'Bihar a role model through special programme

From a state that had become synonymous with 'poor' governance, Bihar has now emerged as a role model for other states through a specially-crafted programme, the Central government feels.

The Centre has asked nine Naxal-affected states to adopt Bihar's novel initiative 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme for providing essential services to people in gram panchayats.

The Union Panchayati Raj Ministry in a recent circular pointed out that weak governance structures and weakness of the local administration are both cause and effect of Left-wing extremism.

Every panchayat should be on the lines of 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme of Bihar, it said and asked the affected states to improve quality of governance and service delivery by delegating sufficient administrative and financial powers to panchayat raj institutions.

"This is needed urgently in at least the 33 most extremist-affected districts," the Ministry said in its circular to chief secretaries of the Naxal-hit states.

It further said that the innovative use of Backward Regions Growth Fund (BRGF) grants to address specific local problems, updating and computerising land records including forest land and common property resources and adopting an integrated strategy for tackling development and security challenges can also help check the menace.link