A day after the Raghuram Rajan-led special committee looking at the states’ backwardness criteria held its final meeting, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday reiterated his demand for special category status to the state and threatened to launch further agitation unless the demand is fulfilled.
As Kumar, who has held rallies in Bihar and Delhi demanding the status that would ensure greater flow of funds to Bihar for development, expressed hope about the status being finally granted following the committee’s recommendation, his party JD(U) sought to take credit for forcing the Centre’s relook at the backwardness criteria for the states. “We want special category state status for Bihar. If the Centre grants us this status, we will thank it. Or else, our agitation will be renewed. We, too have the right to become a developed state,” said Mr Kumar in his address at the foundation day ceremony of the Chhatra Samagam, the JD(U)’s students’ wing.
Thanking Bihar’s college students for actively taking part in the JD(U)’s agitations and rallies in recent years in favour of the demand for special category status to the state, Kumar said his government had created “far better situation” in Bihar for rapid development, but it can be achieved only after the state received special funds due to its intrinsic backwardness.
“We are looking forward to the recommendations of the (Rajan-led) committee and the Centre’s decision. We want special status for Bihar and this has been the wish of the people in Bihar and it is their right,” said Mr Kumar to journalists.