Nitish launches projects worth Rs 1,042 crore in East Champaran

PATNA/MOTIHARI: CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday launched altogether 589 developmental schemes worth Rs1,042 crore through remote at a ‘Jagrukta Sammelan’ (awareness conference) orgainsed at Areraj in East Champaran district on the second day of his ‘Jal-Jivan-Hariyali Yatra’.

The sammelan, aimed at spreading awareness among people about the Jal-Jivan-Hariyali Abhiyan, was organized at the Mahanth SS Giri College stadium.

CM also distributed cheques for Rs7.77 crore among 518 Jeevika groups and beneficiaries of government schemes like student credit card and marriage assistance grant.

He also inaugurated the block information technology centre and a Buniyadi Kendra at Areraj.

Earlier in the day, the CM reached model gram panchayat Pipara under Areraj block and laid foundation stones for a ‘panchayat sarkar bhavan’ there. The building will be constructed at a cost of Rs125.34 lakh.

He also interacted with children, women and villagers at Pipra where a festive ambience was created by the district administration. The CM told the villagers he would be fulfilling the commitments made to them.

Nitish also handed over key of a new tractor to Chhoti Kumari, member of Jeevika group of Bankatawa village. The tractor was driven by her to demonstrate before CM. He went around other villages of Pipra panchayat and inaugurated ponds and park.

He also planted saplings and was visibly impressed with the potato cultivation made by a farmer. He asked the farmers to save water for their lives.

Addressing a gathering at Areraj, he said the Jal-Jivan–Hariyali Yatra was to motivate people to maintain ecological and environmental balance. He asked them to save water and plant saplings to save the earth. He also asked to save forest wild animals and birds for good environment.

Talking about the Saat Nishchay Yojana, Nitish said the government is providing safe and pure water at home. He said the Jal-Jivan-Hariyali scheme will be completed within three years at a cost of Rs24,500 crore in the state. More than one lakh ponds, ahar canal and other water bodies would be identified and made free from encroachments. “I start all my yatras from Champaran because this is the experimental soil of Mahatma Gandhi who liberated the country from the Britishers,” he said.