Nitish urges Centre to issue directive to Maharashtra under 355

Patna, Feb 29 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre to issue directive to Maharashtra under Section 355 of the Constitution to ensure protection of life and property of the Hindi-speaking people, especially Biharis, living there.

Replying to the debate on thanks giving motion to the Governor's address to the joint sitting of both Houses, Mr Kumar said the Maharashtra Government was not discharging its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Hindi-speaking people.

''The Maharashtra government should have taken deterrent action against the elements spreading hatred against the Hindi-speaking people living there,'' he said adding every citizen had the Constitutional right to earn livelihood in any part of the country.

Mr Kumar assured the House that the Bihar Government would take decision soon to end the ''non-aid education policy'' of the State Government in which teachers of the affiliated colleges working against the sanctioned posts did not get any financial assistance or salary from the government.

Referring to the demand of allowance for Panchayati Raj members, Mr Kumar said the State Government would consider to give financial assistance to them for discharging their duties.

''The Bihar Government has received reports from other states where some sort of financial assistance are being given to Panchayati Raj members, '' he said adding steps were being taken to give rights to Panchayats to raise funds to meet their establishment expenses.

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