The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved an Annual Plan outlay of 28,000 crore rupees for Bihar for the current fiscal. The state's annual Plan outlay for 2012-13 was finalised at a meeting in New Delhi between the Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Commenting on state's performance, Mr Ahluwalia said that Bihar is fast catching up with developed states.

He assured the state that the on-going special assistance package for Bihar would continue in the 12th Plan. He said that the Commission would be shortly seeking central government’s approval for the same. On the other hand, the Chief Minister Mr Kumar briefed the Commission on the achievements of the State and and its future strategy.