New Delhi: In her Union Budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant financial assistance and projects for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, addressing key demands from the TDP and JDU, crucial NDA allies. This marks a pivotal move in coalition politics, reinforcing the stability of the NDA government.
Nirmala Sitharaman allocated Rs 15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh’s development in the current financial year, with additional funds promised for the future. She highlighted fulfilling commitments under the AP Reorganization Act, including grants for backward regions and a special mention of the Polavaram Dam project.
For Bihar, the budget includes the establishment of new airports, medical colleges, and sports infrastructure. Requests from the Bihar government to multilateral banks will be expedited. Additionally, Rs 26,000 crore has been allocated for highways, such as Patna-Purnia, Buxar-Bhagalpur, and the Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Vaishali-Darbhanga Expressway. A two-lane bridge over the Ganga in Buxar and a 2,400 MW power plant were also announced. An industrial corridor node is set for Gaya.
The budget also integrates Bihar into the Purvodaya initiative, aimed at boosting development in eastern India. This project focuses on human resources development, infrastructure, and economic opportunities in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to make this region an engine for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
This comprehensive support underscores the Modi 3.0 government’s commitment to regional development and coalition politics, ensuring robust growth and stability in these key states.
