BPSC -Mains Topic Bihar Economy at a Glance

In 2009-10, the total GSDP at 2004-05 prices was Rs. 1, 35,900.23 crore, yielding a per capita income of Rs.13, 983. For total GSDP, the estimated growth rate was 11.70 percent over 2008-09. At current prices, the GSDP for Bihar in 2009-10 was estimated to be to Rs. 1, 72,138.46 crore with a per capita income of Rs. 17,959.

During the first five years since 1999-2000, the economy had grown at an annual rate of 3.50 percent and the economy had grown at an annual rate of 10.93 percent during 2004-05 to 2010-11 at constant prices. This is one of the highest among the growth rates of different Indian states.

With economic development, it is historically observed that structure of any economy also undergoes changes over time. This is true of Bihar also. In the beginning of the last decade, the share of different sector in total GSDP stood at 39.0 percent (primary) 10.5 percent (secondary) and 50.5 percent (tertiary). Since secondary and tertiary sectors have shown a much higher growth rate in the last decade, the composition of sectors is now substantially different; in 2009-10, the composition was — 21.74 percent (primary) 16.61 (secondary) and 61.65 percent (tertiary).

Bihar suffers from considerable economic disparities across the districts. Considering per capita estimates of GDDP, we find that Patna (Rs. 37,737), Munger (Rs. 12,370) and Begusarai (Rs. 10,409) are the most economically prosperous districts of Bihar. On the other end of the ranking, the three most economically underdeveloped districts are Jamui (Rs. 5516), Araria (Rs. 5245) and Sheohar (Rs. 4398).

For the consumer price index for rural workers, the rise in prices in Bihar has been lower than in India as a whole. For agricultural labourers, the index rose by 115 points between 2007-08 and October 2010 for Bihar, but for India as a whole, the rise was by 149 points during the same period. A similar pattern can be observed for rural labourers also. In case of industrial labourers, it is found that price rise has been higher in Bihar than in India as a whole. Between 2007-08 and October 2010, the index for industrial labouers rose by 53 points in Bihar, whereas it rose by 48 points for India during the same period.

As a result of improvement in law and order situation, resultant faith in the government, and other positive changes taking place in Bihar, a favourable environment for private companies, investors, entrepreneurs and tourists, etc. has been created in Bihar. The state has become a favourite destination for a large number of companies and private institutions.

Janta Ke Darbar Mein Mukhya Mantri' programme, organised at different places has attracted significant public participation. Vikas Yatra, undertaken by the Chief Minister to remotest places has ushered in new trend of dialogue between the rural population and the ministers and officials accompanying the Chief Minister in such yatras.

The state government has taken positive steps for increasing the common man’s faith in police. The 'Speedy Trial' mechanism has been effectively used to expedite convictions. With the introduction of 'speedy trials' and resultant quick convictions, the number of convictions is increasing. The total number of convictions rose from 6839 in 2006 to 13,146 in 2009 which means an increase of 92.46 percent during the period.

 In order to strengthen the training facility for police officers, the Bihar Police Academy has been established in the state. Work has begun on construction of a new campus of Bihar Police Academy at Rajgir at the proposed cost of Rs. 206 crore. Besides, under state plan, work has been completed for 14 model police stations and work for 26 more model police station are in progress. Another 40 model police station will be taken up in near future, apart from 49 Grade III police station, 8 Grade IV police stations and 69 police buildings.

 The state government has recently established a Fire Brigade Training Centre and a Home guards training centre at Bihta at the cost of Rs. 7.50 crore and Rs. 4.00 crore respectively.

Steps were taken to contain corruption in the state. A total of 66 persons were arrested in 60 trap cases in 2006, 126 in 108 trap cases in 2007, and 99 in trap cases in 2008. There has been a rise in registration of anticorruption cases. From 1996 to 2005, on an average, about 28 cases were registered annually. In 2006 alone, 99 cases were investigated. From 1996 to 2008, 396 gazetted officers, 332 non-gazetted government servants, and 215 nongovernment servants, were chargesheeted. Under the disproportionate asset case, wealth to the tune of Rs. 8 crore have been identified and trials are under progress.

The state government has initiated steps to strengthen the Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on the guidelines of National Disaster Management Act, 2005. NDMA has set up a battalion of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) at Bihta in Patna district for various operations during the disasters.

During the drought, the lives and occupation of the lower income groups suffered enormously. The state government had to save the lives of sick people from starvation in drought hit districts, for which it sanctioned an amount of Rs. 973.63 lakh for providing dry foodgrains and Rs. 1839.75 lakh for drinking water. Thus, a total amount of Rs. 6691.64 lakh was sanctioned for fighting drought during 2010-11 (upto January 13, 2011).

There are 28 districts in the state, mostly in North Bihar, which are affected by floods almost every year. The state government is currently constructing 200 flood shelters in flood prone districts. In addition to this, there is also a proposal for creation of new post of Emergency Managers with Associates for 10 most flood prone districts of the state. Disaster Management Department has issued guidelines to Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates for rehabilitations and reconstructions during the post-flood operations. To combat flood operations, cyclone / fire disaster in 2010, the state government had to incur an amount of Rs. 17345.35 lakh in non-plan head.