New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- After Bihar took center stage in the Union Budget on Saturday, Union Minister Nityanand Rai hailed the establishment of the Makhana Board as a significant announcement and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"This budget is for the welfare of poor, farmers and to help the middle class... This budget is such that it will generate employment opportunities. The announcement of the Makahna Board was special, and also for the projects that were announced for the region of Koshi River. I thank PM Modi and the union finance minister on behalf of the people of Bihar," he said.

BJP Bihar MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy described the overall budget as balanced, non-inflationary, a...