Bihar - Projects and Development

[sensiblerv]

Bihar Day theme will be women empowerment


PATNA: The Bihar Day will be observed from March 22 to 24 to mark the 102 anniversary of Bihar's existence as separate state. The theme of the celebrations will be women empowerment, said education department principal secretary AmarjitSinha.

The Bihar Day is being observed for the last three years on large scale involving all the educational institutions and other cultural bodies by the Bihar government.

"The education department is preparing series of programmes on education, culture and sports and a state level sports competition for girls will be held at Moinul Haq Stadium from March 17 to 21," said Sinha. Education department is the nodal agency to hold the Bihar Day celebrations.

The school girls selected from each district will participate in the competition. Over 5,000 girls from Kasturba Gandhi Schools will also join the event and display their skill of martial arts.

Apart from sports, the girl students will also present dance, drama and singing programme and the selected troupes and folk groups will show their talent at the series of programmes to be held at different places including the main venue Gandhi Maidan.

ON the women empowerment theme the students of Patna Art College will create paintings and sculptors which will be displayed at the art gallery at Gandhi Maidan. A separate gallery for screening of films based on Bihar will be made. The films to be screened include Prakash Jha's Damul and Basu Chatterjee's Teesri Kasam.

for link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/18544992.cms

[sensiblerv]

Nalanda sets world record in potato production, again

BIHARSHARIF: Rakesh Kumar of Nalanda district has set a new world record of potato production by producing 1,088 quintals per hectare.

Potato crop was harvested on Rakesh Kumar's field in Sohdih area of Nalanda district on Sunday under the supervision of scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Harnaut, and Horticulture College, Noorsarai. The scientists assessed the yield at 1,088 quintals per hectare, which is 359 quintals more than the previous world record set by Nitish Kumar of Darveshpura village in Nalanda last year.

Nitish had produced 729 quintals of potato per hectare last year, surpassing the then record of 650 quintals held by a farmer in The Netherlands.

Rakesh Kumar, who broke Nitish's record, also has to his credit the world record of onion output by producing 660 quintals per hectare last year.

Dr N K Singh and Dr V K Agrawal from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, under whose supervision the crop was harvested, said the potato output was beyond their expectation. They said the Kufri Pukhraj seed used by Rakesh has a record of maximum yield of 350 quintals per hectare, but the new high-density method of farming and the use of organic fertilizers by the farmer worked wonders, showing a way to farmers worldwide.

[sensiblerv]

Move for mega leather hub

PATNA: Bihar is now moving fast towards setting up a mega leather and meat processing hub. Country's seven leading investors in leather and meat processing sector are arriving here on Wednesday (February 20) to participate at an Investors' Meet convened by Bihar government to discuss the modalities for setting up leather and meat processing units in the state.

The meet is expected to generate an estimated investment of Rs 2,500 to 3,000 crore, if everything goes right as envisioned by chief minister Nitish Kumar, sources in the state government said. The CM has a vision for setting up a mega leather and meat processing hub in Bihar.

The meet, exclusively for the investors and exporters in leather and meat processing industries, is being organized in continuation of the chief minister's last Udyami Panchayat held on December 31, 2012. The meet would be jointly chaired by principal secretary, industries, and principal secretary, animal and fishery resources department. After the principal secretaries-level meet, the investors will also have a meeting with the industries minister.

Leading leather and meat processing companies who have confirmed their participation are the $75 million Superhouse group having 15 units with a workforce of over 5,000 and presence in more than 35 countries; the $55 million Super Tannery Ltd having its customers in more than 40 countries; Rahman Industries Ltd, a conglomerate in the field of leather and footwear manufacturing; Homera Tanning Industries (P) Ltd, Model Exims, J S International and Al-Fauz International, all well-known companies in leather industries sector, sources said.

The basic idea behind this exclusive Investors' Meet is to explore the possibility of establishing a mega leather cluster (as envisaged in the Mega Leather Cluster Scheme of Government of India) along with an adjacent meat processing hub in Bihar. These two industrial hubs will be further integrated with the upcoming Inland Container Depot/logistics park at Bihta and the existing one at Kanpur.

BOX

Confirmed participants

Superhouse Group: A K Agarwal, director, finance

Super Tannery Ltd: Iftikarul Amin, managing director

Rahman Industries Ltd: Kamran Rahman, joint managing director

Homera Tanning Industries (P) Ltd: Qamar Rizwan, promoter

Model Exims: Mahmood Alam, promoter

JS International: Jamshed Soleja, promoter

Al-Fauz International: Shahnawaz Ahmad, managing partner...

[sensiblerv]

Topping growth chart No Small feat, feel people

PATNA: A 11.95% growth rate registered by Bihar according to the Economic Survey 2012-13 tabled by deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi in the state assembly on Tuesday not only spells out the "vikas" saga of the state, but has also set a "feel good" atmosphere among the city residents. That the growth rate is twice the national average only doubles the happiness.

Patnaites expressed satisfaction over the development that was visible in the state. "For the past few years, the development of the state has exceeded our expectations. We have started from negative and now top the growth rate list. It is no mean feat," said PK Agrawal, president, Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, adding, "Development can be seen in all sectors like health and education, but certain areas such as increase in population still need to be worked on."

Industrialists attribute the high rate of growth to better management of funds. "The state finance department has managed the funds in a better way, that is reflected in the growth rate. A number of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies have come up in the state but more investment is required to boost the industrial sector," said KPS Keshri, president, Bihar Industries Association. He added that an allotment to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore for industries in the upcoming budget would be ideal for the sector.

When asked about how Patna had changed, a visiting professor from Canada, Satyendra Singh, who was in the city after 20 years, said at a function here, "Now there are flyovers all around." Some people also hope that the survey would be able to change people's mindset about Bihar. "Investors who were still sceptical about coming to the state would be more positive about making investments here," said Captain Anju Sharma, secretary of a city-based NGO.

Echoing similar views, Namrata Kumari, a postgraduate homemaker residing in Patna City, said, "Earlier considered a backward state, the signs of Bihar's development are visible everywhere. Ask those who are visiting the state after 10-15 years and they will swear by the sea change that has occurred in the state."

However, economists opine that growth rate is not the real indication of people's standard of living. "Bihar's high growth rate is mostly due to construction sector. But the government has not been able to generate enough employment, which is reflected in per capita income being lower than the national average. It will take almost 25-30 years to reach the national average of per capital income," said economist Bhagwan Prasad Singh, professor, Patna University. He added that government needs to encourage investment in the state by providing better infrastructure, power and promote diversification and modernization of agriculture to achieve all-round development.

for full article:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/18602913.cms

[sensiblerv]

Bill on private universities this session: Minister


PATNA: The state government is working on a Bill that will be presented in the state assembly for the framing of an Act to facilitate the opening of private universities in the state. It would be tabled in the state assembly during the current session itself, said education minister P K Shahi on Wednesday.

Reply to a debate on the education department's budgetary demand of Rs 18,280.70 crore for the 2013-14 financial year, he said the World Bank had agreed to provide Rs 1,600 crore assistance through loan for the strengthening of the school system in the state, he added.

"The aim of the Bill would be to facilitate the private sector investment in establishing universities. Its draft is in the last stage of preparation," Shahi said.

According to him, the management of universities in the private sector, like Amity University, Manipal University and Rai Foundation, among others, had evinced interest in opening their university centres in the state.

Shahi, at the same time, said the situation in the state's "traditional universities" was peculiar as the chancellor-cum-governor of the state was the appointing authority of vice-chancellors (VCs) and pro-VCs without consulting the government. "No need is being felt for consultation with the state government with regard to the appointment of VCs and pro-VCs," Shahi said.

Incidentally, RJD members including leader of opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui, and the lone CPI member had walked out of the House. Shahi made the announcement in their absence. Jyoti Rashmi had moved the cut motion after which the house was debating the issue.

Shahi said the NDA government, in its first term, was seized with increasing the enrolment of students in primary and middle schools and checking the dropout rates. "Our government's first term took care of quantity aspect of education. It is now paying attention to improving quality of school education," Shahi said.

With 2.15 crore of the 2.18 crore children in the age of six to 14 years in various schools, accounting for 98.70% gross enrolment ratio (GER), the 'student base' in the state was more than that in the USA, he said. With a view to giving quality training to teachers already appointed or to schoolteacher aspirants, 56 teachers' training institutes had become functional and 10 others were in the pipeline to be opened in the next financial year, Shahi said.

Further, plans were afoot for the appointment of 1.22 lakh primary schoolteachers and 92,000 middle schoolteachers over the next five years. Besides, the state government would open one middle school in every panchayat over the next five years with funds from the state plan, as the Centre had gone on 'Plan holiday' during 2012-13 and has not allocated funds to the state under its National Middle School Campaign. Moreover, the funds provided by the Centre to the state under the scheme was "far, far short of the amount fixed" for 2010-11 and 2011-12, Shahi added

for link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/18721339.cms

[senthisenti]

whats the current position of Kishanganj oil deposit taken over by 'ONGC' last year in the month of july 2012.... any latest news on this project.....

[sensiblerv]

BEST WISHES TO ALL FELLOW FRIENDS and THEIR FAMILIES on THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF BIHAR DIWAS.......

LET US TAKE PLEDGE that We shall not do any Wrong kind of work that can harm the image of the state in front of others....

[Amarendra kishore]

Bihar Diwas is good initiative of current government to showcase state and restore pride of being Bihari. In 7 years government has done enormous changes on all levels including changing the work culture of government.

But, I am very sad to see the same showcase of 'haalla hangama' on the occassion of Bihar Diwas. It was a showcase of a different culture of youngsters from our state, who don't want anything positive goes to the world about Bihar.

It appears as if a section of media and mass doesn't want to go ahead to a better and civilized state.

Originally Posted by sensiblerv

BEST WISHES TO ALL FELLOW FRIENDS and THEIR FAMILIES on THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF BIHAR DIWAS.......

LET US TAKE PLEDGE that We shall not do any Wrong kind of work that can harm the image of the state in front of others....

[sensiblerv]

Bihar govt ready with draft policy for pvt industrial parks


A glimmer of hope for investors facing land troubles has begun to appear in the state. Bihar government's draft policy for private industrial parks is almost ready and it will be unveiled by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Udyami Panchayat (Entrepreneur's Meet), which is scheduled on April 29, at Rajgir.

"The draft for the policy is now almost complete," said one of the senior officials of the industries department, "and it will be unveiled by CM at Udyami Panchayat at Rajgir. It will be a major step forward and will help entrepreneurs in a great manner." He added, "We wanted it to be one of the best policies in the countries, therefore we have studied policies of other states. We have also incorporated suggestions of trade and industries bodies in this policy. Those, who want to set up industrial parks in the state, will also be given substantial subsidies." The state government has so far received two informal proposals to set up private industrial parks in the state. "Informal proposals have begun to flowing in. So far, two such proposals have been received. A group of landowners from Mokama, near Patna, have shown interest, while one such proposal came from Madhepura district. We are hopeful that many more investors will come in the coming days," commented that official.

"Bihar has the highest population density in the country," said Industrial Development Commissioner, Naveen Verma told Business Standard a few days ago, "and land unavailability emerged as a biggest bottleneck for the rapid industrialisation of the state. Therefore, we needed to innovate." He said, "We will welcome investors planning to set up private industrial parks here. However, first they have to submit some strong proposals to back their initiatives. If we like their proposals, then we are ready to offer subsidies up to 30-40 percent." The state government is planning to waive off stamp duty and other duties regarding the conversion of land for these investors. Moreover, the industrial units situated at these parks may also be allowed to avail subsidies that are offered under industrial policy of the state government. State government might also help them in developing basic infrastructure. It is also planning to provide electricity to these parks on priority basis.

However, the state government is not ready to get involved in land dealings. "The state government is very serious about this proposal. We will help such investors in their endeavor. However, we would like to clarify that in no way state government will indulge in land deals. The investors have to do this on their own," Verma added.

During last six years, Bihar received investment proposals worth more than Rs 3 lakh crores. However, with a population density of more than 1,100 people per square km, the state government finds it difficult to vacate land. One of the officials of the industries department stated, "We have one of the best industrial policies in the country. But due to industrial land scarcity, the rate of industrialisation is still dismal. Therefore, we are now looking towards private sector."

for the link:http://www.business-standard.com/art...0700394_1.html

[azzi282]

India's Bihar State Gets $2.2 Billion Federal Aid

NEW DELHI--India's federal government Thursday approved a financial aid of 120 billion rupees ($2.2 billion) for Bihar, a decision that is seen as an effort by the ruling Congress party to win the support of the eastern state's chief minister, Nitish Kumar.

Mr. Kumar's Janata Dal (United) party is part of India's main opposition coalition led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Recently, Mr. Kumar and his party threatened that they may pull out of the group if the BJP selects Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the national election, which must be held by May next year.

Mr. Modi is a conservative Hindu leader. The JD(U) is worried his candidature may put off Muslim voters, who make up 15% of voters in Bihar.

The BJP had rejected Mr. Kumar's demand, but it has yet to name its prime ministerial candidate. Many in the BJP demand Mr. Modi be named to lead the party in the election.

Any support from Mr. Kumar's party will strengthen Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's federal government, which is weakened after two key parties walked out of the ruling coalition since last September. The JD(U) has 20 members in the lower house of Parliament. Besides, having the JD(U)'s backing could help the Congress party-led coalition in the national election.

Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari, while announcing the financial package under the Backward Region Grant Fund program, said the government's decision wasn't influenced by politics.

"All executive decisions shouldn't be seen as political," he told reporters. "We have just substantially increased the allocation to Bihar."

Mr. Kumar couldn't be reached for comment.

Narendra Kumar, a professor of political science at Lucknow's Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, said the decision was indeed political. "Nitish Kumar had been demanding such an assistance for years, but look at its timing," he said.

BJP spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said the federal government was probably looking to influence voters. "The state government had sought 200 billion rupees. It's not an attempt to woo the state's chief minister as the demand for the package was also of the BJP," he said.

In Bihar, the BJP is part of the JD(U)-led government.

Bihar has long been known as one of India's most impoverished states.

But under Mr. Kumar, the state has made major improvements. Local government figures show Bihar's gross domestic product grew at an annual average of almost 12% over the five years to March 2012, far above the national average of 7.9% in the same period.

Mr. Kumar has used federal funds to bolster the state's infrastructure. He has improved health care and education in the state, and has been demanding more funds.

The federal government will give the fund in phases over the next four years through March 31, 2017, said Mr. Tewari, the minister.

Bihar had received 64 billion rupees under the same program in the five-year period ended on March 31, 2012. The program is aimed at funding infrastructure and other projects.

LINK


Centre announces Rs. 12,000-crore package for Bihar

Amid reports that the Janata Dal (United) is on the verge of breaking its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Centre on Thursday appeared to reach out to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by approving a special package of Rs. 12,000 crore for his State for the remaining period of the 12th Five Year Plan.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which met here on Thursday, gave its approval to continue the special plan for Bihar in the remaining four years (2013-14 to 2016-17) of the Twelfth Five Year Plan with a total allocation of Rs. 12,000 crore for the entire Plan period.

The decision came at a time when JD (U), which is the senior partner in Bihar Government, has strained relations with BJP and has indicated that it will break ties if its NDA partner names Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for next Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress is said to be watching the political developments closely and is reportedly eyeing JD (U) as a prospective ally.

FULL ARTICLE

More: 1 2

[Bhartiya]

Efforts to re-establish and re-invent the historic and famed Nalanda University in Rajagir, located 12 km away from the monument zone of Nalanda in Bihar, moved ahead.

Plans to build a new campus took shape a few days ago when the international jury comprising four architects from Singapore, Japan, China and India and three members from the University chose the winning design from an international competition.

Of the eight proposals submitted by pre-qualified architectural firms, including five from abroad, the jury selected the design drawn by Vastushilpa Consultants, a well known architecture firm based in Ahmedabad for its “conceptual planning, clarity of thought and ability to take forward the vision of Nalanda.”

Nalanda University, conceptualised as a standalone international institution, would be constructed on a 455-acre site to accommodate 2,500 students and 500 teachers. The University has proposed seven schools of learning including Historic Studies, Buddhist Studies and Information Technology, but only two of them — Historic Studies and Environment Studies — would be built in the first phase.

Rajeev Kathpalia, one of the two principal architects of Vastushilpa Consultants in a telephone interview said that their design ‘envisions the new campus as an institution of future, a beacon of sustainable practices and a model of integration with local community.’ He also explained that they have planned buildings as a close-knit group and located amid a tranquil agrarian landscape. More than half the site is intentionally kept open to take care of the aquifers and recharge them. The overall aim is to create an integrated ecosystem where flow of air, water and energy are channelled in an almost natural way, he added.

Balakrishna Doshi, a Padma Shri awardee, is the senior partner and founder of Vastushilpa Consultants.

Nalanda flourished as an important centre of learning for about 800 years. It fell into ruins in the 13th century, and the British archaeologists discovered the historic remains in the 19th century.

Following the decision to revive the university at the Second East Asian Summit in 2007, the Indian government established Nalanda University in 2010 after passing an Act in Parliament. Many Asia-Pacific countries have extended support for the project. Last year, the University floated the international competition seeking designs for the proposed campus.

Source

[saysenthil]

Hero Cycles to invest Rs. 200 cr in two new plants

Hero Cycles on Friday said that it will invest about Rs. 200 crore for setting up two new plants in the country by 2014.

"We are setting up a new plant in Bihar, which will be operational be January 2014. This will be followed by another plant at Mangli in Ludhiana in the same year. The total investment one these two new plants will be about Rs. 170 - Rs. 200 crore," Hero Cycles Co-Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Munjal said.

The two new plants will have installed capacities of one million cycles per annum each. The company’s existing plant at Ludhiana has a capacity of six million units.

Meanwhile, the company today opened its flagship retail store 'HeroOne' in South Delhi region of the national capital.

“By launching our own retail franchises, we are trying to change the face of cycle retail in India and bring it at par with other lifestyle products. Going forward, we plan to come up with multiple such stores in different cities of the country,” Mr. Munjal said.

Traditionally Hero Cycles sells its products through dealers and multi-brand retail outlets and is now expanding through exclusive franchise dealer network.

The company has set a target of opening 200 'HeroOne'stores during this ongoing fiscal.