Bihar Assembly Budget Session Begins Amid Opposition Protest and Governor’s Address

By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Budget Session of the Bihar legislature commenced on Monday (February 2) with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses. Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar said the session would comprise 19 sittings and appealed to members to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings while maintaining the dignity of the House.

However, the session opened on a stormy note as the Opposition targeted the Nitish Kumar government from day one. Ahead of the proceedings, Congress MLA Kamrul Hoda staged a protest outside the Assembly over the death of a NEET aspirant, holding placards and demanding that the issue be included in the Governor’s address.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar greeted people by waving before entering the House. The 18th Budget Session began with the national anthem. Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav attended the House in a wheelchair due to a foot injury. He said his toenail had been torn after he stumbled on January 25. “Such things happen. I am fine now. We often get injured,” Yadav remarked.

Photographs also emerged of a brief, cordial exchange between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav during the proceedings, with both leaders seen smiling.

On the first day of the session, the Governor’s address and the presentation of the Economic Survey took place. Addressing the joint sitting, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan listed the achievements of the Bihar government, describing the Assembly as a “sacred temple of democracy” where matters of public interest are debated in depth. He urged members to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House and called for healthy, restrained and outcome-oriented debates.

The Governor said that since the formation of the new government, significant progress had been made in health and education. A large number of roads and bridges have been constructed, with the target of reducing travel time from Patna to remote areas to five hours. He said the government had given special emphasis to women’s empowerment, providing 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, urban local bodies and government jobs.

He noted that the number of self-help groups in the state had risen to nearly 11 lakh, reflecting the government’s sustained focus on marginalised sections and their inclusion in the mainstream. Under livelihood initiatives, women are provided ₹10,000 initially, followed by assistance of up to ₹2 lakh. The social security pension amount has been increased, benefiting around 1.24 crore people.

Bihar Assembly Budget session in progress

The Governor further said that since 2006, cemeteries have been fenced, contributing to peace and communal harmony. Fencing work is also being undertaken at Hindu temples over 60 years old. A large number of new schools have been opened, with higher secondary schools established in every panchayat. Through local bodies, 3.68 lakh teachers have been recruited, with 73,000 positions still to be filled.

He said primary health centres receive an average of 11,600 patients, while 12 government medical colleges and hospitals are currently functioning. New medical colleges are being constructed in 27 districts. The number of women associated with self-help groups under the Jeevika programme has grown significantly, with around 1.40 crore women now linked to these groups.

Stressing inclusive governance, the Governor said the government had worked for all sections of society, irrespective of religion. Bihar has become self-reliant in fish production, and maintaining the rule of law remains the top priority. Police strength has been increased to 1.31 lakh personnel, and the number of police stations has risen to 1,380 to strengthen law and order. He also referred to the “Saat Nishchay–III” scheme.

After the Governor’s address, slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” were raised, following which the House was adjourned till the next day.

Earlier, District Magistrate Tyagarajan SM said adequate magistrates and police officers had been deployed for security, and all prescribed protocols would be strictly enforced from the gates to White Lane.

RJD MLA Bhai Virendra said the Opposition would strongly oppose every “wrong policy” of the government during the session. Referring to the NEET aspirant’s death, he alleged that the government was confused and claimed the involvement of families linked to senior NDA leaders. “The government is in the dock. We will raise issues of public interest. The Governor merely reads what the government drafts, and even the Union Budget was a stale one,” he said.