Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday gifted free wi-fi facilities for students of government colleges and universities on the occasion of Bihar Divas.
It is a part of one of his "seven resolves for a developed Bihar" and will be gradually made available at 308 government institutions of higher education.
"The wi-fi facility will be free for college and university students. They will be able to download whatever they want. We have also arranged for separate electricity facility to run wi-fi at the educational institutions so that there is no hindrance," Nitish added.
On Tuesday, the state cabinet had approved a proposal to install solar energy equipment to power the wi-fi routers at colleges and universities to tide over the power supply problems in the state.
Nitish was speaking at the colourful Bihar Divas function, celebrated every year on March 22 - the day on which Bihar and Odisha were carved out of the Bengal Presidency in 1912 by the British to form another state.
Several ministers and senior bureaucrats were present on the occasion.
However, deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and his elder brother and health minister Tej Pratap Yadav were conspicuous by their absence from the grand event. Even their parents RJD chief Lalu Prasad and former chief minister Rabri Devi did not attend the function. They all were invited.
Speaking further on the occasion, Nitish said the free wi-fi facility was to be launched in February, but was delayed after the "model code of conduct" came into force after declaration of elections for four seats of the Legislative Council.
"The four council seats were such that the voters in them were graduates and teachers. Hence, we had to delay the launch of the free wi-fi," Nitish added.
The chief minister pointed out that this year's Bihar Divas was dedicated to de-addiction. It also marks the culmination of a two-month-long campaign in support of de-addiction that started on January 21 with an attempt to create the longest human chain in the world.
"Prohibition has ushered in a good environment in the state. People were afraid that the state will lose revenue, but it has helped people save Rs 10,000 crore, which is now being utilised by them in improving their standard of living. It is also bringing about economic progress," the chief minister said.
Asserting that the campaign against addition will continue, the chief minister asked people to be on guard to ensure that people do not switch to other intoxicating substances in the absence of alcohol in the state.
The Bihar Divas function is organised by the education department and its minister Ashok Choudhary highlighted the latest changes being brought to the state in the field of education.
"Teachers in state universities will now be appointed through the University Service Commission. We are making efforts to revive it. The Bihar Public Service Commission, which is carrying out the appointments, will no longer do it." The Nitish Kumar government in 2007 had abolished the University Service Commission after nepotism charges were levelled against the commission in conducting recruitments at the state universities. The commission, which was constituted in 1982, was carrying out appointment process till 2007.
However, sources in the education department said the ongoing recruitment process of 3,345 assistant professors being carried out by the Bihar Public Service Commission will not be affected by the government decision.
Ashok also pointed out that the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) evaluation of colleges in the state has increased from 12 to 76. Seven universities have also been evaluated by it. This will help them get financial grants from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Later, laser shows and cultural programmes were also held in the evening.
Additional reporting by Roshan Kumar
