Patna, August 5 (ABN): The government has made a significant decision to run 16 new and under-construction medical colleges and hospitals in the state under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the aim of modernizing health facilities. This decision was made at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday, where a total of 17 key agendas were approved. The details of the cabinet decisions were provided by Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, Arvind Kumar Choudhary, during a press conference at the Souchana Bhavan auditorium.
Arvind Kumar Choudhary stated that the cabinet has approved the operation of 16 brownfield medical colleges and hospitals in the state, including dental colleges, under the PPP model. Among them, four medical colleges in Pawapuri (Nalanda), Rahui, Madhepura, and Purnia are already operational, while new medical colleges are under construction in Samastipur, Saran, Bhojpur, Madhubani, Vaishali, Buxar, Siwan, Begusarai, Sitamarhi, Jamui, Munger, and Supaul. An agreement will be signed with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for the management and operation of these institutions, for which an administrative approval of Rs 8.27 crore has been given. The government claims that this decision will lead to the provision of modern medical facilities, improved administrative efficiency, and better treatment options for the public.
The cabinet has also approved the establishment of the state's first Sports Science Center (High-Performance Sports Training and Injury Center) under the Department of Sports. The project will cost Rs 4 crore. The center will provide world-class facilities such as scientific training, sports medicine, nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, psychological support, and performance analysis to athletes, enabling them to perform better at the national and international levels.
During the meeting, the cabinet also approved the transfer of 43.98 acres of government land to the Home Department for the establishment of the Bihar Industrial Security Force (BISF) in the Rajouli area of Nawada district. The government believes that this move will make the security of industrial institutions more effective.
The cabinet has approved Rs 6.12 crore for the organization of various patriotic programs across the state under the "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign 2026. The amount will be used to organize Tiranga concerts, cultural programs based on "Vande Mataram", Tiranga exhibitions, Tiranga rallies, selfie campaigns, public awareness programs, and other events.
In another significant decision related to the health department, the cabinet has approved amendments to the recruitment rules for Ayurvedic medical officers. Now, candidates who have obtained a GAMS (Graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree up to 2003 will also be eligible for recruitment. The recruitment of Ayush medical officers will be done through a competitive examination. This decision has been made in light of the Patna High Court's judgment.
The cabinet has also approved the creation of six new posts to strengthen the administrative structure of the Bihar Health Sciences University, Patna, including one Deputy Registrar, two Assistant Registrars, one Deputy Controller of Examinations, and two Assistant Controllers of Examinations.
To promote tourism, the cabinet has approved the operation of a helicopter service under the Chief Minister Bihar Helitourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026, with a monthly expenditure of Rs 60 lakh. The government claims that this project will make it easier to access the state's religious and historical tourist destinations and promote tourism.
In the education sector, the cabinet has approved the transfer of five acres of land to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan on a 30-year lease in the Pupri Kothi area of East Champaran, where a new Kendriya Vidyalaya will be established.
To strengthen the judicial system, the cabinet has approved the establishment of special courts in Purnia, Bhagalpur, and Gaya for the speedy trial of cases under the NDPS Act. Twenty-seven non-gazetted posts will be created for this purpose. Similarly, approval has been given for the creation of 171 non-gazetted posts in additional special courts for the speedy disposal of pending cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
In the urban infrastructure sector, the cabinet has approved administrative sanctions of Rs 122.22 crore for the Jamalpur Water Supply Project and Rs 177.72 crore for the Munger Water Supply (Phase-1) project under the central government's Amrit-2.0 scheme.
In the social welfare sector, the cabinet has made a significant decision by approving the deployment of 330 Home Guards in the state's observation homes, special homes, and other institutions under the Bihar Juvenile Justice Act 2015, to ensure the security of children and staff residing there.
The cabinet's decisions are being seen as a significant step towards strengthening the infrastructure in the fields of health, sports, education, tourism, judiciary, urban development, and social welfare in the state.
