Nitish Kumar welcomes Budget's special assistance for Bihar; special state status debate continues

Nirmala Sitharaman says Nalanda will be developed as a tourist centre and the Nalanda University will also be revived.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has welcomed the Union Budget 2024’s provisions for the state, particularly the special assistance announced by the Centre. Speaking to the media, Kumar expressed satisfaction with the an alternative form of special assistance, given that special category status was deemed technically unfeasible. "We had proposed that if special status wasn't feasible for technical reasons, Bihar should receive special assistance (vishesh madat) from the Centre in another form, which has been announced today," Kumar stated.

Kumar also addressed critics reminding them of the state's progress under his leadership. "These people who are making so much of noise should remember that when they were part of the ruling dispensation at the Centre, the state never got its due. Whatever progress you can see is a result of the state government's efforts since we assumed power in 2005," said Kumar.

Though finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made significant allocations to the state aimed at infrastructure development and healthcare, it was not roses all the way. Budget 2024 has sparked varied reactions from Bihar’s political leaders. The debate over whether Bihar should receive formal special state status continues.

JD(U)'s Neeraj Kumar gives thumbs up to allocation, thumbs down on lack of clarity on special status to the state

Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar welcomed the allocation for roads with a focus on projects in Bihar but expressed concerns about the lack of special state status, raising concerns that the longstanding demand for such a standing has been ignored.

Speaking on the budget announcements, Kumar expressed a mix of optimism and reflection. "It's obvious to have expectations from the Union budget," he explained. Kumar noted that when the NITI Aayog considered mountainous region (for special status) for 1990 to 2002, Bihar had such regions as Jharkhand was yet to be carved out from the state. Moreover, it had a substantial tribal population. So why was special status granted to the state, he asked.

Kumar, however, acknowledged the positive steps taken in the budget, particularly the substantial allocation for infrastructure development. He said, "Rs 26,000 crore given for roadways is satisfactory news. To make Bihar is not just a resolution of our party, PM (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has also promised this."

Chirag Paswan emphasizes special provisions as de facto special status

Union Minister Chirag Paswan welcomed the budget as inclusive and comprehensive, highlighting that it addresses various aspects of Bihar's development. Paswan emphasized the significance of the special packages and provisions as a form of special status. “Every category has been taken care of. I am a Bihari and I say ‘Bihar First- Bihari First’. We demanded a special status for Bihar but by allotting special packages and special provisions an inclusive budget has been presented towards the development of the country,” said Chirag Paswan.

JDU's Sanjay Kumar Jha praises Union Budget for addressing Bihar’s flood Issues

Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP, Praised the budget for addressing Bihar's concerns, particularly flood management in north Bihar. Jha expressed confidence that further assistance will be provided if needed. "Our issues and concerns have been addressed in this Budget. For the first time, a concrete proposal has been moved in the Budget to tackle floods in north Bihar. I am sure the government will help Bihar more if the state requires it," Jha said.

Samastipur MP celebrates Union Budget’s support for tourism initiatives

On announcements made for Bihar in the Union Budget, Samastipur MP Shambhavi Choudhary says, "It is a very happy day as Bihar has got the financial assistance it demanded. In this budget, tourism in Bihar is also being encouraged. This will give more speed to development in Bihar.

Highlights of Budget 2024-25
BJP MLA Tarkishore Prasad lauds budget, emphasises infrastructure boost

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Katihar Tarkishore Prasad strongly endorsed the budget, highlighting significant allocations and developments set to benefit Bihar.

In his statement, Prasad said, "Three expressways have been announced for Bihar. Rs 26000 crore has been allocated for infrastructure development."

Prasad also pointed out the budget's focus on healthcare, with multiple medical colleges set to be established in Bihar, and had an optimistic outlook. "Many medical colleges have been announced... Many more important announcements will be made for the development of Bihar," he said.

Addressing the political discourse surrounding special state status, Prasad criticised other parties for using it as a political tool. He said, "The opposition leaders want to make special status as a political instrument. Bihar cannot progress this way."

Bihar minister Dilip Jaiswal too criticises Opposition

BJP leader and state minister Dilip Jaiswal too was gung-ho about the budget, highlighting the substantial benefits it offered Bihar and lashing out at the opposition parties for their stance on special state status.

Referring to the significant infrastructure investments announced including the Rs 26,000 crore for roads, he said, "It's a tight slap on them (opposition) by the central government."

Jaiswal too noted the focus on healthcare and education. "New medical colleges will be opened in districts that do not have such institutions on the proposal of Bihar government,"he said.

Jaiswal dismissed the wrangling over special status to Bihar as politically motivated. He said, "We had never dreamed that the central government would think this much about Bihar. I would like to thank the central government.. The opposition knows that special state status has some technical point, but they won't be able to digest that Bihar has got even more than that."

Less-than-enthusiastic response from the Opposition

Rabri Devi dismisses infrastructure promise as a distraction

Former chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Rabri Devi termed the Rs 26,000-crore alloted to road projects in Bihar a 'jhunjhuna'.

"Murders and thefts are happening in the state. Labourers are not getting their wages. Youth are not getting employment and farmer issues persist. Rs 26000 crore allotted to Bihar is a 'jhunjhuna'," she said.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla cautions on Union Budget’s infrastructure funding

Congress MOP Rajeev Shukla remained cautious, noting the need to observe how the Centre will allocate funds for infrastructure projects in Bihar. He said, "Congress MP Rajeev Shukla says, "We will have to see how they (Centre) will give (funds for infrastructure projects) to Bihar."

Pappu Yadav questions job creation, migration policies

Independent MP Ranjan Yadav, better known as Pappu Yadav, also voiced his dissatisfaction, focusing on job creation and migration issues. "They are saying that they will give 4 crore jobs. How many jobs have you given in the last 10 years? What about the issue of migration from Bihar? (JD(U) leader and current Bihar chief minister)  Nitish Kumar is a kingmaker but you didn't get the special package. Now you are saying, don't give us special state status but a package. Why are you begging? Talk about special state status. No central university has been announced. You don't need to withdraw support, just leave the cabinet, I think Nitish Kumar is a serious person," he said.

The Union Budget for FY25 has allocated over Rs 60,000 crore for Bihar, focusing on major development projects. Key initiatives include:

Infrastructure: Rs 26,000 crore for three expressways (Patna-Purnea, Buxar-Bhagalpur) and additional road connections, plus a two-lane bridge over the Ganga at Buxar.

Power Plant: Rs 21,400 crore for a 2,400 MW plant at Pirpainti, Bhagalpur.

New Facilities: Construction of new airports, medical colleges, and sports infrastructure.

Flood Management: Rs 11,500 crore for flood mitigation, including the Kosi-Mechi link and other projects.

Heritage and Tourism: Development of Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temple Corridors, and enhancements to Rajgir and Nalanda as tourist destinations.

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Industrial Development: Support for an industrial node at Gaya as part of the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, aiming to boost the eastern region’s economy.