Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday (January 26, 2026) said that rule of law prevails in the State under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
He asserted that the State government has always emphasised good governance and development with justice, and it is committed to the development of all regions and sections of society.
Mr. Khan said this in his speech after hoisting the national flag on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day celebrated at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
Read: 77th Republic Day 2026 LIVE
“Maintaining rule of law is the government’s highest priority and the government is working systematically on all aspects of crime control and maintaining law and order,”Mr. Khan said.
He highlighted that in 2005, the police force in Bihar was very small, then emphasis was placed on increasing the size of the police force and now it has reached 1,31,000, with recruitment continuing at a rapid pace.
Praising the Nitish Kumar government, Mr. Khan said that compared to 2005, there has been a significant reduction in incidents of murder, robbery, dacoity, and kidnapping for ransom in the state. He added that there is no longer an atmosphere of fear and apprehension.
“An atmosphere of social harmony and communal amity prevails in the state. The police and administration take swift action whenever incidents of communal tension come to light,” Mr. Khan said.
He also stressed that the State government has worked hard on the construction of roads and bridges and the target of reaching Patna from the remotest parts of the State in 6 hours was achieved in 2016.
“Now, a large number of roads, bridges, railway overbridges, bypasses, and elevated roads have been constructed in the State, making it possible to reach Patna from the farthest areas in approximately 5 hours,” Mr. Khan said while addressing the people and leaders, including Mr. Kumar.
In the health sector, Mr. Khan said that previously, there were only six government medical colleges and hospitals; now the number has increased to 12, and new medical colleges are being constructed in all the remaining 27 districts, which will be completed soon.
He pointed out that the government has given special emphasis on women’s empowerment and has taken several steps to provide employment to women and make them self-reliant.
“This began in 2006 with 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and in 2007 in urban local bodies. Since 2013, 35% reservation has been provided for women in the police force. The number of women in the police force is more than 30,000, making their participation the highest in the entire country. Since 2016, 35% reservation has been provided for women in government jobs,” Mr. Khan said.
He informed that since 2023, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has appointed a large number of government teachers and wow, the total number of government teachers has reached 5,24,000.
Talking about the agriculture sector, Mr. Khan said that by creating an agricultural roadmap, the schemes were implemented that significantly increased the production of grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, and fish.
“The government will now further accelerate the pace of development in the state. The state is also receiving full cooperation from the central government,” Mr. Khan said.
He added that the State government is working for the development of all sections of society, whether Hindu or Muslim, Dalit or Mahadalit, backward or extremely backward, or upper caste, work has been done for everyone.
Meanwhile, Bihar CM participated in the flag hoisting ceremony at Maranchi Mahadalit Tola of Akouna Gram Panchayat in Phulwarisharif block of Patna district. In the presence of Mr. Kumar, the flag was hoisted by Siddheshwar Manjhi, an elderly resident of the locality.
Every year Mr. Kumar visits a Mahadalit locality on the occasions of Independence Day and Republic Day and participates in the flag hoisting done by a member of the community. This program was first organized in 2011.
Published – January 26, 2026 02:57 pm IST
