Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday accused the Centre of neglecting a “backward and cash- strapped” Bihar and said his government will continue its fight for securing ‘special status’ to the state.
“It is highly unfortunate that the Centre has ignored the state’s interests and neglected a backward and cash-strapped state like Bihar,” Kumar told reporters before leaving for undertaking an aerial survey of flood-hit districts like Sheohar and Sitamarhi.
Asserting that the state government will continue its fight for securing special state category to Bihar, Kumar said, it was unfortunate that despite the Congress leaders assured of conceding the demand at the time of Lok Sabha polls, they were “maintaining silence” over the issue.
He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also assured all-party delegation members who had called on him in New Delhi recently, of doing the needful, but the demand was yet to be met even after 100 days of formation of UPA government.
“It is the duty of the Centre to protect the backward states and dream of ensuring inclusive growth in India won’t turn into a reality unless steps are taken for development of such states,” Mr. Kumar said.
He insisted that Bihar deserves special treatment as it fulfilled all the criteria required for it.
