The Union Budget 2021-22, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman on Monday, does not have much in store for the people of Jharkhand, barring the dedicated Eastern Freight Corridor that would pass from Gomoh and Eklavya Schools likely to come up in places that have a high tribal population, economists said on Monday.

While the budget promises road infrastructure development in four poll-bound states – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam _ economists who have been studying the trends in Jharkhand fear that it would encourage migration from states like Jharkhand and Bihar, which have a high number of labourers.

“Our labourers have expertise in building roads. So, it is obvious that they will migrate to the poll-bound states to work in construction of roads there. This budget is encouraging migration instead of creating equal job opportunities in all the states,” said eminent economist, social activist and critic Ramesh Sharan, former HOD of economics department in Ranchi University.

Sharan said that the Centre has decentralized development work by focusing only on the poll-bound states and neglecting states like Jharkhand. “There is nothing specific for a state like Jharkhand barring a few general decisions which may improve the health and education sectors in the state,” he added.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticised the Centre for focusing only on privatization of public enterprises and agencies in the budget. He also mocked Centre’s Atmanirbhar Bharat slogan, claiming that the current situation reflects the idea of “atma-becho Bharat”.

“From banks to ports and airports to railways, the Union government is hell bent on privatising everything. There is nothing for the poor in this budget, and no efforts have been made to revive the ailing enterprises and sectors,” said Hemant.

Sitaraman, during her budget speech, said that the government would construct at least 750 Eklavya Vidyalayas in tribal-dominated areas, and Jharkhand is likely to benefit from it due to its high tribal population, say experts. The finance minister also announced the opening of 100 Sainik Schools in Private Public Partnership mode across the country, and Jharkhand may get one of these schools.

As per government data, Jharkhand already has 23 Eklavya schools and is likely to get 69 more schools. If the government’s plans are materialized, then Jharkhand will have as many as 92 Eklavya schools, especially in tribal dominated areas, by 2022.

However, the much talked about Metro Light and Metro Neo schemes for providing metro rail facilities to the residents of tier 2 cities in India are unlikely to benefit Jharkhand. Ranchi is the only tier 2 city in Jharkhand, and research conducted earlier showed that the soil here was not fit for setting up a metro rail network.

Economist Harishwar Dayal, the Director In-Chief, Centre for Fiscal Studies, however, said that the Centre’s focus on improving health infrastructure will benefit Jharkhand, which is in need of better health facilities in the rural areas.

“The budget promises investment of Rs.2.2 lakh crore in health. Jharkhand, along with other states, will benefit from it. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will also benefit Jharkhand along with other eastern states,” said Dayal.