Patna, March 11 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, made a visit to Araria on Wednesday as part of his Samriddhi Yatra. During his speech to the audience, he urged some attendees to remain in their seats, showcasing his unique approach to engaging with the crowd.

“Where are you all headed? Please stay seated. I see some individuals leaving. I won't leave until you grasp all the information. So, sit tight, and I will explain your current situation,” he stated, capturing the crowd's attention.

He reviewed the ongoing development projects and underscored the accomplishments of his administration in diverse sectors.

Nitish Kumar criticized the prior administration, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. He noted that upon taking office on November 24, 2005, the law and order in Bihar was severely compromised, with residents fearful of venturing outdoors after dark.

He remarked that essential sectors like healthcare, education, and road infrastructure were also in dire condition back then.

To promote communal harmony, the Chief Minister mentioned that the state government had initiated the fencing of graveyards in 2006 to mitigate disputes, and began fencing temples in 2016, which significantly curtailed theft incidents at religious sites.

In discussing the educational improvements, Nitish Kumar highlighted the introduction of numerous initiatives to enhance girls' education, including the bicycle scheme launched in 2006. He also noted the extensive recruitment of teachers, initially through employment schemes and subsequently via the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).

Currently, Bihar employs approximately 5.24 lakh government teachers, with the recruitment process for an additional 45,000 teachers ongoing.

The Chief Minister also pointed out enhancements in healthcare services, stating that government hospitals previously lacked adequate facilities, but since 2006, free treatment has been provided in public hospitals.

He observed that Bihar had only six medical colleges earlier, but this number has now risen to twelve, with several more under construction across various districts.

Nitish Kumar discussed the expansion of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), which now accommodates 5,403 beds, along with improvements at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS).

When addressing infrastructure, he remarked that the government has established an extensive network of roads and bridges throughout the state, significantly decreasing travel time to Patna. He stated that residents from most districts can now reach the state capital in approximately five hours.

He also claimed that fish production in Bihar has increased by two-and-a-half times, and agricultural advancement has been supported through the Fourth Agricultural Road Map.

Emphasizing the government’s key initiatives, Nitish Kumar talked about the Saat Nischay Yojana launched in 2015, followed by Saat Nischay 2.0 in 2020, with progress now underway in its third phase. He also mentioned programs like free electricity and various schemes aimed at empowering women.

During his visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated and assessed the administrative building of a newly established police station in Araria. He also remotely inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects, reviewed district-level scheme progress, and inspected stalls showcasing various government initiatives.

Nitish Kumar inaugurated the strengthening and renovation project of the Araria center under the Kosi Milk Project in Purnea and engaged with milk suppliers.

Additionally, he inaugurated a GNM hostel and interacted with the students at the Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Hostel in Araria, alongside students from other welfare department hostels.