State PCS CA Consolidation (Bihar) July 2023 | Monthly Current Affairs BPSC - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Gandak-Ganga River Link Scheme

Why is it in the news?

On June 29, 2023, Bihar’s Minister for Information, Public Relations, and Water Resources, Sanjay Kumar Jha, announced that the Gandak-Ganga river link scheme, initiated on the instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will be highly beneficial for the Gopalganj, Siwan, and Saran districts of Bihar.

Key Points:

• The Gandak-Ganga river link scheme involves the construction of a 170 km long link channel connecting the Gandak River to the Ganga River.
• This project aims to enhance irrigation capacity, improve groundwater levels, and maintain environmental balance in the Gopalganj, Siwan, and Saran districts.
• The scheme includes the construction of anti-flood sluices, sectioning, and digging operations along the link channel.
• The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 69.89 crore.
• Residents of several blocks in Gopalganj, Siwan, and Saran districts will benefit from this initiative, which is expected to improve groundwater levels and contribute to environmental balance.
• The scheme is crucial because currently, no high dam has been built in Nepal to control the water flow of Bihar’s rivers.
• Once a high dam is constructed in Nepal, it is anticipated that many areas in Bihar, including those along the Kosi, Kamla, Bagmati, Gandak, and other rivers, will be flood-free.
• Additionally, the irrigation capacity from the Valmiki Nagar barrage on the Gandak River in West Champaran will be increased by enhancing the number of canals originating from this barrage.
• This initiative aims to maximize the use of Gandak river water for irrigation while also providing flood protection, as the Gandak river experiences annual flooding.
• Currently, there is an irrigation potential of about 11.50 lakh hectares in seven districts of Bihar through the canals from the Valmiki Nagar barrage.
• The Valmiki Nagar barrage has a maximum discharge capacity of about 8.50 lakh cusecs, with the highest discharge recorded being approximately 6.19 lakh cusecs on July 31, 2003.
• Constructed in 1967-68, the barrage spans about 739 meters, with half of it located in Nepal.
• The barrage features 52 gates, including 18 real ways, 12 under sluices, 8 river sluices, and 18 head regulator gates.

Development of Bagmati Beach in Darbhanga, Inspired by Marine Drive in Patna

Background: On July 1, 2023, Bihar’s Water Resources and Information & Public Relations Minister, Sanjay Kumar Jha, announced plans to develop the banks of the Bagmati River in Darbhanga, similar to the Marine Drive along the Ganga River in Patna.

• Greening Initiatives: Minister Jha emphasized the importance of planting saplings to enhance the greenery around the Ghats. This initiative aims to create a cleaner environment and reduce pollution.
• Pier and Pathway Improvements: The existing pier will be leveled to facilitate easier walking for visitors. A pathway, akin to Marine Drive, will be constructed along the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Urban Development: The development plan recognizes Chatariya village as an urban area. By replicating the Marine Drive model, the project aims to provide better walking options for residents and visitors.

Book on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Life Inaugurated

• Event Details: On July 3, 2023, Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister of Bihar and President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, inaugurated a book titled 'Nitish Kumar: Antrang Doston Ki Nazar Se'. The book, written by Uday Kant, a close friend of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, offers a biography of the current Chief Minister.
• Author's Background: Uday Kant, the author of the book, is a PhD holder in engineering and has previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of Aryabhatta Gyan Vishwavidyalaya, a university established by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority. Uday Kant is known for his strong friendship with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and has a residence in Bhikhanpur, Bhagalpur.
• Purpose of Royalty: During the book launch, it was announced that the royalty earned from the book would be donated to support disabled individuals.
• Publisher's Remarks: Ashok Maheshwari, President of Rajkamal Prakashan Group, highlighted that the biography narrates Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's journey from a regular town resident to his current position of influence and authority.

Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy- 2023

The Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy- 2023 was approved in a meeting of the Bihar State Council of Ministers on July 4, 2023. Along with this, the Council of Ministers made several other important decisions.

Under this policy, the Bihar government will provide a grant of 15% of the cost of plants and machinery to individuals and organizations setting up biofuel production plants in the state. The maximum grant amount will be capped at five crores.

For specific groups such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), women, differently-abled individuals, war widows, acid attack survivors, and third-gender entrepreneurs, the grant will be 15.75% of the cost of the plot and machinery, with a maximum limit of Rs 5.25 crore.

The Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Department, Dr. S. Siddhartha, stated that the deadline for applying for stand-1 clearance to qualify for grants under this policy is June 30, 2024. Additionally, applicants must seek financial incentive approval by June 30, 2025.

The policy will remain in effect until March 31, 2028, from the date of the resolution's issuance.

The production of biofuels is expected to reduce national dependence on imported fossil fuels, leading to foreign exchange savings. It will also help diminish environmental pollution, provide farmers with quicker payments for sugarcane and grain, and facilitate the conversion of waste into compressed gas, creating new business opportunities.

In addition to the biofuels policy, the Council of Ministers extended the application deadline for units under the Bihar State Investment Promotion (Textiles and Leather) Policy 2022 to June 30, 2024. The Cabinet also approved the Bihar Architects Service Rules- 2014, giving 25% weightage in regular appointments to contractual employees.

Since the implementation of the Bihar State Investment Promotion (Textiles and Leather) Policy 2022, the State Investment Promotion Board has approved 59 units with a proposed investment of Rs 311.63 crore. This has led to the establishment of textile bag manufacturing units in Muzaffarpur and Patna, as well as projects in the leather sector in Madhubani.

Bihar Unregulated Deposit Scheme Banning Rules- 2023

On July 4, 2023, the Bihar Cabinet approved the Bihar Unregulated Deposit Scheme Prohibition Rules- 2023. This policy empowers the state government to investigate and take action against chit-fund companies operating in Bihar. The government now has the authority to act against companies involved in illegal deposit schemes targeting the general public and depositors in the state.

The Bihar government has been designated as the competent authority to oversee and regulate deposit schemes under the newly approved rules. This includes the power to investigate, audit, and take action against companies running deposit schemes in cases of irregularities. The rules also outline procedures for confiscating and selling the properties of such companies to the state government.

The primary objective of these rules is to protect the general public from illegal deposit schemes and fraudulent activities. The government is empowered to return or repay investors' deposits by confiscating properties and imposing stringent punishments and heavy monetary penalties on the accused.

In addition to the approval of the prohibition rules, the Cabinet decided that government lawyers at various court levels will be selected by a state-level committee chaired by the Advocate General. The committee will include members from the law department and will be responsible for selecting government lawyers for different legal positions.

The Cabinet also approved the Bihar Law Officer (Commitment) Rules- 2023, which govern the commitment of government lawyers and their private practice. The rules will come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. Furthermore, in light of the Covid-19 situation and the Ukraine war, students pursuing medical degrees from abroad will have the opportunity to do internships in medical college hospitals in Bihar. Graduates from such foreign institutions will also be eligible for scholarships equivalent to those offered by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Students from abroad who are pursuing medical degrees will be allowed to undertake internships for 7.5 percent of the total internship seats.

As per the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), students must be provided with internship facilities in medical college hospitals within the state to register with the State Medical Council. There will be no fees or charges for these students for the internship.

Duration of Organic Corridor Scheme Extended in Bihar

Media reports on July 9, 2023, indicate that the duration of the ongoing organic corridor scheme in 13 districts of Bihar has been extended until 2025. Previously, the scheme was set to conclude in 2022-23.

The organic corridor scheme aims to convert a total of 20,000 acres in selected districts into fully organic areas in accordance with the standards of the National Program on Organic Production (NPOP).

Districts involved in the scheme include Patna, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur, Munger, Katihar, and Nalanda, all situated along the banks of the Ganges River.

These biological corridors are a crucial part of the water-life greenery initiative. Organic farming will be promoted in clusters, focusing on agricultural ecosystem management to protect soil health and quality without harmful substances. Additionally, infrastructure will be provided to farmers.

Currently, organic farming is being practiced in 17,507.363 acres across these districts, with the Bihar State Biological Mission overseeing the initiative.

Farmers participating in the scheme will receive a grant of Rs 11,500 per acre in the first year, followed by Rs 6,500 per acre in the second and third years. Common Facility Centers will be established, and subsidies of 75 percent will be offered for isolation vans and refrigerated vans. Marketing of organic products will be facilitated through agencies to ensure fair prices for farmers.

An organic incentive scheme will also be implemented in 38 districts to promote the production of poison-free food, reducing crop costs and increasing productivity to enhance farmers' income. Subsidies will be provided for the construction of vermicompost and commercial vermicompost units, with a maximum grant of Rs 6.40 lakh for commercial units, disbursed in three installments.

Financial Clearance to 19 Investment Proposals worth more than 2 Crores in various Industrial Areas

The Investment Promotion Council has granted financial clearance to 19 investment proposals exceeding Rs 2 crore in various industrial areas of Bihar, totaling an investment of Rs 156 crore.

Proposals include new investments in food processing sectors such as chips, snacks, juice, and soft drinks across different districts like Patna, Bhagalpur, and Gaya.

Highlighted investments include:

A chips and snacks plant in Daniyawan, Patna district (Rs 66.99 crore).

Production of salty crispy potato chips in Hajipur, Vaishali district (Rs 38.61 crore).

Fruit juice and soft drinks production in Bhagalpur Barari Industrial Area (Rs 11.13 crore).

Sweet, bakery, and namkeen production in Pataliputra Industrial Area, Patna (Rs 10.34 crore).

Potato chips production in Gaya district (Rs 10 crore).

Rice production in Berhampur, Buxar district (Rs 10.86 crore).

In healthcare, proposals include a 65-bed hospital in Zoran Chhapra, Muzaffarpur (Rs 23.35 crore) and a 100-bed hospital in Lahariaganj, Madhubani (Rs 4 crore).

Green signals have also been given for investment proposals in the general manufacturing sector.

Arwal & Sheikhpura Districts Achieve 100% Digital Transactions

Arwal and Sheikhpura districts in Bihar are set to join Jehanabad in becoming areas with 100 percent digital transactions. Currently, a significant portion of savings account holders in both districts are using digital platforms for their transactions.

Digital Transaction Statistics:

• In Arwal, out of 6.78 lakh active savings account holders, 5.99 lakh are using digital tools. For current account holders, 62.99 percent are conducting digital transactions.
• In Sheikhpura, 92.84 percent of savings account holders have at least one digital banking product, such as internet banking, debit cards, or mobile banking.

Government Initiative:

• The initiative to create districts with 100 percent digital banking was started in 2019 by the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Jehanabad district was the first to be recognized under this initiative, followed by Arwal and Sheikhpura.

Benefits of Digital Payments:

• Digital payment systems offer the advantage of not needing to carry cash.
• They also provide various discounts, such as on petrol, rail tickets, highway tolls, and insurance purchases.

Bihar Girl Appointed as Weightlifting Referee at Commonwealth Games

Srishti Singh, a talented weightlifter from Maritar village in Siwan district, Bihar, has been chosen as a referee for the weightlifting championship at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Srishti Singh is no stranger to success in weightlifting. She has earned numerous medals in the sport, including a silver medal at the Junior Commonwealth Games in 2008. Her impressive performances continued in subsequent weightlifting competitions, showcasing her dedication and skill in the sport.

The Commonwealth Senior Men’s and Women’s, Junior Men’s and Women’s, and Youth Weightlifting Championships began on July 12 in Greater Noida and will run until July 16. These championships feature a range of categories, including women, men, seniors, juniors, and young boys and girls, highlighting the inclusivity and diversity of the sport.

CAG Report Highlights Bihar's Economic Recovery Post-COVID

• On July 13, 2023, Finance Minister Vijay Chaudhary presented the CAG report in the Bihar Legislature, showcasing Bihar's impressive recovery post-COVID.
• Bihar ranked 3rd among the top 10 states in the country for reviving its economy after the pandemic.
• The state achieved a five-year high in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

• In the financial year 2021-22, Bihar saw a significant increase of Rs 30,630 crore (23.90%) in revenue receipts, driven by higher central tax shares and self-tax revenue.
• However, revenue expenditure also rose by Rs 19,727 crore due to increased spending on social services.
• The state government spent only 73.17% of its total budget provision for the financial year ending March 31, 2022.
• A supplementary provision of Rs 47,094.17 crore was completely unused, falling short of the original budget.
• The report also questioned the financial management of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Bodies in the state.
• Utilization certificates worth about Rs 25,000 crore from Panchayati Raj institutions are pending, raising concerns about budget increases without proportional spending.
• The report noted a fiscal deficit of Rs 25,551 crore, which is an improvement from the previous year.
• Bihar faced a revenue deficit of Rs 422 crore for the third time since 2004-05 during 2021-22.
• The Urban Development and Housing Department approved a grant of Rs 10,952 crore between 2016-17 and 2020-21, but Rs 4,984 crore (46%) of utilization certificates were still pending by March 2022.
• The Patna Municipal Corporation incurred a loss of Rs 9 crore due to failures in recovering user fees for door-to-door garbage collection services.
• An audit revealed that the Panchayati Raj Department had issued grants of Rs 42,940 crore to Panchayati Raj Institutions from 2007-08 to 2020-21, but only Rs 17,917 crore (42%) of utilization certificates were submitted, with about Rs 25,000 crore still pending.

5 Districts of Bihar Honored with ‘Bhoomi Samman 2023’

On July 18, 2023, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu awarded the ‘Bhoomi Samman 2023’ to Brajesh Mehrotra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Land Records Department in Bihar, along with the Collectors of five districts for their exceptional work in land management and administration. The ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Recognition of Bihar's Achievements

• The state-level and district teams from Bihar were recognized for their excellent performance in various areas, including:
• Computerization of land records
• Digitization of revenue maps
• Cadastralization of rights records
• Linkage with maps
• Computerization of the registration department
• Integration of the registration office with land records
• Creation of modern zonal-level archives

Awards and Honors

• Brajesh Mehrotra and his team were honored for their contributions.
• Districts Nalanda, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Bhojpur, and Kishanganj received platinum certificates for their outstanding work in land management.

Digital India Land Records Management Programme

• The programme, initiated in 2008-09 with full central government funding, aims to create a modern and transparent land records management system for citizens.
• Since January 2022, a monthly grading system has been in place to reward districts based on their performance, with grades ranging from silver to platinum based on work efficiency.

The awards reflect the commitment of the Bihar government and its districts to improving land management and administration through digital means and efficient practices.

Bihar Government to Honour 24 Litterateurs with Rajbhasha Awards

The Bihar government has announced the Rajbhasha Awards to honor 24 litterateurs for their contributions to Hindi literature during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The awards aim to recognise and promote the use of Hindi language and literature in the state.

Details of the Awards

• The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 31 at the Convention Building in Patna.
• Cash prizes ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh will be awarded to the selected litterateurs.

Selected Litterateurs for 2020-21

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Shikhar Samman : Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari (₹3 lakh)
• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Award : Dr. Ashok Kumar (₹2.5 lakh)
• Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Award : Mrinal Pandey (₹2 lakh)
• BP Mandal Award : Sushila Takbhare (₹2 lakh)
• Nagarjuna Award : Satyanarayan (₹2 lakh)
• Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Award : Ramshrestha Dewan (₹2 lakh)
• Phanishwarnath Renu Award : Prof. Jabir Hussain (₹2 lakh)
• Mahadevi Verma Award : Dr. Poonam Singh (₹50,000)
• Babu Ganga Sharan Singh Award : Dr. K. Banerjee (₹50,000)
• Vidyakar Kavi Award : Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prasar Prachar Sabha (₹50,000)
• Vidyapati Award : Geeta Shri (₹50,000)
• Mohan Lal Mahto Viyogi Award : Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sinha Ravi (₹50,000)
• Bhikhari Thakur Award : Bhagwati Prasad Dwivedi (₹50,000)
• Dr. Grierson Award : Dr. Chhaya Sinha (₹50,000)
• Dr. Kamil Bulke Award : Anant Vijay (₹50,000)

Selected Litterateurs for 2021-22

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Shikhar Samman : Madhusudan Anand (₹3 lakh)
• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Award : Balaram (₹2.5 lakh)
• Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Award : Dr. Chandra Shikha (₹2 lakh)
• BP Mandal Award : Dr. Irshad Kamil (₹2 lakh)
• Nagarjuna Award : Bhola Pandit Pranayai (₹2 lakh)
• Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Award : Anirudh Sinha (₹2 lakh)
• Phanishwarnath Renu Award : Dr. Shahnaz Fatmi (₹2 lakh)
• Mahadevi Verma Award : Dr. Bhawna (₹50,000)
• Babu Ganga Sharan Singh Award : Dr. Gurmeet Singh (₹50,000)

Bihar’s World Famous Rajgir Malmas Fair started

On July 18, 2023, the renowned Rajgir Malmas Mela commenced in Rajgir, located in Bihar's Nalanda district. This month-long fair features numerous auspicious baths and began with a traditional flag hoisting ceremony attended by saints and seers.

According to Hindu beliefs, during the Malmas month, 33 crore gods and goddesses are said to migrate to Rajgir. This period attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and the state, who come to worship and take a holy dip in the Brahmakund.

The Malamas Fair occurs every three years, and it is believed that bathing in the hot water pool of Rajgir during this time washes away all sins. There is also a belief that during the Malamas Mela, no worship, marriage ceremonies, or auspicious activities take place anywhere in the country. Additionally, it is considered beneficial to wear yellow clothes while chanting mantras during the flag hoisting of the Malmas fair.

2 students of Kendriya Vidyalaya Motihari, East Champaran honoured in Fit India Quiz- 2022

On July 23, 2023, Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur honored two students from Kendriya Vidyalaya Motihari in East Champaran, Bihar, for their achievement in the Fit India Quiz 2022. The Minister acknowledged 72 students from across India who excelled in the Quiz's second episode and will compete in the national round.

Fit India Quiz 2022

• The Fit India Quiz 2022 aimed to promote fitness awareness among school children.
• Sammi Jassi and Himanshu Kumar from Kendriya Vidyalaya Motihari won the state finals, bringing recognition to their district.
• Prizes included cash rewards for winning schools and teams, with significant sums for state champions.
• The second edition of the Quiz saw increased participation compared to the first, highlighting its growing impact.
• The initiative, launched in 2020, aims to spread the message of fitness and sports among school-going children across India.

Sports University and Academy in Bihar

The Bihar government is actively working to foster a sports culture in the state by establishing a sports university and a sports academy. The administration has approved 31 posts for the sports university and 81 posts for the sports academy.

Location and Background

• Both the sports university and academy will be situated in Rajgir, within the complex of the under-construction international cricket stadium. Bihar is now the sixth state in India to set up a sports university, following Gujarat, Punjab, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.
• The Bihar Sports University Bill 2021 facilitated this development.

Administration and Structure

• The university will be headed by a Vice-Chancellor with expertise in sports administration and management, and the Chief Minister will be the ex-officio Chancellor.
• Initially, the university will offer diploma to postgraduate programs in areas such as physical education, sports physics, sports training, sports media, sports management, and sports administration.

Objectives and Benefits

• The establishment of the Sports University is expected to boost sports in Bihar and generate employment opportunities.
• It aims to address the shortage of physical education teachers and sports trainers in the state.
• Additionally, new physical training colleges are planned to produce a large number of sports trainers.

International Cricket Stadium and Sports Academy

• The international cricket stadium and sports academy being built in Rajgir cover 90.765 acres and are located near the tourist town of Rajgir.
• The project, costing approximately Rs 740.82 crore, will host national and international matches and include facilities for various sports and a sports library.

The stadium will feature both indoor and outdoor sports complexes. The academy is set to include amenities such as a playground, sports equipment, a library, and a research, fitness, and motivation center.

MoU Between IWAI and Bihar Tourism for Ganga River Cruise Tourism

• On July 24, 2023, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Bihar Tourism Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote river cruise tourism along the Ganga River in Bihar.
• The agreement involves the operation of two Ro-Pax vessels, each capable of carrying 300 tourists, in Patna and Bhagalpur.
• The MoU was signed by Nand Kishore, Managing Director of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, and K.L. Rajak, Director of the IWAI, in the presence of Tourism Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh.
• The vessels will be used for tourist cruises, special events, social gatherings, and meetings.
• The first vessel will operate in Patna, connecting Janardan Ghat, Digha, and Kangan Ghat, while the second will operate in Bhagalpur, linking Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, and Bateshwar to the Dolphin Sanctuary in Vikramshila.
• The vessels will cruise at a speed of approximately 15 km per hour, allowing tourists to explore various attractions along the Ganga Ghats, such as the Sri Harimandir Sahib Gurudwara in Patna and the Ganga Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur.
• The IWAI director confirmed that the Ro-Pax vessels would arrive in Patna and Bhagalpur within two weeks of the MoU signing, with operations expected to commence shortly thereafter.
• The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation is currently in the tender process for operating the cruises, aiming to start operations as soon as all formalities are completed.

Bihar Government Reconstitutes Various State Commissions

On July 26, 2023, the Bihar government reconstituted several state commissions, including the Bihar State Women’s Commission, Bihar State Minorities Commission, and Bihar State Madarsa Board.

Bihar State Women’s Commission

• Chairperson: Former MP Ashwamedh Devi.
• Members: Prabhavati Manjhi, Sujata Sumbrai, Rabia Khatoon, Sunita Kushwaha, Shweta Vishwas, Sulochana, Geeta Yadav.
• Ex-officio members: Social Welfare Department, Home Department, Bihar State Women and Child Development Corporation.
• Term: Maximum of three years or until the age of 65.

Bihar State Minorities Commission

• Chairman: Former MLC Riyazul Haque.
• Vice-chairman: Naushad Alam.
• Members: Muzaffar Hussain Rahi, Mahtab Alam, Iftekhar Ahmed, Dr. Iqbal Sami, Afroza Khatoon, Murtaza Ali Kaisar, Mukesh Jain.
• Term: Three years from July 25, 2023.

Bihar State Madarsa Board

• Chairman: Former Legislative Councilor Salim Parvez.
• Members: 13 members including five ex-officio members.
• Special members: Mahboob Alam, Syed Ruknuddin Ahmed, Khalid Anwar, Humayun Akhtar Tariq, Abdul Karim Ansari, Riazul Ansari, Shabbir Ahmed.

In addition to the nominated members, there are also ex-officio members who are part of the board. These include the Director of Education in charge of Oriental Education, the Director of the Arabic and Persian Post Graduate Studies and Research Institute in Patna, the Principal of Madrasa Islamia Shamshul Hoda, and the Chairman of the Bihar Sunni and Shia Waqf Board.

Bihar Sanskrit Board : Bhola Yadav, a senior leader from the RJD and a former MLA, has been appointed as the chairman of this board.

A total of twelve members have been nominated to this board for a term of three years. It will consist of two ex-officio members and nine nominated members. The ex-officio members include the Director of Education for Sanskrit Education and a representative from the Sanskrit University.

The nominated members are:

• Vinay Kumar Chowdhary, an MLA
• Lalit Narayan Mandal
• Prem Chandra Mishra, an MLC
• Chittaranjan Gagan, an RJD leader from Vaishali
• Madan Sharma from Mokama
• Ramsheesh Yadav from Madhubani
• Acharya Siyaram Prasad Yadav, a university Sanskrit teacher
• Narayan Mahto from Madhubani
• Pratima Kumari from Patna

ADB and Government of India Sign $295 Million Loan Agreement to Upgrade State Highways in Bihar

On July 27, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India formalized a loan agreement worth $295 million to upgrade approximately 265 km of state highways in Bihar. The project aims to enhance these roads with climate and disaster-resilient designs, along with improved road safety measures.

• Signing of the Agreement: The agreement was signed by Wumlunmang Wualnam, Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, and Takeo Konishi, ADB Country Director in India.
• Project Goals: The project supports the Bihar government’s initiative to upgrade all state highways to a standard 2-lane width and enhance road safety. The upgraded roads are expected to improve connectivity in some of Bihar’s most disadvantaged rural areas, facilitating better access to health, education, and market facilities.
• Capacity Building: In addition to road upgrades, the ADB project aims to strengthen the management and implementation capacity of the state road agency. This includes improving systems for planning, road safety, and sustainability.
• Road Asset Management System: The initiative will involve developing a road asset management system and establishing research laboratories at the Bihar Road Research Institute. These labs will focus on testing materials and studying climate change and disaster risk information, as well as reusable and sustainable materials.
• Women’s Participation: The project will promote women’s participation by providing employment opportunities for women in construction works. Women from local communities will also receive training on livelihood skills and awareness of road safety, health, sanitation, and issues related to abuse and harassment.
• ADB’s Support to Bihar: Since 2008, ADB has been actively involved in supporting Bihar with loans totaling $1.63 billion for upgrading state highways and constructing a new bridge over the River Ganga.

Bihar's Falak Stars in 'Champaran Mutton' Nominated for Oscars

The film 'Champaran Mutton,' featuring Falak, a young actress from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has made it to the Oscar race, according to media reports on July 27, 2023.

'Champaran Mutton' has reached the semi-finals of the Student Academy Award, competing alongside films from countries like the USA, France, and Austria.

Directed by Ranjan Kumar from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, the film is just half an hour long and focuses on themes of honesty and resilience in relationships.

The Student Academy Award, a branch of the Oscars, recognizes outstanding films made by students and has been awarded since 1972. 'Champaran Mutton' is the only Indian film in the competition, selected from over 1700 entries worldwide.

In the semi-finals, the film will compete with 16 others, including entries from Argentina, Belgium, and Germany.

Falak explains that the film's story revolves around a person who loses his job due to the lockdown, and its emotional depth resonates with audiences, contributing to its nomination.

The Oscar award is considered the most prestigious in the film industry, granting global recognition to artists and significantly boosting their career and market value.