‘Bihar doesn’t need SEZs right now. We need to focus on agriculture’

Nitish talked to Express staff over lunch about change, good governance and the challenges of being Bihar’s face.

SHEKHAR GUPTA: Is there a paradigm shift in Bihar? Have people now begun to say that they will vote on the basis of performance, rather than caste?

Certainly. People’s mindset is changing. Today, they talk of development and refuse to be mobilised by caste-based politics. In the last one year, we have focused on development of human resources — education and health are two of its major components. We are working towards skill development. Earlier, children from Bihar did not have much facility for education and parents had to send them outside the state.

During one of my visits to a rural area, I was touched when a 12-year-old kid asked me: “Hum padhenge nahin kya?” Our government found that there was just one teacher for 200 to 300 students. We worked out the requirement for teachers in relation to students on a ration of 1:40, which, as we figured out, was 2,35,000. We have also linked education with Gram Panchayats. All teacher recruitments are being done through Panchayats. We have also reserved 50 per cent seats for women in Panchayats. This will bring about a great change in society.

About healthcare, let me tell you that there were hardly any doctors in primary health centres. You will be surprised to learn that there was no paper for doctors write prescription on. In July this year, we launched a programme to distribute free medicine. We began with 13 medicines. Now, 108 medicines are being provided in district hospitals.

Besides, health centres and district hospitals are being connected with telephones. It helps in two ways: provides connectivity and helps us monitor the functioning of hospitals and its doctors. It has worked wonders. The health secretary told me that as against 39 patient visits in a month, district hospitals today treat 3,000 in a month.

SHEKHAR GUPTA: How do you get the money to do all this?

Funds have always been there but was not properly utilised. In fact, we are also using a part of the 12th Plan funds for development. The Centre has allocated funds and we have managed our internal resources as well. We also get Rs 1,000 crore every year under Rashtriya Sum Vikas Yojna launched by the NDA government. Under this, 23 districts in the state are receiving funds. The scheme has now been renamed by the UPA. We have also launched Mukhyamantri Zila Vikas Yojna.

In addition to all this, we will save about Rs 200 crore this year. To use allocated funds is a difficult task. Various agencies like the Planning Commission and Union ministries are involved in these projects. At my level, I have convened meetings for infrastructure projects in the state. We’ve even approached the Union Transport Minister TR Baalu. No one can say we are not alert.

ABHAY MISHRA: What have you done for the minorities in Bihar? Has there been a case when you wanted to do something for them but couldn’t due to opposition from the BJP?

The BJP has never opposed any scheme meant for the minorities. We are trying to improve their lot. The 15-years of Lalu-Rabri rule did not do anything for them, only used them as vote banks. After taking over, I have got loans waived for Muslims in Bhagalpur. Loans were sanctioned to them during the Bhagalpur riots of 1989. Besides, there was no electricity supply to power looms, run mostly by Muslims. I asked the industry department to examine the financial liabilities. New connections were given to these power looms with 20-hour supply per day.

Moreover, there were 650 cases in Bhagalpur riots, many were closed. The CID was asked to look into the matter and it found that there was sufficient evidence in many of them. Twenty-nine cases have been reinvestigated and a judicial inquiry commission been sep up. I have also written the PM, seeking compensation for the Bhagalpur riots victims in line with that given to anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

RAVISH TIWARI: You promised during the election that you would provide suraaj (good governance) but it turned out to be bhuraj (a government dominated by Bhumihars)?

This is not correct. You see the composition of my Cabinet and you will find that all castes, communities are duly represented. There is no discrimination against anyone.

VARGHESE K GEORGE: Do you see a new political alignment in Bihar?

Abhi to kuchh nahi dikh raha hai. But divisions within the UPA are getting wider and wider, thanks to Laluji. He does not have respect for anybody. Laluji was mistaken in believing that UPA’s victory in Bihar in the 2004 general election was due to his efforts.

He should have understood that Ramvilas Paswan had a major role, too.

VARGHESE K GEROGE: Lalu Prasad has said he is No.1 minister in the Union Cabinet? You were the railways minister in the late ‘90s. How do you rate Laluji now?

I resigned following the train accident in Gaisal (West Bengal) in 1999. The NDA government focused on safety measures. The railways profits have gone up because freight rates have been increased. The booming economy is also one of reasons for the increased profits.

VARGESE K GEORGE: Roads in Bihar are one of reasons that stop investors from going to the state?

We have enough funds for the roads but there is no agency to work. We are inviting corporates and construction companies to come and work in the state. I have also met Ratan Tata and the Mahindras. The Bihar Bridge Construction Cooperation (BBCC) went into liquidation but we want to revive it. We have recently launched the Mukhyamantri Sadak Nirman Yojna and handed over the work to the BBCC.

MANINI CHATARJEE: When the RJD was in power in Bihar, it used to complain against the Centre. But you seem to have a very good equation with the UPA government in Delhi. Do you foresee a realignment of forces with the JD (U) coming closer to the Congress in the future?

I must tell you that we have no problems with the Centre. They are quite supportive. Had they been so active in Bihar earlier, they wouldn’t have met such electoral misfortunes there.

It’s just a few RJD ministers in Central government who keep creating confusion. But I’m fine with that, too. For instance, Union Rural Development Minster Raghuvansh Prasad Yadav sent many letters to me in quick succession and I asked him if he had also began to do secretary’s work.

ABHAY MISHRA: Have you sidelined former JD (U) president George Fernandes because he has been critical of your government of late?

This is not correct, he is not sidelined. George saheb is our senior leader and we have great respect for him and we take seriously any of his remarks.

SEEMA CHISHTI: What’s your party’s stand on reservation for Dalit minorities?

We have made it clear in Parliament that Dalit minorities must be included in SC category. In Bihar, Muslims are inducted in OBC category. Category-wise too, OBCs are divided into Annexure I and Annexure II. Annexure I stands for extremely backward classes. Alliances are tactical and programme-based. The BJP and our party may have formed alliances but we have different views on Muslim reservations.

CITHARA PAUL: Do you still nurture the socialist dream?

Yes. We want to provide basic facilities to our people. For example, kerosene is a necessity for people in our state but, most often, it gets black-marketed. Now coupon will be issued to them and the dealers will get kerosene against the coupons. We want our work to percolate to the villages through local self-government bodies. We are even constructing primary school with separate kitchens so that teachers are disassociated from the work of mid-day meal. It will help teachers concentrate on teaching only. You asked about my dream. Well, my government has allocated grants to schools to take children out on picnics. They must visit historical and important places.

ABHAY MISHRA: The education system in Bihar is in a mess. Is it not wasteful that a three-year degree course is completed in 5 years in most universities?

We are concerned about the problem. I have talked to the officials. Now teachers get salaries in time. Sufficient grants have been allocated to science laboratories in schools and colleges. We are working on streamlining sessions in universities.

SHEKHAR GUPTA: How much progress has been made in NHAI’s projects?

GT road that goes through Sasaram is almost built. We’ve also put those who were trying to extract hafta/rangdari tax from builders behind bars. No one is protecting the construction mafia in Bihar now.

SHILPA VENKATRAMAN: What about the kidnap insurance in Bihar that is being talked about? Have the number of kidnappings come down?

Yes. There has been a drop in cases of kidnappings. Kidnappers are not only being nabbed but also convicted. Trials are faster but to say that incidents of crime won’t take place is a misplaced notion. The important thing is to see how quickly the police respond. Our government and police are quite alert and taking prompt action. There is no fear in the minds of people in Bihar now. Earlier, investors used to ask about the law and order situation in Bihar. They are no longer worried about it.

SEKHAR GUPTA: When will Bihar get its first SEZ?

We do not need it right now. We need to focus on agriculture. There was time when 25 per cent of sugarcane was grown in Bihar. We have fertile land, enough water for irrigation and high-yielding crops. We have four proposals for setting up sugarcane factories. We are evolving a land policy where farmers who are losing land do not get a raw deal.

PAMELA PHILIPOSE: What about the delay in decision on most court cases?

Bihar will be country’s No. 1 state in speedy disposal of cases. We held a workshop on speedy trial of cases. Give us two years and we’ll bring down the rate of murders in the state. Earlier, trials were pending because family members of the victim wouldn’t agree to give evidence. Now, they are coming forth to reopen cases. The system should function in such a way that even if the chief minister wants to protect someone, he cannot.

ILA PATNAIK: What’s your stand on reservation for women?

We have already reserved 50 per cent seats for women in local self-government bodies. We wanted to use their skills in health and energy sectors too. Women can succeed where men fail.

ILA PATNAIK: You have given 50 per cent reservation for women. But still a large section of women are uneducated and are thus unaware of their rights and duties.

This is also true of men. All men are not educated either. We are working on it. Soon, we will have the positive results.

VARGHESE K GEROGE: You seem to be comfortable working with bureaucrats who have served during Lalu-Rabri rule. How?

Yes, I am. So long as they continue to do their duties properly, I have no problem with them.

TEENA THACKER: A large number of children from Bihar are working in Delhi as child labourers. What, if anything, is your government doing for them?

It is a major problem. We have issued instructions to our child-welfare departments to take necessary steps for their rehabilitation. But the Centre needs work out a practical policy. We have asked the police and Railways authorities to rescue these children. All departments have been asked to coordinate on this. Still, it continues to be a matter of concern. Families have to be convinced to send these children to school.