Deputy CM TarkishorePrasadhas pressed on Centre for special assistance to the state, besides relaxation in the rules to help it raise through market borrowings for carrying out developmental activities so as to sustain the high Growth rate that has been achieved over the last 15 years.
Prasad, who is also Bihars finance minister, made the two demands at the pre-budget consultative meet with the state finance ministers for the 2022-23 convened byUnionfinance ministerNirmala Sitharamanat Delhi on Thursday. Bihar, at present, is faced with severe financial crunch, specifically from the 2021-22 financial year, Prasad pleaded.
Prasad demanded that the Centre should relax the rules for the state underFiscal Responsibility and Budget Management(FRBM) Act to have Fiscal Deficit up to 5% against the mandatory 3%, and also remove the conditions that arrest the efforts to raise money through market borrowings from financial institutions.
Mentioning the NITI Aayog report in which Bihars performance has been put below national Average and also not satisfactory compared to other states, Prasad said the state, indeed, has remained backward despite high growth rate and achievements made in the development of roads, power and other infrastructural activities and needed special central assistance.