Nitish Kumar Promises One Crore Jobs and Employment Opportunities in Bihar Over Next Five Years

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that one crore jobs and employment opportunities would be provided to the youth over the next five years.

Addressing a public interaction programme under the Samriddhi Yatra at Gandhi Maidan in Motihari of East Champaran district, the Chief Minister said that significant work has been done since 2020 under Saat Nishchay-2 for the progress of Bihar, youth and women empowerment, irrigation to every field, clean Village-Prosperous Village (Solar Street Lights), Clean City-Developed City, easy Connectivity and health facilities for all (Telemedicine and Pediatric Cardiac Care).

He said the remaining works under Saat Nishchay-2 would be completed soon.

Kumar said that under Saat Nishchay-2, it was decided to provide 10 lakh government jobs and 10 lakh employment opportunities to youth. So far, 10 lakh youths have been given government jobs and 40 lakh people employment, taking the total to 50 lakh jobs and employment opportunities. A target has now been set to provide jobs and employment to one crore youths over the next five years. For this, a new Youth Employment and Skill Development Department has been constituted, he informed.

Under the prosperous industry, strong Bihar initiative, he said special emphasis would be laid on setting up industries over the next five years. Industrial areas will be established in all districts and free land and grants are being provided to attract new large industries.

The Chief Minister said that special attention has been given to the education and health sectors. A large number of new schools have been opened and teachers appointed. Schemes such as uniforms and bicycles have been introduced for boys and girls studying in government schools. Since 2023, 2.58 lakh government teachers have been recruited through the Bihar Public Service Commission.

He said health services have seen significant improvement. Earlier, the health system was in a poor state, with only about 39 patients visiting primary health centres per month - just one or two patients a day. Since 2006, free medicines and treatment have been provided in hospitals. Now, an average of 11,600 patients visit primary health centres every month. He said Bihar earlier had only six medical colleges but their number has now increased to 12, and new medical colleges are being built in the remaining 27 districts, which will be completed soon.

He said that Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is being expanded to 5,400 beds, five other old medical colleges to 2,500 beds each, and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) to 3,000 beds.

Kumar said that agricultural roadmaps have been implemented since 2008, leading to significant progress in the agriculture sector. The first roadmap was implemented from 2008 to 2012, the second from 2012 to 2017, and the third from 2017 to 2023. As a result, production of grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, and fish has increased substantially. Fish production has more than doubled, making Bihar self-reliant in this sector.

He said Bihar has been receiving full cooperation from the Central Government, and development would be further accelerated.

Saat Nishchay-3 has been implemented for the next five years. Under Double Employment, Double Income, the state’s per capita income will be doubled. Under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, every woman has been provided Rs 10,000, and those with successful enterprises will receive assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh, he reiterated.

Under Advanced Education, Bright Future, the Chief Minister said an ideal school and a degree college would be opened in every block, and a new Education City would be developed. Under Accessible Healthcare, Secure Life, district and block hospitals will be upgraded into specialised medical centres. Incentives will be given for the establishment of reputed private hospitals, and a policy will be introduced to ban private practice by government doctors.