Bihar Denied Special Status By Centre, RJD Takes Swipe At JD(U)

The Centre has decided against granting special category status to Bihar, a key demand from its ally, the Janata Dal (United). This decision has led to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to take a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the JDU.

JDU MP Ramprit Mandal from Bihar's Jhanjharpur had inquired with the Finance Ministry about any plans to provide special status to Bihar and other backward states to boost economic growth and industrialization. In a written response, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated, "The case for Special Category Status for Bihar is not made out."

Chaudhary explained that special category status was historically granted by the National Development Council (NDC) to states with specific features: hilly and difficult terrain, low population density or a significant tribal population, strategic location along borders, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and non-viable state finances.

He added, "Earlier, the request of Bihar for Special Category Status was considered by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) which submitted its Report on 30th March, 2012. The IMG came to the finding that based on existing NDC criteria, the case for Special Category Status for Bihar is not made out."

Special status ensures increased central support for a backward state to accelerate its growth. While the Constitution does not explicitly provide for special status, it was introduced in 1969 based on recommendations from the Fifth Finance Commission. States that have received special status include Jammu and Kashmir (now a Union Territory), Northeastern states, and hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

States with special category status receive more funding from the Centre for government schemes and various tax concessions. The JDU has long advocated for special status for Bihar.

After the BJP's recent electoral shortfall, they formed an alliance with the JDU, TDP, and other parties, raising expectations that Nitish Kumar's party would press for this demand. The JDU reiterated this demand at an all-party meeting before the budget session.

JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha highlighted that special status for Bihar has been a long-standing demand.

He said, "Bihar should get the status of a special state, this has been the demand of our party since the beginning. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has held big rallies for this demand. If the government feels that there is a problem in doing this, then we have demanded a special package for Bihar," as reported by PTI.

With the Centre's clear stance against granting special status, Bihar's main opposition, RJD, slammed JDU.

RJD remarked on X, "Nitish Kumar and JDU leaders must enjoy the fruits of power at the Centre and continue their drama politics on special status."