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Bihar Elections: From unemployment to migration, Tejashwi Yadav directs 12 questions at Nitish-Modi government

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Bihar’s Unemployment Crisis and Migration Storm: Tejashwi Yadav’s 12‑Question Demand for Jobs and Development

The 2024 state elections in Bihar are fast approaching, and the political spotlight has sharpened on a grim reality that has long plagued the land of 100 million people: a soaring unemployment rate and a wave of migration that has been draining the state’s young workforce for decades. In a recent address to the National Assembly, Bihar’s senior opposition leader and former state minister, Tejashwi Yadav, filed a paper containing twelve questions aimed squarely at the central government, demanding swift action to curb the crisis and bring the state back on an upward trajectory.

A State in Crisis

According to the latest labour statistics released by the Government of Bihar, the state’s unemployment rate sits at a staggering 18.6 % – the highest among all Indian states. In the 18–35 age bracket, the figure climbs to nearly 22 %. What is even more alarming is the trend of out‑migration. Roughly 5.4 million Biharis have left the state in the last decade, predominantly to industrial hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and the western states, in search of stable employment.

The root causes are multifaceted. The state’s agricultural sector, which traditionally employed 60 % of the workforce, has seen a decline in productivity due to erratic monsoons, outdated irrigation systems, and a lack of modern agri‑technology. Meanwhile, the industrial sector has remained sluggish, with fewer than 30 large‑scale units operating across the state, and the existing infrastructure – roads, rail links, and industrial parks – has not kept pace with demand. Meanwhile, the skill gap is wide: a study by the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Board (SDEB) revealed that 45 % of the state’s youth lack marketable skills that would make them employable in the growing service and manufacturing sectors.

The 12 Questions – A Strategic Call to Action

Tejashwi Yadav’s 12‑question paper is a strategic tool designed to hold the central government accountable and to push for concrete policy interventions. The questions, filed on a public‑policy docket, cover a spectrum of pressing issues:

#IssueWhat Yadav asks
1Unemployment dataWhy is Bihar’s unemployment so high, and what concrete figures can the central government provide?
2Industrial policyHow will the “Make in India” initiative be tailored to Bihar’s unique strengths?
3Skill developmentWhat specific programmes will be rolled out to train the state’s 1.3 million unemployed youth?
4Infrastructure upgradesHow will the central government address road, rail, and power deficits that hamper economic activity?
5Agro‑processing hubsWhat incentives will be offered to set up agro‑processing units and promote value‑added agriculture?
6Education reformHow will the central government partner with Bihar to improve the quality of primary and secondary education?
7Health and social welfareWhat steps are planned to improve healthcare access in rural districts, and how will welfare schemes be streamlined?
8Migration reversalWhat measures will be taken to incentivise return migration and to retain local talent?
9Corporate engagementHow will the central government attract private investment to high‑growth sectors in Bihar?
10Women’s employmentWhat programmes will empower women to join the formal labour market?
11Youth entrepreneurshipWhat funding mechanisms and incubators will be made available to young start‑up founders?
12Implementation oversightHow will the central government monitor the roll‑out of its policies and ensure accountability?

These questions are not merely rhetorical; they have been drafted with precision, aiming to compel the central government to produce data‑driven responses, to commit to fiscal allocations, and to delineate a clear roadmap for job creation.

The Political Context

Tejashwi Yadav is a prominent figure in Bihar politics. As the scion of the Janata Dal (United) (JD (U)) and former state minister, he has long been a vocal critic of the central government’s policies in the state. His latest move comes ahead of the forthcoming state assembly elections, where the JD (U) is positioning itself as the champion of the working‑class and youth voters. The party’s manifesto, which it unveiled in a recent rally, emphasizes “jobs, skill, and growth” as core tenets.

This strategy is also a political signal to the electorate: that while the incumbent Nitish Kumar‑BJP coalition may have achieved certain development milestones, the pressing issues of unemployment and migration remain largely unresolved. By bringing the 12 questions to the national platform, Yadav seeks to demonstrate that Bihar’s leadership is demanding tangible results rather than mere rhetoric.

Implications for the Modi Government

The central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced several high‑profile initiatives, such as the National Employment Guarantee Scheme (NGEGS) and the Skill India Mission, which could, if properly implemented, benefit Bihar. Yet, the effectiveness of these programs has been limited in Bihar, with bureaucratic bottlenecks and a lack of local coordination.

The 12‑question paper forces the central government to confront the stark reality that Bihar’s job creation figures lag behind the national average. It also pushes for a more nuanced policy that takes into account the state’s specific socio‑economic fabric, such as its agrarian base, large youth population, and infrastructural constraints.

The Way Forward

To address the concerns raised in the 12 questions, several measures appear essential:

  1. Targeted Industrial Development: Establish industrial corridors with incentives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that employ local workers.
  2. Skill Upskilling: Create state‑wide vocational training hubs in partnership with industry players, with a focus on digital, manufacturing, and agritech skills.
  3. Infrastructure Investment: Allocate central funds for road upgrades, power reliability, and high‑speed internet connectivity in rural districts.
  4. Agro‑Processing Clusters: Set up clusters to add value to produce, encouraging farmer participation and ensuring better price realization.
  5. Incentives for Return Migration: Offer tax breaks and housing subsidies to Biharis who return, coupled with entrepreneurship support.
  6. Monitoring Mechanism: Establish an independent monitoring body, with representation from state and central governments, to track progress on job creation metrics.

Conclusion

The 12 questions filed by Tejashwi Yadav are more than a political statement; they are a clarion call for the central government to address the systemic issues that have left Bihar’s young generation unemployed and increasingly restless. The upcoming elections will serve as a litmus test for how effectively these demands translate into policy action. For a state that prides itself on its resilient people and vibrant culture, the stakes are high: the future of Bihar’s economy and its citizens’ wellbeing hinge on a decisive response to the unemployment crisis and the migration storm that have become endemic.

As the political calendar fills with campaigns, rallies, and debates, the real measure of progress will be whether the central and state governments can cooperate to turn the tide – transforming unemployment into opportunity, and migration into mutual growth. The answer to that question may well shape the narrative of Bihar’s political destiny for years to come.


Read the Full The Financial Express Article at:
[ https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/bihar-elections-from-unemployment-to-migration-tejashwi-yadav-directs-12-questions-at-nitish-modi-government/3970338/ ]