Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Republic Day, called upon the police force to play an active role in the state’s economic development, saying their responsibility should extend beyond maintaining law and order to supporting industrial growth.
Addressing police personnel after hoisting the national flag at Sardar Patel Bhavan, the state police headquarters, Choudhary said the police must become development partners and contribute to making Bihar economically prosperous. He credited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with laying a strong foundation of good governance in the state and said it is now the police’s duty to uphold and strengthen that system.
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The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for stricter action against crime, faster delivery of justice and greater police participation in development-related initiatives. He noted that the government has ensured electricity, roads and water supply to every village, and the next priority is to build a strong network of industries to generate revenue.
Recalling Bihar’s past, Choudhary said there was a time when the state’s budget stood at just Rs 6,000 crore, with nearly 87 per cent of revenue coming from Jharkhand in the form of royalties. He said the situation has changed significantly, with Bihar’s economy becoming much stronger. According to him, the state now generates around Rs 40,000 crore annually through GST alone.
Choudhary said Bihar’s budget touched Rs 3.17 lakh crore last year and is expected to increase further in the coming financial year. Emphasising the goal of making Bihar more prosperous, he said special campaigns would be required, and the police would play a key role in creating a conducive environment for growth.
He also said the state government is continuously strengthening the police system, with recruitment underway. Within the next six months, the number of police personnel in Bihar is expected to cross 1.5 lakh.