From Makhana Board to greenfield airports, Bihar in focus ahead of polls

With an eye on the Bihar elections the government on Saturday proposed the establishment of a Makhana Board greenfield airports and a National Institute of Food Technology in the stateFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2025 speech today proposed to form a Makhana Board in the state of Bihar Makhana or foxnuts a nutritious food is widely produced and consumed in BiharUnder One District One Product scheme Makhana producers have benefited hugely The Makhana Research Center has been given the status of a national institution with Makhanas having also received a GI tagMakhana board to be set up in Bihar The Board will handhold and train makhana farmers and help them get access to all relevant govt schemes FM Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Budget 2025 speechThe Finance Minister also proposed the setting up of a National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar to provide a strong fillip to food processing activities in the eastern regionThe government will launch a modified UDAN scheme to connect 120 destinations to help 4 crore additional passengers in the next 10 years Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on SaturdayPresenting the Union Budget 202526 Sitharaman said the government will also facilitate greenfield airports in Bihar to meet future needs of the stateBesides support will be provided for the western Kosi canal benefiting 50000 hectares in the Mithilanchal region in Bihar she addedThe Finance Minister further said that the capacity of the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna will be increased as part of the capacity expansion in IITs through the addition of additional infrastructure in five IITs for 6500 more studentsBesides she announced that a urea plant will be set up in Assam to further augment urea supplyThe plant with an annual capacity of 127 lakh metric tons to be set up at Namrup Assam Three dormant urea plants in the Eastern region had been reopened she saidThe budget has also emphasized increasing spending power for Indias growing middle class The finance minister said Union Budget 202526 with an effort to a Accelerate growth b Secure inclusive development c Invigorate society and industry d Uplift household sentiment and e Enhance spending on the power of Indias rising middle classWhile acknowledging ongoing geopolitical challenges that could slow global economic growth the Finance Minister expressed confidence in Indias strong economic foundation The governments development policies and structural reforms over the past decade have positioned India as the worlds fastestgrowing major economy This has strengthened global confidence in Indias potential making the next five years crucial for achieving holistic developmentFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 202526 detailed the roadmap for Indias continued economic expansion placing emphasis on agriculture micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs investment and exportsShe stated that strategic reforms in these sectors will serve as catalysts for job creation selfreliance and enhanced global competitivenessShe emphasized that the budget is dedicated to accelerating growth and driving Indias aspirations towards becoming a Viksit Bharat Developed IndiaShe highlighted that Indias economy remains the fastestgrowing among major global economies reinforcing the countrys resilience and potential on the world stageIn her address to the Parliament Sitharaman underscored that the budget focuses on four key pillarsGarib poor Youth Annadata farmers and Nari womenensuring inclusive growth and socioeconomic upliftment across all sections of societyShe said This budget is dedicated to accelerating growth driven by our aspirations for a Viksit Bharat Our economy remains the fastest growing among all major economiesThe budget aims to initiate transformative reforms across various domains including taxation power urban development mining financial sectorSitharaman reiterated that Indias economic trajectory over the past decade coupled with structural reforms has drawn global attentionWith rising investor confidence and increasing global partnerships she emphasized that the next five years present a unique opportunity to achieve Sabka Vikasensuring balanced development across all regions and sectorsWith inputs from ANI