Cool Bihari

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Bihar on fast track growth

The World Bank has some encouraging views on the development initiatives in Bihar. World Bank has decided to give 8.77 billion rupees or 225 million U.S. dollars of its development policy loan to Bihar. It’s encouraging to read the positive growth plan which the bank recently published in its report. The report highlights how Bihar’s untapped potential can be harnessed suitably to attain high growth rates.

Bihar already enjoys many natural advantages and opportunities. The River Ganges flows through its heart, bringing much needed water to its fertile farmland, especially during the long dry season. As the birthplace of the Buddha, the state has the potential to become a hub of world class tourism. Gaya already has an international airport, and Nalanda is slated to become a new university, reviving its ancient heritage as a renowned seat of learning. And, Bihar’s people, working in the public and private sectors across the country, are a valuable resource for the country as a whole.

With the stage now set for development, the World Bank has resumed support to Bihar after a gap of many years. A recent project for US$63 million, aptly called ‘Jeevika’, aims to light the spark of empowerment to help rural women start productive new livelihoods. The project will cover 4000 villages in Bihar’s poorest districts. Improving economic opportunities for poor and disadvantaged communities is particularly important in a state like Bihar where more than two thirds of agricultural families have little or no land whatsoever.

As the report rightly says that “Bihar’s journey on the road to development will play a major role in shaping the India of tomorrow.

Labels: Bihar Economic Development, Bihar Finance, World Bank

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Bihar surges ahead

Bihar’s economic growth has picked up tempo and this is evident if one considers the rise in tax collection in the state. This clearly demonstrate that new economic activities and investment in the state has increased as the corporate tax collections figures from Bihar has totted up the highest growth in the first half at 265%.

The collections from Patna, which shows collections from both Bihar and Jharkhand, grew from Rs 123 crore in April-September 2006 to Rs 451 crore in April-September 2007.

Analysts say a better political system and efficient administration could be finally attracting investments in the state, particularly in construction sector. In fact, individuals too seem to be reaping the benefits of changing economic scenario. An indication of this is the rise in tax deducted at source collections. Patna witnessed a growth of 43.09% in personal income tax collections at Rs 559 crore.

World bank report indicates that the initiatives which have taken place over the year has finally started to show some positive returns. The Bank prepared a report titled Bihar: Towards a Development Strategy in June 2005 which formed the basis of the development partnership between the Bank and the state government.

The report also helped the Bank get a comprehensive analysis of the development challenges and opportunities facing Bihar. Since then, the Bank has been engaged in helping the state build its capacity in a range of sectors, from public expenditure management to flood forecasting to reforming the public distribution system.

“While Bihar has a lot of catching up to do, there are signs of hope. If the current momentum for progress can be sustained, the state can hope to bring prosperity to its people. The road to development will now need the combined efforts of the state and the central government, the private sector, civil society, Bihar's migrant population, as well as the international community,” says Ms. Isabel Guerrero, the World Bank Country Director for India.

In another developement the largest idol of Lord Vishnu in North India has been spotted at Samas village in Sheikhpura district.

The idol is made of black granite and measures 7.5 feet in length and 3.5 feet in width. It belongs to the Gupta period and was recovered during the excavation of an old village tank in 1992. Its four arms carry a "sankh (conch)", a "chakra (discus)", a "gada (club)" and a "padma (lotus)".

The idol has been installed in a makeshift temple on a sprawling 15-bigha campus of the tank. Samas village is located five km from Barbigha subdivision town and 25 km from Biharsharif. This village appears to be a great centre of iconography because a large number of idols have been recovered from here and its neighbouring regions in the recent years.

There are two figures — one masculine and another feminine — below the left and right arms of the idol. An idol of Goddess Laxmi was also recovered during the excavation but it was stolen about 40 years back.

Labels: Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Investment in Bihar, World Bank

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sunday, February 11, 2007

World Bank to Fund Development Projects in Bihar

Financers seem to be lining up at the doorsteps of Bihar. After the Asian Development Bank a couple of days ago, an eight-member team of the World Bank called on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and indicated their willingness to provide ‘largescale’ loans for different development projects, particularly physical and social infrastructure, in the State.

Along with the World Bank team had come Suzanne Moorhead, chief of United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DIFD). The DIFD is distinct from the two banks. It provides grants for development and not loans. "The DIFD is considering a long-term association in the poverty reduction schemes in the State."

These preliminary meetings are in the form of exploratory visits in which the finance agencies are looking at the how and where to offer loan or assistance and also assess the fund absorbing capacity of the State. Indications are that they are looking at a major exposure in Bihar over a long-term horizon.

World bank South Asia president Prafulla Patel said that the bank was willing to provide funds for boosting infrastructure development, specially roads, power and irrigation. He however added that things were at an initial stage and specialised teams would visit the State for a sector-wise study before funds could finally flow in.

The visitors during their interaction with the chief minister sought to know about the ongoing development programmes in the field of healthcare, human resources, empowerment of women and last but not the least law and order.

They appreciated the initiatives of the government after the chief minister informed them about the steps taken in the field of administrative reforms, 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayat elections and primary teachers’ appointment, the ongoing appointment of 2.35 lakh schoolteachers besides the speedy trial of criminals. The chief minister also told them that the officers now are under no other pressure (political) barring the pressure of their work.

Labels: Development Projects in Bihar, World Bank

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 1:18 AM | Permalink | Comments