Padma Bhushan Awarded to the Former Deputy CM of Bihar | 29 Apr 2025

Why in News?

Bihar’s former Deputy Chief Minister, Sushil Kumar Modi, was posthumously awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan for his exceptional contributions to public life. The honor was conferred by President Droupadi Murmu.

Sushil Kumar Modi was one of the ten distinguished personalities to receive the Padma Bhushan.

Key Points

Contributions of Sushil Kumar Modi

Fiscal Management and State Development: As Bihar’s longest-serving Deputy CM and Finance Minister, he played a crucial role in transforming Bihar into a revenue-surplus state.
- He was known for effective fiscal management and contributing to the state's development through improved governance.
Introduction of GST: He was instrumental in the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India.
- As the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers (2011-2013), he played a pivotal role in building consensus among states for the rollout of GST, which was a landmark reform in India's tax structure.
Political Career and Leadership: With over three decades in politics, he served in both Houses of Parliament and the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
- He also held leadership roles such as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice.
Gender Budget and Women’s Welfare: While serving as Bihar’s Finance Minister, Modi introduced the innovative concept of a gender budget, focusing on the welfare and empowerment of women, ensuring that their issues were addressed in the state’s financial planning.
Advocacy for Organ Donation: He was a strong advocate for organ donation and founded the ‘Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti’ campaign in Bihar, which promoted awareness about organ donation and encouraged people to donate their organs.

Padma Awards

Background:
- The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day (26th January).
- Instituted in 1954, it is one of the highest civilian honours of India.
Objective:
- To recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
Categories:
- The Awards are given in three categories:
  - Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service),
  - Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and
  - Padma Shri (distinguished service).
- Padma Vibhushan is highest in the hierarchy of Padma Awards followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Disciplines:
- The awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
Eligibility:
- All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards.
Selection Process:
- Padma Awards Committee:
  - The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
- Awarded by President:
  - The awards are presented by the President of India usually in March/April every year.