PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar underline the need for centre-state coordination

PATA: More than three months after the formation of Grand Alliance government in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar underlined the need for better coordination between the state and the centre to ensure proper development of Bihar.

Remarkably, the campaign during the 2015 Bihar assembly poll saw political war of words between the PM Modi and the CM Kumar.

Apart from commencement of operation of goods train on Rail portion of newly constructed Rail-cum-Road Bridge (Munger), PM Modi also dedicated Rail-cum-Road Bridge to nation at a function in Hajipur town.
This bridge is a link between North and South Bihar. Besides, he also laid the foundation stone of additional rail bridge near existing Rajendra Nagar Bridge, Mokama at the same function.

While CM Kumar hoped that the PM Modi’s this visit will benefit the state, PM Modi appreciated Bihar government’s cooperation to centre in the rural electrification works. Both maintained that Bihar’s development is necessary for ensuring progress of the country. CM Nitish also drew the attention of PM Modi towards dilapidated condition of Gandhi Setu over Ganga- which connects Patna from North Bihar.

Meanwhile, PM Modi also rose from his chair at the dais to silent those who were raising slogan “Modi, Modi” during CM Nitish’s speech. He also exchanged pleasantries with Bihar’s deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who is son of RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In his speech, PM Modi took a dig at the previous UPA government at the centre by reminding the 10-year-long time in the construction of Rail-cum-Road Bridge which was dedicated to the nation today. In the last 18 months, the centre got completed 34 rest works, he added. The work on this bridge was started during the tenure of then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

PM Modi emphasized that India can’t progress without development of Eastern India. He underlined the need for long-term plan for the development of the country. He specifically highlighted the requirement of infrastructure particularly rail and road to touch new heights of developments.

PM Modi also attended closing ceremony of the centenary celebration of Patna High Court. Speaking at the function, Modi said the Patna High Court scaled new heights in the last one hundred years and this is also a time for new resolves and to think of new benchmarks.

He made suggestion to courts for bringing out a bulletin. He said it might contain old pending cases. He gave emphasis for making bar, bench and court tech-savvy. He felt it would improve the quality of argument and judgement also.

Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who was also present at the function, requested PM Modi for expediting the process of appointment of judges.