World Bank says Bihar worse than Ghana: RJD

RJD today assailed Bihar's NDA government for allegedly "befooling and misleading the people" by showing a growth rate of 11.04% and claimed that the World Bank has said Bihar's economic condition was "worse than Ghana".    "The World Bank has said the economic condition of the state is worse than that of Ghana," RJD spokesman Shakeel Ahmed Khan said at a press conference with general secretary Ramkripal Yadav, without specifying the report of the World Bank.         Stating that the claim of growth rate by the government was not only "incorrect but also brought to the fore the real face of the state government", Khan said according the World Bank's report, Bihar lagged behind all other states in the country on the fronts of primary health, drinking water and education.      The report had also held that the governance in the state was poor and the gap between the poor and rich was growing, he said.     "Eighty per cent of funds meant for development for the poor are being siphoned off as rampant corruption prevails. The contractor, officials and politicians enjoying patronage from the state government are the most benefited lot," Khan alleged.Khan said even noted economist of Mumbai R Nagraj in a recent article said there had been contradictions in the growth rate being claimed by the state government and the real growth rate.    The actual growth rate in Bihar stood at 7.5% against the national average of 8.5% and according to a survey conducted by the India Today magazine, Bihar performed poorly, he said.    "Bihar has not increased in any sector and the only sector where the state has progress is corruption," he said adding the Nitish Kumar government was on its out.