Nitish Kumar begins his Nischay Yatra from Champaran
Patna, Nov 9 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday began his "Nischay Yatra" (Resolution Yatra) from West Champaran district, which is associated with Mahatma Gandhi's concept of satyagraha, to review the ongoing development programmes.
Nitish Kumar will visit deep into rural Bihar, spread over 38 districts, during Nischay Yatra, which started from November 9, to get direct feedback from people regarding his "Saat Nishchay" (seven resolutions) plan for development of the state, Janata Dal-United leader Neeraj Kumar said.
But opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has announced it would oppose Nitish Kumar's rural foray.
Soon after he launched his Yatra, Nitish Kumar reiterated that his government has already implemented one of the seven resolutions -- ensuring reservation in government jobs for women, by notifying 35 per cent quota for them in all kinds of state government jobs.
"We began work to fulfil most of the seven resolutions within a year after coming to power last November. In September this year, two schemes launched as per the resolutions were 'Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal' (tap water for each household) and 'Shauchalay Nirmaan-Ghar Ka Sammaan' (construction of toilets, honour for every family)," he said.
"On October 2, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, the government launched one more scheme under the resolution -- Rs 4 lakh student credit card to students," he added.
In the last 11 years, since his first "Nyay Yatra" in 2005, which was targeted to expose misrule of the then ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal of Lalu Prasad, that brought him to power along with the BJP.
Nitish Kumar had visited rural Bihar repeatedly during his frequent "Yatras", including "Vikas Yatra" in June 2009, followed by "Dhanyavad Yatra" in December 2009, "Vishwas Yatra" in 2010, "Sewa Yatra" in 2011, "Adhikar Yatra" in 2012, "Sankalp Yatra" in 2014 and "Sampark Yatra" in 2014.
"During his current Yatra, Nitish Kumar will be able feel the pulse of people, their aspirations, grievances and the impact of these programmes under the seven resolutions plan of the government," another JD-U leader, Shayam Razak, said.
Nitish Kumar said last month that he had decided to start the Nischay Yatra after Bihar's popular Chhath festival, to review as well as interact with the people about the development work under the seven resolutions.
He said he enjoys more while in the field, particularly in rural areas, as it provides him with an opportunity to learn different ideas from the people and interact with them. "I never enjoy life in Patna and no question of enjoying it in Delhi... I simply love to visit the rural side," he said.
He revealed that he works on the basis of his experiences of different yatras so far.
Last year, during the campaigning for the Bihar assembly polls, Nitish Kumar made a promise to implement seven resolutions if the Grand Alliance of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress came to power.
The seven resolutions include Rs 4 lakh loan credit card for students, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for eight months -- twice in two years -- to students to help them search jobs, free Wi-Fi facility in colleges and universities, setting up a venture capital fund of Rs 5,000 crore for young entrepreneurs, toilets in all households, and free drinking water and electricity connections to every household.
