Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday released the last ‘report card’ of his ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) government, which has been in power for the about a decade, claiming the state scripted an amazing story of growth and development under his leadership during this period.

Reeling out figures from the 168-page ‘report card’, Kumar narrated how the Bihar, which was once described as a ‘basket case’, registered tremendous growth in roads, health, power, agriculture and education sectors. He also claimed to have restored a ‘rule of law’ and tamed corruption.

“Bihar’s growth rate has now touched 17 per cent while the state’s GSDP [Gross State Democratic Product[, which was barely around Rs7.7 trillion (Dh440 billion) in 2004-2005 has now crossed over Rs4 trillion,” Kumar told the media.

He said the state’s plan expenditure has increased manifold, which has now touched Rs459 billion from just Rs40 billion. In the same way, the annual budget, too, has increased from Rs263 billion to more than Rs1.2 trillion, he said. “Isn’t this an example of growth and development?” he asked.

He further said that sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, industry, transportation and service added to Bihar’s growth story.

He also took credit for bringing the ratio of boys to girls to almost equal at senior secondary level despite skewed sex-ratio. He made this claim on the basis of money being distributed among the students under the cycle scheme. “Under this scheme, we are distributing money among 828,347 boys and 815,837 girls, which indicates the growing enrolment of girls in schools. This is a fascinating story for all of us,” Kumar said adding some innovative ideas brought the dropout rate from 12 per cent to 1 per cent.

He also said the JD-U government constructed or upgraded more than 66,500km of roads and 5,400 bridges since coming to power in 2005.

He also made some new announcements such as pension scheme for journalists with efeftc from August 1 and promised to bring Public Grievance Redressal Bill in the coming session of the state assembly. He also announced a new pay structure from this month to the striking contractual teachers.