Cold and Fog in Bihar Hits Rabi Crops

Preliminary assessments from various districts in Bihar by agriculture department officials indicated that intense cold and fog have significantly damaged Rabi crops, with potato and mustard being the most affected, followed by lentils. Fortunately, there are no major reports of damage to wheat crops.

Key Points

• Damage Assessment by KVK: Scientists at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in different districts of Bihar confirmed the damage to Rabi crops due to prolonged cold wave and cold day conditions. They emphasized the negative impact of late sowing on crop yield and production, especially in the context of changing climate patterns.
• Late-Sown Potato Crops: Reported damage ranging from 25% to 40%.
• Early-Sown Potato Crops: Experienced damage of about 15%.
• Mustard Crops: Suffered damage between 10% to 15%.
• Timing of Sowing: Farmers face the challenge of harvesting paddy until December, and then sowing Rabi crops like mustard and potato, either in mid-December or early January. This timing exposes these crops to severe cold conditions.
• Impact of Cold Spell: The extended cold spell and reduced daytime sunshine have adversely affected Rabi crops. These conditions have hindered growth, flowering, and the yield-making process. There have been widespread reports of Jhulsa Rog (a disease causing wilting and collapse of plants) in potatoes.
• Wheat Crops: Remain largely unaffected by the current cold conditions.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

• KVKs are a vital part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), with the first KVK established in 1974 at Puducherry. Their main role is to assess and demonstrate agricultural technologies for specific locations, aiming to improve capacity and development. 
• KVKs also produce and supply quality technological products like seeds and livestock to farmers. The KVK scheme is fully funded by the Government of India, with KVKs sanctioned to various agricultural institutions and NGOs.

NITISH Device

The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority has introduced the NITISH device, which stands for Novel Initiative Technological Intervention for Safety of Human Lives.

• This innovative device, shaped like a pendant, aims to provide timely alerts to farmers and the public about severe weather conditions such as lightning, floods, heatwaves, and cold waves.
• The initiative was prompted by the tragic incidents of farmers dying due to lightning and flash floods, highlighting the device's potential to save lives.
• Developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Patna, the NITISH device is linked to the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre. This connection ensures that users receive real-time and accurate weather-related alerts.

One of the unique features of the device is its charging mechanism, which relies on body heat. The alert system of the device includes three methods:

• Sending voice messages
• Changing its color from green to red
• Continuously warming until the user switches it off

Bihar State Disaster Management Authority

• The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (Bihar SDMA) was established on November 6, 2007, in accordance with Section 14 (1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which was passed by the Parliament.
• The primary objective of Bihar SDMA is to create a safe and disaster-resilient environment in the state of Bihar. This goal is pursued through the development of a comprehensive, proactive, multi-disaster, and technology-driven strategy for disaster management.
• Bihar SDMA aims to foster a culture of prevention, mitigation, and preparedness to effectively address and manage disasters.

Illegal Mining in Bihar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating illegal sand mining in Bihar, where large syndicates are reportedly causing environmental harm and significant financial losses to the state.

• In the past eight months, illegal sand mining has resulted in an estimated revenue loss of ₹400 crore to the Bihar government.
• The ED's focus includes cases involving JD-U MLC Radha Charan Sah and the company Aditya Multicom Private Limited, along with its directors Jag Narayan Singh and Satish Kumar Singh.
• Previously, the ED has looked into illegal mining cases in other states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

Sand Mining in India

• Sand mining refers to the process of extracting natural sand and sand resources, such as mineral sands and aggregates, from various environments like terrestrial, riverine, coastal, or marine areas. 
• This activity is driven by the demand for valuable minerals, metals, crushed stone, sand, and gravel, which are extracted for further processing. However, sand mining poses significant threats to ecosystems and communities due to its impact on the environment.

Legal Framework and Initiatives

Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act):

• Under the MMDR Act, sand is classified as a “minor mineral.”
• The administrative control over minor minerals, including sand, is vested with the State Governments.
• Recently, the Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, to amend the MMDR Act, 1957.

2006 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA):

• The Supreme Court of India mandated that approval is required for all sand mining collection activities, even in areas less than 5 hectares.

Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016:

• Issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), these guidelines aim for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible mining.
• The SSMG 2016 also focuses on the conservation of river equilibrium and the natural environment.

Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020:

• These guidelines provide a uniform protocol for monitoring sand mining activities across India.

Bihar Floor Test

Recent Developments in Bihar Assembly

• The Janata Dal (United) coalition government in Bihar recently passed a confidence motion with 129 votes in favor.
• There was a notable incident where three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were observed sitting with the ruling party during the assembly session.
• This prompted an objection from the RJD leader, who raised a point of order regarding the seating arrangement of their party MLAs before a no-confidence motion vote.
• Despite the objection, the RJD coalition government successfully secured the confidence motion, supported by 129 MLAs.

No-Confidence Motion Against RJD Leader

• The Bihar Assembly also voted on a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker, Awadh Bihari Choudhary, who is also an RJD leader.
• This motion was passed with the backing of 125 members.
• However, during this process, the Deputy Speaker, Maheshwar Hazari, who was presiding over the session, did not make a ruling on the RJD leader's point of order.

Point of Order

A point of order can be raised by a member when the proceedings of the House deviate from the established rules of procedure.

• It should pertain to the interpretation or enforcement of the House Rules or relevant articles of the Constitution governing the House's business and must raise a question within the Speaker's authority.
• Typically raised by an opposition member to hold the government accountable, a point of order is an exceptional mechanism that halts the ongoing proceedings.
• No debate is permitted on a point of order.

No-Confidence Motion

• A no-confidence motion is introduced in the Lok Sabha to assess the government's confidence.
• It requires the support of 50 members for admission.
• If passed, the government is obliged to resign.
• No-confidence motions are crucial political events indicating a perceived loss of majority support for the government.

Floor Test

• A floor test is conducted to verify the majority support for the Chief Minister (CM) of a State.
• In coalition governments, the CM may be required to prove majority through a vote of confidence.
• If there is no clear majority, the Governor may call a special session to determine who has the majority to form the government.
• Only the votes of present MLAs are considered, excluding absentees or non-voters.

Bihar Government Presents Rs 2.78 Lakh Crore Budget

• The Bihar government recently unveiled a budget of Rs 2.78 lakh crore, prioritizing education with over 22% of funds allocated to the department.
• Other focus areas include information technology, tourism, and over Rs 1 lakh crore earmarked for various government schemes.
• Presented by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary, the budget includes:
• Rs 22,200.35 crore (22.20%) for education.
• Rs 13,840.56 crore (13.84%) for rural development.
• Rs 8,191.79 crore (8.19%) for social welfare.
• Rs 7,409.13 crore (7.41%) for rural works and Rs 7,117.56 crore (7.12%) for health.
• Rs 3,073.26 crore allocated for scholarship schemes.
• Rs 5,040 crore estimated for good governance under the Saat Nischay, Part-II programme.
• The budget reflects a revenue surplus of Rs 1,121.41 crore, a fiscal deficit of 2.98%, and an outstanding debt of Rs 3.48 lakh crore.

Smart Gram Panchayat

Recently, the project "Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat" was launched at Paprour Gram Panchayat in Begusarai District, Bihar.

• Objective: The project aims to extend the PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) service to Gram Panchayats in Begusarai, significantly improving rural connectivity.
• Implementation: The project is implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and is funded under the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
• Target Areas: The initiative targets 455 Gram Panchayats across 37 Blocks in Begusarai and Rohtas Districts in Bihar.
• Focus on Technology: The project emphasizes using technology to enhance access to online services in crucial sectors such as health, education, and skilling, aiming to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
• Beneficiaries: The initiative will benefit various groups including students, farmers, artisans, and Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

PM-WANI

• The Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) scheme was launched by the Department of Telecom (DoT) in December 2020.
• It aims to enhance the penetration of public Wi-Fi hotspots to establish a robust digital communication infrastructure across the country, particularly in rural areas.

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

• The RGSA, a scheme by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched in 2018, focuses on capacity building of elected representatives (ERs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• The scheme was revamped and approved for implementation from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
• Its primary objective is to enhance the governance capabilities of Panchayats to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to their purview.

Ayush Regional Review Meeting

• During a Regional Review Meeting in Patna, Bihar, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the global importance of holistic healthcare.
• The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Ayush, involved six states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The National Ayush Mission (NAM) supports state and union territory governments in implementing initiatives from their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
• NAM aims to strengthen Ayush healthcare facilities and empower the public with informed choices regarding Ayush healthcare services.
• The Ministry of Ayush allocated Rs 1712.54 Crores to seven states under NAM and supported the establishment of 58 Integrated Ayush hospitals.
• Out of 12,500 planned Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs), 4235 have been supported, with 3439 already functional.
• States were urged to accelerate the construction of Ayush Educational Institutes and integrated Ayush hospitals.
• The implementation of Ayush public health programs as per NAM guidelines, focusing on holistic health interventions, was highlighted as crucial.

States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh were actively encouraged to implement the National Program on Ayush for Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) specifically targeting Lymphatic Filariasis.

National Ayush Mission (NAM)

• The National Ayush Mission (NAM) was launched in September 2014 by the Department of AYUSH under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the 12th Five Year Plan. Initially, it was implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, but now it is overseen by the Ministry of Ayush.
• The mission aims to expand the AYUSH sector to promote the holistic health of Indians. It addresses gaps in health services by supporting State and Union Territory governments in providing AYUSH health services and education, particularly in vulnerable and remote areas.

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), also known as elephantiasis, is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and is considered the second most disabling disease after mental health disorders. It affects the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability, and social stigma.

The lymphatic system is crucial for maintaining overall fluid balance, the health of organs and limbs, and is a major component of the body’s immune defense system. LF is caused by infection with parasitic roundworms of the family Filarioidea, transmitted by vectors. There are three main types of filarial worms that cause LF:

• Wuchereria bancrofti, responsible for 90% of cases.
• Brugia malayi, causing most of the remaining cases.
• Brugia timori, which also causes the disease.

Drug Treatment: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends three drug treatments to accelerate the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis.

• The treatment, known as IDA, involves a combination of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine citrate, and albendazole.
• The plan is to administer these drugs for two consecutive years. The adult worm's lifespan is about four years, so it would die a natural death without causing harm to the person.

Scenario in India: Lymphatic filariasis is a significant threat in India, with an estimated 650 million people across 21 states and union territories at risk. Over 40% of global cases are found in India.

In response, the government launched the Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) in 2018. As part of intensifying efforts towards elimination, the IDA treatment (triple drug therapy) was rolled out in a phased manner.

Bihar Government Ends “Plus Two” Classes in Colleges

The Bihar government has decided to stop “plus two” (intermediate) classes in colleges affiliated with various universities in the state. From the new academic session, intermediate education in all three streams—arts, science, and commerce—will be conducted only in higher secondary schools.

• This change comes after a long-standing recommendation in the Universities Act of 1956 to separate intermediate education from colleges. The implementation was delayed due to insufficient infrastructure and manpower in higher secondary schools.
• Back in 2007, the government had planned to phase out intermediate education from colleges to align with the National Education Policy (1986/92) and had introduced the 10+2 format for plus two classes.
• To support this transition, the Bihar government has significantly improved infrastructure and recruited a large number of teachers for higher secondary and secondary schools. There is also a policy to establish one higher secondary school in every panchayat and upgrade existing secondary schools.

Prime Minister Lays Foundation for Railway Station Redevelopment in Bihar

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 33 railway stations and the construction of 72 other projects in Bihar under the East Central Railway (ECR) zone. This initiative, part of the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme, aims to enhance connectivity, trade, and business across the country.

The 33 railway stations scheduled for redevelopment in Bihar include:

• Barauni
• Siwan
• Munger
• Thawe
• Sabaur
• Arariya
• Shivnarayanpur
• Dauram Madhepura
• Dehri On Sone
• Guraru
• Karagola Road
• Chausa
• Laheria Sarai
• Banka
• Simri Bakhtiyarpur
• Supaul
• Nawadah
• Raxaul
• Motipur
• Luckeesarai
• Masrakh
• Rafiganj
• Mairwa
• Piro
• Bikramganj
• Labha
• Janakpur Road
• Chakia
• Nabinagar Road
• Ghorasshan
• Salmari
• Ekma
• Shahpur Patoree

The redevelopment project aims to transform these stations into city centres with various amenities such as shopping zones, food courts, and kids’ play areas. The upgraded stations will feature segregated entry and exit gates, multi-level parking, lifts, escalators, executive lounges, waiting areas, and travelators.

Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to upgrade 1,309 railway stations across the country.
• This redevelopment will offer modern amenities for passengers, improve traffic flow, ensure seamless integration of different modes of transport, and provide clear signage to assist passengers.
• The scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Railways in February 2023.

East Central Railway (ECR) Zone

• The East Central Railway (ECR) Zone, headquartered in Hajipur, Bihar, was established on October 1, 2002.
• It was formed by reorganizing parts of the North Eastern Railway and the Eastern Railway.

Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme 2024

• The Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme 2024 aims to provide financial support to families in Bihar to start their own businesses.
• Recently, the Bihar government has given financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh per family to around 94 lakh families.
• This scheme was launched by the Chief Minister to help families with financial difficulties.
• Beneficiaries were selected through a random computer system, and the scheme is part of the government’s effort to support those who participated in the caste-based census, where 2.76 crore people took part.
• Out of these, 94 lakh families were identified as earning less than Rs 6000 per month.

Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme 2024

• The Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme, initiated in 2024, provides financial aid of Rs 2 lakh per individual to promote self-employment and entrepreneurial ventures.
• This scheme encourages investment in small-scale and cottage industries, including sectors such as handicrafts, textiles, and electrical goods.
• Additionally, it offers enhanced compensation for workers in the unorganised sector who face unnatural or accidental deaths, increasing the payout from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakhs and from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh in specific cases.

World Bank Loan for Water Management Project

Recently, the Union Ministry of Finance's Department of Economic Affairs approved the Bihar government's request for a World Bank loan to support the Bihar Integrated Water Resources Management Project (BIWRMP).

• This project aligns with the state government's initiatives like 'Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Pani Nishay' and 'Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan' and is set to be implemented over six years with an estimated cost of Rs 4,415 crore.
• The funding will be shared, with 30% borne by Bihar and 70% provided by the World Bank.
• The project aims to complete the Western Kosi Canal Major Irrigation Project and restore ancient dams in Bihar, along with river interlinking, flood mitigation, and long-term river embankment protection measures.
• Advanced techniques will be used to protect vulnerable river areas, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Burhi Gandak, Kamala, and Bagmati rivers, from erosion.

World Bank

• The World Bank was established in 1944 as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Over time, the IBRD evolved into what is now known as the World Bank.
• The World Bank Group consists of five institutions working together in a global partnership to create sustainable solutions aimed at reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity in developing countries.
• The World Bank operates as one of the specialized agencies within the United Nations system.