NEW DELHI: Sanjay Jha, working president of JDU, on Sunday lashed out at those criticising schemes for Bihar in the Union Budget and said the provisions had fulfilled long-pending demands of the state, stressing that the Union govt’s concern for the people of the poor state had validated CM Nitish Kumar‘s decision to switch from INDIA bloc to NDA before the LS polls.
Responding to opposition criticism that the ‘Bihar package’ in the Budget was aimed at assembly elections due in Nov, Jha said this had exposed the “anti-Bihar mindset” of parties trying to make it an issue in Delhi polls: a reference to Congress and AAP.
Speaking of central aid promised for western Kosi area, Jha said the region had been ravaged by floods for decades and there was long-felt need to harness the river’s water for the benefit of farmers. “PM Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman deserve full credit for fulfilling the demand that was consistently highlighted by Nitish Kumar ji,” he said.
He also praised the allocation of funds for Makhana Board to help farmers growing fox nuts. “More than 90% of Makhana production is from Mithila. With the Makhana Board, we’re looking at intensive work that could turn the market worth over Rs 3,000 crore, giving a significant boost to the area,” he said.
Jha also spoke about the proposed greenfield airport. “There’s no international flight facility near Patna. This new airport will transform connectivity,” he said. This, alongside the establishment of a national institute for agro-tech, are seen as major steps to enhance Bihar’s industrial and educational landscape.
“Nitish Kumar has been requesting special category status for Bihar for a long time. It’s the first time we’ve seen such substantial additional support,” he said.
