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BJP leaders laud Manjhi's 'vision for development' [Patna] [Times of India](Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PATNA: Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi might have been inviting criticism recently for one reason or the other but, on Saturday, he won wide acclaim from BJP leaders, including Union communications and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, for his "vision for development". Prasad addressed Manjhi as the "most revered". He said political differences might be there, but for Bihar development, Union government was keen to work with the state. "Central government is with you for making a new Bihar," he told Manjhi. The CM also told Prasad, "We will work together with you. You are keen to develop Bihar and we are also with you in developing the state and would like to match your steps." Prasad's suggestion for allotment of land for a software park at Darbhanga and Bhagalpur was instantly accepted by Manjhi, who said the state government would allot land in both the towns for that purpose. For IT park at Pataliputra, five acres more land would be made available, he said. Manjhi also accepted the demand of former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi that the IT policy of the state, framed in 2007, should be amended. Modi had earlier said Bihar's IT policy had become outdated. "We are working on the policy and it would be revised soon," Manjhi assured Modi who had advised the CM to join hands on the issue of Bihar development. Manjhi got standing ovation from the Union minister and others. Unlike state government sponsored programmes, the Union IT ministry had invited even JD (U) MLA from Digha Poonam Devi and she was listed as guest of honour along with Modi and leader of opposition in state assembly Nand Kishore Yadav. She was seated next to Bihar IT minister Shahid Ali Khan. The BJP leaders in the past had alleged their MPs and MLAs were not invited to Bihar government functions. At the foundation laying ceremony of an incubation facility centre at software technology park here, Bihar IT minister Shahid Ali Khan acknowledged the guidance and assistance of former deputy CM in developing the IT department in the state. Modi was finance minister in Nitish Kumar cabinet. Khan said Prasad was keen on IT development in Bihar. "Whatever you order, we will work together for IT development in Bihar," Khan told Prasad. (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |