Leaders hail as FM makes slew of announcements for Bihar

Bihar remained in focus in the Union Budget 2025-26 with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday making several announcements for the state, including setting up of a Makhana Board, financial support for the western Kosi canal and support for enhancing the capacity of IIT Patna.She announced that a Makhana Board will be established to improve production and marketing, and a National Mission on high-yielding seeds will also be launched. Presenting the Budget in the Lok Sabha, the finance minister also announced that the Centre will set up a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar, besides facilitating greenfield airports in the state to meet future needs.“This will result in enhanced income for farmers through value addition and skilling, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for the youth, she said.” 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday lauded the Union Budget 2025-26 as one that was "positive" and would help in accelerating development of the state. Kumar also profusely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.In a statement, the longest-serving CM of Bihar said the proposal for setting up a "Makhana board" will give a boost to cultivation of foxnuts, for which the state is known far and wide. JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha says, "The biggest announcement for Bihar is that it will have a greenfield airport. It is a huge announcement. A Makhana Board will be formed, 85-90% of Makhana is cultivated in Mithila area, Kosi area...There is global demand for Makhana now. Western Kosi irrigation system had been a long pending demand of the Mithila region. FM has made an announcement for this. Announcment for a food-processing institute has also been made. So, overall these announcements are very positive for Bihar...Taxation relief up to Rs 12 Lakhs is a major relief."

#WATCH | #UnionBudget2025 | JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha says, "The biggest announcement for Bihar is that it will have a greenfield airport. It is a huge announcement. A Makhana Board will be formed, 85-90% of Makhana is cultivated in Mithila area, Kosi area...There is global… pic.twitter.com/zpo58uiGrJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

The Budget also proposed- Relief to cancer patients and those with rare diseases, Full exemption of Custom duties  36 life saving drugs, Tax exemption on bulk manufacturing of +37 specified drugs, Full exemption on cobalt powder & waste, scrap of lithium ion batt +12 others.Bihar, currently ruled by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), will go to polls later this year.