commission and all the members from the bottom of my heart for today's meeting.

During the program, the Chief Minister honored the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, and other members by presenting them with shawls.

In the program, the Chief Minister unveiled the memorandum prepared by the 18th Finance Commission. The program was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Chaudhary, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Dr. Arvind Panagariya and Chief Secretary Shri Amrit Lal Meena.