Union Budget 2026 Lays Strong Foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’: Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary

Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday said that the Union Budget for 2026–27 has laid a strong foundation for realizing the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. He described the budget as inclusive and growth-oriented, strengthening public participation under the guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 was presented earlier in the day by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. This marks her ninth consecutive budget presentation.

Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said the budget would accelerate India’s journey towards prosperity by ensuring balanced development across regions and sectors. He highlighted several key proposals that are expected to directly benefit Bihar.

Among the major announcements, the Deputy CM welcomed the proposal for a high-speed rail corridor between Varanasi and Siliguri, which will pass through Bihar and significantly improve connectivity in the region. He also pointed to the development of the Varanasi–Patna inland waterway and the establishment of a maintenance factory along the route, for which land has already been provided by the state government.

Choudhary further said that the budget proposes the construction of medical trauma centers and ICUs in all district headquarters hospitals, along with the establishment of three new Ayurveda institutes, strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Bihar.

Opposition Voices Dissent

While leaders from the ruling alliance praised the budget, opposition parties expressed dissatisfaction. Former minister and Jhanjharpur MLA Nitish Mishra termed the budget a visionary roadmap reinforcing the resolve of a developed India.

However, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan criticized the budget, claiming it offered little of substance. Speaking in Patna, he said that a closer reading of the budget reveals more causes for concern than discussion. According to him, existing schemes have merely been repackaged with new names, while gaps between budgetary allocations and actual spending remain wide.

Khan also alleged that the budget lacks concrete provisions for students, youth, workers, and the poor. He questioned the absence of a clear roadmap to boost middle-class incomes, stabilize the rupee, or promote exports. On Bihar, he said the announcements focused on train services enabling migration for jobs, rather than fostering industrial development and economic activity within the state.