Politics

Centre Denies Bihar Special Status: Major Setback for Nitish Kumar’s JD(U)

Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (U), a crucial BJP ally, suffered a major setback when the Narendra Modi-led NDA government said on Monday that Bihar cannot be awarded special status in accordance with the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) report from 2012.

Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary responded in writing to Jhanjharpur Lok Sabha MP Ramprit Mandal, saying, “The National Development Council (NDC) had previously awarded the Special Category Status for plan assistance to certain States that were distinguished by a number of features requiring special consideration. These characteristics were (i) a hilly and challenging topography, (ii) a low population density and/or a sizable portion of the tribal population, (iii) a strategically located location along borders with neighboring nations, (iv) a backward state in terms of infrastructure and economy, and (v) the financially unviable state.”

The decision was made after taking into account the unique circumstances of the State as well as all of the previously mentioned factors. Previously, an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) examined Bihar’s bid for Special Category Status and delivered a report on March 30, 2012. The minister continued, “The IMG concluded that the case for Bihar’s Special Category Status is not made out based on the current NDC criteria.

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The long-standing demand of the JD(U) for Bihar to be granted special status was reaffirmed on Sunday at the all-party conference held in advance of the Parliament session.The long-standing demand of the JD(U) for Bihar to be granted special status was reaffirmed on Sunday at the all-party conference held in advance of the Parliament session.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 240 seats, which is fewer than the 272 majority needed. JD(U) and Telugu Desam Party, which together have 28 members in the lower house, must endorse it. In addition to JD(U), Andhra Pradesh, which was split in 2014 to create the new state of Telangana, has also been granted special status by the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP.