- Bihar Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary presented Rs 3.17 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2025-26 on March 1.
- The budget shows a 13.6% increase from the previous year’s Rs 2.79 lakh crore.
- The budget includes a series of announcements focused on women residents of Bihar.
On Monday, Bihar Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary presented a substantial budget of Rs 3.17 lakh crore for the financial year 2025-26. This represents a notable 13.6 percent increase from the previous year's allocation of Rs 2.79 lakh crore. The budget includes a range of announcements aimed at benefiting the women residents of Bihar.
FM Samrat, while speaking to the media after his budget speech, said, "The central government is supporting Bihar, which is why I’ve presented a budget of Rs 3.17 lakh crore. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is receiving full cooperation from the double-engine government. He is like a guardian and father figure, and we have been blessed by him."
In his speech in the assembly, the FM highlighted that the budget focuses on women, education, agriculture, and health. He announced the introduction of pink buses in major cities, which will be operated by women drivers and conductors for female commuters. Additionally, he shared plans for setting up accommodation facilities for women constables near police stations and the opening of an all-women's 'Haat' (market) in Patna, the state capital.
FM Samrat announced that the Nitish Kumar-led government will set up women’s vehicle training centres in all major cities, with training provided exclusively by women instructors. Regarding healthcare, he stated that the government will allocate Rs 20,335 crore for health initiatives. He also revealed plans for a cancer hospital in Begusarai district and the creation of the “Bihar Cancer Care Society” to focus on cancer prevention and treatment.
Responding to the budget, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Kumar Sarvjeet argued that if the budget had truly benefited the people, millions wouldn't have been forced to leave Bihar in search of better opportunities. He criticized past budgets, calling them "anti-poor," and added, "If it were a good budget, millions wouldn't have migrated from Bihar."
On the other hand, Nitish Kumar praised the finance minister for the provisions outlined in the budget. This budget is particularly significant as it is the last one presented by the government before the state assembly elections, which are set to take place later this year in the winter.
