PATNA, March 3 -- Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the last budget of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government with 13.69% increase compared to the previous budget and a slew of initiatives and announcements on expected lines to reap the political benefits in the election year.

Presenting the Rs.316,895.02 crore Budget for 2015-26 -- up from Rs.278,725.72 crore in 2024-25 by Rs.38,169.30 crore -- Choudhary made a string of announcements with focus on women, farmers, youth and migrants in keeping with the priorities of the 7-Resolves programme of Nitish Kumar.

Of this total, scheme expenditure is set at Rs.1,16,759.60 crore, which is 16.7% higher than last year. The establishment and comm...