Mixed Reactions Emerge from Magadh Business Community on Bihar's 2026-27 Budget
Business organizations across Bihar's Magadh region have presented sharply contrasting perspectives regarding the recently announced state budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. The divergent opinions highlight the complex economic landscape and varying sectoral expectations within the region.
Business Chamber Applauds Development-Oriented Approach
Kaushalendra Pratap and Bipendra Agrawal, serving as patron and president respectively of the Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, have enthusiastically welcomed the budget, describing it as development-oriented and forward-looking. The office-bearers characterized the financial plan as both big and bold, noting its significantly larger size compared to previous allocations.
According to their assessment, the budget demonstrates a pragmatic yet futuristic approach that addresses multiple facets of economic development. They emphasized that various segments of society, including women and youth, have received appropriate attention in the budgetary provisions.
The chamber representatives particularly highlighted the government's focus on infrastructure development, which they believe will function as both an accelerator and multiplier for Bihar's economic growth. They expressed confidence that these investments would stimulate broader economic activity across the region.
Hospitality Sector Voices Strong Disappointment
In stark contrast, Jai Singh, president of the Bodh Gaya-based Hotel Association, has expressed profound disappointment with the budgetary allocations. He characterized the budget as insipid and pedestrian, specifically criticizing what he perceives as neglect toward the hospitality industry's interests and requirements.
Singh argued that given Bihar's limited mineral resources and natural endowments, the hospitality sector possesses substantial potential to drive the state's economic engine. "Unfortunately, this important sector has been given short shrift in the budget," he lamented.
The hotel association president raised particular concerns about the state's prohibition policy, suggesting that without positive modifications, the hospitality sector cannot achieve meaningful growth. He proposed that even without completely reversing the policy, the government could have granted exemptions to select hotels and restaurants to serve liquor to tourists, especially foreign visitors.
Singh further contended that stringent prohibition rules have already contributed to declining tourist footfall in Bihar. He noted that many visitors now prefer to shorten their stays, adversely affecting businesses that depend on tourism for their livelihood. As evidence of this impact, he pointed to the gross underutilization of Bodh Gaya's state-of-the-art convention center, which he attributes directly to prohibition-related restrictions.
Medical Community and Academic Perspectives
Dr. Ram Sewak, former president of the Gaya chapter of the Indian Medical Association, offered a critical assessment, describing the budget as status quoist and lacking visionary elements. He characterized the document as essentially a bureaucratic exercise that fails to address the healthcare sector's pressing needs adequately.
The medical professional stressed the importance of attracting and retaining medical talent within Bihar to prevent residents from seeking treatment outside the state. He also raised concerns about the persistent challenge of quackery, alleging that successive governments have failed to implement effective measures to curb this practice.
Providing an academic perspective, Abdul Hannan, associate professor in the postgraduate department of economics at Magadh University, offered a more balanced view. He described the budget as realistic given the current circumstances, suggesting that Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav could not have performed better under existing constraints.
This spectrum of opinions from business leaders, industry representatives, medical professionals, and academics reflects the diverse expectations and priorities within Magadh's economic community as Bihar charts its financial course for the coming fiscal year.
