BIHAR

Participating in a two-day national conference on Womens Access to through Legal Aid organised byCentral University of South Bihar(CUSB) and Bihar Legal Network, the experts maintained that judiciaries would have to find innovative ways of handling cases of domestic violence, rape, child custody, divorce, right to alimony and property.

Amid a sharp decline in Covid-19 pandemic cases inBihar, railways has decided to start Services of at least 14 more special passenger trains originating from different stations falling under the jurisdiction of theEast Central RAILWAY(ECR) to cope with huge passenger rush during the peak summer. Earlier, railways had extended the services of 36 special passenger trains either till September end or first week of October 2021 to facilitate long distance travel.

Alarming level of phthalate contamination has been found in the of the state capital, as per a study conducted by AN College, Patna and funded by the state department of Environment, forest and Climate-change”>Climate Change.
Phthalates, a group of chemicals commonly used in plasticizers and as softeners for Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), have become ubiquitous in the environment due to their unrestrained use and improper disposal.

The research revealed the presence of different types of phthalate compounds, indicating a significant level of soil contamination. Ward number 1 and 5 were found to be the most contaminated by phthalate metabolites. Additionally, high levels of phthalate compounds were detected in wards number 56, 71, 27, 62, and 69.

Chief ministerNitish Kumar asked the DMs of different acute encephalitis syndrome (AES)-affected districts tofollow Muzaffarpur modelof positive intervention and take all necessary steps to save children from the disease.

In 2019, the had conducted a thorough socio-economic survey in five worst AES-affected blocks of Muzaffarpur district. The blocks were Kanti, Bochaha, Meenapur, Musahri and Paroo. At the directive of the CM, the volunteers of Jeevika had conducted a socio-economic survey of 538 families in the five blocks.

On the basis of the findings of the survey, the state government made several positive interventions and implemented certain schemes among the below POVERTY-line”>Poverty Line (BPL) families in the five blocks.

As part of the positive interventions, all children up to the age of 5 years (of these five blocks) were enrolled with anganwadi centres and provided nutritious meals. New anganwadi centres were also opened.

Southern parts of the state are bracing for a surge in temperature by 2 to 3 degrees C over the next two days. The meteorologists have forecast heatwave in Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad districts.

According toPatna Meteorological Centre, Harnaut in district recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41.5 degrees C in the state on Sunday, followed closely by Vaishali at 41.2 degrees C, while Patna and Siwan saw a maximum temperature of 41 degrees C.

Kanwar lake, Asias largest freshwater oxbow lake and Bihars only Ramsar site, located in Begusarai district, is facing threat of running dry.

Originally spread over 6,786 hectares, the lake has been a preferred destination for migratory birds and Home to several rare aquatic species. In 1986, the notified it as a protected area. Later, the central government declared it as a sanctuary to stop poaching of birds.

The lake, also known as Kabartal jheel, was declared a Ramsar site in July last year following a sustained campaign by environmentalists from across the world, who hoped that the state government might step in to conserve the wetland once it was designated as a wetland of international importance.

The huge stretch of wetland also absorbs considerable amount of water during the flooding and offers land for cultivation during the summers. About 165 plant species, 394 animal species, including 221 varieties of birds, were recorded to be present around the lake, which is also home to 53 migratory birds, including some rare ones.

Trade, commerce and bodies inBihargave a mixed response to Rs1,643.74 croreBudgetallocations for industries and investments for fiscal 2022-23.

Bihar Chamberof Commerce and Industries (BCCI) chairman PK Agarwal said it should have been more industries. He said in the pre-budget meeting, a demand was made to increase the budget allocation for the state industries sector, so that their claims could be settled. He said there was a need to form an industrial development fund and create a land bank. Agarwal, however, said the positive thing in the Budget was setting up 151 ethanol factories, which will boost Economic Development and generate EMPLOYMENT. Solar street lights in all villages, creation of portal for monitoring schemes and a mega Skill development centre in every district is a welcome step. The decision to set up tool rooms in every division is also encouraging, Agarwal said.

Bihar Industries Association (BIA) secretary general Ashish Rohatgi told TOI that the industries budget was not as per the expectations of the trade bodies. An amount of Rs 1,643 crore is lesser as per our estimation of the subsidies which has already been announced and pending with the government. We expected around Rs3,000-4,000 crore for the industries. But the positive side is the increase in the total Budget size even in pandemic times, he said.

A latest report of the public Health and engineering department (PHED) has found groundwater polluted in 30,207 village wards across the state. However, the government has installed water purification equipment in those areas and is now supplying purified water to the villagers to save them from health complications.

According to the report, there are 21,709 wards across the state where the iron content in groundwater is more than the permissible limits. Similarly, arsenic and fluoride contents in groundwater are more than the permissible limits in 4,709 and 3,789 wards, respectively. Health experts say the overload of iron, fluorosis and arsenic in water may cause severe health problems such as cancer, cirrhosis of liver, heart problems, weakening of bones, deformities, and skin lesions.

Similarly, pure piped water is being supplied in 98.68 percent areas (4,647 wards) having arsenic contents and 99.76 percent of the region (3,780 wards) affected with heavy fluoride contents in the groundwater.

The report says there are several arsenic-hit wards in Buxar, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Begusarai, Patna and Bhagalpur districts where piped water is reaching, while clean potable water is being supplied to several fluoride-affected wards across Munger, Nawada, West Champaran, Begusarai and Lakhisarai districts.

TheBihar Industries Association(BIA) welcomed the announcements on tourism and non-conventional energy in the Union Budget.

BIA president Arun Agarwal said the Budget places strong emphasis on development. “This Budget has identified seven areas as the ‘Saptarshi’ model of development,” Agarwal said.

TheMSMEswould have access to collateral-free loans. Even if there is a limit of Rs2 crore for loan coverage, new MSMEs will gain access to the additional funds of Rs9,000 crores. He further said, “Green energy must be promoted. We believe this budgetary provision will help our state.”

Additionally, he said,Biharcan benefit from the country’s plan to construct 50 new . “According to the Economic Survey data, the Average annual national per capita income has increased to Rs1.97 lakh, while the average per capita income of Bihar is approximately Rs50,000. Since last year, this disparity has increased.

While the country has inoculated 75% of its adult Population with both doses of Covid-19 Vaccines, data fromBiharindicate that nearly 80% of beneficiaries over the age of 18 have received both doses, significantly higher than the national Average.

Data from the CoWIN portal indicated that over 11.24 crore doses of vaccines had been administered in Bihar, including 4.74 crore second doses. The state targeted 5.95 crore beneficiaries over the age of 18 and, according to the target, 79.66% had received both shots. Additionally, Bihar claims to have administered the first dose to 100% of beneficiaries over the age of 18 years.

According to the data, 40.83 lakh teenagers in Bihar had received their first dose ofCovaxinas of Monday evening. The state has 83.46 lakh beneficiaries in this age group, and 48.92% have received their first dose.