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"I
have requested the President to guide me in
Bihar’s development and he has accepted it. He
has also accepted my invitation to come here
once again in March," Nitish Kumar said. The
President would visit Bihar in March next year
for laying down the roadmap. It will be a great
achievement of the new government if it can use
the services of the President for rebuilding of
Bihar. But all the political groups in the
government must agree to follow whatever he
advises and suggests with unquestioning
sincerity.
During his recent visit to Bihar President
talked of a report, that might not be known to
many. But it will convince the pessimists the
past of Bihar and its potential to overcome the
present pitiable conditions. “In 1952 Prof Paul
Henson Appleby of the University of California
in his detailed report evaluating public
administration in the various States of India
presented to the then Prime Minster Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru, had concluded that Bihar was
the best administered State in India in 1952.”
He came out with certain observations and
suggestions:
"India cannot be emerged as a developed country
till Bihar is developed."
"Bihar’s fertile soil can be a great contributor
in achieving the aim of $1 billion export in
medicinal, floriculture and aromatic plants and
even orchids."
"The interlinking of river mission is
particularly important for Bihar’ to get over
the floods caused almost every year in North
Bihar by Kosi. It requires a study of the flood
patterns of the last 30 years to prepare a
long-term plan for containment of flood."
President recommended the construction of
layered wells in the entry points of Kosi
(river). These layered wells will store the
floodwater at different levels and will control
the devastating effects on low-lying areas. The
water thus stored will be useful during shortage
period.
The President referred to five areas relevant to
Bihar for entrepreneurship and employment:
Biodiesel: The Patna University can prepare a
plan for Jatropha plantation in the wasteland (‘chour’
land) available in various districts and also
evolve a scheme for creation of bio-fuel
enterprises in the rural areas in Bihar.
Water Management: To improve water table, we
need to build check dams, develop watersheds,
desilt ponds and rivers, clear the inlets and
outlets to the ponds and water bodies and
recharge the wells.
Fly Ash: The fly ash with certain processing can
be utilized by the farmers in the state for
improving the soil productivity in addition to
its use in cement and green building industry.
Apparel Parks: I would suggest Bihar to
undertake creation of large number of apparel
parks in the rural areas in collaboration with
garment exporters that will provide large scale
entrepreneurial and employment opportunities to
the rural population.
Corporate hospitals: Bihar can definitely
consider setting up of corporate hospitals in
the Urban and Rural areas backed up with the
Healthcare scheme. A consortium is required to
be formed, in Bihar between the Government,
corporate hospitals and NGO’s for providing
integrated cost effective health care that can
provide direct employment for additional 48,000
doctors and one lakh paramedical staff in Bihar.
Potential areas: Bihar has certain
core-competence in the areas of handloom, paper
products, madhubani paintings, makhana,
sugarcane, and pisciculture as well as Guava,
mango and leechi. All these can be used to have
agro-processing industry, including intermediate
cold storages. In some areas stone cutting is a
big industry. There is a need to produce value
added stones for the export market. Competence
can also be created in the areas of electrical,
mechanical, chemical, computer accessories,
computer hardware and Software. Small-scale
industries in these areas can provide employment
for over two million youth of the state.
The President also suggested to the new Bihar to
make appropriate changes to the university
education system with emphasis of education that
empowers the young people of Bihar to take up an
entrepreneurial career.
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Comments: |
Very good article Indra ji, indeed!!
The industries suggested need to be
pursued. However, what will help
Bihar at this hour is a jolt of
development, such as another Bokaro
Steel City or Tata Steel.
On these lines, I have suggested two
nuclear power plants in the state;
one in North East (near Saharasa)
over Koshi; another in south west
(near Bhabhua). This will require a
layout of about 15,000 crore rupees.
They will directly employ, during
the construction, over 10000 people.
It will force construction of the
infra-structure (roads, sewage etc)
to these areas. It will promote
supporting industries; brick,
concrete, homes, schools, retail,
travel; etc. I believe, all
inclusive employment will be over
50, 000 people. Since, the central
government is of another party,
there will be road blocks in selling
the concept to them. They will whine
about the political process, about
unavailability of uranium, about the
cost. Some politicians may even
scare the public of a nuclear plant.
There will be other excuses. But, if
Nitish ji has the political will, he
will have people's support. It will
be the greatest legacy he can leave
behind. Two 500 MW stations will
provide ample electricity to Bihar
and will be enough to be supplied to
all Poorvanchal states. We will
never lack electricity again. And
can you imagine the development that
can come to Bihar, once it has
electricity! It will literally
"electrify" Bihar's development.
A bold step like this will convey a
great message to people of the state
about the willingness of the
government about development. It
will also send a shock wave around
the world about Bihar: to common
folks who laugh at Bihar's plight
and to financial circles such as,
World Bank.
Having spent over 30 years in the
management of large industrial
undertakings in Asia and North
America, I think it is something the
new government must seriously think.
Regards and Happy New Year!! -
Surendranath Tiwari - Jan.4, 2006 |
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