Patna,Bihar has outperformed major states in terms of spending on higher education, surpassing states like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and several northern states. According to a recent audit report released by the Central Government, Bihar has also outpaced smaller states such as Meghalaya and Manipur, emerging as the top state in the country for higher education development expenditure.
The Central Government’s audit report highlighted that Bihar spent 2.17% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) on higher education. This percentage is significantly higher compared to the 1.75% benchmark set by the Central Government for commendable performance in higher education spending.
This achievement reflects the state’s commitment to improving its higher education infrastructure and quality. The report, shared recently with various states, includes detailed expenditure on infrastructure, salary grants, and other higher education-related expenses.
According to Kameshwar Jha, President of the Bihar Higher Education Council, the state has invested heavily under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), focusing on establishing new government colleges, enhancing university infrastructure, and addressing educational inequalities. This investment includes not only financial resources but also land for new institutions.
This focused effort by the Bihar government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, demonstrates a significant shift towards prioritizing education, ensuring better educational outcomes and infrastructure in the state.
