Bihar: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Kumar Sarvjeet criticized the Bihar state budget, claiming that it has consistently been “anti-poor” and failed to address significant issues. Sarvjeet argued that if the budget had truly benefited the people, millions would not have been forced to leave Bihar in search of better opportunities. Speaking to the media, he stated, “The budgets presented here have always been anti-poor. If it were a good budget, crores of people would not have migrated from Bihar.”
Opposition leaders protested outside the state Assembly during the budget presentation. Bihar’s government unveiled a Rs 3.17 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2025-26, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous year’s Rs 2.79 lakh crore allocation. Presented by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary, the budget is especially significant as it is the last one before the state elections later this year. The increased allocation aims to support various sectors, including infrastructure, social welfare, human development, and administrative purposes.
Additionally, the Union Budget 2025-26 has announced substantial investments in Bihar, such as greenfield airports, the expansion of Patna airport, and the Western Koshi Canal Project in Mithilanchal. With the state elections approaching, this budget will likely play a crucial role in shaping the government’s message to voters.
Ahead of the budget presentation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday called attention to Bihar’s low social security pension, which stands at Rs 400 per month, the lowest in the country. He demanded an increase to Rs 1,500 per month and highlighted various social issues, including high rates of anemia among women and stunted growth in children. Yadav also criticized the government’s lack of attention to these issues and proposed increasing the subsidy on LPG cylinders to Rs 500, as well as pushing for the fulfillment of recruitment promises.
As Bihar prepares for its Assembly elections later this year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expanded his Cabinet on February 26, with seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs taking oath as ministers. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in October-November 2025.