*Two years of Nitish Govt: Bihar gets an image makeover* http://dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=STATES&file_name=state9%2Etxt&counter_img=9
Amarnath Tewary | Patna Not too long back, a little more than two years ago, Bihar's image had taken such a beating that it stood perhaps for all that was the worst in the country-politically, socially and economically. The State was, in Naipaul's famous phrase, the place where 'civilisation ends'. RJD boss Lalu Prasad had directly, or through his wife Rabri, clung to power for 15 long years until on November 24, 2005, Nitish Kumar came to power and with him came a new hope and expectations. The new Chief Minister promised that he would make a Bihar where law would prevail and development would be the new mantra. These were words that the people of the State wanted to hear and they gave rise to hope for a better tomorrow. Each day became a challenge. Every hour was spent in planning, every minute in discussion. Bihar's Chief Operating Officer, Nitish Kumar got down to work, sometimes for more than sixteen hours a day. Goals were set, policies outlined, plans charted out and teams selected to execute them. Three months elapsed before the first signs of change were noticed. Law and order in the State capital, which had turned into the kidnapping capital of the country, showed a discernible improvement. Corruption levels in Government offices dropped as a reorganised Vigilance department swung into action. No one was spared - as district magistrates to peons were trapped and sent to jail. The message went out loud and clear that nobody would be spared if found indulging in any form of corruption. By the time six months had gone by the Government launched a number of schemes and took several innovative steps to get development back on track. A Special Auxiliary Force [SAP] of retired army personnel was formed to combat crime and the Maoist menace. This step earned kudos from even the Prime Minister, who suggested that other States could emulate the policy. Fifty per cent reservation for women in Panchayats brought another round of approval, this time from the State's residents. The move, significantly, changed the political landscape in the State and added a completely new dimension to Bihar politics. Women in the state were empowered like never before. To back up the thrust on law and order the lethargy in the judiciary was shaken up. Speedy trials and fast track courts came into being and not even the rich and the powerful were spared. A record number were convicted and sent to jail. Underworld dons turned political chieftains found themselves behind bars. Next on the agenda were a series of international meetings on development, growth and poverty. Almost all the top captains of Indian industry visited the State to explore firsthand its business potential. A suitable environment to attract investment was created. The new Bihar Chief Minister held several meetings and development became an issue, growth a new mantra. A year went by and it appeared as if finally things were moving in the right direction. The excitement among the people of the State was palpable. For the first time the common man got justice directly from the Chief Minister through his weekly Janata durbar. Schools and hospitals started functioning regularly and Government offices started delivering. By the end of the two years, caste was pushed into the background and development given a new impetus. "I believe in action more than words. My work should speak louder than my words and if I fail to deliver then I would go to the people of the State and apologise," said Nitish Kumar. The people of Bihar believe that the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar need not have to apologise as he is their last hope for development. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
