“It’s an amazing experience to watch the sun set from this vessel... This is something like Shaam-e-Magadh,” exulted chief minister Nitish Kumar as he sat in the air-conditioned floating restaurant, MV Ganga Vihar, on Monday evening.
Nitish was on board to inaugurate this novel restaurant which will be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation on the Ganga river twice every day. As the vessel anchored off the city’s Gandhi Ghat and chugged down the river, ideas started floated into the CM’s mind. “I will hold a Cabinet meeting on it — a floating Cabinet meeting,” he said.
Development commissioner Anup Mukherjee was asked on the spot to organize the meet. And yes, the CM and his ministers won’t be free-trippers. “The government will pay for it,” Nitish said while turning towards culture secretary Vivek Kumar Singh.
“Cruising down the Ganga is a heart-soothing experience. The government will take some major decisions while afloat,” he said and added this floating restaurant is yet another example of changing Bihar.
The floating restaurant should be made available on rent for social and family functions like birthday and marriage, was another idea the CM came up with.
“I think people will prefer this novel venue to hotels more so because this will be cheaper @ Rs 20,000 for four hours,” he said.
Yet another idea of the CM needed some quick actions to translate that into reality. In response to Nitish’s advice “let this vessel be booked by people for viewing solar eclipse on Wednesday morning”, tourism department’s bosses immediately decided to offer an entry ticket of Rs 100 each at 4 in the morning on Wednesday. The tickets along with sunglasses can be have from Kautilya Vihar and Chandragupta Swimming Pool at the Moinul Haq Stadium.
The vessel sailed up to the Collectorate Ghat and turned for downstream cruise up to Gandhi Setu from where it returned and was anchored at the Gandhi Ghat. Seeing the Gandhi Setu from under it, Nitish looked a bit worried at its dilapidated condition. “It should be used only by light vehicles,” he said.
Nitish said if the cruise restaurant proves a success, more vessels would be pressed into service. “Private operators would be welcome to run the show,” he said.
Referring to the proposed Marine Drive along the Ganga from Digha to Patna Saheb, he said its DPR is being prepared. A DPR for the River Front is also under preparation, he added.link
Monday 20 July 2009
Precautions needed while watching eclipse
A workshop on total solar eclipse of 2009 was held at Patna University (PU) physics department here on Monday in which more than 80 students and teachers participated. Patna Science College principal Kashi Nath inaugurated the workshop.
PU physics teachers U N L Mathur, Rohit Raman and S K Sinha presented their views on topics relating to the total solar eclipse which will be visible in different parts of Bihar, including Patna. Amarendra Narain spoke about necessary precautions while watching the eclipse. Rakesh Kumar presented the scientific details of the eclipse. Swetambar Das explained the phenomenon of solar eclipse using photographs and animation.
Symposium on development: The Central University of Bihar (CUB) is organizing a symposium on "Development Studies and India's Development" at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies here on Tuesday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar will be the chief guest and eminent social scientists like Jean Dreze, Pradeep Bhargave, Chandrakala Padia and Ravi Srivastava will address the symposium.
CUB vice-chancellor Janak Pandey said that the new university seeks to educate and develop human resources for the development of the country, establish linkages with industries for the promotion of science and technology and to pay special attention to the improvement of socio-economic condition of the people.
Employees' agitation: About 33,000 non-teaching staff of colleges and universities in Bihar will remain on mass casual leave and stage dharna before the state legislature from July 21 to 24 in support of their long-pending demands, including new payscales, payment of arrears and removal of pay anomalies, said Bihar State University and College Employees' Federation general secretary Ganga Prasad Jha.link
PU physics teachers U N L Mathur, Rohit Raman and S K Sinha presented their views on topics relating to the total solar eclipse which will be visible in different parts of Bihar, including Patna. Amarendra Narain spoke about necessary precautions while watching the eclipse. Rakesh Kumar presented the scientific details of the eclipse. Swetambar Das explained the phenomenon of solar eclipse using photographs and animation.
Symposium on development: The Central University of Bihar (CUB) is organizing a symposium on "Development Studies and India's Development" at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies here on Tuesday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar will be the chief guest and eminent social scientists like Jean Dreze, Pradeep Bhargave, Chandrakala Padia and Ravi Srivastava will address the symposium.
CUB vice-chancellor Janak Pandey said that the new university seeks to educate and develop human resources for the development of the country, establish linkages with industries for the promotion of science and technology and to pay special attention to the improvement of socio-economic condition of the people.
Employees' agitation: About 33,000 non-teaching staff of colleges and universities in Bihar will remain on mass casual leave and stage dharna before the state legislature from July 21 to 24 in support of their long-pending demands, including new payscales, payment of arrears and removal of pay anomalies, said Bihar State University and College Employees' Federation general secretary Ganga Prasad Jha.link
Uproar in Bihar assembly
Several opposition MLAs on Monday made uproar in the Bihar assembly and staged a noisy walk-out in protest against "inordinate delay" in implementing the centrally-sponsored multi-sectoral development schemes in seven minority concentrated districts in the state.
Replying to a call-attention notice of RJD's Akhtarul Iman, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Surendra Prasad Singh and others state Minority Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan said the union minority works ministry had in April 2008 earmarked a sum of Rs 523.20 crore for the multi-sectoral development projects for seven muslim concentrated districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Katihar, West Champaran and Darbhanga.
Mr. Khan said on he basis of the baseline surveys conducted by a Delhi-based institution, the detailed project reports for sanctioning the funds for these schemes were submitted to the Centre
The Centre later allotted Rs 36.63 crore in February 2009 for various projects to be implemented in three of these districts-- Darbhanga, Araria and Katihar and subsequently, released Rs 16.75 Crore to the state government, he said.
Once again, the union ministry for minority works released of Rs 74.72 crore in May, 2009, Mr. Khan informed..link
Replying to a call-attention notice of RJD's Akhtarul Iman, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Surendra Prasad Singh and others state Minority Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan said the union minority works ministry had in April 2008 earmarked a sum of Rs 523.20 crore for the multi-sectoral development projects for seven muslim concentrated districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Katihar, West Champaran and Darbhanga.
Mr. Khan said on he basis of the baseline surveys conducted by a Delhi-based institution, the detailed project reports for sanctioning the funds for these schemes were submitted to the Centre
The Centre later allotted Rs 36.63 crore in February 2009 for various projects to be implemented in three of these districts-- Darbhanga, Araria and Katihar and subsequently, released Rs 16.75 Crore to the state government, he said.
Once again, the union ministry for minority works released of Rs 74.72 crore in May, 2009, Mr. Khan informed..link
Thursday 16 July 2009
Bihar villages to have animal, relief shelters
In A major move, which will benefit the rural people in the state of Bihar, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced setting up of a relief as well as an animal shelter in each village at the cost of Rs 52 lakh. The chief minister said that one billion rupees have been allocated for construction of these sheds.
These sheds will be put under the control of village panchayat and they will serve the village community in lieu of some money, which will be used for upkeep of these shelters.
Speaking at the national seminar on disaster management for the protection of livestock at Veterinary College, Patna, Nitish said that this plan has been approved by the cabinet and soon the tenders will be floated for this purpose.
The chief minister said that 28 districts of Bihar are flood affected as such it is imperative for the Union government to announce relief for the people of Bihar.
He exhorted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the Kosi floods as national disaster.
Kumar said that the government had learnt a number of lessons during the Kosi floods. The government machinery has realised that in addition to measures taken for human beings, effective steps have to be taken up for welfare and rescue of livestock.
The proposed shelters, he said, are being built keeping this finding in mind and these will help the people during floods.
The government has also invited public private partnership to construct these shelters, he informed. He asked the Vice Chancellor Dr ML Choudhary to make a road map for the protection of livestock with the help of disaster experts.
During the programme, Philip Russel, director of the World Society for the protection of animals promised to help the university in helping them to learn various aspects of disaster management.
Dr Chowdhury, vice chancellor appreciated Bihar government's commitment to the agricultural sector. Animal Husbandry minister Ramanarayan Mandal was present on the occasion and said that the board is now ready to deal with any calamity. Renu Kumari, Minister of Agriculture said agriculture road map is also ready to be implemented.
Dr JN Singh, dean of Rajendra Agriculture University expressed gratitude towards the guests.link
These sheds will be put under the control of village panchayat and they will serve the village community in lieu of some money, which will be used for upkeep of these shelters.
Speaking at the national seminar on disaster management for the protection of livestock at Veterinary College, Patna, Nitish said that this plan has been approved by the cabinet and soon the tenders will be floated for this purpose.
The chief minister said that 28 districts of Bihar are flood affected as such it is imperative for the Union government to announce relief for the people of Bihar.
He exhorted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the Kosi floods as national disaster.
Kumar said that the government had learnt a number of lessons during the Kosi floods. The government machinery has realised that in addition to measures taken for human beings, effective steps have to be taken up for welfare and rescue of livestock.
The proposed shelters, he said, are being built keeping this finding in mind and these will help the people during floods.
The government has also invited public private partnership to construct these shelters, he informed. He asked the Vice Chancellor Dr ML Choudhary to make a road map for the protection of livestock with the help of disaster experts.
During the programme, Philip Russel, director of the World Society for the protection of animals promised to help the university in helping them to learn various aspects of disaster management.
Dr Chowdhury, vice chancellor appreciated Bihar government's commitment to the agricultural sector. Animal Husbandry minister Ramanarayan Mandal was present on the occasion and said that the board is now ready to deal with any calamity. Renu Kumari, Minister of Agriculture said agriculture road map is also ready to be implemented.
Dr JN Singh, dean of Rajendra Agriculture University expressed gratitude towards the guests.link
Bihar plans to provide toilets to all families
The Bihar government plans to provide each family in the state with proper toilet facilities in the next five to six years, with the target of constructing more than ten million toilets.
“Every family would be provided a toilet in the state as the government’s target is to construct over one crore toilets in next five years,” Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said.
The PHED plans to construct 1.12 crore (11.2 million) toilets by 2015 to provide toilets to all, he said.
Choubey said that 17 lakh (1.7 million) toilets have already been constructed in last 43 months. “The number of toilets constructed in the state during the period 2005 to the first half of 2009 was much more than 753 toilets constructed during 2001-2004,” he said.
The latest survey conducted by the PHED revealed that about 95.96 lakh (9.596 million) households, out of which 49.19 lakh (4.919 million) are from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category still do not have toilets at their homes.
The state government is offering a grant of Rs.1700 to every BPL family for adding toilets in their huts.link
“Every family would be provided a toilet in the state as the government’s target is to construct over one crore toilets in next five years,” Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said.
The PHED plans to construct 1.12 crore (11.2 million) toilets by 2015 to provide toilets to all, he said.
Choubey said that 17 lakh (1.7 million) toilets have already been constructed in last 43 months. “The number of toilets constructed in the state during the period 2005 to the first half of 2009 was much more than 753 toilets constructed during 2001-2004,” he said.
The latest survey conducted by the PHED revealed that about 95.96 lakh (9.596 million) households, out of which 49.19 lakh (4.919 million) are from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category still do not have toilets at their homes.
The state government is offering a grant of Rs.1700 to every BPL family for adding toilets in their huts.link
Criminals loot 3 rifles from GRP
Unidentified criminals looted three rifles from the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel escorting Katihar-Sonepur train near Pasraha railway station in Bihar's Khagaria district, ADG (headquarters)Neelmani said.
Neelmani said the five criminals armed with guns boarded the train at Katihar last night. They attacked the escort party and looted those rifles, when the train was about to reach Pasraha railway station under Samastipur division of the East Central Railway.
They later pulled the chain and decamped with the weapons, Neelmani said and added that a GRP men who sustained injuries in the incident has been admitted to a hospital in Khagaria.
A search operation has been launched to arrest the criminals, Neelmani said.link
Neelmani said the five criminals armed with guns boarded the train at Katihar last night. They attacked the escort party and looted those rifles, when the train was about to reach Pasraha railway station under Samastipur division of the East Central Railway.
They later pulled the chain and decamped with the weapons, Neelmani said and added that a GRP men who sustained injuries in the incident has been admitted to a hospital in Khagaria.
A search operation has been launched to arrest the criminals, Neelmani said.link
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Bihar to take over road construction work under PMGSY
Central agencies engaged in the road construction work under the PM Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) have often faced criticism for their shoddy performance resulting in tardy and poor quality work. The state government has now asked them to hand over those roads which could not be completed for want of contractors.
Minister of rural works department Brishen Patel acknowledged the fact that a large number roads under PMGSY could not be completed ostensibly because contractors were not coming forward to file tenders.
The minister, who was replying to a short notice question of Ram Dev Verma (CPM), informed the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday about the problems faced by central agencies in road construction.
"As per central government guidelines , there is no provision for revision in estimate and price adjustment in the road construction work. This is why contractors were not willing to file tenders floated by the central agencies. But we have now asked them to hand over the work to us," the minister said, adding the state government had a provision of Rs 653 crore from its kitty to meet additional cost.
The minister admitted that central agencies had accepted the proposal to hand over the work to state agencies which will be inviting tenders for ensuring speedy completion of work."Since the government was willing to revise the cost estimate, the state agencies will not face any problem in engaging the contractors," the minister said.
The minister informed the House that about 30000 km road was to be constructed under PMGSY and both central and state agencies were involved in construction work. "But construction work of the central agencies were of poor quality. More importantly, the work was executed in a tardy manner. So we requested the Centre to allow us to complete the work by our own agencies," the minister said. link
Minister of rural works department Brishen Patel acknowledged the fact that a large number roads under PMGSY could not be completed ostensibly because contractors were not coming forward to file tenders.
The minister, who was replying to a short notice question of Ram Dev Verma (CPM), informed the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday about the problems faced by central agencies in road construction.
"As per central government guidelines , there is no provision for revision in estimate and price adjustment in the road construction work. This is why contractors were not willing to file tenders floated by the central agencies. But we have now asked them to hand over the work to us," the minister said, adding the state government had a provision of Rs 653 crore from its kitty to meet additional cost.
The minister admitted that central agencies had accepted the proposal to hand over the work to state agencies which will be inviting tenders for ensuring speedy completion of work."Since the government was willing to revise the cost estimate, the state agencies will not face any problem in engaging the contractors," the minister said.
The minister informed the House that about 30000 km road was to be constructed under PMGSY and both central and state agencies were involved in construction work. "But construction work of the central agencies were of poor quality. More importantly, the work was executed in a tardy manner. So we requested the Centre to allow us to complete the work by our own agencies," the minister said. link
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