Page 8 - Bihar

Jan Suraaj Party to unveil first list of Bihar poll candidates on October 9

The Jan Suraaj Party, founded by former political strategist Prashant Kishor, on Friday said it will come up with its "first list of candidates" for the Bihar assembly polls on October 9. "The first list of Jan Suraaj candidates will be released on October 9," the party said in a post on X. Dates for the assembly polls are likely to be announced by the Election Commission soon. Kishor has maintained that he was building a "new political alternative" for Bihar, which has been let down by the established parties. Besides promising adequate number of tickets to women, Muslims and the extremely backward classes (EBC), Kumar has also said he could enter the fray himself "if the party takes the decision". The 47-year-old former political strategist has also identified Raghopur, the seat of the Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, and Kargahar, his own place of birth, as two constituencies he might like to contest.

Bihar to develop 3 road projects on Ganga river stretch for ₹17,000 crore

Bihar will soon start developing three road projects along the Ganga river on a hybrid annuity model (HAM) for an estimated cost of Rs 17,000 crore to boost economic activities and tourism, the state's Road Minister Nitin Nabin has said. The three projects to be implemented under HAM are Digha-Sherpur-Bihta-Koilwar (35.65 km), Munger (Safiabad)- Bariyarpur-Ghorghat-Sultanganj (42 km), and Sultanganj-Bhagalpur-Sabour (41.33 km). Under the HAM, the government funds about 40 per cent of the project cost, while the private developer funds the remaining 60 per cent and operates the road for a concession period, receiving annuity payments from the government. The Sultanganj-Bhagalpur Gangapath project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 4,849.83 crore, and the Munger-Sultanganj Gangapath at Rs 5,119.80 crore. The Digha-Sherpur-Bihta-Koilwar project will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 6,495.79 crore. These roads would not only provide connectivity but also attract tourists

ECI releases final voter list for Bihar after SIR; 74.2 mn people can vote

The voter list can be downloaded from ECI's official website; physical copies of the electoral roll will be made available to all district election officers

Bihar to get 3 new Amrit Bharat Express trains today: Check route, time

The new Amrit Bharat Express trains will start from Bihar on September 29, connecting Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana

Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off 3 Amrit Bharat, 4 passenger trains for Bihar

The three Amrit Bharat Express Trains will be connecting 25 districts with 62 stoppages in Bihar, increasing connectivity for the people

Amit Shah relying on 'vote chori, vote revdi' to win in Bihar: Congress

With Home Minister Amit Shah urging people to ensure NDA victory in more than 160 seats in Bihar, the Congress on Monday said he is hoping that "VC (vote chori) plus VR (vote revdi)" will bring about this outcome. It asserted that the politically conscious people of Bihar will defeat these "machinations". In an X post, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said that in education, VC stands for Vice Chancellor; in the world of start-ups, VC stands for Venture Capital and in the military, VC is Vir Chakra. "But now there is a new kind of VC that is defining our politics --? vote chori (vote theft)," he wrote. "And the sutradhar (director) has already unveiled the target for VC in Bihar. The Union Home Minister has confidently declared that the NDA will get more than 160 seats out of 243," Ramesh said on X. "He is hoping that VC plus VR (vote revdi, or vote doles) will bring about this outcome. The politically most conscious people of Bihar will defeat these ...

350-400 CAPF companies to be deployed for Bihar Assembly elections

Around 350-400 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other state police units are expected to be deployed for providing security during the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar, officials said on Friday. A single CAPF company has an operational strength of about 70-80 personnel. The exact dates and the number of phases for the 243-member assembly polls are expected to be announced by the Election Commission (EC) in early October. The earmarked companies have been asked to initiate de-induction from their place of deployment and move to Bihar. These companies include units from forces guarding the international borders, the officials told PTI. The units will be added or subtracted once the EC directs the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for a specific number of companies, they said. The maximum number of companies will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Other CAPFs like the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF

Prashant Kishor's casteist slur on TV: How law deals with such remarks

Prashant Kishor's 'chori-ch***ri' remark in a TV interview has triggered a row with Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary, bringing focus back on how Indian law defines casteist insults

Cabinet okays ₹6,014 cr highway, railways projects in poll-bound Bihar

Cabinet clears ₹6,014 cr highway and railway projects in Bihar to boost freight, tourism, and cross-border trade, cutting travel time and expanding rail capacity

Cabinet clears 4-lane highway, rail line projects in poll-bound Bihar

The Cabinet has cleared two big projects in Bihar-doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir-Tilaiya rail line and building a 4-lane Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah highway to boost travel and trade

Nitish Kumar launches infrastructure projects worth ₹10,000 cr in Patna

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday launched projects worth Rs 10,000 crore in the state capital Patna. The projects were of the Road Construction, and Urban Development and Housing departments. The CM laid the foundation for the construction of the 35.65-km extension of J P Ganga Path Project from Digha area in Patna to Koilwar Bridge at a cost of over Rs 6,495 crore. According to a statement issued by the chief minister's office, "The extension of the J P Ganga Path Project will provide connectivity to the Patna-Ara-Buxar National Highway (NH-922), the Purvanchal Expressway between Lucknow-Ghazipur, and the Ara-Mohania National Highway (NH-319). It will also alleviate the traffic congestion on the Danapur-Chitnawan-Maner Road. The CM directed officials to ensure timely completion of the extension of the J P Ganga Path to Koilwar." The CM also laid the foundation stone for five other road projects in various districts, with a total length of 225.475 km and costing Rs 2,900

Nitish govt unveils schemes before polls; Oppn calls them INDIA bloc copy

Ahead of the assembly polls, the NDA government in Bihar has announced a series of schemes, prompting the opposition to claim that after remaining in power for 20 years, all that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could offer was a copy of promises made by the INDIA bloc. Among several promises of the opposition was 200 units of free electricity, which the longest serving CM has sought to neutralise by announcing, notwithstanding his earlier anti-freebies stands, that consumers will not have to pay for 125 units in a month. Kumar on Sunday announced that over 10,000 'Vikas Mitras', who work in villages to make SC and ST people aware of government schemes and convert them to beneficiaries, would be given a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 each for purchasing tablets so that they can do their work effectively. Their transportation allowance will also be increased from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, and their stationery allowance will be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 per month. The governmen

Nitish Kumar announces ₹25,000 allowance for 'vikas mitras' to buy tabs

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced that over 10,000 'Vikas Mitras', who work in the villages to reach the benefits of government schemes to SCs and STs, would be given a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 each for purchasing tablets so that they can do their work effectively. He said their transportation allowance will also be increased from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, and their stationery allowance will be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 per month. The government has also decided to provide Rs 10,000 each to more than 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz, who connect children belonging to Mahadalit, minorities and extremely backward communities to formal school education, for purchasing smartphones. It was also decided to increase the amount paid for teaching materials, from Rs 3,405 to Rs 6,000 per centre per year, the CM said. Kumar made the announcements with weeks left for the assembly elections in the state. "Our government is continuously working for th

Bihar govt to provide Rs 1,000 monthly aid to unemployed graduates: CM

The Bihar government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month to unemployed youths who have graduate degrees for a period of two years under 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana', Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday. Earlier, this scheme was applicable for unemployed youths who had passed their intermediate exams only. Kumar, in a post on X, said, "I am pleased to inform that under the state government's seven resolves programme, the previously operated 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana' has now been expanded. Under this, the benefit of the Self-Help Allowance Scheme, which was previously being provided to intermediate-passed youth, has now been extended to unemployed graduate youth who have passed in arts, science, and commerce. "Graduate-passed youth in the 20-25 age group who are not pursuing any studies anywhere, are striving for jobs/employment, do not have any self-employment, or have not obtained government, private

Nitish transfers ₹802 cr to 1.64 mn workers' accounts on Vishwakarma Puja

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced the transfer of around Rs 802 crore to the accounts of 16.4 lakh construction workers under an annual scheme, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja. The state government will also launch a web portal of the Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojna' on the occasion, which also coincides with the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Assembly polls are due in Bihar later this year. Today is the day of worship of Lord Vishwakarma (Vishwakarma Puja), the divine architect of the universe, and it is also the birthday of PM Narendra Modi jee. The PM is tirelessly working with complete dedication for the upliftment of the country and its citizens without stopping or getting tired. It is a happy coincidence that today, funds are being transferred to the accounts of workers under the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Kumar said in a post on X. A total of around Rs 802.46 crore is being directly transferred to the

Bihar CM announces interest-free education loans for Class 12 pass students

The Bihar government on Tuesday announced that interest-free loans will be provided to students who passed the class 12 board examinations under the Student Credit Card Scheme to help them pursue higher education. Earlier, education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh were provided at an interest rate of 4 per cent to general male applicants, and 1 per cent to female, differently-abled, and transgender applicants. "Now, the loan will be interest-free for all applicants," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said in a post on X. The Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme has been in effect since October 2, 2016. Kumar said the provision for repaying a loan of up to Rs 2 lakh in 60 monthly instalments has now been extended to a maximum of 84 monthly instalments. "For loans above Rs 2 lakh, the repayment period has been extended from 84 monthly instalments to a maximum of 120 monthly instalments," he said. Kumar said the objective of his government is to ensure that students can pursue higher education. He

Bihar polls: CM Nitish announces interest-free education loans for students

Bihar Assembly elections 2025: Kumar also extended the repayment period for loans up to ₹2 lakh to 7 years from 5 years, whereas loans above ₹2 lakh need to be repaid in 10 years

Will scrap SIR if illegality found in methodology, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has said Bihar's voter roll revision will be invalidated if illegalities are found in the Election Commission's process, with its ruling to apply nationwide

PM Modi announces development projects worth ₹36,000 crore in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple development projects worth around Rs 36,000 crore in Bihar's Purnea district on Monday. The PM also inaugurated a newly developed terminal building at Purnea airport, which will enhance passenger handling capacity in the region. Modi flagged off the first flight on the Purnea-Kolkata route. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, several union ministers, state ministers, MPs and MLAs were present at the function. Modi laid the foundation stone for a 3x800 MW thermal power facility worth Rs 25,000 crore at Pirpainti, Bhagalpur. This is the state's largest private sector investment. It is designed on ultra-super critical, low-emission technology. The project will provide dedicated power and strengthen Bihar's energy security, a senior official. The PM also laid the foundation stone for Phase 1 of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project worth over Rs 2,680 crore. "It will focus on upgrading a canal,

PM Modi to visit Bihar on Sep 15 to launch projects worth ₹36,000 crore

Months ahead of assembly elections in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Purnea district on Monday to address a rally and launch development projects worth Rs 36,000 crore. The PM will also inaugurate a newly developed airport terminal at the north Bihar town, which would fulfil the region's long-standing demand for air connectivity. Another key highlight is the scheduled inauguration of the National Makhana Board, the setting up of which was announced in the Union budget earlier this year. Hailed as a "super food" by the PM in many of his speeches, makhana, or Indian foxnuts, are cultivated in abundance in Bihar, which accounts for close to 90 per cent of the production in the country. The BJP-led NDA, which hopes to retain power in the state, believes that the PM has been giving top priority to Bihar. "In his 11 years of tenure, Modi has gifted Bihar development projects worth about Rs 1.50 lakh-crore. Tomorrow, there will be another bonanza. The state is enjoying th