'Bonanza' for Bihar, AP 'cruelly ignored': Congress on Budget
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New Delhi: The Congress party on Saturday slammed the Modi government’s Union Budget for 2025-26, claiming that Bihar appeared to have received a "bonanza" in terms of budgetary allocations while Andhra Pradesh, another key ally of the NDA, was "cruelly ignored."
During her eighth Union Budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focused on several initiatives for Bihar, including the establishment of a Makhana Board, financial backing for the western Kosi canal, and support for enhancing IIT Patna’s capacity. She also announced the creation of a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar, along with plans for greenfield airports to meet the state’s future needs.
Congress General Secretary for Communications Jairam Ramesh pointed out the heavy focus on Bihar, noting, “It is natural since elections are due later this year. But why has Andhra Pradesh, another pillar of the NDA, been so cruelly ignored?” His comments were seen as a critique of BJP allies JD(U) in Bihar and TDP in Andhra Pradesh.
Ramesh also took aim at the government’s approach to nutritional support programs, including Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. He questioned the government’s reluctance to include basic provisions like school breakfast programs or the provision of milk, as seen in Karnataka's Ksheera Bhagya Scheme. He further criticized the lack of an increase in honorariums for Anganwadi workers, despite years of advocacy from the Union Education and Women and Child Development Ministries.
Sitharaman had announced an enhancement of cost norms for these nutritional support programs, which benefit over 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant and lactating women, and 20 lakh adolescent girls, particularly in aspirational districts and the northeastern region.
Ramesh questioned the govCCernment’s vision of investing in people without addressing these fundamental needs.
With PTI inputs