Budget session of Bihar Legislature begins

The budget session of both Houses of Bihar Legislature began today with Governor Ram Nath Kovind addressing the joint sitting highlighting virtues of liquor ban and speedy work for realisation of programmes under "seven resolves" of good governance under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The maiden session of the year started with customary address of Governor highlighting achievements and future plans of the state government.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, Leader of opposition in Assembly Prem Kumar, his counterpart in Legislative Council Sushil Kumar Modi and former CM Rabri Devi were present at the joint sitting.

The Governor was flanked by Speaker of Legislative Assembly Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Chairman of Legislative Council Awdesh Narayan Singh.
Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said that during budget session which would end on March 31 with a break for holi festival, a total 23 sittings would be conducted.
In his address, the Governor reiterated state government's determination of "growth with justice" which envisages development of all class and category of society.

He said the state government was giving top priority to ensure "kanoon ka sashasan" (rule of governance).
The Governor said liquor ban in the state has resulted in sharp fall in the crime rate.

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Kovind spoke about government's policy of zero
tolerance against corruption with statistics saying nine cases have been registered under Bihar Special Courts Act of 2009 and seizure of unaccounted property amassed in these cases is underway.
So far, in eight cases unaccounted properties of public servants have been seized, he added.
State Vigilance Investigation Bureau in the last one year laid 110 traps against corrupt officials and arrested 121.
The Governor referred to the Public Grievance Redressal Act, 2016 launched on June 5, 2016 of Nitish Kumar government and said 1.1 lakh complaints lodged under it has been redressed till now.

Extending welfare net, the state government has made provision to provide Rs 51,000 in the marriage of paternal and maternal granddaughters of freedom fighters.
It has also earmarked 2 per cent reservation for them in state government jobs, he said.