The Bihar government Friday admitted that there has been a marked increase in the number of women and children being smuggled from the state since the launch of its Human Trafficking Prevention Programme in 2007.
Bihar Water Resources Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told that over 50 cases of human trafficking had been registered till July this year. There were 50 cases in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
The minister had told the state assembly last week that 128 human traffickers were arrested in 2009 and 91 women were freed from their clutches.
Most cases were reported from Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Saharsa.
Yadav said it was a matter of serious concern that human trafficking was on the rise though special cells had been set up to initiate effective measures to check the crime.
The state government launched the Human Trafficking Prevention Programme for checking smuggling of women and child labourers and ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims.
A senior police official said Bihar had become a hub of human trafficking due to large scale poverty and illiteracy.
Officials in the social welfare department said that last year’s devastating floods in the Kosi region had provided a golden opportunity to human traffickers to target poverty stricken people.
According to a report prepared by the state government along with NGOs, most children smuggled from the state end up as bonded labourers, domestic workers and employees at roadside restaurants or small textile units.
Most young girls are either forced to marry men from Punjab and Haryana or work in brothels.link
Friday 31 July 2009
* Railways to set up 1000 MW power plant in Nabinagar
Railways would set up a 1000 MW capacity power plant at Nabinagar in Bihar to meet its power requirements.
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
Act proposed to protect 'bataidars' in Bihar
A commission on land reforms in Bihar has suggested to the state government to bring a new legislation to protect 'bataidars' (share-croppers), besides capping on land ceiling and computerisation of land records.
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
Thursday 30 July 2009
Shakuni Choudhry elected Dy Speaker of Bihar assembly
Senior RJD leader Shakuni Choudhry was on Thursday unanimously elected the Deputy Speaker of the Bihar assembly.
Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry, who announced the unanimous election of the Tarapur MLA as Deputy Speaker during the post lunch session, asked him to conduct the business on the last day of the session, which was later adjourned sine-die.
The name of Choudhry was proposed by deputy leader of the House and RJD MLA Shakeel Ahmed Khan and seconded by another member Abdul Bari Siddiqui and accepted unanimously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, legislature party leaders of the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, BSP and independents congratulated Choudhry on being elected as the Deputy Speaker.
They assured Choudhry of full cooperation in running the business of the house.link
Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry, who announced the unanimous election of the Tarapur MLA as Deputy Speaker during the post lunch session, asked him to conduct the business on the last day of the session, which was later adjourned sine-die.
The name of Choudhry was proposed by deputy leader of the House and RJD MLA Shakeel Ahmed Khan and seconded by another member Abdul Bari Siddiqui and accepted unanimously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, legislature party leaders of the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, BSP and independents congratulated Choudhry on being elected as the Deputy Speaker.
They assured Choudhry of full cooperation in running the business of the house.link
Blind businessman stars as Bollywood film hero
A blind Indian businessman is playing the role of a gunman who fights tigers and jumps off burning cars in a new Bollywood film to be released in August.
Naseer Khan, the 36-year-old hero of the film "Shadow," lost his sight when he was in school. Unlike in real life, Khan can see everything in the film, an idea that struck him during a visit to a film shooting a few years ago.
He invested $5.3 million from his own pocket to make the film, a thriller about a gunman sought by police after a series of killings.
"I am making this film, if for nothing else, than to show that I can do everything that anyone else can," Khan, who has a leather goods business.link
Naseer Khan, the 36-year-old hero of the film "Shadow," lost his sight when he was in school. Unlike in real life, Khan can see everything in the film, an idea that struck him during a visit to a film shooting a few years ago.
He invested $5.3 million from his own pocket to make the film, a thriller about a gunman sought by police after a series of killings.
"I am making this film, if for nothing else, than to show that I can do everything that anyone else can," Khan, who has a leather goods business.link
Bihar to set up Land Tribunal
The Bihar government is determined to ensure speedy disposal of land related disputes. To secure this objective, a Bihar Land Tribunal would be set up. A bill to this effect was passed by the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, July 29. At present, all cases related to land disputes ultimately reach the civil and high court. Land reform legislations are immune to constitutional review because such legislations have been put under Schedule IX of the Indian Constitution. This immunity however, does not prevent the High Court from trying cases under the Land Reforms Laws.
Over a period of time, such cases have piled up in the High Court. At present, 458 cases under the Land Ceiling Act 1961 are pending in the Patna High Court and 16 in the Supreme Court.
Similarly, cases relating to the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885, Bihar Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1956, Bihar Bhoodan Act, 1954, Bihar Privileged Persons Homestead Tenancy Act, 1947, are pending before the Supreme Court. Needless to say, this delay defeats the very purpose of the land reforms. The demand for setting up this tribunal has been made earlier, but it had not been realised due to some reason or the other.
The tribunal will consist of one chairman and four members. The chairman will either be a serving or a retired high court judge whereas the members would be of the rank of district judge. One administrative member will be a retired IAS of principal or secretary rank. All cases related to land disputes shall be transferred to it within a specified period of time. It is being hoped that the setting up of this tribunal would accelerate the pace of disposal of such cases, the pendency of which is a bane to land reforms measures.link
Over a period of time, such cases have piled up in the High Court. At present, 458 cases under the Land Ceiling Act 1961 are pending in the Patna High Court and 16 in the Supreme Court.
Similarly, cases relating to the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885, Bihar Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1956, Bihar Bhoodan Act, 1954, Bihar Privileged Persons Homestead Tenancy Act, 1947, are pending before the Supreme Court. Needless to say, this delay defeats the very purpose of the land reforms. The demand for setting up this tribunal has been made earlier, but it had not been realised due to some reason or the other.
The tribunal will consist of one chairman and four members. The chairman will either be a serving or a retired high court judge whereas the members would be of the rank of district judge. One administrative member will be a retired IAS of principal or secretary rank. All cases related to land disputes shall be transferred to it within a specified period of time. It is being hoped that the setting up of this tribunal would accelerate the pace of disposal of such cases, the pendency of which is a bane to land reforms measures.link
Mahatma Gandhi's dream schools in Bihar set for revival
After years of neglect, the 391 schools that were set up in Bihar to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's dream that one day all Indian children will have access to basic education are set to get a new lease of life.
State Human Resources Development Minister Hari Narain Singh told that the government has decided to spend Rs.50 crore to improve the infrastructure of the Buniyadi Vidyalayas (basic schools), about six of which were set up by the father of the nation himself.
The schools were set up to impart basic education to boys and girls in rural areas. They were also meant to provide vocational training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving.
The first Buniyadi Vidyalaya was established by the Mahatma in 1939 at Brindavan in Bihar's West Champaran district.
Singh said the government will spend Rs.50 lakh each on 100 basic schools during the current financial year as part of the first phase of the revival plan. In the next two financial years, the government would spend money on the other 291 schools.
"The government will not allow the dream schools of Mahatma Gandhi to die. All the basic schools will be revived in phased manner to provide opportunity to the younger generation to realise the dream of the father of the nation," said Singh.
Official sources said the basic schools or "Mahatma ke school" as they are popularly called in Bihar, are struggling for survival. They suffer from a shortage of teachers and funds. In many case, land meant for the Buniyadi Vidyalayas is in illegal possession of others.
Successive state governments have allowed the schools to languish. Even the central government has not made any attempt to breathe life into them.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court took serious note of the plight of the basic schools in West Champaran district.
The court had then issued notices to the centre, the state government, the district administration of West Champaran and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure proper functioning of the schools and preservation of the Gandhian heritage. link
State Human Resources Development Minister Hari Narain Singh told that the government has decided to spend Rs.50 crore to improve the infrastructure of the Buniyadi Vidyalayas (basic schools), about six of which were set up by the father of the nation himself.
The schools were set up to impart basic education to boys and girls in rural areas. They were also meant to provide vocational training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving.
The first Buniyadi Vidyalaya was established by the Mahatma in 1939 at Brindavan in Bihar's West Champaran district.
Singh said the government will spend Rs.50 lakh each on 100 basic schools during the current financial year as part of the first phase of the revival plan. In the next two financial years, the government would spend money on the other 291 schools.
"The government will not allow the dream schools of Mahatma Gandhi to die. All the basic schools will be revived in phased manner to provide opportunity to the younger generation to realise the dream of the father of the nation," said Singh.
Official sources said the basic schools or "Mahatma ke school" as they are popularly called in Bihar, are struggling for survival. They suffer from a shortage of teachers and funds. In many case, land meant for the Buniyadi Vidyalayas is in illegal possession of others.
Successive state governments have allowed the schools to languish. Even the central government has not made any attempt to breathe life into them.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court took serious note of the plight of the basic schools in West Champaran district.
The court had then issued notices to the centre, the state government, the district administration of West Champaran and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure proper functioning of the schools and preservation of the Gandhian heritage. link
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