Patna: Observing that the model of development adopted by successive governments at the Centre has led to regional imbalance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday advocated for adoption of a level-headed approach for equitable development of all regions if our country was to become a superpower by 2020.
The development model adopted by successive governments has created islands of developed regions, while other regions were lying in shambles and backwardness, he said while speaking at the concluding function of the Bihar legislative council here. The Centre should review its present development model that has caused regional imbalance and ensure that all regions benefit from development process, Kumar said.
The Centre should also respect the principles of centre-state relations and the federal spirit of the Constitution to remove regional imbalance and economic backwardness in some parts of the country, the chief minister said and reiterated his demand for accordance of special category status to Bihar. Bihar needs to be compensated for lack of development over the years apparently due to neglect by the Centre and should be accorded special category status to fast track development in the backward state, he said.
Kumar also hailed the role of the upper house in strengthening parliamentary democracy and said that it has been playing a crucial role in public service and legislative process.
The legislative council has been a valuable forum for discussion on important public issues; he said and backed the outgoing council chairman Tarakant Jha`s proposal for increase in its strength from present 75 to 81 members to widen political representation in the august house.
PTI