Patna, Aug. 16 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday hit back at his critics and said that discourse of accusation must make way for discourse of change, progress and improvement.
Nitish, who was talking to media during an interaction named “Breakfast with the CM”, said that Bihar is in development mode.
The chief minister also made a strong pitch for ‘special status’ to Bihar.
“Special category status is must for Bihar’s development. Only then will people come here to work and invest in the state,” he said.
Nitish said the tourism potential of Bihar was huge but added that infrastructure needed to be improved as it was not upto the mark currently.
“More practical approaches are required to improving agriculture and heritage. Youth need employment. We should consider achieving a balance between an agri-centric and and an industrial centric model,” he added.
Nitish also used the occasion to highlight the initiatives taken by his government in Bihar.
“We have launched Dr. Lohia Swachhata Abhiyan. We recently organised a two-day workshop with various interest groups and urban local body representatives. They are being given funds and facilities. Now, we are looking at results and delivery before giving more funds. These bodies must fulfill there duties before seeking more funds,” said Nitish.
“In the last six years, we have initiated and launched three yatras – Vikas Yatra in 2009, Vishwas Yatra in 2010 and Sewa Yatra in 2011 to get a feedback from the public on what more needs to be done for Bihar’s development,” he added.
The chief minister further pointed out that open defecation was a national problem.
“R.M. Lohia was the first national leader to raise this issue as a major problem. We have to change mindset. We are thinking about this more now than before because the population is increasing,” he added.
Nitish, who has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has joined hands with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to contest the Bihar Assembly polls expected to take place in October-November this year.
The term of the 243-member Bihar Assembly ends on November 29. (ANI)