Trade, commerce and bodies inBihargave a mixed response to Rs1,643.74 croreBudgetallocations for industries and investments for fiscal 2022-23.
Bihar Chamberof Commerce and Industries (BCCI) chairman PK Agarwal said it should have been more industries. He said in the pre-budget meeting, a demand was made to increase the budget allocation for the state industries sector, so that their claims could be settled. He said there was a need to form an industrial development fund and create a land bank. Agarwal, however, said the positive thing in the Budget was setting up 151 ethanol factories, which will boost Economic Development and generate EMPLOYMENT. Solar street lights in all villages, creation of portal for monitoring schemes and a mega Skill development centre in every district is a welcome step. The decision to set up tool rooms in every division is also encouraging, Agarwal said.
Bihar Industries Association (BIA) secretary general Ashish Rohatgi told TOI that the industries budget was not as per the expectations of the trade bodies. An amount of Rs 1,643 crore is lesser as per our estimation of the subsidies which has already been announced and pending with the government. We expected around Rs3,000-4,000 crore for the industries. But the positive side is the increase in the total Budget size even in pandemic times, he said.