The Janata Dal (United) has reminded the BJP-led NDA administration of their “commitment” to fulfilling Bihar’s special category status request after the Central Government stated in Lok Sabha that such a request was not justified, sources reported. This follows a day after the JD(U), a significant ally of the NDA, urged the Centre to grant special category status to Bihar during the all-party meeting preceding the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
In a written response in the Lok Sabha on the inaugural day of the Monsoon session, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary referred to an inter-ministerial group report from 2012 to argue that there is no justification for granting special category status to Bihar.
The minister also mentioned that the special category status for plan assistance was previously conferred by the NDC to certain states that exhibited several characteristics requiring special attention.
These characteristics included mountainous and challenging terrain, low population density or a significant proportion of the tribal population, strategic positioning along borders with neighboring countries, economic and infrastructural underdevelopment, and the non-viable nature of state finances.
The decision was made after a comprehensive evaluation of all the factors mentioned above and the unique circumstances of the state.
“Previously, Bihar’s request for special category status was reviewed by an inter-ministerial group, which submitted its report on March 30, 2012. The group concluded that based on the current NDC criteria, Bihar does not qualify for special category status,” the minister stated.