So, the results of the Bihar elections are out and the “Grand Alliance” has won the majority forming a new Government in the state. However, there are a lof of issues to look at keeping in mind the current scenario in Bihar.

Time and again we hear about how the people of the people from Bihar have migrated to other states. But they migrate for opportunities that the home state fails to provide. They are hardworking people and if other states have developed enough to provide opportunities since independence then why Bihar didn’t develop to provide opportunities to its own state in these years?

1. Bihar Comprises of 10% of Total Crimes in India:

Crime rate in Bihar is too high. The number of crimes that are commited by the people of Bihar are increasing day to day. But having notoriety for being a ‘jungle raj’, Bihar still has a long way to go. This will involve modernizing police equipment, ensuring better law enforcement, ensuring women’s safety, expanding policing efficiency and outreach, and curbing corruption in the police, private and public sectors.

Few People from Bihar are also responsible for commiting crimes by moving to various other states in the country.

2. Unemployment is High in Bihar

About 27% of the total population of Bihar is between 15-30 years old and only half of them are employed. Leaving the rest unemployed. The remaining are seeking low paying jobs and agriculture for their livelihood.

This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately. More industries must be incorporated in Bihar inorder to reduce the unemployment thereby pushing the GDP per capita higher.

3. Reducing the Illiterate’s:

Bihar has the least literacy rate in the country with 63.82%. Whereas the literacy rate of India is 74.04%. In 1960s there were many educational plans by the government but due to poor implementation there was no progress. Bihar also has the lowest teacher absense rate of 37% which needs to be addressed immediately.

4. Lack of Electricity

One more serious problem in Bihar is Electricity. As per data it is known that only 25.56% of the rural Bihar households are electrified. Electricity plays a crucial role in the development of a state which must be addressed immediately.

5. Infrastructure

It is very shameful to know that about 98% of the houses in rural areas of Bihar doesn’t have access to toilets. Bihar also has less than 5% of Indian Highways.

Few more Social/Political Aspects that needs to be addressed immediately:

• A lot of emphasis on the caste system still exists. Looking back at the political scene, people have been voting on caste lines for generations (Except the welcome change in LS 2014). Things are improving (many people I know have had inter caste marriage and even inter-state marriages), but in the rural areas, it’s still a nightmare.
• Basic education system: Most of the state government schools are in really bad shape. Teachers were not paid their salaries for months, even years. There used to be widespread corruption in the recruitment process of school teachers
• Lack of quality higher educational  institutes in Bihar is a major reason why the talented students are  forced to go to other states.
• Lack of English skills: Those who study in Hindi medium/state govt  schools have often difficulty in being fluent in English.
• Corruption: Very much institutionalized. Instead of a feeling of shame, many people felt some kind of “pride” in both getting something by bribery, or getting lot of cash as bribe. I have had many uncles ask me to write the civil services merely because it will give me power and it can make me a crorepati in no time. NOTE: In now way I am generalizing, but I have not had this kind of talks with people from other states I have lived.
• Social evils like dowry still exist.
• Respect for civic rules is almost non-existent in most parts.

• Unfortunately these states haven’t seen good state leaders for a long long time. People like Lalu, Mulayam and Mayawati in recent decades have shown no intention of doing anything for the states, other than doling out some populist sops and grabbing as much money as they could. They are the main reasons of the social backwardness of the states.
• Absense of a sense of general security: Bihar and UP have seen decades and decades of goonda-raj. It’s not easy to convince companies to come here and start factories. Of late Jharkhand has seen some progress, but far below its potential. The naxalites are abig problem here. The IT boom has not reached these states as they don’t want to take risks.
• General infrastructure: Nitish Kumar did some great work and we are very hopeful, but still a long way to go. Sustained strong political will at the top of the government is necessary to bring about grass-root level changes.

All the above issues needs to be addressed immediately for the growth of the Bihar state in upcoming years.