Bihar Minister Emphasizes NDA's Two-Decade Legacy of Impartial Governance
In a spirited session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary robustly defended the NDA government's long-standing commitment to serving all sections of society without prejudice. Responding to queries from RJD MLA Kumar Sarvajeet during Question Hour, Choudhary underscored the administration's 20-year track record under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that the people of Bihar are witnesses to its unbiased approach.
Heated Exchange Over Budget Cut Remarks
The proceedings commenced with opposition MLAs, led by RJD's Sarvajeet, objecting to a statement by Rural Works Department Minister Ashok Choudhary. The minister had earlier remarked that no development work would be undertaken in the constituencies of members who proposed cut motions in his department's budget. This sparked immediate demands from opposition legislators for disciplinary action against the minister, citing such comments as inappropriate and divisive.
Speaker Prem Kumar intervened promptly, assuring the House that any such contentious remarks would be expunged from the official records to maintain decorum and impartiality in legislative discussions.
Choudhary's Rebuttal on Government Neutrality
In his response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary addressed the concerns head-on. "The 20-year track record of the government led by CM Nitish Kumar is a proven one. We do not show any partiality," he stated emphatically. Choudhary acknowledged that occasional sarcastic exchanges occur between ruling and opposition MLAs but urged that these not be taken too seriously. "Whether people vote for us or not, we have worked for everyone," he affirmed, reassuring the assembly that the government remains steadfast in its impartial efforts toward the holistic development of all regions and communities in Bihar.
Addressing Fertilizer Black Marketing and Land Encroachments
The assembly session also delved into pressing issues such as the black marketing of fertilizers, raised by both ruling and opposition members. Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav provided updates on the government's crackdown, revealing that 104 FIRs have been lodged and licences of 419 vendors have been revoked to curb illegal activities and ensure fair distribution to farmers.
Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha announced a special drive scheduled for March to reclaim government land and ponds from encroachments. In a sharp retort to RJD MLA Rahul Kumar's suggestion that internal resistance might hinder progress, Sinha quipped, "Can anyone shake Angad's leg?" He detailed that out of 2.62 lakh ponds in the state, 17,496 had been encroached, with 17,000 already freed through ongoing efforts, as reported in response to queries from I P Gupta.
Digital Libraries Initiative to Bridge Educational Divide
In a forward-looking development, IT Minister Shreyasi Singh informed the House about the state government's plans to establish digital libraries in 85 blocks during the current financial year. Responding to a calling attention motion by MLA Alok Mehta, Singh explained that this initiative aims to enhance students' access to modern study resources and bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
She further disclosed that buildings and locations for the first phase have been identified, with site selection actively progressing across an additional 158 blocks, signaling a concerted push toward digital literacy and educational equity in Bihar.
This assembly session highlighted the NDA government's defense of its governance record while addressing key socio-economic issues, from agricultural malpractices to educational infrastructure, amidst ongoing political dialogues in the state.
