The Center has rejected a proposal to grant special category status to Bihar, the main demand of its main ally Janata Dal (United States), and the Rashtriya Janata Dal has rejected a proposal to grant special category status to Bihar. Their main ally Janata Dal (United) led to Tishkumar's victory. Rampreet Mandal, JDU MP from Janjharpur in Bihar, asked whether the government plans to give special status to Bihar and other backward states to boost economic growth and industrialization. In a written reply, Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary said, “No basis has been provided for Bihar’s special category status. “The National Development Council (NDC) has in the past granted special category status for planning assistance to several States characterized by a number of characteristics including: (1) rugged and difficult terrain; ii) low population density and/or significant tribal population, (iii) strategic location along borders with neighboring countries, (iv) economic and infrastructural backwardness and (v) fiscally unsustainable nature of the government. . “Earlier, Bihar's application for grant of special category status was examined by the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), which submitted its report on March 30, 2012. We have concluded that it falls into this category. It was revealed. He added.
#BiharSpecialStatus | Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) rules out Special Category State status for #Bihar
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) July 22, 2024
The IMG came to the finding that based on existing NDC criteria, the case for Special Category Status for Bihar is not made out: MoS, @FinMinIndia , Pankaj Chaudhary pic.twitter.com/b2SXkUse8U
The special status ensures more centralized support for an underdeveloped country and facilitates its growth. Although the Constitution does not provide for any special status for any state, this system was introduced on the recommendation of the Fifth Finance Commission in 1969. The states that have been granted special status so far include Jammu and Kashmir (now a Union Territory), northeastern states and hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. States with special category status receive more financial support and some tax breaks from the central government under federal programs. Special status for Bihar has been a long-standing demand of the JDU. With the BJP failing to secure a majority in this election, Nitish Kumar's party was expected to push hard on its core demands and work with JDU, TDP and other parties to reach the magic number. The Japanese Teachers' Union also made the request at an all-party meeting before the budget review.
JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said that demand for special status for Bihar is JDU's priority. "Our party has been demanding special statehood for Bihar from the very beginning. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is holding large rallies in support of this demand. If the government has difficulty with this, we will demand a separate package for Bihar,” PTI said. While the central government has said it has no plans for special status, Bihar's main opposition party, the RJD in alliance with the BJP, has attacked the ruling JD(U). “Let Nitish Kumar and JDU leaders enjoy the fruits of power and continue their special status theater policy,” RJD wrote on X.
