Bihar deserves Special Status

Considering the size, population, backwardness, economic position and its importance in national development, Bihar deserves special status without any delay. The bad days of the state began from 1975 and got worse and worse during the 15 years from 1990 to 2005 under the regime of Lalu-Rabri duo. The message was sent out the state that Bihar is synonymus with poverty, lawlessness, Jungle Rajya and the non-Biharis used to see Biharis with sarcasm and hatred and had made them the laughing stock.This had become the position of the state which was best administered in the country till early sixties. Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)- BJPcame to power in 2005 .
With Nitish Kumar becoming the Chief Minister after the defeat of Lalu’s RJD in 2005 assemly elections, there came a turnaround in Bihar. And that is continuing strongly. The State is being brought on track by overhauling all the departments by CM Nitish Kumar. There has been tremendous improvement in roads and law and order The rule of law has been restored. It is all visible on the streets of Bihar. As the Chief Minister Nitish kumar is handicapped for want of resources the state experiences since the state of Jharkhand was carved out of it. The united Bihar was rich in resources as they were in abundance in its Southern region, which has now become a separate state of Jharkhand and divided Bihar was left with nothing but only floods and famine. This is the position.
Because of the sheer want of resources, howsoever hard Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-BJP government in Bihar may try for its all-round development, it fails to pick up. As there is complete dearth of natural resources in the state, it fails to attract the attention of investors from outside despite its campaign of progress and development. The sick industries based on agricultural products are being revived. But in view of the requirement of the state, it fulfils paltry requirment. Bihar needs more.
Politically, if the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi showed their magnanimity and granted the long-cherished demand of Special Status to Bihar, it would certainly stand the Congress Party in good stead in the state, which is presently in a shamles.The people of Bihar would be thankful to their obligation. As Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is leading the JD(U)-BJP government in the state, he is in the forefront of the campaign for Special Status of Bihar. But as far as the question of political benefit on the issue is concerned, Congress would get the most if it supports whole-heartedly. It is in dire need of external help to revive itself, which is lying on death bed for want of able state leadership. It is also a heaven sent opportunity for the ruling Congress party at the Centre to grab it by according the Special Status to Bihar. National development lies in the all-round development of Bihar.