Patna

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday said that the state administration's top priority is to provide one crore government jobs and other employment opportunities by 2030.

The governor, after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, addressed a gathering at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. He also took the salute from marching contingents.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and several state ministers were present on the occasion.

"The state administration is working in a mission mode to provide one crore government jobs and employment opportunities to the youth by 2030. While the vacant posts are being filled, additional posts are also being created, wherever required... 10 lakh government jobs and 40 lakh employment opportunities have already been provided in recent years," he said.

"The rule of law prevails in the state. To improve law and order, police strength has been significantly increased to 1.21 lakh," Khan said.

Incidents of murder, dacoity, kidnapping and loot have significantly dipped in the state, he added.

He asserted that the government is committed to preserving communal harmony in the state.

The governor further said that the state government has already decided to tighten security and construct boundaries around the temples and burial grounds in the state.

"The construction of boundary walls of temples over 60 years old is underway. The state government also started fencing burial grounds in 2006," he said.

The governor also spoke about different welfare measures being taken by the state government.

Health facilities and infrastructure have remarkably improved in the state over the years, he said.

"The NDA government has provided Rs 10,000 to one woman from every family to start a business of her choice. After receiving this amount, many women have started their own businesses. It has also been promised that if the business continues successfully, they will receive additional assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh. Several steps are being taken for women's empowerment in the state," he said.

The state government is spearheading the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), locally known as 'Jeevika', with the objective of social and economic empowerment of the rural poor. Women associated with the project are called 'Jeevika Didis'. The total number of such women is 1.4 crore, he said.

The government has also increased the strength of women in the state police.

"Bihar has the highest number of women in the police force in the country," he added.

On the 'Saat Nishchay' initiative, the governor described it as a "strong infrastructure and modern expansion" programme for the state.

He also spoke about strengthening civic facilities and power supply, installing solar panels on the rooftops of willing households, and providing an additional push for the establishment of industrial units.

The governor said the state's vision also includes promoting tourism by developing destinations to attract national and international visitors.

"The government has implemented the programmes under 'Saat Nischay-3' to make the state among the most developed in the country between 2025 and 2030. The objective of the 'seven resolves' (Saat Nischay-3), is 'Sabka Samman-Jeevan Aasaan' to reduce the difficulties in the lives of all residents of the state and to make their lives easy," he said.

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The government has also recruited a large number of teachers to further improve the education system.

"There are now 5.24 lakh government teachers in the state," he added.