Budget has too little for Bihar: Experts

PATNA: The general budget 2013-14 tabled by Union finance minister P Chidambaram in Parliament on Thursday has too little for Bihar, felt experts here.
At a symposium organized at the Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (Bduring budget presentation, experts from trade, industry, health and other sectors chorused that while the overall budget was quite balanced, it had "nothing" for Bihar."Apart from mentioning high rice production in the state and support for development of Nalanda University, the Union budget has little for the state. It is an injustice to Bihar as Centre's help is required for the development of the state," said P K Agrawal, president, BCCI. On the issue of fresh taxation proposals, he added, "Any tax is a burden on people, but since the finance minister said that the country needs money right now, people might be ready to pay."
Industrialists said Bihar has been neglected in the budget. "Chidambaram had earlier said the basis for grant of special status to a state might be revised, but nothing was said about it. … Without help from the Centre, the state's overall development is not possible," said O P Shah, ex-president, BCCI.
Even while the telecast of Union budget's presentation was on, professionals could be seen cheering and sighing at different announcements at the office of BCCI. "The budget leaves much to be desired in the health sector," said Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh, director, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna. Terming it a disappointing budget, he said, "Overall, healthcare is very expensive and the budget has no provisions for reducing the cost of drugs or medical equipments. Only 14% tobacco consumers use cigarettes or cigars that have been made dearer and thus it would not help in reducing tobacco consumption."
Even women didn't seem much enthused by Chidambaram's budget. While announcement of a special women's bank and allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for safety, security and development of women was hailed by many, others said the announcements made were very general and not specific. "Laws relating to safety of women could not be implemented due to scarcity of funds and Rs 1,000 crore is still inadequate in national context. And, how many women will be able to reach the special bank is also a big question?" said Sharad Kumari, general secretary, Bihar Mahila Sangh.
Bihar Industries Association (BIA) president K P S Keshri hailed two decisions that, he said, would benefit the industries sector. "Small scale industries graduating to large ones will be given benefit for three years. This will boost the sector. Also, 15% investment allowance is a welcome move," he said, calling it an otherwise "average budget". No time frame was mentioned for revisiting the norms for the grant of special status category to states, he said.
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