In support of his deputy's ambitious pledge of creating 10 lakh jobs for Bihar's youth, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar went a step further today, indicating that total job chances created might potentially be twice the figure.
Speaking at an Independence Day celebration at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, Kumar stated that the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United) coalition administration has a "concept" to give at least 10 lakh government jobs and an extra 10 lakh "employment chances" in other industries, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing the gathering, Bihar CM stated: "We will do so much to develop jobs and employment possibilities for the children of the state – both within and outside the government – that if we are successful, we want to increase the figure to 20 lakhs."
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has been constantly pressed on his election pledge of 10 lakh employment made during the 2020 assembly elections while in opposition. The youthful RJD leader had previously claimed that the Chief Minister had approved of his job-creation pledge.
Tejashwi Yadav, vindicated by the Chief Minister's explicit public pronouncement on his pledge, stated that the "huge announcement" made by the Chief Minister is the "true subject" that the media should focus on, and that the two parties will work together to make it happen.
"Today, CM Nitish Kumar ji made the historic announcement of providing 10 lakh jobs and this number will be increased to 20 lakh jobs. Putting an end to unemployment has been one of the major agendas for us," Yadav was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.
Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) formed a new coalition to form the government in Bihar this week, after the JD(U) president abandoned the BJP for the second time in nine years.
(With Inputs From ANI)