Centre awarded the Planning & Development department for water resources management in Bihar.
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, March 23, 2026: The Planning and Development Department of Bihar has been conferred a national honour for successfully conducting key assessments related to water resources, bringing pride to Bihar.
This achievement has been attributed to the leadership and guidance of Dr. N Vijayalakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Development Department, whose effective coordination played a profitable role in accomplishing these large-scale initiatives.
The Union Jal Shakti Minister awarded the Planning and Development, Bihar:
The award was presented by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil at a ceremony held on the occasion of World Water Day.
The event was also attended by Ministers of State V Somanna and Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, along with Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti V L Kantha Rao.
Dr. Vijayalakshmi received the award on behalf of the department, accompanied by Ranjit Kumar, Director of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES).
Under her leadership, the Planning and Development Department successfully carried out the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, the Second Water Bodies Census, and the First Springs Census—major initiatives aimed at strengthening water resources management and data-driven planning.
In addition, the Water Resources Department of Bihar was also recognized under the First Major and Medium Irrigation Project Census.
On this occasion, Santosh Kumar Mall was honoured with a certificate of appreciation and a memento.
Dr. N Vijayalakshmi expresses pride over the achievement:
On this occasion, Dr. N Vijayalakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Development Department, Bihar, expressed pride over the achievement and highlighted the challenges faced during the process.
She stated, “This honour is a matter of pride for Bihar. Despite extremely challenging circumstances—particularly the Special Intensive Review (SIR) work from June to October and subsequent election duties—our team successfully completed these crucial assessments within a limited timeframe.”
Emphasizing the collective effort behind the accomplishment, she added that the achievement reflects the department’s dedication, teamwork, and effective leadership.
“The data generated through these exercises will play a vital role in improving water resources management and enabling evidence-based policymaking in the state,” she noted.
Dr. Vijayalakshmi further praised the officers and staff of the department, stating that their ability to deliver quality work under challenging conditions stands as a strong example of administrative efficiency and commitment.
Senior officials also indicated that the data generated from these comprehensive exercises will serve as a crucial foundation for future planning, helping the state strengthen sustainable water management strategies.
EOM.
