Nitish Kumar releases 8th report card of state government's performance

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday showcased his government's performance on completion of eight years in office, his first sans BJP.

Flanked by his cabinet colleagues, Kumar presented the state government's annual report card at a public function in Patna listing achievements in infrastructure like reducing road journey from far off districts to Patna to a maximum of six hours, boosting monthly footfall in government hospitals to 8,000 and doubling power supply as the high points.

After assuming power on November 25, 2005, Kumar had promised to come up with annual performance report of his government like an examinee to seek score from the masses.

In reply to a question as to how much credit he would give for these achievements to erstwhile NDA partner with whom he parted company on June 16, Kumar avoided a direct reply and said "governance was a continuous process".

He, however, said in fulfilment of his commitment to the voters in 2010 Assembly polls, he did not allow any "slowness" in the pace of growth in the state which began eight years ago despite mounting challenges of running 18 ministries himself.

In an apparent dig at the BJP, Kumar said despite their picking holes in the performance of his government, "it is satisfaction of the people about crime-free environment and efficient delivery of services that matters."

With Congress also coming out with its report card to highlight that the state government failed to ensure efficient utilisation of central funds, Kumar said the fact was that there had been a delay in release of funds in all flagship schemes of the Union government be it Aganwadi, Indira Awas Yojna or Integrated Child Development Scheme.