Bihar Finance Minister Presents Robust Rs 3.47 Lakh Crore Budget for 2026-27, Dismisses Opposition Claims of Fund Shortage
In a significant development at the Bihar assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav moved the Appropriation Bill for the annual budget worth Rs 3.47 lakh crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year. During his address, Yadav emphatically assured the House that there is absolutely no shortage of money in the state's coffers, and he confidently stated that Bihar's development activities would be further accelerated in the coming period.
Firm Rebuttal to Opposition Allegations
"A completely baseless claim is being propagated that the government has no money. This is purely the work of the opposition, who routinely make such assertions during the budget session, and they rarely offer anything beyond these criticisms," Yadav declared. "However, I am formally informing this honorable House that there is no shortage of funds to run the government or to carry out essential and transformative development activities." He added with conviction that this accelerated development trajectory would firmly position Bihar as a developed state by the target year of 2030.
Detailed Budget Allocations and Fiscal Discipline
The Finance Minister provided detailed insights into the budgetary provisions. "The 2026-27 budget has meticulously allocated funds under both committed expenditure heads, such as salaries and pension dues, and scheme or plan expenditure. Furthermore, the capital expenditure dedicated to the creation of long-term assets has also seen a substantial increase," he explained. Highlighting the state's fiscal prudence, Yadav noted that the fiscal deficit stands at a manageable 2.99%, which is well within the mandatory 3% limit prescribed under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. He also mentioned that, if necessary, additional funds could be mobilized through the standard procedure of supplementary budgets.
Addressing Specific Criticisms and Outlining Future Vision
Yadav specifically addressed the opposition's charge that the ambitious Mahila Rojgar Yojana—which involves a payment of Rs 10,000 each to 1.81 crore women, along with a commitment for additional assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh after activity reviews—has depleted the state's treasury. "This allegation is entirely misplaced and lacks any sound factual basis," he asserted firmly.
Looking forward, the Finance Minister outlined the government's strategic investment priorities. "Our administration has decisively chosen to channel investments into critical sectors such as education, health, and agriculture, as well as into initiatives that will generate substantial employment opportunities," he stated. He stressed the government's ambitious goal to double the income of the people and to create job and work opportunities for one crore youth over the next five years, underscoring a commitment to inclusive economic growth.
Assembly Proceedings and Bill Passage
While opposition members had previously staged walkouts during the government's replies to debates on various departmental budgetary demands, they were present in the House during Yadav's comprehensive reply. Notably, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was also in attendance during the debate. Following the discussions, the Bihar Legislative Assembly passed the Appropriation Bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year by voice vote, marking a formal step in the budgetary process.
This budget presentation and the accompanying assurances from the Finance Minister highlight the state government's focus on fiscal stability, development acceleration, and a strong rebuttal to political criticisms, setting the stage for Bihar's economic roadmap towards 2030.
