Bihar - Projects and Development [Archive] - Page 2

Bhartiya

March 26th, 2010, 08:36 AM

I came across this old but interesting article on he Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited. I thought I should share this with all of you who have not yet seen this.

Source : http://www.indiatogether.org/2009/jul/eco-bridge.htm

Bihar's bridges, way to a new work culture

If you want to see the new change in Bihar, walk into the office of the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam or the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited. It is a sleek office, well kept and clean, has a committee room and a visitor’s lounge and even a gym. But that is just the icing on the cake. What should catch your attention are the statistics of the work done.

The corporation has in the last three years constructed more bridges than Bihar did in the last 30 years! Since 1975, the corporation had constructed 330 bridges. In three years, 336 bridges have been inaugurated. In fact, on 11th June, Chief Minister Nitesh Kumar inaugurated 140 bridges in one symbolic gesture in Patna.

Today, this government company is the biggest taxpayer in eastern India. When the Kosi floods struck, it made a contribution of Rs. 20 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Reliance was the second biggest contributor: Rs. 9 crore.

How was this possible? Was this not supposed to be a state where in stereotyped public perception, nothing ever moved, sanctioned projects abandoned and funds siphoned off by government officials and contractors? But look at the working of this arm of the new Bihar government and you will see how with some determination and focus even comatose government companies could rise and flourish.

When Pratyaya Amrit, a 1991 batch IAS officer was called to Patna in April 2006 from New Delhi by the new Nitish Kumar government to take over as chairman of the corporation, he had mixed feelings. He was getting used to being a bureaucrat in Delhi and wondered what the move meant. He was the personal secretary to Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel. The first feeling when he walked into his office complex at Patna, was nauseating. The office was dirty and unkempt. Files were carelessly thrown around, cakes of dust everywhere, the floor cracked, furniture broken and doors and windows in a bad shape. The morale of employees was at an all time low and the only thing they worried about was whether the loss-making corporation would be shut down. Salaries were not being paid on time. In fact, the former government of Rabri Devi had initiated steps to liquidate the loss-making corporation.

Amrit found his room was no better. One senior IAS officer who came to wish him well was so shocked at the state of his room that he asked him if he could help him to try and get him a better posting. “At that point of time, I told myself that one gets a couple of opportunities in your career and when it comes you must take the bull by the horn.” says Pratyaya Amrit. For him, this was the moment.

One of the first things he did was to order a clean up of the office as it was vital to create a new atmosphere. Then, he took off on his first field visit to Katunjha in Sitamarhi to inspect the work there. He could not believe what he saw. Very little work had been done on a bridge though it had been sanctioned 15 years ago. First move: He got the engineer transferred for non-performance. Second move: At the site, he announced the date for the bridge’s inauguration.

Officials accompanying him were too shocked to react. They wondered how it could be completed so fast. He warned that serious consequences would follow if the deadline were not met. As planned, the bridge was inaugurated on 19th April 2007. One thing was clear to the chairman of the corporation: He had a staff that could deliver if they had deadlines. The Katunjha Bridge changed so many things. Floods cut off Sitamarhi district almost six months a year. It used to take around 13 hours to reach Patna. Now with the bridge in operation, it takes about three and a half hours. “In many ways, Katunjha was a turning point in the life of the corporation as engineers believed they could do what seems impossible,” says Amrit.

His second site visit was to Arrah. This was another astounding shock. Here, the bridge was completed but it could not be used, as there were no approach roads connecting it. The bridge just stood there. “I could not believe what I saw,” he said. He was so angry that he transferred the junior engineer who was posted there. He had worked there for 27 years. He ordered for roads to be made after fixing a deadline: October 2006, even earlier that the deadline he had given for the Katunjha bridge.

Rewarding the hard working

He got Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to inaugurate both the bridges. It was to send a message that he meant serious business and deadlines had to be met. The Chief Minister was so glad to see the Katunjha bridge completed in such a short span that he gave the 46-year-old engineer in charge, Sunil Kumar, a free ticket to Singapore and back.

The message sunk. Good work has a value now. He is not the only one. Six other engineers have been similarly rewarded with foreign holidays for the speedy work they have executed and 11 others have been given cash rewards of Rs. 20,000 each. This was unthinkable for any government employee in Bihar till now. “It is very important to reward those who work hard as it is one way to tell them that we respect their professionalism,” says Pratyaya Amrit.

Seeing the rapid progress of the corporation, the Chief Minister gave it Rs. 1132 crore asking it to build an additional 520 bridges under the Mukhya Mantri Setu Nirman Yojana. Says Pratyaya Amrit: “The Chief Minister gave the corporation a lifeline when he gave us this ambitious project.” But when he called a meeting of his engineers and announced it, there was skepticism. Though they were happy to be trusted with such a massive job, they wondered if they would ever find adequate equipment, material, manpower, consultants, engineers and designers. As they were racing against time, Pratyaya Amrit outsourced consultants to prepare project reports so that work could be started. It started work in April 2007 and till date, 294 have been completed.

June 11th was the foundation day of the corporation and the Chairman got the CM to inaugurate 140 bridges all over Bihar in one symbolic action, as he wanted it to be a morale booster for the employees who three years ago thought they were going to be retrenched. By April next year, the corporation is planning to have finished 440 bridges. Says Pratyaya Amrit: “I realised that employees are willing to work hard. All they need is a right opportunity and direction. It is our employees who were earlier looked down upon who are now the pride of Bihar.”

Profits keep rising

During the last three years, 336 high level bridges have been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 708.48 crores. The corporation is presently implementing as many as 520 projects under the Mukhya Mantri Setu Nirman Yojna, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,132 crores. Of them, 251 have already been completed costing Rs. 302.40 crores. It is working on eight over-bridges costing about Rs. 306.61 crores and 45 major road projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 438.00 crores. In 2004-05, the annual turnover in terms of work execution was Rs. 57.38 crore. In 2008-09, it has risen to Rs. 768 crore.

The corporation had an accumulated loss of Rs. 17 crore when Pratyaya Amrit took over. Today, three years later, it has shown a profit of Rs. 83.80 crore. The corporation has 100 percent funding from the government but on every project it charges nine percent of the total cost as centage. The concept of centage is approved by the government as the corporation has its own expenses to keep it going. Earlier it had a loss of Rs.17 crore, but now the increased earnings from the centage have helped it wipe out the deficit and register a surplus.

Nitish Kumar now has asked them to take on projects like road construction. Other government departments are now wooing the contractor who did up the corporation office wanting their offices to be redesigned. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi hopes that the corporation would be a model for other organisations in Bihar to restructure and reinvent itself.

Bridges make life easier

Bridges are the lifelines of Bihar. Out of 38 districts, 28 are flood prone and get cut off if there are no bridges. But apart from this reality, Bihar is also seeing that if there are proper connections, it could start impacting the economy in a positive way as it will attract investors to the land that once was untouchable.

After the bridge came up in Sitamarhi, the real estate prices have gone up. Even in Patna, decongestion due to flyovers has made real estate prices shoot up in those areas. For example, because of the Kankarbagh flyover, flats of 1700 square feet cost between Rs. 40-55 lakh. Three years ago, it was around Rs. 15 lakh. Encouraged, the corporation proposes to get a study done on the socio impact of the bridges.

Tacking corruption, reforms and motivating results

What about corruption and mafia? Amrit says that when he took over there was nothing called 'good contractors'. He then introduced a system of registration of contractors and told them that they could hire equipment and personnel but both had to be seen on the site the day the work started. "We had a transparent system and picked the contractors on merit through open tenders. We even got banks to finance them and ensured they were paid on time", he says. There was not a single threat or exhortation and there were a couple of instances were there where some of the mafia misbehaved with contractors, he admits, but adds that the corporation immediately got them arrested and so the message went out loud and clear.

"Good contractors stuck to us as they saw a great opportunity. I met each contractor to review the work on a regular basis. We blacklisted as many as 40 contractors and debarred 84 contractors for not completing the work in time. Fines of Rs.4.5 crores were collected from contractors. That created a certain work culture and discipline,” he adds.

The corporation, which has a Wifi campus, is the only company in Bihar, which has got ISO 9001 and 14001 certification. The corporation’s slogan is: We build bridges of confidence. Efforts are on to beat deadlines now. A RCC bridge in Belwa Tengarmarhi in Kishanganj district of 252 meters is slated to be completed much before the deadline of 31st March 2011.

Amrit also introduced a number of the operation-level reforms on the ground to make things work. Engineers had no vehicles. He outsourced SUV’s for them so as to help them go around for frequent inspections and gave them an allowance of Rs. 18,000 as maintenance.

He introduced the Closed User Group of BSNL so all officials were networked by phones with four digit numbers. It led to better and faster communication.

He introduced the “Mobile Inspector” system where all Executive Engineers have a GPRS enabled sim card in their phones. They can go to the site, photograph the bridge, take out their pencil stylus and fill in details like the name of the bridge, its location and status. It is then directly sent to the chairman who sees it on his computer in his office. Everyday, the Chairman monitors the progress. There is a new sense of accountability.

The record room that was in a mess is now orderly with files neatly tied in bundles waiting for being microfilmed. A room that was used as a dumping place for unwanted material is now a library. The office is still in the old traditional building but now the corporation wants to build what it calls, Setu Bhawan, which will be Bihar’s first green building.

To create team spirit, all festivals were celebrated among employees. Free medical camps, yoga camps and Art of Living camps were held.

“Different people get motivated by different things. I pulled every lever I could. Each of these helped in different ways to motivate employees and give them a feeling of being in a family with a focused work culture,” says Amrit.

The road ahead for the corporation as he sees it, is to now compete nationally to do projects outside Bihar. With its newfound confidence, it wants to grow bigger and larger to ensure that its employees get all the benefits, as it is teamwork that has got it from a company under liquidation to a company that is heralding a new Bihar.

Don_Ron_NYC

March 26th, 2010, 10:24 PM

^^^^
Very little work had been done on a bridge though it had been sanctioned 15 years ago. First move: He got the engineer transferred for non-performance. Second move: At the site, he announced the date for the bridge’s inauguration.

“I could not believe what I saw,” he said. He was so angry that he transferred the junior engineer who was posted there. He had worked there for 27 years. He ordered for roads to be made after fixing a deadline: October 2006, even earlier that the deadline he had given for the Katunjha bridge.

Bharatiya -

Thanks for posting this article. Good progress.

I am a little disturbed by what happened to the under-performing Engineers.
What do you have to do or not do in order to be terminated. What are the criteria for termination if you work for the central or state government?

The behavior of those engineers were gross-misconduct but they get transferred instead.
Now he is free to go and delay some other project in another state. Not good.

anidel

March 29th, 2010, 01:02 PM

kp.muthu99

April 21st, 2010, 08:37 PM

wht is this , why this kind of behaviour , why people dont fight against it
who will invest in this kind of situation ...hehhehhehehe

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-cops-beat-NRI-dad-for-overtaking-IPS-officers-car/articleshow/5835346.cms

PATNA: An NRI businessman from Russia and his elderly father were allegedly beaten by policemen in Bihar's Patna district for overtaking the vehicle of a probationer Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. A probe has been ordered, authorities said Tuesday.

Shajendra Bihari Singh, in his early 40s, was beaten Sunday after he overtook the car of IPS officer Vivek Kumar when he was on his way from Jehanabad to native Dharhara village in Punpun near Patna.

"I was beaten like a criminal by policemen. I was innocent and I did not violate law of the land, but police treated me like a criminal and beat me with bamboo sticks and hands," Shajendra Singh, who owns a restaurant business in Russia, told IANS.

"My only crime was that I overtook the vehicle of a police officer of Jehanabad. He was angered and stopped my vehicle few minutes later. He started abusing and beating me."

He said the policemen thrashed his father Brijbihari Singh, who was with him. "Also, we were taken to Parsa Bazar police station and beaten again there," he added.

SarafIndian

April 21st, 2010, 11:31 PM

^^You should this type of news in Skybar (News section). This is not a news of project/construction/development of Bihar..

sanjusky

April 29th, 2010, 10:45 AM

UID project formally begins in Bihar

Patna: Data collection exercise under the unique identity project, 'Aadhaar', was formally launched in the Bind block of Nalanda district in Bihar. The project is being carried out by Smaarftech Technologies (STPL), a subsidiary of Glodyne Technoserve.
STPL Project Director Binod Mishra said the UID project would cater to the identity and security of the poor and marginalised in the country. The STPL has been assigned to accomplish the task in Bihar, Mishra said.

"This field exercise is first of its kind in the country where biometric data of 20,000 enrollees’ would be collected on the proof of concept phase of the project. Bihar, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have been selected after a countrywide survey for carrying out the Proof of Concept (POC) study," Mishra added.

The case of Bihar is unique as it will not be a stand alone exercise but will dove-tail the existing e-Shakti project, which has been running for the past one and a half year in the state, he said, adding it will be a mini-project based on e-Shakti model with components ranging from awareness campaigns, training of field personnel and data collection.

Biometric data to be captured by the team would include fingerprints of all ten fingers, photographs of the face and IRIS image of all those who get registered.

http://www.igovernment.in/site/uid-projects-formally-begins-bihar-37456

engineer.akash

May 11th, 2010, 10:08 AM

Bill Gates to adopt Bihar village

Patna, May 11 (IANS) Microsoft chief Bill Gates will adopt a backward village in Bihar during his daylong visit to the state Wednesday, officials said.

The philanthropist, accompanied by officials of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will visit the state for the first time.

Gates would adopt Gularia village in Khagaria, about 170 km from here, and help improve the socio-economic condition of the people, the district's Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Kumar said.

At present, the village, comprising mainly Mahadalits, considered poorer than dalits, does not have even basic civic amenities like running water, electricity, schools and health centres.

Gates is also scheduled to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the state capital to discuss development issues and changes taking place for the poor.

source (http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=179821)

Bill Gates you are the greatest

yashchauhan

May 11th, 2010, 05:37 PM

^^^Bihar I bet is the next Gujarat given in proximity to major ports and rich natural resourcesand cheap labour...this state gonna shine!

engineer.akash

May 11th, 2010, 06:30 PM

^^^Bihar I bet is the next Gujarat given in proximity to major ports and rich natural resources and cheap labour...this state gonna shine!

For that they must first invest in setting up Technical universities.

highrise-kolkata

May 15th, 2010, 06:17 PM

United Breweries to make litchi flavoured wine
Saturday, 15 May, 2010

United Breweries (UBL) plans to set up a litchi processing plant to make wine at Patahi in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar.

The process plant is likely to come up by December 2010. Currently, the company is in the process to acquire land. UBL and Litchika International have approached National Litchi Research Centre to sign an MoU to use its technology for making litchi-flavoured wine.

UBL has taken 100 acre of litchi gardens on lease at Kanti and Motipur blocks in Muzaffarpur and it plans to take another 1,000 acre from the farmers. During 2010, the company is likely to be sent these litchis directly to Bangalore to produce wine. But from 2011, the litchis will be processed locally.

kp.muthu99

May 15th, 2010, 06:33 PM

Good new ,atleast some biharis will get job in bihar , they must start agriculture based industries there i feel ,

United Breweries to make litchi flavoured wine
Saturday, 15 May, 2010

United Breweries (UBL) plans to set up a litchi processing plant to make wine at Patahi in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar.

The process plant is likely to come up by December 2010. Currently, the company is in the process to acquire land. UBL and Litchika International have approached National Litchi Research Centre to sign an MoU to use its technology for making litchi-flavoured wine.

UBL has taken 100 acre of litchi gardens on lease at Kanti and Motipur blocks in Muzaffarpur and it plans to take another 1,000 acre from the farmers. During 2010, the company is likely to be sent these litchis directly to Bangalore to produce wine. But from 2011, the litchis will be processed locally.

sanjusky

May 16th, 2010, 11:24 AM

Bihar sets up Special Juvenile Police Unit

Patna: The state government has constituted the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) in all 37 districts of the state to exclusively deal and work with children.

It is a unique venture between CID, Bihar Police, UNICEF and the Dept of Social Welfare.

The Government has also identified and designated at least one police officer from every police station in the district and across the State as the ‘Juvenile or the Child Welfare Officer’. The Superintendent of Police in every district will head the SJPU and oversee its functioning.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bihar Police has been designated as the nodal agency for overseeing the SJPU functioning in the state. As a reflection of the commitment towards protection of the rights of children, the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) will be formally launched on May 15.

Within the Juvenile Justice System, the role of the police has been envisaged differently, which includes a child friendly approach, which has been envisaged as someone who is empathetic towards the child and listens and understands his or her problems.

Recognizing this need, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 continues to empower the police to come in contact with both categories of children— children in need of care and protection and juvenile in conflict with law.

The Act mandates the state government to constitute ‘Special Juvenile Police Unit’ which would exclusively deal with both the categories of children.

http://www.igovernment.in/site/bihar-sets-special-juvenile-police-unit-37566

kp.muthu99

May 17th, 2010, 09:32 AM

Dear ,Just wanted to share a real time experience with you all bihari people ,
my company is setting up a plant here and my GM is getting every day phone call from people asking for money ,when my GM asked as why this money , they are saying its rangaadari and we have to pay else they will not let our engineer work there ...they also say its there in their sanskar and blood .
..
when i came to know this fact , i really fell pity , when all other states come to us to set up industry in their area , this particular state has opposite behaviour ,
its seems that they want to keep the local people deprived of jobs and force them to beg job in other states where they are humiliated ..
please take this in positive way and do some thing if u ppl can do ..

sanjusky

May 17th, 2010, 10:41 AM

kp.muthu99

May 17th, 2010, 10:47 AM

Dear , its none of my business to run around for some thing like this , just wanted to tell the real situation which we faced last week ...
may be some one here has higher approach and take this issue , but for me , its just a matter to share with all bihari people and i felt this forum is the best way ..

Dear friend,I read your statement above and understood the situation.why didnt you takeup the issue with the concerned authorities in the state than raising it here in the forum?

sanjusky

May 24th, 2010, 10:52 AM

Madhucon Projects secures 64 KMs of NHAI Annuity Project in Bihar

Madhucon Projects Limited is a successful bidder for 4-laning of Chhapra - Hajipur Section of NH-19 from km 143.200 to 207.200 in the State of Bihar under NHDP-III on BOT (Annuity) basis and recently National Highway Authority of India has issued Letter of Award (LOA) to Madhucon Projects Limited.

Madhucon Projects has to Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) Annuity basis under NHDP-III for Semi-Annual Annuity of Rs 65,43 crores. The concession period is 5 years including construction of 910 days. Madhucons has accepted the LOA and is proceeding with the forming of a Special Purpose Vehicle in the name of Chhapra - Hajipur Expressways Limited.

The stock was trading at Rs.151.65, up by Rs.8.65 or 6.05%. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs.154 and low of Rs.143.50.

The total traded quantity was 15381 compared to 2 week average of 18322.

http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=74331

sanjusky

May 25th, 2010, 05:00 PM

Bihar a developed state by 2015: Nitish

SAHARSA: Seeking mandate for another term, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said Bihar will emerge as a developed state by the year 2015 if the people of the state continued to repose their faith in him.

Addressing a public meeting at the stadium here on Friday on the conclusion of his Vishwas Yatra, Nitish admitted that the development of Bihar was just not possible without developing the Kosi region. And that's why his government had laid greater stress to the construction of mega road bridges over the Kosi river to re-establish the missing social economic and cultural and industrial link between the two parts of Mithila.

Nitish once again criticised the Centre for discriminating against Bihar and claimed that the state would be flooded with private investment if the Centre granted it the status of a special category state.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav castigated the UPA government at the Centre for the unbridled rise in the prices of essential commodities and expressed concern with PM Manmohan Singh's silence over the alleged Rs 1 lakh crore scandal in the 2G Spectrum.

Water resources minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said Nitish had repaid the debt of the Kosi region by initiating a large number of development projects in the area.

The CM released the report card of the district for the last four-and-a-half years and dedicated to the people 216 development schemes already completed by the district administration. Homestead land papers for 3 decimal land were also distributed among 650 Mahadalit families of the district.

SAHARSA: Seeking mandate for another term, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said Bihar will emerge as a developed state by the year 2015 if the people of the state continued to repose their faith in him.

Addressing a public meeting at the stadium here on Friday on the conclusion of his Vishwas Yatra, Nitish admitted that the development of Bihar was just not possible without developing the Kosi region. And that's why his government had laid greater stress to the construction of mega road bridges over the Kosi river to re-establish the missing social economic and cultural and industrial link between the two parts of Mithila.

Nitish once again criticised the Centre for discriminating against Bihar and claimed that the state would be flooded with private investment if the Centre granted it the status of a special category state.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav castigated the UPA government at the Centre for the unbridled rise in the prices of essential commodities and expressed concern with PM Manmohan Singh's silence over the alleged Rs 1 lakh crore scandal in the 2G Spectrum.

Water resources minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said Nitish had repaid the debt of the Kosi region by initiating a large number of development projects in the area.

The CM released the report card of the district for the last four-and-a-half years and dedicated to the people 216 development schemes already completed by the district administration. Homestead land papers for 3 decimal land were also distributed among 650 Mahadalit families of the district.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Patna/Bihar-a-developed-state-by-2015-Nitish/articleshow/5960507.cms

sanjusky

May 26th, 2010, 03:56 PM

e-Shakti project gets going in Bihar

Patna: Biometric cards have been introduced in Bihar to check discrepancies in the process of attendance and wage payment to NREGA beneficiaries. The cards are being provided under e-shakti project.

Smarttech Technologies, a subsidiary of Glodyne Technoserve, has started distribution of the, e-shakti, chards in remote villages of the state, company's director B K Mishra said.

The director said the distribution work started from Bhusaula Danapur area in Patna rural last week. The cards would be distributed among the beneficiaries of Phulwarisharif block for the next few days.

"We hope to provide 13.5 lakh e-shakti cards to the NAREGA beneficiaries, including those of Patna district, in the next six months," he added.

The eshakti project's data collection exercise would cover districts, which included Vaishali, Nalanda and Muzaffarpur.

The registration process for these cards is free of cost and any adult can get enrolled himself during the village wise registration/data collection exercise carried out by Smarttech officials.

As per the provision, individuals would use e-shakti cards with hand held machines for authentication, attendance and other transactions, using secure biometric technology.

Besides, a separate bank account would be opened for each cardholder to facilitate wage payment under NREGA-Bihar e-shakti cards, the director said.

http://www.igovernment.in/site/e-shakti-project-gets-going-bihar-37648

sanjusky

May 26th, 2010, 03:58 PM

IVRCL Bags Orders For Rs.567 Cr.

VRCL Infrastructures & Projects said that the company's buildings, transportation and water divisions bagged orders for Rs.567.36 crore.

The first order is for extension of Bihar Vidhan Sabha and Secretariat complex at Patna. The order is valued at Rs.122.80 crore and is to be completed in 24 months. The second order is for civil and structural works of ECU unit for Brahmaputra Petrochemical Complex at Lepetkata in Assam from Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd. The order is valued at Rs.60.25 crore and is to be completed in 18 months.

The third order is for construction of All India Institute of Ayurvedha at Sarita Vihar in New Delhi from HSCC (INDIA) Ltd. Noida. The project is valued at Rs.63.55 crore and is to be completed in 18 months.

The company bagged an order for Rs.33.63 crore from National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad for construction of IMGEOS Project Buildings and development of infrastructure at NRSC campus, Shadnagar, Mehboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The completion period of the project is 12 months.

The company bagged an order for construction of computer centre and computer science and engineering complex including internal public health works & PVC conduit system for electrical works for IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai. The project is awarded by Vikram Sarabhai Bhavan and is to be completed in 18 months. The order is valued at Rs.33.49 crore.

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/IndianNews.aspx?Id=1316262&SM=1

sanjusky

June 6th, 2010, 12:40 AM

Bihar surges to become nation’s fastest growing cement market

Mumbai: A stable state government, large-scale rural infrastructure activity and increased demand from home builders have transformed Bihar from a laggard to becoming the fastest growing cement market in the country.

Cement consumption has surged as much as 35% in 2009-10 after being stagnant between 2006 and 2008 and having had a 13% rise in 2008-09, companies operating in the market said.

Also See Rising Construction (Graphic)

French-owned Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd, the market leader in the eastern region, of which Bihar is a part, put the growth in the state between May 2009 and May 2010 at 35%.

Neeraj Akhoury, senior vice-president (sales) at Lafarge India, said year-to-date growth has been faster than that seen last year.

“This is largely due to government projects in rural areas, especially in village and small-town levels,” he said over the phone. “The growth of individual home builders has been very favourable.”

His view was echoed by Rahul Kumar, chief financial officer at Delhi-based Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, which claims a 12% market share in the state, the third biggest behind Lafarge and Swiss-based Holcim Ltd owned ACC Ltd.

“Industry estimates put Bihar growth at 35%, the fastest in the country, much ahead of Uttar Pradesh, which was the next fastest with 20% growth,” he said.

The expansion is more than three times the national average of 10%.

“This growth has come not because of big infrastructure projects, but because of robust rural demand, demand from home builders and small businesses,” Kumar said.

Cement companies estimate that demand has grown to 6-6.5 million tonnes in 2009-10 from around 4.25 million tonnes in 2008-09.

“However, even this 6.5 million tonne consumption is much lower than the 15-17 million tonnes consumed by larger states such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu which makes me believe that this growth will continue till this construction activity continues,” said an official with UltraTech Cement Ltd, which is set to become the largest cement company after absorbing Samruddhi Cement Ltd later this year.

Akhoury from Lafarge agreed that the growth will continue “in the mid term given the current per capita consumption which can be substantially improved.”

Rupesh Sankhe, cement analyst with Angel Broking Ltd, said that the growth in consumption in the last couple of years was in line with the brisk economic growth and industrial investments in the state.

Data released in January showed that Bihar had the fastest pace of gross domestic product increase among states in 2008-09 at 11.44%, higher than the 6.7% average growth.

“Specifically for Bihar, the per capita cement consumption is still very low at 53kg in 2009 compared to the national average of 155kg,” Sankhe said. “Even neighbouring states like Orissa with 136kg per capita and Jharkhand with 96kg are higher, which explains the optimism about the potential of the state.”

Both Lafarge, which sells 1.3 million tonnes out of its 6.5 million tonnes of national capacity, and Jaiprakash, which sells around 0.88 million out of its 11 million tonne production in India, expect demand to rise because of low per capita consumption.

http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/31235121/Bihar-surges-to-become-nation.html

SSCaddict

September 12th, 2010, 07:40 PM

American Utility AES Offers $1.7 Billion to Build Thermal Power Plant in India

AES Corporation, one of US' leading power generation and distribution companies, has offered to invest $1.7 billion to set up a new coal-fired power plant in the Indian state of Bihar.

AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) has filed a letter of 'expression of interest' with the State Industrial Promotion Board to set up a coal power plant in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar. Ever since the formation of a new state out of Bihar the state has been struggling to meet its power demands. Several of its power generation units went to the new state and the one's which stayed under the Bihar State Electricity Board's control are non-functional.

The power situation in Bihar is dismal, to say the least. With a functional installed capacity of about 240 MW, Bihar's two thermal power plants manage to generate only about 120 MW everyday. The power demand, on the other hand, is a staggering 2,200-2,500 MW per day. Although the central grid has promised to allocate more than 1,600 MW to fulfill the power demand, these promises are rarely kept leading to high power deficits.

The Bihar State Electricity Board was hoping to get 600 MW from the Subansiri power station in Arunachal Pradesh, India's largest hydro-electric power plant, which is set to be completed by 2012. However, the generation company NHPC, owned by the Indian government, signed a power purchase agreement with another state ignoring earlier agreements with Bihar and three other eastern states.

Coincidently (or perhaps not), these four states (Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand) are controlled by opposition parties to the Congress-led central government, while the state which would benefit from the new power agreement, Rajasthan, is controlled by a Congress government.

For long, Bihar had been the weak point in India's economic march to become a superpower. Previous state governments completely ignored economic development, employment generation and crime had become one of the biggest problems of the state. Under the present government Bihar was able to record the fastest economic growth rate among all Indian states during the 2008-09 fiscal.

In order to maintain this pace of development power demand of the state must be met. While Bihar and its neighboring states are placed in the richest resource belt of India, it continues to lag in the overall economic development with thousands of people moving to metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai in search of employment.

If AES' plan to set up the power plant is approved it would bring more foreign investors as the power sector in India has tremendous opportunities of growth. However, there remain certain fundamental hurdles in the approval and implementation of the project.

The Bihar government has told AES that land acquisition and arrangement of coal would be entirely the company's responsibility. But AES could use its experience in setting up a 240 MW power plant in the neighboring Chattisgarh and an on-going project in chandigarh to overcome these problems.

http://earthandindustry.com/2010/09/american-utility-aes-offers-to-invest-1-7-billion-to-build-thermal-power-plant-in-india/

India101

October 3rd, 2010, 10:11 AM

Vashundhra Metro Mall, Patna

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5948/vashundhra20metro20mall.jpg

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9251/vmm20side20viewpatna.jpg

Link (http://www.vasundharahomes.com/metromall.html)

sixsigma1978

November 23rd, 2010, 09:29 PM

Barh power plant by 2013-14: NTPC CMD

PATNA: NTPC is India's largest power-generating company with its current output being 32,500 MW. "The delay in the Barh power project in Bihar will affect our plans to raise our capacity to 40,000 MW by 2012," NTPC's CMD Arup Roy Choudhury said here on Monday.

Choudhury, during his maiden visit to Bihar after assuming his new assignment, said the corporation has a projection to raise the generating capacity to 40,000 MW in the 11th plan. Both phase-I and II of the Barh project, with a capacity to generate 3300 MW, is likely to be commissioned in 2013-14, he told reporters here before leaving for an on-the-spot assessment of the Barh project progress and the Kahalgaon power plants.

Earlier in the day, the NTPC CMD had a meeting with chief secretary Anup Mukherjee regarding setting up of new greenfield high capacity thermal power projects in the state.

The state government is contemplating new thermal power stations for which NTPC is willing to cooperate. The state government is learned to have discussed the availability of adequate land and water at Kajra in Lakhisarai and Pirpainty in Bhagalpur district for setting up new plants.

As for the Barh project, CBI is investigating alleged pay-offs made by Russia's Technoprom Exports (TPE) for getting a contract to supply boilers to the Barh project. The Rs 8,700-crore project started in 1999. The Russian firm won a contract in February 2005.

However, work on the project came to a halt after a contractual dispute between NTPC and Technoprom, with the latter demanding more money due to rise in prices of steel.

"Forget about the past. You (read journalists) visit the Barh plant after two months and see the progress," a confident Choudhury told newsmen.

Source : Link (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Barh-power-plant-by-2013-14-NTPC-CMD/articleshow/6972194.cms)

sixsigma1978

November 23rd, 2010, 09:31 PM

Bihar's power woes to end soon: NTPC Chairman
Patna, Nov 22 (PTI) The shortage of electricity in Bihar will soon become a thing of past if the Centre gives its nod to a proposal for allocation of 50 per cent power produced from new projects based in the state, NTPC Chairman Arup Kumar Choudhury said today.
"There is a proposal under consideration of the Centre that there should be an outright allocation of 50 per cent electricity to the states from the power projects coming up in their juridiction," he told reporters here.
"If the union cabinet gives its nod to the proposal,Bihar will benefit immensely and will be able to meet its power requirements," Chaudhury said.
NTPC is in the process of executing four thermal power projects in Bihar with a generation capacity of 4690 MW, apart from its two operational plants with a generation capacity of 2450 MW.
On the power scenario at the national level, he said there is a need to translate the promised power generation capacity of one lakh MW under 12th five-year plan.
He also said nuclear power would become a key component of the power generation in the country in future.

Source : Link (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4608459)

SSCaddict

November 27th, 2010, 07:47 AM

RInfra bags consultancy project for Bihar

Reliance Infrastructure has bagged a consultancy project in Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition — Distribution Management System for Patna city in Bihar. Having built networks in Mumbai and New Delhi, RInfra will execute the consultancy project through its internal resources only.

Commenting on bagging the fifth such project RInfra CEO Lalit Jalan said, “We are happy to win the prestigious project of consultancy. We are confident that our in-house domain expertise will add value and enhance the performances of the utility and in turn extend several benefits to the end users as well as utilities.”

“This shows high trust in our capabilities. We would continue to look for more opportunities in the sector,” Jalan added.

source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/RInfra-bags-consultancy-project-for-Bihar/Article1-631514.aspx)

SSCaddict

December 3rd, 2010, 05:40 AM

Yet another power project MoU

PATNA: Ganga Power and Natural Resources (GPNR) Ltd last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for setting up a super critical thermal power project (2x660 MW) at Pirpainty in Bhagalpur district. The plant is expected to generate power by December 2014.

GPNR CMD and director signed the MoU in the presence of BSEB chairman P K Rai.

An application has been submitted to the department of industries for acquisition of 900 acres of land spread over Jairambandhu, Rajganj, Govindpur, Laxmipur, Hiranand and Roshanpur villages in Pirpainty.

The power project has qualified for long term coal linkage. The Central Electricity Authority ( CEA) has sent a recommendation to the coal ministry for 6.9 million metric tonnes of coal per annum (MTPA) to the project.

Bihar government has allotted 60 million cubic meter of water for this plant. A no-objection certificate has already been received from the Central Water Commission. For environment clearance, a project report has been sent to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board. The public hearing is expected by the month-end, said an official.

The Airports Authority of India has given aviation clearance for setting up the power plant. Besides mines, wildlife and forest clearance papers have also been received.

The Bihar government had inked an MoU with Kolkata-based Nalanda Power Company, a unit of RPG group of companies, for setting up a 2000 (1000x2)-MW coal-based thermal power plant at Pirpainty in Bhagalpur district at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore way back in 2008. They have already identified 600 acres of land at Manikpur village in Pirpainty for the first phase of plant which would have a capacity to generate 1,000 MW. Tata Consultancy had prepared its pre-feasibility report. The plant will get coal linkages through Rajmahal coal mines. The plant is scheduled to become operational by 2012.

Besides, authorities have identified a few places for setting up other such plants at Chausa (Buxar), Kajra (Lakhisarai) and Pirpainty (Bhagalpur). NTPC has expressed keen interest in setting up these greenfield power plants. NTPC CMD Arup Roy Chaudhury recently had a meeting with Bihar chief secretary Anup Mukherjee in this regard.

This was the fourth MoU signed by the Bihar government for setting up thermal power plants during the last five years. The first MoU was signed with a Kolkata-based private firm, Vikas Metal and Power Limited, for setting up a thermal power plant (250x2 MW) at Begusarai.

Another MoU was signed with a Nagpur-based private firm, Jas Infrastructure Capital Private Limited, for setting up a 1215-MW thermal power plant at Prabhavati Nagar in Banka district.

source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Yet-another-power-project-MoU/articleshow/7031714.cms#ixzz171JsLovd)

SSCaddict

December 5th, 2010, 01:24 PM

Assocham proposes to set up 14 industrial clusters in Bihar

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India (Assocham) has proposed to partner Bihar government to develop 14 industrial clusters for an estimated cost of Rs. 450 crore for employment and revenue generation.

Assocham General Secretary D.S. Rawat said on Sunday that the proposed clusters will provide jobs to 6 lakh people, directly and indirectly.

Mr. Rawat, who was talking to reporters here after releasing the Assocham’s study report on ‘Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in Bihar’, said the 14 proposed industrial clusters have a capacity of about 25,000-28,000 units with each providing jobs to 8-10 people.

He said the State government will also benefit from the development of the proposed industrial clusters in terms of both revenue and employment generation.

The 14 proposed industrial clusters will be located at Patna, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Munger, Nawada, Supaul, Gaya, Bhojpur and Hajipur (Vaishali), the Assocham office bearer said.

The study suggests the State government to constitute a statutory body ‘Cluster Development Authority’ to look after the industrial activities in Bihar to be set up under industrial clusters, he said.

In order to give impetus to industrial development of Bihar, the Assocham Bihar Chamber of Commerce (BCI) and Bihar Industries Association (BIA) have decided to hold three ’investmart’ in Patna in 2011, 2013 and 2015 to facilitate investment in the industrial sector

source (http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/article919917.ece)

sixsigma1978

December 7th, 2010, 06:22 AM

I know its not a project - but had to post this!! Jai Nitish!! :)
Some common sense needs to still percolate down to the users of this 4 lane beauty though - notice at 0:57 - the SUV is Barreling down the wrong side of the DIVIDER separated highway - that too on a sharp curve!!:D
Hope they're doing this because the opposite carriageway is blocked.:D
Still - one small step for Nitish - a giant Leap for Biharis!!!

M3VCn3nxQH0

SSCaddict

December 7th, 2010, 06:42 AM

^^ :D

Bihar fast-tracks road agenda

In the aftermath of the Bihar Assembly elections, where the incumbent chief minister, Nitish Kumar, won an overwhelming majority, Bihar’s road agenda is set to enter a new phase.

The state is set to have its first road construction and maintenance project based on the public private partnership (PPP) model. The project would extend from Bakhtiyarpur to Tajpur, along National Highway 38 (NH-38).

Of the 52.5-km stretch, 5.5 km will be a bridge and 47 km an approach road, requiring an investment of Rs 1,502 crore. Navayug Engineering Corporation Ltd (NECL), the concessionaire, will invest Rs 917.74 crore, while the Centre will invest Rs 277.5 crore and the state government Rs 307 crore.
The project is set to be implemented by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation (BSRDC), in partnership with NECL, a Hyderabad-based construction company.

“Construction of mega bridges is essential for connectivity in Bihar. At present, Bihar is equipped with 40 per cent of its overall bridge requirement. Also, given that maintenance is a cash-heavy prospect, we must engage the private sector,” BSRDC Managing Director P Amrit said.

BSRDC is the nodal agency for the implementation of road projects in the state. Constituted by Nitish Kumar in 2009, it is registered under the Companies Act, 1956, with a share capital of Rs 30 crore. For the project, the private partner would construct and maintain it over the next 30 years.

“While most of the work was carried out by the government in the initial phase of road development, we recognise the importance of engaging the private sector. A proposal incorporating PPPs, and Build Operate and Transfer road projects has been drafted and is awaiting cabinet approval,” said Amrit.

BSRDC to get $1,150-mn loan from ADB, Jica

BSRDC is also set to get a loan of $1,150 million from the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency for road construction in 2010.

The loans to BSRDC are an extension of accolades that the state has received for the construction of 27, 000 km of roads under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who rode the road programme to victory in the Assembly elections last month.

When Nitish became the chief minister for the first time in November 2005, the state had only 384.6 km of roads, compared to 27, 000 km high-quality roads that it currently boasts of. “The plan outlay on roads forms around 30 per cent of the total state plan size, against a meagre 5-6 per cent in past years,” Amrit said.

Of the $1,150-million loan, ADB will lend BSRDC $300 million for the development of State Highways 90, 91 and 81, while Jica will provide a loan of $850 million for the development of National Highway 82.

“In the vision for Bihar roads, the chief minister has made it clear that the target would be to ensure a maximum travel time of 6 hours to Patna from the farthest boundary of the state. We hope to achieve this in the next 5 years,” Amrit added.

The Buddhist circuit that the Jica loan will be used to develop connects Bodh Gaya, which already has an international airport, with Nalanda and Rajgir, ending at Bihar Sharif.

source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bihar-fast-tracks-road-agenda/417397/)

sixsigma1978

December 7th, 2010, 03:33 PM

^^ Wonder how the road from Patna to Bodh Gaya is these days? When I travelled during the Jungle Raj - the road and the fields were indistinguishable - poor Japanese pilgrimage tourists - used to be so frustrated because of this, I remember :D

SSCaddict

December 20th, 2010, 01:20 PM

Bihar to set up Textile Parks

The Bihar state BJP recently held a public complaint hearing and redressal session, under its ‘Sahyog’ programme, at its head office, whereby a number of persons associated with different trades voiced their issues and the difficulties that they were facing.

During the session, Sushil Kumar Modi, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, declared that the state government is going to announce the new industrial policy at the beginning of the next financial year.

He also revealed that, the cotton mills at Pandaul and Siwan, which have been shut down, would soon be restarted, and also that the work for the jute park at Katihar is likely to be concluded by April 2011.

Also other textile parks would be established at appropriate locations in the state, he added.

source (http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=94118)

Rizwan Ahmad

December 30th, 2010, 06:09 PM

Dear friend,I read your statement above and understood the situation.why didnt you takeup the issue with the concerned authorities in the state than raising it here in the forum?

Dear,
As per your GM experiences to work in Bihar i hope your GM is too corrupt & misguide you for the payment of bribe as well as "RANGDARI" and take money from you on account of this thing and kept in their pocket. Because in between 2005 and onward the law and order of Bihar is very strong so this is only misguide or misinterpretation of things.

Regards
Rizwan

sixsigma1978

December 31st, 2010, 05:24 PM

Bihar to get power boost from NTPC
With its power consumption even much less than Gurgaon, a satellite city of Delhi, power-starved Bihar is set to receive an additional 2960 MW electricity from NTPC's new plants in eastern states.

Bihar, which completely depends on supply from the NTPC for power distribution, is presently drawing 1309 MW from the country's largest power producer.
After completion of nine upcoming NTPC projects in the eastern states likely in the next five years,Bihar would receive another 2960 MW of electricity, sources in the Power ministry said here.

The projects in the pipeline are Barh Stage-I & II, Darlipali, Gajmara, Talchar stage III, Farakka stage III, Railway Nabinagar, Nabinagar and MTPS stage II.

The total installed capacity of these future projects would be 14,890 MW out of which allocation for Bihar would be 2960 MW, the sources added.

Giving details, the sources said out of the total installed capacity of 1980 at Nabinagar, Bihar will get 1374 MW of electricity. "Allocation letter has already been issued by the ministry of Power for the same," the sources added.

Likewise, from 3200 MW Darlipali, Bihar will derive 300 MW and from Barh Stage-I 273 MW, Barh Stage-II 175 MW and Talchar Stage-III 124 MW, the sources said.

The additional power allocation would come as a boon for the eastern state which is languishing at the bottom in terms of consumption of power in the country.

Bihar's power generation capacity is 80 MW from its two power units -- Barauni Thermal Power Station and Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station.
The state, which consumes around 700 to 850 MW daily, completely depends on supply from NTPC for power distribution.
Only about 50 per cent of Bihar's 38,475 villages are electrified, though it does not necessarily mean they receive power.
The per capita annual electricity consumption in Bihar is about 75 Kwh (Kilowatt per hour) as compared to all India average of 600 KWH and 895 KWH of Punjab.
Gurgaon's per capita electricity consumption is about 1265 Kwh.

Source : Link (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bihar-to-get-power-boostntpc/120524/on)

Hope Nitish Bhai changes those ridiculous numbers at the end of the article

Bhartiya

January 5th, 2011, 05:42 AM

NEW DELHI: Celebrated as the party destination in India, Goa appears to have lost its 'happening' tag to the humble Bihar. Data collected by the Union tourism ministry appears to indicate that Bihar attracted a larger number of foreign tourists in 2009 than Goa.

The government's India Tourism Statistics report shows that while 4.2 lakh foreign tourists visited Bihar in 2009, Goa drew about 3.7 lakh losing its place in the top 10 destinations in India. Industry hands say that the economic downturn was largely responsible for the sharp decline in the number of tourists. Increasing number of adverse reports on the safety of women and declining law and order situation may also have been responsible for the drop in numbers. In fact states like Kerala and Rajasthan that have been hot international favourites have suffered the most in 2009 thanks to the global economic situation. While the number of foreign tourist arrivals dropped by 27% in Rajasthan from 14.7 lakh in 2009 to 10.7 lakh in 2008, Kerala saw 5.4 lakh tourists arriving in 2009. Andhra, that remains numero uno for domestic tourists, also witnessed stagnation with tourist arrivals increasing from 7.8 lakh to just 7.9 lakh between 2008 and 2009.

Delhi lost its place as the top ranking state in 2008 to Tamil Nadu that saw a 16.7% increase in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2009. The top 5 states in FTAs were TN (23.6 lakh), Maharashtra (19.9 lakh), Delhi (19.5 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (15.32 lakh) and West Bengal (11.8 lakh).

United States continued to send the maximum number of tourists in 2009 as it had in 2008. The top 10 source countries in 2009 were USA, UK, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Malaysia and Japan. These countries accounted for 64% of the total foreign tourist arrivals in 2009.

Read more: Bihar more happening tourist spot than Goa? - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bihar-more-happening-tourist-spot-than-Goa/articleshow/7220462.cms#ixzz1A8HXbtay

Bhartiya

January 7th, 2011, 07:30 AM

NEW DELHI/PATNA: Aiming to accelerate socio-economic development in Bihar, the Centre's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved a proposal to enhance the allocation for the special plan for Bihar from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in 2010-11.

The fund will also be increased to Rs 1,468 crore in 2011-12 based on the enhanced level of cost of Rs 8,753 crore of the projects.

"Central government agencies are involved in the implementation of these projects. Through the special plan for Bihar, infrastructure, particularly power, roads, and irrigation, is being put in place," the Centre said in a statement.

The special plan for Bihar is currently being funded under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) with an annual allocation of Rs 1,000 crore on 100% grant basis during the 11th plan period. The total cost of all the projects approved for funding under the special plan for Bihar was Rs 5,568 crore at the time of approval of the BRGF in August 2006. This cost has now increased to Rs 8,753 crore because of which additional funds have been allocated.

"Against this cost, an amount of Rs 5,285 crore has been released till the end of 2009-10 leaving the balance amount of Rs 3,468 crore to be released during 2010-11 and 2011-12. It has, therefore, been decided to enhance the allocation from the current level of Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in 2010-11 and the balance amount of Rs 1,468 crore in 2011-12," said the statement.

In Patna, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the enhanced allocation is the remaining part of the special package announced by the then NDA government at the Centre after Bihar was divided to create Jharkhand.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had pleaded for release of a substantial amount in one instalment so that it could be more meaningfully utilised. Hence the enhanced allocation, Modi added.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bihar-gets-Rs-2K-crore-under-special-plan-this-FY/articleshow/7233293.cms#ixzz1AKQH3zjH

sixsigma1978

January 7th, 2011, 07:31 PM

After roads, Bihar's power sector a Nitish priority

Patna, Dec 17 (IANS) After fulfilling the dreams of good roads in Bihar in his first term as chief minister, Nitish Kumar wants to make a difference in the power sector during his second term that ends in 2015.

'After roads, the power sector is a priority of Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar,' an official in chief minister's office told IANS.

Nitish Kumar told the top officials of the state energy department at a review meeting Thursday to complete the ongoing projects in time and improve transmission system to minimise loss.

'The chief minister has directed the officials to replace defunct 72,000 km electric transmission wires in the state in a phase-wise manner to check distribution loss and ensure to connect houses,' an official said.

The state energy secretary Ravi Kant said the department has decided to replace 25,000 km of 72,000 defunct wires by the end of March 2011.

Bihar State Electricity Board chairman P.K. Rai admitted that defunct wires were causing the heavy distribution loss. 'It was estimated that defunct wires are causing a transmission and distribution loss of 38 percent.'

In view of the shortage of power in the state, Nitish Kumar also asked the top officials to review the progress of procuring power from unconventional sources of energy.

Bihar is to set up three new thermal power plants to generate 3,960 MW of energy, an official said.

The plants, of 1,320 MW each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur and Chusa in Buxar districts.

While the state has a daily requirement of 2,000 MW, it produces only 150-200 MW of power. The central government supplies around 1,000-1,200 MW.

During the election campaign for the October-November state assembly polls, Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every village of the power-starved state by 2015.

'All three power plants will be facilitated through the Bihar Power Infrastructure Company,' the official said.

Millions in Bihar are still living in the lantern age as electricity has become a luxury for people in most parts. Capital Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are hit badly due to the power shortage.

Source : Link (http://www.sify.com/finance/after-roads-bihar-s-power-sector-a-nitish-priority-news-default-kmrmufbejdj.html)

SSCaddict

January 13th, 2011, 06:20 AM

Rs 3,000 cr for sewage plants in 19 Bihar towns

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said Rs 3,000 crore would be spent for setting up sewage treatment plants in 19 Bihar towns in the next five to six years under National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).

Patna would have the biggest plant for which about Rs 1,500 crore would be spent, Mr. Ramesh told reporters after he along with World Bank Chairman Robert B Zollieck undertook a boat ride on the Ganga to see the Dolphin Conservation Project.

Besides, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 450 crore for four towns in Bihar for work under NGRBA and most of the amount would be earmarked for setting up the sewage treatment plants, he said, adding he had a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the implementation of its Mission Clean Ganga.

“The Centre has sought World Bank’s support for 19 other States for having sewage treatment plants,” he said.

NGRBA has launched the Mission Clean Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, West Bengal and Bihar which would ensure development of areas on the riverbank and set up sewage treatment plants.

Mr. Ramesh said Bihar government had submitted a project of Rs 150 crore for the development of the Ganga river front in Patna three weeks ago and the Centre had raised certain queries.

Initially, the river front in a stretch of five to six km would be developed and he had held talks with Mr. Kumar on it.

Referring to the boating project, he said Mr. Kumar had raised the issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Union Shipping Ministry was actively considering the project.

Efforts are on to preserve the endangered Ganga river dolphins, which are threatened by pollution. NGRBA with aid from World Bank would implement the action plan under Prof R K Sinha of Patna University to protect the dolphins, he added.

source (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1087284.ece)

Bhartiya

January 13th, 2011, 01:31 PM

In a press conference called by Urban Development minister Prem Kumar, he announced setting up of a project soon to begin work on mono-rail. In the beginning there will be four scuh routes- one from Patna Junction to Gandhi Maidan, second from Patne Junction to Partliputra colony, third from Patna Junction to Airport and fourth from Patna Junction to Kankarbagh.

The cost of metro per kilometer is Rs 225 crores while it is only Rs 31 crore for mono-rail. Also the time required for the completion of metro project is 10 years while it is mere 2.5 years in case of mono-rail.

It is expected to carry 32 thousand people in one round thus easing the grave situation of the traffic in Patna. Larsen and Tourbo has already submitted a proposal on which the state government has to take final call. The Minister assured that the work on the project will commence soon.

Source :http://english.samaylive.com/regional-news/bihar-news/676479852/mono-rail-for-patna-soon.html

anidel

January 14th, 2011, 07:40 PM

Source :http://english.samaylive.com/regional-news/bihar-news/676479852/mono-rail-for-patna-soon.html

With so much populated state like bihar monorail are no good and metro is too early as they have just started their development and can't afford it.

sixsigma1978

January 14th, 2011, 08:41 PM

^^ True - I think they're jumping the gun. Patna and Bihar, though having progressed well, are still far behind most other cities . It takes a while to undo 15-20 years of jungle raj!! Maybe they should instead opt for baby steps! Upgrade all roads and public transportation systems. then go in for BRTS! once the city attracts industry, strengthens its law and order, builds its infrastructure - then it should go in for the big guns like Metro or Monorail!!! Unless private firms can be convinced that the city's population has progressed enough - socially as well as industrially - it would be hard to convince them to invest in a risky investment.

Especially considering that laloo may be down but not out!! Its certainly possible that in a future lalu/paswan return - Bihar could return to the nightmare it was!

ravi kaushal

January 15th, 2011, 01:34 PM

Anidel & Six Sigma , You are right Laloo is down but not over but it dosen't mean that the state should stop its all progressive step . I know BRT , public transport is necessity of any modern city & good infrastructure is essential but today patna is croosing its all limits , traffic situation ,crowd all of things are growing very fast, so if the government start some new project then whats a problem? they(Bihar goverment) should have to focus on basic infrastructure but they also think about the future project .
Today monorail is on paperwork & it takes atleast 3-4 year for full operation.

Kya pata us waqt tak BRT or public transport bhi aa jaye? Who Knows

mountaincloud

January 21st, 2011, 09:08 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110121/jsp/nation/story_13473360.jsp

China 450cr for Nalanda - Envoy on Bihar visit also offers to help industry
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Patna, Jan. 20: China today announced aid worth $100 million (about Rs 450 crore) for the upcoming Nalanda International University and offered to help Bihar develop agriculture-based industries and infrastructure.

The offers, which came during Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan’s maiden visit to Bihar, have brightened the state’s hopes of attracting international investments.

A week ago, World Bank president Robert B. Zoellick had visited Bihar and agreed to release $220 million (Rs 990 crore) for the reconstruction of the area devastated by the Kosi floods.

Like Zoellick, Zhang praised the development agenda of chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has said attracting investments would be one of his priorities.

The ambassador credited Nitish with bringing in “many positive changes”. He said: “I am happy to learn that the Bihar chief minister has been executing fast-paced development in Bihar.”

Zhang, who is scheduled to visit Nalanda, Rajgir and other Buddhist sites tomorrow, recalled China’s centuries-long cultural and educational bonds with India in general and Bihar in particular.

“I am excited and extremely happy to visit the land which the great Chinese scholar and Buddhist monk, Hiuen Tsang, had visited and studied at way back in the seventh century AD,” Zhang said at a joint media interaction with Nitish.

The ambassador predicted that the Nalanda International University, which is coming up with the support of several Asian countries, would be an “excellent platform for cooperation among the countries concerned”.

He said China could go a long way in helping Bihar set up agriculture-based industries and develop other areas of infrastructure.

“China is relatively better at agriculture and agri-based industries. It is ready to help Bihar improve its agricultural infrastructure,” Zhang said, inviting Nitish to visit China.

Zhang referred to the rise in food prices across the world. “It is quite appropriate to strengthen the agriculture sector to address the growing demand for food products,” he said.

Nitish, not known for visiting foreign countries, said he would consider Zhang’s invite to visit China.

The chief minister said he had had a “productive dialogue” with the Chinese ambassador on the subject of developing roads, agriculture and industries in Bihar. “We are happy that the Chinese ambassador has shown an interest in the development of the state.”

The plan to revive the ancient Nalanda University is a brainchild of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. A $1-billion (Rs 4,500-crore) plan was drawn in 2006 to set up the Nalanda International University.

The Bihar government has handed the project over to the Centre. A consortium of countries including India, Singapore, China and Japan is at work to raise the funds. The Nalanda mentor group is headed by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

Zhang said he would meet the scholars and experts associated with the project, which he said would turn out to be “a great asset in Asia”.

SwissAlp

January 26th, 2011, 03:46 PM

NEW DELHI: In furtherance to its commitment to build quality roads, which played a major role in CM Nitish Kumar's retaining power with a thumping majority, the Bihar government is all set to adopt path-breaking cellular phone technology for monitoring timely completion of the projects.

Come January 24, the Bihar State Road Development Corporation (BSRDC) under the Road Construction Department (RCD) will start using "Android phones" to help executive engineers keep an eye on road construction work from district headquarters, RCD Secretary Pratya Amrit told PTI.

The RCD Secretary will himself do so from his office in Patna.

Upwardly mobile Bihar will be the first state to test the latest technology, which will be used to ensure time-bound completion of road projects, the department sources said.

In the first phase, the phones would be given to eight executive/assistant engineers for inspection of three state highways -- 68, 69 and 70 -- in Naxal-hit Gaya and Aurangabad, which are being constructed or augmented with an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, the RCD Secretary added.

The three projects have been chosen as they were running behind time and needed immediate effective steps to check the slippage.

The latest mobile operating system supports all Google applications in 3G mobile phones.

Pioneering work in the road sector is considered as a major reason for the landslide victory of the JD(U)-BJP coalition government in the recent Bihar Assembly elections.

Since 2006-07, Bihar has constructed 23,606 km of roads, besides augmentation and repair of 1,657 km of national highways, official sources said.

Giving details on the usage of the phones, the RCD Secretary said an assistant or executive engineer will visit construction sites every two days to take pictures of under-construction roads and upload them on the RCD site.

Photos taken using these phones would verify that the pictures have actually been taken at the site of the construction work.

Furthermore, to ensure double-compliance, the RCD Secretary will monitor the location of the engineers using Google Maps, another application available on the phone.

Once the government is convinced of the usefulness of the technology, all 200 engineers in-charge of road projects under the RCD would be given these phones, Amrit said.

"By April, the experiment will be replicated in the entire department to complete the road projects on time," he added.

The RCD Secretary noted that the measure does not entail much expenditure.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/bihar-to-deploy-android-phones-to-monitor-road-projects/articleshow/7297317.cms

anujkb

January 27th, 2011, 07:38 PM

Munger/Monger/Monghyr

these must be older images, about 1 year old or so....

It is 3.2 km long rail-cum-road bridge under construction.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5334/61513829.jpg
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9484/50549688.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7130/12big.jpg
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1797/14big.jpg

World8115

January 28th, 2011, 07:10 PM

Nice pics anuj. Who is constructing the bridge?

World8115

January 28th, 2011, 07:10 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Eco-tourism-site-opens-at-Rajgir-today/articleshow/7379786.cms)
Chief minister Nitish Kumar's dream project -- an eco-tourism site in the state -- is all set to turn into a reality with the opening of a two-way, 15-km green stretch at the foothills of Ratnagiri Hills at Rajgir, 105 km from Patna.

CM Kumar will inaugurate the tourist spot and also negotiate the stretch -- from the aerial ropeway to Ghoda Katora -- on a tonga on Saturday morning.

The site promises to be a great tourist attraction dotted as it is with lush green meadows, valleys, hills and even a lake. Bihar Tourism has also erected watch towers from atop which tourists can have a bird's eye view of the natural bounties. "It will be a visual delight for bird watchers too with so many rare birds flying all around," Bihar Tourism director Vinay Kumar said.

The tourism official said that the site being a pollution-free zone, motorised vehicles would not be allowed inside. Polythene bags are also a no-no. "Visitors would have to ride either a bicycle or a tonga," he said.

The state tourism development corporation would offer a tonga ride package and a bicycle ride package at the spot. To cost Rs 100 per person, the package includes a 15-minute boating in the lake besides the ride. An identity proof -- a driving licence or a voter ID-card or a PAN card or a passport -- is a must to avail of the facility.

Adding to the fun and frolic would be adventure sports like paragliding and rock climbing in the vicinity. People can also try their hand at fishing in the lake.

For the spiritual type and fitness freaks, there's the facility for yoga at the site. "We also plan to put up in future Swiss cottages for those who wish to spend the night at the picturesque site," a source in the tourist department said.

At Rajgir festival in Nalanda in December last year, CM Kumar had fondly talked about developing this historical site for eco-tourism.

sidney_jec

January 28th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Can someone please post a negative report with regards to the functioning of the govt. Its getting way to sweet to digest :D

sidney_jec

January 28th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Here this will ward off evils :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4584936332_964b0314d6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/recaptured/4584936332/)
For good luck (http://www.flickr.com/photos/recaptured/4584936332/) by recaptured (http://www.flickr.com/people/recaptured/), on Flickr

SSCaddict

January 29th, 2011, 11:08 AM

CM endorses ‘Health Card’ scheme

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday endorsed the state health department's plan to launch a universal 'Health Card' scheme for about two crore school students in the age group of 6-14 years and desired that the scheme be launched by March 22, when the state would celebrate ' Bihar Day'.

Under the scheme, all school students would be checked for various diseases and given treatment for any ailment they may be suffering with.

Inaugurating a month-long campaign to take healthcare to the doorstep of the common man across Bihar, Nitish said that he was pursuing the goal of 'vikas ke saath nyay (development with justice)'. "And there can be no development without good health of its people. Mere setting up of industries is not development. We favour human development."

Under the campaign – Gram Swasthya Chetna Yatra – one-day health camps would be held at a total 10,000 primary health sub-centres and additional health centres to galvanise them into action. Every day, 10 to 25 health camps will be held in each of the 38 districts. At the camps, health check-up of poor people would be done and awareness created about hygiene, family planning and good health practices.

At the follow-up camps later, the doctors would conduct family planning and other operations as well, the CM said.

Nitish recalled when he assumed power in November, 2005, the healthcare system was in a moribund state. "A survey conducted in January-February 2006 revealed that on an average only 39 patients visited a primary health centre (PHC) in a month. The PHCs lacked doctors and other facilities. In the first phase of government intervention, medical colleges, district, sub-divisional and referral hospitals as also block-level PHCs were made functional 24X7. Now, about 5,000 patients visit a PHC every month."

Asserting that health has been given top most priority under his 'sushasan', he extended his compliments for now focussing on toning up of primary health sub-centres and additional health centres. The CM assured health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and department officials that funds would not be a constraint in the implementation of health schemes. He also asked the department to undertake concurrent evaluation of the impact and benefits of 'Chetana Yatra'.

Choubey said that he was trying to make `sarve santu niramaya (everyone be healthy)' a reality. He has formulated a 'Swasthya Panchsheel'. "We are trying to further reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate, check malnutrition among women and children, control malaria and kala-azar, make immunisation cover 100% and promote community health," he said.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that the state government was trying to render various services to the common man in a transparent manner through various types of camps.

He lamented that the 13th Finance Commission had stopped funds for the health sector against Rs 250 crore per annum granted by the 12th Finance Commission.

Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary, council chairman Tara Kant Jha and health department's principal secretary Amarjit Sinha were also present on the occasion.

Read more: CM endorses ‘Health Card’ scheme - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-endorses-Health-Card-scheme/articleshow/7382769.cms#ixzz1CPwCh7fS

:cheers:

SSCaddict

February 2nd, 2011, 05:59 PM

Punj Lloyd wins water treatment project in Bihar

Punj Lloyd Delta Renewables, a Punj Lloyd group company, has won an EPC contract for a centralised water treatment plant at Kharagpur, district Munger in Bihar. The project, awarded on a turnkey basis by the Public Health Engineering Department of the Bihar Government, will have a capacity of supplying 6.224 million litres of drinking water per day (MLD) to the fluoride affected village of Khaira and its adjoining areas.

The scope of work includes engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning of a centralised water treatment plant along with piping network in multiple villages to supply treated water. The project will be completed over a period of 24 months.
Dr Tariq Alam, Chief Executive Officer, Punj Lloyd Delta Renewables, said, “We are proud to win this contract as it will strengthen our footprint in Bihar, where we secured India’s largest solar based EPC contract to construct 850 water treatment plants across the state. Water Treatment continues to be a core focus within our renewables portfolio and this project will add to our contribution towards development of Bihar.”
Punj Lloyd Delta Renewables provides turnkey solutions across multiple segments which include Utility Scale Grid Connect, Off Grid power generation, Water Treatment & Distribution, Waste to Energy, Green Buildings and Infrastructure

source (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-7018-punj_lloyd_wins_water_treatment_project_in_bihar/)

sidney_jec

February 6th, 2011, 05:38 AM

IBN (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bill-gates-writes-to-nitish-praises-his-work/142528-3.html)

Bill Gates writes to Nitish, praises his work

Posted on Feb 05, 2011 at 07:26pm IST

Patna: Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for ushering in development in Bihar and assured him of financial assistance in future.
"I had felt that development was taking place in Bihar and particularly so in the health sector," Gates said in a handwritten letter to Kumar.
The Microsoft chairman, whose Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has provided donation to the state government for polio immunization and vaccination in the past, said more lives could be saved in the wake of arrival of new vaccines.

"Our foundation will continue to make donations to the state in the health sector," Gates said and hoped that he would visit the state again.
Gates had visited Bihar in May last year.

SSCaddict

February 8th, 2011, 10:02 AM

HCC bags Rs 232 cr thermal power project order

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) has been awarded a contract worth Rs 232.07 crore by Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited, a joint venture company of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB).

According to the contract, HCC will construct 2 X 195 mega watt (MW) Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Project, Stage II in Bihar. The contract involves earthwork, reinforced cement concrete (RCC), structural steel fabrication and erection for power house, main plant, CW and other offsite works with chimney and chimney elevator. This estimated time for the completion of the project is 34 months.

HCC has so far been associated with 18 thermal power projects (diesel and coal-based) and three gas-based power projects.

source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/hcc-bags-rs-232-cr-thermal-power-project-order/125033/on)

World8115

February 8th, 2011, 06:10 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Central-team-to-visit-Kutku-dam-in-Bihar/articleshow/7447159.cms)
A four-member team constituted by the Union ministry of environment and forests (MOEF) will shortly inspect the Kutku dam, part of the inter-state North Koel irrigation project, in Aurangabad district, to decide on clearance of construction of the iron gate of the dam.

Construction of the gate would help irrigate about 1,000 acres of land in the drought-prone district.

The North Koel project, pending for over 30 years, got delayed due to Bihar's division in November, 2000, after which part of the project fell in Jharkhand leading to complexities.

The team would comprise of retired IAS officials – UK Panjiyar, PK Sen, SP Yadav and PK Sinha. The team will report to the Union government after visiting the site.

However, Ajaj Nayak, principal secretary of the water resources department, expressed ignorance about the team's visit. "I have no information about the formation of a committee and its visit," he said.

Earlier in 2007, the MOEF had objected to construction of the iron gate, saying that water accumulated in the dam would threaten Betla national park and the tiger project.

The inter-state project remained incomplete pending issuance of no-objection certificate from the MOEF. The initial outlay of the project was put at Rs 30 crore in 1972 and work on it had commenced in 1975. However, Rs 621.76 crore have been spent on the project

The Central Water Commission had revised the cost of the project four times, with the last one in 1998 putting the estimated cost at Rs 1,289 crore.

This irrigation project, once complete, is expected to irrigate a total of about 1.24 lakh hectares in Aurangabad and Gaya districts in Bihar and Palamu district in Jharkhand, and also generate 24 MW of power.

After Bihar's division, the project became an inter-state one with the dam, barrage and part of the main canal falling in Jharkhand while rest of the main canal and distributaries remained in Bihar.

The implementation of the project got delayed with non-construction of the iron gate at Kutku dam. Construction of the gate was stopped by Jharkhand government citing instructions by the MOEF.

Aurangabad MP Sushil Kumar Singh said that farmers of the region are suffering due to non-construction of the dam.

World8115

February 8th, 2011, 06:15 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Idol-of-Goddess-Saraswati-to-be-installed-at-Mahavir-Mandir/articleshow/7438923.cms)
An impressive idol of Goddess Saraswati would be installed at Mahavir Mandir, Patna, on Saraswati Puja day.

Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Kishore Kunal said that the students were demanding installation of an idol of Goddess Saraswati at the temple. He said that a five feet idol of Goddess Saraswati in sitting position with a large veena in hands and a swan by the side has arrived from Jaipur.

Kunal said made of best quality of Makrana marble, the idol would probably be the most magnificent in the state. For installation of the idol, five pandits under the headship of Pandit Datatriya Narayan Ratate have already reached Patna, he said.

Kunal said the Pran Pratistha ritual would be performed on Tuesday at 10.30 pm. All devotees, specially the students, have been invited to attend the function. Thereafter, the diety would be unveiled for darshan to the devotees, he added.

World8115

February 8th, 2011, 06:17 PM

Belapur wheel factory to start in July
Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Belapur-wheel-factory-to-start-in-July/articleshow/7447910.cms)
Work on the wheel factory at Belapur near Chhapra is going on in full swing. The railways has set the target for kicking off production in the factory this year itself. Trial production would take place in July this year. The wheel factory would be the first major factory to be made functional in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 1,417.23 crore.

According to ECR CPRO Dilip Kumar, the railways has almost completed installation of plants and machinery at Belapur. Though the work has been awarded to a private firm to carry out installation of plants and other civil work, a team of railway engineers has been directly supervising the progress of the factory work, he said, adding the wheel factory will prove to be an asset for the Indian Railways in future , he said.

The CPRO said that the railways has acquired about 139 acres of land for this ambitious project. The railways has acquired 52 acres for the factory, 35 acres for rail siding (additional lines for storage of manufactured wheels) and 51.76 acres for constructing railway colony for its employees. Work on the construction of railway colony at the site has been going on in full swing. Besides, the railways would build health unit , Kendriya Vidyalaya , Community Hall, shopping centre and staff canteen on the sprawling factory premises for the convenience of employees and their family members, he said.

The Belapur factory, which will the second in the country after the one in Bangalore, will have the capacity to produce about one lakh wheels of goods wagons, passenger coaches and locomotives annually fulfilling the needs of the entire eastern and northern regions of the country. These wheels are to be manufactured on the latest Griffin technology of US, the CPRO said.

According to Kumar, the railways would require at least one lakh wheels every year in the wake of sudden increase in the number of long-distance goods and passenger trains. The opening of new freight corridors ( eastern and western) would also require more wheels to keep pace with production of goods wagons. Since the railways has decided to run more goods trains across the country to carry more freight, more wheels would be required for the goods trains in future, he said.

At present, the railways has been producing three kinds of wheels -- one for passenger coaches and two others for goods and locomotives (engines). Currently, the railways has been manufacturing wheels at the Bangalore factory and the heavy industries ministry s factory at Durgapur in West Bengal. The railways has been importing wheels for locomotives from other countries, each wheel costing about Rs 3 lakh, including cost of axles, sources said, adding the proposed wheel factory would save huge foreign currency being spent on importing wheels.

The East Central Railway ( ECR ) has been sending its wheels and axles to Bangalore for their periodical reconditioning which is mandatory from the safety point of view. The Belapur factory will fulfil the needs of ECR and other adjoining railways too, sources said.

The factory will have the strength of about 900 staff, including officials . Apart from job opportunities, it is likely to generate about Rs 180 crore business every year in the state giving a boost to socio-economic condition in the area, sources said.

SSCaddict

February 9th, 2011, 01:42 PM

Info about Bihar's 70,000 schools now available on website

Reflecting a determination to make public the quality of education and the infrastructure facilities available, Bihar has taken a lead by posting information about its 70,000 primary and upper primary schools on a website.
Be it the number of students/teachers, rooms, furniture, etc, all factual data has been compiled with the minutest detail from each of the primary/upper primary schools from across the state of the year 2009-10 and posted on the website 'www.schoolreportcards.in for public viewing.

An interested internet surfer can now view the code number of a primary school, its location or the details about the students/teachers, infrastructure at the click of the mouse. The website is being managed by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) to identify the status of elementary education in India under its project, District Information System for Education (DISE).

It has been an arduous effort on the part of the schools concerned, the district education officials and the designated officials under the Human Resources Development Department (HRD) to go through the process of compilation of data regarding all primary/upper primary schools on a data collection form (DCF), Bihar Education Project (BEP)'s Programme Officer Ravishankar Prasad Singh said.

Vouching for authenticity of data regarding schools, he said that everybody involved in the task was repeatedly asked to verify details of their DCFs and issue a certificate owning the facts before the HRD officials submitted the report to the union HRD ministry prior to its uploading on the website, Singh said.

Having put in process updation of the school details' every year, Bihar will soon put the information related to the private primary/upper primary schools on the website as mandated under the Right to Education ACT (REA), the BEP Programme Officer said.

Although only 10 per cent students in the age group of 6-14 were enrolled in private schools, the data gathered from these schools will be useful in planning further improvement in infrastructure, environment and quality of education in government schools and also to the gap between government and private schools, Singh said.

The BEP official said that the available data about the government schools will also be used for consistent improvement in the quality of education of the students and help them attain excellence in their later academic career.

The data will also be useful in timely distribution of books, dress, funds of bicycles and other facilities as there was no shortage of funds to the state from the centre's flagship programme -- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), he said.

source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/info-about-bihars-70-000-schools-now-available-on-website/747992/0)

sidney_jec

February 9th, 2011, 07:17 PM

OMG!! thats huge. and thats great as well!!

Primary and secondary level education has to be given a major push.

SSCaddict

February 10th, 2011, 05:48 AM

OMG!! thats huge. and thats great as well!!

Primary and secondary level education has to be given a major push.

education was the uttermost reason he came into power again!! he recruited almost 3-4 lac teachers in schools as in the past 15 yrs during lalu's rule not a single teacher was recruited :bash:

World8115

February 14th, 2011, 02:07 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Engineering-college-to-start-operations-from-2011-12-session/articleshow/7488543.cms)
The upcoming Loknayak Jayaprakash Technological Institute (LJTI) at Chhapra would start functioning from the 2011-12 academic session. Construction of most of the buildings of the institute would be complete by that time.

The session would start with the intake of 240 boy and girl students fulfilling the parameters of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), according to an internal paper of the Science and Technology (S & T) department.

"Engineering education in the state requires to be given sustained boost. The opening of new polytechnic institutes and engineering colleges will fulfil the growing needs of the state," said S & T minister Gautam Singh.

S & T department has sought the nod of AICTE for starting courses: in electrical and electronics engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. Sixty students will be admitted in each of these four courses The new institute would be a constituent unit of the Loknayak Jayaprakash University.

According to the department's internal paper, process has already been started for the creation of posts of teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as to fill in time the sanctioned posts. As per the AICTE parameters, there should be 64 posts of teaching staff and 82 others of technical and administrative personnel.

The urgency on this count is obvious, since as per the resolution of the Bihar State Technical Education Board, admissions for the 2011-12 session in the state polytechnic and engineering colleges have to be completed by June this year, so that the academic session begins from July and the first semester is completed by December to match with the academic calendar.

Sources said that almost all important buildings – institute building, laboratory building, workshop building, separate hostels for girl and boy students and residence of the principal – have been almost completed at a cost of Rs 30.86 crore. The administrative order for the opening of LJTI was taken in 2003.

Besides, a sum of Rs 62.22 crore has been sanctioned for the completion of remaining buildings. When complete, the LJTI would also have dispensary, canteen, bank and post office building, two 150-bed hostels each for boys and girls, residential buildings for teaching and non-teaching staff and guest house, apart from the main blocs. Residential premises for the grade III and IV staff would also be there. Spread over 40 acres, Rs 93.09 crore would be spent on infrastructure of the institute.

World8115

February 15th, 2011, 06:32 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-gets-nod-for-Rs-24K-cr-plan/articleshow/7503901.cms)
The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved Bihar's proposal for a plan size of Rs 24,000 crore for 2011-12, which is 20% higher than the current fiscal's outlay of Rs 20,000 crore.

The plan outlay was finalized after chief minister Nitish Kumar met Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi. The state government had been insisting that the plan panel approve an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore to uplift the state from the bottom of the development index.

The plan panel has asked Bihar to focus on power sector and said the financial performance of the sector needed to be improved. The CM agreed with Ahluwalia and said the state government is enhancing power generation capacity in both conventional and non-conventional energy sources.

To meet the target of Rs 24,000 crore, the state government will manage 41% (Rs 9,934.49 crore) from internal resources and savings, 27% (Rs 6,342 cr) from market borrowings and remaining 32% (Rs 7,723.51 cr) from central assistance.

The share of central assistance in the plan has been reduced to only 32%, which used to be 70% during 2004-05. State's own resources and saving were only 9.26% during 2005-06 which have now risen to over 40%, said a finance department official.

Bihar's plan outlay has seen a tremendous rise in recent years. In 2005-06, it was Rs 4,676 crore, which rose to Rs 8,470 crore in 2006-07. In 2007-08, it was increased to Rs 10,436 crore and then to Rs 13,693 crore in 2008-09. In 2009-10, the plan outlay was at Rs 16,387 crore and in the current fiscal it had been fixed at Rs 20,000 crore.

"Our focus will be on infrastructure development," said Kumar. He explained that 23.88% (Rs 5,732.59 cr) would be spent on road sector, 7% (Rs 1,682 cr) on power sector, 12.56% (Rs 3,014 cr) on education and 22.13% (Rs 5,311 cr) on other social sectors like health, water supply, sanitation, rural housing, women empowerment etc. He said 9.87% of the plan would be utilized for irrigation and flood control measures and 5.78% for agriculture.

The CM told the plan panel that now the number of out-of-school children in Bihar stood at 3.5%, which is at par with national average; 2.34 lakh teachers were appointed; four million unlettered women were made literate; 446 acres of land was transferred to Nalanda National University and many more projects were completed.

"Bihar is doing well. Growth rate has picked up. There is good growth in agriculture ... we wish to promote its growth process," said Ahluwalia after nearly two-hour meeting with Kumar. "We have also assured support for continuing development work. This is the last year of the 11th Plan and we have agreed on a plan size of Rs 24,000 crore which lays emphasis on many sectors," Ahluwalia said.

Those present in the meeting included deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, planning and development minister Narendra Narayan Yadav, deputy chairman, state planning board, Harikishore Singh, and a team of officials.

World8115

February 16th, 2011, 06:40 PM

राजेंद्र सेतु का होगा आपरेशन

Source (http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/bihar/4_4_7318968.html)

यह बात अटपटी जरूर लगती है मगर सच्चाई है। मोकामा के राजेंद्र सेतु का आपरेशन होगा। असल में बगैर आपरेशन के इसे दुरुस्त करना संभव नहीं है।

पथ निर्माण विभाग और रेलवे के आला अधिकारियों के बीच इस बारे में आरंभिक बैठक हो चुकी है। सोमवार को विशेषज्ञों का दल, जिसमें पथ निर्माण विभाग व रेलवे के इंजीनियर शामिल हैं, पुल का मुआयना कर यह तय करेंगे कि आपरेशन कहां-कहां होगा?

इस तरह होनी है 'सर्जरी'

इस प्रोजेक्ट से जुड़े अभियंताओं का कहना है कि पुल के डेस्क स्लैब के निरीक्षण से यह बात सामने आयी है कि वह बहुत मोटी हो गयी है। डेस्क स्लैब पुल का वह हिस्सा है, जिस पर गाड़ियां दौड़तीं हैं। डेस्क स्लैब के मोटा होने की वजह यह रही कि उसके थोड़ा भी टूटने पर उस पर नया लेयर चढ़ा दिया गया। यह प्रक्रिया कई बार अपनाने की वजह से डेस्क स्लैब बहुत ही मोटा हो गया। इसका असर पुल के उस स्ट्रक्चर पर पड़ने लगा, जिस पर पुल का लोड है। विशेषज्ञों का दल डेस्क स्लैब में लोहा डालकर देखेगा कि जो परत लगी है वह कितनी अधिक हो गयी है? इसके बाद चरणबद्ध तरीके से डेस्क स्लैब को काटकर हटा लिया जायेगा।

क्या है 'मास्टिक'?

फिर इस पर 'मास्टिक' चढ़ाया जायेगा। मास्टिक, आधुनिक तकनीक है जिसका इस्तेमाल अलकतरे के स्थान पर होता है। डेस्क स्लैब के डेड लोड यानी बढ़ी परत को हटाने का काम पथ निर्माण विभाग को करना है। इस पर रेलवे के साथ बैठक हो चुकी है।

स्ट्रक्चर क्रैक को रेलवे ठीक करेगा

पुल के स्ट्रक्चर में आयी दरार को रेलवे द्वारा दुरुस्त किया जायेगा। रेलवे ने आरंभिक स्तर पर अपने काम भी शुरू कर दिए हैं। पुल के एक्सपैंशन ज्वाइंट को भी ठीक किया जायेगा। इस अवधि में पुल पर वाहनों के परिचालन को लंबी अवधि तक बंद रखा जा सकता है। रेलवे के पास इस तरह की वीडियो क्लिपिंग्स है, जिसमें 80 टन का वाहन भी पुल से गुजर रहा है।

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Bihar growth projected at 10.49% by CSO, more than national average this year

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/bihar-growth-projected-at-1049-by-cso-more-than-national-average-this-year/articleshow/7518970.cms)
Bihar is back again to double digit growth. Preliminary estimates based on the data available till December last year and projections for the remaining three month period from January to March, 2011, project the state growth rate for 2010-11 at 10.49%, which is likely to be more than the national average of 8.6%.

"The Central Statistical Organisation ( CSO )), after having worked on its calculations, has made these growth projections. The last few years have seen Bihar clocking growth rates more than national growth rates, which are largely an outcome of development initiatives taken by the state government," Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said.

The state's growth was in double digit in 2008-09, when it had touched 13.06%. In 2009-10, the growth was down to 8.56%. The comeback expected in the current financial year is confidence boosting, although the state is yet to touch the mark it had achieved two years back.

"This certainly augurs well for Bihar, which for decades was classified as being among the Bimaru states. But our good work has started yielding results. The Centre should now back our policy initiatives to help force the pace of development in the state," Modi said.

"Our pleas for special category status for Bihar still remain a big issue and these needs to be addressed by the Centre.

"The kind of growth we are now witnessing is mostly driven by public investment. But private investment was also necessary to give a further push to the state economy . Bihar will readily become an investment friendly destination for private players if the centre accorded special category status to the state" Modi told ET.

Bihar Chamber of Commerce president O P Sah said that the double digit growth projections lend credence to the turnaround story of Bihar . "The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government deserves all praise for extricating the state from the morass it was in even a few years back. At least I can talk of the business community which now does not have to fear anything about law and order issues" Sah said.

mountaincloud

February 22nd, 2011, 01:46 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110222/jsp/nation/story_13617750.jsp

New Nalanda debut by 2013
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, Feb. 21: The revived Nalanda University plans to start its first session at a new campus by 2013.

The tentative timetable was announced here today after a meeting of the Nalanda Mentor Group, the Amartya Sen-headed panel tasked with the revival plan, for the first time since the university’s act came into force.

Sen said he was delighted the ancient university could be revived in his lifetime. “Excellence and fairness in educating people in courses which are intellectually challenging and practically useful would be the guiding principles of the university,” the Nobel laureate said.

Vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal said in the first stage, the courses would include Buddhist studies, philosophy and comparative religion, historical studies and international relations and peace studies.

Some of the other programmes that could be offered in the initial phase include business management in relation to public policy and development studies, language and literature, ecology and environment studies and information technology.

The vice-chancellor said infrastructure work had started at the 446-acre plot that the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar had given for the campus, which is around 10km from the site of the ancient varsity.

Sabharwal said they were getting “fantastic” support and co-operation from the Bihar government for the project. An international competition has been announced to select an architect to design the new campus.

Sen’s group is working on a plan to ensure that villagers around the site benefit from the new varsity. The efforts follow recent protests by some 200 villagers who had objected to the land acquisition. Officials said the problem has since been sorted out.

Sabharwal recalled that villagers supported the ancient varsity by giving donations and food to the students — most of them Buddhist monks.

Now, the plan being prepared by Sen and his team will propose ways to develop the area by, for instance, sending the students to teach in schools and helping set up cottage industries.

Sen himself dwelt on the theme, saying the university would not only generate skills and technical knowledge in Bihar but also throw up employment opportunities while the state got a “world-class university in the process”.

Today’s meeting of the mentor group was attended by Singapore foreign minister George Yeo.

Nalanda’s revival is being carried out under an international initiative spearheaded by the East Asia Summit, a bloc of which India is a member along with China, Singapore and 13 other nations. India is contributing over Rs 1,000 crore.

Sen expressed confidence that the university would be “recognised for its achievements 20 years down the line”.

World8115

February 22nd, 2011, 06:02 AM

^^ More on that:
Centre to decide airport in Nalanda: Nitish

Source (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/centre-to-decide-airport-in-nalanda-nitish/585388.html)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said though the state government had asked the authorities to look for acquiring land in Nalanda district, it was for Centre to take a decision on the issue. "We have asked the authorities concerned to look for acquiring land in Nalanda Pawapuri area for setting up a new airport there. But it is for the civil aviation ministry and Airports Authority of India to take a final view on the issue," Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of his janata darbar programme. Chief minister said the state government had earlier suggested to further expand the airport in Patna towards Phulwari Sharif site but the proposal was not accepted by Centre. He said there were a lot of difficulties in acquisition of land for setting up airport in Bihta on the outskirts of Patna. Kumar said a proposal had already been sent to Centre for setting up the new airport in Nalanda. "We will order acquisition of land in Nalanda once the proposal is approved by Centre," he said. Kumar said a team of experts from New Delhi would soon visit Nalanda to inspect the proposed area for airport and hold official meetings in this connection.

sanjusky

February 26th, 2011, 11:58 AM

Punj Llyod bags NH-31 two-laning project in Bihar

Under the project, NH-31 from Khagaria to Purnea in Bihar would be made two-laned with paved shoulders with an outlay of Rs 735 crorePublished on 02/21/2011 - 12:19:44 PM

New Delhi: Punj Lloyd Infrastructure Ltd (PLIL) has bagged a contract worth Rs 735 crore from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The contract is for upgradation of NH-31 from Khagaria to Purnea in Bihar to a two-laned, undivided carriageway with paved shoulders, under the NHDP III (National Highways Development Programme--III) on BOT Annuity basis, a company statement said.

The scope of work involves design, build, finance, operate and transfer of the 140 km section of the National Highway.

''This is a significant BOT Project for the Group on a standalone basis. Through PLIL, the group will continue rational bidding with an aim to create a portfolio of Infrastructure Development projects,'' Punj Lloyd Group Chairman Atul Punj said.
http://www.igovernment.in/site/punj-llyod-bags-nh-31-two-laning-project-bihar-39322

Bhartiya

February 27th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Patna: The state’s first ever river police station to tame dreaded criminal gangs operating in river belts and diaras will be made operational within a fortnight.

“I have asked the officials of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation to complete the installation of portable huts for the policemen to be deployed at the river police station within a fortnight,” Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Neel Mani said.

Initially, this police station, in Patna City’s Kachchi Dargarh locality near Deedarganj intersection, would have strength of 10-15 policemen. “The strength will be increased later as per the requirement of the force for the police station,” the DGP said, adding that mechanized boasts would be provided to the river police station to patrol the rivers and launch a special drive against notorious criminal gangs operating in river belts and diaras.

Well trained jawans of the district armed police as well as the Bihar Military Police would be deputed at the river police station. Sources in the state police headquarters said that four other river police stations would be set up soon at Bhagalpur, Bagaha (West Champaran), Supaul and Buxar districts respectively.

A major part of these districts, including Patna, have rivers and diara land, which till date are virtually inaccessible for the policemen. The death of 12 persons, including two villagers and 10 Maoists, in an exchange of fire between the armed squad members of the CPI (Maoist) and those of a criminal gang on Monday in Munger’s Hiranman diara, has exposed the security arrangements in river belts and diara land.

“The process of laying the foundation stone for installing portable huts to accommodate the policemen to be deputed at the river police station in Patna has already started. We hope to complete the process by the end of next week and make it operational within a fortnight,” said Ashok Kumar Gupta, Additional Director General-cum-Managing Director of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation, which has been assigned the task.

Source : http://www.igovernment.in/site/bihar%E2%80%99s-first-river-ps-be-operational-soon-39353

sanjusky

March 11th, 2011, 12:56 PM

In Bihar, services on time a citizen’s right

For long the country’s heart of darkness on issues of governance, Bihar is now leading the way in innovative solutions to citizens’ problems.

After the ‘kiosk’ system, where people can register their complaints against authorities, the Nitish Kumar government has put in place the Right to Service Act (RSA) which makes it mandatory for the state government and its agencies to extend services to people within a stipulated time frame. Officials failing to meet the deadline could face exemplary penalty. The act comes into force from April 1.

“The act would make government officials accountable and help the government weed out corruption from the grassroots level to the top,” an official said. “Public servants could be fined Rs250 per day to a maximum of Rs5,000.”

Under the legislation, police verification report for passports must be completed within seven days; post-mortem report in three days; and caste certificate within a fortnight. The faults in electricity connection will be set right within four hours. The act covers 30 services.

“People will no longer need to run around offices and grease the palms of employees to get their work done after this act,’’ said Kumar. He also intends to constitute a state public service delivery commission to achieve the objectives of the act.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_in-bihar-services-on-time-a-citizens-right_1518402

World8115

March 11th, 2011, 07:29 PM

'27 km road being built daily in state'

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/27-km-road-being-built-daily-in-state/articleshow/7672708.cms)
Once notorious for bad roads, Bihar now boasts of having roads like runways. Claiming this in the assembly on Thursday, rural works department (RWD) minister Bhim Singh referred to a newspaper report saying a small aircraft landed on the road in Rohtas district on February 24, got refuelled at a roadside petrol pump and took off.

Singh was replying to debate on the budgetary demand of his department for Rs 1634.50 crore which was approved by voice vote rejecting the Opposition cut motion.

The budgetary demands of rural development department for Rs 1473.97 crore was presented by Nitish Mishra, while Hari Prasad Sah presented budgetary demands of panchayati raj department for Rs 3232.88 crore and Parveen Amanullah presented demands of social welfare department for Rs 2965.64 crore. All the budgetary demands were approved by the House.

RWD minister Singh said the state has 1.5 lakh km of roads, of which 88,000 km is under RWD. He said out of Bihar's plan size of Rs 24,000 crore for 2011-12, road sector has been allocated Rs 5,075 crore. "Our government's focus is on construction of quality roads and its maintenance and we are making roads like runways," he said.

The minister said that a total of 18041 km roads and 37 bridges had been constructed at a cost of Rs 9027 crore between 2006 and 2010 and work on 6500 km road was in progress. "Now everyday 27.59 km roads are being constructed," he said.

He said good roads have changed the face and image of Bihar. However, he lamented large-scale vacancies in the department, saying 11 posts of executive engineer, 333 of assistant engineers and 1,326 of junior engineers were vacant. Besides, there was no separate engineering cadre of the RWD.

Singh lashed out at the Centre, alleging discrimination against Bihar in the allocation of funds for the ongoing schemes and denial of new schemes for roads and bridges to it. He said the Centre approved road and bridge schemes under PMGSY for Rs 8,591 crore but released only Rs 3,023.16 crore, while the Congress-ruled states were getting full fund.

Out of 88,000 km rural roads, 38,000 km had been taken up under the PMGSY and 12,000 kms given to state agencies. Construction of another 16,500 km roads were supposed to be undertaken under the PMGSY, Singh said and added that for the remaining 21,500 km work will be taken up by the state under Mukhya Mantri Awashesh Sadak Yojna. "If we do not get central help, construction and maintenance of these roads will be taken up through loan and under PPP mode," he said. A road maintenance fund would also be created.

anujkb

March 11th, 2011, 08:23 PM

http://www.igovernment.in/site/punj-llyod-bags-nh-31-two-laning-project-bihar-39322

so earlier a national highway was a single lane road????????? :bash:

World8115

March 17th, 2011, 07:35 PM

Buddhist park to come up at Silao

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Buddhist-park-to-come-up-at-Silao/articleshow/7728289.cms)
There's good news for Buddhist pilgrims visiting Rajgir and Nalanda - a park dedicated to the historic meeting between Buddha and Maha Kassapa will be set up soon at Silao, a short distance from here, on way to Rajgir. While its site will be inaugurated on Friday, the designing and construction will take some time.

Maha Kassapa, from Magadh region, was a key disciple of Buddha, who became patriarch of the Sangha after the Mahaparinirvana. He presided over the first Buddhist council at Rajgriha (now Rajgir).

Pali literature mentions that the meeting between the two took place between Rajgriha and Nalanda. In 1934, an 8th century stone sculpture was discovered that bore an inscription mentioning this meeting. Over a period of time though, all information about this discovery was lost, except for the picture and inscription translation, which were published in the Epigraphica Indica Vol XXV.

With the help of information from this book, local amateur archaeologist Deepak Anand and Silao people made efforts to rediscover this stone sculpture. It was finally found lying in one of the storerooms of a temple in Silao.

Following a petition by Silao villagers, Nalanda DM has now taken the lead in this ambitious plan to create a Maha Kassapa Park. This will be a heritage park on Buddhist theme, dedicated to life and works of Maha Kassapa. Experienced architects would be employed for its design, said an official.

The department of Buddhist studies, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), an autonomous university, in the past, worked on the legacies of Sariputta and Maha Moggallana by organising walks to commemorate their parinirvana. NNM is now planning to develop a calendar of events to celebrate the legacy of these three luminaries of Magadh: Sariputta, Maha Moggallana and Maha Kassapa.

World8115

March 17th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Rs 1.38cr for civic amenities at Kesariya

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-16/patna/28698809_1_civic-amenities-tourist-information-centre-stupa)
The state government has asked the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation to develop the area around the world famous Buddhist stupa at Kesariya in East Champaran district.

Replying to a question of JD-U's Satish Kumar, tourism minister Sunil K Pintu said in the legislative council that Rs 1.38 crore has been sanctioned for construction of toilets, a boundary wall and a ticket counter at the protected site at which a cafeteria and a tourist information centre would also come up. The minister admitted the site, visited by a large number of tourists from Asian countries every year, does not have basic facilities for them.

Replying to another question, the minister said Rs 1.67 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a tourist complex at Someshwar Nath temple at Areraj in East Champran. He said the state government has decided to develop Areraj-Rampurva sites on its own as the Centre has been sitting on a state proposal to develop the sites at a cost of Rs 2.68 crore, since 2009.

sixsigma1978

March 18th, 2011, 10:02 PM

so earlier a national highway was a single lane road????????? :bash:

I think the article means Dual Carriageway (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDual_carriageway&rct=j&q=two%20lane%20carriageway&ei=M7qDTfmaK4jVgAeym-XJCA&usg=AFQjCNH5DwM5edQdLJqZUg8v_K4YKXSXyw&sig2=n94C-rMjG7IWLdwbY20KAQ&cad=rja)!! :D
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/A63%28T%29_1.jpg/800px-A63%28T%29_1.jpg

sixsigma1978

March 25th, 2011, 04:14 PM

BSNL launches FTTH service in state
PATNA: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Wednesday launched its Fibre To The Home (FTTH) service in Bihar.

Addressing mediapersons here at Sanchar Sadan, chief general manager, BSNL, Bihar telecom circle, Vijoy Kumar said,

He said that as traditional technology such as digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modem technology were unable to meet the high end demands of customers seeking high bandwidth applications such as high-definition TV, 3-D TV, high speed internet access, video on demand, IPTV, online gaming and distance learning, due to limitations of copper infrastructure or air interface, the FTTH method based on optical fibre provides high quality multi-play services with broadband speed up to 100 mbps (both download and upload).

He said that the customer can avail two types of plan under this -- limited and unlimited. Under the limited plan, a customer can avail the broadband service of bandwidth up to 2 mbps with 8 GB upload and download limit at Rs 1,500 per month while bandwidth up to 4 mbps with 30 GB download and upload limit and bandwidth up to 16 mbps with 100 GB upload and download limit are available at Rs 2,999 and Rs 6,999 respectively.

Source : Link (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/BSNL-launches-FTTH-service-in-state/articleshow/7775408.cms)

sanjusky

April 1st, 2011, 10:40 PM

Six ITIs to be set up in Maoist hit Bihar areas

Patna: Altogether six Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be set up in Bihar’s Naxal affected districts under the joint venture of the central government and the state government.

The government has also decided to set up skill development centres (SDCs) in these Maoist affected districts to make the people of Maoist affected districts self-reliant and create more and more job opportunities for them.

The six districts where the ITIs and the SDCs will be opened are Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui, Rohtas, Jehanabad and Arwal. These districts have been declared the worst affected by the state government. Thirty three out of 38 districts are affected by naxal menace.

While the centre will borne the expenses up to 75 per cent, the state government has been asked to give its 25 per cent share to make the institutes functional.

A senior government official said that the proposal was a part of the national wide plan of the Union government to set up ITIs and SDCs in 34 districts of the nine worst Naxalite hit states.

The maximum number of institutes will be opened in Jharkhand followed by Chhattisgarh (7), Orissa (5), Maharashtra (2) and one each in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

The official, who is associated with anti-naxal operations in Bihar, said that an estimated Rs 232.95 crore would be spent on the project. A sum of Rs 50 lakh will be spent on setting up an SDC, he added
http://www.igovernment.in/site/six-itis-be-set-maoist-hit-bihar-areas-39536

World8115

April 4th, 2011, 06:10 PM

How Nitish plans to make Bihar an IT hub

Source (http://www.ndtv.com/article/patna/how-nitish-plans-to-make-bihar-an-it-hub-96327)
The Bihar government has decided to constitute a Bihar Information Technology Authority (BITA) to develop and expand the IT sector in the state to attract investment.

The state government had said last week it would soon announce an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Policy, 2011.

An IT department official here said Monday that BITA will be constituted as the apex body to oversee the comprehensive development of the IT sector in the state.

The authority will be headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. A high level committee headed by the chief secretary will be constituted for monitoring the implementation of IT projects. All departments will be required to regularly submit comprehensive reports on the execution of these projects to the committee, the official said.

After BITA, district e-governance societies (DeGS) will be constituted in under the chairmanship of the district magistrate with the representation of various departments, including the National Informatics Centre (NIC), to formulate, monitor and implement IT schemes and programmes at the district level.

"In the new IT policy, which is yet to be announced, the plans to constitute BITA has been made categorically clear. The BITA will work to develop the IT sector and e-governance monitoring in the state," principal secretary of IT Arun Kumar told IANS here.

In a bid to attract investments, the new policy will give industry status to the IT sector.

"Nitish Kumar is keen to develop the IT sector in the state," an official from the chief minister's office said.

"The thrust of the new IT policy would be to attract national and multinational IT companies to invest in the state," he said.

According to Kumar, the government was committed to providing all possible facilities to IT companies investing in Bihar.

He also said the government had decided to introduce IT education in all Plus Two schools in the state.

"Students will be given IT education from Class 9 onwards," he said.

Besides, 10 percent of school teachers will be given IT training.

Last year, the government had put out its draft IT policy on its official website for suggestions and comments.

According to officials in IT department, suggestions of people associated with different sectors have been incorporated in the new policy.

The officials also said that there will be four components of the policy - for citizens, education, governance and for industries.

The state government created the department of IT in 2007 to act as the nodal agency for the implementation of the IT policy and computerisation within the state.

SSCaddict

April 4th, 2011, 06:30 PM

^^ all the biharis living outside bihar and working in IT sector will be very happy to hear this ;)

World8115

April 4th, 2011, 06:54 PM

Patna will develop like anything with IT companies, malls, residential projects, hospitals like AIIMS etc. to come up in the coming years, all thanks to Nitish :cheers:

Cosmicbliss

April 5th, 2011, 08:48 AM

Cosmicbliss

April 5th, 2011, 08:50 AM

The tendency of the media to go overboard in praise is understandable but not healthy. I think a politician saying all the right things sweeps many journalists off their feet, since we are so used to seeing them as corrupt and inefficient.

gtmashok

April 5th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Let's not go overboard with Nitish praise. The media has a tendency to blow out of proportion even modest achievements. No major investments in Bihar have materialized even though a Rs 1,00,000 lakh crore of investment proposals have been recieved. The government has failed to implement land reforms while the common school system has been put on the backburner. Unfortunately, a politician in India can seem like a messiah very quickly. This is especially so because compared to Laloo, anyone speaking the language of "good governance" "development" seems amazing.

Even the AIIMs is part of a Central scheme.

The tendency of the media to go overboard in praise is understandable but not healthy. I think a politician saying all the right things sweeps many journalists off their feet, since we are so used to seeing them as corrupt and inefficient.

Must agree with you. But I think Nitish is still making a good start. He has to mention all 'the right things' to attract investment to his state, just as a salesman uses key phrases to get your attention.

These initiatives (like attracting IT industry and reforms you have mentioned) will take time to implement. That too in a state like Bihar, the state as a whole will take at least another 20 years to turnaround.

World8115

April 8th, 2011, 03:29 PM

Gauge conversion work begins in state :cheers:
Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-06/patna/29388067_1_conversion-work-passenger-trains-metre-gauge)
The railways has started gauge conversion work on Bargania-Raxaul section of Samastipur division under the East Central Railway (ECR). This project is being carried out on a priority basis in a stretch of about 54 km and the railways intends to complete it by the end of this year.

According to ECR CPRO Dilip Kumar, the railways has already started dismantling tracks on the entire route. Four pairs of passenger trains were running on this metre gauge route. Due to ongoing broad gauge (BG) conversion work, the ECR has suspended traffic movement between Bargania and Raxaul till completion of the work, he said.

The CPRO said that about 10 small stations are located on Bargania-Raxaul route, which is dotted with 31 minor bridges. The railways requires to do 50 lakh cubic metre earth work while about 65,000 cubic metre stone chips would be required to cover the entire route, he said.

After dismantling of old tracks, the railways would take up track linking work first on this route. Besides, the track strengthening work on river Bagmati is also been going on in full swing. In view of the fact that it is a major river on this route, the railways is keen to complete the track strengthening work on priority basis, Kumar said.

That apart, the railways is likely to start running trains on Bargania- Sitamarhi route soon as the BG conversion work in a stretch of about 28 km has already been completed. Commissioner of railway safety (CRS), eastern zone , R P Yadav has already inspected the newly built BG tracks between Bargania and Sitamarhi. According to sources , the CRS has given his nod to run BG passenger trains at a speed of 100 km per hour. However, the final decision is still awaited from the Railway Board to introduce BG passenger trains on this route, sources said.

The CPRO told TOI that the gauge conversion work on important routes like Bargania- Sitamarhi and Bargania-Raxaul would make traffic movement faster. Besides, running of the metre gauge local trains would come to an end on this particular route, he said, adding the railways has decided to ensure running of BG passenger trains in north Bihar region now.

Since all major factories are coming up in north Bihar, the railways would have to provide BG passenger train link on each section of Samastipur division, he said.

World8115

April 14th, 2011, 03:09 PM

Minister opens new railway line

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Minister-opens-new-railway-line/articleshow/7962237.cms)
Railways threw open the newly-constructed Sitamarhi-Runnisaidpur railway line at a function held at Sitamarhi station on Tuesday under the Samastipur division of East Central Railway (ECR). It was declared open by state tourism minister Sunil Kumar Pintu in the presence of ECR GM K K Srivastava and other officials.

According to Srivastava, the Sitamarhi-Runnisaidpur section is a part of the new line under construction between Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur, a distance of about 65km. The new line has been completed at an estimated cost of about Rs 126 crore. Besides, the Sitamarhi-Bairgania section, a distance of about 29 km, under the division was also thrown open for traffic movement after completion of the gauge conversion work, he said, adding the work was completed at a cost of about Rs 130 crore.

The GM announced that two pairs of passenger trains would now be running on the Sitamarhi -Bairgania route. It would fulfil the needs of local people commuting daily between Sitamarhi and Bairgania, he said.

According to sources, the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) of eastern region, R P Yadav, had inspected the newly-constructed broad gauge (BG) line on the Sitamarhi-Bairgania route on February 18 and 19 this year. The Railway Board has permitted ECR to run two pairs of passenger trains on this route in the beginning.

According to ECR CPRO Dilip Kumar, the Railway Board had sanctioned gauge conversion work on the Jayanagar-Darbhanga–Sitamarhi–Bargania–Raxaul–Narkatiaganj–Bikhnatori way back in 1997-1998 at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore, covering a stretch of about 294 km. The railways carried out the gauge conversion work phase-wise and completed Jayanagar-Darbhanga route, a stretch of 68 km in 2007, first, he said, adding the 68-km-long Darbhanga–Sitamarhi route was then completed in 2008.

The CPRO said the ECR expedited gauge conversion work on the Sitamarhi-Bargania route. During trial conducted on this particular route, the CRS tested the run of passenger train at 110 kmph on the tracks. Railways has built 13 minor bridges and strengthened the existing old bridge on river Bagmati on the Sitamarhi-Bargania route, he said.

Railways has started gauge conversion work between Bargania and Raxaul, a stretch of about 54 km, from April 1 this year. This work will be completed by the end of this year, the CPRO said, adding the Raxaul-Narkatiaganj and Narkatiaganj-Bikhnatori routes would be taken up soon after completion of this route up to Raxaul this year.

According to the GM, the movement of traffic would become faster after conversion of all metre gauge lines into broad gauge lines. This route is an alternative broad gauge line having a direct connectivity to Gorakhpur in the west and Kolkata in the east, he said.

World8115

April 19th, 2011, 05:51 PM

Coming up in Bihar, thermal, biomass power plants

Source (http://calcuttatube.com/coming-up-in-bihar-thermal-biomass-power-plants/147682/):cheers:
Electricity-starved Bihar is setting up five thermal power plants of 7,000 MW capacity and others based on gas and biomass, say officials adding the sector has attracted private investment worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

‘More than anything, Bihar attracted private investment in the power sector till March 31,’ said an official of the Bihar State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).

The thermal power plants, of 1,320 MW each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur, Areraj in East Champaran and one in Banka district. Besides, a plant of 2,640 MW will be set up at Rajauli in Nawada district.

‘The proposal for establishing five new thermal power plants has been approved by the government,’ an official said.

According to official sources, the plant in Lakhisarai is estimated to cost Rs.8,343 crore, Piparpainti Rs.7,374 crore, Areraj Rs.7,300 crore, Banka Rs.7,960 crore and Rajauli power plant Rs.14,800 crore.

SIPB officials said investment proposals to set up gas- and biomass-based power plants in Rohtas, Gaya and Kaimur districts have also been cleared.

Industry Minister Renu Kumari Kushwaha said changing Bihar had attracted private investors.

‘Big and small industrialists are showing a keen interest in Bihar after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initiated measures to develop infrastructure, including power,’ she said.

After fulfilling the dream of good roads in Bihar in his first term as chief minister, Nitish Kumar now wants to make a difference in the power sector during his second stint.

The government has started pushing major investment projects from January 2006. An official at the chief minister’s office said the government was now regularly receiving new investment proposals from industrialists.

‘After roads, the power sector is a priority of Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar,’ an official in the chief minister’s office said.

In view of the shortage of power, Nitish Kumar has also asked top officials to review progress in procuring power from unconventional energy sources.

During the election campaign for the October-November assembly polls last year, Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every village of the power-starved state by 2015.

Millions in Bihar are still living in the lantern age as electricity has become a luxury for people in most parts. Capital Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are badly hit by the power shortage.

Protests against acute power shortage have broken out in Bihar since last month, with reports of hundreds of people blocking roads, ransacking electricity board offices and burning tyres.

While the state has a daily requirement of 2,200-2,500 MW, it produces only 45-50 MW of power. The central government supplies around 750 to 900 MW. The state is facing a power deficit of around 1,000-1,200 MW a day, officials said.

Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav has said time and again the power situation cannot improve unless Bihar’s own generation and central allocation is increased substantially.

World8115

April 19th, 2011, 05:59 PM

Kapil Sibal lays foundation of IIT-Patna campus

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/careers/education/Kapil-Sibal-lays-foundation-of-IIT-Patna-campus/articleshow/8026843.cms)
The government was committed to the development of all new Indian Institutes of Technology, union Human Resource Development ( HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said while laying the foundation stone of the IIT-Patna.

The premier technology institute is coming up on 500 acres of land near Bihta, about 30 km from here.

Sibal, who arrived here Monday night, said construction work would be completed within three years.

"The central government was committed to the development of all new IITs, including IIT-Patna," Sibal said after he laid the foundation stone.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was also present on the occasion, said the state government had last year handed over 463 acres of acquired land. He formally handed over the papers for the 500 acres of land to IIT-Patna director Anil K. Bhowmick.

Bhowmick said the campus was being designed by the Kolkata-based Development Architect Private Ltd.

IIT-Patna has been running at a temporary polytechnic campus here since August 2008.

IIT-Patna to be ready by 2013

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/iitpatna-to-be-ready-by-2013/778283/)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said that the proposed IIT-Patna campus will be ready by 2013.

The proposed IIT-Patna campus, spread over a sprawling 500 acres land at Bihta, will be ready and functional in two years' time," he said after Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal laid the foundation stone of the institute.

The Chief Minister said the process of identifying land for the IIT was been a difficult one as there is a shortage of land in the state for non-agriculture purposes.

:cheers:

World8115

April 30th, 2011, 12:22 PM

Bihar for converting 2691km roads into NHs

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-28/patna/29482352_1_highways-state-road-construction-department-nhs)
Bihar government has proposed to the Centre to convert the state's 36 roads, measuring nearly 2,691km, into national highways (NHs).

State road construction department minister Nand Kishore Yadav plans to meet Union road transport and highways minister Kamalnath and his officials to push the demand. "Bihar has only 3.99km of NH for one lakh population against the national average of 6.17km," Yadav said.

The length of the NHs in the state is at present 3,734km. Between 1999 and early 2004, the length of NHs was only 2,362.3km which went up to 3,629km by the end of 2004. Another 105km was added in 2006, he said and added till 1998, the total length of NHs in Bihar was only 1,266.77km.

The minister said the matter was taken up with the Centre with a plea to notify the new roads as NHs sometime back. But there has been no response. "I am seeking an appointment with the Union minister to discuss the matter as well as the dilapidated condition of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu with him. We will also plead afresh for the reimbursement of Rs 969.57 crore which the state government spent on the maintenance of NHs," Yadav told TOI on Thursday.

The 36 state highways and district roads, proposed to be upgraded as NHs, include 93km Araria-Galgalia (up to Bengal border), two roads in Darbhanga connecting the town with Kusheshwar Sthan and Begusarai, Mairwa-Kuchaikot road in Siwan and Gopalganj and four roads in Muzaffapur that link the town with Motipur, Kalynapur, Parsauni and Sheohar. The other such roads in north Bihar towns are in Saharsa, Supaul, Vaishali, Samastipur, Chhapra, Bettiah, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj and Purnia.

In southern part, the roads include 97km Ara-Sasaram, 155km Buxar-Garke (UP border), 175km Barbigha-Deoghar, Gaya-Daudnagar, Sasaram-Chausa and Gaya-Aurangabad roads. Other stretches include Buxar-Dehri, Buxar-Bhabua, two roads linking Lakhisarai and Jamui, five roads linking Bhagalpur and Banka and two roads linking Gaya and Aurangabad.

To bring the state's NH average on a par with the national average, at least 2,000km of roads are needed to be upgraded as NH, Yadav said.

SSCaddict

May 1st, 2011, 07:44 AM

:doh:

kamal nath has been moved to urban development ministry!

World8115

May 10th, 2011, 09:24 PM

Work begins again on power plant

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Work-begins-again-on-power-plant/articleshow/8210066.cms)
The much-delayed work for the setting up of a super thermal power station at Nabinagar in Aurangabad district, having three units of 660MW each, finally began on Monday after a gap of five months.

To be established by Nabinagar Power Generating Company Private Limited (NPGC), the power plant was stuck up in land acquisition row. Soon after the 'bhoomi pujan (ground breaking)' ceremony on January 14, local farmers had protested over the construction work, leading to violence.

Again on Sunday, the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony was held at the construction site following an amicable settlement with aggrieved farmers with the announcement of a new gair mazarua khas (GMK) land policy by the government.

"Given the larger interest of the people, the state government took a humanist view and simplified the policy on GMK land for the power plant being established in Aurangabad," said an official. The district administration managed to bring everyone on one platform and work on the plant started on Monday from Meh village.

During the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony, all officials, including the DM and the SP, were present. A large numbers of farmers were also present along with members of the Sangharsh Samiti, who extended full cooperation in starting the project activities.

NPGC's chief executive officer (CEO) Toofani Ram sought full support and cooperation of the people in future for speedy establishment of the project.

NTPC & BSEB had entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on October 14, 2007 to promote a JV company to establish a coal-based power project near Nabinagar in Aurangabad district. Consequently, NPGC was incorporated on September 9, 2008 with the NTPC and BSEB holding 50% equity stake each.

NPGC is in the process of developing the power plant near village Majhiyan and Ankorha railway station in Aurangabad district. Bihar will get as much as 75% power generated by the plant while the balance will go to other states of the eastern region.

The project is envisaged to be commissioned during 12th Plan period. Its first unit is targeted to be commissioned in FY 2014-15 and other two units at an interval of six months each thereafter.

About 2832 acres of land, which is single crop agricultural land, has been acquired in eight villages of Nabinagar Block and another eight villages of Barun Block in Aurangabad district. The problem related to ownership of the remaining 961 acres of GMK land has already been solved. The coal source for the project is North Karanpura coalfields of CCL. Ministry of coal, government of India, has given its consent for the coal linkage.

World8115

May 10th, 2011, 09:34 PM

Cabinet nod for 2 power projects

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-nod-for-2-power-projects/articleshow/8226249.cms)
With a view to find long-term solution to the acute power crisis facing Bihar, the state cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod for setting up two coal-based thermal power projects with a capacity of 1320MW each.

The power plants will come up at Chausa in Buxar district and Kajra in Lakhisarai district and will have two units of 660MW each. The Chausa plant will be set up at cost of Rs 6,795 crore. The cabinet also gave sanction for investment by private parties at both the places.

Cabinet approval was also given for constructing an international-level museum on Bailey road, for which some official bungalows would be demolished. Giving this information, cabinet secretary Ravikant said the cabinet had given nod to a consultant for construction of the museum.

He further said that the government would seek Rs 708 crore ($153.9 million) loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for execution of Bihar Power Sector Development programmes. The money would be spent for strengthening of power transmission and distribution network in the state. A sum of Rs 100 crore – 14% of the loan amount — would be given to Bihar State Electricity Board as loan. A sum of Rs 10 crore would be made available from the contingency fund for land acquisition.

The government has given clearance for setting up a traffic police station in Bhagalpur, Ravikant said and added that a sum of Rs 536.29 crore was sanctioned for payment of salary to serving panchayat and block teachers of primary and secondary schools. It has been decided to help Dumraon Textiles Ltd to aid in its revival.

The cabinet also endorsed the notification issued under the Bihar Public Service Right Act, 2011 by which 20 public utility services – like issuance of car licence, its renewal, issuance of land possession certificate, police clearance for passport etc — will be provided within a certain time frame.

Ravikant added the government had also worked out modalities for bearing the cost of education of 25% schoolchildren belonging to poor section of the society admitted to different schools in pursuance of the Right to Education Act.

Cosmicbliss

May 12th, 2011, 05:51 AM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-10/patna/29527931_1_women-shooters-training-nitish-kumar

PATNA: The day is not far off when Bihar will have a pride of place in the national sports arena of shooting, said the international shooting coach, Dr Rajpal Singh, who has been camping here since mid-April to nurture the budding shooting talents of Nalanda district.

Singh, who had trained, among others, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, told TOI here on Tuesday: "Till date, I have trained more than 400 shooters in the country. I find that the grasping ability of Bihari children is second to none. Their attitude towards the game indicates their bright future in shooting."

Even girls and women have started taking to the game in Bihar. To promote the game among them, the state government has engaged the expertise of another famous septuagenarian woman shooter, Chandro Tomar. The shooter, who had been conferred Shram Shakti Puraskar by Sonia Gandhi in 2008, will be coaching the budding women shooters of Kalyanbigha village in Nalanda. Kalyanbigha is chief minister Nitish Kumar's native village.

The shooting experts have been invited by the CM to train the boys and girls of the village. The training for boys had started on April 18 and continued till April 28. The formal training for women shooters started on April 30 and will continue till May 14.

"What is novel about shooting is that more the sound of guns reverberates in the minds of youths, the more they move away from crime," said Singh.

The aim of the government is not only to nurture future shooting champions but also to help rural youths get jobs in the police or in defence forces.

"Shooting is a 100% job-oriented sports. If the trainees turn out to be first-grade shooters, they will have an edge in getting a job with the police or defence forces. Second-grade shooters, on the other hand, are quickly picked up by corporate honchos, business bigwigs or important persons for private security," said Rajpal Singh.

Two expert shooters and disciple of Rajpal Singh, Nitu Tomar and Vartika Singh, who have been training a total of 40 women shooters at Kalyanbigha, said: "We had thought the women shooters here will not show much enthusiasm. But during a weeklong training we are surprised. They have proved that they are in no way inferior to their male counterparts."

The trainees had a brush with success recently. A team of 20 selected shooters from Bihar went to the Mechanized Infantry Regimental Centre (MIRC) at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, where after several rounds of examination a total of 17 boys were shortlisted. "Some of these boys will be getting jobs with MIRC soon," said Rajpal Singh. A total of 35 boys have been getting training for shooting.

Initially, these trainee shooters will participate in interstate competitions which are scheduled to be held in October. Later, they will participate in 55th National Shooting Championships and 35th National Games next year.

Cosmicbliss

May 12th, 2011, 05:56 AM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-07/bangalore/29519731_1_comed-k-uget-engineering-colleges-special-trains

BANGALORE: Don't be surprised if you see an unusually large number of non-Bangalorean youngsters strolling around the city in the next couple of days. With the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (Comed-K) Under Graduate Entrance Test (UGET) being held on Sunday, 50,000 odd non-Karnataka students are arriving in the city.

Comed-K is evidently a big hit among the non-Karnataka students __ of the total 68,363, only 18,129 are from Karnataka. The number of non-Karnataka candidates has gone up from 49,541 last year to 50,222 this year.

Bihar, always known for its participation in competitive examinations, is sending a whopping 13,518 students. Not surprising that the Indian Railways has scheduled two special trains from that state __ one from Patna and the other from Darbanga.

The rest of the article is available on the link. I'm posting this here because it shows that 14,000 students were willing consumers of engineering education. The Bihar government must invite private participation in engineering and medical education like KA, TN and AP.

Cosmicbliss

May 12th, 2011, 06:00 AM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-09/patna/29524409_1_solar-energy-solar-power-system-anne-marg

PATNA: Chief minister's official residence, 1 Anne Marg, will no longer depend on power supply from Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB). This sprawling building and the adjacent house, which is being converted into the CM's residential office, will have their own system for lighting.

"I am soon going to introduce solar power system here," Nitish told media people on the sidelines of 'Janata Ke Durbar Mein Mukhyamantri' programme on Monday. "Not only the lights and fans but even the air conditioners and pumping sets will run on this system," he said.

The CM said he was fighting for Bihar's cause with the Centre, but without much success as the authorities sitting in Delhi were not in a mood to address the genuine demands of the state. "I know people take solar energy as a joke but I will strictly implement it here," said Nitish, who appears quite impressed with the green cover of Bhutan. He also appealed to people to help preserve the environment. He plans to develop his Anne Marg residence into a greenhouse.

Cosmicbliss

May 12th, 2011, 06:09 AM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110508/jsp/bihar/story_13914665.jsp

Patna, May 7: The Bihar government has shifted its focus to agriculture with the intent to make the state a “pioneer” in the second green revolution, stung by the lukewarm response of investors coupled with the Centre’s “non-cooperation” in ushering in an era of industrial growth.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar has constituted an agriculture cabinet comprising 17 government departments. The department is aided by agriculture scientist and former director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Mangala Rai. The agriculture cabinet has 14 sub-committees made up of agriculture scientists, experts, planners, ministers and officials to work out ways to put Bihar on the fast track of agricultural growth.

Nitish presided over its first meeting last month.

Asked about his emphasis on agriculture, the chief minister told The Telegraph: “I have all along said I do not recognise the setting up of factories here and there as the sign of development. I believe in growth with justice, which would ensure food, clothing, house and education to one and all. Bihar with its good climate and fertile soil irrigated by several rivers has the potential to become a cradle of the second green revolution.”

“We prepared roadmaps for the development of agriculture, industries and other infrastructure during our first tenure from 2005 to 2010. Now, it is the time to assess our first term’s achievements and follow up vigorously for faster growth and better dividends,” he added.

Nitish said Bihar would make industrial progress on the back of agricultural growth and agro-based industries. “I have expressed my wish to ensure a food item from Bihar on the dishes of every Indian. This can happen only through revolution in the farm sector,” he said.

Farm experts tried to explain the rationale behind Nitish’s thinking given that the focus in others states is on industrial growth. A.R. Khan, a doctorate in soil physics from IIT-Kharagpur and principal scientist, ICAR (eastern region), said: “The chief minister wishes to play on his strength. With the segregation of Jharkhand, Bihar lacks in coal, iron and other raw materials required for industrial growth.”

Khan said it was always better to do what you can do better. “It is said that if the third world war takes place it will be over water. Fortunately, the Indo-Gangetic plain and Brahmaputra basin, in which Bihar, Bengal and other states lie, is endowed with adequate river water and groundwater resources. Other regions are going to suffer without them. Why should the government not use such a resource to make the region a repository of food grain?” he asked.

Bureaucrats pointed to the “many irremovable hurdles” that the government encountered while promoting industrial growth. “Entrepreneurs did respond initially to the government’s proposal to set up ethanol industries based on sugar-cane. But the Centre amended the law making it mandatory for investors to produce sugar too besides ethanol, compelling them to back out,” said an officer.

The government, said the officer, therefore wanted special category status from Delhi that would ensure tax holidays, coal linkage and availability of resources to lure investors but that has not happened so far.

Moreover, with population rising and price of land galloping, few are willing to part with their land. Nitish has already seen what happened with Singur in Bengal where the land agitation drove out the Nano project. “Take the case of Bihar also where farmers are fighting against acquisition of land even for setting up power plants, not to speak of ceding land for private entrepreneurs,” said a minister. “No government would promote private industries at the cost of losing people’s support.”

Cosmicbliss

May 12th, 2011, 06:10 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/State-govt-to-bring-changesin-classroom-setting/articleshow/8262247.cms

State govt to bring changes in classroom setting

PATNA: With a view to improving the quality of primary education, which is also a major thrust area under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), and even embarrassed by15,000 primary school teachers failing to clear the last two competency tests, the state government has geared up to bring changes in classroom settings and teaching approach. "Mere focus on school buildings, access, enrolment and retention (getting back out of schoolchildren) may not result in better school effectiveness.

The effort towards achievement of quality also needs to go hand-inhand with efforts directed towards increasing access, enrolment and retention," said Bihar Education Project (BEP) Council director Rajesh Bhushan here on Wednesday. There are several components which contribute towards making quality improvement in schools and classrooms. To make primary education more simple, interesting and interactive, the state government has launched Unicef-devised Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP) in various schools of the state. "Under LEP, we have prepared classroom transaction manuals for teachers in each subject. It basically focuses on involving children in the teaching process through activity instead of learning by rot. The manual also encourages children to ask questions and relate the subject to his or her surroundings or environment," said the BEP director.

"Secondly, in LEP, there is a move to involve community, which will demand quality in education. Teachers have been directed to make baseline, middle line and end line of each student through which they will be able to maintain subjectwise growth profile of each student. Parents will be informed at regular intervals about the progress or lack of improvement in their wards," added Bhusan.

Jointly funded by the state and Central governments, the LEP has already been implemented in160 schools across six districts of Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Purnia, Banka, Samastipur and Gaya as a pilot project. "The one-year programme will be extended to other schools in a phased manner and will become a permanent feature to ensure quality of education," said Bhusan.

Parents can also register their complaints with block education officers and district superintendents of education. "Thus, it's not merely regular attendance of teachers, but also their teaching abilities that will be under the scanner of the parents," said the BEP director.

LEP, said Bhushan, will work twoway. On the one hand, it will enable teachers to focus on each student in a classroom and on the other hand it will involve parents to keep pressure on teachers to ensure quality. Teaching each subject right from English to mathematics has now been simplified with the help of transaction manuals, he said."

The one-year programme will be extended to other schools in a phased manner and will become a permanent feature to ensure quality of education," said Bhusan.

sixsigma1978

May 13th, 2011, 06:39 PM

More on the Bihar growth story. 7000 MW - up from 250 odd MW it used to produce under the "Daylight Rabri" regime!!

Coming up in Bihar, thermal, biomass power plants
Patna, April 14 (IANS) Electricity-starved Bihar is setting up five thermal power plants of 7,000 MW capacity and others based on gas and biomass, say officials adding the sector has attracted private investment worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

‘More than anything, Bihar attracted private investment in the power sector till March 31,’ said an official of the Bihar State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).

The thermal power plants, of 1,320 MW each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur, Areraj in East Champaran and one in Banka district. Besides, a plant of 2,640 MW will be set up at Rajauli in Nawada district.

‘The proposal for establishing five new thermal power plants has been approved by the government,’ an official said.

According to official sources, the plant in Lakhisarai is estimated to cost Rs.8,343 crore, Piparpainti Rs.7,374 crore, Areraj Rs.7,300 crore, Banka Rs.7,960 crore and Rajauli power plant Rs.14,800 crore.

SIPB officials said investment proposals to set up gas- and biomass-based power plants in Rohtas, Gaya and Kaimur districts have also been cleared.

Industry Minister Renu Kumari Kushwaha said changing Bihar had attracted private investors.

‘Big and small industrialists are showing a keen interest in Bihar after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initiated measures to develop infrastructure, including power,’ she said.

After fulfilling the dream of good roads in Bihar in his first term as chief minister, Nitish Kumar now wants to make a difference in the power sector during his second stint.

The government has started pushing major investment projects from January 2006. An official at the chief minister’s office said the government was now regularly receiving new investment proposals from industrialists.

‘After roads, the power sector is a priority of Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar,’ an official in the chief minister’s office said.

In view of the shortage of power, Nitish Kumar has also asked top officials to review progress in procuring power from unconventional energy sources.

During the election campaign for the October-November assembly polls last year, Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every village of the power-starved state by 2015.

Millions in Bihar are still living in the lantern age as electricity has become a luxury for people in most parts. Capital Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are badly hit by the power shortage.

Protests against acute power shortage have broken out in Bihar since last month, with reports of hundreds of people blocking roads, ransacking electricity board offices and burning tyres.

While the state has a daily requirement of 2,200-2,500 MW, it produces only 45-50 MW of power. The central government supplies around 750 to 900 MW. The state is facing a power deficit of around 1,000-1,200 MW a day, officials said.

Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav has said time and again the power situation cannot improve unless Bihar’s own generation and central allocation is increased substantially.

Source : Link (http://calcuttatube.com/coming-up-in-bihar-thermal-biomass-power-plants/147682/)

SSCaddict

May 13th, 2011, 07:35 PM

^^ i guarantee that they cannot build the proposed plants by at least 2017 because of land acquisition problems... nabinagar NTPC plant has commenced construction after 2 yrs of land struggle... the only saving grace for them now is Barh project of 3300 MW which is expected to be completed by mid 2013 and which will give them 900 MW(or max 1200-1300 MW) which will increase the centre's allocation to 2200-2300 MW max by 2013...

sixsigma1978

May 13th, 2011, 07:50 PM

^^ Funny you should mention this - I've coincidentally actually written to the author asking him exactly that - has the government announced and Land Acquisition Policy before making bombastic claims? He never replies :) - but I'm just optimistic for the bio-mass project - its greenfield and will be less controversial. At this point, bihar most above all others - needs elecricity. Period. If one of those two see the light of day - it will be a humongous step in bridging the supply-demand gap.

SSCaddict

May 13th, 2011, 08:04 PM

^^ more than electricity they need to improve their transmission network a lot..

Cosmicbliss

May 15th, 2011, 07:41 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bihar-to-implement-Right-to-Service-Act/articleshow/8320473.cms

Right to service in Bihar by Independence Day

PATNA: Bihar is poised to blaze a new trail in the country when it implements the Right to Service Act by Independence Day this year.

The act was passed by the state legislature in February-March this year and has received the governor's assent. Besides, the government has already notified the relevant rules for implementation of the act.

Under this act, government officials will be bound to provide 20-odd services to the public within a set time frame, failing which they will be liable to be fined. There is provision for appellate and review authorities who will look into complaints of non-delivery of services and impose fine on the officials concerned.

Hailed as a landmark move by the Nitish government, this act is expected to cut down red tape and harassment of aam admi (common man) in government offices.

The services under the ambit of the act include issue of caste, domicile and income certificates, driving licences and vehicle registration, police verification of passport applications, issue of new ration cards and social security pensions. Applications for these services will have to be disposed of in 21 to 60 days, depending on the service.

Government officials said that Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission has been entrusted the task of launching an awareness drive so that people are able to benefit from the act. The awareness campaign is likely to be launched in mid-June and will cover mediums like newspapers, TV channels, radio, and distribution of leaflets and pamphlets.

Cosmicbliss

May 15th, 2011, 07:48 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bihar-expects-bumper-litchi-output/articleshow/8321065.cms

Bihar expects bumper litchi output

PATNA: Bihar is expecting a bumper litchi crop this year -- 20 to 25% higher compared to last year, according to agriculture department sources.

While this has cheered farmers, they are sore that there are no processing facilities for litchis in the state, which would have enabled them to reap better profits from the crop.

Government estimates put the likely litchi production this year between 2.75 and 3 lakh tonne against last year's 2.25 lakh tonne. An agriculture department official said that Bihar produces about 60% of the country's litchi output.

Favourable climate during the past few months helped in higher litchi production. According to reports reaching the state capital from Muzaffarpur, which is famous for litchis, the flowering in litchi trees was good this year. Besides, good rain in March-end and April helped in proper growth of litchis and their ripening.

However, farmers say it remains to be seen if higher production would be a bonanza or bane for them. They point out that litchis are a perishable item and cannot be stocked in cold storages. With a shelf life of barely two-three days, they need to be sent to markets at the earliest after plucking. Transport bottlenecks could mar their chances of deriving good profits from the crop. Besides, a glut in the market due to bumper production could lead to a sharp fall in prices, making the nature's bounty a curse for them.

Farmers are sore that despite repeated announcements over the years, litchi-processing units have not come up in the state. This has robbed the farmers of a chance to get higher prices for their produce.

Officials said Shahi litchis, the best quality of this luscious fruit, are also exported to other parts of the country and abroad, but the quantity is very low compared to the production.

Cosmicbliss

May 15th, 2011, 07:50 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Gates-Foundation-to-work-in-Bihar-for-medicare/articleshow/8322321.cms

Gates Foundation to work in Bihar for medicare

PATNA: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has decided to start work in the health sector in 8 districts of Bihar. This was intimated by Foundation's country director Ashok Alexander who met state health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey here. "We will start work for integrated health, to reduce infant mortality and check diseases like tuberculosis, diarrhea and kala-azar," he said.

The districts being taken by the Foundation on priority basis are Patna, Goplagunj, East and West Champaran, Khagaria, Begusarai, Saharsa and Samastipur. The health minister appreciated the initiative and suggested to include Bhagalpur, Munger and Gaya in their priority list.

The Foundation has entered into an agreement with Bihar government to work in the health sector. A couple of months back Bill Gates and Melinda Gates visited Bihar and went to some villages to see themselves the health condition of the locals. The couple appreciated the state government's move for immunization and controlling the polio cases.

Bill Gates, who has already visited Bihar twice in less than two years is expected to revisit the state again next month and go to East Champaran, if civil surgeon Kameshwar Mandl is to be believed. Alexander went to Siswania village in the district with his team to prepare a health profile of the villagers.

anidel

May 15th, 2011, 06:19 PM

anidel

May 15th, 2011, 06:28 PM

Here it is Madhya Pradesh was first in India and UP second.

But as usal our media and Bihar's nitesh govt. is making false claim of doing something first time in India which is already operational in 2 states. :bash::bash::bash::bash:

Madhya Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act,2010

October 29th, 2010 → 10:01 pm @ Nikita Anand

4

The recently implemented Madhya Pradesh Public Services Guarantee Act/Lok Seva Adhiniyam, 2010 is first of its kind in India! No other state has come up with such a groundbreaking legislation to uproot corruption and facilitate Public services to common man. Shivraj Singh Chauhan led BJP government in M.P indeed deserves extolment.
The Public Service Guarantee Act provides:

The Act ensures delivery of time bound services to the public. If the officer responsible for the service fails to provide the service in time he will have to pay a fine. The following are the services guaranteed under the Act:

* Birth Certificate
* Caste Certificate
* Domicile Certificate
* Tap water supply connection
* Khasra copies
* Death Certificate

The Procedure under the Public Service Guarantee Act:

* The applicant shall receive a receipt when he or she submits an application to the officer for desired service. The time begins from the date of submission which is mentioned the receipt.
* There is a fixed time for every officer to keep a file with him. If the officer in charge fails to provide the service in time the applicant can approach the first and second appellate officers. They would instruct the officer concerned to provide the service.
* In case of delay, the officer in charge will have to pay a fine to the tune of Rs. 250 per day, maximum of Rs. 5,000.
* The Appellate officer can also be penalized if he fails to ensure the delivery of service. He shall be fined to the tune of Rs. 500 per day, maximum of Rs. 5,000 if he is unable to give any valid reason for non delivery of services.

The Act will be instrumental in curbing corruption on the lower levels bureaucracy. If implemented in good order the Public Service Guarantee Act, 2010 shall make Madhya Pradesh a model state in terms of rendition of public services.

http://www.mightylaws.in/275/madhya-pradesh-public-service-guarantee-act2010

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 12:59 PM

The Nitish Kumar good governance is 30 % work and 70 % hype. Sorry to say this but its true. Laloo was 0 % work and 100 % negative publicity. Now since NK has cultivated an image of good governance, without that much improvement he can claim to be a great administrator as the media will not check promises against actions taken or work accomplished. It would be good to look at how many announcements are made and how much progress takes on each of these. Would be a good reality check.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:06 PM

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/bihar-government-to-fulfil-housing-dream-of-412-lakh-employees-with-house-construction-advance/articleshow/8365387.cms

Bihar government to fulfil housing dream of 4.12 lakh employees with 'House Construction Advance'

PATNA: The Bihar government will soon provide a maximum of Rs 30 lakh as 'House Construction Advance' to its over 4 lakh employees, Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi said today.

"We have planned to provide a maximum of Rs 30 lakh as House Construction Advance (HCA) to help government employees and teachers have their own houses," Modi said here.

Along with the new HCA scheme , the previous scheme under which government employees were given a maximum loan of Rs 7.50 lakh would run concurrently, he said.

Modi said that Government employees and teachers in the state capital or at any district headquarters could withdraw the HCA amount from any branch of the Central Bank of India within a fortnight of signing the standard form of the agreement.

"HCA will be sanctioned at base interest rate as fixed by the bank as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines," he added.

"Under the HCA scheme, the state government will be a guarantor to ensure through drawing and disbursal officers that equal monthly installments as fixed by the bank would be regularly deducted from the employees' salary," Modi said.

A decision to enhance the HCA from Rs 7.50 lakh to Rs 30 lakh was taken in conformity with the recommendations of the Bihar state administrative reforms commission, Modi said, claiming the bank would not even charge processing fees for the loans given under HCA.

The HCA loan would be applicable for buying land, building houses, expansion of existing homes, buying flats or houses and repair of old houses.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:12 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110516/jsp/bihar/story_13986101.jsp

ash of colour to bus ride
AMIT BHELARI

Patna, May 15: The launch of the 70-strong fleet of buses by chief minister Nitish Kumar today partially addressed the long pent-up frustration of commuters about the public transport facilities in the city.

Most commuters claimed that the public transport in the city was pathetic till the new buses hit the streets. As a result, most commuters preferred to travel in autorickshaws or other vehicles, giving buses a miss.

But all these are set to be history, courtesy the fleet launched today at Samvad Bhavan. Bihar State Transport Corporation and Eden Transport, Calcutta, would operate the buses on a public-private mode.

While inaugurating the service, Nitish said: “Maintenance of this service is very important. The department must ensure that the service is not affected at any cost. I will see to it personally.

“Public transport will play a very important role in the coming days as the price of petrol has increased. The price of diesel and LPG is also likely to increase. Our government will try to make public transport as cheap as possible,” he said.

The minimum fare on these buses is Rs 5, the maximum Rs 10. Each bus has 32 seats. They also have closed- circuit TV cameras and global positioning system as security measures.

Special buses with pink stripes will carry only female passengers.

Nitish also liked the concept of giving buses on each route a different colour.

“I really like the colour of the buses. Most people have appreciated it. It is the responsibility of the private company and the transport department to ensure that the buses do not get discoloured,” said Nitish.

Transport minister Brishen Patel said: “That day is not far when all the districts of Bihar would be connected by Volvo bus service, and the district residents, too, would be able to avail of this service.”

There is more good news for the passengers: in two week’s time, eight air-conditioned buses will join the fleet. The fare on these buses would be double, though.

Passengers were all praise for the bus service.

Anurag Tiwari, a regular passenger, said: “We must congratulate the state government for introducing this service, where tickets will be generated through an electronic machine. Earlier, the conductor used to take the money without any receipt.”

“We are fed up with the present bus service. We are forcing ourselves to travel by these buses. But the new service will bring some relief to people like us, who travel to far-off places like Phulwarisharif and Danapur,” said Munna Prasad, a resident of Lodhipur.

Prasad was spot on. This correspondent experienced it today when he took a bus ride from Gandhi Maidan to Patna Junction for reality check.

To begin with, the conductor kept taking more passengers though the bus was overloaded and most passengers were forced to stand. The bus was so crowded that many passengers found themselves hanging out, holding onto bars and handles for dear life.

Rajiv Ranjan, a student of KVS, Bailey Road, said: “The buses have no space most of the time. We are continuously pushed by passengers behind us.”

Even those who were seated were not comfortable, as the space was cramped and the passengers were forced to keep their legs folded to prevent altercations with their fellow travellers. Many were also seated on the engine box beside the driver. Most of them said that the bumpy bus ride was not worth the fare.

“The conductor misbehaves with us. Also, they often shout at us for not having the exact change for the fare,” said Sabzibagh resident Nur Fatima. She added that she was happy that the new bus service would provide separate vehicles for ladies.

Neither the bus driver, nor the conductor was wearing any uniform. In fact, the bus driver was sporting just a vest.

Private operators under the guidance of the state government operate most of the buses on the city streets. Most of the buses, almost 15 to 20 years old, flout the rules.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:15 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Kidney-transplant-centre-to-be-set-up/articleshow/8353645.cms

Kidney transplant centre to be set up

PATNA: Bihar government on Sunday announced that the first kidney transplant centre of the state would be set up at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here.

State health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said a decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the institute`s Board of Governors (BOG) held on Saturday, which was attended, among others, by leader of opposition in Bihar legislative assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui, principal secretary, health, Amarjeet Sinha and IGIMS director Dr Arun Kumar.

The minister said the kidney transplant centre would be in conformity with the Organ Transplant Act. The government would soon create all necessary infrastructure at the IGIMS to establish the centre, he added.

He stated new rules and regulation would be drafted to run IGIMS as the existing one included some rules on the pattern of AIIMS, New Delhi while some other rules were included at the behest of the state. The new rules would be ready within two months.

The government has also decided, Choubey said, to provide free medicare facilities to people below poverty line (BPL) at IGIMS. They would be given drugs free of cost, and a generic drug shop would be opened on the institute`s premises. The minister also announced 24-hour emergency service at the IGIMS, with one senior consultant always present on duty. Now onwards, samples for different investigations would not be sent outside as the same would be performed at the institute itself, he said.

IGIMS has now got a new dean and medical superintendent with the appointment of HoD, neurosurgery, Dr Mahendra Singh, and Dr U S Rai respectively. The minister said an ad would be issued in a week to appoint a regular medical superintendent.

Choubey also said a nodal library would be established at IGIMS which would be linked with all the six medical colleges of the state. Two nursing colleges would also be opened on the institute`s premises, he said adding a building for patients` attendants would also be constructed. The government has also decided to cultivate herbal plants on the IGIMS premises, Choubey said and added yoga and acupressure system of treatment would also be introduced in the Institute.

IGIMS would also have its own hospital management department soon, for which approval had been given for creation of posts, Choubey stated. He also said that with the help of National Informatics Centre (NIC), the department of biomedical engineering of the institute would be scaled up. Besides, a modular operation theatre machine would also be purchased to upgrade anaesthesia department.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:17 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Nitish-to-travel-in-buses-incognito/articleshow/8353614.cms

Nitish to travel in buses, incognito
Faizan Ahmad, TNN | May 16, 2011, 05.08am IST

Article
Comments (5)

Tags:Nitish Kumar|BSRTC

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar, dressed in trousers, T-shirt and cap, could be spotted at any unexpected place as he has planned to move out to see himself how his governance and system work. He will make up to conceal his identity. "Very few people have seen me in trousers and shirt," he said on Sunday while flagging off buses for the city ring service.

"One day I will go and ride bus of any route and myself see its functioning," he told the authorities of the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) and transport department. Nitish, in fact, loves to travel in bus. He disclosed this himself.

The CM said that even when he was elected an MLA, he had travelled by bus. The CM narrated an incident of 1985-86 when he was an MLA from Harnaut. Nitish said, "I was travelling in a private bus to Biharsharif to attend an official meeting. At one place, the bus was stopped and the magistrate came to check the bus. The bus was being run without valid permission. To impress the magistrate, the bus driver told him that `Vidhayakji` was also travelling in the bus. The magistrate could not believe and finally when he came near me, he recognized me, but said the bus would not go further."

Nitish continued, "As the bus was held up there, the passengers were quite troubled and pressed me to ask the magistrate to allow its journey. Suddenly a brand new bus, which was almost empty, reached the place and the passengers were loaded on that bus. That bus belonged to the BSRTC."

The CM said the BSRTC had a fleet of good buses, but the corporation itself was responsible for its deterioration. He also talked about the overcrowding in autos and said the drivers manage to let three passengers sit on the front seat. Turning towards the senior SP, he said that this aspect should also be looked into. Nitish assured the transport authorities that no `rangbaz` would dare do anything with the city buses. "The rangbaz have already been driven out. Moreover, who is a bigger rangbaz than the police," he said looking at the senior police officials present on the occasion.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:19 PM

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:22 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110516/jsp/bihar/story_13986264.jsp

State boost to IGIMS
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Patna, May 15: Promising a complete revamp of superspeciality hospital Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) at a news meet in the capital today, health and family welfare minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey announced the opening of two new specialised departments shortly.

Choubey said a board of governors’ meeting was held on the IGIMS campus under his chairmanship yesterday in which several important decisions were taken and proposals were given a go-ahead, including the setting up of haematology and cardio-thoracic surgery departments.

“We want to further strengthen medicare facilities offered by the institution and provide better treatment options in the public sector. These two departments, one of which — haematology — is non-existent in government hospitals in the state, are part of our efforts to provide better quality specialised treatment to the patients in state hospitals so that they do not have to go outside. There are plans to provide 24x7 emergency services to patients and the senior consultant will also be present round-the-clock to treat them,” said Chaubey and added that for financial year 2011-12, the state government had given Rs 60 crore to IGIMS, a 450-bed facility, while it had earned Rs 9 crore in the last financial year.

He added: “The rules and regulations for the IGIMS have been incomplete and all the important decisions are being taken on the basis of AIIMS guidelines. However, now it is decided that within next two-three months, the complete act will be formulated for the prestigious institution.”

He said as treatment and tests were paid services in the hospital, the state government was keen to provide free treatment to patients belonging to BPL category for which provisions would be made shortly.

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:24 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110516/jsp/bihar/story_13987409.jsp

Students will have to impress employers’
HARD TALK / A Lakshminath

CNLU students stage a candlelight march demanding placements for varsity graduates, in Patna. Picture by Deepak Kumar
Chanakya National Law University — a dream project of chief minister Nitish Kumar — turned into a nightmare when varsity students went on a hunger strike last month, demanding placements for final-year examinees. The agitation exposed not just students’ fury but also the dismal state of affairs at one of the most ambitious projects launched by the NDA government. CNLU vice-chancellor A Lakshminath talks to The Telegraph on the varsity’s problems and its future prospects

Students have bright future

CNLU was opened in 2006. How do you rate the performance of the varsity in the past five years?

The university is still in its initial stage of formation, but it is doing well. We have good students and they will shine. They are brighter and more studious than the general law students from state universities. We have different types of students, some of them have an edge in forensic skills while some have good command over corporate laws.

More avenues for lawyers

Has the university managed to block the “brain drain” from the state, particularly students opting for law careers in other states/ countries?

Chanakya National Law University has given an opportunity to students who are interested in the legal profession. Earlier, students who wanted to take up law as profession had limited scope in the state but now the situation has improved. The state has produced a number of eminent lawyers and judges who have created a niche for themselves in the legal profession. The opening of CNLU is an effort to keep this spirit of the students high.

New campus well-equipped

What steps have been taken for improvement of the university in the past five years?

We have built a new campus in record time. The foundation-laying ceremony of the new campus was held in May 2008 and in July 2010 we shifted to the new building at Mithapur.

The campus has hostel and wi-fi facilities. The university has a legal aid clinic and in the past five years we have held seminars and discussion of various topics. CNLU students have taken up the responsibility of providing free coaching to needy students and we have also organised training programmes for senior officers of Bihar police. CNLU is the only national law university in Bihar which offers integrated five-year BA-LLB (Honours) programme to students keen to take up law profession. It is only the 10th national law varsity in India.

Important role in social change

What is the relevance of law profession other than court practice?

Law is not confined to litigations only, lawyers are known to be social engineers. If an administrator knows the law well, his efficiency increases. An administrator with good knowledge of law can initiate settlement over an issue between two parties through arbitration or mediation. This will also ease the case load on courts.

Laws framed, not applied

What do you think about the legal process and the justice system in India, particularly in Bihar?

India's judicial system is very strong. Justice maybe delayed but it is never denied. In India, judicial emphasis is on evidence and gathering evidence, many a times, is time-consuming. When new laws are framed, there is hardly any discussion in Parliament. New legislations are passed but there is no effort to implement them. Various anti-terrorist laws made by successive governments have seen the same fate.

Ensure witness protection

Tell us something about speedy trails introduced by the Nitish Kumar government?

Speedy trials have been very successful in Bihar. General courts take more time in delivering judgment as a lot of time goes into collecting evidence. One of the reasons why investigating agencies take time in collecting evidence is because the witness fears deposing before the court, as there is no system to protect witnesses in India. If such a system is introduced, more and more people will be ready to assist the law-enforcing agencies, hence ensuring speedy trial.

About A. Lakshminath...

He is the first vice-chancellor of CNLU. Prior to this he was registrar and dean at NALSAR, Hyderabad. Born in Vishakhapatnam in 1942, Lakshminath completed his early education in Andhra Pradesh and later went to Nagpur University for his LLB. He completed his LLM and PhD from the same university and later joined it as a faculty member. In 1986, he shifted to Andhra Pradesh and joined the Andhra University (Vishakhapatnam). Lakshminath has also worked as a Fulbright visiting professor at the University of Massachusetts, USA, and taken classes as visiting professor in Banaras Hindu University. He has authored 10 books and written over 120 articles for reputed law journals. Till date, 75 research scholars have received PhD under his guidance.

What would you have been had you not been an academic?

I was always interested in law studies. Had I not been an academic, I would have become a lawyer and served the people.

Varsity focus on quality education
“Investment Rs 100 crore, result 80 unemployed” screamed a placard put up by agitating students recently. Why is there so much disgruntlement among the varsity students over placements?
We are trying our best to ensure placement for each and every student. Initially, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) at Bangalore also did not have good placement opportunities. However, now, not only are the varsity students getting placement offers but also graduates from the institute, who have formed their alumni association, are helping their juniors bag the best jobs. In fact, a number of students from NLSIU have joined law firms set up by their seniors. Such practice is not confined to NLSIU but all major law universities in the country are following the same trends. We sent many CNLU students for internship with eminent lawyers and law firms. The students who had gone for internship should have impressed their seniors. We can't provide placements to students like management institutes and engineering colleges. Moreover, according to the act of CNLU, we are only to provide better legal education. Many students, who are currently pursuing their studies from CNLU, have taken applied for higher studies in foreign universities

Cosmicbliss

May 16th, 2011, 01:25 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110516/jsp/bihar/story_13985500.jsp

Muzaffarpur, May 15: The Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University is set to introduce semester system and revamp curriculum of its courses.

The varsity will switch to the semester system from the session starting in June. The new syllabi will also be followed from the same session.

After the University Grants Commission reminded the university to upgrade its syllabi and bring it on a par with that of the central universities, including Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), the Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University vice-chancellor Rajendra Mishra directed the pro-vice-chancellor, Padmasha Jha, and other members of the academic board of the varsity to review the curriculum.

The members of the board held several meetings and discussed the steps to revamp the curriculum. They studied the syllabus of the central universities for incorporating them in the syllabi of the Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University.

The development officer of the university, Ajay Kumar Srivastava, said: “The university has completed the official procedures to revamp the syllabus. The board members have made a new curriculum. The students of the university will now on follow the pattern of the central universities. The students of the degree courses will now sit for examinations six times at an interval of six months. Four examinations would be conducted for the postgraduate courses.”

He said: “The principals, heads of departments of postgraduate courses and dean of faculties are scheduled to meet on May 18 to finalise the technicalities of implementing the new syllabi. They would discuss the methods of executing the semester system

avinash2060

May 18th, 2011, 06:29 AM

Geneva, May 17 (PTI)

Bill Gates today showered praise on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at the World Health Assembly for his impressive performance of rapid vaccination for the children in the state, saying ''people are hungry for visionary leaders'' who deliver upon their promises.

"Inter-state jealousies" over social performance are contributing to increased focus on health, Gates told PTI during a press conference here.

"I was struck by the chief minister's popularity," he said in his address to the 64th World Health Assembly (WHA), which is the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Nitish Kumar and Muhammad Pate (head of Nigeria's polio eradication programme) have demonstrated that the best leaders can overcome the worst circumstances," said Gates, adding "People are hungry for visionary leaders who not only promise a better future, but deliver upon that promise."

He urged health ministers to embark on rapid vaccination programme to reduce child mortality.

"Let us rededicate ourselves to the idea that no district will be below 80 per cent coverage," Gates emphasised at the annual meeting of WHA to set the priorities for the coming year.

India has one of the highest child and infant mortality rates in the world.

Despite a robust pharmaceutical industry and growing economic prosperity, India is yet to make a significant dent on its disease-burden, said health analysts.

Gates said nations must strive to "make this the decade of vaccines," underscoring the need for donor countries not to turn a deaf ear for making generous contributions towards "vaccines and immunization."

The founder of Microsoft said pharmaceutical companies must manufacture affordable vaccines for poor countries, while WHO’s 193 members must "make vaccines a central focus of your health systems, to ensure that all your children have access to existing vaccines now - and to new ones as they become available.”

He asked vaccine companies in the world to emulate "the Serum Institute of India, led by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla," for manufacturing the low-cost meningitis vaccine.

He said the Serum institute has become world's largest producer of the measles vaccines, and the pentavalent vaccine, suggesting that the Indian company is now manufacturing inexpensive "diarrhea and pneumonia vaccines."

The Gates foundation has become the second largest donor to the WHO after the US.
The WHO, which is facing unprecedented financial deficit to the tune of USD 300 million, is now seeking funds from private and philanthropic outfits committed to improving global health, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's director general, told reporters.

She told PTI that there is no conflict of interests or lack of accountability for the funds received from private sources.

"WHO is a multilateral organization and we have clear rules," she said, suggesting that it doesn't allow the companies to have any influence in its day-to-day decisions.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/162105/bill-gates-praises-nitish-kumar.html
When Entire India Is scam Strucked this is one man who upholding our Pride

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 03:59 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-opens-radio-stations-for-farmers/articleshow/8403977.cms

CM opens radio stations for farmers

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Tuesday inaugurated the transmission of two community radio stations for the farmers which have been set up at Barh in Patna and Birauli in Samastipur. He advised the farmers to listen to the two-hour programmes on radio every day which will give them important tips about the farming.

Inaugurating the stations from here by remote, Nitish expressed happiness over the beginning of a new era in the agriculture sector and said the new system will help the farmers to learn about the latest techniques and scientific researches in agriculture. These stations will have a 20 km radius.

The CM said that it was his endeavour to provide useful information to farmers which they could get easily at one place and the radio was the best medium. The farmers would not only listen to the programmes related to their profession, but also for the interest and entertainment of their womenfolk and children. Every day the programmes will be broadcast from 7 to 8 in the morning and 6 to 7 in the evening. Of the two hours, one hour will be devoted for the programmes on agriculture and related activities.

He asserted that his government wants the agriculture sector to be corruption-free. Referring to reports of scandals in issuing Kisan Credit Cards in Muzaffarpur, the CM said that while investigation was on, "such practices won't be tolerated as we are firm on zero-tolerance of corruption."

Nitish said that the government has taken several measures to raise agricultural production and make farmers self-reliant. To give a boost to the agrarian sector, he said that the state has constituted the first-ever 'agriculture cabinet' with 27 allied departments to usher in green revolution. He also informed that prominent scientist Dr Mangal Rai has been appointed as an agriculture adviser.

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh said that in the second phase three more radio stations at Sabour (Bhagalpur), Dholi (Muzaffarpur) and Noorsarai (Nalanda) will be set up. Rajendra Agriculture University vice-chancellor M L Choudhary said that community radio would provide information about the state schemes, subsidy and grants and would have a 30-minute slot every day for programmes about farming.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:01 PM

http://www.sify.com/news/nitish-to-inaugurate-first-river-police-station-in-bihar-news-national-lfslufjhfji.html

Nitish to inaugurate first River Police Station in Bihar

2011-05-18 11:20:00
Last Updated: 2011-05-18 11:37:37
Delhi-Patna AirfaresAds by GoogleLowest Fares Guaranteed Only with MakeMyTrip™. Memories Unlimited ! MakeMyTrip.com/Cheap-Airfares

Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate Bihar's first River Patrolling Police Station (RPPS) on the banks of the Ganges near Maujipur village under Fatuha police station in Patna district on May 20.

The first-ever RPPS has been built at a cost of Rs 56 lakh in just two months, state police headquarters sources said.

Chief Minister would also inaugurate 131 police building, including model police stations and newly constructed police stations the same day.

Though the state government identified 18 places on the banks of important rivers for setting up of RPPS in Bihar, initially, it would start functioning at five places covering a long stretch of the Ganges, Kosi and Gandak rivers.

The RPPSs would be set up at Patna rural (Fatuha), Naugachhia, Bagaha, Supaul and Darbhanga.

The RPPSs, to be set up either on specialised motorboats or boats, would ply on the waves throughout their jurisdiction, anchor in diaras or riverbanks as per the need and also coordinate with their police outposts established on important ghats, sources said.

Smuggling and illegal ferrying of goods and passengers, boat capsize, drowning of individuals or management of festivals on the riverbanks would come under the purview of RPPS, they said.

Each RPPS would have 45 armed police personnel including sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, constables and other technical staff like driver, wireless operator and cleaner, sources said.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:02 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Women-make-a-male-bastion-crumble/articleshow/8406760.cms

PATNA: The 'ladies special' buses introduced as part of the 70-strong fleet of new city buses on Sunday by the chief minister Nitish Kumar, are really special, for they are meant not only for women but have women conductors as well.

In all, eight 'ladies special' buses have as many as 16 young women conductors, working in two shifts of eight hours - from 5.30am to 1.30pm and 1.30pm to 9.30pm.

"We will soon exceed the number of women conductors to 30, as we would be running a total of 12 'ladies special' buses," said Praveen Kumar Paul, senior manager, Eden Transport. The government has started city bus services in PPP mode with Eden Transport. The job of running the bus services has been outsourced to Eden Transport.

These bus conductors have received kudos from their families for breaking the myth that running buses is a male preserve.

"I have joined this job to be economically independent," said 21-year-old Moni Praveen who is a matriculate, the minimum educational requirement for this job. She stays with her parents. Her father owns a pan shop. "I came to know about the job through a newspaper. After interview, I got the job," Moni said.

"My parents are proud that I am working as a woman bus conductor. Initially, I was confused whether to join this job or not. But then, my parents gave their support to me to join the job," she said.

Soni Siddiqui, 21, who has passed Inter from J D Women's College, is proud that now she can support her family financially. "My family feels that the job is a decent one and I am safe."

"From the security point of view, an emergency alarm button has been provided in the buses, and with CCTVs installed in them, the control room keeps an eye all the time," she added. Besides, the women bus conductors have received special training for crisis management. "Those who work in the second shift get the facility of being dropped at home," Soni said.

Aarju Praveen, a 23-year-old married bus conductor who stays with her in-laws said, "We get a fixed monthly salary of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 per month for refreshments and four per cent commission on every ticket."

She gets home by 2pm. Till then her mother-in-law takes care of her three-year-old son. "For a better future of my son, I have to manage," Aarju said. "When passengers appreciate our work by saying that because of us they feel secure, I get immense job satisfaction."

Another bus conductor, Priya Bhushan, 26, had been working as a field worker in a private mobile company for the last seven years. "A government job gives the feeling of a more secure future. This job is perfect for me, as by the time my son reaches home I too get free."

"In the last two days, we have received very positive responses from our passengers. I feel like we our running our own buses," Priya said.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:03 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/In-Bihar-banks-lend-46-more-in-FY11/articleshow/8406808.cms

In Bihar, banks lend 46% more in FY11

PATNA: There is good news for villages having a population of 2,000 as deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday said the state government would urge nationalized banks to open branches in such villages across the state by the end of current fiscal.

Modi told media that different banks had opened 800 new branches in the state in the past three years, while the Reserve Bank of India has given licences to set up 148 new branches. In the financial year 2010-11, the banks had disbursed loans to the tune of Rs 25,552 crores, which was 46% more than the previous year, he added.

He said the banks have set up a target of distributing loans to the tune of Rs 43,200 crore in 2011-12 in the state. He said that agriculture loan to the tune of Rs 10,667 crore had been distributed in 2010-11, 49% more than the previous year.

Modi said that banks had been asked to distribute loans by constituting joint liability groups to ward off the need of guarantor. He said the state government was contemplating to constitute Kisan Club in every panchayat. "Farmers repaying their loans on time would be given agriculture loans at three per cent interest rate," Modi said, urging the farmers to take advantage of the benefit. He said that Kisan Credit Cards would be distributed among the farmers during Krishi Utsav.

The deputy CM said that banks had been asked to provide more loans under the Agriculture Mechanisation Project. He said that during State Level Bankers' meet, the state government would urge the Union government to lower interest rates on education loan and make it more liberal.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:06 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nations-should-emulate-Bihar-CM-in-health-sector/articleshow/8405330.cms

Nations should emulate Bihar CM in health sector

NEW DELHI: For many, Bihar isn't a formidable example of change. However, the much-maligned state was the beacon of hope at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Tuesday.

Bill Gates, IT czar-turned-philanthropist, went gaga over Bihar's extraordinary turnaround in the healthcare sector. He showcased the state's success to hundreds of world's top health administrators, heads of states and diplomats at WHA. He singularly praised Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

"I was struck by the chief minister's popularity. People are hungry for visionary leaders, who not only promise a better future but also deliver upon that promise," he said.

He urged politicians across the world to emulate Kumar. "Leading a health ministry is a hard job. You face a multitude of complicated choices. The stakes are always life and death. And, you never have enough resources," he said.

Gates explained, "But, you all have access to one key resource: your own leadership. And leadership can be decisive. The best immunization systems work because leaders hold themselves accountable for results. They diagnose problems, innovate to solve them and spread the best ideas."

"Just a few years ago, the Indian state of Bihar was vaccinating about 30% of its children. Then, Nitish Kumar was elected. Under Kumar, the vaccination rate has more than doubled, and it's still climbing," he said.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:07 PM

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bmc-likely-to-adopt-bihar-housing-policy_1544596

BMC likely to adopt Bihar housing policy

A housing policy initiated by Nitish Kumar’s government in Bihar may well become the benchmark for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), that’s struggling to solve the city’s housing woes.

The policy, formulated by the Bihar state government, led to the amendment of civic rules governing the approval of new projects. “Under the new policy, the civic body just notifies the detailed guidelines, according to which the architects are required to plan the new projects.

There is no need for the developer to even seek the civic body’s formal okay, as long as all the parameters of the project are within the prescribed guidelines,” said SK Singh, joint secretary, ministry of housing & urban poverty alleviation, who was in the city to attend a housing seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Disclosing details about Bihar’s innovative approach to expediting housing schemes, Singh said that the Bihar pattern will shortly be recommended by the centre to all states for local implementation.

“Cities like Mumbai, where real-estate projects are getting delayed due to permission processes, could benefit immensely with this policy,” Singh said, adding that the system allows doing away with various layers of plan approval and any permission, if needed, is given through single-window clearance.

He also stressed on the need for faster clearance from the centre, particularly for real-estate projects seeking the nod from the environment ministry or the aviation ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh also revealed that the centre has plans to introduce another housing welfare scheme — the Rajiv Awaas Yojna — that will empower slum dwellers by giving them ownership of their tenements. “This will give the slum dwellers more negotiating power at the time of rehabilitation or redevelopment,” he said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Bihar policy initiative, Firdose Vandrewala, chairman, CII national committee on real estate & housing, and managing director, Hirco Developments, said that much more needs to be done for inclusive development.

“There is no point in changing municipal acts and building homes in Bihar, when the jobs are in Mumbai,” Vandrewala said.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:11 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Nod-for-sugar-mill-in-East-Champaran/articleshow/8406826.cms

Nod for sugar mill in East Champaran

PATNA: The state cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to the proposal to set up a sugar mill with a capacity of 2500 TCD along with a 5MW cogeneration plant at cost of Rs 129.33 crore at Satha in East Champaran district. The mill would be set up by M/s Prasad Refrigeration and Agro Industries Pvt Limited and would be expandable to 5000 TCD capacity.

In another important decision, the cabinet gave its approval to Rs. 777.52-crore National Agriculture Development Scheme and sanctioned a sum of Rs. 65.84 crore as state share for the same. The fund will be utilized for production of certified seeds, distribute agricultural equipment and horticulture development in the state, said cabinet secretary Ravikant while briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting.

The state cabinet okayed a proposal to allow economy class air fare for one of the PAs and PSs accompanying cabinet ministers travelling to other states. Earlier, this entitlement was not allowed.

The cabinet also approved the draft of Bihar Underground Pipeline Bill, 2011. According to this bill, the farmers or landowners will be given 20% of the compensation amount fixed for the category of the land concerned. However; the landowners will not be allowed to construct pucca structure, dig ponds or plant orchards on the land earmarked for laying underground pipelines, said Ravikant.

Cosmicbliss

May 18th, 2011, 04:12 PM

http://moneylife.in/article/wheels-for-the-well-heeled/16496.html

A few model states: Holiday ventures

With summer vacations already staring many people in their holiday-hungry faces, there are many new options available, if travelling by road. For example, a transit through Bihar is no longer the great disaster it used to be—far from it, and this is an input from trucker friends. Apparently it is now easier for them to drive through Bihar at night—there are better roads and safer too—while leaving the badlands on either side for the day passage. In addition, the corruption of illegal tolls has not spoilt the experience of people driving in or through Bihar as yet, so it doesn’t hurt on that count either as it does in some other states—Maharashtra and Delhi, for example.

However, be aware that the ‘Bihar Model’ of adherence to road laws is now being pushed as the way to control transport in India, and that does not pertain only to overloaded trucks being forced to adhere to laws. It is applied with an equally firm and strict hand to all private vehicles too, so please make sure your car or bike is street legal, and the number of people on board is as per the registration certificate. Another thing they seem to be quite strict about is the validity of your insurance documents.

purty_trash

May 22nd, 2011, 06:58 PM

Man! Bihar is going somewhere?...Bihar is actually running!!

SSCaddict

May 27th, 2011, 08:05 PM

Adani offers Rs 7,000 cr investment for power in Bihar (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/adani-offers-rs-7000-cr-investment-for-power-in-bihar/136647/on)

The Adani Power Limited has proposed investment to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore for setting up 1320 (610x2) MW thermal power station and undertake mining in Urma Pahari coalmines located in Jharkhand.

APL Chairman Gautam Adani submitted this proposal at a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the state secretariat here last evening, an official spokesman told PTI today.

The Centre has allotted the Urma Pahari coal block to Bihar to meet its requirement of coal for thermal power stations.

Adani during a presentation at the high-level meeting said the proposed plant, the location of which is yet to be decided, would help cater to the energy requirements of Bihar and provide employment opportunities to more than 5000 people, the spokesman said.

The APL chief also expressed a desire for investing in mining and development of port.

The Chief minister directed the chief secretary, development commissioner and principal secretary (industries) to go through the proposal for augmenting power and take a decision at the earliest.

He also asked the officials to negotiate with the company for procuring power from the company's power stations to meet the power crisis in the state, the spokesman said.

The chief minister noted that the three companies of Adani group-- Adani power Limited, Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZ) and Adani Enterprises Limited -- were listed in the share market and the cumulative capital of the three companies stood at Rs 25,000 crore.

Adani said that he had had set up a 4,620 MW power station at Mundra port and expanded its coal mining activities in Australia

great!!

nitish has brought many IPP's earlier also.. but they are all stuck either due to coal linkage or land acquisition.. he should speed up land acquisition if he wants some power plants to at least start running before 2014! :cheers:

Euromast

June 5th, 2011, 12:02 PM

Bihar launches ambitious river-linking projects (http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bihar-launches-ambitious-river-linking-projects-110016?pfrom=home-India)

Patna: The Nitish Kumar government has embarked on an ambitious plan to interlink rivers to solve the perennial flood problem and augment irrigation facilities.

Ground work has already started on eight projects, of which five relate to tackling of floods, two to create additional irrigation facility and the last a hydel power plant, the state water resource department's principal secretary Afjal Amanullah said.

Amanullah said that the first such project envisaging interlinking of the Burhi Gandak river with Noon, Baya and Ganga rivers would start by mid-2011-12.

The total estimated cost for the project is above 4 billion and it will come in handy in optimally utilising its water resources, Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary said.

"The pre-feasibility report for the project is ready and a Detailed Project Report is being prepared by the National Water Development Authority," Chaudhary said.

Another project at hand is the interlinking of the Koshi and Mechi rivers which will create additional irrigation facilities in Supaul, Saharsa, Araria, Kishanganj and Purnia.

A sum of Rs. 4441.82 crore would be spent on the scheme, he said.

In north Bihar, the projects lined up are Budhi Gandak-Non-Baya-Ganga link, Koshi-Bagmati link, Bagmati-Budhi Gandak link and Kohra-Chandrawat link, Chaudhary said.

sixsigma1978

June 6th, 2011, 04:19 PM

^^ This is one of those excellent grassroot projects - that India needs!! But - won't the interlinking proposal run into flak from Bangladesh? They've opposed any such project that touches Ganga!

Euromast

June 6th, 2011, 04:44 PM

This was prposed by AB Vajpayee but nothing happened. Donot know why Congress never took this project.

sidney_jec

June 6th, 2011, 04:48 PM

I dont think Bihar alone has the authority to undertake the inter linking of the rivers. the rivers cross the boundaries of the state. Heck when just a dam can cause so much trouble between states its the freaking interlinking of rivers.

studdmanster

June 6th, 2011, 04:55 PM

i has only from boundary to boundary, but it could help Bihar being saved from Gomtis "prakop", during monsoons!!

studdmanster

June 6th, 2011, 04:56 PM

del....dp

sixsigma1978

June 7th, 2011, 05:00 PM

This was prposed by AB Vajpayee but nothing happened. Donot know why Congress never took this project.

I think Vajpayee's project was pan-India!!!
Too ambitious I think - even now. But if this goes through - Bihar's perennial flood problem could be addressed - not to mention an entire slew of new areas that will get access to modern irrigation !!

Euromast

June 7th, 2011, 05:28 PM

Yes if kangress and lullu ungali na karey to

studdmanster

June 8th, 2011, 08:53 AM

^^Jab se Bihar mein election hua hai, lalu ka lalten bujh gaya hai!!.....Rahul baba ka v ego hurt hua hai!!....ab Nitish G pe sab depend karta hai, what will he do from now on!!

Aur babaji, Bangal chor ab Bihar chal diye??

studdmanster

June 9th, 2011, 06:06 AM

Keventer and Future join hands for Bihar food park

cc: TNN

Keventer Agro, the food processing unit of Keventer Group, is joining hands with the Future Ventures to foray into Bihar with its ambitious Food Park in Bhagalpur. Total investment for setting up the food park will be Rs 200 crore.
There will be Rs 50 crore and Rs 15 crore grants from the Centre and Bihar respectively, the balance will be funded via debt and equity with 65% stake for Keventer and rest 35% for Future Ventures. Keventor Agro, as anchor investor, is setting up a Rs 130 crore maize-based processing plant in the park.
“We already have possession of 125 acres, handed over by Bihar government in 14 days’ time. This is phase I of the food park and the government has already promised another 100 acres,” said MD Mayank Jalan.
This is part of the 4-5 Food park projects Keventer plans to establish in next few years including in states like Orissa and Karnataka.
On dairy segment, Jalan said the group is looking at four acquisitions, expected to be completed by January. “If these don’t materialize, we will develop a green field project and have already identified 40 acres near Delhi.”
Keventer, that acquired Candico, might prefer the national platform to launch their projects. However, Jalan feels “positive” about home state Bengal and “feels the right noises and moves have been observed” in the last two weeks regarding industrial investments in the state.

sixsigma1978

June 10th, 2011, 04:32 PM

Nitish inaugurates 312 bridges

Patna, Jun 10 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today inaugurated 312 bridges and other schemes on the 36th foundation day of the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation. The bridges, constructed in various districts including Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, Supaul and Saharsa, were inaugurated throgh remote control by Kumar at a function here.

Speaking on the occasion, Kumar said the state government wanted to construct as many bridges and roads to ensure that it takes only six hours from the state capital to visit even far-flung areas in Bihar. Praising the works being done by the BSBCC, he said that the corporation had so far ensured construction of over one thousand bridges in the state during the last six years of NDA coming to power.

Source : Link (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/nitish-inaugurates-312-bridges/722145.html)

SSCaddict

June 10th, 2011, 05:57 PM

today a worker working for my father came back from Muzaffarpur,Bihar and said that now VERY FEW people are going to delhi or mumbai. :cheers:

MNREGA,Huge construction work, Increasing real estate prices are some of the factors he said.

anidel

June 10th, 2011, 06:12 PM

Yeah there is a huge shortage of labor now workers are coming from MP, J&K, WB only.

sixsigma1978

June 10th, 2011, 07:50 PM

312 bridges - Just imagine the rot Lalu Prasad and his regime had let Bihar slide into!!
Its incredible how one man can destroy a state completely and one man can bring it into an economic might!!!
I even count Mayawati - despite her faults - as amongst the visionary politicians - Modi, Nitish, Shiela Dixit!! 25000 MW of power is no joke - she's done a mighty task that even the impotent politicians in Karnataka aren't able to pull off!!

SSCaddict

June 10th, 2011, 08:10 PM

Yeah there is a huge shortage of labor now workers are coming from MP, J&K, WB only.

let us hope that did does not do a nitish in WB otherwise there will be a huge huge shortage of labour all over India.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 01:53 PM

http://www.***************/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3333:nitish-inaugurates-289-new-bridges&catid=56:more-news&Itemid=236

Patna: On the 36th anniversary of the foundation of Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation (BSBCC), Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, at a function held at Patna Secretariat on Friday, electronically inaugurated 289 bridges, three parks, and 20 flood shelters in the Kosi region.

Also, on the occasion, BSBCC chairperson Vipin Kumar presented a check of Rs. 52 lakh to the Chief Minister as part of the profit this year.

As recalled, BSBCC is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) venture that has turned over record profit since the arrival of the NDA government in the state.

More than a dozen bridges that were inaugurated today are in Patna district, including two in Khagaul, one each near Patna Planetarium, S. K. Puri, Kankarbagh G-Sector, CC-Block (also in Kankarbagh), Transport Nagar near Kumharar, Bahadurpur Housing Colony, Rajiv Nagar, and one on NH82 at the 144Km mark.

Kumar said that while a number of bridges were being built in Bihar, it was imperative to ensure quality did not suffer under any circumstances.

"You will go down in the history only if your works are of world standard," Kumar told the BSBCC officials.

The Chief Minister also planted a Patali tree to mark the 36th foundation day of the corporation.

Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, Road Construction Department Principal Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, BSBCC Managing Director A. K. Jha also spoke on the occasion

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 01:55 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-jumps-to-second-spot-in-I-T-growth-rate/articleshow/8805521.cms

PATNA: Bihar has grabbed the second position in the country in terms of percentage growth rate in income-tax collection. In the financial year 2010-2011, the growth rate has been 26.9%. It has been a commendable feat as compared to last fiscal when Bihar stood fifth with 19.8% growth rate.

As per the figures made available by the department, net I-T collection of Bihar and Jharkhand region during the financial year 2010-11 stood at Rs 4,263 crores against the budget target of Rs 4,079 crore. During the previous year (2009-10), the collection was Rs 3,358 crores against the target of Rs 3,170 crores. Thus, the tax collection shows a 27% growth against the last year's 19.8%.

A unique feature about Bihar's income-tax collection is that the contribution of tax deduction at source (TDS) has been remarkable. While TDS contributes 30% of the total tax collection in the country, its contribution is as high as 70% in Bihar. This represents a growth of 43% in 2010-11 against 24% growth rate in 2009-10 as per the statistics available with the I-T department.

As against the budget's target of TDS collection of Rs 2,553 crore in the year 2010-2011 for the region, the actual receipt has been Rs 3,046 crore. The percentage increase with reference to the target was 19.33% as compared to last year's 8.84% only.

Describing it as an encouraging sign, an I-T official said, "Good TDS collection is the main driving force behind catapulting Bihar to the second position from the fifth position it earlier held in terms of percentage growth of income-tax collection."

Explaining the reasons for growth, a department official said, "The main reasons are the economic policies of the state government and the unprecedented growth in economic activities in the state. The robust growth in TDS collection is due to a number of awareness meetings with government deductors, trade associations and corporate deductors. This drive carried on regularly since 2008 has yielded positive results. In 81 cases, the non-filers were persuaded to file their returns. More than 3,000 notices were also issued to various deductors in Bihar and Jharkhand, said the official

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 01:58 PM

Biometric cards for 10 cr people mooted
Faizan Ahmad, TNN Jun 10, 2011, 04.24am IST
Tags:

PATNA: Bihar government has decided to provide e-Shakti biometric card to each of its 10 crore citizens. The department of rural development is working on this project to fulfil the desire of chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Minister of rural development Nitish Mishra said an empowered committee held a meeting on Wednesday under development commissioner K C Saha and decided to go for a common survey of people for both the e-Shakti and Unique Identification (UID) cards. "After cabinet approval, tenders will be floated to launch the project across the state," Mishra told TOI on Thursday.

The minister said the project would cost somewhere between Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 crore and will take a minimum of two years to complete. "The e-Shakti cards will be as good as UID ones. This multipurpose card will not only be an identity card but various schemes and services will also be linked to it," said Mishra. The card will be prepared on the basis of the 2011 census.

Bihar's dream project, e-Shakti, was launched by CM Nitish Kumar in February 2009 as an evidence of his government's resolve to take 'sushasan' to the rural masses. The scheme impressed all including the Planning Commission, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and UIDAI head Nandan Nilekani. The project was termed as the precursor to UID's 'Aadhar'. Bihar's 'e-Shakti' was chosen by the UIDAI as an example for 'Aadhar' in the country.

However, the scheme hit a roadblock for reasons best known to bureaucracy. For the past six months, no headway was made in the project. Mishra said, "The project has been delayed as work on it was stalled. The problem was that there was no clarity in developing the ownership when it was decided to integrate 'Aadhar' with 'e-Shakti' in the state."

Sources said all progress on 'e-Shakti' came to a standstill in anticipation of a unified model for data collection that would cater to the requirements of both the projects. Incidentally, rural development department is steering both of these initiatives.

Mishra said now this issue has been resolved and a common survey for both projects has been decided. He said the 'e-Shakti' vendor, Smaarftech Technologies, had been awarded tender for making 2.5 crore biometric cards. In the fresh bid, the present vendor will have the first right of refusal, he added. For making 10 crore cards, about nine more agencies would be involved to collect biometric and demographic data, the minister said.

A spokesman of Smaarftech, stressing the need to revisit the scope and mandate for integrating the two projects, said while efforts to integrate UIDAI's 'Aadhar' and 'e-Shakti' might have some ground, they do not have any relevance beyond data collection exercise. "It must be ensured that there are no undue fallouts of this integration for any of 'e-Shakti' process other than data collection," he said.

The agency, which claims to have collected records of about 40 lakh residents of four districts, lamented the inordinate delays, saying it has already dented the project's continuity. As a matter of fact, sources said, the 'e-Shakti' provided foundation for the concept of UID. CM Nitish Kumar at the NDC meeting in February last had commented, "Bihar's e-Shakti project has been a front-runner to UID, and the UID must leverage the start made by e-Shakti."

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 01:59 PM

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-06-09/news/29638459_1_foreign-tourists-bihar-focus-on-tourism-sector

PATNA: Over six lakh foreign tourists came to Bihar in 2010, an official said here Thursday.

"The number of foreign tourists has increased from 63,321 in 2005-06 to over six lakh in 2010," state Tourism Minister Sunil Kumar Pinto told reporters.

Pinto said the government has decided to focus on tourism sector as it has potential to generate employment to business opportunities for the locals.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:00 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Lack-of-proper-marketing-hits-litchi-traders/articleshow/8807714.cms

MUZAFFARPUR: The prices of litchi have alarmingly slumped here in the absence of a proper market network amidst a bumper production resulting in a heavy loss to the growers and traders.

According to one of the biggest litchi orchard owners of Muzaffarpur district, Bholanath Jha, the growers have been forced to sell their fruit in the orchards at the rate of only Rs 7 to Rs 8 per kg in retail whereas it is being sold at Rs 125 to Rs 150 in Delhi, Rs 150 in Mumbai and Rs 200 per kg in Chennai. However, four entrepreneurs running litchi processing plants have offered Rs 22 per kg to the growers.

Compared to last year's production of only 1.50 lakh tones in Bihar, favourable climatic conditions have led to a production of about 3.50 lakh tones of litchi in the state this year, including 80,000 tonnes in Muzaffarpur district. Last year, growers had received a good price of Rs 10 per kg in orchards.

This year, the litchi growers might have benefitted the most due to a good harvest if the government had helped them in developing market network as assured time and again. Had the state government equipped its market yards for litchi trade this year or had the Union government provided cargo chartered planes or adequate space in parcel vans in long-distance trains, the picture could have been a bit different, Jha bemoaned.

The government of India washed its hands off by setting up a National Research Centre for Litchi here. The scientists engaged in research work have not yet been able to develop any new variety of litchi during the last five years which could have matched in weight and size with those of China or Thailand.

It is true the aroma, scent and sweetness of Muzaffarpur's Shahi litchi is matchless in the world, but its short season of only 20 to 25 days in a year is not worth it deserves. The season of Shahi litchi, which began from May 25 last, is closing with the attack of insects on its upper portion. Now, China variety has come to the market and it is likely to continue for a week from now.

The traditional system of litchi market is still continuing. Some middlemen from big cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi come here much before the flowering of the fruit. They purchase orchards from orchard owners and start nourishing the trees by properly irrigating, manuring and spraying booster drugs and insecticides on them. They also spend big amount on transport and sell the fruit in boxes to `gaddidars' or wholesalers of big markets like Azad Market of Delhi who actually finance these middlemen to purchase orchards. These gaddidars pay price as per quality of the fruit. But many growers prefer to sell them in orchards at prevailing prices.

Sources said on Friday that more than 1,000 boxes of litchi booked for Mumbai were dumped in parcel godown for the last five days in absence of space in trains. They are now sure to dry and get damaged. Now, the traders are trying to take them to Patna Junction for dispatching them to Mumbai. Hardly 500 to 1,000 boxes are sent by trains daily while more than 150 trucks are leaving Chandni Chowk, a suburb of Muzaffarpur town, daily mostly for Delhi.

The world-famous Muzaffarpur litchi requires positive help from the government to boost the trade of this seasonal fruit to enhance the rural economy of Bihar. A little more than lip service might go a long way to improve the economic condition of farmers and even earn foreign exchange.

Fresh litchi was not exported this year, but a couple of traders, engaged in litchi processing industry, are sending litchi juice and pulp to several European countries, besides the US even without any government help.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:01 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Karbigahiya-to-be-developed-a-la-Ajmeri-Gate/articleshow/8807717.cms

PATNA: Though Patna Junction has its second exit point at Karbigahiya end, the railways is keen to develop it on the pattern of New Delhi's Ajmeri Gate. It has worked out the details to start its civil work soon.

According to divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, L M Jha, the Karbigahiya end has now assumed great importance due to construction of the Super Speciality Hospital of the railways at this end. The proposed information technology (IT) centre of the East Central Railway (ECR) is also to be built here in the future. The unreserved ticketing system (UTS) and route relay interlocking (RRI) office have already been set up at this end, he said.

The DRM said that the railways would develop Karbigahiya side by the end of December this year. The platform no. 10 would also be commissioned by that time. Keeping in view the huge rush of passengers at Patna Junction main entrance point, the railways is keen to develop Karbigahiya end to cater to the needs of passengers. It would develop its circulating area first, including proper parking for vehicles. Besides, the railways intends to make its opening more wide so that passengers either making entry or exiting do not feel inconvenience, he said.

According to sources, the railways has started civil work to develop the entire circulating area of Karbigahiya end. The middle foot overbridge (FOB), which was recently widened at Patna Junction, is being provided connectivity to this end, he said. As per the plan chalked out, the railways has decided to regulate traffic movement at the main entrance point of Patna Junction and Karbigahiya end. The number of trains either originating or passing through Patna Junction has increased manifold. About one lakh people have been visiting Patna Junction from both ends every day either to board trains or get down from long-distance trains or come to station to see off their relatives. Patna Junction is in need of a second exit point to decongest the rush of passengers during peak hours, Jha said.

According to him, he has been personally camping at Patna Junction on every Saturday and Sunday along with officials of the division to sort out problems on the spot. Jha has directed the railway officials concerned to supervise the functioning of their respective departments vigorously and ensure that passengers do not suffer.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:03 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bailey-Road-ROB-likely-to-be-commissioned-by-June-end/articleshow/8794794.cms

PATNA: The Road Over Bridge ( ROB) being constructed on Bailey Raod near Rukunpura here at an estimated cost of Rs 48 crore is likely to be thrown open for traffic by the end of this month . Work on the ROB is going on in full swing. Once commissioned, Patna will become a state capital with perhaps the maximum number of ROBs.

An East Central Railways (ECR) official said this would be the first major ROB on Bailey Road which would give much relief to people after the commissioning of new Patliputra station and the rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga at Digha. Since the railways intends to make Patliputra station functional from Patna and Danapur ends in July or August this year, this ROB is being completed on a priority basis, he said adding the Patliputra station and the ROB are the part of the mega Ganga bridge project.

Sources said the ROB, being built based on the latest technology, had been provided with four-lane facilities. It will have a direct connectivity to people from both east and west ends of the town. Its length is likely to be about one km including the alignment portion of the bridge.

The other special feature of the ROB is the provision of a pathway on the ROB for pedestrians. During the last one year, the railways accelerated work on the ROB. It will be a treat for the eyes at night as the railways has taken care of laying special lights on the bridge. The railways has already laid tracks connecting to Patliputra station right from Phulwari FCI godown.

The railways recently tested the tracks when a pilot locomotive rolled on the tracks from FCI godown to Patliputra station. This ROB is likely to provide uninterrupted traffic flow over the bridge while passenger trains would run on the tracks just underneath the ROB towards both east ( Phulwari ) and west ( Danapur ) ends. The Danapur station will thus gain the status of Junction after connecting it directly to Patliputra station, an ECR official said.

This besides, the railways has kept provisions for bridge expansion. Keeping in mind the fact that the ROB is connecting NH-91, the railways has taken all possible care to give it a proper shape and design to cope with huge traffic rush in future, sources said.

Incidentally, railways is constructing 22 ROBs in Bihar at a cost of about Rs 1,000 crore at different places in the state of which four have been made functional in Patna.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:04 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Bihar-Military-Police-likely-to-get-its-anthem-soon/articleshow/8794788.cms

Hum Bihar ki sainya police hain, shaan badhana hum jaane;
Kartavyon ki balivedi par, jaan lutana hum jaane!
Hamen na chinta sheet ghaam ki, fikr nahin kuchh subah sham ki;
Dhun ke pakke hum matwale, sada lakshya par badhne waale!

PATNA: These lines are part of the song, "Veer Sipahi", which is being considered for being selected as the anthem of Bihar Military Police (BMP). If everything goes well, BMP jawans will be humming these lines by the end of this month.

Penned by the present SP, Bagaha, Anil Kumar Singh, the song was written when the officer was posted as BMP commandant. "I was witness to the hardships being faced by my jawans, who were ready to work under extreme conditions. They would toil without complaining under the scorching heat, cold and the rains," Singh told TOI adding "I wanted to give a poetic shape to their daily ventures." Talking about his passion, the officer said, "I have been writing ghazals and poems since long."

The anthem was conceptualized and rendered to the tune by A C Verma, ADG BMP. "The song is a completely home-grown production," he said adding "when I came to know about the hidden talent in one of our officers, I asked him to create something tuneful for us too. And here is the wonderful piece of writing coming from SP Bagaha."

Talking about its theme, the ADG added, "It has been written to inspire and motivate our policemen. It will definitely impart them an identity." The song will be sung in each of the 16 battalions which finds its mention in the lyrics too: "Hum sahyogi hum sahbhagi; solah bhuja badi balshali." Police 'sabhas' that are held every month will also conclude with the same chorus, rather than the national anthem, he said.

Music of the song has been composed by Antu Kumar, a BMP-I jawan. Lending their voice to the song are also the jawans of the BMP.

The anthem is also being filmed, which will be complete within a fortnight. Every aspect of policing - equestrianism, firing, combat in jungles, raids and parades - all will be incorporated into the film. "Since we wanted to picturise the 'biguel' against the rising sun, the shooting starts at 5am," Verma said.

At present, the song has been sent to the DGP, Neelmani, for his final approval.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:07 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-announces-separate-cadre-of-engrs-for-RWD/articleshow/8807721.cms

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar announced on Friday that the state would have a separate cadre of engineers to be entrusted with the job of road and other constructions under the aegis of the rural works department (RWD), which is the new avatar of the earlier Rural Engineering Organization (REO).

The CM made the announcement at a function organized to celebrate the 36th foundation day of the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited (BSBCCL) on the premises of Samvad in CM Secretariat, where he also inaugurated 312 completed projects that included 289 bridges, 20 flood shelters and three parks constructed and developed by the Corporation.

The formalities regarding the creation of separate cadre of engineers for RWD would be initiated soon, the CM said, adding that a separate corporation would be created for the construction of rural roads. Incidentally, RWD minister Bhim Singh had, earlier, discussed the matter with the CM, who had given his concurrence. The department, which is engaged in the construction and maintenance of rural roads under Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), would need 3,500 engineers.

The three parks developed by the BSBCCL that CM commissioned for public use lie in Patna -- one in Shri Krishna Puri localtiy, and the remaining two in the Kankerbagh locality.

The CM, addressing the BSBCCL function, stressed on maintenance of quality in the construction of bridges, and also said that the projects taken up should be completed in time. The bridges inaugurated by him included Temporary Steel Bridge constructed at Dumri Ghat on NH-107 with Rs 15 crore provided by the Corporation under its corporate responsibility programme. He lauded the performance of BSBCCL whose annual turnover had increased from Rs 57.38 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 1,200 crore in 2010-11 fiscal.

Besides, the Corporation, which had negative net profit as far back as 2006-07, recorded a net profit of Rs 100 crore in the last fiscal. Not surprisingly, the CM said that the growth, development and activities of BSBCCL synchronized with the similar experience of the state itself registered under his tenure as the state's CM.

Speaking on the occasion, road construction department (RCD) minister Nand Kishore Yadav said that more than 2,500 bridges have been constructed under CM's Bridge Construction Yojana. Between 1975 and 2000, the number of bridges of more than 0.5 km length was only four, but 19 such bridges have already been constructed in the last five years. Besides, the construction of 14 such bridges was in very advanced stage, Yadav said, adding that the BSBCCL was engaged in the construction work.

Of late, the BSBCCL has diversified its activities, as it is constructing the buildings of medical college at Pawapuri, while detailed project report (DPR) of the medical college building at Bettiah has been completed and that of medical college at Madhepura was in the process. Among those who also spoke on the occasion were RCD secretary Pratyay Amrit, BSBCCL chairman Vipin Kumar and its managing director, A K Jha.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:12 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-09/patna/29638217_1_patna-airport-jpni-parking-facilities

Patna airport to improve parking facilities
Alok K N Mishra, TNN Jun 9, 2011, 09.08pm IST

PATNA: The state capital's Jayaprakash Narayan International (JPNI) airport is likely to go in for comprehensive improvement of its parking facilities and its entry/exit paths.

As more and more Biharis are opting for air travel, congestion has grown considerably at the city airport in the past few years. Hence, JPNI authorities are keen on improving parking facilities and traffic flow.

BIT-Patna techies, who studied the complexities in traffic flow and parking facilities for flyers' vehicles over the past one year at Patna airport, recently submitted their recommendations to the airport director.

The eight civil engineering students led by S K Sinha have recommended a completely new layout to improve the existing arrangements. "I have recommended a complete overhaul to make things smoother," said S K Sinha.

The number of flyers at JPNI airport has been increasing at the rate of over 50% per annum for the past two years.

"If air traffic continues to grow at this rate here, there will be no option other than providing a multi-level parking as only limited space is available for the purpose," Sinha added.

Presently there are two passages connecting the airport to the city. It has been recommended that the eastern passage should be used exclusively for entrance and western passage for exit. As enough space is available, the width of the proposed entry and exit roads has been proposed to be increased from six metres to 8.2 metres.

It has been suggested that toll collection point be at the exit of the parking lot as it will not disturb the traffic flow outside the parking area. To make it smooth and fast, an electronic ticketing system can be put in use for automatic collection of toll, the report suggests.

The techies, who were asked to study the issue like the study of Delhi airport (parking) taken up by IIT-Delhi years ago, have suggested stationing security personnel at entry and exit points, which will work as a deterrent for vehicles moving in wrong directions and will also increase security. It has also recommended positioning of CCTV cameras at these points.

As Airports Authority of India (AAI) is waiting for land from the state government to build a new airport, it is eager to provide all possible facilities to flyers at the Patna airport.

"BIT-Patna has provided us the detailed study very recently. It has also been explained to us. The recommendations are presently being studied, after which we will take concrete steps to implement them," airport director Arvind Dubey said.

The study was taken up in May 2010 and the report was submitted to the authorities concerned on June 3, 2011.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:16 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-19/patna/29559968_1_medical-colleges-bettiah-pawapuri

Nitish writes to Azad for MCI inspection

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday wrote a letter to Union health and family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad requesting him to ensure immediate inspection by the Medical Council of India (MCI) of the two new government medical colleges set up at Pawapuri in Nalanda district and Bettiah in West Champaran district. He also sought approval for MBBS teaching at the India Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna.

Nitish stated in the letter that construction work had already begun for the Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences, Pawapuri, at an outlay of Rs 613 crore, and preparatory action has been taken to start the construction work of Bettiah and Madhepura medical colleges.

It may be mentioned here that the state government has notified setting up of three new government medical colleges with its own resources at Pawapuri, Bettiah and Madhepura.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:22 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Stand-off-affects-higher-education-in-state/articleshow/8807905.cms

GAYA: The more than apparent stand-off between the governor and state government and the resultant sending back of the five Bills passed by the state assembly for the betterment of the virtually derailed higher education system in the state and invoking accountability in a system plagued by near anarchy, does not augur well for the higher education system in the state.

The Bills pertained to the mode of appointment of university high-ups, college teachers and non-teaching employees, infusing accountability in the minority colleges and much more.

The stand-off has come at a time when more than 7,000 posts of teachers and non-teaching employees are vacant, nearly half of the 230 state-funded colleges face acute crisis of faculty members and the much delayed reforms like curriculum updating, introduction of semester system, development of 50 colleges as centres of excellence and effective quality control cannot be further delayed.

Not only that almost all the universities of the state are being run in ad hoc manner as either the universities are being administered by toothless officiating vice-chancellors not having any power other than salary disbursement and electricity bill payment or remain rudderless for more than a month (Magadh University and Veer Kunwar Singh University).

As against 12,627 posts of teachers in the eight universities, including PU, MU and VKSU, the number of working teachers is only 7,168 and nearly 300 of these teachers have been deprived of their salary by the state government and the government has directed the universities to do away with the services of these teachers leaving the effective strength of teachers in the universities of the state to 6,812. As against 14,437 sanctioned posts of non-teaching employees in the universities of the state, the number of working employees is 12,119.

The tug-of-war between the government and the Raj Bhawan on the issue of university administration is more than a year old now and what worries those having a stake in the system is that none of the two parties have so far shown any blinking tendency thereby making the fear of a prolonged crisis more real.

According to those watching the game of one-upmanship from close quarters, it was an ego clash more than a principled fight between the governor and the chief minister. Technicalities apart, the real reason why the governor has returned the Bills was that they drastically curtailed the powers of the governor in his capacity as chancellor and vested the same either directly in the state government or in bodies like the University Service Commission where the government can pull the strings more easily, says a university teacher seeking anonymity.

Former member of Magadh University Syndicate Arvind Singh said that there was nothing wrong if government control over higher education is increased as after all higher education is fully funded by the state and as such people's representatives have every right to monitor its performance and resort to course correction whenever needed. The governor is only the titular head and the real power vests in the democratically elected government, said Singh.

Disagreeing with Singh, teacher leader and former BPCC chief Ram Jatan Sinha said that whereas global as well as the national trend favoured greater autonomy for institutions of higher learning, the Bills returned by the governor ran opposite the current and tried to take away whatever autonomy was left with the universities of the state.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:31 PM

http://www.***************/index.php/More-News/nearly-all-pass-cbse-exam-in-bihar.html

Patna: Nearly 100% of the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) candidates in Bihar made it through this year as the Board declared its results on Friday.

Click to open image! More Photos

The actual number, 99.51%, is the highest success rate ever to be recorded in the state's history though this is the first time the state has announced the results on its own based on Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system.

Gender-wise, 99.6% of the girls passed the exams while that number stood at 99.4% for the boys, officials said.

A number of schools in Patna, including the Notre Dame Academy, Gyan Niketan, DAV Public School, St. Dominic Savio's School, Baldwin Academy, St. Karen's School, Vidya Niketan Girls' School, and Ishan International Public School, among others, recorded 100% success.

Meanwhile, students were seen celebrating their success throughout the state capital. Exchanging sweets with their colleagues and their teachers, they thanked the system that, they said, actually worked for both students and the schools.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:38 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-04/patna/29620606_1_volvo-buses-bihar-roads-bsrtc

Volvo buses to hit Bihar roads
Pooja Kashyap, TNN Jun 4, 2011, 07.16pm IST

PATNA: The state government has decided to take concrete steps to boost tourism on an unprecedented scale. Special arrangements and packages have been designed to boost tourism, especially in Budhhist and Jain centres.

As a step ahead, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) is all set to change the face of travelling on Bihar roads. It will roll out as many as 92 AC luxury buses in different routes within the state. These inter-city buses will run across the state.

In total, 92 luxury AC buses are proposed to run on 17 routes in the state. While 10 of these routes would connect Patna with other district headquarters, four other routes will be connecting Patna with district headquarters in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand.

Many of these luxury coaches are proposed to run by mid-July.

"We are planning to get mostly Volvo buses," said an official adding we want to ensure a complete smooth ride for our tourists as well as local passengers.

The corporation that initiated the process of inviting applications from interested service providers in April this year, have already shortlisted a few of them and agreement has also been finalised. At present, the corporation is in the process of obtaining permits for these buses.

BSRTC sources also disclosed that as many as 30 buses, all 32-seaters would soon be rolled out on Muzaffarpur roads.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 02:40 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-26/patna/29585308_1_rural-roads-central-agencies-road-projects

Central agencies slammed fortardy work on rural roads
Faizan Ahmad May 26, 2011, 05.12am IST
Tags:

Bhim Singh

PATNA: Had the central agencies completed all the road projects allotted to them, Bihar, by now, would have enjoyed a big network of rural roads. But this could not be done and the state government puts the responsibility for it at the doorsteps of the central agencies. It also blames them for ignoring the maintenance of the roads constructed by them even though the state government has already paid them for this.

At least five central agencies had been allotted work to construct 3,590 rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), but, till date, only 1,639 roads could be completed. Rural works department, under which rural roads come, is anything but impressed. Hundreds of road projects are still on paper.

"Enough is enough," lamented rural works minister Bhim Singh. "Several hundred roads for which contracts were given to these agencies are nowhere to be seen," he alleged. Singh said his department was extremely unhappy with the pace as well as the quality of work. The agencies responsible for construction of rural roads are CPWD, IRCON, NBCC, NHPC and NPCC.

"Out of road projects of 18,908km under the PMGSY, central agencies have completed construction of only 8,690km," Singh said. He told TOI that the government had asked the agencies to speed up work and ensure a time-frame for the completion of incomplete and untouched projects. Furthermore, the minister has sought assurance on the quality of roads.

"They have sought 15 days' time to provide us time-frame to complete the work," said Singh. The government has also sought assurance from the central agencies about the maintenance of the constructed roads and they have promised to provide time-frame for this in seven days.

The minister said, "Under the tripartite agreement among the Centre, state and construction agencies, an agency on completion of a road project has to maintain and repair it for five years with the state government footing the bill."

"The state government has already paid Rs 31 crore to these agencies but they have not utilized a single paisa on maintenance and repair," the minister complained. "Nor have they submitted utilization certificate," he added.

"For the bad condition of the roads, we face public ire as well as the wrath of our peoples' representatives, who blame us for the non-maintenance and non-repair. We are blamed for no fault of ours," Singh asserted.

The state government has, however, limited powers to press the central agencies for meeting deadline and maintaining quality of works. As per the provision, there could be an investigation by a joint team if the construction quality is found below the standard. But in this three-member team, there are two members of the construction agencies and only one representative of the state government. "We can only indicate the bad quality and irregularity, but the sole responsibility of correction lies on construction agencies," the minister said.

This is not the first time the central agencies have been reminded about tardy pace of work and substandard quality. Officials said the state government had on a number of occasions urged the Centre to allot the work under PMGSY to the state agencies, but to no avail.

A total of 1.05 lakh km roads are being constructed in the state, of which 88,000km come under the rural works department and the rest under the road construction department.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:46 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-04/patna/29620606_1_volvo-buses-bihar-roads-bsrtc

Volvo buses to hit Bihar roads
Pooja Kashyap, TNN Jun 4, 2011, 07.16pm IST
PATNA: The state government has decided to take concrete steps to boost tourism on an unprecedented scale. Special arrangements and packages have been designed to boost tourism, especially in Budhhist and Jain centres.

As a step ahead, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) is all set to change the face of travelling on Bihar roads. It will roll out as many as 92 AC luxury buses in different routes within the state. These inter-city buses will run across the state.

In total, 92 luxury AC buses are proposed to run on 17 routes in the state. While 10 of these routes would connect Patna with other district headquarters, four other routes will be connecting Patna with district headquarters in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand

Many of these luxury coaches are proposed to run by mid-July.

"We are planning to get mostly Volvo buses," said an official adding we want to ensure a complete smooth ride for our tourists as well as local passengers.

The corporation that initiated the process of inviting applications from interested service providers in April this year, have already shortlisted a few of them and agreement has also been finalised. At present, the corporation is in the process of obtaining permits for these buses.

BSRTC sources also disclosed that as many as 30 buses, all 32-seaters would soon be rolled out on Muzaffarpur roads.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:47 PM

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/nitish-kumar-to-study-tourism-rural-development-irrigation-in-china-111657

Nitish Kumar to study tourism, rural development, irrigation in China
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar left this morning for New Delhi from where he would go to China tomorrow to study infrastructure development especially in the field of irrigation, rural development and tourism.

Kumar, with a high-power delegation comprising state Water Resources minister V K Choudhary, Tourism minister S K Pinto and Development Commissioner K C Sah would be on "a goodwill mission" as his tour has been finalised by the External Affairs Ministry, an official spokesman said here.

Speaking to reporters, Kumar said during his seven-day visit to Sandong, Sanghai and Beijing, he would study the infrastructure development especially irrigation, rural development and tourism.

"The thrust will be to attract investments in priority sectors and strengthen the ties with China," the spokesman said.

Official sources said during his stay in China, Kumar would visit power plants, agricultural sites and irrigation systems.

Kumar would also inaugurate a seminar 'Budhhism: Mapping Asia's History and Culture' in Beijing on June 18 and attend a programme to be hosted in his honour in Shanghai by people of Indian-origin.

China, the sources said, has been impressed by the rapid economic development of Bihar and has shown keen interest in making investments in the state.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/nitish-kumar-to-study-tourism-rural-development-irrigation-in-china-111657?cp

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:49 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110611/jsp/bihar/story_14096703.jsp

Patna, June 10: Around 50 lakh residents of Kosi region today got linked with the rest of the state by road after over seven months following the inauguration of the makeshift bridge parallel to the existing one on NH-107.

The new bridge came as a huge relief to the residents of Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul districts. Commuting had become an uphill task for them after the closure of the BP Mandal bridge across Kosi (Dumri Ghat).

The Telegraph had reported about the construction of the alternative bridge on April 8. At that time, the bridge was expected to be opened for the public in the last week of May. But the project got delayed by a week because of some technical reasons.

The construction of the makeshift bridge was necessitated because the BP Mandal bridge on Kosi river was closed down after a part of it sunk in the river. Opened for public use in 1986, the fault in the bridge was detected in August 2010. The expansion point near the 16th pillar had increased unexpectedly. This gap grew alarmingly in September last year, after which the precautionary step was taken.

The movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge stopped from September 23 last year. The light vehicles were prohibited from November 5.

Taking into account the problems people faced, the road construction department had arranged boats for ferrying commuters across the river.

With the alternative bridge now open for use, people would not have to spend hours to cross the river using boats.

The alternative structure is a sheet pile bridge made of steel. Under this technique, hollow pipes are sunk 12m deep in the riverbed. Once the sinking process is over, the hollow pipes are filled with sand. An iron sheet is then placed over the pipes.

The new bridge has 94 spans and its length is 566m. It is 3.75m wide. Initially, only light vehicles would be allowed on this temporary structure.

Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam provided Rs 15 crore from its profit under the corporate social responsibility scheme for the construction of this bridge.

“Keeping the people’s plight in mind, we took the initiative of setting up this temporary bridge. The bridge has been completed in a record time of two months because of the sincerity of the team that carried out the construction work,” road construction department minister Nand Kishore Yadav told The Telegraph.

The minister also took a dig at the Centre for not responding to the state’s request to provide funds for undertaking the repairing work of the main bridge.

“After detection of fault in the original bridge, the state government had submitted a proposal of Rs 43 crore for repairing the bridge to the Centre. But till date, the Centre has not made its stand clear on the proposal,” he added.

Allaying fear that the makeshift bridge would be of no use during the rainy season, Yadav said the height of the temporary structure had been set on the basis of the highest water level at the time of floods so that users could use it even when the area is affected by deluge.

“There would be problems only if a flood of unprecedented level hits the area,” he added.

Sharing a unique feature of the new bridge, Yadav said the whole structure could be used for setting up a temporary bridge at another location. “This investment will not go waste after the main bridge becomes operational. We will use the material for constructing another bridge where it would be required,” he said.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:50 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110611/jsp/bihar/story_14099188.jsp

Bridges bring capital closer
AMIT BHELARI

Road construction secretary Pratyay Amrit presents a cheque for Rs 52,49,895 to chief minister Nitish Kumar at Samvat, CM’s secretariat, in Patna on Friday. Picture by Deepak Kumar n Patna, June 10: Distances across the state criss-crossed by a myriad of rivers today got shorter with chief minister Nitish Kumar simultaneously inaugurating as many as 312 bridges that will make access to the state capital quicker.
All the bridges have been constructed by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam, a state-owned corporation.

Among the prominent bridges that were thrown open are a steel bridge at Dumri Ghat over the river Kosi on NH 107 and the road overbridge at Motijheel locality of Muzaffarpur town.

The bridge over the Kosi would provide road connectivity to the people of the flood-ravaged region, who were facing problems since last November following damages to the main bridge on the national highway.

The Motijheel road overbridge would help Muzaffarpur town residents, who, till now, had to wait for hours to cross the railway level crossing in the heart of town.

Nitish, who inaugurated the bridges through remote control at the chief minister’s secretariat (Samvat), praised the corporation for the work. “Our ultimate goal is to have a network of roads and bridges which could allow people to reach the state capital from any part of the state within six hours,” he said.

Construction of roads and bridges has been one of the major achievements of the NDA government in Bihar. The corporation, which was a loss-making entity even five years ago, has contributed in a big way in scripting this success story.

Since 2006, the corporation has completed construction of 438 high-level (having a length of 500 metres or more) and around 2,000 small bridges in addition to the 312 inaugurated today. It recorded a profit of around Rs 40 crore in the last fiscal and a turnover of about Rs 800 crore.

The corporation is also adding more money to the state exchequer. At today’s function, Nitish received a cheque of Rs 52 lakh from corporation officials as dividend on its earnings.

“The success of the corporation has set an example for private players. Many of them are now willing to invest in the road and bridge sector in the state. Our government will provide all help to such players,” Nitish said.

The government is now thinking in terms of having a similar corporation for construction of rural roads. “We are going to set up one such corporation very soon,” the chief minister said.

Not too long ago, connectivity was a major issue in Bihar. Roads were in poor shape and in many parts of the state, people had to take circuitous routes as bridges were few and far between.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:54 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110611/jsp/bihar/story_14095887.jsp

Muzaffarpur, June 10: The much-awaited flyover over Motijheel railway crossing was thrown open today amid protests of the commercial fraternity.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the flyover at Muzaffarpur with the click of a button in Patna and interacted with the residents of the town through video-conferencing. District magistrate (DM) Santosh Kumar Mall, senior superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar, deputy general manager of Indian Railway Construction (Ircon) Mohan Prasad and MLA Suresh Sharma were present at the inauguration of the flyover through video. MLCs Divesh Chandra Thakur, Ganesh Bharti, Dinesh Prasad Singh and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Nitish in his brief address congratulated the people of Muzaffarpur. Mall said the bridge would help in easing traffic congestion.

Mall added that he had reviewed a meeting with the officials of Ircon led by Prasad, who had assured him of completing the construction of drains and pavements beneath the flyover.

The shopkeepers and traders of Motijheel downed their shutters today to protest against the non-completion of drains. The commercial hub wore a deserted look for a major part of the day.

The traders said they witnessed almost deluge-like situation following showers a few days ago. They added that in the absence of drains, rainwater entered their houses and people had a harrowing time negotiating waterlogged roads. The residents of Motijheel Road also staged a demonstration today.

Former MLA Vijendra Choudhary has threatened to launch a stir against Ircon and district authorities if they failed to construct drains within a month. Earlier, traders led by North Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) had appealed to Mall to urge Ircon to expedite the construction which had been on for the past six years.

The construction of the flyover started in 2006. It missed the deadline of 2008. Rs 38 crore has been spent on its construction.

The flyover starts from Motijheel Road. Its one flank ends at Chandralok Chowk. The other flank ends at Dharamshala Chowk. Spread across 1,160m, the flyover stands on 23 pillars.

Cosmicbliss

June 11th, 2011, 05:56 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/New-meditation-centre-for-Buddhism-in-Vaishali/articleshow/8815457.cms

PATNA: A new meditation centre of Buddhism will soon come up in Vaishali, about 50 km north across Ganga, where Bihar government has decided to make an exclusive museum with relics associated with lord Buddha. The exact place where this museum with stupa will be built is Raja Vishal ka Garh and be called Buddha Darshan museum. The art and culture department has already acquired 2.5 acores of land for the purpose.

The famous urn containing ashes of lord Buddha which are preserved in Patna museum will also be taken to the new museum. Director of art and culture, Umesh Chandra Dwivedi, said the place has a historic relevance. "It is believed that ashes of lord Buddha were kept at eight places where stupas were erected. This has been proved through excavation at Vaishali," he said. Rajgir is believed to be another place where Buddha's urns were kept.

The excavation at Raja Vishal kia Garh had been conducted in 1903 and later till 1989 four more excavations were done which yielded relics associated with Buddha.

Art and culture minister Sukhda Pandey said at the Buddha Darshan museum, all the relics, scripts, idols and other rare things found during excavations which belong to Buddha period will be preserved and will be available for the viewing of the devotees and tourists. She said soon the boundary wall will be raised and architectural design will be invited.

SSCaddict

June 11th, 2011, 07:35 PM

great updates cosmic! :cheers:

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:17 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Sinha-library-a-victim-of-neglect/articleshow/8818930.cms

PATNA: Sinha library, a living memory of late Sachchidanand Sinha, the first president of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution, has a treasure of rarest of rare books. But they are now decaying due to official neglect and apathy, even though the library's present board of trustees include patrons like the governor of Bihar and ex-officio members like the chief justice of Patna high court, chief minister, minister of education and Patna University VC.

The library is formally known as Shrimati Radhika Sinha Institute and Sachchidanand Sinha Library, which was set up in the memory of Sinha's late wife, Shrimati Radhika Devi. It was declared open on February 9, 1924 in the presence of Sir Henry Wheeler, the then governor of Bihar and Orissa.

In 1955, administration of the library was taken over by the state government, and later its status was raised of that of a state central library.

This library has Sinha's collection of 10,000 rare books, besides some invaluable collection of newspapers like Harijan, published by Mahatma Gandhi from 1933 to 1948, Indian People, Bihari, Bihar Times, Criterion, Searchlight, Leader, Aryavarta, Weekly Hindustan and Indian Nation. Old copies of Manu Smriti, Sacred Book of the East - edited by F Max Muller, Koran, Buddhist Suttas, a copy of the original Indian constitution, and Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru are also available there.

Besides, it has books on national and international history, politics, literature etc. Books on Arya Samaj, Buddhism, Hindu cults, Puranas and Islamic scriptures are also there. Congress proceedings since 1885 and parliamentary debates since the inception of parliament are kept here.

Once a favourite place of dignitaries like Nehru, S Radhakrishnan, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, CV Raman, Hugh McPherson, John Sargent, the library has more than 1.8 lakh books, but all in a poor shape.

Because of its poor upkeep, the library's popularity is on the wane. Akhileshwar Prasad Sinha, a staff who has been working there since 1964, said, "About 50 years back, everyday more than 500 readers used to visit it and more than 300 books were issued, but now just a handful of 30 readers visit it daily."

The air conditioners, TV and computer at the children's library are non-functional. The generator has hardly any fuel to be run.

Simi Fazal, working in the library since 1978, told TOI that earlier lots of books and journals used to be bought, but now their numbers have considerably gone down.

Even the JP auditorium, inaugurated by Jayaprakash Narayan himself, a part of the main building, has a board 'under construction' hanging for several years now.

Former librarian RP Singh said "The funds generated by the library is not being properly utilized. They cannot blame the government as the tentative budget is never sent in time to government." Salary payment is also a problem. Against 37 sanctioned posts, there are only 12 regular employees and 10 on contract basis.

The great granddaughter-in-law of Sachchidanand Sinha, Nina Sinha, who is one of the trustees of the library, told TOI, "Irrespective of the budget demand, only 20 lakh per annum is given by the government, and that too at the end of the financial year. We are in a helpless condition. I want to do more for the library, but cannot afford to do so."

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:18 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Nitish-to-visit-China-today/articleshow/8818934.cms

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday morning embarked on his third foreign visit since assuming charge of the office in November, 2005. His destination is China. He is leading an eight-member goodwill delegation to China and will leave for Beijing on Sunday from Delhi.

During his week-long stay, the delegation will also visit Shanghai and Shandong. Nitish will also attend a regional conference on `Buddhism: Mapping Asia's History and Culture' in Beijing. The goodwill delegation is visiting under an exchange programme of the ministry of external affairs (MoEA) and will return on June 18.

"This visit will give me an opportunity to learn, see and understand a lot of things related to rapid growth of China, its bulging growth rate and economy and infrastructure development," the CM said before emplaning from Patna airport where several politicians and bureaucrats gathered to see him off with flowers and good wishes.

Earlier, Nitish had visited Mauritius in 2007 and Bhutan early last month.

Apart from the MoEA initiative, the CM had also been extended an invitation by Chinese envoy to Delhi Zhang Yan in January last when he visited Bihar. Yan at that time had remarked, "China is looking forward for strong cooperation with Bihar in the industry and infrastructure sectors. We are quite keen on cultural cooperation, too. Once the Nalanda University is opened, it will serve as a good platform of mutual understanding and big number of students from China will come to study there."

The other members of the delegation include a couple of his cabinet colleagues, minister of water resources development Vijay Kumar Chowdhary and tourism minister Sunil Kumar Pinto, development commissioner K C Saha and CM's two secretaries S Siddhartha and Atish Chandra. Bihar Chamber of Commerce president O P Saha and Bihar Industries Association president S P Sinha are also part of the delegation as unofficial members.

Nitish said that in China he would be interested to see the infrastructural development, particularly in the fields of irrigation and water management, rural development and tourism. He is expected to step on the great China Wall, one of the wonders in the world.

The CM is expected to hold talks with Chinese authorities on the Nalanda International University which is coming up to revive the glory of the ancient hub of education. China is also a stakeholder in the international project.

The two members of the commerce and trade are scheduled to see the Food Park in Shanghai, toys manufacturing industry, chemical industry and power plants. China is known for producing goods and exporting them at cheaper rates and as a result the country has almost captured the markets even in small towns.

Apart from assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chowdhary, several ministers, including Bijendra Yadav, P K Shahi, Narendra Singh, Bhim Singh, Renu Kumari, Shahid Ali Khan, Prem Kumar, Giriraj Singh, Nitish Mishra, a host of legislators and top bureaucrats, including home secretary Amir Subhani, DGP Neelmani, ADGs P K Thakur and Rajyabardhan Sharma, cabinet secretary Ravi Kant and PRD secretary Rajesh Bhushan, wished the CM a pleasant and successful sojourn.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:20 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/City-rides-high-on-comfort/articleshow/8816234.cms

PATNA: Gone are the days of squeezing into sardine-packed, rundown buses and autos and sweating it out in the heat and dust of the capital. The new swanky fleet of 70 buses being run by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation ( BSRTC), offers not only quality service, but also comfort. They are run on a synchronized routine and predetermined timetable ensuring a relaxed ride.

Suresh Sharma, a Patna College student who lives in Digha, said he preferred to take a bus ride during summer. "It's a cooler option than my two-wheeler's sweaty ride between Digha and Gandhi Maidan," said Suresh.

Students, in particular, are hooked to the new service because they find them "more convenient" for going to the campus or coaching classes. Those residing between Danapur and Khagaul, especially, swear by the fleet. They are spacious, comfortable and more or less abide by the schedule. In comparison, the buses operated by private parties are shabby and crammed. "Nobody stamps on my feet because there is adequate leg space in the new buses. Even if I have to stand, I don't feel uncomfortable. I usually take a ride between Khagaul and Gandhi Maidan. It's a 30-minute ride and it's cool," said 27-year-old Mukul Singh, salesman at an electronic shop on S P Verma Road.

"Unlike the other bus and autorickshaw services which are very, very chaotic, this service has a monitored routine. We can plan our day accordingly," said lawyer Rupesh Prasad.

The one community which is really riding high on this service is women. The discomfort they faced in private buses and autos, has given way to travelling in style. The pink buses are exclusively for women. Ruchika, travelling on Gandhi Maidan's ring service to A N College, said, "These buses are fitted with CCTV cameras. So mischief mongers cannot make much headway. We feel safe."

Jaishree, a management student who has to negotiate Frazer Road, said, "Earlier we had to pay more for autos. These buses are cheap and time-saving."

Monica Agarwal, who works in a mobile shop, said, "Thank god, we don't have to suffer the horror of an auto ride. They play such indecent songs and the passengers are also very disrespectful towards women. Now we don't have to face this torture."

But no ride is 100 per cent smooth, even if they are earmarked for women. Roshni Khanna, a student of Patna Women's College, complained, "Though these are ladies' special buses, we often find men boarding them. It could be women are not aware that these pink buses are for them. So men take advantage of their ignorance and board them."

Devina Srivastava, a resident of Danapur, said, "These buses are definitely more comfortable but it is the duty of the conductors to prevent men from boarding them."

Shweta Kumari, a third-year student of Patna Medical College and Hospital, agreed with her. "The conductor should make it clear that these are for women only," she said.

Shashi Bhushan Ray, the operational head of Eden Transport, which runs the bus service, however, chose to put the blame on passengers. "Passengers should first protest. In case, someone breaks the rule, then drivers have been told to take the bus to the nearest police station and seek the help of cops," he said.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:20 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/New-director-of-higher-education-appointed/articleshow/8818903.cms

PATNA: In a dramatic move, Bihar higher education director J P Singh was removed from the post on Saturday. B D College principal Sita Ram Singh took over as the new director of higher education.

Though the exact cause of unceremonious removal of Patna University sociology teacher J P Singh from the post could not be ascertained, it is believed that certain lobby was acting against him. He had instituted inquiry against some officials in different universities of the state in the recent past. Singh had joined this office about one and a half years back.

Meanwhile, PU has terminated the Syndicate membership of S B Lal of Vanijya Mahavidyalaya and D P Kamal of ancient Indian history and archaeology department with effect from July 28, 2010, owing to their promotion as readers. They had been elected to the Syndicate under lecturers' quota, said a PU notification.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:21 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110612/jsp/bihar/story_14100959.jsp

Patna, June 11: Patna police have lodged an FIR against Calcutta-based Webel Mediatronics Limited, the company which installed traffic signals in Patna in 2005.

The FIR has been lodged at Gandhi Maidan police station. Traffic sergeant major Suresh Prasad is the complainant, city superintendent of police Shivdeep Lande said today.

“The company has been charged under Section 420 for gross violation of provisions in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the company and the state police headquarters in 2005,” the senior officer said.

Lande said the police will start investigating the reasons behind the violations and also question the regional officers of the company in Patna.

According to police records, the company had to install 18 signals in Patna and one signal in Muzaffarpur.

The police said Webel Mediatronics Limited installed only 17 traffic signals in Patna and none in Muzaffarpur.

According to sources, the state government had handed over Rs 1.19 crore to the company to set up 19 signals.

Moreover, according to the MoU, the company had to install the signals based on the urban traffic control system.

However, the company installed the signals based on fixed control system. In addition to this, the company was to provide a warranty of three years for each signal. The signals went kaput in six months but no attempts were made to restore them.

After five years on July 17, 2010, the police headquarters got into an annual maintenance contract (AMC) with the same company. Former traffic SP Ajit Kumar Sinha facilitated the AMC with Webel Mediatronics Limited and the company was paid Rs 8.5 lakh for the maintenance.

At that time, companies like Bhubaneswar-based Enkom Private Limited and New Delhi-based Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System Limited had also approached the officials for the contract. They were ignored and the company, which had been “truant” in installing the signals was again awarded the AMC, police sources said.

The company, however, maintained these allegations were false. Sources told The Telegraph the company had installed 19 signals in 2005, but as a result of civil works like construction of flyovers and roads, the local administration dismantled two signals.

Webel Mediatronics Limited has also said the signals were working absolutely fine with proper maintenance and care being taken until 2008.

“In 2008, the contract ended and the police sat for two whole years with regard to signing the AMC. In 2010, Webel got the contract again but by then the existing signals had developed snags. The police had sent us a letter earlier this year and we had replied the same as some machine parts could not be fou-nd,” a company official said on condition of anonymity.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:22 PM

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_nitish-kumar-wants-gaya-airport-be-named-after-buddha_1553974

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today said he would take up with the Centre the issue of naming Gaya Airport as Lord Buddha International airport which would help further boost international tourism.

"I will personally take up with the Centre the issue of naming Gaya Airport as Lord Buddha International Airport to help boost international tourism," Kumar said before leaving for a 12-day visit to China.

Kumar said he had yesterday written a letter to civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi to press for the demand.

Bodh Gaya was the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world as it is the place where under a pipal tree Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and sapling of that tree still stands in the temple premises at Bodh Gaya, he said.

Kumar said an international airport, located at about 5km from Bodh Gaya town, was established at Gaya to cater to international and national tourists.

The passenger traffic at this airport has been increasing and the Gaya airport was needed to be expanded, he said adding "we are in the final stage of transferring additional 100 acres for the proposed expansion."

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:23 PM

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_buddha-memorial-park-to-be-developed-as-tourist-attraction-nitish-kumar_1544339

On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today visited the Buddha Memorial Park here and said it would be developed as a centre for tourist attraction.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, inaugurated the park on the occasion of Buddha Purnima last year.

During his visit to the park, Kumar expressed happiness over the growth of saplings of Boddhi trees brought here from Sri Lanka and Bodh Gaya. He said a statue of lord Buddha would be erected in the park.

Besides several important materials related to Lord Buddha would be on display for tourists, he said. The chief minister was accompanied by assembly speaker U N Choudhary, deputy chief minister S K Modi, water resource minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, information minister Brishen Patel, industry minister Renu Devi, tourism minister Sunil Kumar Pintoo, agriculture minister Narendra Singh and former chief minister Dr Jagannath Mishra.

He was received by Buddhist monks in the traditional manner and participated in the mass prayers.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:25 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-18/patna/29555788_1_bus-conductor-women-conductors-bus-services

Women make a male bastion crumble
Parul Pandey May 18, 2011, 06.21am IST
Tags:

Nitish Kumar

PATNA: The 'ladies special' buses introduced as part of the 70-strong fleet of new city buses on Sunday by the chief minister Nitish Kumar, are really special, for they are meant not only for women but have women conductors as well.

In all, eight 'ladies special' buses have as many as 16 young women conductors, working in two shifts of eight hours - from 5.30am to 1.30pm and 1.30pm to 9.30pm.

"We will soon exceed the number of women conductors to 30, as we would be running a total of 12 'ladies special' buses," said Praveen Kumar Paul, senior manager, Eden Transport. The government has started city bus services in PPP mode with Eden Transport. The job of running the bus services has been outsourced to Eden Transport.

These bus conductors have received kudos from their families for breaking the myth that running buses is a male preserve.

"I have joined this job to be economically independent," said 21-year-old Moni Praveen who is a matriculate, the minimum educational requirement for this job. She stays with her parents. Her father owns a pan shop. "I came to know about the job through a newspaper. After interview, I got the job," Moni said.

"My parents are proud that I am working as a woman bus conductor. Initially, I was confused whether to join this job or not. But then, my parents gave their support to me to join the job," she said.

Soni Siddiqui, 21, who has passed Inter from J D Women's College, is proud that now she can support her family financially. "My family feels that the job is a decent one and I am safe."

"From the security point of view, an emergency alarm button has been provided in the buses, and with CCTVs installed in them, the control room keeps an eye all the time," she added. Besides, the women bus conductors have received special training for crisis management. "Those who work in the second shift get the facility of being dropped at home," Soni said.

Aarju Praveen, a 23-year-old married bus conductor who stays with her in-laws said, "We get a fixed monthly salary of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 per month for refreshments and four per cent commission on every ticket."

She gets home by 2pm. Till then her mother-in-law takes care of her three-year-old son. "For a better future of my son, I have to manage," Aarju said. "When passengers appreciate our work by saying that because of us they feel secure, I get immense job satisfaction."

Another bus conductor, Priya Bhushan, 26, had been working as a field worker in a private mobile company for the last seven years. "A government job gives the feeling of a more secure future. This job is perfect for me, as by the time my son reaches home I too get free."

"In the last two days, we have received very positive responses from our passengers. I feel like we our running our own buses," Priya said.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:27 PM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/directors-take/436971/

If you’re tuned in to Bollywood, then the recent troubles surrounding Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan surely haven’t escaped your notice. With the Bhopal civic authorities bulldozing the film’s set for being on disputed land, the Dalit Suraksha Samiti threatening protest because the blue-blooded Saif Ali Khan was portraying a Dalit, and Prateik Babbar chopping off his locks prematurely, Aarakshan appears to be on the skids. But, if you meet Jha, you wouldn’t get a sniff of the brouhaha.

Click here to visit SME Buzz

Also Read

Related Stories

News Now
- Amorality is in
- CCI slaps fine on 27 film producers
- Big picture
- The Great Leveler
- Fusion fete
- Regional films challenge Bollywood on global turf
At the spacious offices of Prakash Jha Productions in Andheri, Jha, 59, sits cosily in a corner with a monkish expression that seems to say that criticism and controversy don’t matter to him. “I expected to find you in a foul mood,” I tell him. “Why?” he counters. When I refer to the developments of the last few days, Jha dismisses them as occupational hazards. “I don’t even think about these things; otherwise, work ends,” says Jha.

“With Raajneeti, there was the whole Sonia Gandhi association, censor problems and some local protests. While doing Apaharan, some people who were in jail threatened me saying Aap mere life pe film bana rahe ho, acha nahin kar rahe ho. [You are not doing the right thing by making a film on my life.] These things keep happening. We are an extremely vocal society and we like to protest.”

Jha, of course, isn’t done with protesting. After his defeat in the 2009 general elections from West Champaran — his second electoral rout — you would think he had lost the stomach for it. But Jha continues to voice defiance through his characters in Raajneeti (2010) and now Aarakshan. In fact, Jha comes across as someone who is more comfortable telling his story through others.

“Aarakshan deals with the whole system of education and opportunities which are very integral to our society,” says Jha who won his first National Award for his documentary, Faces after the Storm (1984), based on the Biharsharif riots of 1981.

Jha’s fascination with Bhopal, where he shot Raajneeti and Aarakshan, after a lifetime of films on Bihar has caused speculation in the film industry that he is “disillusioned” with Bihar. Jha says that the reason for choosing one location over another is simply logistics.

“It works very well to shoot in Bhopal; for one, it’s a one-hour flight from Mumbai, and two, the most important factor, are the people. They are curious but they don’t disturb you — I’ve not seen this in any other city of India. It’s important for filmmakers to be able to work in peace especially when working outdoors which I do most of the time,” says Jha. “I would like to shoot in Bihar again. But it’s a little too far away...”

* * * * *

Bihar, though, is not too far away when it comes to business. Jha has invested in malls, multiplexes, hotels, hospitals and the media (Maurya TV) in the state. It all started in 2004, when Nitish Kumar replaced Rabri Devi as chief minister. Jha, along with his long-term associate Manmohan Shetty, founded P&M Infrastructure.

“We want to develop malls in Patna, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad,” says Vijay Nath Mishra, general manager of P&M Infrastructure. “Our mall in Patna is world class. It has all modern amenities. Soon it will have a 3D multiplex as well.” The investments are under wraps, though Jha had once said that he plans to invest more than '1,100 crore in Bihar.

After malls, Jha’s next stop is super-specialty hospitals. “Every year, tens of thousands of people from Bihar go to other states for medical care. So we want to develop new super-specialty hospitals in Bihar and Jharkhand. Right now, we are developing one at Hajipur near Patna. Work will begin in three or four months and will get over in three to four years.”

The company is also planning a 3-star hotel in Patna. Jha, born into a family of landlords, also holds the licence to put up a sugar mill near Bettiah where he was born. The sugar mill is still on the drawing board, though the P&M Infrastructure team is excited about it. “It will be the first sugar mill in the state in many decades,” says Mishra. “But we are taking one step at a time.”

The P&M mall in Patna was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with whom Jha has of late had his differences. As he confided in an interview in 2009, “When I see him [Nitish Kumar] playing the kind of politics he plays, dividing an already divided society, creating a Maha Dalit section among Dalits and creating a divide between Muslims and Basanmanda Musulmans, I feel so disillusioned. Sometimes I think he is anti-investment because nothing has happened in the past 40 months.”

But 2009 — the year when he gave up politics for good because he had promised that he would do it for a decade and no more — is a long time ago. Jha seems to have done a volte-face since. “I never fell out with Nitish Kumar. We’re still friends. He called me the other day after coming back from Bhutan where he found some Biharis doing good business to ask if I would be interested in doing business with them and put their products in my mall,” Jha defends himself.

“My political decision to go with Ram Vilas Paswan was somehow not correct, although I never belonged to his party. So people thought there was friction between us [Nitish Kumar and I]. Sometimes you may not understand why he’s trying to do something but eventually if it works for the society then it’s correct. When the election results came out, Nitish Kumar was the first to call me and sympathise. I said to him, ‘I’m free now. Now that I’ve lost this election I feel relieved. I can go back and do my work.’”

Work entails learning to play the piano, getting back to painting [which was the reason he first came to Mumbai in the early 1970s] because “post-60 is the time to introspect, which is what I’m heading towards” and investing more in Bihar since “the social issues have changed and the state is doing well”. And, of course, make more movies.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:32 PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0601/1224298205425.html

RAHUL BEDI in Gaya, eastern India

POVERTY IN INDIA: Part One: Despite its economic successes, India is a place where some are still oppressed by the caste system, poverty, hunger and exploitative moneylending

HUNGER is an everyday reality for Nanku Bhuyian, a Maha Dalit or lowest-caste widow from the remote and arid Jalhe Bhongia village in India’s eastern Bihar state, seemingly forgotten by the local authorities.

On a good day, the 50-year-old and her family of six survive on boiled roots and leaves from the native chakura tree – provided she can manage to scrounge some water and firewood and wild fruits foraged from the swiftly depleting forest 21km away – a 12-hour return journey.

It has been months since Bhuyian or her family ate either an onion or a potato. They simply cannot afford either.

On other days, they often go to sleep hungry and thirsty as the only pump in the village frequently runs dry and the trip to the nearest, fetid water pond over hard, sun-baked earth takes more than three hours to negotiate during the summer months.

Five years ago, Bhuyian’s only son, Heera Lal (30), and 13 famished villagers died after consuming the remains of a goat which they exhumed a week after it was buried on the outskirts of Jalhe, barely 150km south of the provincial capital, Patna.

“Animals here are better off than human beings in this cursed, holy region,” the illiterate Bhuyian said last week of her predominantly lowest-caste village, which is close to Bodh Gaya, the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment 2,555 years ago under a giant tree before going on to propagate Buddhism.

“At least they die with dignity; we don’t even have that luxury,” she added matter-of-factly, recounting in unsettling detail her son’s death as several of her grandchildren milled listlessly around her in searing temperatures of over 45 degrees.

Employment for this lowest-caste workforce, which comprises mostly women as the majority of their menfolk have migrated to other parts of India in search of work, too, remains unlikely.

The choice is between collecting firewood in the distant forest the entire day and selling it for Rs25 (55 US cents) or undertaking arduous, back-breaking labour in nearby brick kilns or infrequent government construction projects where the daily wage of Rs50-70 ($1.1-$1.5) is invariably deferred.

This, in turn, has forced most locals to borrow small sums of money just to survive from local mahajans (moneylenders), who charge interest rates of over 10 per cent per month, perpetuating a vicious cycle of lifelong indebtedness as debtors are rarely ever able to pay off their principal sum.

Many end up as bonded labourers for most of their lives, merely paying off their burdensome monthly instalments.

Kari Devi, of nearby Mananbigha village, was one such victim who last year borrowed Rs900 ($20) at exploitative interest rates for medicine and food for her 40-year-old husband, who contracted tuberculosis brought upon by malnutrition.

He eventually died in June 2010. Twelve months later, she still struggles to pay off the crippling interest.

Grandiose social security schemes such as prime minister Manmohan Singh’s much-touted National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which annually assures one family member from each of India’s 60 million rural households 100 days of work for a daily wage of Rs60 ($1.35) – or alternately an unemployment allowance if there are no jobs – are an illusion for these Maha Dalits caught up in byzantine bureaucratic procedures manipulated by corrupt officials.

Attendant state-sponsored altruistic measures targeting children, the aged and sick alongside impoverished and hungry families operate similarly in a lopsided, corrupt and largely unaccountable manner benefiting few.

“In rural Bihar, home to 85 per cent of the state’s population of over 100 million, little has changed for decades.

“For the majority remain at the mercy of nature, officialdom and avaricious moneylenders,” said Fr Jose K of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.

Their only instinct was that of survival, he declared, adding that there had been many more starvation deaths than were reported by the local media for fear of displeasing succeeding administrations.

Some 150 starvation deaths had officially been reported in Gaya and adjoining districts including Patna over the past five years and, according to senior state officials, about one-fifth of Bihar’s rural population is severely malnourished.

At a time when India has been preening itself as an economic powerhouse with a consistently impressive annual economic growth rate of about 9 per cent, nearly 40 per cent of Bihar’s population, according to the World Bank, lives below the poverty line, earning some $1-$1.50 per day.

This makes it the country’s poorest and most backward province.

According to the 2010 Global Hunger Index, India is ranked 67th out of 84 countries, placing it below even some sub-Saharan states.

And though its economy has doubled since the mid-1990s due to free market policies, a buoyant stock market, entrepreneurial businessmen, increased manufacturing capacity and a real estate boom, India accounts for over 42 per cent of the world’s underweight children.

Behind these disturbing figures, Bihar’s poverty gap is far above the national average, with 58 per cent malnutrition reported among children – significantly higher than the national average – due largely to non-availability of health services, absence of community workers, bad institutional delivery systems and lack of access to cheap medicines.

The hospital closest to Jalhe, for instance, is 30km away on a phantom road, forcing locals to turn to quacks and self-styled hakims, who liberally exploit their dependence and ignorance, often with fatal consequences.

“These Maha Dalits are the poorest among Bihar’s socially marginalised people and have learnt to live with starvation,” said Rupesh, who uses only one name and heads Koshish Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Along with Oxfam, it recently launched an innovative food security programme in 18 villages around Jalhe for thousands of predominantly low-caste residents.

Many, he declared were deprived of numerous government schemes to aid the poor due to endemic corruption, abiding misgovernment and callous maladministration.

Besides, government food distribution plans are so meagre that they leave huge holes in the social security net through which large numbers of destitute people slip into starvation and hunger, he added.

And while food security had improved nominally following last November’s re-election for another five years of provincial chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Socialist Party-led coalition, the change has been at best incremental. But Rupesh admitted that there had been visible improvements in the state’s previously horrendous law and order situation, especially with regard to institutionalised upper-caste violence unleashed on the Dalits.

Many Dalits were earlier prohibited from even drinking water at public wells or praying in temples in upper-caste rural areas for fear of beatings, ostracism and other barbaric forms of public humiliation.

Under Kumar, Dalit women were no longer raped publicly as they had been earlier in villages and small towns by upper-caste men to keep them “in their place” while the provinces’ appalling, pot-holed road network also underwent transformation.

Kidnappings for ransom, a booming industry in Bihar until six years ago (especially the abduction of eligible upper-caste bachelors and the forcible marrying them off after beating them into submission for a price determined by the brides’ parents) ceased.

Kumar’s reputation as an honest and progressive administrator was also attracting much-needed foreign investment into Bihar, but progress was slow as regular power supply and socially backward conditions remained a major obstacle.

Meanwhile, with assistance from the Oxfam-Koshish combine, the status of a large number of indigent and impoverished villagers in Gaya and adjoining regions too, after years of flailing, was finally classified as being below the poverty line.

This status rendered them eligible to receive their monthly entitlement of 35kg of rice and wheat and a few litres of paraffin as cooking fuel.

This is at least one positive, if also feeble, attempt at neutralising starvation and malnutrition.

The two NGOs also increased accountability by involving locals in monitoring government schemes through the establishment of village committees and creating a limited buffer grain stock for emergency disbursement.

But three successive years of drought in a region dependent entirely on agriculture (state authorities maintain that only 4 per cent of paddy fields can be planted this year – this is down from about 80 per cent earlier), together with enduring corruption, caste rivalries, lawlessness and political turbulence, further restricted Bihar.

And if that were not enough, the proliferating Maoist insurgency, dubbed by Singh as independent India’s gravest internal security challenge, has gripped large swathes of Bihar, including Gaya, triggering frequent ambushes, mine blasts and armed attacks on villages and government buildings and installations – particularly the rail network which was the state’s lifeline.

Bihar’s armed Maoist rebels are predominantly dispossessed agricultural labourers.

They are driven to violence by their callous treatment at the hands of the upper castes who control the majority landholdings, on which they were dependent for their livelihood.

“This area offers mukti only for the dead, not sustenance for the living,” Ram Kishan Bhuyian resignedly said.

He is reconciled fatalistically, as are many hundreds of his fellow villagers, to a wretched existence bordering on the inhuman.

“Till we meet our god, we will continue to starve and suffer

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:33 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-03/patna/29616577_1_bihar-science-congress-bsc-science-researchers

PATNA: When the three-day fourth Bihar Science Congress (BSC) gets underway here next week on June 9, 267 science researchers from the state would have an opportunity to present their papers for discussion. Thereby, the participants would also have an opportunity to get an idea of life in Bihar presented in a scientific module.

The BSC, to be inaugurated by science and technology minister Gautam Singh at Indira Gandhi Planetarium, will be held under the aegis of Bihar Council of Science and Technology (BCST). It would see papers reflecting on such themes as disaster management, agriculture, health, nutrition and energy with empirical inputs from life in Bihar, over and above conventional themes related to physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and geography.

CM Nitish Kumar has already expressed interest in BSC, which was first held in 2002, followed by that held in 2007 and 2010. BSC has picked up a pattern under the regime of CM Nitish, who has instructed both the science and technology department and BCST not only to make it a regular annual feature, but also hold the meet on a definite date

The chief minister wants BSC to develop on the pattern of Indian Science Congress, which is held on January 1 and is inaugurated by the PM," said science and technology department director S H Mintu on Thursday, adding: "His vision is to develop BSC into a proper platform in the state for science researchers to present their research papers. Its usefulness would also help in popularizing scientific outlook and popular interest in science."

Mintu also said that no particular date has yet been fixed for holding the next meet of BSC, but it had been decided in principle to hold it in the first week of January. That way, the special expert invitees from outside the state would find it easy to participate in BSC after the Indian Science Congress is over, said another official of the department.

As for the fourth meet of the BSC to be held next week, the four special invitees from outside the state include Dr Arun Pratap from M T R University, Vadodara (Gujarat), Prof. A K Bakshi from Delhi University and Dr Arjun Khandare from National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. "During the meet, researchers will hold discussions on the scientific papers that they will present," said Mintu, adding: "There would also be a poster exhibition to go with the theme of International Year of Chemistry."

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:34 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-04/patna/29620524_1_suburban-trains-ara-sasaram-railway-board

PATNA: The railways is likely to make a fresh proposal to the state government to hand over vacant Hardinge Park land to it to facilitate construction of a second terminal for suburban trains there. This has become necessary keeping in mind the fact that Patna Junction would face huge traffic flow after commissioning of the Digha-Sonepur rail bridge in 2012-2013.

According to former chief engineer and technical expert of the railways G N Sahay, the Park site was vacated by private transport operators long back. From railway point of view it is an ideal place for the construction of double discharge (DD) platform on the pattern of Mumbai's Victoria Terminal as well as Washing Pit. The proposed terminal could easily cope with the traffic load of passenger trains coming from north Bihar and local suburban trains, he said.

Besides, there are seven pairs of local trains coming from Ara-Buxar side. These trains are originating from Patna Junction. A few pairs of local trains have been added as the new Ara-Sasaram line has been thrown open for traffic. Thus, the Hardinge Park terminal would cope with the rush of passenger trains coming from Buxar-Ara , Sasaram-Ara and Muzaffarpur-Digha-Phulwari ends, too, Sahay said.

he proposal to build DD platforms at the Park land had gained momentum when Nitish Kumar was the railway minister. The ambitious plan, however, could not be translated into a reality as the state government could not hand over the land to the railways for one reason or the other. Now that Nitish is chief minister of Bihar, the railways is hopeful of a favourable decision in this regard, sources said.

According to divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, L M Jha , a second terminal is desperately required at Patna Junction now. Besides, it could be developed as Washing Pit for smooth maintenance of rakes of long-distance mail and express trains originating from Patna Junction, he said.

According to sources, the Railway Board had first approved this proposal in 2003-2004. It was to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. The PRDA in principle had also agreed to hand over the land to the railways for development work . However, this proposal was temporarily shelved due to non-availability of the land, sources said.

Under the proposed plan, the railways intends to build both terminal and rake maintenance line at this site. It is also keen to build a multi-purpose platform at the Hardinge Park land so that traffic movement could be smooth in and around Patna Junction from 2012-2013 onwards, sources said.

Cosmicbliss

June 12th, 2011, 12:37 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-09/patna/29638158_1_provision-for-plush-rooms-hyderabad-icc-mu-campus

MU convention centre may be delayed
Kumod Verma, TNN Jun 9, 2011, 06.48pm IST

PATNA: The establishment of International Convention Centre (ICC) of Magadh University (MU) has suffered a setback in the absence of a permanent vice-chancellor (VC). In his absence, work on the ICC could not take off despite approval from the Raj Bhavan. The ICC is to be built on the sprawling MU campus at Bodh Gaya in an area of about 25 acres.

This project, which was conceptualized by an MU official, R K Verma, during the period of former VC B N Pandey, was expedited by sacked VC Arbind Kumar. According to sources, Raj Bhavan had given its approval to the project considering the importance of such a convention centre in Bihar to promote academic ambience and facilitate holding of international conferences at Bodh Gaya.

According to MU sources, this convention centre is to be built at a cost of Rs 250 crore on the public private partnership (PPP) basis at the north end of MU campus. The university has already allotted land for the project which was approved by both the Senate and Syndicate. The state government has already given its No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to this ambitious project. But the uncertainty in MU is likely to delay the project, sources said.

As per the plan, the proposed ICC is to be built on the pattern of Hyderabad ICC. It would be the first of its kind in the eastern region with all modern facilities. The entire centre will be fully air-conditioned and provided with all modern facilities required for a state-of-the-art ICC. The seating capacity will be around 1,500 persons. Besides, there would be provision for plush rooms for the stay of visitors, varsity sources said.

According to sources, the firm which had prepared its feasibility report has agreed to build the centre. However, the university has decided to invite global tender to select builders for carrying out different works, sources said, adding it would promote tourism at Bodh Gaya.

An MU official said the university will be able to hold international and national conferences at this centre. Besides, the centre would be an ideal place for holding Science Congress, seminars, conferences and meetings on a regular basis to further improve academic atmosphere in the MU, he said adding any further delay will throw a spanner in the execution of this ambitious project.

anidel

June 12th, 2011, 08:01 PM

Cosmicbliss plz also paste headline of the news u posts because without them its very irritating. thanx

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:41 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110613/jsp/nation/story_14106254.jsp

Little Bihar in China
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Patna, June 12: A spread of desi delicacies would be on the menu when chief minister Nitish Kumar attends a dinner tomorrow in Shanghai, to be hosted by people of Indian origin settled in the city.

The chief minister would be offered his favourite litti-chokha. Idli and dosa would also be on the platter.

Nitish today left for his seven-day China trip from New Delhi around 11am. Sources said he would spend a night in Shanghai.

Learning about Nitish’s night halt, the people of Indian origin in Shanghai decided to host a dinner.

“The hosts enquired about the taste and culinary preferences of the chief minister. We have told them of Nitish’s favourite dishes,” an official said.

It is known to all that Nitish loves simple Bihari food which includes litti-chokha, rice, chapati and green vegetables. He also frequents Patna’s restaurants serving south Indian delicacies.

Unlike his “impulsive” predecessor Lalu Prasad, who picked up a potato in a Pakistan market and exclaimed: “Gilgit ke aloo? Bahut bade hain Gilgit ke aloo!” during his visit to that country in August 2003, Nitish’s visit to China would mean business only.

The chief minister will inspect the Shanghai transport hub tomorrow. The same day, he is scheduled to visit the Jade Buddha temple and call on the China’s ruling party secretary, Zheng Sheng.

Nitish will meet the traders at Shandong and study the food-processing industries, which his government is trying to set up in his agriculture-dominated state.

The representatives of Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Bihar Industries Association, .P. Sah and S.P. Sinha, are accompanying him on the trip. They will help him understand the nuances of the food-processing industry and improve trade and commerce in Bihar.

Visits to power plants, agriculture set-ups and sites of tourist and cultural importance in China, which the Bihar government is trying to improve, are also in the minutely worked-out itinerary of Nitish.
Top

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:43 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110613/jsp/bihar/story_14104574.jsp

Semester fails syllabi test
ROSHAN KUMAR

Patna, June 12: Blame it on the lackadaisical approach of the varsity authorities or lack of interest among teachers, the semester system would be introduced in the Patna University next year.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had asked the varsity to introduce the semester system from July 2011. But several postgraduate departments failed to submit their new syllabi for it.

According to the UGC guidelines, all the departments have to submit their new syllabus to the varsity before the introduction of the semester system. It is then assessed by two senior teachers from the universities outside the state where the semester system is in vogue.

The Patna University vice-chancellor, Sudipto Adhikari, said: “Many postgraduate departments failed to submit the new syllabus for the semester system, leaving us with no option but to introduce it from the next academic session only.”

The postgraduate departments like political science, home science, Bengali and psychology were the defaulters.

Adhikari said: “The UGC has set July 2012 deadline for introduction of the semester system, failing which the funds provided by it for infrastructure development and research activities would be stopped.”

The varsity has directed all its postgraduate departments to reconstitute their statutory boards of courses and studies at the earliest so they could approve their syllabi under the semester system. Arun Kumar Sinha, dean, faculty of science, said: “All postgraduate department heads have been asked to prepare the new syllabus to be introduced in the semester system.”

Besides the non-submission of syllabus by a few departments, the man crunch in the varsity was a spanner in the introduction of the semester system. With not enough teachers on board, checking copies every six months under the semester system would have been an uphill task.

The Patna University Teachers’ Association general secretary Randhir Kumar Singh said: “The university does not have requisite infrastructure to start the semester system. The varsity is facing severe teachers’ crunch. There is also lack of basic infrastructure like classrooms and laboratories to run the semester system.”

The varsity is at present functioning with just the half of its sanctioned strength of teachers.

With the introduction of semester system, there would be continuous evaluation of the students with half-yearly examination. The two-year postgraduate courses would be divided into four semesters. The duration of each semester would be six months.

Apart from the semester exams, the students would have to perform well in class tests, extra-curricular activities. Their attendance, too, has to be healthy. For, 20 per cent marks would hinge on these.

In each subject, there would be 16 papers. Four papers would comprise each semester.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:45 PM

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/database-on-blood-donors-in-bihar/724383.html

Database on blood donors in Bihar
PTI | 02:06 PM,Jun 13,2011

Patna, Jun 13 (PTI) Bihar would soon have a database of state-level blood donors to boost voluntary blood donation and reduce the expenses on maintenance of blood in blood banks, according to Bihar State Aids Control Society. Society's Project Director Sanjiv Kumar Sinha told reporters that the process of database of blood donors would begin soon as there has been significant rise in number of blood donors in Bihar during the past five years. "Now now we will register the persons desirous to donate the blood to make the database.. we will open up a club of such donors," he said. Sinha said the new system would help reduce the cost on maintenance and test of blood in blood banks and will also not not allow wastage of blood. He laid stress on intensive campaign for voluntary blood donation and noted that against national average of 62 per cent of donation of blood, Bihar records on an average 38 per cent voluntary blood donation. According to the Figures available, during 2006-07, 53,592 units of blood were collected, but there was marked improvement in collection which went up 1.16 lakh units during 2010-11, he said.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:47 PM

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bihar-chief-minister-arrives-in-shanghai-on-goodwill-tour-of-china_1554295

Bihar chief minister arrives in Shanghai on goodwill tour of China

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar arrived in Shanghai today on a eight-day goodwill tour of China to visit several infrastructure projects and inaugurate a Buddhist conference.

Heading an eight-member delegation, which included two ministers, he is scheduled to meet top officials of the Shanghai unit of the Chinese Communist Party and later attend a get together hosted by the Indian association in Shanghai.

The chief minister will get a chance to understand the rapid growth of China, particularly the infrastructure development as he inspects several infrastructure projects before arriving in the Chinese capital to open a Buddhist conference being jointly organised by India and China.

Later, he would go to Shandong province to visit infrastructure projects and some industrial unites.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:50 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110609/jsp/bihar/story_14087547.jsp

Poor avenues push youths outside
FARIYAL RUMI

Patna, June 8: Bihar has seen around 11 per cent growth under the leadership of chief minister Nitish Kumar but it seems too less to plug brain drain.

Soon after the Intermediate, CBSE and ICSE results were declared, a major population of those who have cleared these examinations are already planning to move out. Reason: A clear mismatch between demand for good education and a poor supply of minimum facilities in educational institutions.

Bright students, who have just cleared the school or college-level examination, are fully aware of the fact that the higher education system in Bihar is in a shambles.

This has led to massive migration of students from Bihar to states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Bangalore and even Bengal. Shikha Singh, a Class XII passout of Delhi Public School, Patna, wanted to pursue a career in medicine. However, she intends to choose Delhi or Pune for her higher education over her home state Bihar.

She said: “I am not able to trust the faculty in Bihar medical colleges. They lack proper educational facilities, infrastructure and co-curricular activities. There is lack of good academic environment and power supply remains a perennial problem.”

Nitish Sinha, a Class XII passout of Patna Central School, said: “Most of my friends and I want to do our graduation from some other state. There is dearth of quality institutions that match standards of those in Delhi and Mumbai. I want to stay in Bihar but I am helpless.”

Human resource development department principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said: “We have seen the trend and the migration is a result of increasing population and limited colleges. Students often prefer to leave Bihar for higher education as there is insufficient job opportunities as there is no dedicated industrial area.”

“In Bihar, there are a number of private colleges, which are unable to provide good faculty and placements. As far as government colleges are concerned they provide adequate facilities but they are limited in number. I think, this is the main reason why youths prefer to migrate to other cities,” said retired professor of Patna University, S.K. Ganguly.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:55 PM

Since development is about more than posting the current updates, it is good to take a look at some of the institutions coming up in Bihar which are of national importance. They are:

1. IIT Patna
2. AMU-Katihar Campus
3. CU-Motihari/Patna
4. VIMS-Nalanda
5. IIIT-Patna
6. NIU-Patna

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 01:58 PM

Here is the latest news about these institutes.

http://www.iitp.ac.in/
http://www.iitp.ac.in/services/niq_tender.html

Gives an RFQ for project management. Obviously, it will take time to build a new campus but work seems to have started.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:00 PM

http://www.news.biharprabha.com/2011/04/iit-patna-new-sprawling-campus-soon/

PATNA: The IIT-Patna has reasons to cheer as finally the process for land acquisition for its campus is complete and days are not far off when this newly-created technical institute will have its own sprawling campus. Around 500 acres near Bihta, about 30 km from the state capital, has been acquired to set up the new IIT campus.

The land acquisition has been done by the Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA). Earlier, the state government had decided to set up the IIT at Sikandrapur on Bihta-Bhojpur Road. But it later shifted the venue to Amhara on Bihta-Aurangabad Road after an IIT-Roorkee team said that Sikandrapur area was prone to waterlogging.

Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal will lay the foundation stone for construction of the new premises of IIT-Patna on April 19, while chief minister Nitish Kumar will preside over the function. The welcome address will be delivered by chairman, board of governors, IIT-P, G Madhavan Nair.

It may be mentioned here that IIT-Patna is functioning from a new building constructed on the premises of the New Government Polytechnic, Pataliputra Colony, since August 2008. The IIT-P recently hired the building of Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Patna, adjacent to the institute, where it has labs and classrooms to teach electrical, electronics and computer science and chambers for the faculty.

“My vision was to make the present campus look like a mini IIT till its permanent campus is ready at Bihta. That is why, we recently hired the STPI building to accommodate more students and facilities,” said the IIT-P director, Prof Anil K Bhowmick, recently. A new hostel with larger capacity has also been constructed adjacent to the existing hostels. The hostels are provided with wi-fi facility. The institute has also rented several flats to accommodate girl students.

“However, we hope that if everything goes well, in the next two-and-a-half years our new campus will be ready at Bihta. It will be a township as of other major IITs in the country like Kharagpur,Delhi or Kanpur,” said IIT-Patna registrar Subhash Pandey.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:01 PM

CM seeks funds for Nalanda university
May 19, 2011, 10.03pm IST
Tags:

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar discussed various issues related to Nalanda International University with external affairs minister S M Krishna in New Delhi on Wednesday and urged the Centre to ensure there was no undue delay in making available the necessary funds. He suggested that the Centre make adequate budgetary provision for the varsity and release money as and when required by it.

Maintaining that the university would be pride of the nation, Nitish told Krishna that Bihar government was fully committed to its early establishment and the land for the purpose was transferred to the university in February last.

"Of course, the university is being established in Bihar but it is going to be an international university of national importance. Since it began as an initiative of East Asia summit, pride of the country is linked to its early and successful completion," the CM said and added, "We need to send a message to the world about our capability to undertake such prestigious projects."

Nitish brought to the attention of Krishna that the vice-chancellor of Nalanda International University has still not been formally appointed. "This is a source of embarrassment as whenever Gopa Sabharwal has to correspond with outside agencies, she has to call herself as VC-designate," he said.

The CM further told the external affairs minister that some space had been made available to the university for use as an office at Rajgir. The building could be used till such time as the university campus came up. The building needed some repairs and refurbishing which could be arranged by the university after funds for the same are made available by the Centre, he said.

Nitish said the next meeting of the governing board of the university is scheduled to be held in Patna on July 6-7. During their stay, the members will also be taken on a site visit to Rajgir. "It will also give me an opportunity to interact with the members and to exchange views on how to carry the project forward," he said.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:02 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-19/patna/29560056_1_nitish-kumar-nalanda-international-university-gopa-sabharwal

Link to the above

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:03 PM

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/bihar-cm-for-inspection-of-new-medical-colleges-by-mci/695368.html

Bihar CM for inspection of new medical colleges by MCI
PTI | 05:05 PM,May 20,2011

Kumar said he had a meeting with Union External Affair Minister S M Krishna during his Delhi visit and urged him to ensure appointment of a full-fledged Vice Chancellor of Nalanda International University and accelerate the pace of works on the University. About the early establishment of an internationally known University, he said the state government had transferred the required land for the University and arranged a building at Rajgir for running the office. Former President A P J Abdul Kalam would be the first Visitor of the University. Kumar said he also apprised the Union External Affairs Minister of the details of his recent visit to Bhutan and requested that the state should get a major chunk of power being supplied from hydel power projects in Butan to India.PTI AJK SUS SUS

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:19 PM

http://www.edu-leaders.com/content/amu-set-campus-bihar

The Bihar government has offered 250 acres land in Kishanganj district to set up the new campus

The Bihar government has offered 250 acres of contiguous land for an Aligharh Muslim University (AMU) centre, becoming the fourth such state after Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

The Bihar government has identified the land in Kishanganj district, along the highway to Bahadurganj.

A team led by AMU Vice Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis will soon visit Kishanganj to select a suitable site and discuss other relevant issues with the district officers.

According to Aziz, Maharashtra has also decided to establish an AMU centre in the state.

The AMU centres in Murshidabad in West Bengal and Malappuram in Kerala have already become functional.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:20 PM

http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/19/stories/2011031968050500.htm

http://twocircles.net/2011may27/kishanganj_amu_campus_centre_asks_varsity_select_site.html

These are some news related to the AMU Centre.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:21 PM

Aligarh: In a good move towards establishment of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus in Kishanganj, Bihar, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has asked the University to select a suitable site among those offered by Bihar Government and take a decision and submit a feasibility report soon.

The development came on the heel of Bihar Government’s offer that it has identified the available land for the campus in four places in the village, Petbhari, Mohamari, Dhanpura, Deramari and Kumhian in the Thakurgunj, Kochadhaman and Dighalbank sub-division of Kishanganj-Bahadurganj highway.

A high-powered team led by the AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis will be visiting Kishanganj very soon to select a suitable site and discuss other relevant issues with the district officers.

It is noted that AMU Centres in Murshidabad in West Bengal and Malappuram in Kerala have already become functional with the transfer of land and establishment of AMU Centres as per the Acts and Statutes of the University and in accordance with the permission of Visitor under Statute 12(2)

This is the full text of the above link. I hope they start constructing the campus soon.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:25 PM

http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2011/June/Newsbihar08June5.html

CM inaugurates Ganga bridge project work

Patna,(BiharTimes): Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday inaugurated the Maha Setu (bridge) project over river Ganga at a function organised at Karpoori College in Tajpur block of Samastipur district.

On this occasion he also garlanded the statue of former chief minister Karpoori Thakur and paid floral tributes to him. The bridge over the Ganga would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,602 crore on a public-private partnership model. It would connect Samastipur to Bakhtiyarpur near the National Highway to Jharkhand.

A Hyderabad-based private company, Nav Yug Construction, would invest Rs 900 crore, the Union government would provide Rs 277 crore, while the state government the rest amount.

The chief minister said the Maha Setu project would be started within six months and it would be completed in 2014. The state government would give compensation to the landowner.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav, Samastipur MP Maheshwar Hazari, Ujjiarpur MP Ashwamegh Devi, MLAs and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Nand Kishore suggested that the Setu be named after Karpoori Thakur because his birthplace is in Pitaunjhia, a village through which the bridge would pass.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:29 PM

http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2011/June/Newsbihar08June1.html

Patna,(BiharTimes): The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the new Industrial Promotion
Policy for the next five years (2011-16).

Principal Secretary (Cabinet Coordination and Secretariat) Ravikant, while talking to newsmen said that the new policy incorporated a number of incentives to woo private investment and encourage them to set up units in Bihar.

The earlier industrial policy had expired on March 31. However, it was extended for three months till June 30 and the new policy would be implemented from July 1.

Incentives like subsidy, exemption from registration and stamp duty,refund of VAT to the tune of 80 per cent of the tax quantum and grant for purchase of equipment have been incorporated to woo the private investors to Bihar.

As per the new policy the investors would get 50 per cent grant on purchase of parts and machineries for setting up captive power plant for their units and the same would be to the tune of 60 per cent for captive power plants based on renewable energy sources.

Cosmicbliss

June 13th, 2011, 02:31 PM

http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2011/May/Newsbihar31May1.html

More milk to flow out from Sudha Dairy

Patna,(BiharTimes): Sudha Dairy is planning to commission three new dairies by the end of the current financial year. Thus the number of dairies will increase to 17. This is a part of an effort to boost the milk production by 50 per cent––from 14 lakh litres daily to 22 lakh litres––by the end of 2011-12.

Biharsharif, the district headquarters of Nalanda district, Dehri-on-Sone, an industrial town in Rohtas district and Jamui will have new dairies.

The dairy in Biharsharif will have a capacity of four lakh litres per day. The one in Dehri-on-Sone and Jamui will produce one lakh litres and 10,000 litres of milk respectively.

Apart from that, steps are being taken to double the capacity of Samastipur Dairy from 2.5 lakh litres to five lakh litres daily as it is undergoing expansion.

Muzaffarpur Dairy, which at present produces 1.5 lakh litres daily will soon be producing 2.5 lakh
litres daily.

The capacity of Bihar State Milk Co-operative Producers Federation Limited’s (Comfed) dairies at Ara, Gaya, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Darbhanga, Kaimur and Bokaro are also being expanded.

At present Sudha Dairy supplies milk and milk products to Delhi, UP, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa. There is demand from Andhra Pradesh and other states too, according to sources

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:06 PM

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2104006.ece

Bihar to frame bill for regulating mobile towers

Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi on Tuesday said the State government would soon frame Bihar Communications Towers and Related Structures’ Rule 2011 for regulating mobile towers in the urban areas.

“We will soon frame the rule for the purpose of regulation of old mobile towers which have been set up without prior sanction and new ones to be set up within the urban areas,” Mr. Modi told reporters here.

With no rule in force for controlling the old towers which were set up, Mr. Modi said, “We have decided to frame the rule to be soon placed before the state cabinet for approval.”

Mr. Modi said the new rule, if implemented, would help urban bodies earn Rs 50,000 per tower to be set up by mobile operators towards registration and payment of an additional Rs 15,000 per month for every tower.

The mobile companies would have to pay Rs 40,000 per tower towards registration in addition to Rs 10,000 per month for towers within the jurisdiction of the municipal board areas, Mr. Modi said.

In the urban panchayat area, the companies would have to cough up Rs 30,000 per tower towards registration in addition to Rs 8,000 per annum, he said, adding the amount would be increased by 25 per cent every five years and concession would be given to companies willing to pay the annual rent for five years in one go.

He said the State government would give top priority to companies willing to set up but there would be restriction on allowing construction of towers within a radius of 100 metres from schools, colleges or hospitals.

Mr. Modi said for ensuring safety of the building, the mobile companies would also be required to give a structural safety certificate from a recognised engineer.

A certificate was also required from these companies for running generators with full pollution control equipment.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:10 PM

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=244826

Bihar to check corruption in anganwadi centres
Patna, June 14 (IANS) Bihar plans to conduct a social audit of the government-run anganwadi centres (AWC) to check complaints about corruption and to bring transparency in the functioning of the child-care and mother-care centres.

"In view of reports of irregularities at different centres, the department (Bihar Social Welfare Department-BSWD) has decided to make its functioning transparent by conducting a social audit," Bihar Social Welfare Minister Parween Amanullah said Tuesday.

It will take a month's time for the department to start a social audit of AWCs, she said. As a first step, the department has decided to map all panchayats in the state.

The anganwadis are government-sponsored child-care and mother-care centres catering to children in the 0-6 age group. They were started by the Indian government in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition.

The minister said a meeting of the villagers of the panchayat where an anganwadi centre is situated will be held to make public everything related to the centre. It will be named as 'Labhuk Sabha'. Besides, information related to performance of the centre would be taken from the villagers.

The BSWD officials and social activists will be special invitees in the meeting to give a hearing to villagers' grievances or corruption complaints, if any, about the performance of the centre, officials said.

Parents of the children going to the centre will be asked to give their suggestions for the smooth and successful running of the centre.

"This will be a unique attempt by the department to make a welfare scheme transparent," a BSWD official said.

Amanullah admitted that there were reports of irregularities at the time of distribution of take-home rations and other things at the centre.

Last year and in 2009, the department had suspended over two dozen Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and instituted departmental inquiries against them over charges of dereliction of duty and corruption.

CDPOs are the immediate heads of anganwadi kendras and play a vital role in appointment of anganwadi supervisors and sevikas, besides being the fund-regulating authority.

It was widely reported that despite vigilance units and grievances cells in place in every district, the social welfare department had been unable to address numerous complaints regarding several CDPOs demanding "Rs.1,000 to Rs.2,500" from every anganwadi kendra for release of the monthly disbursement of Rs.10,900.

Every month, more than 80,000 anganwadi centres in Bihar get over Rs.88.28 crore at the rate of Rs.10,900 per centre. The state has 544 CDPOs and 38 District Project Officers (DPOs) under the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

The ICDS aims at improving the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years, reducing incidents of child mortality and school drop-outs, and enhancing the capability of mothers to look after normal health, primary education and nutritional needs of her children.

It is a centrally-sponsored scheme with state governments contributing towards 50 percent of supplementary nutrition cost.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:13 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Plan-to-develop-ancient-temple/articleshow/8849013.cmsPlan to develop ancient temple

PATNA: Mundeshwari Bhawani Mandir, the 'oldest' surviving temple in the eastern region belonging to Gupta Age (AD 343) and located in Kaimur hills, will soon be the subject of a historical novel. To be titled 'Mahima Mundeshwari Maa Ki', the novel will be penned by the administrator of Bihar State Religious Trust Board, Acharya Kishore Kunal.

Besides, the temple site will also be developed into a fullfledged pilgrim centre, just like Vaishno Devi temple, with a number of amenities like dormitory, rest rooms, kitchens and efficient transportation system.

Talking to TOI, Kunal said, "Unlike the earlier book that I wrote on this 1,652-year-old temple, based purely on historical facts, the novel will be more illustrative, narrative and a play with imaginative skills." Recently, a 185-page book 'Mundeshwari Mandir: The Oldest Recorded Temple in the Country', also written by him, was released. As part of the temple's development plans, a 'vivah' mandap is under construction in over two-and-a-half acres. Arrangements will be made for solemnizing the marriage of five couples at a time. Couples will tie the knot with idols of Shiv and Parvati in the background. "Only nominal charges will be levied for it," said Kunal.

A huge dharmshala is also being constructed to house the pilgrims. Construction of as many as 24 rooms is almost complete, he said adding these rooms will have attached bathrooms as well. The charges for the dormitory and rooms will be nominal.

Arrangements are also being made for the devotees to take away packets of 'prasad'. Very soon, the devotees will be able to buy and take home freshly-cooked 'prasad' from the temple, the acharya told TOI. Provision for an in-house kitchen is also being worked out and pilgrims can look forward to having hot food at this temple in six months.

The acharya added, "We are planning to run buses to the temple situated on Kaimur hills. At present, only one bus takes the pilgrims to the temple. Since the parking fee has been enhanced significantly amounting to around Rs 250 per car, common men find it difficult to visit the temple. Hence, the number of tourist buses to the temple will be increased, which will in turn boost the number of visitors to the temple.

Proposal for a ropeway is also in the pipeline, but a decision on it has to come from the Union government. A film on the divine powers of the temple is also proposed be made.

The movie will be titled 'Mahima Mundeshwari'. "We are yet to get a producer for the film, but for direction we have spoken to a few Bihar-based directors in Mumbai.

Our dream is to spread awareness about its aura in the entire country and to raise it to the stature of Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu, so that pilgrims from all over the country can come here to pay obeisance," said Kunal, a former bureaucrat.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:17 PM

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/education/new-institutes-in-up-bihar-keep-the-students-at-home/articleshow/8845672.cms

New institutes in UP, Bihar keep the students at home

LUCKNOW: Till a decade ago, students finishing school in the cow belt of UP and Bihar, mostly migrated out of their home states to join better-quality, higher education institutes in other parts of India. For those wanting to pursue world-class engineering or management courses, except the some IITs, IIMs and a handful of government institutes, options were few.

There were almost no second and third-rung institutes. The students moved to Delhi, Mumbai, Pune or Bangalore, which are known for their management and engineering institutes, both in the government and the private sector. But now, with the advent of private institutes in UP and Bihar, which are also focussing on world class academic standards, students increasingly find options closer home.

"With several private institutes being set up in UP and the neighboring states, students from these regions find more options for their higher education," says Apoorva Palkar , executive president of the Consortium of Management Education (COME), a body of 52 private institutions in Mumbai and Pune.

She adds that students are increasingly choosing to study closer home provided the academic and placement standards are good. What this means for institutes in western and southern India, is that they now have to go out of their way to woo students from the cow belt. "This does not mean that students from UP, Bihar and other states in that region are not opting for institutes in Maharashtra," adds Palkar.

"But now institutes from Mumbai, Pune and such have to go the extra mile and market themselves and highlight their achievements to attract students from here. Obviously, with Pune and Mumbai being corporate hubs, even middle-rung institutes have handsome placement records, which helps."

Many southern India-based institutes are also holding seminars and career camps in cities like Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Bhagalpur, to inform students about their facilities and academic record, and to try and convince them to apply.

Sharad Singh , CEO of the School of Management Sciences (SMS), which accepts about 900 students every year in its management and engineering programmes at campuses in Lucknow and Varanasi, says: "One can increasingly find the well-known south-based institutes vying with us to inform and counsel students about their colleges. With several good institutes coming up in the larger cities of UP and the Noida region, students now have an equally good option closer home.

Having demonstrated good placements for the last several years at SMS , backed by good infrastructure and academic standards, we have also been able to win the trust of students." Nikhil Sinha, vice chancellor at the Shiv Nadar University , which has recently been set up in Greater Noida with an investment of Rs 1,000 crores, says that while theirs is a world-class institute which would seek to compete on merit with premier institutions of the world, the country needs many such institutes to cater to the large base of graduates and students passing out of school each year.

Particularly those who cannot make it to the premier institutes like the IITs and IIMs. Sinha adds that many institutes have come up in the Noida area which offer good education, and where students can hope to be placed in good jobs after there are done studying here. Several institutions like Amity and the India Institute of Planning and Management have now started establishing branches in tier-II cities, providing good faculty and placements, which is helping address the demand among students.

Needless to say, students fro the region are happy about the profusion of academic options. Uttam Narain Singh , who did his graduation from his hometown of Jaunpur, in UP, says that he wanted to leave home to study in another city. But his parents were unwilling to send him to Delhi as they did not know anyone who could serve as a local guardian for the youngster. Singh chose to apply to Amity's branch in Lucknow, from where he has just graduated in engineering.

"I could not get admission into the Benaras Hindu University , which offers a reputed BTech course," says Singh. "I also wanted to move out of my hometown Jaunpur, which is a small place, for better exposure and opportunities. Lucknow was a good choice that my parents and I settled on, so I sought admission in the Amity Institute there." Neha Kumari, who is from Giridih in Jharkhand, is a second-year student of BTech at the School of Management Sciences in Lucknow. She says: "I took a conscious decision to study in Lucknow."

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:38 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-28/patna/29594815_1_colleges-excellence-centres

Move to turn 50 colleges into centres of excellenceB K Mishra May 28, 2011, 05.41pm IST

PATNA: With a view to increasing the gross enrolment ratio in higher education from the existing 12.4% to at least 20% and also enhancing the quality of higher education to attract talented boys and girls, the state government has been contemplating to create centres of excellence in different parts of the state.

An initiative in this direction has already been taken by providing a clause for creation of centres of excellence in the Bihar State Universities and Patna University Amendment Bills awaiting governor's nod.

The HRD department has identified at least 50 constituent colleges under different universities of the state for upgrading them as "centres of excellence". The government would provide all help in improving infrastructural facilities and improving the quality of education in these selected colleges.

HRD deputy director Deepak Kumar Singh told TOI that the state government has already sanctioned Rs 10 crore for construction of toilets for girls in constituent colleges. Necessary steps would be taken to improve classrooms, library and laboratory facilities in all the colleges. He said that subject-wise and faculty-wise centres of excellence would be created in different colleges. For instance, centre of excellence in chemistry may be developed in one college, while a centre of excellence in physics may be developed in another.

A meeting of the principals of selected colleges was held here under the chairmanship of HRD minister P K Shahi on Thursday to discuss the details of the government scheme. Colleges were directed to submit a detailed proposal in this respect to the HRD department latest by the end of July.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:40 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-24/patna/29576939_1_mplad-fund-nitish-kumar-government-mp-local-area-development

State MPLAD fund caught in logjam

PATNA: Uncertainty prevails as to the utilization of MP local area development (MPLAD) fund in the state, as the Nitish Kumar government does not seem to be in a mood to engage the state`s administrative machinery in the implementation of the schemes taken up under the fund on the recommendations of the respective MPs from the state.

On Monday, state BJP chief Dr C P Thakur expressed his reservation about the Nitish government`s stance on the MPLAD fund. He, in fact, queered the pitch for the state government - read CM Nitish of the JD(U) and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi of the BJP - by saying that the deadlock over the utilization of the fund should be ended, and actually, some way should also be found out of the impasse.

Even though Dr Thakur did not say it in as many words, he did imply that the state government ought to be pragmatic with regard to the utilization of the fund. The state, as on date, has 40 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 16 in the Rajya Sabha.

The state`s unwillingness to utilize the MPLAD fund, however, follows from the fact that the Nitish government has already abolished the legislators` annual LAD fund to the tune of Rs 318 crore. The state government has put in place CM`s Kshetriya Vikas Yojana under which the schemes would be taken up for implementation on the recommendations of the state`s legislators.

However, the Nitish government`s unwillingness to execute schemes taken up under the MPLAD fund stems from the fact that the government abolished the state legislators` LAD fund with the logic that it had tainted the image of legislators over the years.

Moreover, both Nitish and Modi, along with the ministers and MLAs, announced from various pulpits that Bihar was not only the first state to have taken this step of abolishing the legislators` LAD fund, but also dared to do it. Interestingly, the CM even suggested that the Bihar administration would not take up schemes under MPLAD fund for implementation, and Modi, taking a cue from it, suggested to the Centre that it also abolish the MPLAD fund, like Bihar had done with regard to its legislators` LAD fund, though the Centre did not respond to his suggestion.

Given the backdrop and the impasse over the utilization of the MPLAD fund by Bihar, Dr Thakur suggested that the fund accruing from it should be pooled together and utilized on the construction of the buildings of the upcoming medical college at Bettiah in West Champaran district. Since the state has as many as 56 MPs in Parliament, the money that would be coming to the state at the rate of Rs 5 crore per MP per year would be Rs 280 crore.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:42 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-23/patna/29573626_1_foundation-stone-expansion-plan-new-campus

NITP takes up expansion plan

Since the institute does not have sufficient land at its Golakpur site, it has taken up vertical expansion instead of horizontal expansion to meet its ever-growing requirements, according to NITP director U C Ray. Union minister of state for HRD D Purandeswari laid the foundation stone of as many as four new buildings on the campus last week.

The new projects undertaken by the institute include construction of two hostels for boys, one for girls and a Student Activity Centre. All the hostels will be multistoried buildings accommodating more than 1,000 boys and girls. At present, a good number of students are compelled to reside in private lodges for want of accommodation in existing hostels on the campus. The Student Activity Centre would host cultural and other events. It would also provide medical and recreational facilities. It will have squash, badminton, tennis court and a gymnasium for students.

The Rs 105 crore project is likely to be completed within 18 months. It is being executed by Hyderabad-based IVRCL company.

The NITP sources said that the foundation stone of the institute`s new campus would be laid as soon as the promised land is made available to it. Even though the institute requires 300 acres of land (as given to all other NITs in the country), the state government is in no mood to allot more than 100 acres to the NITP.

Meanwhile, Patna University has already staked its claim on the existing NITP campus for reviving the erstwhile Bihar College of Engineering. It has already written to the state government for allocating the campus vacated by the NITP to the university.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 03:47 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-12/patna/29649655_1_grant-affiliation-aryabhat-knowledge-university-bar-council

AKU move to grant affiliation to institutions

PATNA: Consequent upon approval of its statutes, Aryabhat Knowledge University (AKU) has initiated the process of granting affiliation to various technical institutions of the state. The university has also requested the state government to direct all its technical institutions to get themselves de-affiliated from their parent universities and apply for fresh affiliation from AKU.

The rates of affiliation fee for undergraduate and post-graduation courses run by different categories of institutions, recognized by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India ( MCI) or Bar Council of India (BCI), were finalized at a meeting of the Executive Council (Syndicate) of AKU held here on Saturday under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor S N Guha.

The council also framed various statutory committees of the university as per the provisions of AKU Act. These committees, including finance committee, affiliation and new teaching programme committee, board of planning, board of affiliation and purchase and sales committee, consist of the nominees of the state government and the chancellor, besides the members of the council. The VC was authorized to fill up the vacant seats, if any.

Those who attended the meeting included former BRA Bihar University VC S N Sinha, NIT professor Surendra Kumar, CIMP faculty member Vijaya Bandopadhyay, Bihar School Examination Board chairman Rajmani Prasad Sinha, A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies director D M Diwakar and Patna High Court advocate Krishnanand Singh.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 04:14 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-28/mumbai/29594559_1_nitish-kumar-chronic-diseases-bihar

Bihar for more super speciality hospitals: Nitish

May 28, 2011, 05.25pm IST
PATNA: Bihar government wants to set up more 'Super Speciality Hospitals' in the state to upgrade treatment of critical and chronic diseases, chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday.

"We want more and more super speciality hospitals in Bihar to mitigate the suffering of patients going outside the state for treatment of critical and chronic diseases," Kumar told reporters after inspecting the construction work for a branch of the AIIMS here.

He said people of Bihar and other neighbouring states would avail the benefits of standard and specialised treatment once the hospital started functioning.

Kumar said the AIIMS would most likely be ready by 2012, adding that he had already requested Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad to ensure the construction in a time-bound manner.

Later, Kumar visited Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital and Rajendra Nagar Hospital here and said the state government had decided to have a 'Trauma Centre' in the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and would take steps to fully equip the hospitals in the state.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 04:48 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110614/jsp/bihar/story_14108090.jsp

Moin-ul-Haq Stadium ready for a facelift
- Bihar Players’ Association requests minister to release sports calendar

Patna, June 13: Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, the lone cricket stadium in Bihar with facilities to meet international standard, is in for an overhaul. The state sports department has taken up the task to give it a facelift.

Minister of art, culture and youth affairs Sukhda Pandey said: “We are in the process of floating a tender for the renovation of Moin-ul-Haq Stadium. We have already spoken to the department officials in this regard.”

The Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, which in 1996 hosted a World Cup match between Zimbabwe and Kenya, is crying for attention today, thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities.

The stadium hosted another international match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 1993. However, after the 1996 World Cup match, no major cricketing event was held at the stadium.

On Monday, a delegation of Bihar Players’ Association, led by its president Mritunjay Tiwary, met the sports minister and urged her to renovate the stadium. The minister assured the delegation that the department is soon going to float a tender for renovation of the stadium so that it can regain its lost glory.

Apart from renovation of the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, the delegation also asked the minister to instruct the sports department to declare the calendar of the events it will organise in the year. The minister assured the delegation that the sports calendar has already been sent for publication and will be released very soon.

Pandey also assured the delegation that the process for reconstitution and registration of Bihar State Sports Authority is under way and will be completed very soon. The authority had become defunct some years ago because of some internal problems.

Pandey said: “We have held talks with members of Bihar State Sports Authority. They have some problems and as soon as they are sorted out, the process for reconstitution of the authority will begin.”

Once the constitution of the authority is complete, the process for registration will begin. The minister also said construction of 183 stadiums at block levels is going on. These stadiums will not only give a platform to local talents to showcase their skills but also host major tournaments at state and district level. However, the delegation pointed out that there have been complaints of corruption in the stadium project, such as low-quality material being used for construction. Pandey assured the delegation that inquiry into the complaints will be carried out soon.

Tiwary said: “We also urged the minister to constitute a vigilance inquiry into the affairs of Sports Authority of India centre which is in a bad state in Bihar.”

Tiwary said the delegation also requested for the revival of Rajendranagar Physical College, the lone college in Bihar which imparts physical education teaching. The institute, in recent times, has degraded due to lack of interest on part of the state government.

The delegation also urged the minister for timely completion of Kankerbagh sport complex so that enthusiasts can get a chance to train and practice at the complex.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Announcements made by the state government in recent times:

1. Construction of medical colleges in Bettiah/Nalanda/Madhepura/Champaran
2. Construction of AKU permanent campus
3. Patna Byepass
4. Revival of Bihar College Engineering
5. Construction of Ganga Mega Bridge
6. International Convention Centre in Patna
7. Revival of Moin-ul-Haq stadium
8.Redevelopment of Gandhi Maidan
9. Construction of stadiums in every block-there 183 blocks in Bihar as a whole
10. Construction of new engineering colleges
11. International Convention Centre in Magadh University
12. Bus service to be introduced in Muzzafarpur

Each of these and many other announcements need to be tracked. The moot point is not that the GoB has not changed Bihar's image. They have. The point is that their real achivement is more in the arena of image building and management. How many real achievements does the current government have? Beyond roads and bridges, everything else remains the same to a great extent. Out of the thousands of crores recieved by the SIPB, how many of them have actually been realized? Even the government admits it is neglibile.

Take education for example. Every year thousands of Bihari students go to Delhi, Pune or Bangalore. What stops the government of Bihar from inviting top notch private institutes to set up campuses in the state? Give them the land and allow them a free hand in faculty selection along with a condition to earmark a certain percentage of seats for local students. There has no sign of progress on that front. Or on power, water, irrigation, new sugar mills, industries and so on.

The government needs to stop investing money on publicity, on image building and create real grass roots change, the real, hard fought change that a state needs to prosper. That sort of change will not attract headlines or create good media coverage but is the change that really transforms a society.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 05:06 PM

http://www.news.biharprabha.com/2011/04/all-bihar-blocks-to-have-a-stadium/

All Bihar blocks to have a stadium

PATNA: In a bid to promote sporting talent in Bihar, state sports ministry has come up with a project to construct one stadium each in all 534 blocks of the state.
In the first phase, as many as 180 stadiums would be built in the state by the end of this year. Land has already been acquired for the purpose and initial earth levelling work is under progress.

“Before this project, none of the stadiums were under our sports ministry,” said Sukhda Pandey, minister of sports, adding “all the existing stadiums have been constructed by the district administrations. It will be the first time when stadiums would be under the sports ministry.”

The department has planned to construct stadiums of three different sizes. District headquarter will have stadiums with a circumference of 400 metres, and will be constructed at a cost of Rs 45.24 lakh each. Stadiums at sub-divisional headquarters would have a circumference of 300 metres which would be constructed at an outlay of Rs 42.28 lakh each. The blocks will have stadiums of 200 meter circumference, to be built at a cost of 33.21 lakh each.

To provide better sports facilities in the state capital, the department is also carrying out renovation of the Moin-ul-Haq stadium, which has a seating capacity of 84,000 people.

Besides, the department is also developing Kankarbagh athletic stadium in the city. It will have outdoor and indoor stadium, accommodation for coaches, sports hostel for 200 students and swimming facilities.

“At present, sufficient sports infrastructure is not available in the state. Construction of stadiums could be the key to spread sports culture among the masses in Bihar and also nurture the genuine sporting talents,” said Pandey

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 05:06 PM

My mistake. There are 543 blocks in Bihar as a whole. 183 are being constructed in the first phase.

Cosmicbliss

June 14th, 2011, 05:08 PM

This government is a government of announcements. There is nothing wrong with that, but they must translate these into real projects.

Cosmicbliss

June 15th, 2011, 02:48 PM

http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2011/June/Newsbihar02June4.html

Patna,(BiharTimes): After introducing 70-non-AC buses the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) will run eight new 32-seater air-conditioned city buses by next week. Apart from that non-AC bus services may be introduced in several other cities of the state.
According to sources four AC buses each would ply on Gandhi Maidan to Khagaul and Gandhi Maidan to Danapur routes. The Marco Polo buses will operate from 5 AM to 11 PM and be available every one hour on their respective routes.

The buses will have CCTV cameras, in-built fire extinguishers, Global Positioning System (GPS), emergency alarm button, electronic ticketing machine (ETMs) and music system.

Six seats will be reserved for women, two for old people and two for the physically challenged.
The fares will most probably be double the fares of Non-AC buses.

Cosmicbliss

June 15th, 2011, 02:51 PM

http://www.bihartimes.in/viewersvoice/2011/May/vv273.html

I am not posting the above as it is not a development news. But it shows the true state of affairs in Bihar today.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:17 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Pataliputra-station-set-to-open-soon/articleshow/8884615.cms
[B]
Pataliputra station set to open soon[/B

PATNA: The railways has expedited work on the much awaited Pataliputra station located on Bailey Road near Rukunpura. Although Pataliputra station is part of the mega rail-cum-road bridge over the river Ganga, the railways intends to commission it in July or August this year. Commissioning of the new Pataliputra station would facilitate the railways to link its rail route services from both Danapur and Phulwari ends before opening of the Ganga railway bridge in 2012-2013.

According to sources, the railways has completed construction of three platforms at the station. These platforms have been built and raised to normal height to accommodate any passenger train having load combination of 24 bogies. The railways has left enough space vacant adjacent to Pataliputra station to build two more platforms in future as per its requirement to cope with increasing traffic load after commissioning of the Ganga railway bridge, sources said.

The earthwork on the southern side right from the Phulwari FCI godown to the Bailey Road has already been completed as per standard requirement. Tracks on about eight km route have been laid up to Pataliputra station from FCI end. Recently, a pilot engine was allowed to run on the tracks for a test trial from Phulwari FCI to Pataliputra. The trial run was successful, an ECR official said.

According to sources, the new Pataliputra station building is being provided with all modern facilities like food plaza, cyber cafe, deluxe toilets, pay and use toilets and a provision for parking about 100 vehicles in the circulating area, sources said. Since the road over bridge (ROB) at Pataliputra station is being thrown open by the end of June, efforts are on to make Pataliputra station functional also next month.

At present, the railways is carrying on the alignment work on priority basis. The commissioning of Pataliputra station would help the railways expedite the Ganga bridge fabrication work, too, an ECR official said. The new station would reduce traffic pressure on Patna Junction. Besides, Pataliputra station will have facilities like spacious waiting halls, ticket booking counters, passenger reservation system (PRS), full sheds on platforms, high level platforms, parcel office and sprawling circulating area, sources said, adding there is special provision to provide proper lights at station and convert it finally into a terminal station. According to sources, incoming trains from north Bihar would terminate there.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:19 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Modi-for-early-appointment-of-new-VCs/articleshow/8881899.cms

Modi for early appointment of new VCs

PATNA: Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi on Thursday said that vice-chancellors of Magadh and Veer Kuer Singh University should be appointed immediately as the students are facing a lot of hardship in getting their certificates.

Replying to the queries of mediapersons here at the BJP office, Modi said that even employees of the two universities are facing problems in getting their salary. He said that both the VCs were removed as the Patna High Court had quashed their appointments. "HRD minister P K Sahi had advised the Raj Bhavan for appointing the divisional commissioners concerned as VCs of the two universities, but no decision has been taken on it," Modi added.

CBSE row: CBSE, Patna zone regional officer cum joint secretary S U Sorte on Thursday met deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi to explain the situation in view of the row over the results of Class XII. The performance of students this year has been better compared to 2010, Sorte pointed out. As far as the complaint of students regarding poor marking is concerned, the CBSE official informed Modi that retotalling of answer-books was done in 1,000 cases, but in only in a handful of cases the marks differed by half to one mark.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:22 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Govt-to-appoint-4340-doctors/articleshow/8880059.cms

Govt to appoint 4,340 doctors

PATNA: The state health department is set to appoint 4,340 doctors including specialists and medical college teachers both on regular as well as on contractual basis to fill the vacant posts of doctors in the state.

The government has also decided to set up two nursing colleges in the state – one at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) having 100 seats and another at Kurji Holy Family Hospital with 50 seats. The health department would soon create 30,000 posts of nurses and auxiliary nurse and midwives (ANMs) as at present there exist only 4,500 nurses in the state, according to principal secretary, health, Amarjeet Sinha.

On opening of new medical colleges in the state, Sinha said, "All formalities have been completed regarding opening of a new medical college at IGIMS, for which admission process would be rolled out shortly."

Advertisements have been issued for regular appointment of 1,510 doctors through Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) while 1,600 more specialists would be appointed on regular basis for which BPSC has been sent a requisition, said Amarjeet Sinha on Thursday.

Sinha stated that the appointment of another 373 specialist doctors through BPSC is halfway through as appointment process in anaesthesia and paediatrics departments had already been completed while those in surgery and gynaecology are underway. Apart from this, 464 senior residents in different government medical colleges would be appointed while appointment of 393 doctors in the rank of assistant professors would also be made shortly for which cabinet nod has already been received, Sinha said.

The state government has also increased the maximum age limit for appointment of doctors from the current 37 to 40 years under the general category. Cabinet has given its nod for the purpose, Sinha said, adding a specialist sub-cadre category would also be created in the state.

Sinha said three hospitals in Patna would be upgraded as specialised autonomous institutes. They are Rajbanshi Nagar Hospital (orthopaedic), Rajendra Nagar Hospital (eye) and Gardiner Road Hospital (endocrine). A model blood bank would also be set up at Jaiprabha Hopital at Kankarbagh, Patna.

Regarding implementation of Medical Professional and Establishment Protection Act (MPEPA) in Bihar, Sinha said the related bill would be tabled in the next assembly session. Clinical Establishment Act would also be enforced in the state soon, for which talks are underway with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other concerned parties.

To streamline the functioning of district hospitals, Sinha said shortly, evening OPD would be introduced at all district hospitals in the state, while meals would be provided to patients at primary health centres.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:27 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110616/jsp/bihar/story_14116544.jsp

Muzaffarpur, June 15: The Union ministry of health and family planning has decided to establish a centre for innovative researches on tropical diseases at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) to monitor the rural healthcare and check tropical diseases among rural folks.

The superintendent of SKMCH, G.K. Thakur, said: “The Union ministry has selected SKMCH for establishing the health and medical research centre in the wake of prevalence of tropical diseases, including kala azar, encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and worm infestation in the districts of north Bihar.”

Several medical colleges were in the fray for getting the centre for innovative researches on tropical diseases. But the SKMCH had an edge because it is located in north Bihar, where tropical diseases are common.

The health and medical research centre at SKMCH would help check the surge of the contagious and tropical diseases, which create havoc during the monsoons in this part of Bihar.

Besides monitoring the health of the people of the area, the centre would help the doctors posted in rural primary health centres and additional primary health centres to enhance their knowledge on the diseases.

The Union ministry recently sought details of the available infrastructure at SKMCH.

The medical college has put forth the name of the head of the department of preventive and social medicine Dr Shashi Sinha for coordinating the establishment process of the proposed health and medical research centre. His name was forwarded to the Union ministry after consultation with the principal and the superintendent of the medical college.

Meanwhile, the formalities for opening a central pathological centre, an idea mooted by the central government, at the SKMCH has been completed.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:28 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110616/jsp/bihar/story_14116567.jsp

Big stores tickle nouveau enthusiasts

Patna, June 15: Showrooms of international brands are mushrooming in the state capital, courtesy the new-found interest of residents in tags of products.

Outlets of a wide range of brands have come up in the past few years. Name any big brand and you won’t be hard pressed to find one, at a market near your house. Levi Strauss, Lee, Nike, John Players, Reebok — name it and you will get it.

Growing consciousness of brands, availability of a plethora of means and awareness of the latest fashion trends in every corner of the world are the obvious reasons for the increase in the number of shops. The transformation of the market has made an impact on the choice of consumers and vice-versa. The huge range of options available in the market have made people become choosy about their clothes, the youths being the most demanding.

Ragini Kumari, a student of Magadh University (distance education), said: “I always want to look bold and beautiful, whether it is summer or winter. I like to shop from Lee, Levis and Nike. Fortunately, Patna has outlets of all these brands.”

Pleased with the options to choose from, Ragini added: “Though branded clothes are expensive, they fulfil my desires and make me look good.”

Experts find interest of youths like Ragini understandable.

Faculty member of National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shweta Rajan Sharma presented an insight into the growing craze for branded clothes. Sharma said: “Branded and fashionable garments are more in demand because big stores update their clothes, including their colour, texture and design, according to the season. The local stores are often lacking in resources and variety. Moreover, wearing branded clothes is perceived as a status symbol.”

Wonder what is the latest style symbol of the fashionable college students? Look around the colleges in the city and you will find the girls sporting form-fitting jeans, trendy tees, capris, patiala, leggings and kurtis. The fashionistas match their ensemble with trendy slippers that too have become quite a rage. Another favourite is stylish scarves/stoles that give the outfits a smarter look.

Surbhi Jaiswal, a BCom student of Magadh Mahila College, said: “I wear readymade patiala and Nike T-shirts to college. The craze for this outfit touched the roof after the release of Jab We Met. My friends and I opted for the look as we are huge fans of Kareena, who carried off the look with style in the film.”

Nikhil Pranav, a DAV BSEB passout, said: “Till even four years ago, I used to buy my clothes from branded showrooms in Delhi. But now, Patna has its own branded showrooms and I prefer buying my clothes from here.”

Chandan Kishore, a college student, said: “Branded clothes have become popular among college students, as the youths want to look smart and different. Earlier, we had only a few branded stores in the city but now the numbers have increased.”

So which brand does Chandan opt for when it comes to his clothes? “Levis is the only brand that I trust. They never shrink, fade or wrinkle. I feel comfortable in these clothes.”

The outlets that offer the world to the young customers make it a point to keep tabs on their changing tastes.

A showroom owner at Capital Market said: “I keep apparels exclusively for students, from faded jeans to tees and shirts. Outlets of lesser known branded clothes have also opened in markets, apart from small shops that try to keep up with the recent trends by coming up with bright designer outfits.”

However, not all are happy with the entry of branded outlets, the tailor shops, to be precise. “Very few people come to us to get their shirts and trousers stitched these days, as branded clothes are available in the market at different prices,” said Mohammed Hashmat, a tailor at a once-popular shop in Patna Market.

He, however, was quick to add that people still prefer to get their suits tailored, instead of buying them readymade from showrooms.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:31 PM

Good to see the entry of brands in Bihar. Though the state's middle class was and is small, migration of people to other states has depleted it even further. This made many brands reluctant to tap the state's potential. The end result is that many middle class people went to Kolkata and even Delhi/NCR for shopping, Pune for education and so on. There is a need to tap local resources and keep them inside the state.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:33 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110616/jsp/bihar/story_14120031.jsp

Cool cashless travel on cards

Patna, June 15: Travelling in Bihar would soon be a cashless affair. User-friendly mobility cards would make it possible.

The users of these cards would have to pay one-time money for buying them. Thereafter, they would be able to travel in state-run buses and select taxis by swiping them in a machine. The fare would be automatically deducted. When the balance of the cards would exhaust, the users would have to recharge them.

The state tourism and transport departments are jointly working on a project to introduce the use of mobility cards. “It is likely to be introduced in three months,” tourism department principal secretary Deepak Kumar told The Telegraph.

He said the Centre has approved UTI-TSL for making these cards. The same agency would be invited to Bihar for making the cards.

Besides the city bus services, the mobility cardholders would be entitled to avail the bus services of Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) and Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC). They would also be able to travel in radio taxis to be launched in the state capital soon.

“We will provide a plethora of options to commuters. The introduction of mobility card would help people travel cashless,” Kumar said, adding that a provision for concession to encourage its use was also under consideration.

The principal secretary made it clear that at present the emphasis was on introducing quality bus and taxi services so that commuters had enough options for using the mobility cards.

One of the steps towards introducing the quality service pertains to running luxury buses under the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode by BSRTC on several routes. The BSRTC has also decided to launch services of air-conditioned buses using the PPP mode in days to come.

Apart from providing connectivity to different cities of the state, BSRTC has launched city bus services in Patna. Similar services would be launched in Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur soon.

The Patna city bus service would soon witness introduction of air-conditioned buses on select routes.

As far as the services of the radio taxis are concerned, the BSTDC has begun the exercise of selecting the agency to provide the service.

The service would enable the city residents to board taxis from their doorstep within half-an-hour of making call to a control room. It would also be made available at important commercial hubs. All these taxis would have electronic meters to determine the fare. Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned vehicles would be made available under this service.

To begin with, around 30 radio taxis would be pressed into service. The number of vehicles would be increased according to the demand from the users.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:35 PM

The article mentions that AC services would be introduced to different cities of the state. So does a TOI article a few days back which has been posted in this thread. One has to keep track of these developments but it is good to see that they are thinking along those lines. There must also be a serious attempt at both improving the behaviour of conductors and amenities at bus stations. Bihar must learn from Karnataka in this aspect.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:37 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110616/jsp/bihar/story_14113036.jsp

Funds crunch in homoeo hub

ALOK KUMAR
Gaya, June 15: Tired of funds crunch, the teachers of Dr Rambalak Singh Gaya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital have sought chief minister Nitish Kumar’s intervention in providing the institution financial aid.

The only homoeopathic medical college in Magadh division is in a shambles for want of funds. It functions without any financial aid from the state government. Sources said the representatives of the college had met the chief minister at his janata darbar at least five times and placed their demands before him.

The principal of the college, Ravindra Kumar, told The Telegraph: “Payment of salaries of teaching and the non-teaching employees are being met through internal resources. At present, around Rs 20 lakh is spent to pay the salaries of 43 teaching and around 50 non-teaching employees per annum.” The teachers of the college said the chief minister had announced that no college in the state would remain unaided. They said the chief minister should now initiate steps to provide them financial aid.

In the absence of financial assistance, development works like construction of hostel, library and laboratory in the college are being hampered.

Established in 1967, Dr Rambalak Singh Gaya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital is affiliated to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University. Its overall strength is 250.

The teaching and the non-teaching employees of GHMCH have demanded that the chief minister provide financial aid to enable the varsity improve facilities benefiting students and employees.

Among the students enrolled here, nearly 50 per cent are girls. They come from various states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, the college does not have a hostel for them. They are forced to live on rent in Gaya or Bodhgaya.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:45 PM

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/to-plug-officer-shortage-indian-army-to-open-bihar-academy/articleshow/8888071.cms

To plug officer shortage, Indian Army to open Bihar academy
NEW DELHI: Grappling with a shortage of over 12,500 army officers, India is all set to open a swanky new military training academy at Gaya in Bihar in a month to augment the number of troop commanders.

The first batch of 200 cadets will begin training soon at the Gaya Officers Training Academy (OTA), where they will be moulded into fine young officers.

With training infrastructure development complete and staff requirements met, the government has sanctioned the inauguration of the Gaya OTA on the lines of the existing Chennai-based OTA for short-service officers, senior defence ministry officials told IANS.

"The government has given its nod to open the new OTA at Gaya and it will happen within a month's time. The first batch of 200 cadets too will join the Gaya OTA soon," officials said.

The 1.13-million-strong Indian Army has a sanctioned officer strength of 47,864. But the shortage of 12,510 officers in its current strength is crippling, particularly in the ranks of captain, major and lieutenant colonels who lead troops.

As a result, the army's fighting battalions such as infantry and artillery have to make do with just a third of their sanctioned strength of 28 officers.

It is to bridge this gap that the army had in 2008 made the proposal to start a second OTA to supplement the army intake of Short Service Commissioned (SSC) officers from the existing Chennai-based OTA and Permanent Commissioned (PC) officers from the Dehradun-based Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Another proposal from the army, then, was to increase the number of seats in Chennai OTA and Dehradun IMA with improvement and upgrade of these institutions' infrastructure and staff requirements.

The Cabinet Committee on Security , in December 2009, formally approved the Gaya OTA project.

As per the government orders, the Gaya OTA will be housed in the existing premises of the Army Service Corps Centre (North), which is being moved to Bangalore.

With a capacity to train 750 cadets a year, the OTA's fund requirement would be to the tune of Rs.364 crore for non-recurring expenditure and Rs.44.75 crore recurring expenses annually.

The Gaya OTA will begin with 200 SSC cadets first and then eventually increase its annual, two-batch intake to 750 cadets. This 750 cadets will be the additional recruitment of officers by the army to bridge the shortage in its cadre every year from 2011.

This apart, the army gets a maximum of 600 SSC officers from the Chennai OTA and another 1,100 PC officers from IMA annually.

The army's second proposal to increase the intake in Chennai OTA to 650 and IMA 1,450 per year, to add another 400 officers to the army's cadre, is under the consideration of the defence ministry, the officials said.

IMA gets its cadets from the tri-service Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, open to youngsters after Class 12, and through the 'direct entry scheme' for college graduates. The OTA is open to college graduates only.

Armed forces want to gradually, but substantially, increase the number of SSC officers in their ranks, as part of force-restructuring to maintain a youthful profile of its troop commanders. The eventual plan is to have two SSC officers to every PC officer (2:1 ratio) in its cadre.

Cosmicbliss

June 17th, 2011, 12:51 PM

The problems mentioned in the homeo college don't surprise me. Higher education problems in Bihar can only be solved by the following:

1. Appointment of V-Cs with fixed tenure
2. Fixation of minimum standards of infrastructure
3. New curricula for all courses
4. New labs/equipment for science and technology courses
5. Regular curricula revision
6. Maintenance of campuses by professional agencies
7. Teachers University to train teachers
8. Inviting top-notch institutes to set up in Bihar
9. Giving funds and ensuring that the funds are properly spent not embezzled.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:41 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110618/jsp/bihar/story_14118811.jsp

Battery-run buses on cards at Mahabodhi
PIYUSH KUMAR TRIPATHI
Patna, June 17: Plans are afoot to make the area around Mahabodhi Temple a pollution-free zone.

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) is planning to make the area around the temple a vehicle-free zone where only battery-operated vehicles would run within a radius of one kilometre of the temple.

BSTDC had recently invited operators to run battery-operated vehicles around the Buddhist temple, which is a world heritage site.

A source in the corporation said the objective of the move is to ensure a pollution-free environment. The source said the corporation would soon ban all gas, petrol and diesel-operated vehicles within a kilometre radius of the Mahabodhi temple.

“We have marked two routes along the main road from Rajgir and Patna. All the motor vehicles would be par-ked at the stands provided at these routes. The battery-operated vehicles would start from here and take the tourists to the hotel, monastery, museum and the Mahabodhi Temple. Initially, arou-nd 15 battery-operated vehicles with a capacity to accommodate 10 to 12 passengers would run in the area,” said the source.

According to the terms and conditions of the agreement between the operator and the corporation, the tariff for these vehicles would be fixed by the corporation and it would charge a fixed monthly rent of around Rs 1,000 per vehicle from the operator.

The tourism corporation, on the other hand, would provide a night stand, parking space and battery charging facilities to the operator. Besides shops and restaurants, other amenities would also be made available at various points to facilitate visitors.

Former secretary of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee Kalicharan Singh Yadav said it was a welcome step to introduce vehicles running on battery mode instead of petrol and diesel around the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. It will protect the ancient structure from pollution.

However, Yadav said the practical aspects like convenience of the people of the area as well as the tourists will also have to be considered.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:42 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110618/jsp/bihar/story_14125884.jsp

Health hub clean bowled by minister googly
- Disappointed over mismanagement at JLNMCH, Choubey proposes ad hoc body to monitor hospital

Bhagalpur, June 17: The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH) authorities found themselves on the wrong foot this morning when health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey arrived for a surprise inspection.

Disappointed over the mismanagement at the hospital, the minister said there was an urgent need to set up an ad hoc body to monitor the functioning of the government-run hospitals in the state. Residents of each district would be members of the body, and they would suggest means to improve the functioning of the health hubs.

Choubey came to Bhagalpur yesterday to attend a meeting of the 20-point implementation committee. This morning, he rushed to JLNMCH. He also summoned divisional commissioner Dayashanker Pandey to the hospital.

After the inspection, he met hospital superintendent Vinod Kumar and told him: “Look how dirty the hospital premises are! You have generators but the patients have to stay in the dark and nurses have to administer injections using torches during power cuts.”

The minister added: “Why don’t you take initiatives to manage things properly? Is it possible for a minister to come down if the generator set of your hospital develops a technical snag?”

Choubey lost his temper when he found security guards engaged in an altercation with the attendants of a patient near the intensive care unit of the hospital.

“Who has given them the permission to behave like this with the relatives of the patients? Tell them to leave immediately,” Choubey said.

He also reprimanded the nurses who were trying to replace dirty bed sheets with clean ones when the minister arrived for inspection. He told the hospital officials that any employee found guilty of dereliction of duty would be dealt with strictly.

Choubey also instructed the hospital superintendent to get rid of the garbage on the campus and cultivate medicinal plants.

When the hospital officials pleaded that they were unable to undertake development works because of the funds crunch, Choubey said they could take help from the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, a statutory body headed by the divisional commissioner.

Rogi Kalyan Samiti of the hospital, at present, has Rs 2.5 crore for development work.

“You may ask the State Bank of India, National Thermal Power Corporation or other organisations to contribute to develop the hospital,” Choubey said.

The minister told The Telegraph that the hospital lacked basic infrastructure.

“For the past six months, I have taken special interest for the development of this hospital. This is the sole medical health hub in the radius of 200km. Patients from Kosi, Seemanchal and the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand come here for healthcare. The hospital employees and doctors should be dedicated to their work,” Choubey said.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:43 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110618/jsp/bihar/story_14122191.jsp

Patna, June 17: Bihar has surpassed all other states in terms of conviction. Over 61,000 criminals, including politicians, have been convicted and punished in the state in the past five-and-a-half years, courtesy speedy trials.

“The high rate of conviction owing to the fast-track courts functioning since January 2006 has resulted in a sharp decline in organised crimes like kidnapping for ransom, extortion, robbery and contract killing,” director-general of police (DGP) Neel Mani said. For the first time in the state, over 12 MPs and state legislators have been convicted and punished, he said. According to a report compiled by the state police headquarters, total 61,810 persons were convicted in the state between January 2006 and May 2011.

Total 5,654 persons were convicted between January and May 2011, the DGP said. Of them, one person was awarded capital punishment, 752 got life terms and 239 persons were sentenced to imprisonment above 10 years.

Total 14,311 persons were convicted in 2010, followed by 13,146 in 2009, 12,009 in 2008, 9,853 in 2007 and 6,839 in 2006. The high rate of conviction was possible because of speedy trial of the cases, the DGP said.

“In the past, the rate of conviction was very low — only about 3,000-8,000 a decade. But the speedy trials conducted in almost all pending criminal cases by different courts, including fast-track courts and special courts, made a huge difference,” he said.

Neel Mani said the conviction of so many criminals in such a short span of time is a big achievement and a model for other states to follow. The masses lauded the speedy trial of criminals, said the officer.

Police officers here claimed that Bihar had surpassed other states in awarding the death sentence to the maximum number of people in a little over five years.

The chief minister has time and again told the people that criminals now feared disturbing law and order in the state because of his “political determination to prosecute them through speedy trials”. He said the high rate of convictions had instilled a sense of fear in the minds of criminals.

Bihar’s known politician convicts include former MPs Pappu Yadav and Mohammad Shahabuddin of the RJD, Surajbhan Singh of the LJP, Anand Mohan of the JD (U) and his wife Lovely Anand. Mohan was sentenced to death by a local court and his wife was given life sentence in the murder of then Gopalganj district magistrate G. Krishnaiah in 1994.

For the first time, the convicts has outnumbered the undertrials in jails. About 36,000 prisoners are lodged in the 55 jails, which together can accommodate 30,000 prisoners.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:45 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Training-to-be-mus-for-govt-officials/articleshow/8892084.cms

Training must for govt officials

PATNA: Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that the state government is formulating a new training policy for all public servants, making three trainings mandatory for every public servant during their service tenure. The draft policy will soon be placed before the state cabinet for its approval.

The government also plans to link promotion to training. Under the proposed scheme, every department will have to spend 1.5% of its budget on training of its officers and other employees, Modi said while addressing a joint session of Bihar Finance Service and Bihar Administrative Service officers here on Friday. He said the state government will set up an Administrative Training Institute (ATI) at Gaya at an estimated cost of Rs 49.90 crore. The institute will train public servants.
Modi said people across the country have raised their voice against corruption and Bihar has set an example by passing the Right to Service Act. The ministers as well as all government employees had declared their assets. Even Centre has emulated Bihar in this regard, said Modi. He said both public leaders and officers are public servants and they should come out of the mindset of being 'Janata Ke Malik (Master of the people)'. He said people still honour really honest public servants.

The deputy CM said that public servants should follow new ideas. Easy accessibility, transparency and honesty to the core is necessary qualification for a public servant. He called upon officers to achieve the target of a developed Bihar by 2015.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:47 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-Bakhtiyarpur-Road-work-to-start-in-Sept/articleshow/8895252.cms

Patna-Bakhtiyarpur Road work to start in Sept

PATNA: The work on the 50.6 km long four-lane Patna-Bakhtiyarpur Road will commence in September this year and will be completed by mid-March, 2014.

Road construction department (RCD) minister Nand Kishore Yadav on Friday said that the project involving Rs 606 crore will have some unique features. The four-lane road will start from Sipara and reach Deedarganj up to south of the railway line. It will be a new road having nothing to do with the existing road. "This long road will have seven underpasses in the populated areas to save the people from the risk of crossing the wide road. In their interest, we have decided to have underpasses," the RCD minister said.

The seven places where underpasses will be constructed are: Mithapur Bus Stand, Ram Krishna Nagar, Patna Central School, Hanuman Nagar, Bhootnath Road, Begampur Mahadev Sthan and Karmalichak. Yadav said that on both sides of the four-lane road, service lane will be laid. Earlier, this service lane was planned from Sipara to zero mile, but now after the minister's instruction it has been extended up to Deedarganj.

Another unique feature of the project is the rebate to the local vehicles with regard to payment of toll. The toll collection centre will be located at Deedarganj and the vehicles would not need to pay toll at any other centre. "Moreover, the local vehicles which repeatedly make rounds between Deedarganj and Patna will be given rebate on toll and they would not need to pay toll for every round," said Yadav and added that some pass system will be introduced for such vehicles.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:48 PM

Railways all set to open two legs of Mithapur ROB

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CCIS-1806-Rlys-all-set-to-open-two-legs-of-Mithapur-ROB/articleshow/8895259.cms

PATNA: The railways is all set to open two legs of the ambitious Mithapur road over bridge (ROB), Patna, in July. Out of five legs, two will be thrown open next month. These legs are located on the Buddha Marg and Karbighaiya end. Once thrown open for public use, they will ease traffic pressure on the Chiraiyatand bridge.

However, delay in land acquisition from the state government is said to have slightly hampered completion of the ROB. The multi-crore ROB, which is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore by the IRCON, is the need of the time. Work on three legs of the ROB has not been completed due to delay in acquisition of the land at Mithapur and Punpun ends. This ROB, which was sanctioned in 1998, will be completed on priority basis now, said an ECR official.

According to sources, the railways is in need of about 0.6 acre land from the government to carry out the alignment work of the ROB. This ROB will be 250.9 metre long and 15 metre wide providing connectivity with each part of the city. There will be a provision for four-lane traffic flow. After its completion, it will ease traffic pressure in south and west Patna to a great extent. It would also provide relief to those who suffer a lot due to frequent closure of the Mithapur railway crossing, sources said.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work on the ROB, IRCON project director V P Singh said that it would be a unique ROB in Patna as it will have the capacity to cope with maximum rush of traffic flow round-the-clock. It has been designed to have four lanes on the ROB which would segregate flow of traffic coming from each end. Besides, the railways has taken special care to make lighting arrangements, he said.

According to sources, the railways would complete three other legs on the ROB soon. The Hardinge Park alignment is the most important one in view of the fact that people commuting from Kankerbagh and Kumrahar side can easily approach the R-Block and secretariat end through this alignment. Besides, the railways would take up two other legs located at the Mithapur and Punpun ends to provide five legs communication for smooth traffic flow in Patna, sources said.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 12:49 PM

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-16/patna/29665183_1_b-n-college-girls-patna-science-college

More girls than boys in Patna collegesB K Mishra, TNN Jun 16, 2011, 09.46pm IST
PATNA: It may sound incredible, but it is a fact that Patna provides greater opportunities of higher education to girls compared to boys. The total number of girls enrolled in different colleges of the city far exceeds that of boys.

While at least five city-based colleges under Patna and Magadh universities are meant exclusively for the fair sex, all other colleges are coeducational and they accommodate a large number of girls. Some colleges were earlier largely dominated by boys and in some others the girls dared not enter their portals, but all of them are now humming with girl students.

The colleges which exclusively cater to girls are Patna Women's College and Magadh Mahila College (under Patna University), Arvind Mahila College, J D Women's College and Ganga Devi Mahila College (under Magadh University). Besides imparting general courses at the graduation stage, these colleges are also running a number of vocational courses for the girls.

Even though Patna College, Patna Science College, B N College, Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, A N College, College of Commerce, T P S College and B D College had either very few girls earlier or were supposed to accommodate boys only, they are attracting a considerable number of girls now a days. At least 30% of the total seats (approximately 1,300) available in Patna Science College are captured by girls, said college principal Kashi Nath. The college offers honours teaching in all the science subjects besides some self-financing courses. The college is planning to start a separate hostel for girls in view of their increasing strength.

In Patna College, there are altogether 1,650 students, of which 30% are girls, said the admission in charge, Randhir Kumar Singh. Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, which imparts teaching in commerce only, also accommodates nearly 30% girls, said principal Umesh Mishra. The college has a strength of nearly 1,400. B N College principal K K Maltiar said 20% of the total seats (approximately 2,000) are occupied by girls.

A N College, College of Commerce, T P S College and B D College, all of which are multi-faculty institutions and also impart Plus Two teaching besides graduation courses, are attracting almost 20 to 30% girls.

Cosmicbliss

June 18th, 2011, 07:09 PM

Study to make Patna airport safe begins

PATNA: Jayaprakash Narayan International airport may soon cast off its "one of the most critical airports in the country" tag. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is exploring all possibilities for the purpose.
The feasibility of AAI's ambitious idea to tunnel-in the railway line adjacent to airport's runway, which poses critical threat to safe landing of aircrafts here as there is no room for emergency and even minor errors could cause the plane to ram into a train, is being explored.
Of late, a comprehensive study to create additional runway space for JPNI airport, spread over 260.81 acres, with a runway length of 7,500 feet, has already begun.
The main purpose of the study, which will be completed within three months, is to suggest ways to remove obstacles from the aircrafts' approach funnel. AAI has assigned the job to an infrastructure consultancy company, RITES Ltd, at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. Experts have expeditiously begun the survey at Phulwari Sharif railway station.
Due to obstacles like trees and a 184-feet Secretariat tower on the eastern side of the airport and railway premises on the northwestern side, aircrafts are not able to use full length of the runway. Therefore, removal of obstacles is critical for rendering the airport safe.
While landing from eastern side, planes manage to use approximately about 5,600 feet runway length (runway 25), while they are able to use about 5,500 feet runway during landing from western side (runway 07).
"Last week, a team of experts visited Phulwari Sharif railway station to collect data, drawings, track diagrams and existing yards," said B K Gupta, GM (railway divisions), RITES Ltd.
As per the study, modifications to the existing railway line, diversion of main line or development of schematic yard could be done.
"The main focus of the study is to examine whether the existing line or the entire railway station can pass through a tunnel paving way for expansion of runway (07)," said a senior RITES official. The team will also explore if the entire Phulwari Sharif yard could be shifted to a suitable location.
"Tunnelling of the railway line will not only remove the obstacle in safe landing of planes but also create space for expansion if the railway cabin is also tunnelled in or shifted," sources said.
"We are pursuing all possible ways to create space to make the airport safer and provide better airport management. After RITES submits its feasibility study, the matter will be actively considered," said JPNI airport director Arvind Dubey.
According to RITES's airport division officials, a final report covering the entire spectrum of issues including cost will be submitted to AAI as soon as the study is complete.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Study-to-make-Patna-airport-safe-begins/articleshow/8904132.cms

Cosmicbliss

June 19th, 2011, 01:20 PM

PATNA: Hundreds of Non-Resident Biharis (NRBs) from across the world will gather here early next year to share their views on the state and its development, officials said Sunday.

The Bihar Foundation is organising the two-day global meet of NRBs Feb 18-19, 2012.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is the chairman of the foundation, said they have started disseminating information about the meeting in advance to ensure that a large number of NRBs participate in the event.

"NRBs from across the world who have excelled in their fields and made a difference towards development would be invited to share their views regarding the state and its development," Modi said.

Indian Administrative Service officer K.P. Ramaiah, who is the CEO of Bihar Foundation, said it was a "single window system of the state government to interact with NRBs around the world".

Speaking to IANS, Ramaiah said they expect a gathering of hundreds of experts and investors who are concerned about the development of Bihar.

He also said that all the Bihar Foundation chapters in the US, Britain , Australia , Canada , South Korea and Qatar have began preparations to invite NRBs for the meet.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Two-day-global-meet-of-Non-Resident-Biharis-next-year/articleshow/8912736.cms

Cosmicbliss

June 19th, 2011, 06:05 PM

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ministers-of-change-new-models-of-development/159452-3.html

New Delhi: "The sacred task of a king is to strive for the welfare of his people incessantly. The administration of the kingdom is his religious duty. His greatest gift would be to treat all as equals." - Chanakya, Arthashastra.

Simple and logical and yet Chanakya's principles on good governance have been ignored by kings and politicians alike. Even as India grapples with the cancer of corruption, a slow moving bureaucracy and a political class that doesn't seem to care about the welfare of the people, hope floats in small measure.

There are some leaders who seem to be trying to walk the untreaded path and create a fairer, more equitable society. What are these leaders doing differently, are they really experimenting with new models of development, are they really catalysts of sustainable change?

Hello and welcome to Ministers of Change, a CNBC-TV18 special edition series that will go beyond the hype and hyperbole to bring you a ground report on new models of development, inclusivity and reforms.

Traveling from capital cities to distant districts we examine the real impact of economic reforms. What the aam aadmi makes of the changes in his world and how he rates his leaders. We start our journey in Bihar, a state, which has gone from being lampooned as "jungleraj" to a "turnaround story".

A state where crime and corruption strangled growth. But today it is a state that has galloped to grow at 11.03 per cent for 2008-09 beating the national average of 8.49 per cent. And the karmayogi who's changed the perception of Bihar in five short years is Nitish Kumar.

Irfan Alam, CEO & Founder, Sammaan Foundation: ‘Oh you Bihari!' the way we used to hear the word Bihari was never dignified, generally used as an abuse.

Neena Jha, CEO, Astric - Centre for Excellence: The red tape is slowly opening; things are seeing the light of day.

Ravi Singh, Student, Chanakya Natl Law University: Earlier we used to go out to study, now students are coming here, it makes me really proud to be a Bihari.

Padma Singh Mandal, Villager, Jorgama - Madhepura, Bihar: Bahut antar hai... road ban gaya, ghar ban gaya, school ban gaya, panchayat chalti hai, anganwaadi ban gaya... aur kya karegi sarkar. (There has been a lot of change, roads have been built, houses, schools and daycare centres constructed, panchayats now function. What else can the government do?)

When a landless Bihari labourer who migrates to Punjab for a few months every year has this to say about the government it's an indication of two things. One, how meagre expectations are and the extent of the unfinished work in Bihar.

Roberto Zagha, Director - India, World Bank: Bihar is where India was 50 years ago. It has to catch up with India while India catches up with the rest of the world

Yogendra Yadav, Psephologist & Senior Fellow, Centre for Study of Developing Societies: The biggest challenge in Bihar was creating hope - that anything could improve was unimaginable

Gurcharan Das, Author & Social Commentator: Very often leaders think they’ve made a good speech and they are done. But a good leader is a good implementor, a good leader gets into the messy details of the day to day implementation.

In his second tenure, Bihar's chief minister Nitish Kumar understands implementing the promises he has made to Bihar hold the key to his future. Where Lalu relied heavily on instinct and his deliverables of social justice were more esoteric in nature; Nitish's eye is on delivering basic development.

Ironic because both leaders walked side by side in the JP Movement of the 1970s. In 1995, they parted ways and struck out on their own. Lalu ministered Bihar while Nitish gained experience in Delhi as Agriculture and Railways Minister: experience that widened his outlook. An engineer by training, Nitish is precise and result oriented. And it's probably his stint at the Centre that taught him to rely more on the bureaucrat than the MLA

Yogendra Yadav, Psephologist & Senior Fellow, Centre for Study of Developing Societies: Nitish has done something which most successful CMs in India do, that is undemocratic but they bypass their own party to deliver governance via the bureaucracy but this discounts all other tiers of democracy. In that sense he is a democratically elected leader who bypasses all tiers of democracy.

Nitish has positioned himself as the singular face of change. He's Bihar's ‘vikas purush’. And this has given him the upper hand in his coalition with the BJP as well. In 2010 Nitish Kumar was able to maintain his secular image by keeping BJP's star campaigners Narendra Modi out of Bihar. And it's not for nothing that he's earned himself the title of Chanakya. What Lalu did for the Yadavs, Nitish has done for the upper castes, Mahadalits and lower caste Muslims. He’s given them a political identity and carved himself a new vote bank.

Yogendra Yadav, Psephologist & Senior Fellow, Centre for Study of Developing Societies: The media presented it as if caste was out and development was in. But Nitish has reworked caste equations to create a constituency for himself and I wouldn't call this pandering to caste or vote bank politics because a democracy is about creating vote banks. This shows he's a politician who can think ahead and create a base for himself.

Nitish Kumar was elected on the promise of Sadak, Shiksha, Surakha and he has delivered on all 3. Perhaps the most visible difference under Nitish Raj has been a dramatic improvement in law and order, not a small achievement for a state that was crippled by crime. The emphasis on safety and security has helped Nitish win over women voters in the state. For Poonam Bideshi, who saw her doctor husband being shot dead as he returned home from his clinic, Nitish is nothing short of a storm of fresh air.

Poonam Bideshi, Principal, Govt High School, Danapur: Jaise doctor saab ghar aaye, gadi park ki, un ladko ne unhe shoot kiya. Unki maut wahi par ho gayi. (The moment doctor saab came home, parked his car, some men shot him and he died on the spot)

Bihar's reality wasn't far removed from a Bollywood potboiler with kidnappings, a ruthless local mafia and the nexus between the politician and criminal.

Shaibal Gupta, Founder & Secy, Asian Development Research Institute: If a person committed a crime he became a natural candidate for elections, so bigger the crime the more power he could yield.

The turning point was January 2005. A month before Bihar went to polls, when hundreds of students in Patna went on a hunger strike to protest the kidnapping of 14-year old Kislay Kaushal. As polling day got closer and police made no headway in the case, election speeches spoke not of jati, the cornerstone of Bihar politics, but of the breakdown in the state machinery

Nitish Kumar as acutely aware of Bihar's need for Surakhsha and when took his oath as the 31st chief minister of the state and promised to rectify the law and order situation in 3 months. And he has delivered on this promise.

Neelmani, DGP Police: The one factor that has really brought about change is the establishment of the rule of law in the state. Today who so ever commits a crime, no matter how high he is he is bound to be in jail and get the punishment. That has been made very clear.

Shaibal Gupta, Founder & Secy, Asian Development Research Institute: Few months back, the son of a local mafia who was a law unto himself was sentenced by the court. He collapsed in the court. The fear of the state is now in the people

And no one's being spared. Not even Nitish Kumar's own legislators. And for the first time in 15 years, the convicts in Bihar's jails is outnumbering the number of under-trials. Bihar was one of the first states to implement the Centre's fast-track courts scheme and over 180 such courts have been functional in the state since 2006.

This has meant over 58,000 people have been convicted in 5 years compared to 5,000 convictions in the previous decade.

Priti, Patna Resident: Police cars start patrolling the streets by 6-7pm. So we feel safe to move out. Lalu ki sarkar mein dophaar mein bahar jana bhi difficult tha. (In Lalu’s regime it was difficult to even go out during the day.)

Rutika, Student, CNLU: By 6 pm people at home would start calling us asking us to come back home, now things have changed so drastically. We're out till 10-11 pm. In the past 5 years the situation has really changed

Poonam Bideshi doesn't think twice about stepping out at 8:30 pm to buy a car. Priyanka and Vaishali are unwinding at a local market after an evening of tuition classes. Mohit Kodnani who moved here from Mumbai a few months back is surprised by the changes

Mohit Kodnani, Dy GM, Central Bank of India: See people out at 11 pm also, its been a sea change, not as expected.

Irfan Alam, Founder, Sanmaan Foundation: When one thinks of Bihari, you think of someone who is uneducated, uncultured, below poverty line. That was one and foremost reason for me to come back and change that image.

Law and order has also brought back enterprise and investment. Irfan Alam, an IIM-A graduate, set up Sammaan Foundation in 2008. This social enterprise has brought modern rickshaws and on-the-move advertising to over one-lakh rickshaw-pullers in the state, boosting their earnings by nearly 40 per cent.

Irfan Alam, Founder, Sammaan Foundation: For an entrepreneur things that matter is one: good political stability that results in good governance and law and order.

Prakash Jha, Filmmaker & CMD, P&M Infra Ltd: People ask me why are you not making films on Bihar anymore, I say, I'm not getting subjects. No Gangaajal, no Apharan in Bihar

But Patna still continues to inspire Prakash Jha but now he is finally giving expression to the Bihar of his dreams, unlike the past. This 12.5-lakh square foot mall built over 3 years at a cost of Rs 65 crores is his latest paean to the city.

Prakash Jha, Filmmaker & CMD, P&M Infra Ltd: My attachment to Bihar is, one, sentimental, two, it makes a lot of business sense, there is a whole lot of scope for development and three, to incite, to get others to invest into Bihar.

And money is slowly beginning to come in. This is the first mall to open and there are 5 others in the pipeline. This Big Bazaar outlet at P&M Mall is also Future Group's first foray into the state. And this mega market experience is also a first for Patna residents

- Earlier had money to spend but were apprehensive

- Feel like we're at par with Delhi, Bombay

- Women are here shopping till 10-11 pm. That's a big change for Bihar

- Women have got a lot of freedom and openness to move around now

But is Naya Bihar just an urban story of change? We travelled to Jorgama in Madhepura district 200 kilometers from Patna where Tasleem Mohammed echoes these feelings.

Tasleem Mohammed, Mason, Jorgama – Madhepura: Chen se rahte hai, pehle 4 baje ke baad chal nahi sakte the. Agar 50 rupiye bhi hote the who koi cheen leta tha. Joh dar tha who abh nahi. (We live in peace now. Previously, we couldn’t move out after 4 pm, even if we had Rs 50, it got snatched. The fear is not there.)

And this has been one of Nitish Kumar's biggest achievements: establishing the authority of the state to bring peace of mind to the people. COMING UP after this break we look at what Nitish Kumar is doing to make public officials accountable and the remarkable turnaround story of the roads in the state.

“The king shall have the work of Heads of Departments inspected daily, for men are, by nature, fickle and, like horses, change after being put to work. Therefore, the King shall acquaint himself with all the details of each Department or undertaking, such as-the officer responsible, the nature of the work, the place of work, the time taken to do it, the exact work to be done, the outlay and the profit.”

Very few leaders encourage or appreciate scrutiny specially in full public view but Nitish Kumar seems to be making a statement with his Junta Durbars.

Yogendra Yadav: It is a good symbol and I do not discount symbols in politics

These Durbars are held every Monday morning and present a via medium for people to air grievances and for the Chief Minister to have his ear as close to the ground as possible

Kamayani, Jan Jagran Abhiyan: See, its good politics and empowers people. It’s a good initiative because it is a way of telling people what can happen, that the govt is available.

If law and order was Nitish's war cry in the first term, banishing corruption is his mission in this one. Last year, the legislative assembly passed the Special Courts Act making it possible for courts to confiscate assets of public officials found disproportionate to their incomes and have them converted into public utilities like schools or clinics

The first public official to come under the scanner was Raghuvansh Kunwar, a motor vehicle inspector in Aurangabad. His house in Patna worth Rs 54 lakh was seized in January this year. The Special Vigilance Unit has lined up another 18 cases: to confiscate property valued at Rs 21 crore. Bihar has set up six special courts that exclusively deal with this. Next the state is planning to enact a Right to Services law to ensure efficient government service. Officials will be punished for failure to provide time-bound service. On the other hand officers like Pratyaya Amrit, the man responsible for scripting the turnaround of the loss making Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam have been rewarded by being put in charge of bigger more prestigious assignments.

Pratyaya Amrit has been conferred the PM's award for public excellence, well deserved for this Bihar cadre officer who was brought into the state in 2006. Amrit’s first task was to complete the 15 bridges that were incomplete since 1989 and then set aggressive targets for the Nigam.

Pratyaya Amrit, Secretary, Roads Department - Former CMD, Bihar Pull Nirman Nigam: One very important thing was the use of technology, all field officers were given GPRS enabled mobile sets, take photos and send across to me on mail, so I could monitor progress and get real time reports; by doing this field inspections became mandatory.

And contrary to popular belief, changes at the Nigam have been well received by its engineers and officers. Apart from a more 'corporate' working environment, they are sent abroad for training and good performance is rewarded with international holidays as well. Over the last 5 years more than 600 bridges have been constructed and the Nigam now has a turnover of over Rs 1,000 crores. A similar story has played itself out as far as roads are concerned. Once the butt of many a jokes today over 11,000 km of roads connect almost every village in the state. And here too it is "constructive impatience" that has paid off.

Pratyaya Amrit, Secretary, Roads Department / Former CMD, Bihar Pull Nirman Nigam: One of the only states in the country to fine and blacklist contractors. Contractors were debarred if 80% of work not completed on time. Today, the administration in Bihar is setting benchmarks and this is bringing in development funds to the state like never before. Since 2008, the Asian Development Bank has channeled in $ 720 million to build roads in the state. And World Bank has agreed to provide funds for the repair of four national highways.

Roberto Zagha, Director - India, World Bank: The biggest challenge in Bihar is to meet expectations; because they have leaders focused on development and they feel they don't have time. There's a lot of impatience and this is healthy because we have to rise to the challenge

And the challenges in Bihar continue to be immense. Critics say that in his first term, Nitish has plucked the low hanging fruits by delivering on the visible signs of change. Expectations are running at an all time high and he will be measured now not by the legacy he inherited but by his own achievements in the first term. Because good roads don't translate to good infrastructure and development funds don't mean all round development.

Next Week on the Ministers of Change we look at what Bihar needs to do to make growth more inclusive and investment in the state sustainable