NDA's Bihar Election Manifesto 2023: Comprehensive Plan for Jobs, Women Empowerment, and Development

BJP chief JP Nadda and Nitish Kumar in Patna released NDA's 69-page 'Sankalp Patra'.

New Delhi:

The NDA has unveiled a comprehensive joint manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, highlighting key areas including government employment, women's financial support, agricultural development, permanent housing, free ration, electricity, healthcare services, and medical college establishment.

Key Takeaways From NDA's Bihar Manifesto

Employment for Youth: NDA promises to generate government jobs for over 1 crore people. The strategy involves conducting a skill census, providing skill-based employment opportunities, and establishing mega skill centers in every district to position Bihar as a global-level training hub.

Women Empowerment and Self-Reliance: The Chief Minister's Women's Employment Scheme will provide financial assistance up to Rs 2 lakh for women. The manifesto aims to create 1 crore Lakhpati Didis. Additionally, through 'Mission Crorepati', the focus will be on empowering women entrepreneurs to achieve millionaire status.

Financial and Social Empowerment to Backward Classes: Financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh will be extended to various underprivileged groups. NDA has committed to forming a high-level committee under the Supreme Court to evaluate the socio-economic conditions of different backward class castes and recommend appropriate empowerment measures.

Food and Farmers: The Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme will provide Rs 9,000 annual financial assistance to farmers. Fish farmer aid will increase from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000. The plan includes Rs 1 lakh crore investment in agricultural infrastructure and minimum support price for all crops including rice, wheat, pulses, and corn. NDA plans to establish five mega food parks and double agricultural production. The goal includes self-reliance in pulse production by 2030 and developing Bihar as a global export center for foxnuts and fish.

Road and Rail Infrastructure: Plans include modernizing seven expressways, developing 3,600 km of rail track, expanding the Amrit Bharat expressway and NaMo rapid rail, plus launching metro services in four cities.

Urban Infrastructure: Development plans include a 'greenfield city' in New Patna, satellite townships in major cities, and establishing Seetamarhi as an international spiritual city.

International Flights from Bihar: The manifesto outlines establishing a Greenfield International Airport in Patna, three international airports in Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, plus domestic flights in 10 new cities.

Industrial Development: Rs 1 crore will be invested in industrial development. An industrial development plan will establish the foundation for industrialization and create lakhs of jobs, with manufacturing units and 10 industrial parks planned for every district.

Housing and Ration: Benefits include free ration, 50 lakh new houses under PM Awas Yojana, free electricity up to 125 units, free healthcare up to Rs 5 lakh, and social security pensions.

Education: The manifesto promises free education from kindergarten to post-graduation for the poor, mid-day meals and breakfast in schools, and skill labs. Rs 5,000 crore will be invested to revamp district-level schools, with plans to establish an 'education city'.

Textile and Tech Hub: Bihar will be developed as South Asia's textile and skill hub through Mithila Mega Textile and Design Park and skill parks. The NDA also plans to establish a defence corridor, semi-conductor manufacturing park, global capability centers, mega tech city, and fintech city.

AI Hub: To position Bihar as the country's AI hub, NDA will establish 'Centers of Tolerance' and provide AI training to every citizen.

Health: Plans include establishing a medicity, medical colleges in every district, specialized super-specialty hospitals, and special schools for children with autism.

Sports: Bihar will get a sports city according to the manifesto, which also includes plans for dedicated Centers of Excellence for specific games.

Social Justice: Residential schools for Scheduled Caste (SC) category students will be opened in every subdivision. Monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 will be provided to SC students pursuing higher education. Financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakh will be extended to those from the Extreme Backward Classes (EBC) category.

Gig workers: Auto, taxi, and e-rickshaw drivers will receive life insurance worth Rs 4 lakh, along with collateral-free vehicle loans at minimum interest rates.

Tourism: Collateral-free loans will be provided to establish one lakh green homestays in the city. Plans also include creating temples and corridors.

Art, Culture and Entertainment: The manifesto includes establishing the Bihar School of Drama and Film and Television Institute.

Flood-Free Bihar: NDA promises to make Bihar flood-free within five years if they retain power. They will construct river-linking projects, embankments, and canals under the "flood to fortune" model to promote agriculture and fisheries.