BIHAR

Bihar has been rated as the third best state in the country in water conservation by the Union Jalshakti ministry, and will be conferred with the National Water Awards 2022.

The state has been included in the category of the best states for making exemplary performance in water conservation and strengthening, and also for best efforts made towards management of its Resources“>Water Resources.

He said the ‘s ambitious scheme to lift the Ganga flood water from Mokama (Patna) and carry it over 151km through pipeline to provide Safe drinking water to every household in the water-starved Gaya, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir towns in south Bihar has been rated as the use of technology for the conservation and use of floodwater that otherwise used to go in waste every year.

Further, there are seven other schemes and projects aimed at augmenting the Irrigation potential of the state, which were also taken note of by the Union Jalshakti ministry while selecting Bihar for inclusion in the best category states and for giving it the National Water Awards 2022, the minister said.

The seven schemes concerned are Goraul irrigation scheme in Darbhanga, Balughat barrage-cum-irrigation scheme in Madhubani, Bihul irrigation scheme in Madhubani, Malai barrage on Kond river in Rohtas district to provide irrigation water to Buxar and Bhojpur districts, Jaitpura pump canal scheme in Kaimur district, Mohane river scheme in Gaya, and Uderasthan barrage scheme near Biharsharif in Nalanda district.

CM Nitish Kumar took stock of the arrangement and facilities at community kitchen centres in 22 districts on Monday via a virtual tour through video conferencing from the Sankalp hall of his residence.

CM also spoke to some of the beneficiaries and asked visitors about the facilities and quality of food being served at the centres.

He asked the beneficiaries about the meals served, what they get in the meals and how many members from their family get their food from the kitchens, and if they face any difficulty in getting a meal from the government-run kitchens, among others.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said more than 2 lakh new schoolteachers would be appointed in the state this year and his government would also enhance “income” of the already employed (niyojit) teachers across the state.

The state has nearly 4 lakh contract (niyojit) teachers engaged by the panchayat raj institution.

In the Light of the surge in the COVID-19 cases in the state, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, besides authorising all district and block headquarters to impose Section 144 to restrict crowd movement. The government also decided to keep schools, colleges, other educational institutions, and religious places closed till May 15.

Not over 100 people will be allowed in weddings and for funerals, the number stands at 50. Only 50% of employees will be allowed in IT firms.

February 15 would be commemorated as Shahid Diwas, in the honour of 34 freedom fighters who were killed by Police 90 years ago, in Tarapur town in Munger district of Bihar.

These freedom fighters had never got their due, even though this was the biggest massacre carried out by the British police after Jallianwala Bagh in 1919 in Amritsar.

Prime MinisterNarendra Modihad also referred to the Tarapur massacre in his January 2021 Mann ki Baat radio address.

Amid rumours of a move for fresh amendment in the provisions of the law that is caught in crossfires in the wake of frequent hooch deaths, the main opposition party, RJD, on Tuesday claimed that it would move a No-Confidence Motion against the government in the budget session if the proposed amendments are not in the interest of the people or in tune with its principles.

The last amendment to the prohibition law was made in 2018 to set free a person caught drinking liquor for the first time on the payment of a fine of Rs50,000. However, it was put in abeyance.

As per the new unconfirmed reports, the proposed amendments have been mooted by the state excise and prohibition department and sent to the Home department for clearance to pave the way for its scrutiny and final approval by the law department.

As per the rumours, the government is mulling over dividing the offences in two groups ordinary (liquor consumers, that pertain to the drunk or those caught drinking) and serious offences (liquor manufacturer, hoarder, distributor, supplier).

The ambitious Ganga Jal Apoorti Yojana of chief minister Nitish Kumar, aimed at mitigating the sufferings of water-stressed areas of south Bihar, will be dedicated to people ofBiharin the last week of November.

Ganga Jal Apoorti Yojana is first of its kind scheme in the country where surplus floodwater of river Ganga would be pumped to water-stressed cities and used as drinking water.