'Bihar still considered a BIMARU state'

PATNA: Bihar Legislative Council's acting chairman Arun Kumar on Tuesday said Bihar is still considered a "BIMARU" state although the state
government has initiated several steps to make it a developed state.

Kumar, in his inaugural address in the legislative council, said chief minister Nitish Kumar's "vikas yatra" has been appreciated by people in terms of redressal of their grievances. But there are still various challenges like extremism, terrorism, communalism, casteism, regionalism and political opportunism, he said and hoped that the CM's new initiatives on "Gram Swaraj", Antyodaya and decentralisation of power would give the state a modern face.

He also hoped that the members of the House would raise relevant questions related to the problems facing the common masses during the seven sittings of the House.

Presiding officers:

The acting chairman also announced the names of four presiding officers for the budget session. They are Kiran Ghai Sinha, Prem Kumar Mani, Tanvir Hasan and Jagannath Rai.

Obituary remarks:

The Upper House condoled the death of eight eminent personalities, including former President R Venkataraman, Saryug Paswan, Bhogendra Jha, Madan Prasad Jayaswal, N E Horo, Veena Rani, Jayram Oraon and Prabhu Dayal Singh. The House also observed a two-minute silence, praying for peace to the departed souls.

Source : Times of India