Bihar government advances green energy and agricultural initiatives

The Bihar government is launching several initiatives to promote green energy and agricultural development. The Bihar Horticulture Development Society (BHDS) has invited bids for solar-powered crop dryers to assist farmers, self-help groups, and farmer-producer organisations. These systems will range in capacity from 20 kg to 1,000 kg and are intended to improve post-harvest management for various products, including fruits, vegetables, spices, and grains.

Additionally, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, has approved the provision of 10 acres of free land for 25 years to major oil and gas companies, such as IOCL, GAIL, HPCL, and BPCL, to install Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants in Gayaji, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Biharsharif. The state has also sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore for the 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana', providing residential consumers with financial assistance of up to Rs 20,000 per consumer via Direct Benefit Transfer.

Further social measures include the extension of the 'Kushal Yuva Programme' for five years to boost youth employment and reforms to the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme and Industrial Training Institute admissions.