MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) & (b): A delegation from Bihar presented a Memorandum to the Prime
Minister in July 2011 requesting for Special Category Status to Bihar. An Inter-
Ministerial Group (IMG) was constituted to consider and examine all the issues
raised in the Memorandum including the request for Special Category Status to
Bihar.
(c) & (d) The Central Ministries release funds to States through Central
Assistance to State Plan Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The amount
released to Bihar for three years is as follows:
(Rs. crore)
2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Central Assistance to 4579.97 6371.125 942.93
State Plans
Centrally Sponsored Schemes 7626.18 13725.22 13155.77
Total 12206.15 20096.34 19413.27
The releases by Central Ministries are made in instalments taking into
consideration utilization certificates submitted by the State from time to time.
(e): The Special Category Status is granted only by the National Development
Council (NDC) after integrated consideration of several criteria which include the
following:
(i) Hilly and difficult terrain;
(ii) Low population density and/or sizeable share of tribal population;
(iii) Strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries;
(iv) Economic and infrastructural backwardness; and
(v) Non-viable nature of state finances.
The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) constituted to examine the Memorandum
regarding Special Category Status to Bihar has submitted its Report to the
Planning Commission recently.