Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar raised his longstanding request for the grant of special category status for the state during the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Kumar also expressed hope that the Centre would consider placing the state’s recent legislations, which increased quotas for deprived castes from 50% to 65%, in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. The Ninth Schedule contains a list of laws that are immune to legal challenges. Kumar stated that the state’s demand for special status had been ongoing since 2010, and the recent request was prompted by findings from a caste survey conducted by the grand alliance government.
He emphasized the need for special status as the state plans to implement several welfare measures for deprived families, requiring an expenditure of Rs 2.50 lakh crore. Additionally, Kumar urged the Centre to include two amendment bills raising quotas for deprived castes in the ninth schedule to prevent legal scrutiny. The bills aim to increase the quota from 50% to 65% in state government jobs and educational institutions. The meeting was attended by senior ministers from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Post Your Comments