Patna, August 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday said the state government is continuously working to ensure the welfare of all sections of society, particularly the Mahadalit, Dalit, backward and extremely backward communities, while creating opportunities for greater prosperity and social justice.
The Chief Minister made the remarks while participating in an Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at the Mahadalit Tola in Nawada village under Dhanarua block of Patna district. In the presence of the Chief Minister, local senior resident Jageshwar Manjhi unfurled the national flag at the event held at the playground of the Nawada High School.
Extending his greetings to the people of Bihar on the 80th Independence Day, Choudhary paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence. He said Bihar had produced several great personalities who contributed to the country's freedom struggle and the pursuit of social justice.
The Chief Minister said he was pleased to participate in the Independence Day programme in Nawada's Mahadalit Tola and announced several development initiatives for the area. He approved Rs 12 lakh each for the construction of an Anganwadi centre and a community building. Another Rs 1.07 crore was sanctioned for renovation of the Nawada High School playground.
He also announced around Rs 2.50 crore for construction of a Panchayat government building and Rs 50 lakh for a Kanya Vivah Mandap. The Nawada High School will also be developed as a model school, he said.
Choudhary said the national flag is not merely a symbol of India's freedom and pride but also serves as a reminder of citizens' responsibilities. He stressed that the benefits of development must reach every section of society, especially Mahadalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and extremely backward communities.
The Chief Minister said the government firmly believes that development cannot be considered complete until the last person in society becomes prosperous. Several initiatives are being undertaken to provide education, employment, social security and economic opportunities to young people and disadvantaged communities.
He highlighted the government's efforts under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided to women to help them pursue employment and livelihood opportunities. He said around 30 lakh Jeevika women have already become 'Lakhpati Didis' in Bihar.
Under the social security pension scheme, the monthly pension has been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100. Choudhary appealed to eligible people who are still outside the pension system to apply through the designated support portal.
The Chief Minister said nearly 1.90 crore households in Bihar have electricity connections, with around 1.70 crore consumers receiving up to 125 units of electricity free of cost each month since last year. He said Bihar has become the state providing the highest level of subsidy to electricity consumers in the country.
To promote tourism, helicopter services have been launched from Patna to destinations including Rajgir, Nalanda, Kaimur and Valmikinagar. Passengers will pay only Rs 2,100, while the state government will provide a subsidy of Rs 12,000.
Choudhary also outlined initiatives in healthcare, education and public welfare. He said arrangements have been made to provide treatment at district and divisional hospitals, while unnecessary referrals to larger hospitals in cases of minor illnesses would attract strict action.
In education, the government has introduced live online classes in Bihar. The Bihar School Examination Board is working to ensure that students in government schools can access online teachers even at 11 p.m. Coaching facilities are also being provided to help students prepare for competitive examinations such as NEET and IIT-JEE.
The Chief Minister said Bihar had only 278 degree colleges during the first eight decades after Independence. On July 15, the state government launched teaching simultaneously in 211 degree colleges, enabling students to pursue higher education closer to their homes.
He also credited former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's tenure with several development initiatives, saying the number of schools in Bihar had increased substantially. Improved road connectivity, he said, has also reduced travel time between Patna and Nawada to around 22 minutes.
Choudhary reiterated that the state government would continue working for weaker and deprived sections and pursue development with the participation of all communities.
During the programme, beneficiaries received spectacles under the National Programme for Prevention of Blindness and Visual Impairment, symbolic cheques under the Jeevika programme, social security pension approval letters, ration distribution system documents, Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme approvals, PM Surya Ghar Yojana approvals and land ownership certificates.
Several public representatives, senior officials and a large number of local residents attended the programme.
