'Mahadalit commission to look into backward community interests'

The newly-created Mahadalit commission in Bihar would look into the interests of the backward people and oppressed sections of the society, chief minister Nitish Kumar said today.

"Vilification campaign against the state government for creating Mahadalit Commission has been continuing. I do not believe in breaking the society on caste lines, rather work for uniting the society and develop the state," Kumar said when addressing the birth anniversary of Baba Chouharmal, a legendary leader of the Paswan community.

Declaring that he was not carrying a "magic wand" to make Bihar free from the ills at one go, he said, "I have made an effort to make Bihar a developed state during the past four-and-a-half-years and will continue to do so in next six months."

He said the landless families of Paswan community too would be entitled for 3 decimal (nearly one cottah) of government land for construction of dwellings as was being provided to people belonging to 21 scheduled castes. 

Referring to demands of several legislators that Paswan community should be declared Mahadalit, Kumar said, "The
matter would be discussed with their leader and minister Chedi
Paswan."

The birth anniversary of Baba Chouharmal would now be celebrated as state function and the government would set up a
statue of Bihar's former chief minister Bhola Paswan Shastri
in the state capital, he said.