Gopalganj, Sakri and Raiyam Sugar Mills to Reopen Soon, Government to Consider Handing Nal-Jal Scheme Maintenance Back to Ward Members
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday made two significant announcements in the Legislative Council regarding the state's industrial revival and rural infrastructure. He said that the long-closed Gopalganj, Sakri, and Raiyam sugar mills would be reopened soon. For this purpose, the state government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Central Government agency, after which operations at all three sugar mills will begin.
The Chief Minister also assured the House that the government would seriously consider the demand to restore the responsibility for maintaining the Nal-Jal (Tap Water) Scheme to elected ward members. He said a joint meeting of the Panchayati Raj Department and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) would be held before taking a final decision.
Chief Minister Announces Revival of Sugar Mills
Replying to a short-notice question raised by Legislative Council member Shashi Yadav, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that reviving Bihar's closed sugar mills is one of the government's priorities.
He informed the House that preparations are underway to restart the Gopalganj, Sakri, and Raiyam sugar mills, and the state government will soon sign an MoU with a Central Government institution to facilitate the project.
According to the Chief Minister, once the required formalities are completed, operations at all three mills will commence.
Major Relief for Sugarcane Farmers
Experts believe that reopening the sugar mills will provide significant relief to sugarcane farmers.
At present, many farmers have to transport their produce to distant districts or neighboring states due to the closure of local mills. Restarting these mills is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve procurement, and ensure more timely payments to farmers.
The move is also expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities, boosting the local economy.
Boost to Industrial Development
The Bihar government considers the revival of closed industrial units an important step toward accelerating industrial growth in the state.
Apart from increasing sugar production, the reopening of these mills is expected to promote industries related to jaggery, molasses, ethanol, and other by-products, encouraging investment and economic activity in rural areas.
Discussion on the Nal-Jal Scheme
During the Legislative Council proceedings, members from both the ruling alliance and the opposition raised the issue of the maintenance of the Nal-Jal Scheme, which provides tap water to rural households.
They demanded that responsibility for maintaining the scheme should once again be entrusted to ward members, arguing that local representatives have a better understanding of their areas and can resolve water supply issues more efficiently than outside agencies.
Concerns Despite Heavy Expenditure
Members pointed out that approximately ₹225 crore is spent annually on the maintenance of the Nal-Jal Scheme.
Despite this expenditure, complaints regarding water supply disruptions, pipeline repairs, and pump maintenance continue to emerge from various parts of the state.
They argued that involving ward members would improve accountability and enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.
JD(U) Member Supports the Proposal
Janata Dal (United) Legislative Council member Dinesh Prasad Singh also supported the demand to hand over maintenance responsibilities to ward members.
He stated that ward members remain in constant contact with local residents and are better equipped to address problems quickly and efficiently.
PHED Minister Explains Current System
Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh briefed the House on the existing maintenance system.
He said the department is continuously working to improve the implementation of the Nal-Jal Scheme and ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water in rural areas.
Government to Review the Proposal
After listening to members from across the House, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the government would carefully examine the proposal.
He announced that a joint meeting between the Panchayati Raj Department and the Public Health Engineering Department would be convened to discuss all administrative and practical aspects before reaching a final decision.
Public Interest Will Be the Priority
The Chief Minister emphasized that the government's primary objective is to ensure efficient delivery of safe drinking water to rural households.
He said that if assigning maintenance responsibilities to ward members proves beneficial for improving services, the government is willing to take the necessary steps.
Rare Consensus in the House
The issue witnessed broad agreement among both the ruling alliance and opposition members.
Legislators from all sides emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of local representatives in implementing public welfare schemes more effectively.
The discussion was viewed as a positive step toward promoting decentralization and greater public participation in governance.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's announcement regarding the reopening of the Gopalganj, Sakri, and Raiyam sugar mills marks a significant step toward reviving Bihar's industrial sector and supporting sugarcane farmers. At the same time, the government's willingness to consider restoring the maintenance of the Nal-Jal Scheme to ward members reflects its focus on improving rural governance and public service delivery. If implemented effectively, both initiatives are expected to strengthen the rural economy, generate employment, improve water supply management, and promote sustainable development across the state.
