The state Cabinet passed a resolution seeking the grant of special category status (SCS) to Bihar.
The demand comes in the backdrop of the findings from the “Bihar Caste-based Survey, 2022”.
It revealed that nearly one-third of Bihar’s population continues to live in poverty.
Special category status is a classification granted by the Centre to assist the development of States that face geographical or socio-economic disadvantages.
The SCS was introduced in 1969 on the recommendation of the fifth Finance Commission (FC).
Five factors such as
Hilly and difficult terrain
Low population density and/or sizeable share of tribal population
Strategic location along international borders
Economic and infrastructural backwardness and
Non-viable nature of state finances, are considered before granting SCS.