Bihar Hogs Royal Limelight in Union Budget Ahead of October Polls

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FM Nirmala Sitharaman and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Image credit X.com

FM Nirmala Sitharaman and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Image credit X.com

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Modi Govt Again Gives Centre Stage to Bihar in Union Budget

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, February 1: Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman for second year in a row gave centre stage to Bihar. The Union Budget proposed at least five measures specifically for Bihar.

Sitharaman announced proposal for capacity augmentation at Patna Airport along with a greenfield new airport in Bihta in Bihar. Sitharaman made first mention of Bihar in her Budget speech right at the onset by proposing setting up a ‘Makhana Board’.

Bihar is bracing up for Assembly elections in October this year. Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is banking on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for stability of the NDA government at the Centre.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after losing majority in the Lok Sabha is dependent on allies such as the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for the stability of the NDA government.

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Sitharaman also proposed capacity expansion in five Indian Institutes of technology (IITs). “Additional seats at five IITs which have been started after 2014 will create 6500 more seats,” said Sitharaman. IIT, Patna is among the five IITs where the capacity augmentation will be undertaken.

Sitharaman also announced a mega project to build a canal in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar. It may be noted that ‘Makhana’ is also a speciality of the Mithilanchal region of Bihar.

Both Sitharaman and Modi have visited the Mithilanchal region of Bihar in recent months. The Mithilanchal region of Bihar is politically most significant, as the districts here politically are mostly dominated by the Janata dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The BJP is making foray into the region.

Sitharaman also announced a proposal to set up a mega food park in Bihar. In all, there were five specific proposals for Bihar.

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Besides, the new scheme for agriculture will also include a number of districts from Bihar. The Bihar government is learnt have submitted a list of demands, which had also included nuclear power plants. It was not immediately known if the demand has been accepted even while Sitharaman announced to plan setting up new civilian nuclear power plants.

Last year, Sitharaman had also unveiled a number of Bihar specific projects. Two road expressways, a thermal power plant in Pirpainti, an industrial node in Gaya, and a few more proposals were mentioned in the Union Budget last year.

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