Bihar

Patna: The Bihar Assembly on Tuesday witnessed the presentation of the state budget for the financial year 2026–27, marking the first budget of the current NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Finance Minister Vijay Prasad Yadav presented a budget of ₹3,47,589 crore. However, amid discussions on the new budget, attention once again turned to a record in Bihar’s budgetary history that remains difficult to surpass. The late Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, holds the record for presenting the highest number of budgets in the state—an unprecedented 11 times. He is also credited with presenting India’s first-ever ‘Green Budget’, a milestone that continues to be seen as both historic and inspirational. India’s First Green Budget During the...

Patna: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, has sharply criticized the Bihar government’s recently presented ₹3.47 lakh crore budget, calling it a “hollow bundle of figures” and “numerical sleight of hand.” Currently based in Singapore, Rohini shared her comments on the social media platform X, highlighting what she described as the disconnect between the state’s economic policy and human development indicators. This year’s budget of ₹3,47,589.76 crore represents an increase of nearly ₹30,000 crore compared to last year’s ₹3.17 lakh crore. Despite the numerical growth, Rohini argued that the budget fails to address the real issues of human development, equitable growth, and economic well-being in Bihar. “Numbers Without Substance”On social media, ...

Patna, February 3:Whether it is the Union Budget or the Bihar state budget, politics often leaves its unmistakable mark on the presentation. Traditionally, the budget copy has been carried in a red briefcase—a practice followed for decades. However, during the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rule in Bihar, finance ministers broke this tradition by using green briefcases, reflecting the party’s identity and signaling a distinct political statement. Budget Attire as Political Messaging Politics is not limited to policies and numbers; it often extends to symbolism. Central Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for example, presented the Union Budget in a Kanjivaram saree, subtly appealing to Tamil Nadu’s electorate ahead of the state assembly elections. Previously, she wore a Mithila painting...

Patna, February 3:During the second day of the 2026 Bihar Assembly budget session, Janata Dal (United) MLA Komal Singh from Gayghat, Muzaffarpur, confronted her own government over alleged discrepancies in stadium construction in her constituency. Singh described the official reports as misleading and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter. Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, an international shooter and BJP MLA from Jamui, responded by citing geo-tagging evidence to substantiate the department’s claims. Singh assured that photographic proof of the stadiums exists and proposed site visits for the MLA to verify the progress firsthand. The minister also promised corrective action based on any shortcomings identified during inspections. Ground Reality vs Official Reports Komal Sin...

Patna, February 3:Notorious strongman and Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Singh took oath as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, nearly 51 days after the election results, following permission from the court. Dressed in a stylish blazer, with a traditional tilak on his forehead and garlands adorning his neck, Anant Singh arrived at the Assembly amid considerable attention. After taking the oath, he signed the official register and formally greeted Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar. As he exited the House, Anant Singh came face to face with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In a symbolic gesture, Singh touched the Chief Minister’s feet and sought his blessings. The two leaders then exchanged folded-hand greetings and briefly interacted. Nitish Kumar reciprocated by raising his h...

Patna: Despite economic challenges, Bihar has witnessed a remarkable surge in vehicle registrations, signaling a new era of mobility across the state. According to the Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26, nearly 1.4 million new vehicles were registered in 2024, accounting for more than 5% of India’s total vehicle sales. Patna alone saw registrations of 166,000 new vehicles. In terms of private vehicle ownership, Bihar ranks seventh in the country, while in commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses, it holds the fifth position nationwide. The surge in registrations generated ₹3,678 crore in revenue for the state government. Two-Wheelers and Cars Lead the BoomThe survey highlights that 1.126 million two-wheelers were registered, along with 77,000 cars, 78,000 taxis, and 45,000 three-wheel...

Patna: Situated in the western part of Patna district, Maner Sharif is a historic Sufi pilgrimage site and a prominent center of spiritual and cultural consciousness in Bihar. The site has a rich history dating back to the medieval period and is renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for its sweets, architecture, and cultural heritage. Historical BackgroundThe ancient name of Maner was Maniyar Mathan, which local tradition interprets as the “City of Music.” Over time, the suffix “Sharif” was added due to its association with Sufi saints. Maner has witnessed successive historical transformations, reflecting the development of Sufi culture in Bihar. The name “Maner” itself has roots in Egyptian culture, often associated with deities or high-ranking officials. In anci...

Patna: Bihar is set to witness the arrival of high-speed bullet trains, bringing a significant boost to rail travel in the state. The upcoming 704-kilometer high-speed rail corridor will connect Varanasi to Siliguri via Patna, allowing trains to run at speeds of up to 350 km per hour. The journey from Varanasi to Siliguri, which currently takes 14–18 hours, will be completed in just 2 hours and 55 minutes. Key Stops in BiharThe high-speed corridor will link Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Within Bihar, Patna and Katihar will serve as major stops, enabling significant time savings for passengers. Travel time from Varanasi to Patna will reduce to just 50 minutes, while the Patna to Siliguri segment will take approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Budget Allocation and Infrastructu...