Patna,(BiharTimes): The six-member committee on special status headed by Raghuram Rajan, chief economic adviser in the finance ministry, met in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss various aspects, which need to be taken into account while deciding the backwardness of a state in comparison to the national average.
Reports from the national capital said that the meeting lasted for about two hours and the focus was to finalise the index which would form the basis for deciding backwardness of states.
The Committee would fine-tune points on June 19 before giving final suggestions. It has to submit its report by July 15.
If the Committee submits its report by July 15 its recommendation can be used politically in the present fluid situation in the country.
Political observers are of the view that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is toeing with the idea of splitting away from BJP, may make it an excuse to switch over his party’s loyalty to the UPA if the recommendations suit him.
The Committee was set up by the Centre on May 15. Five other members of the Committee are member secretary of the Asian Development Research Institute (Patna), Shaibal Gupta, Indian Statistical Institute professor Bharat Ramaswami, Jamia Millia Islamia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung, Professor at the Centre for Study of Law and Governance at JNU Niraja Gopal Jayal and Planning Commission Adviser Tuhin Pandey.