Bihar has developed a new policy to promote jaggery industries in the state, as well as to incentivize sugarcane farmers, encourage small and micro industries, and create job opportunities, according to minister, who spoke in the state Legislative Council on March 28.
The "Bihar state jaggery industries promotion programme" detailed project report (DPR) has been included in the fourth agricultural road map, he said in response to a short-notice question from BJP member Sarvesh Kumar, who claimed that the state had to import jaggery from other states due to a lack of local production units.
Mehta stated that the plan would begin with the next crushing season to ensure that sugarcane grown by farmers is utilized by local small and micro jaggery companies. Investors gather to discuss the establishment of sugar mills. Mehta stated that his department was considering arranging an investors' meeting to entice private companies in the sugar industry.
In response to a starred question from Congress member Sameer Kumar Singh, Mehta stated that while the state government provides subsidies to farmers for growing recommended sugarcane varieties at 210/quintal and 240/quintal to farmers of the general class and scheduled caste/scheduled tribes, the state government has no plans to build a sugar factory in the state. "But, any private investor wishing to establish the business would be provided all support as planned under the 2014 incentive package," the minister stated, adding that the department may conduct an investors' meeting later this year to attract private investment.
Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, a BJP member, moved an adjournment motion to raise the government's attention to the "excessive delay" in distribution of funding to unaided inter and degree colleges in the state. Despite the fact that his motion was defeated, Jaiswal noted in the House that awards to around 225 degree institutions and 599 inter colleges under the unaided education policy have been delayed since the 2014-17 session. The BJP member later asserted, citing a survey, that dropout rates were greater among girls and in higher education. He said that numerous teachers died unpaid, and that many teachers left their employment due to years of nonpayment of their salaries.
Responding on behalf of the health minister, Agriculture Minister Kumar Sarvajeet stated that the government was in the process of changing the dental service rules to revise the service conditions, method for transfer-posting, and to resolve salary-related difficulties.
Answering to a starred question from Congress member Prem Chandra Mishra, who asked if the government has any plans to build new dental colleges and hospitals and raise dentists' pay to that of general practitioners. The minister stated that there were no plans to establish additional dental colleges or hospitals, but that salary and other issues will be addressed by the impending dentists' service guidelines.
Shivani Kumari, a security guard, won a gold medal in the 1500-meter sprint at the All India Civil Services Athletics Championship in Pune, according to Legislative Council chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur and members. In the same competition, she also earned a silver medal in the 800-meter event.
