Nitish seeks special status for Bihar

Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday again demanded a special category status for Bihar and said anything less won't help it to develop.

After hoisting the national flag here on Independence Day, Nitish Kumar said: "Special status is a must for the development of Bihar as it will attract private investors on a large scale to set up industries that will generate jobs for youths.

"It will also speed up development in other sectors," he said.

The chief minister said the state -- which will soon elect a new assembly -- was on the path of justice-laced development.

"We have established the rule of law in the state that has helped in its development with justice for all."

Nitish Kumar also said that Bihar had developed in the last one decade in all sectors including education, health and agriculture.

It had recorded an average of 10 percent growth rate in the last 10 years.

The government had built 66,508 km of major and rural roads in the last decade, he said. Similarly, 5,431 major bridges were constructed.

He said the power situation had improved in Bihar. The per capita consumption of electricity had increased from 70 kWh in 2005 to 203 kWh in 2015.

Bihar, the chief minister said, was moving ahead with high growth rate and development. It would continue to do so in the coming years, he said.