Addressing the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, Choudhary said Bihar is no longer merely a participant in the country’s development journey but is playing a transformative role in promoting inclusive human development.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said the state is emerging as an active force in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 and sought the Centre’s support for a range of projects related to skill development, higher education, tourism, industrialisation and drinking water.
Addressing the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, Choudhary said Bihar is no longer merely a participant in the country’s development journey but is playing a transformative role in promoting inclusive human development.
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Assuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the state’s commitment to the goal of a developed India, the Chief Minister said the Bihar government is working continuously under the guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
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Highlighting the state’s efforts in skill development, he said 1.18 lakh artisans have been trained under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. He said the Aryabhatta International Skill Hub is being set up in Patna at a cost of Rs640 crore, while Rs3,615 crore has been earmarked under PM-SETU for strengthening 75 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
The Chief Minister requested the Centre to provide Rs750 crore for the pilot project under the Integrated Scheme in Skilling Architecture (ISSA), Rs1,500 crore for the Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, and support for establishing a National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Bhagalpur.
Choudhary said degree colleges are being established in 211 blocks across the state. He sought Central support for setting up an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bihar and a regional centre of the School of Planning and Architecture.
The state also sought special support from the Centre to host the National Youth Games in 2028, the Hockey World Cup in 2030 and the National Games in 2031.
In the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister requested the establishment of a Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Bihar and sought approval for a National Makhana Board office. He also urged the Centre to facilitate the early establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) after the state transferred 100 acres of land for the project.
Referring to tourism, Choudhary said Bihar has immense potential for economic growth in the sector. He said the state government is working to develop Gaya, including Bodh Gaya, as a global tourism, cultural and spiritual destination under the “One State: One Global Destination” initiative.
He said work is underway on the Vishnupad Corridor, Mahabodhi Corridor and the integrated development of the Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodh Gaya circuit. The state also sought Central assistance to improve international air connectivity.
The Chief Minister further requested support for establishing a regional centre of the National Institute of Design (NID) in Bihar and allocation of 10 plug-and-play industrial parks under the Bharat Industrial Development Scheme (BHAVYA).
He said the state government is working in mission mode to accelerate industrialisation and has already approved 14,037 acres of new industrial land.
Choudhary also sought Central assistance of Rs18,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He said Bihar had achieved the national target through its Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal programme but could not avail itself of the corresponding Central assistance. He requested Rs13,000 crore as the Centre’s share of expenditure already incurred and an additional Rs5,000 crore for ongoing projects.
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