Lalu Sons & Co: Progressive, healthy, dry Bihar

Bihar deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav spoke about “zero tolerance on corruption” after he took charge as the Cabinet minister for road construction department on Monday. Surrounded by officials on his first day in office, Mr Yadav said his only focus would be “development of the state”.

Meanwhile, indicating that a move to impose a statewide ban on liquor would begin within six months, Bihar minister for excise and prohibition Abdul Jalil Mastan, while taking charge of his department, said, “We are not here to weigh profit and loss. Public interest is more important for this government. We are going to initiate move to ban the sale of liquor keeping public interest in mind.” He added that people, particularly the women of Bihar who registered a massive turnout in the recent Assembly elections, “voted in our government asking us to eradicate the liquor menace from the state”.

Sources said the deputy CM, while addressing an inaugural three-hour meeting after he took charge, wanted to see the files of all ongoing projects within the state. Focusing mainly on infrastructure development and road construction, Mr Tejaswi Yadav told this newspaper that he will “review all the ongoing projects very soon and set a new target for himself and his department”.

“We will change Bihar into a modern state and you will shortly see better road connectivity. I am also focusing on infrastructure development,” he said. Second in command in the new Grand Alliance government led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, Mr Yadav has also been given charge of the backward caste welfare department.

Mr Tejaswi Yadav, the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, said, “I will make my departments free of corruption and try to fulfil all the promises we made to our voters during our campaigns. The mandate is for development and I assure the people of the state that we will work with full honesty.”

Mr Lalu Yadav’s elder son, Mr Tej Pratap Yadav, who took charge as state health minister on Monday, too indicated a crackdown on corruption and malpractice in the medical services. He visited Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) to review its condition after a marathon meeting with health department officials in his office.

“I will closely monitor the functioning of medical services in the state. I want officials of my department and doctors to ensure hassle-free treatment to all those who visit government hospitals seeking medical help. Doctors must create a friendly atmosphere in all hospitals,” Mr Tej Pratap Yadav said, adding, “I have been informed that some of the government doctors have their own private clinics which I will never allow.”

Several other ministers who took charge on Monday emphasised “good governance” and development by taking a pledge to implement CM Nitish Kumar’s seven-point agenda.