The Centre on Monday denied special category status to Bihar. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the Special Category Status for plan assistance was granted in the past by the National Development Council (NDC) to some states that were characterised by a number of features necessitating special consideration. Ramprit Mandal, JDU MP from Bihar’s Jhanjharpur, had asked the Finance Ministry if the government has a plan to provide special status to Bihar.
Cites 2012 report which states Bihar’s special status demand not made out
“The decision was made after taking all considerations into account, including the state’s unique situation. Previously, Bihar’s appeal for special category status was reviewed by an inter-ministerial group (IMG), which presented its report on March 30, 2012. The IMG concluded that the argument for special category status for Bihar does not meet existing NDC criteria,” Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha during the present monsoon session in Parliament.
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Lalu Yadav takes jibe at RJD
Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) took a swipe at the JD (U). The RJD tweeted, “Bihar ko nahin milega Vishesh rajya ka darja (Bihar will not get special state status!)” “Nitish Kumar and JDU can now comfortably enjoy power at the Centre and continue doing hypocritical politics on ‘special state status’!” the RJD wrote on X.
The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), a crucial member of the National Democratic Alliance, has passed a resolution demanding special category status for the state.
What does special status mean?
A special status provides additional central support to a backward state in order to accelerate its progress. No state has a unique status under the Constitution. It was introduced in 1969 following the Fifth Finance Commission’s recommendations. Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory), the Northeastern states, and hill states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have all earned special status.
During an all-party meeting, the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the INDIA opposition bloc demanded special category status for Bihar. The BJP’s allies, Sanjay Kumar Jha of the Janata Dal (United) and Union minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), also supported the demand. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) joined the chorus.
