Nitish Kumar holds a press conference following PM Modi's rally in Bihar.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly after the PM announced a central package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for the development of the poll-bound state at a rally in Arah.
Here are the highlights of the Chief Minister's speech:
- On one hand PM Modi calls me a beggar and on the other he calls me arrogant.
- For Bihar's development, Bihar's progress, I have no qualms in being a beggar.
- He is the Prime Minister of the country. He talks of cooperative federalism. But works for something else.
- He humiliates the state government. Tries to prove them incompetent. But his saying doesn't change anything.
- Health, education, roads everything has been improved.
- We have created 66,000 roads, 5,000 bridges/flyovers.
- The government health system is dependable. Most people can rely on it. Average people visiting primary health centres monthly has gone up from 49 people to 11,000.
- The money that was allocated in the 10th and 11th five year plans has been utilized.
- We were worried that we have been spending money on development but funds were not released from the Centre.
- The PM says if the state is not BIMARU, then why are you asking for help? All the other states which have been given a special status for development, given funds are BIMARU?
- Instead of encouraging a state that is progressing, you are humiliating it?
- We are fighting for the rights of Bihar
- "Today I will announce the package for Bihar - 50,000 crore, 60,000, 70,000, 75,000, 80,000?" the PM asked as his audience cheered, and then said, "Today I promise Rs. 1.25 lakh crore." Are you in an auction? Are you bidding for Bihar.
- For agriculture we have have got some Rs 3000 crore when we asked for over Rs 40000 crore.
- We had asked for 15,000 for skill development and you are giving Rs 1200 crore.
- The auction has been done, but we haven't got anything and don't know when we will.