Patna,(BiharTimes): Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Tuesday that his statement that he would not let the seven Union ministers (sat-bhaiywa mantris) from Bihar to enter if they do nothing for the development of the state was made in a lighter vein.“I had just joked…was not serious…there was no intention to stop them,” he said while releasing the ninth report card of the coming to power of the Janata Dal (United) government in Bihar. The chief minister explained that he said so as the people of
Bihar expected them to do something for the state. He once again appealed to them to support the Janata Dal (United) government’s demand of special status to Bihar.

He then said in English: “Let bygones be bygones,” and added there is no need to unearth old issues as he expects full cooperation from the Union ministers.The chief minister highlighted the achievements of the state government in presence of all his ministerial colleagues, chief secretary, all the departmental secretaries, DGP and senior police officials.He thanked the 11 crore people of the state as well as the government officials and employees for the development with justice made in Bihar and hoped that the media, which was present in full force, would cooperate with the government. Manjhi quoted former chief minister Nitish Kumar’s statement that he would not seek votes in 2015 till the power situation improves in the state and claimed that the electricity supply has increased from 1500-1600 MW to 2800-2900 MW and by 2015

it would be further hiked to 4000 MW, which would be self sufficient for Bihar. Manjhi said that the highest priority is being given to education, agriculture, health, social sector etc. He said that highest allocation has been made in education.On this occasion he made special reference to the move to increase the number of hostels for SC, ST students and the efforts the state government is making to increase the enrollment of students of weaker section of the society, especially girls.

He said that this tradition of presenting annual report card was developed by former CM Nitish Kumar.
The chief minister quoted former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who had said that the country would not develop if Bihar is not developed.

The report card claimed that the state has done much to bridge the gap between the rich and poor, though much is yet to be done.Schemes for poor like Indira Awas Yojana, road construciton, drinking water, sanitation etc are being implemented in a big way.

The chief minister said that the forest cover has increased from seven to 12 per cent and the target of 20 per cent would soon be achieved. This is essential keeping in mind the threat of global warming and pollution, he added.

He took a potshot at the Centre for neglecting the National Highways and for not reimbursing the amount spent by the state government for the construction and repair of NHs.