Nitish Kumar claims Bihar is being marginalized

Patna, Feb 20 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that his state has suffered from a history of neglect both before and after independence.

Addressing a gathering at the valedictory session of the 'Global Bihar Summit 2012', here on Sunday, Kumar said that successive governments had deprived the state of industry and agriculture, two strengths that could have gone far, given the availability of a huge manpower resource.

"We have always been at the receiving end of injustice, during British rule and after that as well. Whatever constituted our strengths was finished," Kumar said.

He said that a plan for an inclusive growth of India was needed to bring about change to all parts of the country and to all sections of society, instead of confining development to a few regions.

"Inclusive growth means the development of all parts of the country, as well as all sections of society, whether it is minorities, women, scheduled castes and tribes or backward classes. Development should not be confined to a few places, making them islands, as is the case with western and southern India," Kumar said.

The three-day summit saw experts and leaders come together on a common platform to discuss strategies for Bihar's development, as well as to share and boost economic experiences between Nepal and its neighbouring Indian states. (ANI)