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Indian government has officially ruled out the possibility of granting special category status to Bihar, a demand that has been a central issue for the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), a key ally of the ruling coalition.
The Indian government has officially ruled out the possibility of granting special category status to Bihar, a demand that has been a central issue for the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), a key ally of the ruling coalition. This was confirmed by Pankaj Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Finance, who stated that the justification for such status has not been established for Bihar. His remarks came in response to a query from JD(U) MP Ramprit Mandal, who sought clarity on whether the government plans to provide special status to Bihar and other economically backward states to foster growth and industrialization.
Special category status is significant as it allows states to receive enhanced financial support from the central government, which can expedite development initiatives. Although the Constitution does not explicitly provide for such a status, it was introduced based on the recommendations of the Fifth Finance Commission in 1969. States that have previously received this designation include Jammu and Kashmir, various northeastern states, and hilly states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The JD(U) has long advocated for special status for Bihar, particularly in light of the state’s ongoing economic challenges. With the BJP’s recent electoral struggles and its alliance with the JD(U), expectations were high that the party would push for this demand. JD(U) leaders have emphasized that this issue is a priority, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar previously holding rallies to highlight the need for special status.
In light of the Centre’s decision, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the main opposition party in Bihar, has criticized the JD(U) and its leadership. The RJD accused Nitish Kumar and his party of failing to secure the necessary support from the central government while continuing to engage in “drama politics” regarding the special status issue. This political back-and-forth reflects the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by Bihar in its quest for greater economic support and development.
