Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar hits out at critics

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday has hit back at the critics who have opposed the state government’s decision to open a medical college at Narghoghi village under Sarairanjan block of Samastipur district on the pretext that the institution should have been opened at the district headquarters.
Those who opposed the government’s decision include JD(U) leader and state’s planning minister Maheshwar Hazari, RJD’s Samastipur MLA Akhtarul Islam Shahin and some Congress and opposition leaders of the district.These leaders alleged that the medical college was being opened at a far-off village in Sarairanjan constituency, instead of Samastipur district headquarters, under the pressure of a senior leader.
Addressing a function after launching the construction work, Nitish said he had learnt that his cabinet colleague Hazari issued a statement against the state government’s decision. “He is a minister. It is not proper on his part to issue such statement. I will call him and inquire as to why he did so,” the CM said.
Explaining the reasons behind opening the medical college at Narghoghi, Nitish said the decision was taken in 2012. The issue was pending for the last seven years due to unavailability of land. The decision was taken to open the college after Sriram Janki Trust provided 21 acres of land free of cost to the state government.
“Why anyone didn’t come forward in the last seven years to provide sufficient land near the Samastipur district headquarters?” the CM asked.
Attacking the opposition RJD, CM said the ‘pati-patni’ government ruled the state for 15 years. Why did they not open any new medical college in the state? Congress leaders too ruled the state for long period. Why did they not open a medical college in Samastipur town during their rule? Nitish questioned from the audience.