Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi promises all-round development of state

PATNA: Promising all-round development of Bihar, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today announced a plethora of schemes,including a bank account for every family.

Unfurling the tricolour at a water-logged Gandhi Maidan and delivering his maiden Independence Day speech amidst continuous rains, Manjhi said the state government will conduct camps at every village from the next month for opening a bank account for all the families who do not have one.

"The poor come under the influence of middlemen and do not get the entire cash amount provided to them under various welfare schemes. We want to provide the money directly in their bank accounts to check the middlemen. If the poor continue with the account for savings and withdrawal, they will be given overdraft facilities as well," Manjhi said.

Besides this scheme, Manjhi also announced launching of malnutrition eradication campaign among the children, free medical facilities for retired government officials and electrification of all villages in the state.

Pointing out that 40 per cent population of the state is below 14 years, Manjhi said that the campaign for 'child malnutrition free Bihar' is being launched on the pious occasion of Independence Day under the aegis of 'Mission Human Development'.

Manjhi added that the malnutrition eradication scheme will pay special attention to kids below the age of three to ensure proper nutrition, hygiene and health for them.

The state government, he said, is dedicated to electrify all villages in the state, and a Rs 4,440 crore electrification scheme will be launched in 26,248 villages spread over 22 districts on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2.

Manjhi also said the Cabinet has approved the scheme to provide free medical facilities at state-run hospitals to retired government officials. The scheme will cover their spouses and family pensioners.

He added that the free medical facilities will be available for the retired employees at all CGHS and state-approved private medical centres.