Bihar

Patna: During the Bihar Assembly’s budget session on Thursday, a disagreement erupted between Health Engineering Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh and his own party MLA, Murari Prasad Gautam, over questions related to the Nal-Jal (tap water) scheme. The incident sparked commotion among opposition members, prompting the Speaker to advise that a zero-hour notice could be submitted on the matter and called for maintaining order in the House. MLA Dissatisfied With Minister’s Response Murari Prasad Gautam, the LJP (Ram Vilas) MLA from Chenari, raised concerns regarding the status of the Nal-Jal scheme in his constituency. Sanjay Kumar Singh, LJP (Ram Vilas) MLA from Mahua and the Minister of Public Health Engineering, responded on behalf of the department. However, Gautam expressed dissatisfact...

Patna, Bihar: Bihar is witnessing a return of cold conditions as temperatures are expected to dip slightly over the next 24 hours. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in several districts, warning of reduced visibility in the early mornings. Weather Forecast: According to the Meteorological Centre in Patna, the state will experience a decrease in both maximum and minimum temperatures over the coming days. Light cloud cover and westerly winds are expected across most parts of the state, including Patna. The districts under yellow alert for dense fog include West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Buxar, Bhojpur, Bhabhua, Rohtas, Arwal, and Aurangabad. Dense fog could limit visibility to as low as 50–100 meters during early morning hours. However, ...

Patna: The Bihar Legislative Assembly witnessed a massive uproar on Thursday when Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav sharply criticized the government during the budget session, triggering heated protests from ruling party members. During a discussion on the Governor’s address, Tejashwi Yadav accused the state government of a culture defined by “false praise and 100 percent negligence.” Taking aim at the administration’s handling of governance, he also made a controversial remark about women, stating, “Sir, before the elections, the government gave ₹10,000 each to women. Sir, women are sold.” His comment immediately sparked slogans of protest from NDA members, including BJP and JD(U) legislators. Responding to the uproar, Tejashwi accused the ruling side of turning “democracy into ...

PATNA: The Bihar Assembly witnessed a heated exchange on Thursday as AIMIM MLA Murshid Alam accused the state government of misrepresentation regarding the purchase of maize (corn). Alam claimed that corn procurement was being carried out exclusively through trade associations, bypassing the PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies). Minister Leshi Singh Refutes Allegations In response, Food and Consumer Protection Minister Leshi Singh denied the claims, asserting that maize procurement also takes place at the panchayat level. Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar directed the minister to respond to the MLA’s question. Minister Singh highlighted that maize procurement occurs through both trade associations and PACS. She further explained that the minimum purchase price for maize was set ...

PATNA: The investigation into the Patna hostel NEET student death case has taken a startling turn, as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K. Sharma revealed crucial details during a press conference. According to the SSP, the deceased student had been searching online for cyanide and sleeping pills, shedding light on her mental state prior to her untimely death. Family Initially Hesitant to File FIR SSP Sharma stated that the student’s family initially avoided filing a police complaint. “The case was registered only after the hospital provided information, prompting the police to initiate an investigation,” he explained. The case has now been handed over to the CBI by the Bihar government for further investigation. Timeline of Events The NEET aspirant was found unco...

PATNA/DELHI: In a dramatic post-election development, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has approached the Supreme Court seeking a fresh mandate for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. The petition alleges irregularities and violations of the model code of conduct, raising questions about the validity of the current government led by Nitish Kumar. The case is likely to be heard on Friday by a bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Background: BJP Retains Power, Jan Suraj Fails to Make an Impact The elections saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), securing a strong victory with 202 seats out of 243. The opposition alliance, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India), managed only 35 seats, inc...

PATNA: Every year, Bihar writes a new “song of sorrow” as floods wreak havoc across the state. In 2024-25, the devastating floods claimed the lives of 2,039 people, according to the recently released Economic Review presented in the Bihar Legislative Assembly during the budget session. The figures underscore the state’s chronic vulnerability to natural disasters. Bihar’s Deadly Disaster Profile Floods are not Bihar’s only peril. In 2024-25, 2,547 people died across various natural disasters, with floods alone accounting for the majority. By comparison, 2,140 deaths were reported in 2023-24, marking a rise of 407 fatalities in a single year. Lightning, Fire, and Heatwaves Beyond floods, lightning strikes claimed 305 lives in 2024-25, up from 242 in the previous year, with 29 add...

PATNA: Tensions flared outside the Bihar Legislative Council as the opposition staged a protest over the suspicious death of a NEET student. Leading the demonstration, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi sharply criticized the state government and the CBI, alleging attempts to cover up the case and protect influential individuals. Opposition members expressed fears of collusion involving ruling party leaders. Opposition Raises Voice for Justice Opposition lawmakers, holding banners and posters, surrounded the council premises, chanting slogans against the government. Female members of the protest emphasized that injustice against daughters of Bihar will not be tolerated. The case involves a meritorious student from Jehanabad, whose death has raised serious questions about the police’s i...