Pained Nitish Kumar didn't thank PM for Bihar package: Ravi Shankar Prasad

New Delhi, Aug 20: Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said he was "deeply pained and distressed" that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not thank the Centre for the special package announced for the state.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special (Rs.1.25 lakh crore) package for Bihar. It is a matter of deep distress. I am deeply pained that Nitish Kumar has not thanked the prime minister for the historical package," Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media after a briefing on the decisions taken by the union cabinet.

"The Bihar chief minister had been asking for a package for the state for two years. All Biharis are now happy," he said adding that Nitish Kumar had asked for a special category status for Bihar on Wednesday.

The minister said that 21 districts of Bihar, which were recommended by the state government, would get extra allowances for setting up industries.

"This is special category status. If he (Nitish Kumar) would have read this, then he would have understood," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

"Modi is not playing politics on the special package. The special package for Bihar is the manifestation of the prime minister's wish to ensure the growth of Bihar. This is part of his larger scheme to make eastern India developed," he added.

IANS