Bihar remains a priority in the Union Budget 2025-26, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing several key initiatives for the state, including the establishment of a Makhana Board, financial support for the western Kosi canal, and measures to enhance the capacity of IIT Patna.
Bihar is currently under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which will face elections later this year.
Sitharaman announced the establishment of a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar while presenting the budget in the Lok Sabha. The finance minister further disclosed that she will relieve the process to establish greenfield airports in the state to meet the future needs. "A Makhana Board will be set up in Bihar to improve the production and processing of the nut," Sitharaman said in her Budget speech.
She also stated that the Centre will provide financial support for the western Kosi canal, which will benefit 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithilanchal region. The Centre will also create additional infrastructure in five IITs and support to enhance the capacity of IIT Patna.
Union Minister and Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan praised the budgetary announcements terming it a big achievement from the state that the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar will boost food processing activities in the entire eastern region of the country and improve farmers' income by enhancing the quality of their produce.
JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha praised the establishment of the Makhana Board and said it will provide new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs. "It will certainly promote economic development in Mithila and Bihar through increased production, processing, value addition, and marketing and will prove a game-changer for the region's agricultural economy," Jha said.
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