Bihar’s Call for Special Category Status

Bihar’s Call for Special Category Status mind map
  Bihar Cabinet Resolution
    Date
      November 2023
    Chief Minister
      Nitish Kumar
    Objective
      Seeking Special Category Status
    Basis for Demand
      Bihar Caste-based Survey, 2022
      Indicated significant poverty
  Special Category Status (SCS)
    Introduction
      Introduced in 1969
      Based on Fifth Finance Commission recommendations
      Initially for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland
    Criteria for Granting SCS
      Hilly and difficult terrain
      Low population density
      Sizeable tribal population
      Strategic location along borders
      Economic and infrastructural backwardness
      Non-viable state finances
    Difference from Special Status
      Granted by National Development Council
      Not enshrined in the Constitution
      Focus on economic and financial aspects
    Benefits of SCS
      90% Central funding for schemes
      Carrying forward unspent funds
      Tax concessions
        Excise, customs, income, corporate taxes
      30% of total federal budget allocation
      Debt reduction programs
      Investment incentives
    States with SCS
      Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Telangana
    Historical Evolution
      Gadgil Formula
      Inclusion of more states over years
  Bihar’s Justification for SCS
    Economic Backwardness
      Low per-capita GDP
      High poverty rate
    Impact of State Bifurcation
      Industrial decline post-Jharkhand creation
    Natural Challenges
      Regular floods and droughts
    Welfare Funding Need
      Targeting ₹2.5 lakh crore for welfare measures
    Lack of Resources
      Absence of natural resources
      Inadequate water supply for irrigation
    Comparison with Other States
      Andhra Pradesh, Odisha demands
    Criteria Met
      Meets most SCS criteria
      Lacks hilly terrain
    Raghuram Rajan Committee (2013)
      Suggested multi-dimensional index for funding
      Bihar in “least developed category”
  Challenges and Perspectives
    Central State Financial Relations
      Impact on competitive federalism
    Additional Economic Burden
      Increased devolution from Centre
    Alternative Solutions
      Exploring funding models
      Addressing socioeconomic issues

Related Posts

If you like this post, please share your feedback in the comments section below so that we will upload more posts like this.

Responses

🖍️ Highlight
HomeCoursesPlansAccount