Patna, Feb 28: Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, in his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature on Friday, emphasized the state's progress in governance and development since November 24, 2005—the date when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won his first floor test. His speech, marking the commencement of the budget session, underscored the transformative changes Bihar has witnessed under the current administration.
Focus on Governance and Development
Governor Khan repeatedly referred to November 24, 2005, highlighting that since then, Bihar has been experiencing "rule of law and sustained development." He credited the state government’s focus on "development with justice and good governance," ensuring inclusive growth across all sectors.The speech, lasting about 30 minutes, was delivered amid protests by CPI(ML) Liberation legislators, who entered the Vidhan Sabha premises wearing handcuffs and chains to protest the alleged mistreatment of Indian nationals deported from the United States under the Donald Trump administration. Unfazed by the demonstration, the governor acknowledged their dissent, urging them to allow him to fulfill his constitutional duties.
Key Achievements Outlined
The governor provided a comparative assessment of Bihar’s progress over nearly two decades:- Strengthened Policing: The state’s police force has grown significantly from 42,481 personnel in 2005 to 1.10 lakh at present. The number of police stations has also risen from 841 to 1,380.
- Education Expansion: Teacher recruitment has seen a substantial rise, with 3.22 lakh recruited until 2022, followed by 2.17 lakh in subsequent phases. The latest round of recruitment is set to add another 66,800 teachers.
- Job Creation: The state has already created 9.35 lakh government jobs, with a commitment to raising the number to 12 lakh before the upcoming assembly elections.
- Agricultural and Healthcare Development: The governor spoke of five-year roadmaps for agricultural improvement and the establishment of new medical colleges to enhance healthcare services.
- Social and Religious Harmony: The administration has undertaken fencing of Muslim burial grounds (kabristans) and boundary construction for Hindu temples registered with the state religious trust board over 60 years ago.
Political Reactions and Opposition Dissent
While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving leader of the state, appeared pleased with the speech’s frequent references to 2005, opposition parties had mixed reactions. Members of the RJD-Congress alliance, often criticized for the alleged "jungle raj" before Kumar’s tenure, were seen whispering among themselves, possibly noting that Kumar has allied with them twice in the past.However, the CPI(ML) Liberation, an ally of the RJD-Congress combine, outrightly dismissed the governor’s address, labeling it a "bundle of lies" designed to mask the shortcomings of the JD(U)-BJP government.
Women’s Empowerment and Social Welfare
The governor also highlighted key initiatives aimed at gender equality and social welfare, including:- Women's Representation: Reservation of 50% seats in civic bodies (announced in 2007) and 35% quotas in police recruitment (since 2013) and all government departments (since 2016).
- Financial Aid: Rs 2 lakh assistance to 94 lakh poor families across all social segments, based on the findings of the caste survey conducted in 2023.
Acknowledgment of Central Support
The speech concluded with an expression of gratitude to the Central government for its support in Bihar’s development. The governor acknowledged the recent Union Budget’s allocation for Bihar, which includes:- Setting up a Makhana Board.
- Development of new airports.
- Economic assistance for a canal in the flood-prone Kosi region.
- Expansion of IIT Patna.
