New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) In a move apparently dictated more by politics, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday proposed a series of sops for Bihar and West Bengal, which are set to hold assembly polls this year and in 2016.
Presenting the union budget for 2015-16, Jaitley announced special assistance for the two eastern states on the lines of a package provided to Andhra Pradesh.
Jaitley said the 14th Finance Commission has not distinguished between special category and other states in making their recommendations.
"Moreover, both Bihar and West Bengal are going to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Yet, the eastern states have to be given an opportunity to grow even faster.
"I, therefore, propose to give similar special assistance to Bihar and West Bengal as has been provided by the government of India in the case of government of Andhra Pradesh," Jaitley said.
There was more good news for Bihar.
"Keeping in view the need to augment medical science in Bihar, I propose to set up another AIIMS-like institution."
He also promised to upgrade the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, into a full-fledged IIT.
Jaitley's party BJP has set its eyes on Bengal, as it aims to extend its sphere of influence.
After having vastly increased its vote share in recent elections, the BJP wants to emerge as the main alternative to the ruling Trinamool Congress in the assembly elections next year.
The BJP was the junior coalition partner to Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United in the Bihar government for seven and a half years till mid-2013.
The JD-U severed ties with the BJP over the latter's decision to project Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate. Nitish Kumar recently returned as Bihar chief minister.
The BJP is aiming big in Bihar and hopes to win the assembly polls slated for November.
However, Jaitley denied that any politics was involved in the decision to shower largesse on the two states.
"Funds for West Bengal and Bihar are not for political gain but in keeping with the prime minister's promise of developing the eastern states," he said.
Jaitley's announcements led to mixed reactions.
Nitish Kumar said he had requested the finance minister to not end the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and he thanked Jaitley for his announcement.
"Provisions of Bihar reorganisation will not be affected," he said.
The Trinamool Congress, however, dubbed as "a bluff" the special financial assistance to Bengal announced in the budget.
"There is a talk of a package in the lines of Andhra Pradesh, but we do not know the amount of package or any details. The package to Andhra was Rs.850 crore. But the centre deducted Rs.28,000 crore from us towards servicing of debts. So this is a bluff," said state Finance Minister Amit Mitra.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has time and again sought a moratorium on repaying central loans that her debt-stressed state has accrued over the years.
But business lobby Confederation of Indian Industry hailed the announcements, saying the proposals on West Bengal and Bihar have raised expectations among the people.
"This goes to show that the central government is sincere in its efforts to boost the economies of the eastern states. The CII is confident that the promised assistance will be substantial and significant. We are particularly happy that the development of the eastern and the northeastern states received special mention in the union finance minister's budget speech," said CII's former president J.P. Chowdhary.
Attacks in the Valley increased: Suspicion to Indian Army - Pakistani army commandos are giving training to terrorists
It has been a few days more than a week when there has been a sudden spurt in terror attacks and conspiracies in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 9 soldiers including 2 junior commissioned officers of
Lok Sabha Election 2024: 'DMK's first copyright on corruption' PM Modi said in Tamil Nadu - Looting game going on in the state
PM Modi addressed an election rally in Vellore, Tamil Nadu today. He said, "Our New Year is starting on 14th April. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and I am sure that the coming year will make
Pulwama attack to Antilia case: IG Anil Shukla, who spent a long time in NIA, was transferred to Andaman Nicobar
IG Anil Shukla, who returned to Delhi Police on deputation from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has been transferred to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Anil Shukla was looking into the
Ghaziabad News: Accident while making reels on railway track, three including girl died after being hit by train
A girl and two youths who were making reels while standing on the railway track near the Kallu Garhi railway gate of the Mussoorie police station area of Ghaziabad died after being hit by a train. The
No proof kidnapped Indians dead or alive, Sushma tells relatives
New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday told relatives of 39 Indian nationals, who were taken held hostage by Islamic State jihadists in Iraq in June last year,
Maharashtra Lockdown News: Mumbai railway stations crowded amid fears of lockdown, Central Railway launches new trains
Mumbai
Chhath 2025: The festival of Chhath is desolate without Sharda Sinha, 'Bihar Kokila', who became immortal by singing her last song!
The great festival of faith, Chhath, is currently being celebrated across the country. The excitement of Chhath is visible everywhere. Heartwarming images are pouring in from different parts of the
Uttar Pradesh elections: How big an issue is a temple-mosque dispute in Mathura
Kapil Sharma, secretary of the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Trust, says that Mathura and the 'development of the birthplace and the construction of a grand temple' have been a major issue for religion
SRH vs RCB Playing 11: RCB will have to be careful of Hyderabad batsmen, hope will be from Kohli.
When the Sunrisers Hyderabad team takes the field against the bottom-ranked Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL match on Thursday, they will again look to score runs while batting
Ratan Tata Demise: Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata is no more, PM Modi said- he was a kind soul and an extraordinary human being
The country's famous industrialist Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata has passed away. He was ill for some time. After the news of Ratan Tata's death, a wave of mourning has spread across the country. Many
