Bihar CM recently claimed that his government has generated over 6 lakh jobs during its 15 years rule as compared to 95,000 jobs created during the RJD rule from 1990 to 2005.
The RJD was in power for 15 years and Bihar and Jharkhand were one state for the first 10 years out of the total 15. Nitish Kumar also said that his administration has brought over 6 lakh jobs along with bringing livelihood to numerous others who were inducted in other services. Nitish further added that if voted back to power, his government would surely install solar street light in every village of the state.
The assertions by the Nitish Kumar government about the job creation face credibility challenges, as on the ground, many women feel that the state government needs to do more, citing the “poor implementation” of the laws on prohibition and the state’s employment situation as major concerns. Many women like Sheela Devi from Parew Village in Maner constituency and Samati Sinha in Nalanda district claim that liquor is openly available even now, more than 4 years after its banning, with some claiming that it is even home-delivered. Many claim that at the block level itself, there is rampant corruption. Some add that even to pay the taxes to the government, people have to pay bribes. People, especially the womenfolk complain that as far as jobs are concerned, the government has not been taking out vacancies for government jobs and this is really hurting the youth. The womenfolk have pointed out that the Jeevika program has shown signs of success further adding that, that is not enough as the leaders are busy getting involved in the illegal trade of supplying liquor. They asserted that it negates the benefits of the Jeevika and that it is important for young and educated Biharis to get a job in their own state.
Last Wednesday, the first phase of voting for Bihar was concluded. The state will witness two more rounds of polls and the results will be announced on November 10.
The author is a student member of Amity centre of Happiness.
