Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday threatened to launch A campaign if the Centre did not grant special status to the state soon.
Addressing a function organised to extend financial assistance to targeted beneficiaries to start their own ventures, the Chief Minister said his government had launched a scheme in 2018 for SCs and STs, but later in different phases, its benefits were extended to Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), Women and Minorities as well.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries were encouraged to start their own ventures for earning livelihood and the government would extend all assistance as per its provision, he added.
“The state government gives Rs 5 lakhs as grant and another amount of Rs 5 lakhs as loan with zero percent interest to beneficiaries of SCs and STs to start their venture”, the Chief Minister said, adding that the scheme was later extended to women of all categories, EBCs and Minorities.
“Youths not covered under existing categories of the scheme, could also take its benefits but they would have to pay simple interest of one percent against the loan but they would get grant of Rs 5 lakhs as being given to other beneficiaries,” he added.
Kumar said despite its limited resources, the state government was trying its best to execute various welfare and development schemes which could turn Bihar into a developed state. But the process would take a long time as the existing resources of the state government was very limited, he stressed.
The Chief Minister reiterated the demand for granting special status to the state saying a consistent campaign would be launched if this genuine demand was not accepted by the Centre. The demand for special status for Bihar was being raised since long but the Centre hasn’t responded positively so far, he lamented.
