Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said his govt’s priority is to make Bihar’s economy self-reliant by generating its own resources. He said the state must create income streams to fund its budget. “Currently, Rs 2.90 lakh crore of the Rs 3.47 lakh crore budget comes from central taxes and assistance,” he said.Samrat announced that the govt will soon launch ‘Sahyog Shivirs’ in panchayats on the last Sunday of every month to address people’s grievances at their doorstep.Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sammelan’ at Piplava near Naubatpur in Patna district to mark 12 years of PM Narendra Modi’s govt, the CM said even US President Donald Trump had praised the PM on Wednesday. “We are proud to have the longest-serving PM in the country from our party, BJP,” he said. He urged party workers to take people’s grievances to Sahyog Shivirs and ensure their redressal.Outlining a development blueprint, Samrat said the budget will be divided into three parts: 33% for maintenance of assets and infrastructure, 33% for social welfare schemes, and the remaining 33% for revenue generation through PPP mode by inviting private players.Explaining the revenue plan, he said only 4.5% of around 1,000 govt guest houses—including 400 of the irrigation department and 350 of PWD — are in use. These will be rented out for marriages and other functions. Referring to the Bairiya bus stand in Patna, he said it was built at a cost of Rs 250 crore but requires Rs 650 crore for maintenance. “We must change this by allowing private firms to develop such assets with commercial complexes under PPP mode to generate revenue instead of burdening the exchequer,” he said.Citing a private university in Punjab where 11,000 of 40,000 students are from Bihar, Samrat said private players will be encouraged to open universities in the state. “Our children should not have to go outside,” he said. The govt also plans to open a model school in each of the 534 blocks under the name Saraswati Vidya Niketan, where students will prepare for NEET and JEE. “My aim is to improve education to the extent that even DMs and SPs prefer govt schools for their children,” he said.On land acquisition, the CM said Rs 46,000 crore has been earmarked for payments for townships, roads and industry. “Farmers will get compensation within seven days in urgent cases like marriage. We will pay Rs 1.60 lakh for land valued at Rs 1 lakh,” he said, adding that a proposed township in Patna district will be named Patliputra.On employment, he said efforts are on to generate one crore jobs and expand opportunities for self-employment through skill development. “Youth will be empowered to become self-reliant and drive the state’s development,” he said.Reiterating his govt’s stance on law and order, Samrat said there is no place for crime or corruption in Bihar. He added that BJP is a party of commitment that delivers on its promises, recalling the role of Jan Sangh and BJP workers in upholding democracy during crises.
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