Patna,The Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Wednesday tabled its second supplementary budget for the current financial year in the state assembly, seeking additional expenditure authorisation of ₹91,717 crore.
The largest single allocation – ₹21,000 crore – has been earmarked for the flagship Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Yojana (Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Scheme), underscoring the administration’s continued emphasis on female economic empowerment ahead of future electoral cycles.
A further ₹6,462 crore has been set aside to fund the state’s free-electricity scheme, which provides 125 units of free power per month to households, reflecting the persistent fiscal burden of populist energy subsidies.
Infrastructure and connectivity received notable boosts:
– ₹389 crore for the ongoing Patna Metro Rail project
– ₹500 crore collectively for the development of four greenfield airports at Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Saharsa
Other significant provisions include:
– ₹1,885 crore for the Mukhyamantri Vridhajan Pension Yojana (old-age pension)
– ₹861 crore for road construction
– ₹800 crore under the Student Credit Card scheme
– ₹651 crore for flood-control measures
– ₹600 crore equity infusion into state power distribution companies
– ₹594 crore under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali (Peyjal Nischay) drinking-water programme
– ₹500 crore each for industrial development and construction of panchayat government buildings
Smaller but politically sensitive allocations cover ₹750 crore for the graduate-level girl-child incentive scheme, ₹314 crore for the Lakshmibai Social Security Pension, and ₹150 crore each for new medical colleges and urban civic amenities.
Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav presented the demands, which are scheduled for passage on 5 December following debate in the House.
The supplementary demands, when added to the original budget of ₹2.98 lakh crore presented in February 2025, will push total authorised expenditure for 2025-26 well above ₹3.9 lakh crore, highlighting the state’s growing reliance on additional fiscal space to fund welfare commitments and infrastructure in a year that has seen buoyant tax devolution from the Centre and continued central assistance for flagship schemes.
The tabling comes against the backdrop of Bihar’s improving fiscal metrics – the state has consistently narrowed its revenue deficit in recent years – though the heavy outlay on subsidies and transfer payments continues to draw scrutiny from rating agencies and fiscal watchers.
