I am Saurabh Sharma. A common Bihari boy of 30 years. Papa is a retired teacher. Pension comes, I do a private job. But the salary is enough to keep the house running.
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After the elections, everyone’s expectations were tied to the budget. New government, new budget, maybe some changes will come. Employment comes, factories are set up, jobs are provided, housing conditions improve.
Sat in front of the TV on Tuesday. Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav was presenting the budget. Kept wondering – will there be any new announcement? But the budget speech ended in just 12 minutes.
No enthusiasm, no mention of any new scheme that would touch the heart. Total budget of Rs 3.47 lakh crore. Just Rs 30 thousand crore more than last year.
60% of the budget i.e. about Rs 1.56 lakh crore will go only on salary, pension and interest. All development, all plans, all expectations have to be included in the remaining Rs 1.52 lakh crore. I felt sad after hearing this. Wondered, is this the roadmap to ‘Suppann Bihar, Samriddh Bihar’?
I kept staring, my hopes fading. The family members were asking – ‘What did you find?’ I just kept thinking silently – did you really find something?
Now know in 11 points through Bhaskar Expert, what did Sharma ji’s family get?
Bhaskar Expert
Sudhanshu Kumar- Associate Professor, Bihar Institute of Public Finance and Policy
Shantanu Kumar- Assistant Professor, Economics, Patna University
Aviral Pandey- Assistant Professor, Economics, Patna University
Priyanka- gender expert
Question-1: Saurabh Sharma is a working person, what did he get from the budget?
answer- No special provisions have been made in the budget for employed people. Neither will Sharma ji’s petrol cost reduce, nor will kitchen items become cheaper.
No arrangement has been made for Saurabh to improve his skills. Neither training program nor option for new jobs.
No effort has been made to improve the traffic for daily commute to office. There is no provision for regularization of contract and outsourced employees.
Question-2: Saurabh’s brother is unemployed. What’s in the budget for that?
Answer: If Saurabh’s brother wants to do employment, there is some scope for him. The government has set a target of 1 crore jobs in the budget, but it is not clear.
It has been announced to develop Phase-2 of IMC in Gayaji under Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor. Establishment of Multi Model Logistics Park and Fintech City has been announced near Fatuha, Patna.
This year the government has announced to develop a pharmaceutical park in Amanour, Saran. If these announcements are implemented on the ground, there will be employment security and new employment opportunities in Bihar.
Question-3: Sharma ji’s grandfather is a farmer, what did he get in the budget?
answer- A provision has been made to give Rs 3,000 in salary to Sharma ji’s grandfather. Till now the Central Government gives 6 thousand rupees annually under Kisan Samman Nidhi.
On the lines of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi, Bihar government has announced to give Jannayak Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi. Under this, Saurabh’s grandfather will get Rs 3,000 more every year. Meaning, now farmers will be given 9 thousand rupees annually.
Also, a Mechanized Agriculture Mission with AI will be formed so that Sharma ji’s grandfather can use modern technology in agriculture. Bihar Agriculture Acceleration Mission will be formed to improve the state in the field of development of rural agricultural markets. Vegetable outlets are also being established in 200 blocks.
Question-4: Saurabh’s mother is a housewife, what did she get in this budget?
answer- In this budget, an attempt has been made to make housewives financially self-reliant.
The government has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for them to start their own small business (like tailoring, food processing, or handicrafts) under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana’.
To enable them to get markets for selling their products, markets will be developed from villages to cities. The facility of ‘pink toilets’ will be provided for them in the markets.
Question-5: Saurabh’s younger sister studies in college, what did she get in the budget?
Answer- The government has opened its coffers for the career of Saurabh’s younger sister. The government will build a new education city. However, no special provision has been made for its safety.
A model school and degree college will be established in every block. Will upgrade old institutions into centers of excellence. Not only this, an off campus of National Forensic Science University will also be established in the state. Cyber security center will be established. 3 Artificial Intelligence Centers of Excellence will be established.
Digital library center will be established in 243 assembly constituencies. With this, Saurabh’s sister will not only not have to go out of Bihar for studies, but she will also be able to do those courses for free, which were not taught in Bihar till now.
Question-6: Saurabh’s son studies in 5th class, what did he get?
answer- Saurabh’s son will now get the facility of world class education in Bihar itself. ICT Lab, Smart Class, Drone Training Center and Language Lab will open in 836 PM Shri Vidyalayas in Bihar.
85 schools will be developed as model schools. The biggest thing is that now every student till class 8th will not only get free education, but the government will also provide free books and diaries.
Question-7: If Saurabh wants to build a house or buy land, has any change been made?
answer- Not much has been changed in the budget regarding land or material for building a house. The old rules and rates will remain applicable in future also. Yes, if Saurabh gets the registration done in the name of his wife or mother, he can get the benefit of special exemption in stamp duty.
Question-8: Saurabh wants to buy a car, has any announcement been made in the budget?
answer- Yes, the government has made different announcements in the transport section. If Saurabh wants to buy an e-vehicle then this could be the best time for him.
The government is promoting e-vehicles. More than 500 green bus stops will be started across the state. More than 2000 public charging stations will be built.
CNG stations covering all blocks and gram panchayats will be opened. Charging infrastructure will be prepared for HMV.
Question-9: Sharma ji’s brother-in-law wants to set up an industry, has any provision been made for this?
answer- If Saurabh’s brother-in-law wants to start his own industry, then this time is absolutely suitable for him. Many new provisions have been made by the government in the budget to start the industry. The government will constitute Bihar Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Commission.
Phase-2 of IMC in Gayaji will be developed under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor. Multi Model Logistics Park and Fintech City will be established near Fatuha, Patna. Pharmaceutical park will be developed in Amnaur of Saran.
Question-10: Sharma ji’s friend wants to start a new startup, has any provision been made for him?
answer- No separate provision has been made for startups in the budget. Under Bihar Policy, arrangements have been made for interest free loans and ‘seed funds’ for new businesses. Also, special relaxation has been given for cluster based industries.
Question-11: Sharma ji’s son is interested in sports. Has anything been announced for that?
answer- If Sharma ji’s son wants to make a career in sports, he will be disappointed in the budget. The government has not brought any policy regarding sports in the budget. Just an announcement has been made that sports clubs will be formed in all the 154 Nagar Panchayats of the state.