Patna, Jan 2 : In a bid to get first hand information about development work in rural areas and hear people's grievances personally, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar plans to camp overnight in villages across the state.

The chief minister has announced he will camp in villages and spend hours to meet villagers before reviewing development schemes with officials. "I will spend nights in villages to get the real picture of development," Kumar said.

Sources in the chief minister's office told IANS that Kumar has directed officials concerned to prepare a detailed plan, listing the development schemes for which foundation stones were laid in the last three years.

"The chief minister plans to spend nights in villages every 25 to 30 km," the sources said.

A team of officials will accompany Kumar to assist in passing instructions and report on implementation of development projects.

In another measure, Kumar is set to launch a 'Vikas Yatra' (Development March) from Jan 19 at Bagaha in West Champaran district. The venue is significant as it was in Champaran that Mahatma Gandhi had launched his first civil disobedience movement in India against British rule.

However, the timing of Kumar's development march has attracted criticism from the opposition. "It is a move to woo people before the forthcoming parliamentary elections," said Shayam Rajak, general secretary of Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Another opposition leader P.K. Sinha said that before the 2005 state assembly election, Kumar had launched a Nyaya Yatra (Justice March), which ensured his victory. "The latest move is to reach out to people before parliamentary elections," he added.

However, Kumar has denied that the Vikas Yatra has anything to do with the elections. He says it is directly related to governance.

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