<h1>Bihar Renews Demand for Special Category Status, Finance Commission Lacks Authority to Grant Request</h1> The Bihar government has renewed its demand for special category status before the 16th Finance Commission, led by economist Arvind Pangariya. Despite the presentation by Bihar's chief minister and officials, Pangariya clarified that the Finance Commission lacks the authority to grant such status, a responsibility previously held by the now-defunct Planning Commission. The demand remains a longstanding issue for Bihar, but Pangariya emphasized that the commission cannot address it. The chief minister expressed optimism due to Pangariya's familiarity with Bihar's socio-economic context, given his role as chancellor of Nalanda University.