Bihar demands additional assistance, airs grievances of pending dues in pre-Budget meeting

Bihar Deputy CM seeks additional financial assistance and support for various development projects in pre-Budget meeting.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also held the Finance portfolio, on Saturday demanded further assistance and an additional package for Bihar during the pre-Budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.

Mr. Choudhary said that the growth performance of Bihar has been impressive in comparison to major States in the country and it recorded higher growth than developed States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat (8.03%).

“However, in order to sustain the growth momentum, the State needs additional financial assistance for development needs. There was allocation of Special Assistance to States for capital expenditure of ₹1 lakh crore during 2023-24. However, in the interim Union Budget 2024-25, this amount was reduced to ₹55,000 crore. I will request you to keep the amount the same. This will help the States to strengthen their fiscal management through more public investment,” he said.

Mr. Choudhary also urged the Union Minister to enhance the borrowing limit to meet its developmental schemes. He sought an additional borrowing limit of 1% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) beyond the prescribed limit for States like Bihar, without any condition.

Expressing his concern about the energy sector, Mr. Choudhary demanded the implementation of ‘one nation, one tariff’ across the country. He also stressed on setting up coal-based thermal power plants in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, and Chausa, Buxar.

He also batted for nine airports to expand Bihar’s air connectivity. “I request to make provision in the current Budget for nine airports at Dehri, Saharsa, Forbesganj, Munger, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul, and Gopalganj. The State is ready to provide land for these airports,” he said.

Speaking about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), he urged the Central government to bear the maintenance cost of PMGSY in a 60:40 ratio.