Bihar does not meet special state status criteria: Montek

Bihar does not meet the existingcriteria to be granted the status of special category state,Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwaliasaid today.

"Bihar does not meet the existing criteria according towhich a state is deemed eligible for special category state. We do recognise that Bihar and some parts do have a specialproblem and as part of BGRF (Backward Regions Grant Fund) wehave Bihar package," Ahluwalia told reporters here.

He was briefing the media on the eve of NationalDevelopment Council meeting to be chaired by Prime MinisterManmohan Singh.

Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar last week said hewould raise the demand for special status state for Bihar atthe National Development Council meeting.

Special category status brings private investment in astate as investors get tax benefits.

Kumar had also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh andhanded over a six-page letter on the demand to provide specialcategory state status to Bihar to spur growth.

Bihar demands the special category state status saying itis subject to floods. Likewise, Rajasthan demands the samesaying it is subject to draught.

Ahluwalia said the Planning Commission cannot see to suchdemands by states in isolation.

"Either we have to reopen the whole question or respond(to) the demand of one state. Many states have problem," hesaid.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur,Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkin, Tripura and Uttarakhandare amongst the states that have been granted special categorystatus.