Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar releases publications throughout launch of first installment for beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Udyamita Yojna, in Patna, on Nov. 16, 2023.
| Picture Credit score: PTI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar mentioned on Thursday that he would launch a motion throughout the State if the Union authorities didn’t grant Bihar particular class standing. Although he has urged Opposition BJP leaders to lift the problem with the BJP-led Union authorities, claiming that the standing was wanted for the State to progress, the State’s BJP leaders have requested the CM to first submit a No Objection Certificates for the grants that Bihar has already obtained from the Centre.
Particular class standing is mostly granted to States which face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages, comparable to these which lie alongside a world border, have hilly terrain, a large share of tribal inhabitants, or endure from financial and infrastructural backwardness. Such States obtain a better share of Central funding and monetary help for improvement functions.
‘Bihar is lagging behind’
“Bihar wants a particular Different States standing for extra improvement and progress. If the Centre doesn’t accord the particular Different States standing to the State, it means they’re in opposition to Bihar’s improvement. We’ll launch a motion throughout the State for the particular Different States standing to the State,” Mr. Kumar mentioned at an occasion organised by the State’s business division. “Many individuals need assistance, and to cater wants of all these individuals, it could take no less than 5 years. So we would like the particular Different States standing to be granted to Bihar in order that the State could make progress in two years as a substitute of 5 years,” he added.
“There was a time when Bihar was forward of many different States, and improvement had began from this State itself. However now, the State is lagging behind different States, so there’s a want for particular Different States standing to maneuver forward and turn into a developed State,” the Chief Minister mentioned.
The BJP’s function
Mr. Kumar had additionally raised the problem within the State Meeting throughout the Winter Session, which concluded on November 10. “We’ve been doing quite a bit for the State however for those who [Opposition BJP legislators] would get the particular Different States standing from the Centre for the State, Bihar can be extra developed and shine,” he had mentioned.
Nonetheless, Hari Sahni, the Opposition BJP chief within the State Legislative Council, mentioned: “Mr Kumar ought to first submit the NOC (No Objection Certificates) for the grants given until immediately by the Centre to Bihar.”
The media’s function
At Thursday’s occasion, the Chief Minister famous that the information media might additionally play a job in selling the State’s demand. “If journalists will write solely this of their publications about my demand for the particular Different States standing to Bihar, I’ll be grateful to them,” mentioned Mr. Kumar, addressing reporters masking the occasion.
He slammed the nationwide media for appearing as a “captive” to the ruling occasion on the Centre. “Media is being managed by the Central authorities however the media right here [in Patna] just isn’t at fault. It’s individuals from Delhi who come right here and say no matter they like about Bihar and this criticism will get lot of house [in the media]… Journalists do take notes right here, however they are going to write solely what they’re advised by these sitting in Delhi… No matter I say can be deleted,” he complained.
In latest days, nevertheless, the CM has been avoiding interactions with the media, exiting occasions with folded fingers and no feedback. This comes after political outrage over his remarks on the function of ladies’s schooling in inhabitants management, in addition to his assertion within the State Meeting that it was his “stupidity” that led to the appointment of Jitan Ram Manjhi because the Chief Minister of the State in 2014. The political buzz is that Mr. Kumar has been suggested by a gaggle of Ministers near him to not communicate to media to keep away from embarrassment and criticism over his remarks.
