GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Feb. The Union Budget 2025 has allocated over ₹60,000 crore for various development projects in Bihar, with a strong focus on job creation, infrastructure expansion, and agricultural growth. Announced just months ahead of the scheduled assembly elections, these schemes include new airport projects, financial aid for irrigation, a dedicated makhana (foxnuts) board, and the expansion of IIT-Patna. The Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the budget while draped in a Madhubani sari designed by Padma awardee Dulari Devi, underscoring Bihar’s cultural heritage.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Hails “Futuristic” Budget
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the budget, calling it “progressive and futuristic” and stating that it would accelerate the state’s economic growth. His party, the Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has expressed confidence that these initiatives will help bridge the state’s development gap and create new employment opportunities.
BJP Calls It a Commitment, Not an Election Gimmick
Senior BJP leaders dismissed speculation that the budget announcements were motivated by upcoming elections. BJP MP Vivek Thakur argued that Bihar had long been ignored under previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments and that the new projects represented a long-overdue mainstreaming of Bihar’s development. Another party functionary highlighted the commitment to “coalition dharma” in supporting Bihar’s growth alongside the JD(U).
Key Projects: Irrigation, Agriculture, and Air Travel Expansion
The budget includes the Centre’s financial backing for the Western Koshi Canal ERM Project, which will provide irrigation benefits to farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares in the Mithilanchal region. JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha praised this initiative, stating that it would secure a better future for Bihar’s farmers.
A major highlight was the announcement of a Makhana Board, which will support farmers involved in the production and processing of foxnuts, a key agricultural product of Bihar. The board will assist in value addition, marketing, and ensuring farmers receive benefits from government schemes.
Air travel infrastructure in Bihar is also set to undergo a major overhaul. Sitharaman announced the development of greenfield airports, alongside upgrades to existing airports in Patna and Bihta. With rising footfall at Patna Airport, these projects aim to improve connectivity and boost regional economic growth.
Boost for Higher Education and Food Processing Sector
The budget has also allocated funds for expanding IIT-Patna, including an increase in hostel capacity and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management will be established in Bihar. These initiatives are expected to create more employment opportunities and enhance income for farmers through food processing industries.
Opposition Slams Budget as “Electoral Tokenism”
While the NDA has praised the budget, opposition parties have strongly criticized the announcements. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of using Bihar’s budget as an election strategy while ignoring other NDA allies like Andhra Pradesh. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav dismissed the budget as “jumlabaazi” (empty rhetoric) and claimed that the Centre had consistently treated Bihar unfairly.
DM Diwakar, a political analyst and former director of the AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies, argued that the announcements were designed to stir Bihari pride ahead of the elections. He suggested that the budget was an attempt to counter growing demands for a separate Mithilanchal state, while also catering to middle-class voters in Delhi, which is also set to hold elections.
Conclusion
The Union Budget 2025 has put Bihar at the center of its developmental roadmap, with large-scale investments aimed at economic growth, agricultural sustainability, and improved infrastructure. While the NDA hails it as a long-term commitment to the state’s progress, the opposition remains unconvinced, viewing the measures as election-driven. With assembly elections on the horizon, the political impact of these announcements will unfold in the coming months.
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