Delhi would come to a grinding halt if Biharis stop work even for a day as they contribute "significantly" to its economy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Sunday.

He also said migration of labourers from Bihar to states like Punjab and Maharashtra has significantly come down in recent years, reflecting the state's growth story.

"Biharis form 20 per cent of the population in Delhi. They contribute significantly to the city's economy. If they stop working for a day, Delhi would come to an halt. I am not saying they should stop work, but that is the potential of Biharis," he said addressing a function to mark 100 years of formation of Bihar.

"Biharis are not a burden, but an assest...Big farmers and entrepreneurs in Punjab are complaining labour shortage because of decrease in arrival of labourers from Bihar who are getting employment in their native places itself," he said.

Quoting a survey, Kumar said the migration of labourers from Bihar to other states has come down almost by 26 per cent because of development work and MNREGA.

He also dismissed suggestions that people of the state were forced to go out for begging.

"It is wrong to say that people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are forced to go outside for begging. They indeed go not only to different parts of the country but also abroad to contribute to their economic growth,"

The Chief Minister said the state is scripting a new growth story, as a result of which migration of labourers to Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat has come down now.

On the occasion, he also honoured 20 people from the state for their commendable job in various fields that included SEBI Chairman U K Sinha, former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, former cricketer Saba Karim and actor Manoj Tiwari.