Bihar Minister Commends Union Budget, Celebrates Creation of Makhana Board
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Synopsis
On February 1, Bihar's Finance Minister praised the Union Budget for its significant developmental projects, highlighting the establishment of the Makhana Board as a transformative decision for farmers and the agricultural sector.
Key Takeaways
- Makhana Board established to support farmers.
- Budget includes measures for aviation development.
- National Institute of Food Technology proposed.
- Enhancements at IIT Patna planned.
- New greenfield airports to be introduced.
Patna, Feb 1 (NationPress) Following the Finance Minister's Union Budget, which unveiled numerous developmental initiatives for Bihar, the state's agriculture minister has expressed enthusiastic approval of the establishment of the Makhana Board, deeming it a landmark achievement.
Bihar's agriculture minister, Mangal Pandey, praised the Makhana Board initiative as a potential gamechanger that will greatly assist numerous farmers and rural communities.
In her Budget address, Nirmala Sitharaman made several references to Bihar, announcing various measures, including the formation of the Makhana Board, enhancing the state's aviation sector, and improving capacities at higher education institutions.
The Bihar Agriculture Minister noted that the Makhana Board will enhance the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana (fox nuts), which is considered an Indian superfood, with Bihar being the leading producer.
“In line with the Central rubber board, there has been a demand for a Makhana Board. At the request of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, we had pursued this with the Centre. When the Union Agriculture Minister visited Patna, we reiterated this request. Today, the aspirations of Makhana producers have been fulfilled with the formation of the Makhana Board in the country,” he stated.
Earlier, in her eighth consecutive budget, the Finance Minister proposed various initiatives for Bihar, including the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology to enhance food processing in Eastern India.
In announcing the Makhana Board, the Finance Minister emphasized that it will provide support and training to Makhana farmers and ensure they benefit from all government schemes.
Capacity enhancements at IIT Patna were also included in the Finance Minister's announcements, which aimed to bolster infrastructure across the five existing IITs.
The budget allocation also highlighted additional investments in the UDAN scheme for Bihar.
Sitharaman mentioned that new greenfield airports would be developed in the state, complementing the capacity expansion of Patna Airport and the Brownfield Airport in Bihta.
