Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday made a host of Bihar-specific announcements in the Union Budget, which include developing sports infrastructure in the state. The announcements, said Ms Sitharaman, are in line to make to make the region an engine to attain ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India). This was welcomed by Bihar Cricket Association President Rakesh Tiwari, who called it “a historic moment for the entire sports community of our state”. Mr Tiwari also thanked the Finance Minister for the significant investment.

Also Read | Full Text Of Nirmala Sitharaman’s Speech

“The development of new sports facilities is not only a matter of pride but also a crucial step towards nurturing the immense talent in Bihar. The advanced infrastructure will provide our athletes with the necessary resources for training, competition and excelling at national and international levels. This initiative will undoubtedly foster a vibrant sports culture in our state,” Mr Tiwari said in a statement.

The cricketing body chief said this will help Bihar cricket reach new heights.

“The establishment of advanced medical facilities will ensure that our athletes receive top-notch healthcare and support, allowing them to perform their best without worrying about injuries or health issues. The inclusion of sports medicine will play a key role in enhancing the overall performance and health of our players,” Mr Tiwari added.

Other announcements for Bihar include human resource development, infrastructure and the generation of economic opportunities to make the eastern region of the country covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh an engine to attain ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“On the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor we will support the development of an industrial nod at Gaya in Bihar. We will also support the construction of road connectivity projects namely Patna-Purnia Expressway, Buxar-Bagalpur Expressway, Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Vaishali-Darbanga and an additional two-lane bridge over river Ganga at Buxar at a total cost of Rs 26,000 crore,” Mr Sitharaman said in her speech.

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav sought to compare Union Budget 2023 with previous Budgets. 
| Photo Credit: PTI

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday said the Centre has cheated Bihar in the Union Budget 2023-24 and fooled the people of the State.

“Bihar is a backward State. The Prime Minister and the Centre had made commitments to grant Bihar a special package and status several times before but nothing has been done so far. They have only fooled the people of Bihar and cheated us,” Mr. Yadav said while speaking to mediapersons in Patna.

He also sought to compare Wednesday’s Budget with previous Budgets. “There are lots of differences between previous Budgets and this Budget. People should know about the revenue and expenditure and they should be told from where the money is coming and where it is going… but they are not”, said Mr. Yadav.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is currently undertaking a ‘Samadhan Yatra’ (solution journey) across the State, said he couldn’t listen to the Budget speech as the yatra was pre-scheduled. “Once I wrap up today’s yatra, I will get to know the details,” Mr. Kumar told mediapersons in Supaul.

However, Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who was alongside Mr. Kumar, said the State’s demands were not met in the Budget. “The people of Bihar had a lot of expectations from the Budget but the Centre has again cheated the State,” said Mr. Choudhary.

The Congress also echoed similar views. Senior State Congress leader Ajit Sharma said, “Bihar has got nothing in the Budget and the people of Bihar have been cheated once again,” said.

Opposition BJP leaders termed the Budget “pro-people”. “It’s a balanced and pro-people Budget which will benefit all sections of people in the country,” said Vijay Kumar Sinha, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly.