Patna: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Samrat Choudhary, has praised the Union Budget, calling it a boon for the state. He stated that the announcements made would bring significant transformation to Bihar. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he credited them for Bihar’s share in the budget.
Greenfield Airports and Infrastructure Boost
Choudhary confirmed that the Centre has approved the long-pending demand for greenfield airports in Rajgir, Sonepur, and Bhagalpur. He described the decision to establish a Makhana Board as “historic” and highlighted special assistance for the Western Kosi Canal project. Additionally, the power sector is set to benefit from enhanced credit facilities for domestic production.
He also announced that IIT Patna will undergo expansion, increasing its current capacity of 2,883 seats to around 5,000. The budget includes provisions to boost tourism-based employment, with Rs 20,000 crore allocated for the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits, which will also benefit Bihar. Further, tax exemptions have been extended up to an annual income of Rs 12 lakh, and a cancer care centre is set to be established in the state.
Opposition Criticism Dismissed
Responding to criticism from the opposition, Choudhary dismissed their claims that the budget neglected Bihar, stating that those making such allegations were simply frustrated. “The opposition has no real work to do; their disappointment is evident in their statements,” he remarked.
With these developments, the Bihar government expects significant economic and infrastructural growth in the coming years.
