CM Nitish Kumar Renews Call for Special State Status for Bihar

Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday reiterated his demand for special state status for Bihar, warning of a movement if the Central Government does not heed the call.

Nitish, addressing a gathering at the Bapu Sabhagar of Samrat Ashok Convention Center in Patna while disbursing the first installment of Mukhya Mantri Udyami Yojna (MMUY), declared that a campaign advocating for special status would be launched across the state, accompanied by a Yatra.

The Chief Minister disbursed Rs 1.5 lakh to 4,671 beneficiaries under the MMUY during the event. Highlighting the impact of his government’s schemes, Nitish outlined the progress made since the inception of the the MMUY in 2018, the launch of Saat Nishchay-2 in 2021, and the initiation of the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyami Yojna. He emphasized the distribution of grants of Rs 5 lakh to women across all classes, asserting that these initiatives are geared towards public welfare and progress.

CM Nitish also raised questions about the absence of Minority Welfare Minister Jama Khan, who was scheduled to attend but was reportedly in Delhi. Expressing disappointment, Kumar stated that if someone is asked to come, they should fulfill their commitment.

Industry Minister Sameer Mahaseth, in his address, outlined ambitious plans to elevate Bihar into the top 10 in the industrial sector within the next two years and the top 5 within the following four years. Mahaseth urged entrepreneurs to contribute to Bihar’s growth, emphasizing that the state’s progress is intrinsically tied to industrial development.

Finance Minister Vijay Chaudhary, speaking to entrepreneurs, lauded the MMUY as a groundbreaking initiative. He highlighted the uniqueness of the scheme, which offers a grant of Rs 5 lakh out of a total of 10 lakh with no interest on 85 percent of the amount. Chaudhary expressed confidence that the scheme would catalyze societal transformation.

Notably, CM Nitish has been advocating for special state status for Bihar since 2012, elevating it to a prominent election issue during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections after parting ways with the NDA in 2013. With renewed vigor ahead of the 2024 elections and after severing ties with the NDA once again, Nitish is intensifying efforts to secure special status for Bihar.