Revival of Bihar

The economy’s spectacular growth in five years up to 2008-09 was propelled by the initiatives at the grass root level, with the traditional backward and poor states turning into miracle economies. As par new Central Statistical Organization {CSO} surveys, at 11.03 percent, growth rate of Bihar only a step behind Gujarat {11.05%} and much above the National average of 8.49%.
This revolutionary growth of Bihar at 11.03% almost seems like Chinese growth; the growth rate of Bihar assumes although more significance as it comes after a negative 5.15% growth of 2003-04. “Many old notions have been shaken up in India’s five years of miraculous growth, from 2004-05 to 2008-09, some historically laggard state have sky rocketed while one leader has plummeted {Swaminathan. S.Anklesaria .Aiyar, The Economic Times, January 6th, 2010}.

The economic miracle of Bihar became possible through increased cumulative development expenses; Rs 35,364 crore was spent in last four years which remarkably proved turnaround for the shake of Bihar.Indeed economic revival also brushed the ill impressions about the state to an extant; even deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahulwalia who recently visited the Bihar, admitted that its economy has recorded a “desired growth” in the past three years-this is a positive indication from the broader perspective.

Erstwhile distortions of Bihar’s economic performances could be attributed to the malign rule of RJD led government which could raise and spent only Rs.25,000 crore in their havocking fifteen years long rule-what one can expect in such dismal investments except loosing one by one, the all glories of Bihar that it has been availing since the time immemorial.
Now in changed circumstances entire world started to see the Bihar through noble impressions-“as on last July, the World Bank had ranked Bihar 14th ahead of Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata-for being the “easiest place to start business” in India in its report “Doing Business in India 2009”, the report presents indicators on business regulations, compared across 181 economies {Santosh Singh, The Indian Express, January 4th 2010}.

It’s a explicit truth that once a country grows swiftly; increased government revenues can be better infused in social sectors and various welfare programmes-plans like NREGS, Bharat Nirman, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, the farm loan waiving and enormous oil subsidies becomes practically possible through the same growing volume of economies albeit rapid growth has been substantially inclusive, but not entirely, so much more is required public delivery at the bottom level.
After all states have larger role allocation to conquer the actual theme of development rather than attaining merely the sophisticated statistical progression-Chief Minister and architect of Bihar’s growth, Nitish Kumar has to deliberate cautiously in this regard as most of actual works have yet to be complete.

No doubt, this man behind the turnaround story of Bihar is today counting as most precious political species from the state…he has deep commitment for his assignments which he demonstrated in his long decades of political career without ever co-inciding without any grave charges. In his present stint as Chief Minister, he performed very well-he tried to touch every emptied spaces that had requires immediate make over, from education, health, services, infrastructure etc to filling of lakhs of vacancies in state departments are very remarkable.
He has shown keen interests in social plans and most pertinent, effectively used the center’s fund though obviously political mismatch with the center restraining him from making some more advanced approaches-like last twenty years, Congress led UPA government in the centre remains very passive towards any extra packages for Bihar.

Infact Nitish Kumar has to still confront with these realities although states credit has improved over years and he’s also making shack hands with big dads of business like, Mukesh Ambani, Keshab Mahindra etc before receiving the crucial Economic Times Awards; so he should look forward now to fetch private investments inside the state as the new Bihar would provide them an extra-ordinary mix of abundant finest human and natural resources.
He has got command over the law and order situation in state by de-glamorizing the crime profession-most of the famed criminals are already dwelling in various jails; only he have to stop promoting some criminals within the rank of MLA. The second thing that’s sole drawback in his illustrious personality is his unreasonable relying on caste equations-now at least it’s not matching his stature after his huge acceptance from all the classes and castes.
For forwarding Bihar to top on the list, hope he would stop being the supporter of any caste assertions or its manipulation in the politics…after all he is the man of change, so he’s the first choice.
Atul Kumar Thakur
January 27th 2010, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com