The so-called golden period of almost two and half decades of BJP-JD(U) rule has left the state bankrupt. The failure of the government to pay salaries to government employees and teachers on time and fulfill its social security responsibilities is being raised in different forums. Even the meagre amount of 1000 rupees for senior citizens is not being paid on time. The stories of large-scale corruption and loot of public money on the one hand and the responsibility of the government to provide basic needs of the common people, questions the reality of the high GDP growth.

Even the loan-based infrastructure development projects are facing a financial crunch. The contractors engaged in various road and bridge construction works are also raising their voice for their dues not being cleared.

In this background two mega corruption cases came to light which involved Rishu Ranjan Sinha and erstwhile BJP Health Minister Mangal Pandey. Ishu Ranjan Sinha was arrested on May 28, 2026 over a multi-crore tender and money-laundering scam. His connection with high-ranking bureaucrats got exposed. In another shocking exposure during Mangal Pandey's regime, the health department bought dustbins by paying more than 15,000 rupees per head where as one can buy a dustbin by paying 1000 to 1200 in the open market. Such cases of corruption are the tip of the iceberg.

 The real story of the state of the economy of Bihar has come to light in a meeting organised in Anugraha Narayan Singh Economic and Research Institute, Patna, in which the Comptroller and Auditor General and experts from the Indian Council of Social Science Research participated.

According to their findings Bihar is earning less and its expenditures are going up. The government has to spend every 5 rupees as loan to carry out its governmental responsibilities. They have arrived at this conclusion by going through the budget provisions and its management in the 2024-25 budget. Bihar will have to pay back 50% of the loan taken which comes to 1.57 lakh crores in the coming seven years. State revenues have gone down by 24.86%, according to the CAG report.

·    The State only accounts for 29.4% of total revenue.

·    The State remains dependent on the centre for 70% of the money transferred to it.

·    Bihar's contribution to tax is the lowest in the list of important states.

What the experts say about the state of economy of Bihar, is what 80% of the Bihar population are experiencing in their daily lives. Public schools, colleges, hospitals are in dire need of finances, teachers and infrastructure. The so-called piped water availability needs to be fixed. Bihar ranks as one of the states lowest in the social index, whether in health, education, sanitation, infrastructure or per capita income. It has failed to go forward.

·    The state has been opened for private schools, private hospitals to squeeze the poor.

·    The paradox of the situation is that the construction and land mafias with the support of the ruling parties are thriving, playing the flute while Bihar burns.

·    To overcome this crisis the Bihar government is burdening the common people with 1200 rupees holding tax on rural households per annum and a toll tax for using the state highways by private and commercial vehicles. The government is also contemplating to do away with the liquor ban.