With state assembly polls less than nine months away, the Bihar government unveiled a budget aimed at wooing the electorate, particularly the women. From pink buses to pink toilets, gyms for women, marriage halls for underprivileged girls, and working women hostels, the budget focuses on the half population of the state.
Deputy CM and Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary presented a budget of Rs 3.16 lakh crore, which is Rs 38,000 crore more than the previous financial year. This being the last budget before the polls, the NDA government’s focus is unmistaken. Though the budget has no cash sops as promised by the BJP governments in other states, they may now form part of the manifesto promise.
#WATCH | Patna | Bihar Deputy CM and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary offers prayers ahead of the presentation of the state Budget 2025-26. He kept the first copy of the Budget in his house temple.
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025
(Source: BJP) pic.twitter.com/Zcav90wrv4
Chaudhary, also the former state BJP president, is face of the party’s campaign in Bihar. By presenting a women-friendly budget, he has tried to keep the campaign points within the grouping. Though women voters are increasingly deciding the course of elections in several states, their heft was known much before in Bihar. Here Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has strengthened his position through various schemes for women including giving cycles for girls students, which proved to be a huge success. Over the years it also resulted in higher voting percentages for women voters in several areas. So, the promise of exclusive facilities for women in form of pink buses which will have women staff, pink toilets, even mobile gyms for women have a potential to solidify their support.
Bihar witnesses an increased migration where the male working population go out in search of work, while the women stay back. Hence, any sops for them can help parties get higher votes.
Patna, Bihar: State Finance minister Samrat Choudhary says, "...I presented Bihar's budget today under the leadership and guidance of CM Nitish Kumar. The Finance Department has proposed a budget of ₹3,17,000 crore for 2025-26..." pic.twitter.com/FjVuE9s9WY
— IANS (@ians_india) March 3, 2025
Among other youth-friendly initiatives, Chaudhary announced the allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the student credit card scheme, an increase in SC-ST pre-matric scholarship schemes from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000, and setting up of degree colleges in every block
As health and infrastructure are also key demands in the state, the finance minister has allocated Rs 20,335 crore for the health department and promised to set up a cancer hospital in Begusarai. New airports will come up in Bhagalpur, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Virpur, Valmikinagar and Madhubani.
For the agriculture sector, the NDA government announced that it will procure Arhar & Moong dal at a minimum support price.
It remains to be seen how much the JDU-BJP alliance government would be able to roll out the promised schemes.
