PATNA, Jan. 6 -- Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday said that regular monitoring of the Central government's schemes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through PRAGATI meetings has helped fast-track development projects across the state. "At present 170 national projects are being implemented in Bihar with an investment of Rs. 6.58 lakh crore. This is why Bihar is rapidly progressing on the path of development," said Choudhary while talking to mediapersons on Monday. The deputy CM said that the PM held 50th Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) meeting in New Delhi on December 31. "I thank PM Modi for the infrastructure and assistance he has provided to a poor state like Bihar. Work is being done continuously to take the state forward," said the deputy CM and claimed that the Centre has directly invested Rs 6.58 lakh-crore in Bihar. Choudhary accused the previous central governments of delaying development projects. "It was seen during the Congress-led UPA, United Front and other governments post-independence, works were stalled and diverted," the minister claimed. The NDA government, in contrast, is holding periodic meetings chaired by the PM and attended by chief secretaries of states to review the progress of major development and infrastructure projects, Choudhary added and claimed that currently, a total of 170 national infrastructure projects are underway in Bihar, with a total investment of Rs.6.58 lakh crore. Of these, 60 projects, costing Rs. 1.28 lakh crore, have been successfully completed and dedicated to the public, while 110 projects, costing Rs.5.30 lakh crore, are under construction in various stages....