After Bihar’s government unveiled a Rs 3.47 lakh crore budget, Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, criticized the government. She accused the government of leaving a significant portion of the budget unspent annually and engaging in statistical manipulation. Acharya emphasized the need for the government to prioritize human development and public welfare over self-congratulation.
Highlighting the neglect of human development and well-being indicators in the budget, Acharya urged the Nitish government to shift its focus. She warned that without ensuring basic services as rights, reducing economic inequality, and addressing workforce migration, the government’s development claims would falter. Acharya noted Bihar’s status as one of the most backward states in terms of per capita income and highlighted a declining growth rate in recent years as per the Economic Survey.
Acharya criticized the government’s industrial policy, citing the relocation of around 250 factories from Bihar in the last decade as a sign of failure. She raised concerns about the budget implementation gap and the improper utilization of central funds. Acharya also pointed out the lack of financial transparency and accountability in expenditure, referencing a CAG report revealing mismanagement worth Rs 72,000 crore.
Alleging serious lapses in budgetary and economic management during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s tenure, Acharya called for honest implementation of budget provisions. She concluded that Bihar’s budget, in its current form, is merely a collection of empty promises and stressed the necessity for effective utilization of resources to revive the state’s economy.
