Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has continued extending the government's support to Bihar financially. During her budget 2025, the Finance Minister announced that a financial support will be provided for western Kosi canal, benefiting 50,000 hectare in Mithilanchal region in Bihar.
She also said that national institute of food technology, entrepreneurship and management will be established in Bihar.
Furthermore, to improve production and processing of fox nut she also informed that a Makhana Board will be established in the state.
"The Board will handhold and train makhana farmers and help them get access to all relevant govt schemes," she added.
An announcement was made to facilitate greenfield airports in Bihar to meet the future needs of the state as well.
Sitharaman further said that the capacity of the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna will be increased as part of the capacity expansion in IITs through the addition of additional infrastructure in five IITs for 6,500 more students.
Bihar is scheduled to go to polls later this year.
"We see the next five years as a unique opportunity to stimulate growth," said the finance minister.
Bihar's Expectation
Sitharaman in her last budget allocated Rs 59,000 crore for road connectivity, power, and flood management in Bihar.
Before the budget this year, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary submitted a memorandum to Sitharaman, seeking Rs 13,000 crore in central assistance for flood management in North Bihar, upgrading Darbhanga airport, and establishing new airports in Rajgir and Bhagalpur.
The state also appealed funds for Raxaul airport, the construction of 10 new Kendriya Vidyalayas, a 1% relaxation in Gross State Domestic Product for additional borrowing, and approval for a small modular nuclear reactor, along with high-speed corridors.
