Patna: The Bihar legislative assembly is braced for a turbulent third day of its budget session on Thursday, with sharp exchanges expected between the ruling coalition and the opposition over the state budget, the governor’s address and the death of a student linked to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
Proceedings began at 11am with Question Hour, during which ministers will respond to queries from members of the legislative assembly. Shyam Rajak has submitted a calling attention motion related to the higher education department, while five MLAs, including Rana Randhir and Anil Singh, have raised issues concerning the water resources department.
The opposition is expected to adopt an aggressive posture over the death of a NEET aspirant, alleging that flaws in the education and examination systems are placing students under severe mental pressure. Opposition leaders have signalled they will press the government for accountability and concrete action, raising the prospect of repeated disruptions in the house.
The confrontations come a day after the Nitish Kumar government presented a Rs 3.47 crore budget for the 2026–27 financial year, an increase of about Rs 307cr over the previous year. The government described the budget as development-oriented, with major infrastructure proposals including five new expressways, the widening of single-lane roads and the expansion of the Patna Metro project.
Education has emerged as the largest beneficiary, with the education and higher education departments allocated Rs 682.17 crore. The budget also announced the launch of the Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, under which farmers will receive Rs 3,000 annually in addition to the central government’s PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. The state government claims more than 7.5 crore farmers will benefit.
Healthcare has been earmarked Rs 212.7 crore, with officials pointing to the completion of the first phase of 1,100 beds at Patna Medical College and Hospital and the proposed establishment of medical colleges in 10 additional districts. Industrial measures outlined in the budget include the reopening of closed sugar mills, the development of a defence corridor, a semiconductor park and a proposed mega tech city.
Political tensions were already evident during Monday’s budget discussions, when BJP MLA Bhagwan Kushwaha launched a sharp attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal members, invoking past incidents of violence and questioning the party’s record on law and order. His remarks further inflamed tempers in the chamber.
With debate on the governor’s address, scrutiny of the budget and the NEET issue all on the agenda, Today’s sitting is being seen as a key test of how the government manages both policy defence and political pressure in the assembly.
