Cabinet clears Rs2k cr for dairy, other projects
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One of the key decisions was the approval of Rs 316 crore for installing dairy equipment at five locations under the Bihar State Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation (Comfed). The installations aim to enhance milk collection, cooling, processing, and milk powder production, directly benefiting farmers' groups affiliated with Comfed.
"These proposals are aimed at increasing the dairy sector's contribution to the gross state domestic product (GSDP), boosting milk production, raising farmers' incomes, expanding cooperative activities and creating employment opportunities," said S Siddharth, additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department.
The dairy initiative, proposed by the animal and fish resources department, will be partially funded through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) Cluster Development Fund (SCDF) with Comfed contributing the rest. Milk collection and processing plants will be installed in Darbhanga, Wazirganj (Gaya) and Gopalganj while milk powder production units will be set up at Dehri-on-Sone (Rohtas) and Sitamarhi.
Darbhanga and Wazirganj will each get 2 lakh litre-per-day (LLPD) capacity plants costing Rs 71 crore and Rs 50 crore, respectively. Gopalganj's 1 LLPD facility will cost Rs 54 crore. The milk powder plants at Dehri and Sitamarhi will have a capacity of 30 metric tonnes per day each with corresponding investments of Rs 69 crore and Rs 70 crore.
The cabinet also approved the revised estimate of Rs 165 crore for acquiring 50 acres of land near the Ma Janaki Mandir at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district.
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The Sitakund festival, held near Munger and known to draw both domestic and international visitors, was officially brought under the Bihar State Fair Authority.
To support sanitation workers, the cabinet sanctioned the formation of the Bihar State Safaikarmi Commission. This commission will work to mainstream sanitation workers and ensure their safety and rights. Furthermore, six new positions, including chairman and vice-chairman, were created for the Bihar Youth Commission.
Addressing growing water scarcity, the cabinet approved surface water supply schemes in Supaul and Kaimur districts. In Chhatapur block (Supaul), two pumping systems with a combined capacity of 31 million litres per day (MLD) will draw water from the Sursar river to serve 318 wards in 63 villages. The project, which includes five years of maintenance, will cost Rs 320 crore.
In Kaimur's Aghora block, a 7.85 MLD tube well drawing from the Sone river will supply drinking water to 41 wards across seven panchayats.
The total expenditure, including seven years of maintenance, is estimated at Rs 293 crore. The need for these schemes was raised during the CM's Pragati Yatra.
The cabinet also approved Rs 270 crore for installing electric fittings in classrooms and facilities across primary schools under the state's ongoing school renovation programme. The work will begin this fiscal and conclude by 2026-27. An additional Rs 276 crore was cleared for the renovation of secondary and higher secondary schools.
In another major decision, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 180 crore for constructing godowns with a total capacity of 2.49 lakh metric tonnes through primary agricultural credit societies (PACS). Proposed by the cooperative department, the scheme includes 50% subsidy support and the remainder as a revolving fund, repayable through profits. The godowns will be of 200, 500 and 1,000MT capacities.
To improve urban mobility in Saran district, Rs 696 crore was allocated to the road construction department for building a flyover from Gandhi Chowk to Nagarpalika Chowk in Chhapra town.
The project is aimed at eliminating chronic traffic congestion and ease movement.
Finally, the cabinet approved a revised estimate of Rs 1,121 crore for civil and electrical works at the State Sports Academy and International Cricket Stadium in Rajgir, Nalanda district, further boosting Bihar's sports infrastructure.
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