State

Patna: A sharp exchange broke out in the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday when JDU विधायक Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha questioned the CPI(ML)’s alliance with the RJD while participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address. Referring to the absence of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, Kushwaha said the public wanted to know his stand on development issues and asked whether he would remain absent from the House for 100 days. He urged opposition parties to support development measures outlined in the Governor’s speech. Highlighting government initiatives, the JDU MLA said the Nitish Kumar government plans to open a degree college in every block. Turning toward opposition benches, he asked whether their children would not benefit if colleges were opened in their constit...

Patna: The Bihar government has announced an ambitious push to expand air connectivity across the state, extending aviation infrastructure beyond Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnea to several smaller cities. Presenting the 2026–27 state budget in the Assembly on Tuesday, Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said preparations are underway to launch small aircraft operations from airports in Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Birpur, Munger, Motihari, Chhapra, Madhubani and Valmikinagar. Revival of Closed Airports The budget also confirms steps to revive long-defunct airports in Begusarai and Gopalganj, alongside plans to build two new greenfield airports. According to budget documents, preliminary feasibility studies have been approved to reopen Ulav Airport in Begusarai and the Sab...

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s official convoy is set for a major upgrade, with the state government approving the purchase of four high-security, bulletproof Range Rover SUVs to strengthen his security cover. Officials said the decision was taken purely on security grounds. Preparations for procurement are currently underway. This will be the first time a high-end luxury SUV will be inducted into the Chief Minister’s official fleet. Until now, Kumar has largely travelled in electric vehicles or cars manufactured by Indian companies, in keeping with his public image of simplicity. The addition of the bulletproof SUVs marks a significant shift in the composition of his convoy. Sources said the selected Range Rover model is considered among the safest vehicles in its cla...

Patna: The Patna High Court has granted major relief to Bihar Minor Water Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Suman by quashing an eight-year-old criminal case registered against him. The order was passed on Tuesday by a single bench of Justice Sandeep Kumar. Suman, son of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, had been facing criminal proceedings stemming from an FIR lodged in April 2017 at Bodh Gaya police station. The case accused him of unlawful assembly, road blockade, public disturbance, assault, and obstructing government officials from performing their duties. While allowing the petition, the court ordered the entire criminal proceeding arising out of the FIR to be set aside. Appearing for Suman, advocates Dinu Kumar and Vardaan Mangalam argued that a plain reading of the FIR did n...

Patna: The Bihar Transport Department is preparing to take strict action against habitual traffic offenders, with nearly 50,000 drivers facing possible suspension or cancellation of their driving licences for repeated violations. State Transport Commissioner Arif Ahsan reviewed enforcement measures during a video conference with senior officials on Tuesday and directed departments to initiate firm action against drivers who consistently ignore traffic rules. Officials said the proposed action is based on recommendations received from the police and traffic authorities. More than 50,000 cases have been identified where licence suspension or cancellation proceedings may be initiated. The primary objective, authorities said, is to restore discipline and improve safety on state roads. ...

Patna: In a major anti-corruption operation, separate teams of the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau arrested two revenue employees red-handed while accepting bribes in Nalanda and Nawada districts on Tuesday. According to bureau officials, Akhilesh Sah, a revenue employee posted at the Rajgir circle office in Nalanda district, was caught accepting a bribe of ₹45,000 near Leduwa bridge on Chhabilapur Road. The arrest followed a complaint filed by Rajiv Kumar, a resident of Ratna village in Chhabilapur, who alleged that Sah had demanded money in exchange for land mutation work. The bureau verified the complaint and found evidence supporting the bribery charge. After confirming the allegations, an FIR was registered and a trap team was formed under the leadership of Deputy Superinte...

Bettiah: Police rescued five minor girls from New Delhi within 24 hours after they went missing from a village in Bihar’s West Champaran district. The girls have since been safely handed over to their families, officials said. According to police, the girls disappeared on Monday from Lakhaura village under Kumarbagh police station limits. Their sudden absence triggered panic among family members, who filed a complaint after the girls failed to return home by evening. Sadar-1 Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vivek Deep said that an investigation quickly traced the girls to New Delhi. A coordinated operation was launched, leading to their recovery and safe return. Family members told police that the girls had left home Monday morning but did not inform anyone of their plans. Loc...

Patna: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar has strengthened its development foundation over the past decade, registering notable progress across sectors, particularly agriculture. The state has emerged as a national leader in agricultural production, contributing nearly 85% of India’s makhana output and 23% of its litchi production. Bihar also ranks among the top producers of vegetables and maize in the country. In the 2026–27 Budget, the state government has unveiled five major missions designed to accelerate agricultural growth and rural prosperity. These initiatives — focused on infrastructure, innovation, technology, animal health, and dairy development — are being positioned as a roadmap aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a modern and self...