Patna: Budget Samvad 2025, a key discussion on the Bihar Budget 2025-26, was held on Friday at the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), bringing together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to examine the state’s economic trajectory and policy framework.
The event began with a welcome address by Prof Dr Rana Singh, director of CIMP, who stressed the importance of Bihar’s evolving economic vision and the need for sustainable growth strategies. Anand Kishor, principal secretary, Department of Finance, Government of Bihar, highlighted the state government’s commitment to progressive policymaking under the leadership of the chief minister and finance minister. He called the budget one of the most comprehensive to date and a key step toward achieving Viksit Bharat, India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Deputy CM Unveils Key Budgetary Priorities
In his keynote address, Bihar’s deputy chief minister and finance minister, Samrat Choudhary, outlined the budget’s role in shaping India’s economic future, asserting that Bihar has the potential to significantly contribute to national growth. He emphasised the importance of industrial development, leveraging the state’s skilled workforce, and discussed measures to strengthen Bihar’s agriculture sector, including efforts to enhance global market access for its produce.
Among the key announcements was a major infrastructure push, with the construction of five new greenfield airports, including a state-of-the-art airport terminal building in Patna with a projected passenger capacity of 10 million. The revival of Nalanda University as both a historical and modern academic centre was also highlighted. Strategic investments in roadways, railways, and waterways were identified as crucial to accelerating Bihar’s economic development.
Bihar’s Local-for-Global Strategy
A significant highlight of the discussion was Bihar’s Local for Global initiative, which aims to expand exports of local products. From Friday, March 7, Sudha Dairy began exporting ghee and Gulab Jamun to the United States. Additionally, Bihar’s makhana (fox nuts), recognised as a superfood, is gaining international prominence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for the establishment of a Makhana Board.
To support agricultural sustainability, the government has announced cold storage facilities across 534 blocks and the construction of major dams alongside the Kosi-Mechi Link Project to manage floods. The budget also outlines the establishment of 16 new medical colleges between 2008 and 2025.
Women-Centric and Green Development Initiatives
Bihar is launching a series of women-focused initiatives, including special vending zones for women’s health and sanitation, a ‘Gym on Wheels’ to promote women’s fitness, ‘Pink Toilets’ to improve hygiene and safety, and women-run public transport services where the trainer, driver, and conductor will be exclusively women.
The state is also driving sustainability efforts through the Bihar Green Development Fund and Waste-to-Wealth projects. The government has proposed new sugar mills that will use factory waste for ethanol production, alongside the construction of a cancer hospital in Begusarai. Bihar also leads the nation in gender-inclusive governance, boasting the highest number of female police officers in India.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Kumod Kumar, CAO, CIMP, who expressed gratitude to the speakers and participants for their contributions.
