Bihar needs new development strategies, not revdis, Pg11.

Key Highlights:

• Political parties in Bihar are making extensive promises, including jobs and cash transfers, ahead of upcoming elections.
• The Mahagathbandhan promises one job per family, which would cost an estimated Rs 5.35 to Rs 7.13 lakh crore annually, exceeding Bihar's budget of Rs 3.17 lakh crore.
• The NDA promises one crore jobs and one crore lakhpati Didis, and recently transferred Rs 10,000 to 75 lakh women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
• Despite various governments, Bihar's per capita income remains low at Rs 69,321 in 2024-25, only 34% of the national average.
• The article suggests focusing on textile parks, the livestock sector, and high-value crops to boost Bihar's economy.

Detailed Insights:

• Bihar's economic challenges include a heavy reliance on agriculture, which employs 54% of the workforce but receives only 4% of the state's electricity.
• The average land holding size is only 0.39 hectares, making it difficult for families to sustain themselves through agriculture.
• Textile parks can provide employment, leveraging Bihar's cheap labor, and the government can incentivize such ventures through pension fund contributions or capital subsidies.
• The SUDHA cooperative shows the potential of the livestock sector, with milk's share in agri-output doubling and a high percentage of consumer rupee reaching farmers.
• High-value crops like sugarcane, makhana, and litchi, along with the bioethanol economy, can enhance farm profitability and industrialization.
• The state needs to expand its distillery capacity to meet national Ethanol Blending targets and attract private investment in processing and exports of GI-tagged products.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Per Capita Income (PCI): Average income earned by a person in a specific area in a year.
• Ethanol Blending: Mixing ethanol with gasoline to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions.
• GI Tag: A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.