NEW DELHI: For second year in a row, there were cheers for Bihar in the Union Budget as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several sops for the state where assembly polls are due towards the end of this year. The Centre’s focus on Bihar was evident right from the word go as Sitharaman donned a Madhubani saree to present the Budget.
Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed his appreciation for the Union Budget, noting its potential to enhance the state’s development.The JD(U) leader acknowledged the budget’s provisions for Bihar, including the establishment of a Makhana board and greenfield airports, as significant steps addressing the state’s requirements ahead of upcoming assembly elections.
“The budget is progressive (pragatisheel) and futuristic (bhavishyonmukhi).It will help accelerate the state’s growth… I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman,” Nitish said.
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Makhana Board in Bihar
Sitharaman announced the setting up of Makhana Board in the state. Bihar has a place of pride in the production of superfood Makhana accounting for nearly 80% of country’s output. With assembly elections due in Bihar towards the year-end, the announcement will help the farmers of Bihar.
During her announcement about establishing a makhana board in the state, Sitharaman stated, “There is a special opportunity for the people of Bihar. A makhana board will be established in the state to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana.”
The initiative aims to organise individuals involved in these activities into FPOs (Farmer Producer Organization), which will provide guidance and training assistance to makhana farmers.
Additionally, she mentioned that these FPOs would work towards ensuring farmers receive all applicable government scheme benefits.
Also Read: With eyes on Bihar polls, Nirmala Sitharaman presents Budget in Madhubani saree
Greenfield airports in Bihar
The Budget outlined Centre’s plan to facilitate four greenfield airports in the state to meet its future needs. These will be in addition to the present airport in Patna.
These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport at Bihta, Sitharaman said.
National institute food technology entrepreneurship and management
The Union finance minister also announced the setting up of National Institute Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management in the state.
Under the Poorvodaya scheme, the government is formulating an all-round development of the eastern region states covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The institute will provide a strong fillip to food processing activities in the entire eastern region. This will result in enhanced income for the farmers through value addition to their produce and skilling, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for the youth.
IIT Patna
The Centre also announced to expand infrastructure and hostel facilities in IIT Patna. Indian Institute of Technology Patna was established in August 2008 by an act of Parliament. The government has declared it an Institute of National Importance.
Also Read: Union Budget 2024 unveils Rs 58.9k-crore growth package for Bihar
Support for Western Kosi Canal
The Union Budget announced financial support for western Kosi canal, benefiting 50,000 hectare in Mithilanchal region of Bihar.
“Financial support will be provided for the Western Koshi Canal ERM Project benefitting a large number of farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar,” she said.
Poll-bound Bihar gets second Budget booster shot
This is the second time in a row that Centre has showered sops to Bihar. Union Budget 2024 had also given a major boost to Bihar after Nitish Kumar provided valuable support in the formation of Modi 3.0 government. Last year a slew of development projects worth around Rs 58,900 crore was announced in the Union Budget. It included road projects worth Rs 26,000 crore, a 2400MW power plant worth Rs 21,400 crore and flood management projects worth Rs 11,500 crore.
‘Nitish Kumar failed to secure fair deal for Bihar’
However, the opposition in Bihar alleged that the Centre was indulging in “rhetoric” in the Union Budget and presenting announcements made in the past with “repackaging”. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed chief minister Nitish Kumar for his inability to secure a fair deal for the state.
“Just look at TDP supremo Chandra Babu Naidu, who has secured benefits to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore for Andhra Pradesh. The Budget presented today is silent on any such help for Bihar. We also do not know where the Rs 59,000 crore promised last year has been spent,” said Yadav.
Tejashwi also attacked Nitish for abandoning the demand for special status. “The CM seems to have already abandoned the demand for special status, on which Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not speak a word while presenting the budget. There is not even a special economic package for the poor state which is being cheated by Modi government as all good things are being done for the prime minister’s home state Gujarat,” the RJD leaders said.
Watch full speech of FM Sitharaman’s Budget speech