KKN Gurugram Desk |  In a critical address during a press conference on Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar. Yadav accused the government of rampant corruption, fiscal mismanagement, and inefficiency in handling public funds, which he claimed were directly affecting the common people of the state. His statements were centered around the increasing debt burden, the growing corruption, and the lack of transparency in the government’s fiscal policies.

Tejashwi Yadav’s Criticism of Fiscal Management and Budget Allocation

One of the key points raised by Tejashwi Yadav during the press conference was the increased budget for 2025-26. According to Yadav, the state budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 stands at an alarming figure of ₹3.17 lakh crore, marking a rise of ₹38,000 crore from the previous year, 2024-25. He questioned the necessity and reasoning behind such an increase in the budget and expressed concerns over how these funds were being allocated.

“Where is all the extra money going? The increase in the budget has been used to cover up the growing mismanagement of public funds and corruption within the state government. These funds should have been used for developmental projects, but they seem to be diverted elsewhere,” Yadav stated.

The RJD leader further highlighted that a significant portion of this budget allocation was being used for interest payments. He estimated that nearly ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 crore of the total budget was being spent solely on paying the interest on Bihar’s massive debt.

Rising Debt and Fiscal Concerns

Tejashwi Yadav pointed out that the state of Bihar was currently burdened with a staggering ₹4.06 lakh crore debt. He raised a key question regarding the central government’s role in providing assistance to the state, especially in managing this debt. “What role is the central government playing in alleviating the state’s financial woes? We have seen no significant help from the central government, and yet, Bihar’s government continues to mismanage public funds without accountability,” he remarked.

The rising debt crisis and the interest burden were major concerns highlighted by Yadav, who emphasized that the Bihar government was increasingly relying on borrowed funds to cover up its financial shortcomings.

Government’s Mismanagement of Public Funds and Global Tenders

Another strong criticism directed at the Nitish Kumar government was regarding the state’s procurement and contracting practices. Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the Bihar government was resorting to global tenders to collect money from contractors, while leaving local contractors out of the bidding process. He pointed out that this practice was leading to financial exploitation of local contractors who were being sidelined in favor of large multinational companies and external players.

“Bihar’s local contractors are not being given any tenders. Instead, the government is using global tenders to extract money from them. This is a direct attack on local businesses and an example of how the government is mishandling the state’s resources,” Yadav said, adding that the entire process seemed designed to benefit only a select few while sidelining the interests of the local population.

The Burden of Interest Payments and Debt

Tejashwi Yadav also questioned the government’s priorities in terms of how the budget was being utilized. He suggested that instead of focusing on improving the state’s infrastructure or addressing the needs of the public, a significant chunk of the funds was being diverted towards servicing the state’s debt. He claimed that the government’s total spending on interest payments was a drain on the state’s finances and was preventing any real growth or development in Bihar.

He also accused the government of using the rising debt burden as an excuse for its financial mismanagement, stating that Bihar was heading into a financial crisis due to its unsustainable fiscal policies.

Corruption at All Levels of Government

One of the most serious accusations made by Tejashwi Yadav was the pervasive corruption at all levels of the Bihar government. He mentioned how organised corruption was rampant in various departments, including police, revenue officers, and administrative officials like COs (Circle Officers) and BDOs (Block Development Officers). He also remarked that the public administration in Bihar was riddled with bribes, extortion, and favoritism, and that this was taking a heavy toll on the state’s development.

“Bihar has become a breeding ground for corruption. From police officers to BDOs, everyone is involved in corrupt practices. This has made it impossible for the common people to get any relief, as they are constantly subjected to bribery and corruption. This is not just departmental corruption, but an organised systemic issue,” Yadav claimed.

He further added that the people of Bihar were fed up with the rampant corruption and middlemen (dalals) that controlled much of the state’s administrative and governance processes. He expressed frustration that despite all the claims of progress by the Nitish Kumar government, nothing tangible was being done to curb corruption or address the issues of governance.

The Need for Transparent Governance and Accountability

Yadav’s address also focused on the need for a transparent and accountable government. He called for the Bihar government to provide a clear explanation of how the additional ₹38,000 crore in the state’s budget for 2025-26 would be utilized. He demanded clarification on whether the previous year’s funds had been allocated properly or if they were simply being recycled for new plans without proper implementation.

“Bihar’s finances are in shambles, and yet the government is not answering any of the tough questions. Where is the money going? How are new schemes being funded? If last year’s funds are being used again, then how will the state government fund the new programs?” Yadav questioned.

RJD’s Stand on Bihar’s Financial Management

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, has consistently criticized the Nitish Kumar government for its handling of the state’s financial matters. Yadav, a prominent opposition leader, has called for reforms in the state’s budget allocation, procurement policies, and governance practices. He emphasized that Bihar needs a government that is accountable, transparent, and committed to tackling corruption at all levels.

While Tejashwi Yadav acknowledged that the government needed to address the issue of Bihar’s rising debt, he also pointed out that without tackling corruption and making proper use of the state’s resources, the fiscal situation would continue to worsen. He said, “Until Bihar tackles the rampant corruption and mismanagement of funds, it will remain stuck in a cycle of debt and underdevelopment.”

Tejashwi Yadav’s press conference shed light on the growing financial mismanagement and corruption under the current Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. From unsustainable debt to corrupt practices in public administration, Yadav’s accusations paint a grim picture of the state’s financial health. As Bihar faces increasing challenges in terms of debt repayment, interest payments, and budget allocation, the RJD has called for urgent reforms and transparent governance.

Yadav’s bold questions about the state’s fiscal policies and accountability resonate with the growing frustrations of the people of Bihar, who seek better governance and fairer distribution of state resources. Whether the Nitish Kumar government can address these concerns effectively remains to be seen. However, with mounting pressure from the opposition, the path forward for Bihar’s economic recovery and governance reform will need to be carefully navigated.