Patna: Unfazed by the public uproar over the recent alleged police encounter in Bhojpur district, CM Samrat Choudhary on Sunday asserted that the campaign against crime and criminals would continue without interruption and that there would be no compromise in enforcing the law.Addressing a public meeting in Munger district, Samrat said, “There is no place for criminals in Bihar. Those who are criminals will have to go to Nepal.” Reiterating the govt’s tough stand on law and order, he said the work of “cleansing garbage” (read driving out criminals) would continue and action against criminals would be intensified in the future as well. He maintained that the govt was fully committed to eliminating crime and that no criminal would be spared.Choudhary made the remarks after inaugurating the “Panchayat Vikas Diwas” programme at Tetia Gram Panchayat in Tetiabambar block. He announced that “Panchayat Vikas Diwas” would now be observed on the last Sunday of every month in all gram panchayats, providing panchayat representatives, officials and villagers with 12 opportunities every year to deliberate on development issues and take concrete decisions on local problems.He said the initiative aims to transform panchayats into poverty-free, clean, prosperous and self-reliant units. Discussions and action plans will focus on health, education, water management, irrigation, drinking water, sanitation, green development, social justice and social security. He urged MPs, MLAs, Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members, mukhiyas, sarpanches, ward members and panches to strengthen public participation through Gram Sabhas.Referring to the “Sahyog Shivir” organised on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, Choudhary said citizens’ applications relating to pending govt work are being disposed of within 30 days. He said more than 3.5 lakh applications have already been resolved through the camps and expressed confidence that Panchayat Vikas Diwas would similarly emerge as an effective platform for accelerating rural development.The theme of the inaugural Panchayat Vikas Diwas was “Mahila Hitaishi Panchayat” (women-friendly panchayat). Choudhary said the govt is working to strengthen the economic empowerment of Jeevika Didis and has extended financial assistance to a large number of women to promote self-employment.
