CM says `Vikas Yatra' will help execute Sushasan

PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that his `Vikas Yatra' though was an innovative and first of its kind in the country, it
was a step taken towards execution of Sushasan which he had promised to the people.

Talking to the mediapersons here at Patna Airport before leaving for Gopalganj to lay foundation stone of bridge and thereafter West Champaran to launch the first leg of the Yatra, Nitish said that it would provide him an opportunity to feel the pulse of the masses and know the problems facing the people at the ground level. It would also consolidate the government policy of "development with justice".

Referring to opening of two closed sugar mills in the state, the chief minister said that now a new phase of opening of closed industries has started which would continue.

He said that the second leg of his Yatra would start after Saraswati Puja from February 2. Replying to the queries of mediapersons, he said that the Yatra should not be linked with the ensuing Lok Sabha (LS) polls.

The CM said that prior to his leaving for the Yatra, he held a cabinet meeting which cleared a proposal of launching Integrated Tharuhat Vikas Yojana meant for the development of Tharus which would be announced by him in West Champaran on Monday evening itself.

Nitish said he favours holding of fresh assembly polls in Jharkhand along with LS polls. He said that there should be no move to cobble up yet another coalition in Jharkhand as it would be futile and not in the interest of democracy and people of the state. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi also expressed similar views on Jharkhand matters.

Replying to the queries of mediapersons, Modi said that the state government had implemented recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission to its employees whereas the Left ruled state like West Bengal has not given the same to its employees. He appealed to the striking employees to call off their strike as only "minor issues" remained to be solved.

Source : Times of India