Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said development would have real meaning only when the benefits of govt schemes reached the last person in society. He said his govt was committed to ensuring welfare and development programmes benefited every section of the population.Choudhary was speaking after paying tribute to his late mother, Parvati Devi, on her death anniversary. He also launched the transfer of Rs 1,233 crore as monthly social security pension of Rs 1,100 each to 1.05 crore beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT) from Munger. Later, he interacted with people at Bhimbandh.On Bihar’s recurring flood problem, Choudhary said the state govt was preparing a masterplan to channelise river water, particularly that of the Kosi, Gandak and Ganga. The govt had also launched a campaign to dredge silt from the Ganga and planned to channelise the river from Buxar to Bhagalpur.Referring to the renewal of the India-Bangladesh water treaty due in December and the siltation caused by the Farakka barrage, he said the Centre would address Bihar’s concerns during the talks. “We need Ganga water throughout the year to meet our drinking water, irrigation and industries’ requirements,” he said.Choudhary said the Ganga, around four km wide at Buxar, expands to 11 km at Patna, 14 km at Begusarai, 19 km at Munger and 26 km at Bhagalpur. Plans were being prepared to reduce its spread through embankments and use reclaimed land for townships.On women’s welfare, he urged women to participate in the ongoing health check-up campaign, noting that a recent study found 63% of women anaemic in Bihar. He said the state had around 50 lakh ‘lakhpati didis’ and the govt aimed to double the number to one crore before the 2030 assembly elections.On renewable energy, Choudhary said Bihar had prepared a 25-year solar energy plan under which five lakh families would get rooftop solar panels by Sept 30.He announced that subdivisional courts at Tarapur and Haveli Kharagpur would start functioning this month. More ‘krishi feeders’ would be established to provide uninterrupted irrigation power from 6am to 6pm.The Munger-Jamui road widening would be completed within six months, he said. The govt would spend Rs 150 crore on developing the Munger forest area for trekking. Referring to tourism development, he said, “Jungle mein mangal hoga.”On education, he said the govt was preparing a blueprint to improve the system. He highlighted the ‘Bihar Vidyarthi Saathi’ app and 700 Model School-cum-Saraswati Vidya Niketan institutions offering improved infrastructure, live classes and coaching for NEET, JEE and other competitive examinations.
