Union Budget has no vision: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the Union Budget lacked vision and was disappointing
• Every year, budget priorities change and remain unfulfilled due to lack of focus and sufficient funds, Nitish added
• Regarding the seven priorities (Saptarishi) of the government in the budget, Nitish said it was only a repackaging of the ongoing central scheme

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the Union Budget lacked vision and was disappointing. Every year, budget priorities change and remain unfulfilled due to lack of focus and sufficient funds.

"Bihar is once again being neglected and our demand for special state status has been ignored. Inclusive development of the country will remain a distant dream without the development of poor states like Bihar," Nitish said.

He said Bihar had asked for a special package of Rs 20,000 crore during the pre-budget meeting of finance ministers, but that too was ignored. "There is no concrete plan for employment generation. States' borrowing limit has not been increased despite a memorandum submitted to keep it at 4.5% (4% + 0.5% conditionally), which would lead to job creation and development of economically backward states, he said.

Regarding the seven priorities (Saptarishi) of the government in the budget, Nitish said it was only a repackaging of the ongoing central schemes. Since 2016, the Government of Bihar has been successfully implementing new programs under its 'Saat-Nischay' programme. "They have followed Bihar's pattern of 'Saat-Nischay' schemes by announcing seven priorities without adequate financial provisions. Overall, this budget has nothing substantial for Bihar's economic growth," he said.