What are the major policy reforms implemented in Bihar since 2005?

The period since 2005, marking the start of the Nitish Kumar-led government, has seen several significant policy reforms aimed at governance, social change, and economic development.

1. Bihar Panchayati Raj Act (2006): A revolutionary social reform that mandated 50% reservation for women in all tiers of the Panchayati Raj system. This was a first in India and aimed to bring women into the forefront of local governance.
2. Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana (2007): A flagship education policy that provided funds to girls enrolling in Class 9 to buy a bicycle. This simple, effective policy dramatically increased female enrollment and retention in schools and became a model for other states.
3. Bihar Right to Public Services Act (2011): A landmark governance reform. This Act gives citizens a legal right to receive specific public services (like birth certificates, caste certificates, etc.) within a stipulated time limit. It includes a provision to penalize officials who fail to deliver the service on time, significantly improving administrative accountability.
4. Power Sector Reforms (2012 onwards): A series of technical, administrative, and financial reforms to the state's electricity boards. This policy successfully untangled the power distribution network, leading to a massive increase in electricity availability from just 6-8 hours a day in 2005 to over 22-24 hours a day in most of the state.
5. Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act (2016): A major (and controversial) social policy that banned the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the entire state. The policy was aimed at reducing domestic violence, improving public health, and increasing household savings.
6. Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan (2019): A large-scale environmental policy launched to combat the adverse effects of climate change. It focuses on water conservation, rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies (like aahars and pynes), and increasing green cover.
7. Saat Nishchay (Seven Resolves) (2015 & 2020): These are not single policies but comprehensive "blueprints" for development. They bundle multiple schemes (like "Har Ghar Nal ka Jal" - tap water for all) into a cohesive policy framework, guiding the state's entire development agenda.