All the political parties in Bihar, both ruling and Opposition, have agreed that a joint memorandum be submitted to the 15th Finance Commission for its recommendations of funds and tax devolution to Bihar. The leaders felt that such initiative was much needed in the interest of the State.
Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) has been instrumental in bringing all political parties on a single forum to ensure the interests of Bihar are adequately represented with a joint memorandum since 12th Finance Commission and this had been a fruitful exercise, said ADRI member secretary Shaibal Gupta on Saturday.
The meeting chaired by Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary was attended by representatives of JD(U), BJP, RJD, Congress, HAM, CPI, CPM, CPI(Ml), lJP, RlSP, BSP and other parties besides the representatives of Chamber of Commerce, Industries Association and the academics from Patna University, Magadh University, Chanakya law University, AN Sinha Institute. From the Government side senior officials of finance department were also present.
The Speaker congratulated ADRI for hosting the event and iterated that he has always believed such an initiative bring people with the interest of State of Bihar comes to the forefront. Speaking at the event, Bijendra Yadav of JD(U) emphasized that Bihar has suffered historically due to bifurcation and natural disasters and it merits that the Center should consider according special category status and package to Bihar.
Speaking at the meeting former Finance Minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui of RJD talked about a more conscious approach while demanding special allocations and grants for human development indicators which Bihar has lagged historically. Shivanand Tiwari of the same party asserted that there is an opportunity to relook the methodology of allocation of grants and aligning it with population and demographic compulsions.
JD(U)'s RCP Singh stressed on the need for consideration of Special Category Status to Bihar and special provisions keeping in view of historical disadvantages of the State. Congress legislature Shakeel Ahmad Khan stressed on the need for a more dedicated focus on education and health care in the memorandum. CPIM's Awadhesh Singh said that since both Centre and State government are elected by same people, the undertone of segregation between States and Centre was neither prudent nor advisable.