PATNA, Aug 28:
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. (PTI)
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