Bihar Budget for 2025-26: Rs 3.16 Lakh Crore Unveiled by Samrat Choudhary
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Synopsis
Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, introduced a budget of Rs 3.16 lakh crore for 2025-26, focusing on economic growth, infrastructure, and welfare programs. The budget includes significant allocations for women's empowerment and rural development.
Key Takeaways
- Rs 3.16 lakh crore budget unveiled.
- Focus on women's empowerment and infrastructure.
- Increase in budget by Rs 38,000 crore.
- New Pink Bus Service for women.
- Establishment of a Cancer Hospital in Begusarai.
Patna, March 3 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary, presented a budget totaling Rs 3.16 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2025-26 during the Legislative Assembly session.
This budget emphasizes economic growth, infrastructure, welfare initiatives, and education, with substantial funding earmarked for rural development, healthcare, and women's empowerment.
Choudhary highlighted that this year's budget reflects an increase of Rs 38,000 crore compared to the last year. He assured that the fiscal deficit remains below the mandated 3 percent threshold, while projected government revenue is set at Rs 2.60 lakh crore—which is Rs 34,000 crore more than the previous year.
Important allocations include Rs 25,262 crore dedicated to economic services and Rs 1,000 crore for the Bihar Student Credit Card scheme.
The government plans to repay Rs 2,819 crore in loans this year, with Rs 1,600 crore being provided by the Centre.
A new Pink Bus Service will be launched in major urban areas exclusively for women, staffed by female drivers and conductors.
A Mahila Hut will be established in Patna to support women entrepreneurs. Additionally, scholarships for SC/ST and backward students will be doubled.
A dedicated Cancer Hospital is set to be built in Begusarai, which has reported the highest incidence of cancer in Bihar.
The initiative includes new degree colleges in every block, hostels for working women, and dental colleges developed under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model.
The government has set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Tur, Moong, and Urad dal. Furthermore, Rs 4,012 crore has been allocated to Panchayati Raj institutions and Rs 2,160 crore to municipal bodies to promote balanced growth in rural and urban regions.
Flights from Purnea Airport are expected to begin operations within three months, as stated by the Finance Minister.
Prior to the budget presentation, Choudhary performed a religious ritual at his home’s Devsthal (prayer space).
With assembly elections on the horizon, this pre-election budget seems geared towards enhancing Nitish Kumar’s governance image and showcasing Bihar's collaboration with the Centre under PM Narendra Modi. The emphasis on women, farmers, youth, and infrastructure indicates a strategy to attract a diverse voter base.
Following the budget announcement, CM Nitish Kumar appeared pleased, offering applause to Choudhary and showing support. Members of the ruling party celebrated within the House after the budget details were revealed.
