Inadequate water availability is proving a stumbling block in the way of setting up of Bihar's first nuclear power plant at Rajauli inNawada district.
According to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) guidelines, at least 32,000 cubic metre water will be required per hour for running the proposed 4x700 MW plant. The water available at Phulwaria dam at Rajauli will fulfil only one third of the requirement, said an official.
Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) last month sent a letter to the NPCIL, requesting it to set up 4x450 MW or 2x700 MW power plant, instead of the earlier proposed 4x700 MW plant in view of the water problem. A response from the NPCIL is still awaited.
The water resources department (WRD) recently gave a commitment to provide a meagre 12,785 cubic metre water per hour from the nearby Phulwaria dam. The WRD had appointed a consultant for conducting a survey on the availability of water in the nearby rivers and reservoirs.
On the receipt of a go-ahead from the NPCIL, the state government will initiate the process of acquiring the land for the plant. The government has already identified 3,150 acres of land. However, some of the land owners have not consented for the land acquisition as they are totally dependent on their land.
BSEB had requested the Nawada DM to look into the matter and identify a suitable plot of land, which should be barren, undisputed and free from waterlogging.
A four-member expert team of the NPCIL had visited Nawada for the site selection in 2007. The team had made an on-the-spot assessment of the proposed site. NPCIL had even then raised doubts over the availability of adequate water required for the plant.
The total cost of the power plant is Rs 22,400 crore, and it would take four to five years to complete it.link
Friday 14 August 2009
Private air taxi service between Bihar, Jharkhand
Private air taxi service between Bihar and Jharkhand commenced today with a three-seater chartered plane making the first trip from Ranchi to Patna.
Spirit Air Private Ltd, a Lucknow-based private air-taxi service provider, entered into an agreement with DTDS Travel and Tour Planner Pvt Ltd, to begin its service on Airport Authority of India's (AAI) controlled airports such as Ranchi, Gaya and Patna.
Spirit Air has named its service provider company as 'Indian Air Taxi'.
"We have started our air-taxi service on the Ranchi-Gaya- Patna route from today...One person chartered the craft from Ranchi to Patna. For this, we have entered into an agreement with DTDS for one month," G C Biswas, Associate Vice-President (Marketing), told.link
Spirit Air Private Ltd, a Lucknow-based private air-taxi service provider, entered into an agreement with DTDS Travel and Tour Planner Pvt Ltd, to begin its service on Airport Authority of India's (AAI) controlled airports such as Ranchi, Gaya and Patna.
Spirit Air has named its service provider company as 'Indian Air Taxi'.
"We have started our air-taxi service on the Ranchi-Gaya- Patna route from today...One person chartered the craft from Ranchi to Patna. For this, we have entered into an agreement with DTDS for one month," G C Biswas, Associate Vice-President (Marketing), told.link
Security alerted in Bihar
A high-alert has been sounded in Bihar and security measures have been beefed along the porous Indo-Nepal border in the wake of the Maoists call to 'Boycott Independence day' celebrations on Saturday, Additional Director General of Police (headquarters) Neelmani said.
"We have put the security on high alert and the security has been increased along the porous Indo-Nepal border on areas connecting Bihar to ensure peaceful and trouble-free celebrations tomorrow," Mr. Neelmani said here today.
The Sashatra Seema Bal, other forces and state police personnel would ensure patrolling on the borders to stop the Maoists and other trouble-makers from sneaking into Bihar side of the areas from Nepal, he said.
Security has been tightened at all vital installations and public places including bus terminus, railway stations and airports, Mr. Neelmani informed. link
"We have put the security on high alert and the security has been increased along the porous Indo-Nepal border on areas connecting Bihar to ensure peaceful and trouble-free celebrations tomorrow," Mr. Neelmani said here today.
The Sashatra Seema Bal, other forces and state police personnel would ensure patrolling on the borders to stop the Maoists and other trouble-makers from sneaking into Bihar side of the areas from Nepal, he said.
Security has been tightened at all vital installations and public places including bus terminus, railway stations and airports, Mr. Neelmani informed. link
Thursday 13 August 2009
Nitish for Virology lab in Bihar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre to set up a virology laboratory in the state for ensuring quick test of swine-flu samples in the wake of nation-wide panic over the disease.
"The Centre must set up a virology lab in Bihar in the wake of panic over the disease," Kumar said here.
Kumar said he would speak to Union Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for approving the state's proposal for the lab.
Swine flu alert has already been sounded in Bihar, Kumar said, adding there was no no cause for panic.
A Central team had already visited Bihar to review the state's preparedness to tackle the disease.
The state Health department had launched an awareness campaign and mass contact drive to educate people about the swine flu.
A team of health officials were camping at Saraiya block in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district where it was suspected that a labourer Suraj Prakash, who returned home from Pune, was afflicted by the disease, sources said, adding if required, Prakash would be brought to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for check up and treatment.link
"The Centre must set up a virology lab in Bihar in the wake of panic over the disease," Kumar said here.
Kumar said he would speak to Union Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for approving the state's proposal for the lab.
Swine flu alert has already been sounded in Bihar, Kumar said, adding there was no no cause for panic.
A Central team had already visited Bihar to review the state's preparedness to tackle the disease.
The state Health department had launched an awareness campaign and mass contact drive to educate people about the swine flu.
A team of health officials were camping at Saraiya block in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district where it was suspected that a labourer Suraj Prakash, who returned home from Pune, was afflicted by the disease, sources said, adding if required, Prakash would be brought to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for check up and treatment.link
Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir to be developed as music college
The Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir will be developed as a music college and a corpus fund of Rs three crore has been earmarked for it. A budgetary provision of Rs 60 lakh for the financial year 2009-10 has been made by the state government for this project.
Till now students trying to get music degree have to move out to other states. There is no music college in Bihar and most students appear in exam from Allahabad University and Chandigarh University.
According to Renu Devi, state’s cultural minister, the government decided to develop Kala Mandir as a college and has got temporary affiliation from Magadh University. Application will be given for permanent affiliation.link
Till now students trying to get music degree have to move out to other states. There is no music college in Bihar and most students appear in exam from Allahabad University and Chandigarh University.
According to Renu Devi, state’s cultural minister, the government decided to develop Kala Mandir as a college and has got temporary affiliation from Magadh University. Application will be given for permanent affiliation.link
Bihar IPS faces action over leave
The Bihar government has initiated departmental proceedings against controversial Bihar-cadre IPS officer Nirmal Dhoundial for going on unauthorised leave.
This, even as the state government awaits a reply from the Delhi home department on the issue of Lotika Sarkar and the house at L1/10 Hauz Khas Enclave, which Dhoundial claims has been gifted to his wife.
This newspaper had in a series of reports earlier this year exposed the story of Lotika — the 87-year-old former Delhi University don and now staying with friends and relatives — who has appealed to Dhoundial to return her house.
Describing the house as her “security” in her old age, Lotika, in a letter to Dhoundial clearly wrote that she never intended to give the house to “anyone at all”. And, she has no recollection of having signed any gift deed either.
Taking note of the reports, the state home department sought an explanation from the 1980 batch IPS officer on the issue. “Dhoundial furnished a short, vague reply, rubbishing the news reports,” a top state official said, adding that the home department subsequently wrote to its counterpart in the Delhi government, seeking details of the case. A reply is still awaited. Posted as IG-cum-chief security officer of the Bihar State Cooperative Marketing Union (BISCOMAUN), Dhoundial applied for leave soon after. He stopped attending office even though the departmental secretary did not sanction his leave. This was in February this year.
As per All-India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, proceeding on unsanctioned leave is a “serious act of indiscipline”. “Dhoundial complicated the matter as he sent a few letters in between, extending the leave that was not sanctioned in the first place,” the home department official said, adding that the officer has been on unauthorised leave for over six months now.
As part of disciplinary action against Dhoundial, the state home department on Monday issued a memorandum, asking him to explain his absence from his place of posting. Sources said issuing a memorandum is the first stage of departmental proceedings. In the second stage, an inquiry would be conducted by a superior officer. “Based on the inquiry report, the chief minister would decide on the action to be taken against the officer,” the source said, emphasising that the entire proceeding is usually completed within 90 days.
According to the all-India service rules, Dhoundial now faces a penalty, which could be either denial of salary for the period of his absence or denial of promotion for a certain period. “In extreme cases, the state government can recommend the officer’s dismissal from service to the Centre,” a personnel department official told explaining that much depends on
how the officer presents his case before the department.
Incidentally, because of his continued absence, Bihar Police’s departmental promotion committee, which cleared promotions of 1980-batch officers to the rank of ADG in February, did not take up Dhoundial’s case. link
This, even as the state government awaits a reply from the Delhi home department on the issue of Lotika Sarkar and the house at L1/10 Hauz Khas Enclave, which Dhoundial claims has been gifted to his wife.
This newspaper had in a series of reports earlier this year exposed the story of Lotika — the 87-year-old former Delhi University don and now staying with friends and relatives — who has appealed to Dhoundial to return her house.
Describing the house as her “security” in her old age, Lotika, in a letter to Dhoundial clearly wrote that she never intended to give the house to “anyone at all”. And, she has no recollection of having signed any gift deed either.
Taking note of the reports, the state home department sought an explanation from the 1980 batch IPS officer on the issue. “Dhoundial furnished a short, vague reply, rubbishing the news reports,” a top state official said, adding that the home department subsequently wrote to its counterpart in the Delhi government, seeking details of the case. A reply is still awaited. Posted as IG-cum-chief security officer of the Bihar State Cooperative Marketing Union (BISCOMAUN), Dhoundial applied for leave soon after. He stopped attending office even though the departmental secretary did not sanction his leave. This was in February this year.
As per All-India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, proceeding on unsanctioned leave is a “serious act of indiscipline”. “Dhoundial complicated the matter as he sent a few letters in between, extending the leave that was not sanctioned in the first place,” the home department official said, adding that the officer has been on unauthorised leave for over six months now.
As part of disciplinary action against Dhoundial, the state home department on Monday issued a memorandum, asking him to explain his absence from his place of posting. Sources said issuing a memorandum is the first stage of departmental proceedings. In the second stage, an inquiry would be conducted by a superior officer. “Based on the inquiry report, the chief minister would decide on the action to be taken against the officer,” the source said, emphasising that the entire proceeding is usually completed within 90 days.
According to the all-India service rules, Dhoundial now faces a penalty, which could be either denial of salary for the period of his absence or denial of promotion for a certain period. “In extreme cases, the state government can recommend the officer’s dismissal from service to the Centre,” a personnel department official told explaining that much depends on
how the officer presents his case before the department.
Incidentally, because of his continued absence, Bihar Police’s departmental promotion committee, which cleared promotions of 1980-batch officers to the rank of ADG in February, did not take up Dhoundial’s case. link
Bihar to seek Rs 23000 crore from Centre to combat drought
The state will ask for a package of Rs 23,000 crore from the Centre to meet the crisis arising out of the prevailing drought in Bihar, said chief minister Nitish Kumar. He added that a memorandum would be submitted to the Centre in this regard on Friday.
Nitish further stated that the state would also seek an additional allocation of Rs 38,000 kilolitre of kerosene every month and an additional allocation of 300 MW power per day. He added that if rainfall continues to be dismal, the remaining 12 districts of the state would also be declared drought hit like the other 26.
Addressing the people of the state through Akashvani, Nitish said diesel subsidy will also be allowed for Rabi plantation and shops for cheap breads will be opened, too.
Pointing out that another memorandum to be submitted to the Centre by all parties will be finalized soon, the CM said two senior ministers — Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Nand Kishore Yadav — would meet the leaders of other parties to finalize the draft. link
Nitish further stated that the state would also seek an additional allocation of Rs 38,000 kilolitre of kerosene every month and an additional allocation of 300 MW power per day. He added that if rainfall continues to be dismal, the remaining 12 districts of the state would also be declared drought hit like the other 26.
Addressing the people of the state through Akashvani, Nitish said diesel subsidy will also be allowed for Rabi plantation and shops for cheap breads will be opened, too.
Pointing out that another memorandum to be submitted to the Centre by all parties will be finalized soon, the CM said two senior ministers — Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Nand Kishore Yadav — would meet the leaders of other parties to finalize the draft. link
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
