Some Advices and Expectations from Bihar’s New Chief Minister
Posted : November 24, 2005 at 7:53 pm [IST]
“I promise to bring development and prosperity to the state. Industries that were shut down in the Lalu-Rabri regime will be opened. Biharis will once again be proud to call themselves Biharis and I will restore law and order in the state within three months of coming to power.” Nitish is having this promise to fulfill. But how does he do that?
The new government must start with a very small ministry with men of proven administrative capability and clean image only. Is it possible with everyone elected seeking his pound of flesh in the gain?
As the first priority, every thing possible must be done to remove the perception of the state as the poorest in law and order. Can a tough IPS be picked up from anywhere in the country with a capability matching that of Punjab’s Gill? Can the job be entrusted to an IPS reporting straight to CM with no politician home minister in between? Double the salaries of policemen, and provide them with weapons, accessories and other equipment. The government may save the equivalent amount by downsizing other administrative departments. Every village and localities in towns must develop its own compulsory self-defence groups for improving law and order situations. It will reduce the load from the police force.
Can a very senior man from the construction industry head the PWD department that ensures the speediest execution of NHAI expressways projects running through Bihar- Golden Quadrilateral and East-West Corridor? The state must assist the NHAI by solving all its problems such as land acquisitions and law and order related issues. All collectors, through whose areas the expressways pass, should take special interest. Building roads and providing rural electrification to connect all villages under Bharat Nirman Scheme should also get the same priority.
Once law and order perception improves, the engineer-turned politician chief minister can invite companies such as ITC to start with at least 1000 villages of the state in its e-Choupal and other rural initiatives. ITC can also open at least 20 rural malls as one in MP on the GQ and other National Highways in the state to give impetus to rural development.
On the model of Anand Dairy of Gujarat, entrepreneurs can be encouraged to set up dairies in each district headquarters and every town, so that the farmers and women of the hinterland villages can make milk production as an additional earning for their families. The production of organic manure and gobar gas in every village must also get a thrust, as it will cut down the input cost of chemical fertilizers and help to reduce rural energy requirements to certain extent.
Bihar can excel in food processing sector wih very fertile land. Some regions are established producers of vegetables (potatoes in Nalanda areas) and fruits (mangoes and lichi in Mithila). The new governement must invite recognized business houses such as HLL, ITC and Bharati with interest in food business to set up food processing parks in the technically viable locations.
With proven merits shown by the Bihari students in different competitive examinations, Bihar can also excel in knowledge process outsourcing sector. The state requires special thrust in expanding and providing the quality professional education at the existing engineering colleges and building an image of its excellence. All the engineering colleges must get finance to start incubating units to encourage the prospective entrepreneurs from among the students.
Once it is ready with the infrastructure, the government must also invite the IT biggies to set up BPO and ITeS units in the state and provide all the incentives to them that are done by others. This state must also open the education sector to private educationist entrepreneurs to set up professional institutions with different specializations. The views of Dr Shaibal Gupta, Member-Secretary of the Patna-based Asian Development Research Institute, given to Business Line in an interview confirm with mine. He said, “I have great belief that the future is not as bleak as it appears at the moment. The better-off Biharis knew the importance of education and had invested in their children’s education in good institutions either abroad or outside Bihar. If the knowledge-based industries such as IT and ITES, that had ushered in a revolution in several pockets of the South and West, were to be pursued vigorously in Bihar by any government.” The IT firms will have advantages of low manpower cost in the state. Howeveer, the state must safeguard itself from the influence of extortionist and abrasive leftist trade unionism from the neighboring state of West Bengal that happened in 60s-70s.
One very important priority mustl be to have a powerful body for water management and utilization in flood prone areas of North Bihar. I am of an opinion that no serious work has been done in last 58 years for the same. If the state takes the task with a mission, it can easily turn the misery of the regions into properity with river-interlinking, barrages, and waterbodies.
The government must move fast to create an impression in people of the state and outside that it is now different and it means business. If I believe a statement of Dr. S.C.Jha, chairman of the taskforce in PMO, it is flush with funds and ideas. Nitish can take Rs. 500 crore and use it by March and thereafter he can draw further Rs.1000 crore for next year.
And lastly, I wish Nitish will remain humble and firm; and the allied party will not create any problem that takes Bihar nowhere. It does not matter if the new government can’t create employment immediately for those who are immigrating to the metros and cities all over the country. It will be a great achievement if the rural population can have a confidence to live in their houses without fear.
Let Bihar prosper with this change.
P.S Some other reports on Bihar’s change of power:
An Indian State Votes Its Future
A mission impossible for Nitish?
Nitish knocks at Laloo’s official residence Was it so necessary for Nitish to pass on this as the first order?
Swearing in Patna in Pictures
On challenges to improve economy
Economic tests begin for Nitish
When rest of India realises that it can’t let the east (Bihar) slide into darkness
Can Bihar rise from the ashes? Determined political push is crucial
From Burundi To Germany?
- Indra
Category: Government Policy/Administration |
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