'Worst decision of my life...': Why this entrepreneur called Bihar 'the land of frustration'

Chandan Raj, CEO of Suresh Chips and Semiconductor, Bihar’s first semiconductor company, made waves with a recent post on X, where he expressed deep frustration with the state’s infrastructure and support for businesses like his.

Raj, in a blunt statement, referred to Bihar as “the land of frustration,” calling his decision to establish the company there “the worst decision” of his life.

"Bihar - The land of frustration. Lots of problems and struggle to survive here as a semiconductor/VLSI Company. Worst decision of my life to start a company in Bihar," he wrote.

Bihar - The land of frustration.
Lots of problems and struggle to survive here as a semiconductor/VLSI Company.
Worst decision of my life to start a company in Bihar

— Chandan Raj (@ChandanRaj_ASIC) October 9, 2024

Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) refers to the process of creating an integrated circuit by combining millions or in some cases, billions of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors onto a single chip.

Raj said his company has been facing severe challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, which has driven clients away. He revealed that despite a four-year wait for basic amenities like roads and essential infrastructure, there has been no support from the local administration.

"I think the Bihar government doesn’t understand the semiconductor industry," Raj added. He also mentioned that police would not help "when gangsters threaten us".  

"Police Police will not come on the time. We are not here to struggle for basic needs and rights. It's better to sell everything in Bihar and shift to any other country," he said.

When another X user asked Raj to provide more details so the concerned authorities could address the issues, he responded, saying he had "sent numerous official emails, handwritten applications, and visited nearly every bureaucrat and politician’s office seeking basic infrastructure like roads and streetlights."

He concluded his reply with a grim observation: "It’s useless to discuss the truth about Bihar. Nothing will change here." 

I have sent many official emails and handwritten applications and went to almost every bureaucrat and politician office for basic infrastructure like road and street light.
It's useless to discuss the truth about Bihar. Nothing will change here.

— Chandan Raj (@ChandanRaj_ASIC) October 9, 2024

Replying to another user who asked about the situation in detail, Raj replied, "This snippet is from 8th July 2023. Our customers and client went away and refused to work with us. I have been waiting for the last 4 years for the road and infrastructure and no help from anyone. I think the Bihar government does not understand the semiconductor industries."

As Raj's post gained traction, the District Magistrate of Muzaffarpur responded via the official X account, stating that administrative approval had already been granted for road construction and that work would commence immediately after the Dussehra festival.

मुख्यमंत्री क्षेत्र विकास योजना अंतर्गत वित्तीय वर्ष 2024-25 में उक्त पथ के निर्माण कार्य की प्रशासनिक स्वीकृति पूर्व में ही दी जा चुकी है। दशहरा के तुरंत बाद उक्त पथ का निर्माण कार्य प्रारंभ करा दिया जाएगा।

— जिला प्रशासन मुजफ्फरपुर (@DM_Muzaffarpur) October 11, 2024