Highlights of Bihar budget 2021-2022 (important fodder points for 66th mains)
- The Bihar government presented a Rs 2.18 lakh crore budget for 2021-22 fiscal year, with no new tax and a thrust on infrastructure and social sectors, besides giving a fillip to entrepreneurship.
- The presented budget is of Rs 2,18,302.70 crore for 2021-22, which is Rs 6,541.21 crore more than the last year’s estimates of Rs 2,11,761.49 crore
- The revenue surplus is estimated at Rs 9,195.90 crore.
- The state’s fiscal deficit has been estimated at Rs 22,510.78 crore in the budget, which is 2.97 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product, estimated at Rs 7,57,026 crore. i.e. the fiscal deficit target has been kept within the three per cent limit.
- Finance minister proposed to create a separate department for skill development and entrepreneurship.
- The decision would ensure better coordination for running ITIs and polytechnic colleges which are now run by the labour department and the science and technology department respectively.
- Minister reaffirmed the government’s promise of creating 20 lakh employment opportunities, in private and public sectors combined, by the time it completes its term in 2025, and to this end, a sum of Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the industries department.
- To encourage entrepreneurship, grants will be given by the government for startups which could be to the tune of 50 per cent of one’s project cost or up to Rs 5 lakh in addition to loans of up to Rs five lakh at a nominal one per cent interest rate.
- Women entrepreneurs will be given special incentives in the form of interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh
- the highest allocation of Rs 38,035.93 crore has been made for education, followed by Rs 16,835.67 crore for rural development, Rs 15,227.74 crore for roads, Rs 13,264.87 crore for health and Rs 8,560 crore for energy.
- An allocation of Rs 4,671 crore was made for the second phase of ‘Saat Nischay’ (seven resolves) programme.
- Promotion of entrepreneurship, enhancement of skill, improvement of irrigation facilities, strengthening of health infrastructure, better connectivity and development of clean and prosperous villages and cities are some of the components of the seven resolves.
- Other highlights of the budget include proposals for setting up of universities devoted to imparting higher learning in medical, engineering and sports.
- Rajgir, one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations, has been proposed as the site for the sports university besides an international cricket stadium and sports academy.
- Budget allocates Rs 110 crore for new engineering colleges in the state.
- Three new medical colleges are under-construction in the state.
- Finance minister announced that solar street light will be installed in village roads under the second phase of “Saat Nischay” scheme for which Rs 150 crore has been allocated in 2021-22. All villages to have solar street lights.
- Call centres to be established to ensure door-step treatment for animals. Mobile apps will also be launched to ensure the same.
- Rs 250 crores allocated to build links roads in rural areas.
- Budget allocates Rs 90 crore for old-age homes.
- Govt to give Rs 25,000 to unmarried women on passing intermediate exams and Rs 50,000 after they have completed their bachelor’s exam.
- Govt has approved 1,15, 116 applications for students credit card scheme.
- Budget allocates Rs 500 crore animal husbandry and fish farming.
- All 38 districts declared ODF (Open Defecation Free).
