The Nitish Kumar government of Bihar presented its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the state assembly on Monday. Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary presented a draft budget of ₹3.17 lakh crore, announcing several significant initiatives aimed at the state's development.
Patna: The Nitish Kumar government of Bihar presented its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the state assembly on Monday. Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary presented a draft budget of ₹3.17 lakh crore, announcing several significant initiatives for the state's development. This year's budget is ₹38,000 crore higher than last year's. The government has described it as a balanced and development-oriented budget, prioritizing employment generation, fundamental infrastructure, and welfare schemes.
Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary Presents the Budget
* Student Credit Card Scheme - ₹1000 crore
* Social Welfare Department - ₹13,368 crore
* Energy Department - ₹13,484 crore
* Rural Roads - ₹15,000 crore
* Health Department - ₹20,335 crore
* Education Department - ₹60,964 crore
* Panchayati Raj Institutions - ₹4012 crore
* Municipal Bodies - ₹2160 crore
* ST/SC Welfare - ₹1735 crore
* Construction of Kanya Vivah Mandaps (marriage halls for girls) by the state government.
* ₹17,000 crore allocated for the Home Department
* Government to procure Arhar (pigeon pea) and Moong (green gram) at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
* Modernization of all bus stands in the state.
* Mobile gyms for women to be opened in Patna.
* Formation of vegetable production committees.
* Facilitation of marriages for poor girls in Kanya Mandaps.
* Construction of pink toilets for women in cities.
* Opening of government outlets on the lines of Sudha (a dairy cooperative).
* Establishment of a degree college in each block.
* Construction of referral hospitals for each sub-district.
* Construction of hostels for working women.
* Construction of a cancer hospital in Begusarai.
* Launch of pink bus services in major cities.
* SC/ST pre-matric scholarships doubled.
* Purnea airport to be operational within three months.
* Construction of airports in Bhagalpur, Saharsa, Munger, Begusarai, Muzaffarpur, Valmikinagar, and Madhubani.
* Establishment of a meteorological center in Bhagalpur.
Opposition Attack, Mahagathbandhan Protest
Prior to the budget presentation, Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) MLAs protested against the government. They criticized the government for inadequate increases in widow and disability pensions and concerns regarding women's safety. Dismissing the opposition's allegations, Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary stated that the budget is designed for inclusive development of Bihar, considering all sections of society.
According to economic experts, this budget maintains a balance between economic stability and social welfare. However, some experts believe that successful implementation will determine its ultimate success.
