World’s envy but CM couldn’t care

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan’s International Conclave on Buddhism and Spiritual Tourism may have impressed the inte...

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan’s International Conclave on Buddhism and Spiritual Tourism may have impressed the international community, with 585 international delegates attending the concluding dedication ceremony at Bodhgaya today, it still needs to make a mark with Bihar.

The presence of Union Minister Jagmohan, the Cambodian Princess and the Singapore Minister for Tourism also made no difference to Bihar CM Rabri Devi, who stayed away. Despite the placards and banners of Bihar Tourism all around the Mahabodhi tree and temple, there was no representation from the state.

Senior Ministry officials said: ‘‘We have no confirmation of her cancellation. She should be here any moment.’’

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Jagmohan said: ‘‘We do not depend on states for development work.’’ The Union Ministry had spent Rs 2 crore on the three-day conclave alone.

He added: ‘‘A sum of Rs 5.20 crore has been spent on the development of Buddhist circuit in Bihar alone. We have also spent Rs 34 crore on the road from Rajgir to Bodhgaya and Rs 25 crore has been spent on the development of Nalanda.’’ All of this comes under the Ministry’s plan to upgrade and develop the Buddhist circuit most of which falls in Bihar. He said: ‘‘We are developing an international airport here.’’

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