Bihar’s remarkable economic turnaround

Bihar, which had been thrown into chaos, lawlessness and mismanagement during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri duo regime, was taken out of morass after Nitish Kumar government took charge of the state. During the 15 years of misrule of Lalu-Rabri duo from 1990 to 2005, the economy was in the worst shape in Bihar. But now under Nitish-led government, the state is poised for getting number one position on the national stage in the developmental index by recording 11.03 per cent growth rate and has become the second fastest economic growth rate. Bihar is only second to Gyjarat in economic growth. This is nothing but the result of good governance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar. All ridiculed the administrative system of the state during those 15 years of Lalu-Rabri regime because it was run by whims of few individuals. The governance in the period was synonymous with Jungle raj and it was described like this by none other than the court of law because kidnapping, murder and snatching had become the hallmark of the state.The situation had become so alarming that the teachers stopped coming to schools and colleges and doctors kept themselves absented from the primary health centres in the state. Students had started leaving the state for study outside. Everything was in mess. Nitish inherited this type of Bihar, which was the best administered state in 50s and 60s. Nitish Kumar started his work very systematically and overhauled the administrative system and police machinery in the state. Law and order situation started improving and schools and colleges started running systematically. Developmental work was undertaken with great interest and health and education sector started picking up. The atmosphere in the state changed miraculously. The situation of roads and electricity also improved considerably and that has brought remarkable turnaround in the economic growth of the state. Bihar under Nitish Kumar has recorded 11.03 percent growth rate and it has become the second fastest growing economy of the country in only fours years from 2004-2005 to 2008-2009. Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister of Bihar has done remarkable job to empower women by giving them 50 per cent reservation in Panchayats and Urban local bodies. The participation of women in local administration has resulted in the all round development of the state. Bihar is the first state to have introduced 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats and Urban local bodies. Now other states of the country follow it. That is why it is aptly said what Bihar does today nation thinks it tomorrow. With the improvement of law and order situation, Bihar attracts investment from outside. Good law and order situation is the most essential factor in achieving development. Nitish Kumar first of all improved law and situation and recorded economic growth of 11.03 percent, which is even above the national average of 8.49 percent.