Summary:
Patna, Nov 26 (PTI) The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has reacted with dismay to the Niti Aayog report on “poverty index”, which places the state among the bottom-ranking ones, much to the chagrin of the ruling dispensation"s claim of a sustained high rate of economic growth.
The chief minister himself refrained from making any comment saying he was not aware of the report and its contents.
“What report are you talking about? I have not seen it”, was Kumar"s curt reply when journalists sought his comments.
The state"s longest-serving chief minister has been proudly highlighting the fact that under his watch Bihar has clocked a growth rate of more than 10 per cent and the state"s budget has expanded manifold.
His arch-rival Lalu Prasad, who along with wife Rabri Devi had ruled the state for 15 years altogether, however, found himself with fresh ammunition to attack the Chief Minister by whom he was ousted from power in 2005.
“Nitish Kumar ko chullu bhar paani mein doob marna chahiye (Nitish should be ashamed)”, was the pithy remark of the RJD supremo, whose alleged misrule continues to be blamed by the Chief Minister and his ally BJP for the state"s many woes.