With the Nitish Kumar Government set to complete a year in office this week, the Chief Minister on Sunday said Bihar had witnessed a `paradigm shift' during his rule as it was no longer seen as the ``land of fear'' but that of investment opportunities.
``There has been a paradigm shift in the attitude of investors, particularly those from outside, towards Bihar,'' he said in an interview ahead of the first anniversary of his NDA Government on November 24. The envoys of Japan and Britian and Vice-Foreign Minister of Singapore had evinced their countries' interest in investing in the Buddhist circuit in the State, he said.
Investments
Top industrialists like Ratan Tata and Anand Mahindra were also keen to invest in the State. To meet the huge task of allotting land to investors, Bihar Government has decided to enact a `land policy' soon to decide the quantum of compensation to people whose land would be acquired.
The Cabinet had already cleared investment proposals worth over Rs.12000 crore and the State Investment Promotion Board has done so for another Rs.10,000 crore. The Cabinet had also cleared Rs.1,000 crore on road construction projects alone, he said refuting charges by his bete noire RJD chief Lalu Prasad that the NDA Government existed only on paper.
``The fear factor has vanished and people can be seen on the roads late in the night. Crimes do take place, but unlike in the past, the police action is swift,'' Mr. Kumar said adding even members of the ruling parties are not spared by law enforcers.
He said except for Union Ministers belonging to RJD, members of the Union Cabinet visiting Bihar have been appreciative of his Govt's sincerity.
