Patna,(BiharTimes): Bihar is expected to get Rs 12,000 crore during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) as special support from the Centre. This is more than double than what the state got––around Rs 5,500––during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12).

According to reports from New Delhi the Centre is preparing a cabinet note to provide funds under special plan during 12th Plan period.

Bihar is not the only beneficiary. Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh is expected to get Rs 4,400 crore during the same period. The traditionally backward Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput will get around Rs 1,250 crore during the 12th plan period.

Though officially it is being said that the funds have been given to help fight backwardness yet there is no dearth of observers who see political motive behind it. They are of the view that while the Congress-led UPA wants to woo Janata Dal (United) it is showing generosity towards UP because it is expected to do better in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

It needs to be recalled that Bihar was getting special support of Rs 1,000 crore every year since Jharkhand was hewed out in November 2000. The grant was to be discontinued, but Nitish managed to keep it going in the 11th five-year plan.

Reports quoting sources also said the state would get more money under the reworked Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF).