Centre rejects demand for special status to Bihar

The Centre today rejected the demand for a special status to Bihar but said it would do everything possible for the development of the state.

The Centre on Friday rejected the demand for a special status to Bihar but said it would do everything possible for the development of the state.

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"We have been approving projects proposed by the Bihar government and will try to promote development of the state to the extent possible," minister of state for planning Ashwani Kumar said during a discussion on a Private Member's Resolution on granting special status to the state.

The resolution, moved by Bhola Singh (BJP), was withdrawn following an assurance by the Minister.

Pointing out that parameters for granting special status are set by the National Development Council (NDC), Kumar said the status was not a pre-requisite for growth.

"What is important is better implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and expeditious development of the state," he said.

Earlier, members cutting across party lines, asked the government to grant special status to Bihar to help it achieve high growth rate.

The government had granted special status to 11 states which include hill states of Meghalaya, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh. Special status entitles states to receive more central assistance and tax concessions.

The members who participated in the discussion include Sanjay Nirupam (Cong), Arjun Meghwal (BJP), Umashanker Singh (RJD), S Semmalai (AIADMK), Jagdambika Pal (Cong), Putul Kumari (Ind), Hukmadeo Narayan Yadav (BJP), Kaushalendra Kumar (JD-U) and Monazir Hassan (JD-U).