Nitish repeats special status call as President lauds him for progress…

The Bihar CM reciprocated Patil’s praise by inviting her to visit Bihar at least once in a year. Invoking Bihari pride,Nitish said it was “mandatory to become a good Bihari before becoming a good Indian citizen”.

The three-day centenary festivities started with the President kick-starting the 100th year celebration of the Bihar Legislative Council foundation on Tuesday.

Patil,who termed the history of Bihar as one of culture and civilisation,said: “Bihar is perhaps one of first states to give 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayats. I congratulate Bihar government for this.”

She said Bihar focused on strengthening the panchayati raj system and encouraged education of woman by giving 50 per cent reservation to them in teachers’ appointments.

“The state has been contributing to the development of the nation in several ways. I believe Bihar will march shoulder to shoulder with other states towards progress,” she said,recalling the rich cultural and educational heritage of the land of Buddha,Ashoka and Chandragrupta Maurya.

Patil also had a word of advice for Nitish Kumar as she said the government must focus on agriculture and better town planning.

Bihar CM Kumar profusely thanked the President but did not forget to repeat his demand for special category status for Bihar. Later speaking at Gandhi Maidan,he directly took on on the Centre for ‘its delaying tactics’ on the demand.

Thanking the President’s advice on agriculture,he said Bihar would accept the new Seed Bill only if it ensured compensation for farmers if new seeds did not provide the promised yield. “We cannot allow MNCs to sell new seeds without a promise to compensate,” he said.