PATNA: The Bihar government has asked all departments to carry out development works in border areas of the state adhering to security guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence. The Building Construction department in a letter (dated June 6) to all executive engineers has advised them to carry out developmental or construction work of small nature, which includes construction, repair and maintenance of government buildings like schools and hospitals, in border areas of the state adhering to security consideration on construction activities issued by the Ministry of Defence.
The letter of the Building Construction department is in the possession of the PTI.
The Building Construction department’s letter has mentioned the Bihar government’s Home department’s latest circular pertaining to construction activities (of small nature) in border areas issued to all concerned departments last month.
The circular was issued by Bihar government’s Home department following MoD‘s letter dated May 8, 2023 sent to all states, union territories and Central ministries.
The Home department’s letter was also issued to District Magistrates of bordering districts in the state – East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj.
The MoD’s letter said “The development work of small nature like construction, repair and maintenance of village ponds, construction and maintenance of government buildings like schools and hospitals, electrification by Panchayati Raj institutions and other Central/State government statutory bodies are continued to be allowed for faster development in border areas in accordance with MoD letter dated Nov 27, 2018″.
“A comprehensive review of security consideration policy has been carried out to further facilitate infrastructure development along border areas being undertaken under the aegis of various Central/state government sponsored schemes while ensuring that major ‘security implications’ are not overlooked.
“Further certain additional relaxations have been incorporated in the revised policy document to align it with the current infrastructure development requirement. Central/state governments and other developmental agencies can undertake development activities, not covered within the scope of these policy guidelines”, the MoD letter said.