CHIEF MINISTER NITISH KUMAR IS LEADING THE CAMPAIGN FOR SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS TO BIHAR FOR 7 YEARS INITATED THE DEMAND IN A LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER ON 9 DECEMBER 2005 7 YEARS LATER CALLS PEOPLE FOR SUPPORT AT RAMLILA GROUNDS ON MARCH 17, 2013

1. CAMPAIGN FOR SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS FOR BIHAR
2005 - 2010

2. CHIEF MINISTER NITISH KUMAR IS LEADING THE CAMPAIGN
FOR SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS TO BIHAR
FOR
7 YEARS
INITATED THE DEMAND IN A LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER ON 9 DECEMBER
2005
7 YEARS LATER
CALLS PEOPLE FOR SUPPORT AT RAMLILA GROUNDS ON MARCH 17, 2013

4. Dec 04, 2005 : “India can only succeed, if Bihar prospers”
Shri Nitish Kumar writes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh quoting
President A.P.J Kalam “India can only succeed, if Bihar prospers.”
Attaching Memorandum For According Bihar Special Category Status
and For Granting Development and Economic Packages, he highlights
the insurmountable development deficit of Bihar and demands Special
Category Status for Bihar to develop and industrialize the state.
Seeking structural interventions for development of the state, he states,
“It is our request that on the line of provision and facilities provided
to the North East States Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, Bihar
should be provided with same economic and development package.”

5. April 4, 2006
Parties Unite for Special Category Status to Bihar
Bihar Legislative Assembly passes
unanimous resolution for Special
Category Status. Members of all
political parties express solidarity.

6. June 03, 2006
“Granting Special Status to the State will be an appropriate step in this direction.”
Nitish writes to the Prime Minister apprising him of the unanimous resolution passed by
Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Highlights development deficit of Bihar describing high poverty (43%) compared to
national average of (27%), significant deficiency in infrastructure and energy, poor
health and education apparatus and low per capita income of Rs. 4088 compared to
national average of Rs. 13332/-
“Bihar’s backwardness is pulling down the national figure and jointly the State
and the Center should address the issue and come up with immediate solutions.”
Seeks time for All Party Delegation from Bihar to meet the Prime Minister

7. June 08, 2006
Nitish meets the Prime Minister, Demands Special Category Status for Bihar
“ We also requested the Prime Minister to
grant a special category status to Bihar and
an all-party delegation from the state will
also meet him soon in this regard ”

8. April, 2007
PIL filed in Patna High Court on Demand for Special Category Status
State Government and Central Government
made respondents
Center asserts that Bihar does not match the
criteria for Special Category Status.
PIL DISMISSED

9. May 15, 2009
Nitish makes strong national pitch for Special Category
Makes Special Category Status to
Bihar a precondition for support to any
alliance at the Center
Congress reacts cautiously to the
demand

10. May 23, 2009
Nitish Congratulates Manmohan
“Will address these Special Concerns” Says Manmohan
Shri Nitish Kumar writes of the In the reply to the
Prime Minister congratulating motion of thanks to
him for assuming second term the President, the
at Office. Prime Minister
mentions about the
Highlights key areas where need to address
Bihar’s development initiatives these special
need his support and guidance. concerns.

11. July 14, 2009
Budget Neglects Bihar, Disappointed Nitish writes to the Prime Minister
“Even at the risk of repetition, let me summarize some of the
issues which are central to our development strategy and do not
find mention in the budget.”
“Special Category Status for Bihar: I have written to you earlier
that given our development deficit, low tax base, high population
density, poor infrastructure, low energy density, according a Special
Category Status for Bihar is the only way to quickly improve our
development matrix and entice private investment.”

12. 11 October 2009
Special Category Status Campaign goes to people
“ A special signature drive should be launched by the party and a memorandum with over One
Crore signatures should be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that special status
be granted to Bihar " Says Nitish at State Party Council Meeting of Janata Dal (United).

13. March 31, 2010
Fresh Resolution Placed in Bihar Legislative Council
Professor Arun Kumar places fresh resolution in Bihar Legislative Council
Injustices made in the past and persistent neglect of legitimate demands pushed Bihar into
low income group states.
The council unanimously demands Special Category Status for Bihar so that the state
could graduate to the category of high income group states.

14. May 10, 2010
Chief Minister apprises Prime Minister on the resolution passed in Bihar Legislative Council
“ I am forwarding this resolution in the context of the long
pending demand for special category status for Bihar for active
consideration by the Central Govt. ”

15. Campaign for Special Category Status
END OF PART 1