Bihar Unlikely to Receive Special Category Status Despite JD(U) Push

Patna: Bihar is unlikely to be granted special category status by the Narendra Modi government, despite persistent advocacy from the ruling JD(U) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

In response to a question posed by JD(U) MP Ramprit Mandal, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary clarified the government’s position in a written reply during the Lok Sabha session on Monday. Chaudhary explained that the special category status for plan assistance was historically granted by the National Development Council (NDC) to states exhibiting specific characteristics. These included hilly and difficult terrain, low population density or a sizeable tribal population, strategic location along borders, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and non-viable state finances.

“The decision was taken based on an integrated consideration of all the factors listed above and the peculiar situation of the state,” Chaudhary stated. He further noted that Bihar’s request for special category status had been previously reviewed by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG). The IMG’s report, submitted on 30th March 2012, concluded that Bihar did not meet the existing NDC criteria for special category status.

This clarification from the Centre comes as a setback to the JD(U), which has long campaigned for this status, arguing that it is essential for addressing the state’s economic and infrastructural challenges. Despite multiple rallies and appeals led by CM Nitish Kumar, the central government remains firm in its assessment based on established criteria.