Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha speaks during a press conference at Vikas Bhawan in Patna on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) | Photo credit: ANI
The Bihar government on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) decided to conduct an audit of all urban local bodies (ULBs) through auditors in the state represented by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
“Currently all urban local bodies are being audited through Chartered Accounts, but now for the first time CAG auditors will audit all ULBs of the state. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the state government’s zero tolerance policy on corruption,” Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said in Patna.
The CAG has been asked to include more ULBs in its audit purview every year, he said, adding that the audit will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the National Municipal Accounts Manual.
Mr. Sinha, who also holds the portfolio of Urban Development and Housing Department, was speaking to the media at his official chamber accompanied by the Ministry’s Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar at a press conference.
CAG empaneled auditors will conduct audits of all urban local bodies (ULBs) which include municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats. There are 19 Municipal Corporations, 89 Municipal Councils and 154 Nagar Panchayats in the state.
Keeping in view the rapid urbanization of the state, Mr. Sinha also said that Bihar currently has 15.6% urban population against the national average of 36%.
“We have to catch up with the national average urbanization of 36% that we have committed to. We have taken a commitment to provide ‘clean city, green city’ to the people,” Mr. Sinha said.
He added that the state cabinet has already given approval for the construction of 11 new municipalities, which include nine divisional headquarters towns apart from Sitamarhi and Sonepur (in Saran district) besides redevelopment of old towns.
Stating that “planned city development” is the government’s priority, the Deputy CM said that a “territorial plan” would be ready for all cities of the state within a year.
The minister added that municipal companies will provide various services to citizens online through a single platform.
The move will come into effect in the next seven to eight months, Mr. Sinha said, adding that all types of services — be it redressal of complaints, payment of tax, disposal of waste, submission of map — will be provided online.
The facility for forwarding house maps will be made available online across the state, Mr. Sinha said, adding that the department is developing a systematic and transparent mechanism in this regard and the facility will be made available as soon as possible.
At present, the facility for handing home maps online is available only in Patna, he added.
Setting a deadline for the completion of the four smart city projects, Mr. Sinha said the remaining work is likely to be completed by October this year.
Four cities of Bihar have been selected under the Smart Cities Mission which include Patna, Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif and Muzaffarpur. These cities are undergoing development to improve infrastructure, including intelligent traffic management, waste management and improved public services to increase sustainability and quality of life.
Mr. Sinha also informed that both the metro corridors, Blue Line (Priority Corridor) and Red Line will be operational by the end of 2030.
Published – 25 March 2026 02:56 IST
