Nitish demands setting up National Poverty Commission

Observing that the increase in central schmes was ‘not a healthy trend,’ the chief minister noted that the Centre has been adopting “far reaching decisions” that impinged on the resources and autonomy of the states and urged the Planning Commission, the chief spokesman of states, to act as the bridge between them (states) and the Centre.On Bihar-specific issues, Kumar demanded modification in the FRBM Act to allow higher borrowing limits to those states which have exhibited high growth but continue to lag due to low national average on per capita income so that they could increase investment and sustain growth rate.This, in Bihar’s case, stood between 8.89 to 10.56 per cent after the NDA took over in October 2005, he said.On the flood threat during rainy season, particularly in North and East Bihar due to unregulated release of water from Nepal, Kumar urged the Centre to launch a ‘New Nepal Initiative’ to coax the Himalayan country cooperate for repair and maintenance of the the enbankments.With agriculture being the key sector of the state economy, the chief minister advocated the launch of rainbow agriculture to meet seven per cent growth rate by encouraging production of vegetables, fruits, milk, animal husbandry, etc.Kumar demanded setting up of national poverty commission, an independent panel, to assess the number of BPL, launch of a beggar-free India Mission, Mahadalit Vikas Mission, Integrated Minority Welfare Scheme.He also called for inclusion of six more districts – Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, West Champaran and Kaimur – under the Integrated Action Plan in addition to seven districts presently under the scheme.