Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unofficially launched the electoral campaign for state Assembly polls, which is scheduled to go for polls later this year, with a slew of proposals and announcements for Bihar in today’s budget including financial support for the Western Kosi canal project in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar. Other proposals include National Institute of Food Technology, creation of Makhana Board and increasing capacity of IIT Patna.
The 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly is set to go for polls later this year. The National Democratic Alliance, is in power in the state and the budget announcements are likely to aid the alliance in forthcoming polls, sources pointed out.
Over the past few months Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, had been lobbying with the Centre for more sops for the state ahead of the crucial polls.
Nitish Kumar, also known to shift political sides frequently, had rejoin led the NDA ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
These budget proposals can also be seen as payback for JDU’s critical support to the BJP, after the latter fell short of the majority mark in the 2024 general election.
And the slew of proposals are being seen as an attempt by the Centre to ensure that Nitish-led NDA, cones back to power in the crucial Bihar polls.
In her budget speech, the Minister proposed to establish a National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar, which will boost food processing in eastern India. “It will generate employment for the youth, ” she said in Parliament.
A Makhana Board will be established in Bihar, the biggest producer of the cadh crop, to improve the production, processing, value addition and marketing of Makhana. The people engaged in these activities will be organised into FPOs. The Board will provide hand-holding and training support to Makhana farmers and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes, she added.
The Finance Minister further said that the capacity of Indian Institute of Technology in Patna will be increased as part of the capacity expansion in IITs through the addition of additional infrastructure in five IITs for 6,500 more students.
The Finance Minister also announced greenfield airports in Bihar, a brownfield airport in Bihta, besides the expansion of the Patna airport.
With an eye on Bihar polls, Nirmala Sitharaman also presented Budget in Madhubani saree.
