Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
My greetings to all brothers and sisters from this land of Angraj Danveer Karna, the site of penance of Maharshi Mehi, the land of Lord Vasupujya, where the world-renowned Vikramshila Mahavihara is situated, and the sacred land of Baba Budhanath!
Present on the stage is the Honourable Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan Ji, alongside our beloved Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar Ji, who is widely admired for his dedication to Bihar’s development. Also present are my esteemed Cabinet colleagues —Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ji, Jitan Ram Manjhi Ji, Lallan Singh Ji, Giriraj Singh Ji, Chirag Paswan Ji—along with the Minister of State, Shri Ramnath Thakur Ji, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary Ji, Vijay Sinha Ji, other Ministers of the State, public representatives, distinguished dignitaries, and my dear brothers and sisters of Bihar.
Today, numerous Chief Ministers, Ministers, and crores of farmers from across the country have joined us for this programme. I extend my respectful salutations to all of them as well.
Friends,
It is an immense privilege to visit this sacred land of Mandranchal during the auspicious Maha Kumbh. This land is a confluence of faith, heritage, and the promise of a Viksit Bharat (developed India). It is the land of the valiant martyr Tilka Manjhi and is also known as the Silk City. These days, preparations for Mahashivratri are in full swing in this sacred land of Baba Ajgaibinath. It is during such an auspicious time that I have the honour of transferring yet another installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to crores of farmers across the country. With just one click, approximately Rs 22,000 crore has been deposited directly into the accounts of farmers nationwide. As I pressed the button, I could see live visuals from various states, and even here, my eyes caught sight of people eagerly checking their mobile phones to confirm the transfer. The immediate sparkle in their eyes spoke volumes of their relief and joy.
Friends,
In today’s installment of the Kisan Samman Nidhi, over 75 lakh farmer families of Bihar have been included. Nearly Rs 1,600 crore has been directly credited to the accounts of Bihar’s farmers today. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the farming families of Bihar and the entire nation.
Friends,
I have stated from the ramparts of the Red Fort that a Viksit Bharat stands on four strong pillars—the poor, our farmers, our youth, and the women of our nation. Whether it is the NDA government at the Centre or the government led by Nitish Ji here in Bihar, farmer welfare remains our utmost priority. Over the past decade, we have worked relentlessly to resolve every challenge faced by our farmers. They require high-quality seeds, affordable and sufficient fertilisers, proper irrigation facilities, protection for their livestock from diseases, and safeguards against losses due to natural calamities. Previously, farmers were beset by crises in all these areas. Those who consume fodder meant for animals can never bring about change. However, the NDA government has transformed this situation. In recent years, we have introduced hundreds of modern seed varieties for farmers. There was a time when farmers had to face lathicharge over urea shortages, and black marketing of urea was rampant. Today, the situation has changed—farmers have access to adequate fertilisers. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, we ensured there was no fertiliser shortage for our farmers. Imagine the scenario if there was no NDA government.
Friends,
Without the NDA government, our farmers would still be subjected to police's lathi-charges for fertilisers. The Barauni fertiliser factory would still be non-operational. In many countries, a sack of fertiliser costs Rs 3,000, whereas we provide it to our farmers for less than Rs 300. Without the NDA government, farmers would have been forced to pay Rs 3,000 per sack of urea. Our government prioritizes farmers and works for their welfare, which is why the financial burden of urea and DAP has been taken on by the central government. Over the past decade, approximately Rs 12 lakh crore—an amount that would have otherwise been spent from farmers’ pockets on fertilisers—has been provided through the Union budget. This means that Rs 12 lakh crore has been directly saved in the hands of crores of farmers across the country.
Friends,
Without the NDA government, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme would not have existed. This scheme has been in operation for nearly six years, and so far, approximately Rs 3.7 lakh crore has been directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts. There are no middlemen, no commission cuts—every rupee sent from Delhi reaches farmers in full. Small farmers, who were previously deprived of the benefits of government schemes due to intermediaries siphoning off their share, are now directly receiving their dues. But this is Modi’s government, this is Nitish Ji’s government—we will not allow anyone to take away the rights of farmers. When Congress and the Jungle Raj regime were in power, they allocated only a fraction of what we have transferred directly into farmers' accounts. A corrupt government could never achieve this. Only a government genuinely dedicated to farmers’ welfare can accomplish such a feat.
Friends,
Whether it is Congress or the Jungle Raj regime, farmers' hardships have never been a concern for them. In the past, whenever floods, droughts, or hailstorms struck, they abandoned farmers to their fate. But when you placed your trust in the NDA in 2014, I made it clear—this neglect will not continue. The NDA government introduced the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, under which nearly Rs 2 lakh crore has been paid to farmers as compensation for losses caused by natural calamities.
Friends,
The NDA government is actively promoting animal husbandry to enhance the income of landless and small-scale farmers. This sector is also playing a crucial role in transforming our sisters in villages into ‘Lakhpati Didis’. So far, approximately 1.25 crore women across the country have achieved this milestone, including thousands of Jeevika Didis from Bihar. Over the past decade, Bharat's milk production has seen a remarkable rise—from 14 crore tonnes to 24 crore tonnes. In just ten years, milk production has surged, reinforcing Bharat's position as the world's largest producer of milk. Bihar has made a significant contribution to this achievement. Today, Bihar’s cooperative milk unions procure 30 lakh litres of milk daily. As a result, over Rs 3,000 crore is being directly transferred to the accounts of Bihar’s livestock farmers, particularly our mothers and sisters, every year.
Friends,
I am pleased that Rajiv Ranjan Ji ( Lallan Singh Ji) is efficiently spearheading efforts to strengthen the dairy sector. Thanks to his dedication, two major projects are rapidly nearing completion in Bihar. The first is the Centre of Excellence in Motihari, which will support the development of the best indigenous cow breeds. The second is the milk processing plant in Barauni, which will benefit three lakh farmers in the region and create employment opportunities for the youth.
Friends,
Our boatmen and fishermen were long neglected by previous governments, receiving no support or benefits. For the first time, we have extended the Kisan Credit Card facility to fish farmers. As a result of such initiatives, Bihar has made remarkable progress in fish production. As the Chief Minister rightly pointed out, Bihar once relied on importing fish, but today, it has become self-sufficient. I vividly recall my visit in 2013 during the election campaign when I expressed my surprise—how could a state with such abundant water resources be dependent on fish imports? Today, I am proud to see that Bihar’s fish demand is being met from within the state itself. A decade ago, Bihar was ranked among the top ten fish-producing states in Bharat. Today, it has secured a place among the top five. Our focused approach to the fisheries sector has significantly benefited small farmers and fishermen. Bhagalpur, known for the dolphins of the Ganga, has also witnessed great success under the Namami Gange initiative.
Friends,
In recent years, the government's efforts have led to a significant rise in Bharat's agricultural exports. This has ensured better prices for farmers’ produce. Several agricultural products are now being exported for the first time, and among them is Bihar’s Makhana. Makhana has become an essential part of breakfast in urban households across the country. Personally, I consume Makhana for at least 300 days a year. It is a superfood that must now be introduced to global markets. To support Makhana farmers, this year’s budget includes the establishment of a Makhana Board. This board will assist Bihar’s farmers in every aspect—production, processing, value addition, and marketing—ensuring that Makhana reaches its full potential on the world stage.
Friends,
The budget has brought another major announcement for the farmers and youth of Bihar. Bihar is set to become a key hub for the food processing industry in eastern India. A National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship will be established in the state. Additionally, three new Centres of Excellence in agriculture will be set up across Bihar. One of these centres will be located in Bhagalpur and will focus on the renowned Jardalu variety of mango. The other two centres will be established in Munger and Buxar to support tomato, onion, and potato farmers. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to making decisions that serve the best interests of farmers.
Friends,
Bharat is rapidly emerging as a major exporter of textiles. Several initiatives are being undertaken to strengthen the textile industry nationwide. There is a saying in Bhagalpur that even the trees here spit gold—a testament to the region’s rich tradition in silk production. Bhagalpuri silk and Tussar silk are renowned across Bharat, and their demand is steadily rising in global markets. To further boost the silk industry, the central government is focusing on developing fabric and yarn dyeing units, fabric printing units, and fabric processing facilities. These initiatives will provide modern infrastructure for Bhagalpur’s weavers, ensuring that their products reach every corner of the world.
Friends,
The NDA government is also addressing one of Bihar’s longstanding challenges—the shortage of bridges over its many rivers. The lack of sufficient bridges has long created difficulties for transportation and connectivity. To resolve this, we are rapidly building multiple bridges across Bihar. One such major project is the construction of a four-lane bridge over the Ganga, which is progressing at an accelerated pace with an investment of over Rs 1,100 crore.
Friends,
Floods have always posed a severe challenge in Bihar, causing extensive damage year after year. To mitigate this, our government has approved projects worth thousands of crores of rupees. This year’s budget includes special assistance for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project. Once completed, this project will bring 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithila region under irrigation, benefiting lakhs of farming families and significantly improving agricultural productivity.
Friends,
The NDA government is working on multiple fronts to enhance farmers' incomes. It is implementing successive initiatives to boost agricultural production, achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, expand food processing industries, and ensure that Indian farmers’ products reach global markets. My vision is for every kitchen in the world to have at least one product cultivated by Indian farmers. This year’s budget takes this vision forward with the announcement of the ambitious PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana. Under this scheme, 100 districts across the country with the lowest crop production will be identified, and a special campaign will be launched to promote agriculture in these regions. Additionally, targeted efforts will be made to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, encouraging farmers to grow more while increasing MSP procurement for pulses.
Friends,
Today is a significant day for another reason. Our government had set an ambitious target of establishing 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across the country. I am pleased to announce that we have successfully achieved this goal. Bihar has the honour of hosting the 10,000th FPO, registered in Khagaria district, which will focus on maize, banana, and paddy cultivation. An FPO is not merely an organisation; it is a transformative force that enhances farmers' incomes by granting them direct access to larger markets. Through FPOs, our farmer brothers and sisters now have access to opportunities that were previously beyond their reach. Currently, around 30 lakh farmers in the country are associated with FPOs, with 40% of them being women. These organisations are now conducting agricultural business worth thousands of crores of rupees. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all members of the 10,000 FPOs.
Friends,
The NDA government is equally committed to Bihar’s industrial development. A massive power plant is being set up in Bhagalpur by the Bihar government, and it will receive an uninterrupted coal supply. To facilitate this, the central government has approved coal linkage. I am confident that the electricity generated here will drive Bihar’s growth and create new employment opportunities for its youth.
Friends,
A Developed India will emerge through Purvodaya, and Bihar stands as the most significant pillar of Eastern India. Bihar is not just a state; it is a symbol of Bharat’s rich cultural heritage. However, the prolonged misrule of Congress-RJD left Bihar in ruins and tarnished its reputation. But now, Bihar is reclaiming its rightful place in a Developed India, just as Pataliputra held prominence in ancient prosperous Bharat. We are all working tirelessly together to achieve this vision.
The NDA government is fully committed to modernising connectivity in Bihar, expanding its road network, and implementing public welfare schemes. A new highway from Munger to Mirza Chowki via Bhagalpur is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore. Additionally, the widening of the four-lane road from Bhagalpur to Anshdiha is set to commence soon. The Government of India has also sanctioned the construction of a new railway line and rail bridge from Vikramshila to Kataria.
Friends,
Bhagalpur holds immense historical and cultural significance. During the era of Vikramshila University, it was a global centre of learning. We have already embarked on a mission to revive the ancient glory of Nalanda University, aligning it with modern Bharat. Now, following in Nalanda’s footsteps, a Central University is also being established in Vikramshila. The Central Government will soon initiate work on this ambitious project. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nitish Ji, Vijay Ji, Samrat Ji, and the entire Bihar Government team for their dedicated efforts in fulfilling this vision.
Friends,
The NDA government is committed to preserving Bharat's glorious heritage while building a brighter future. However, the Jungle Raj faction harbours deep resentment towards our heritage and faith. At this very moment, the Ekta Ka Maha Kumbh is taking place in Prayagraj—the largest celebration of Bharat’s faith, unity, and harmony. More people than the entire population of Europe have already participated in this grand event by taking a holy dip. Devotees from every village in Bihar are also journeying to this sacred occasion.
Yet, the Jungle Raj leaders are shamelessly disrespecting the Maha Kumbh, hurling insults at this revered festival. These are the same people who were enraged by the construction of the Ram Temple, and now they are leaving no stone unturned to vilify the Maha Kumbh. But I am certain that Bihar will never forgive those who dishonour this sacred tradition.
Friends,
We remain steadfast in our commitment to propelling Bihar towards a new era of prosperity. Once again, I extend my congratulations to the farmers of the nation and the people of Bihar.
Now, say it with me—
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Thank you very much!
