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Patna, Jan 21 (IANS) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced that the upcoming state budget for 2025-26 will prioritise the agriculture and IT sectors.

Speaking to media persons in Patna on Tuesday, Choudhary highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation in these critical areas to boost the state’s development.

He revealed that discussions regarding the budget have already taken place with ministers from various departments, government officials, industrialists, intellectuals, and residents of Patna.

“The state budget for 2025-26 will be prepared based on these discussions, giving priority to agriculture and IT sectors,” he stated.

Choudhary mentioned that industrialists have shared valuable insights and opinions, which will be incorporated into the budget framework.

He emphasised the need to align with the Central government’s innovative approach to budgeting.

“The Central government is also trying to do something new in its budget, and we will follow the same path. Especially in agriculture, industry, and IT sectors, the government will work to the maximum extent possible,” Choudhary said.

With this, the Bihar government wants to boost its economy, leveraging the potential of agriculture and IT to drive growth, generate employment, and attract investment in the state.

By incorporating feedback from diverse stakeholders, the government aims to create a more inclusive and development-oriented budget.

The budget session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly is set to commence soon, coinciding with the Union Budget session in the Lok Sabha, which begins on January 31.

Choudhary emphasised the significant development potential in the agriculture sector, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to transform it.

“Farmers should get good facilities so that their income can be doubled. Action plans have been prepared jointly to achieve this goal,” Choudhary said.

He underscored the importance of ensuring irrigation facilities and electricity, noting that substantial progress has already been made in these areas, but further efforts are needed to complete the work this year.

Regarding the industrial sector, consultations with stakeholders have been conducted to identify the requirements for boosting industries in Bihar.

–IANS

ajk/rad

Hazaribagh, June 2 (IANS) Armed militants of the banned outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) torched two vehicles belonging to BGR Mining Company and opened indiscriminate fire in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district on Sunday night, leaving a youth injured and triggering panic in the area, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place near Pagar-Pandu village in the Keredari police station limits. BGR Mining is involved in coal extraction work under the KD (Khalari-Dakra) project of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL).

The militants targeted the company’s vehicles parked at the site and fled after setting them ablaze.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, part of an armed squad, fired randomly before escaping into the nearby forests.

A youth caught in the gunfire sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. His condition is said to be stable.

Security forces recovered a pamphlet from the scene, purportedly issued by TSPC’s sub-zonal commander Kaushal.

In it, the group warned NTPC, CCL, L&T, and other contractor firms not to begin any operations without prior “permission” from the organisation. The pamphlet threatened more severe action if the warning is ignored.

The TSPC claimed in the note that it is working in the interest of local tribals and the general public. It accused the government of harassing innocent villagers under the pretext of anti-Maoist operations and described its own activities as a fight against exploitation.

Following the attack, police from the Pagar outpost, led by in-charge Vicky Thakur, reached the spot and launched a search operation.

Patrolling has been intensified in the region, and a probe is underway. Suspected individuals are being questioned.

The incident has sparked fear among workers associated with mining operations in Keredari and surrounding areas.

Similar incidents have been reported in recent weeks. In early May, Maoists torched six vehicles and two excavators at a mining site in Turisat village under Chandwa police station limits in Latehar district. Just a week ago, militants of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) set fire to two vehicles, including a road roller, involved in a road construction project in Khunti district’s Rania area.

–IANS

snc/skp

Chennai, Jan 24 (IANS) With barely two months left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the ruling DMK is yet to give final shape to its electoral alliance, triggering intense political speculation as the party keeps its cards close to the chest.

Once the Election Commission announces the poll schedule — expected by the end of next month — the nomination process will begin almost immediately.

Before that, parties are under pressure to finalise alliances, complete seat-sharing arrangements, and announce candidates.

This election is widely expected to witness a four-cornered contest.

On one side is the DMK-led alliance, while the Opposition AIADMK is leading another front. Actor-turned-politician, Kamal Haasan’s MNM has aligned with the DMK this time, strengthening the ruling party’s front.

Meanwhile, the BJP continues its alliance with the AIADMK, alongside parties such as the PMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, New Justice Party, Democratic Party of India, and Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi.

Adding to the complexity, Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi is contesting independently.

Despite having contested Assembly elections three times since 2006, the DMK — now preparing for its fourth consecutive contest — has not yet announced a final alliance formula.

Much of the delay revolves around negotiations with DMDK. Political circles suggest that the DMDK initially demanded 30 Assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat from both the DMK and AIADMK, along with substantial financial support for campaign expenses — claims that reportedly shocked both major Dravidian parties.

Both the DMK and AIADMK later took a firm stand, pointing out that the DMDK’s vote share, once around 10.5 per cent, has now dipped below 1 per cent, and that several senior leaders have exited the party.

“Under these circumstances, allocating a large number of seats is not feasible,” leaders from both camps are said to have conveyed.

Subsequently, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth appeared to scale down expectations, hinting at a double-digit figure before settling discussions around six to eight seats, with a Rajya Sabha berth to be negotiated later.

Addressing a party meeting in Cuddalore, she remarked that the alliance decision had been made but questioned the need for an announcement when even the major parties had not declared their final line-ups.

Political observers believe the DMK is deliberately delaying the announcement, possibly waiting to see if a break in the Congress-led arrangement could improve its bargaining position.

As the countdown to elections continues, this prolonged uncertainty is emerging as one of the most closely watched political developments in Tamil Nadu.

—IANS

aal/rad