Governor DY Patil highlights state's achievements in Republic Day address

Several innovative steps for good governance and a "zero tolerance" policy towards corruption have been taken in Bihar, which has recorded highest growth rate of 14.48 percent in the country, Governor D Y Patil said in his Republic Day address on Sunday.

Addressing the Republic Day function at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, the Governor said, "Today, an environment of communal and social harmony is existing in Bihar."

The state government has adopted a policy of "zero tolerance" for weeding out corruption for which a special campaign against corrupt officials by vigilance and economic wing of the Bihar police was underway, he said.

Hailing the performance of the state government, he said the growth rate of Bihar in the last fiscal (2012-13) was 14.48 per cent which was highest in the country.

In the field of education, enrolment of students in schools has increased and dropout rate cut down through several innovative schemes like cycle yojna, uniform and scholarship programmes, he said.

In the sphere of health, in addition to ensuring attendance of doctors in government hospitals, provisions have been made for free distribution of medicine, pathological tests and x-ray, the Governor said. Steps have been taken for establishment of super speciality hospitals.

Construction of roads and bridges has been given priority in the state for better connectivity. Road Construction Department and Rural works department have built 5500 km of major and rural roads. More than 12,000 bridges have been constructed.

In the power sector, availability of electricity has been doubled in the last one year to 2300 MW. Work was in progress on special plan at a cost of Rs 9,200 crore for improvement in generation and supply of power, he said.

Women's empowerment has been focus of the state government. As part of this, a women's police station has been opened in every district. 35 per cent seats have been reserved for women in recruitment of constables and sub inspector, he said.

Patil also mentioned significant progress made in the state

in other areas like agriculture, social welfare and minorities development.