Page 20 - Bihar

ED files charge sheet against advocates, others in Patna railway fraud case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Saturday said it has filed a charge sheet against some Bihar-based advocates and others in a money laundering case linked to alleged siphoning of funds of deceased persons whose claims were settled by the Railway Claims Tribunal in Patna. The federal probe agency said in a statement that it has also provisionally attached 24 immovable properties worth Rs 8.02 crore part of the probe. It, however, did not say who owned these attached properties. The charge sheet has been filed against advocates Bidyanand Singh, Parmanand Sinha, Vijay Kumar and Kumari Rinki Sinha apart from Archana Sinha, Nirmala Kumari and Harijag Business and Development Pvt Ltd. A special PMLA court in Patna took cognisance of the prosecution complaint (charge sheet) on Friday, it said. The charge sheet seeks confiscation of the attached assets and conviction of the accused, the ED said. Those listed in the charge sheet or their legal representatives could not be contacted for a .

Datanomics: Challenges galore as Bihar celebrates foundation day

Bihar's per capita income was one-tenth of Sikkim, which was the top state in 2023-24

Bihar Assembly sees war of words over Nitish 'insulting' national anthem

War of words between the ruling and opposition MLAs over Bihar Chief Nitish Kumar allegedly "insulting" the national anthem rocked the assembly on Friday. As the proceedings began, opposition members trooped into the Well with placards and raised slogans, demanding an "unconditional apology" from Kumar. Some members also demanded the resignation of the CM, alleging that he insulted the national anthem at an event on Thursday. Despite repeated requests from Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav that they could raise the issue during the Zero Hour, the protests went on. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary also intervened, stating that the government can give its reply on the issue but it should be raised as per the existing provisions. As the opposition MLAs refused to budge, the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm. At the inaugural ceremony of Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 at the Pataliputra Sports Complex on Thursday, the CM left cabinet colleagues and officials flummoxed w

Bihar makes fresh demand for special status before 16th Finance Commission

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Thursday made a fresh demand for special category status before the 16th Finance Commission, members of which are currently on a tour of the state. This was disclosed by Arvind Pangariya, the renowned economist who is also the chairman of the commission, while interacting with the media after receiving the state government's memorandum. "It was a lengthy presentation made in the presence of the chief minister, his deputies and other cabinet colleagues, besides top officials... prior to Bihar, we have covered 20 states. Our tours began in June last year, after the Election Commission lifted the Model Code of Conduct imposed during Lok Sabha polls," Pangariya said. "The demand for a special category status is part of the memorandum of the Bihar government... (but) this is not something that the Finance Commission has jurisdiction over," he said. "At the moment, no state has special category status. It used to be under the Planning Commission. .

Union minister's nephew killed over water dispute with brother in Bihar

A dispute over water from a tap turned fatal in Bhagalpur, leading to the death of one brother and critically injuring the other

Land-for-jobs case: Rabri Devi, Tej Pratap appear before ED; Lalu summoned

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned RJD president and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad for questioning in the land-for-jobs money laundering case on March 19, official sources said on Tuesday. Prasad, 76, has been asked to depose before the federal probe agency in Patna. Some of his family members have also been called for questioning in the same case. Their statements are to be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The sources, however, said that Prasad and his family members are not expected to appear before the agency. Last year, the ED filed a chargesheet in the case against Lalu Prasad's family members before a Delhi court, naming his wife Rabri Devi and their daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav as accused apart from some others.

Reserved seats for poor students to be filled up, says Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday told the state assembly that steps will be taken to fill up seats reserved for economically weaker sections in accordance with the Right to Education Act. The leader of the House rose to intervene during a heated exchange of words between the ruling and the opposition members over vacant reserved seats in private educational institutions in Patna. The assembly witnessed members of the RJD, the principal opposition party, entering the well of the House, shouting slogans against what they called "education mafia". The ruckus took place within minutes of the commencement of the day's proceedings, when RJD MLA Lalit Yadav raised the issue of reserved seats, in private educational institutions of Patna, remaining vacant. He also sought district-wise details of such vacant seats and a statement on what steps were being taken. Education Minister Sunil Kumar told the House that remedial steps were being taken by the government but he failed to

Congress launches 'palayan roko, naukri do padayatra' across Bihar

The Congress in Bihar on Sunday launched a state-wide 'pada-yatra' themed 'palayan roko naukri do', highlighting the endemic unemployment in the province which is blamed for migration of young population on a large scale. The pada-yatra commenced at the Bhitiharwa Ashram in West Champaran district, which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi a century ago, shortly after he led his first 'satyagraha' in the country, championing the cause of indigo plantation workers in north Bihar. Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh was presented with a national flag, as a symbolic gesture, on the occasion by party workers in the presence of a host of leaders like national in charge of the students' wing, NSUI, Kanhaiya Kumar. Others present on the occasion included NSUI president Varun Choudhary, Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and AICC in-charge for Bihar Krishna Allavaru. The pada-yatra is being seen, in political circles, as an attempt by the Congress to assert itself ahead of the ..

WATCH: Perform 'thumka' or face suspension, Tej Pratap warns cop on Holi

Maverick RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy on Saturday when a policeman was commanded by the former Bihar minister to perform a 'thumka' (pelvic thrust) or face suspension. The lurid drama unfolded at the official residence of Yadav, the elder son of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, during holi celebrations. In a style reminiscent of the 'kapda faad Holi' that his father used to organise, Yadav tore off clothes of supporters who poured in to greet him, and also drove a scooter on the streets adjoining his house, screaming "Happy Holi Paltu Chacha", a taunt obviously aimed at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has aligned with and dumped the RJD twice. One of the videos of his revelry that has gone viral on social media show the Hasanpur MLA regally seated on a sofa, placed on a make-shift stage, holding a mike. "Ae sipahi, ae Deepak, abhi ek gana bajaenge jis par tumko thumka lagana padega. Nahin lagaoge to tumko suspend

Police ASI dies after villagers attack him in Bihar's Munger, 4 arrested

An assistant sub-inspector died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in Bihar's Munger district, police said on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as ASI Santosh Kumar Singh, who was posted at Mufassil police station in Munger. In a similar episode on Wednesday night, an ASI died after a scuffle between police personnel and a group of people in Araria district. The latest incident took place in the Nandlalpur village under the jurisdiction of Mufassil police station on Friday evening. This happened when the ASI along, with other officers, had gone to Nandlalpur village to investigate a case of scuffle around 8.30 pm on Friday. He was attacked with a sharp weapon on his head by some people involved in the scuffle during the investigation. The ASI suffered severe injuries and was immediately taken to the nearest government hospital, and later shifted to Patna for better treatment, Chandan Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Mufassil police station, told ..

Severe groundwater contamination found in 30K rural wards in Bihar: Report

Bihar is grappling with severe groundwater contamination, with 30,207 rural wards exposed to "unsafe" drinking water that poses serious health risks, according to a new report. The report, which was recently tabled in the assembly as part of the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25), highlighted the presence of arsenic in groundwater in 4,709 such wards, fluoride in 3,789 wards and iron in 21,709 wards. "Around 26 per cent of the rural wards in 31 districts, out of a total of 38, have groundwater sources affected by arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination beyond permissible limits," the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) said in the study. The affected wards are located in Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Lakhisarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagara, Munger, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Banka, Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria and Kishanganj districts. We are aware of the fact... ..

When Zambia replicated Bihar's programme to give bicycles to school girls

The Zambian programme was launched in 2009, three years after the Bihar initiative to empower schoolgirls (2006) and with similar objectives

Bihar to constitute 'task force' to prevent, eradicate child marriages

The Bihar government has decided to constitute a state-level 'task force' headed by the chief secretary to monitor action taken by authorities to prevent and eradicate child marriages in the state. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, Bihar has the second-highest rate of child marriage in the country, following West Bengal. The report said 40.8 per cent of women in the state get married before turning 18. However, only 19 cases were registered under the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) between 2020 and 2024. "We are working on a focused intervention to curb child marriage in communities and geographical areas with a higher prevalence of the practice. The Bihar government has decided to constitute a state-level task force' to monitor the actions taken by authorities to prevent and eradicate child marriages in the state," chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena told PTI on Saturday. Police and other agencies have been instructed to effectively ..

IRCTC case: Lalu Prasad Yadav challenges validity of prosecution sanctions

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday questioned the validity of sanctions obtained by the CBI to prosecute him in a corruption case connected to alleged irregularities in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The former railway minister made the submission through his lawyer before special judge Vishal Gogne during the arguments on whether to frame charges against him in the case. The allegations include criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, which carry a maximum jail term of seven years. The judge, meanwhile, also granted exemption from personal appearance to Yadav, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and son and former deputy chief minister of the state, Tejashwi Yadav, for the day on application moved by them. "Separate applications seeking exemption from personal appearance have been moved on behalf of A1 (Yadav), A2 (Devi), A3 (Tejashwi Yadav)... Heard. In view of the averments made in the application, aforesaid accused persons

Bihar govt tables Rs 3.17 trn Budget, proposes women-centric schemes

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who holds the finance portfolio, tabled a Rs 3.17 trillion Budget in the Assembly

Bihar Budget: Tejashwi demands Rs 2,500 monthly cash aid for poor women

A day before the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is scheduled to present its last budget ahead of the assembly elections this year, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday demanded an increase in social security pensions and cash transfer of Rs 2,500 per month to poor women. Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, said he expected that the government would announce 200 units of free electricity for all consumers in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also holds the finance portfolio, will table the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the assembly on Monday. Talking to reporters Yadav alleged, "The NDA government at the Centre as well as in the state are least bothered about the welfare of the people of Bihar." He also claimed that the social security pensions have not been increased by the state government for the last 20 years. The leader of the opposition said, "The amount paid to people above 60 years, widows, and people with disabilities

Bihar to provide electricity to 285K farmers for agri activities by June

Around 2.85 lakh more farmers in Bihar are set to get electricity connections for agricultural activities by June this year, officials said. So far, 5.55 lakh farmers in the state have already received electricity connections through agricultural feeders, they said. By June 2025... around 2.85 lakh more farmers, who have already applied for agricultural electricity connections, will be provided connections, a statement issued by the state's Information and Public Public Relations Department (IPRD) said. Upon the direction of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the state's energy department is working to ensure the remaining farmers receive agricultural electricity connections at the earliest, it said. The CM has consistently emphasised the significance of renewable energy, referring to it as real energy'. As part of the Jal Jeevan Hariyali scheme launched in 2019, he has called for comprehensive efforts to expand solar energy adoption. The energy department has begun implementing measure

Women farmers in Bihar turn to solar pumps, overcoming patriarchy, woes

Indu Devi, a 35-year-old widow from Suryahi village, knows the weight of despair all too well. When her husband was hanged over a land dispute, she was left with little more than a small patch of land and debts. But then, she heard about the concept of using solar pumps in fields for business. Despite her initial fears of how would she, a woman with no technical knowledge, operate a pump? She took the leap of faith. Today, she earns a steady income by supplying water to neighbouring fields. "It's just a switch on and off. But it has given me a way to survive," she said. In this area, Indu's story is inspirational but not unique. A number of women, as part of self-help groups (SHGs), have invested in solar pumps on their land for irrigation, transforming their lives and livelihoods. For decades, irrigation has been a major challenge in Bihar. With erratic rainfall, extreme summers amid climate change and unreliable electricity, farmers have struggled to grow crops. Diesel pumps we

NDA govt burden on Bihar, should be scrapped like old vehicles: Tejashwi

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday mocked the BJP-led NDA government in Bihar, asserting that time has come to change the two-decade-old dispensation, much like 15-year-old vehicles are banned in the state for spreading pollution. Yadav also said that the state government has now become a burden on the people of Bihar. The 20-year-old NDA government in Bihar, headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has now turned into a rickety vehicle. There is a ban on vehicles that are more than 15 years old across Bihar as they emit too much smoke, increase pollution and are harmful to the public. Therefore, why should the 20-year-old rickety NDA government be allowed to operate in the state? This government has become a burden on the people of Bihar it must be changed, the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly said in a post on X. Yadav claimed that over the past 20 years, the Nitish Kumar-led government has spread the deadly pollution of poverty, unemployment, corruption, crime and ...

Bihar's economy has increased to Rs 8.54 trn in 2023-24: Dy CM Choudhary

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday said the size of the state's economy at current prices has increased 3.5 times, from Rs 2.47 lakh crore in 2011-12 to Rs 8.54 lakh crore in 2023-24. Choudhary who holds the Finance portfolio tabled the Bihar Economic Survey report for 2024-25 in the state assembly on the opening day of the budget session on Friday. "Bihar has witnessed significant economic growth over the last two decades, resulting in notable improvements in several socio-economic indicators. The size of Bihar's economy at current prices has increased 3.5 times, rising from Rs 2.47 lakh crore in 2011-12 to Rs 8.54 lakh crore in 2023-24", he said. "According to the latest available estimates, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Bihar for the year 2023-24 is estimated to be Rs 8,54,429 crore at current prices and Rs 4,64,540 crore at constant (2011-12) prices. In the fiscal year 2023-24, tax revenue amounted to Rs 1,61,965 crore, making it the most ...