₹60K-cr projects, tourism push for poll-bound Bihar

Budget progressive and futuristic. It will help accelerate the state's growth NITISH KUMAR, Bihar CM

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran and Vijay Swaroop

NEW DELHI: The Union Budget on Saturday announced a slew of schemes for Bihar aimed at job creation and infrastructure development, months ahead of scheduled assembly elections.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget draped in a Madhubani sari designed by Padma awardee Dulari Devi. She announced a number of airport projects, support for a canal extension, a makhana (foxnuts) board, expansion of IIT-Patna as well as food processing technology. The announcements totalled an outlay of over ₹60,000 crore for various projects.

In addition, the government's decision to develop sites related to the Buddha for tourism will also help Bihar, which houses several key holy Buddhist sites.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar hailed the budget. "The budget is progressive and futuristic. It will help accelerate the state's growth," he said in a statement. Kumar's Janata Dal (United) rules Bihar in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, and is a key ally in the National Democratic Alliance.