Patna, Feb. 19: Numerically, the state has put the right foot forward on growth front. But experts feel the state has miles to go to match the developed states.

The panel of experts participating in Global Summit on Changing Bihar 2012 felt that though Bihar had achieved remarkable average growth rate of about 10 per cent in the past six fiscals, it was lagging on various growth parameters, including per capita income and poverty rate. The experts participating in the plenary session “Vision for Bihar’s development and emerging agenda for action” observed that if Bihar wanted to bridge the gap, it would have to achieve at least 14 per cent growth. It would have to improve on several other fronts, including child mortality rate and literacy, said the experts.

The speakers charted various proposals and agenda, including industrialisation strategy and commercialisation of agriculture, for the inclusive growth of the state. They also laid stress on strengthening the role of the IT sector and science and technology for better delivery and performance.

Speaking at the session, Emeritus professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Sudipto Mundle said: “Bihar is one of the best performing states in health and literacy and the reasons behind it are good governance, improvement of law and order and a few other factors. But despite making a steady effort on these fronts, the state is still poor on per capita income and drawing investors.”

Institute for Human Development professor Dev Nathan said: “As Bihar’s economy is agrarian economy, efforts should be made to commercialise the agriculture so that farmers get optimum profit for their produce.”

The speaker lauded the role of chief minister Nitish Kumar in giving importance to the agriculture sector, as it is the backbone of Bihar’s growth. Nathan said: “The state government’s roadmap for agriculture for the next four years will help a lot in development of agriculture.”

Sharing the views of Nathan and Mundle, visiting professor of Institute for Human Development Gerry Rodgers and former director of International Institute for Labor Studies, Geneva, said the time had come for Bihar to shift from crop sector to livestock, dairy, fisheries and other such activities to give boost to the agriculture sector and reap harvest of equitable and inclusive development.

After hearing the visiting dignitaries, chief secretary Navin Kumar said: “The challenges discussed at the session will be defined as agenda for tomorrow. Ideas and suggestions at various sessions will be drafted as agenda for development. The Bihar government has made a steady progress in elementary education with construction of about 70,000 elementary schools in the past six years but the bigger challenge is in higher education and secondary education. In Bihar, we have only 3,000 secondary schools. Providing education to students finishing their elementary education will be tough ask.”

The chief secretary also highlighted the shortage of doctors, nurses and auxiliary nurse and midwives.

The session was moderated by renowned journalist M.J. Akbar.