This may come as a big surprise to many but this report indicates that Bihar stands numero uno in urban reforms in the country. Bihar happens to be the first state in the country to enact the Model Municipal Act for ensuring all-round development of municipal areas.

Urban Development Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey before a galaxy of scientists and environmentalists on Saturday said that he state has received a sum of Rs 38 crore from the Central government for effecting solid waste management. A suitable plot of land is being acquired for disposal of solid waste.

Speaking as the chief guest at an all India training programme on bio-medical waste management organised by the Patna University Centre for Environment and Nature Conservation at Science College auditorium here, Choubey said steps have also been initiated for setting up a plant to generate electricity from waste polythene bags. It has been found that 33 metric tonnes of polythene bags can generate 9.5 MW of power.

He said registration of all nursing homes and hospitals with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board has been made mandatory and more than 700 nursing homes have already been registered. Besides, a heavy penalty has also been envisaged for the hospitals and private clinics which indulge in unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste.

Also it’s encouraging to know about the 31 Sunrise courses which have been launched by Patna University from the current academic year. In order to make higher education more vocational and to keep pace with the changing times these courses have been started on self-financing basis are expected to attract more and more career-oriented boys and girls.