PATNA: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to enhance the interest-free special loan for states to ₹1 lakh crore for capital expenditure (capex) and extend additional financial support to Bihar. The demands were presented during a pre-budget meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, where Chaudhary emphasized the state’s aspirations to compete with other states in infrastructure, human development, health, and other sectors.Chaudhary, who also holds the finance portfolio, highlighted the importance of continuing the interest-free loan for capex in the 2024-25 budget. He noted that the current allocation had been reduced to ₹55,000 crore, urging for its enhancement to enable adequate funding across various sectors like health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, and bridges.
The Deputy CM requested an additional 1% of GSDP in Bihar’s borrowing limit, citing the state’s emerging economy and scarce own revenues.
He pointed out that Bihar’s per capita borrowing is the lowest among major Indian states, despite a growth rate of 10.6%, which is higher than the national average of 6.1% between 2017 and 2021. Chaudhary reiterated the demand for “one nation, one power tariff” to reduce the state’s average power costs.Additional funding support was sought for several projects, including a new grid substation at Buxar, costing around ₹800 crore, and the expansion of air connectivity through the establishment of nine airports in various districts. The proposal also included setting up a thermal power plant at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur district at a cost of ₹22,000 crore.Chaudhary requested support for the Bihar metro rail network, proposing a 35 km metro in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga at an expected cost of ₹15,750 crore. He also sought the Union Finance Minister’s intervention to clear proposals under the Namami Gange project and additional funds for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0).Further demands included establishing new government medical colleges, additional funding for the Pradhan Mantri Awas (Urban) Scheme, and the repair of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna. Chaudhary also submitted a proposal under the ‘Khelo India’ initiative for setting up sports clubs at every panchayat.In summary, Bihar’s deputy chief minister presented a comprehensive list of demands aimed at boosting the state’s development across various sectors, seeking substantial financial support from the Centre.
