Bihar

Patna: Amid escalating internal unrest, the Bihar Congress has issued notices to 15 district presidents for failing to attend a crucial review meeting convened by Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram on December 1. The meeting was also attended by Krishna Allavaru, the party’s in-charge for Bihar. In a letter issued by Congress office secretary Nalin Kumar, the district leaders have been asked to explain their absence from the meeting. This move comes in the backdrop of the party’s continued disciplinary action following its humiliating defeat in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Earlier, on November 18, just days after the election results, the Congress had issued show-cause notices to 43 leaders for alleged anti-party activities, including deviating from party...

Kishanganj, Bihar: In a significant anti-corruption operation, a revenue official in Bihar was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh. The incident took place in Kishanganj, where the officer, Rajdeep Paswan, was allegedly demanding the money to facilitate the mutation (land record modification) process. A surveillance team led by DSP Vinod Kumar Pandey from Patna conducted a trap near Abhishek Hotel in the Kishanganj Sadar block. Acting on a written complaint filed by the victim, Owais Ansari, a resident of Ward No. 22, Khagra, the team apprehended Paswan while he was receiving the bribe. The complaint had initially alleged that Paswan demanded a total of Rs 2.7 lakh, of which Rs 2.5 lakh was paid to expedite the mutation work. Following the arrest, a case has been registered again...

Patna: Senior IAS officer KK Pathak has long been known for his strict administrative style and uncompromising decisions, whether in the Education Department or the Prohibition Department. His firm approach, often appreciated for improving governance, also repeatedly brought him into confrontation with ministers of the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Since the Education Department directly impacts the public, the friction between the minister and the bureaucrat frequently put the government in uncomfortable situations. Ministers vs KK Pathak: The Conflict A number of ministers were reportedly unhappy with KK Pathak’s functioning, though many kept their dissatisfaction behind closed doors. However, two ministers of the Nitish Cabinet openly expressed anger, levelling serious allegations against...

Patna: In the aftermath of Bihar’s assembly elections, the post-mortem meetings held separately by the RJD and Congress raise a crucial question: What is the point of these reviews when the real losers were the alliance itself? The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) was defeated not by the NDA, but by its own internal conflicts, arrogance, and stubbornness. Friendly Fights That Turned FatalBoth parties were fully aware of the stakes, yet they plunged into electoral battles with unyielding obstinacy. Fights over tickets and internal rivalries were left unresolved until the polls, resulting in pre-determined losses in at least 11 constituencies. In such a scenario, post-election review meetings seem nothing more than a timepass exercise. The focus, experts say, should have been introspectio...

Patna: The Bihar government is set to implement a new policy ensuring long-term quality of urban roads. Under the new rule, contractors and agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance will be required to maintain the quality of roads for seven years. As part of this ambitious plan, nearly 19,000 kilometers of state highways and major district roads across Bihar will come under the maintenance scheme. The Public Works Department (PWD) has allocated approximately ₹23,000 crore for this project. Agencies failing to meet quality standards may face up to 40% deduction in their payment. Cabinet Approval SoonThe proposal for the new policy, based on the OPRMC-3 (Long-Term Performance-Based Road Maintenance Model), will soon be sent for cabinet approval. Under this plan, 19,36...

Patna, Bihar: With plummeting temperatures and dense fog expected across Bihar, the Railways have activated their advanced winter safety systems to ensure passenger safety and smooth operations. The Eastern Central Railway (ECR) has launched an extensive winter safety campaign from Monday, particularly targeting fog-prone sections under the Danapur Division, where visibility has deteriorated significantly. Enhanced Safety Measures for Cold and FogAccording to Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of ECR, nearly 40% of stations under the Danapur Division fall in areas susceptible to dense fog. In response, safety protocols have been strengthened. A GPS-based winter safety system has been deployed, providing locomotive pilots with real-time alerts on upcoming signals, s...

Patna, Bihar: Bihar has started experiencing the full impact of winter, with the state witnessing a sharp drop in temperatures at the very beginning of December. While daytime temperatures remain moderately warm, nights have grown distinctly chilly, prompting residents to rely on quilts and blankets for warmth. According to updates from the Patna Meteorological Centre, the coming days are expected to bring cold mornings and evenings, accompanied by light to moderate fog in some areas and strong western winds. Additionally, due to the influence of Cyclone Ditva, partial cloud cover is likely across the state. Cold Spell to Continue for the WeekIn Patna and surrounding cities, partly cloudy skies were observed, with daytime temperatures ranging between 27°C and 28°C. The state is likel...

Patna, Bihar: In a strong show of administrative action, the Patna district administration, under the directives of DM Tyagarajan S.M., launched a city-wide anti-encroachment drive at the start of December. The operation led to the removal of numerous temporary structures along public roads, and fines amounting to ₹59,800 were collected from violators. The drive targeted street vendors, wooden counters, and makeshift setups occupying public spaces, aiming to ensure smooth traffic flow and free access to public areas. The operation saw participation from multiple agencies, including the District Administration, Patna Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police, Transport Department, Revenue Department, PWD, Health, Fire Department, Bridge Construction Corporation, Telecommunications, Forest De...

Rohtas, Bihar – A joyous wedding ceremony turned tragic in Rohtas district when celebratory gunfire claimed the life of a teacher during the jaimala ritual. The incident occurred in Thenua village under Shivsagar police jurisdiction. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Nandan Kumar Singh, a resident of Chihullar village in Itarhi, Buxar district, who was serving as a teacher. Incident Details According to police, the unfortunate event took place late Sunday night, around 1 a.m., while Nandan Kumar Singh had attended his maternal cousin’s wedding in Thenua village. Superintendent of Police (SP) Roshan Kumar confirmed that following a post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family. Weapons and Vehicle Seized; Arrests Made Authorities have arrested three individua...