With the Bihar Elections due this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman put out all hints of pleasing the state even before beginning her Budget 2025 speech. Arriving at the Finance Ministry in a white Madhubani saree, which has origins in Bihar and Nepal’s Mithila region, Sitharaman set the tone for the Budget.
Ten minutes into the Budget speech, Sitharaman mad it clear that Bihar would not be disappointed. She said a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management to be set up in Bihar to provide a strong fillip to food processing activities in the entire Eastern region.
Bihar will also get a separate Makhana board to promote the production and processing of foxnuts.
Greenfield airports will be set up in Bihar. These will be in addition to the expansion of the Patna airport and a brownfield airport in Bettiah.
Western Kosi Canal ERM project in Mithlanchal will get a boost with a huge financial aid. This will help in the irrigation of 50,000 hectares in the region.
Nirmala Sitharaman also hinted at developing tourism in Bihar’s Gaya, saying that tourism will be developed win areas associated with the life of Buddha. This will include Visa fee waivers for such tourists.
