Patna, Feb. 14: Ahead of the Union budget on February 28, the Bihar Industries Association (BIA) has demanded that Bihar should be given special status without further delay.

Arun Agarwal, the BIA president, said: 'The per capita income of Bihar stands at an average of Rs 28,000 in compare to the nation's of over Rs 68,000. In terms of urbanisation, Bihar's average is 11 per cent against the national 33 per cent. Despite a promise of granting special status to Bihar, things have not taken shape yet. The Centre should give Bihar Rs 1 lakh crore for the next five years for development.'

Agarwal added that many central projects are pending in Bihar, including repair of Mahatma Gandhi Setu and construction of the Madhepura and Chhapra railway factories. He stressed the need for more airports.

'The funds for industries should be increased from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1500 crore this year,' he said.