Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Wednesday said Bihar had made progress in infrastructure, education and health sectors and recorded desired economic growth in the past four years. He also said he was in favour of Centre carrying out special schemes for backward states rather than distorting the tax structure.

Ahluwalia, on his first visit to the state during Nitish Kumar’s regime, said if Bihar kept up the momentum, it would achieve 8-9 per cent economic growth.

Speaking at the book release function of Parivartan Aur Rajniti (Hindi translation of The Politics of Change) by economist and Rajya Sabha MP N K Singh, Ahluwalia said: “It is not time to talk what Centre gives Bihar and how much of it Bihar needs, it is about achieving continuous reform by working in tandem.”

N K Singh’s book is a compilation of his articles published in The Indian Express. The function was hosted by The Express Group.

Ahluwalia said though Bihar had been getting central funds commensurate with its population, there could be no debate on it requiring more funds to speed up its growth. Assuring central assistance to Bihar, Ahluwalia said: “Whatever promises UPA-I could not fulfill, UPA-II will fulfill.”

Recalling his 50-year-long association with N K Singh, Ahluwalia said that in the 1990s, the two of them along with then finance minister and now Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “were fondly dubbed ‘Singh Parivar’ by A B Vajpayee”.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who thanked Ahluwalia for visiting Bihar, said: “We kept waiting thinking you will arrive here someday. A state government can chalk out plans but real power is vested with the Centre. I do not think separate coalition rules in Centre and Bihar should have any bearing on central assistance to the state. Let there be inclusive growth.”

... contd.