Patna: Making a strong pitch for special category status for Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said it would be better if the privilege was given sooner or else people would themselves take a decision in this regard in the 2014 general elections. "Amendment in criteria for according special status itself symbolises half victory for Bihar," Kumar said addressing a rally at Purnea.
The CM reiterated demand for special status for Bihar which he said would pave way for setting up of industries with lot of concessions that would motivate investors and provide employment to youths. Kumar mentioned Union Finance minister P Chidambaram who in his budget speech had talked about need for changing criteria for according special status. The point was also made in the economic survey, he added.
The CM said demand for special status was that of the common man who has shown great spirit in its favour by participating in large numbers in Adhikar rally in Patna as well at Ram Leela maidan in Delhi in March. Kumar stressed on education for children and told people to take advantage of favourable educational programmes particularly for the weaker sections.
Making a veiled attack on rival Lalu Prasad he said "today's world is of intelligence (pen) and not for oiling lathis (the slogan given by Prasad during lathi rally during RJD rule in the state in 90s)". He said motivational educational schemes were yielding results as revealed by the fact that during 2005 (when NDA had taken rein of the state) the dropout rate in schools was 12.5 per cent which has now slided to 2 per cent.
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