New Delhi : On Saturday, February 1, during the presentation of her eighth Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of a Makhana Board in Bihar. This initiative is designed to improve the production, processing, and value addition of Makhana within the state.
“The budget seeks to stimulate private sector investments, enhance household confidence, and strengthen the purchasing power of India’s growing middle class,” she stated.
Furthermore, the Finance Minister revealed plans to expand the capacity of the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna as part of a larger initiative aimed at improving IITs. This expansion will involve the development of additional infrastructure across five IITs to accommodate an additional 6,500 students.
Enhancing Bihar’s food economy
In addition, the Finance Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to bolstering the food processing sector as part of its strategy to support the underprivileged. To further this objective, a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management will be established in Bihar to promote food processing initiatives throughout the eastern region.
She noted that this initiative will provide two significant advantages: it will enhance farmers’ incomes by adding value to their products, and it will create opportunities for skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment for the youth in the region.
India’s economy is currently the fastest-growing among all significant global economies. Over the past decade, our development achievements and structural reforms have garnered international attention. During this time, confidence in India’s capabilities and potential has significantly increased. The next five years present a distinctive opportunity to achieve ‘Sabka Vikas’, promoting balanced growth across all regions, stated the Finance Minister.
The Kosi Canal Initiative
The Finance Minister also introduced the Western Kosi Canal ERM project, which is expected to benefit farmers by facilitating the cultivation of over 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithila region of Bihar.
Furthermore, she announced the establishment of greenfield airports in Bihar, a brownfield airport in Bihta, and the expansion of the Patna airport.
FM Sitharaman in Madhubani Attire
Prior to the presentation of the Union Budget 2025 in Parliament, Sitharaman, adorned in a Madhubani art sari designed by Padma awardee Dulari Devi, posed with her team while holding the traditional ‘Bahi khata’.
The finance minister’s outfit featured a white sari embellished with a vibrant Madhubani design and a subtle golden border, paired with a red blouse and shawl. She completed her look with gold bangles, a chain, and earrings.
Bihar’s Expectations from the Finance Minister
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, presented a 32-page memorandum to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prior to the Budget, seeking Rs 13,000 crore in central support for various initiatives. These initiatives include flood management in North Bihar, the enhancement of Darbhanga airport, and the establishment of new airports in Rajgir and Bhagalpur. The memorandum also requested funding for Raxaul airport, the construction of ten new Kendriya Vidyalayas, a 1 percent relaxation in Gross State Domestic Product to facilitate additional borrowing, and approval for a small modular nuclear reactor, in addition to high-speed corridors.
In the Union Budget for 2024-25, Rs 59,000 crore was allocated for road connectivity, power, and flood management in Bihar. During this period, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasized that the Centre should either confer special category status (SCS) upon Bihar or provide a special financial package. The state is scheduled to hold elections in November of this year.
