Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which the issue of special category status to the state figured prominently.

Pitching for the Centre's acceptance of the pet demand of his mentor and former state chief minister Nitish Kumar, Manjhi told Modi that the granting of the status was necessary for progress of the state as it would push investments in the underdeveloped state and open new employment avenues for the youth, an official statement from the state government said.

The Prime Minister's Office termed the meeting a "courtesy call". Modi had himself promised during his campaign in Bihar that his government would take special care for the state's development.

While congratulating Modi on assuming the new charge, Manjhi in a letter to him said the nation cannot progress unless "all people and regions develop equitably and participate equally in the its development".

Though Bihar grew at an impressive rate of 12.11 per cent during the 11th five-year plan against the national growth rate of 7.94 per cent, he said it will still take it 25-30 year to catch up with the national growth figures.

"Bihar wants to grow its contribution to nation's GDP and our efforts should be supported with appropriate policies," he was quoted as saying in the statement. He also sought a special package for the state.