India, Feb. 2 -- New Delhi The Union Budget on Saturday announced a slew of schemes for Bihar aimed at job creation and infrastructure development, months ahead of scheduled assembly elections.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman presented the budget draped in a Madhubani sari designed by Padma awardee Dulari Devi. She announced a number of airport projects, support for a canal extension, a makhana (foxnuts) board, expansion of IIT-Patna as well as food processing technology. The announcements totalled an outlay of over Rs.60,000 crore for various projects. In addition, the government's decision to develop sites related to the Buddha for tourism will also help Bihar, which houses several key holy Buddhist sites.

Bihar chief ministe...