Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses the Bihar Assembly on electricity tariff. He says, “…I have been saying since the beginning that it will not be given for free. We provide it at a very low price. In some states, they announce that they will provide it for free but we never said that…”
Tag: Bihar Chief minister
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Nitish Kumar Takes Oath As Bihar Chief Minister For Record 9th Time
Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a ninth time, rejoining the NDA with the BJP after resigning from the Grand Alliance government due to internal issues.
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RJD’s Manoj Jha rejects chances of JDU forming alliance with BJP: 'Just a rumour…'
RJD’s Manoj Jha rejects chances of JDU forming alliance with BJP: 'Just a rumour…'
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Karpoori Thakur, ‘Jan Nayak’ And Former Bihar CM, To Be Awarded ‘Bharat Ratna’ Posthumously |
NEW DELHI: In a major development, the Centre on Tuesday announced that Karpoori Thakur, the former Bihar Chief Minister and great Socialist leader, will be awarded India’s highest civilian award – Bharat Ratna – posthumously. Thakur was a former Bihar Chief Minister and was known for championing the cause of the backward classes.
Karpoori Thakur awarded the Bharat Ratna (posthumously).
He was a former Bihar Chief Minister and was known for championing the cause of the backward classes. pic.twitter.com/nG7H80SwSZ
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024
The announcement to honour Thakur with India’s highest civilian award comes a day before his 100th birth anniversary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X and expressed his happiness over the Centre’s move to felicitate the late Bihar politician with ”Bharat Ratna.” ”I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great ‘Jan Nayak’ Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment. His unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political fabric. This award not only honours his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society,” PM Modi wrote on X.
I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his enduring… pic.twitter.com/9fSJrZJPSP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2024
Bihar’s political parties, especially the ruling Janata Dal-United and top politicians, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, had been demanding a ”Bharat Ratna” for the ‘Jan Nayak’ (people’s leader) for championing the cause of the poor and the downtrodden.
Who Was Karpoori Thakur?
Born in Bihar’s Samastipur, Thakur served as the state’s chief minister for two terms. He also served as the state’s education minister and deputy chief minister. Embarking on his political career with the Praja Socialist Party, he later joined forces with the Janata Party during his initial tenure as the chief minister of Bihar from 1977 to 1979. Over time, he established connections with the Janata Dal, marking a significant shift in his political affiliation.
Thakur was born on January 24, 1924 and died on February 17, 1988.
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Nitish Kumar: Will exceed target of creating 10 lakh govt jobs in Bihar: Nitish Kumar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday asserted that his government was looking forward to not just achieving but “exceeding” the target of creating 10 lakh government jobs in the state. Speaking at a function organised for the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited teachers, Kumar said his government provided appointment letters to 96,823 newly recruited teachers at all district headquarters in the state during the day.
“Here at Gandhi Maidan, a total of 26,935 newly recruited teachers are getting their appointment letters. We have so far provided government jobs to 3.63 lakh people in the state,” he claimed.
“We will soon achieve the target of providing 10 lakh government jobs to youths of the state. Let me make it very clear that we will not just achieve the target but exceed it… the state government is working in that direction,” the CM said. Besides, five lakh employment opportunities have been created for the state’s youths, and around 3.68 lakh contractual teachers will soon get government employee status after clearing competency examinations, he said.
After the formation of Grand Alliance government in Bihar in August 2022, Kumar had announced that his government would create at least 10 lakh government jobs and an additional 10 lakh “employment opportunities” in several sectors.
“We have distributed appointment letters to over 2 lakh newly recruited teachers in the last 70 days,” he said, adding the drive will continue. “Of the over 2 lakh newly recruited teachers, 85 per cent are from Bihar, while the remaining 15 per cent are from Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chandigarh. People hailing from Bihar also get appointments in other states,” he said.
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) did a commendable job by conducting the recruitment process of teachers so smoothly, he added.
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He talks ‘rubbish’: Nitish on PK’s claim that he may ditch Mahagathbandhan
By PTI
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday refused to comment on the claim made by political strategist Prashant Kishor that the former was still in touch with the BJP and said “he keeps talking rubbish”.
The political strategist on Thursday claimed that Kumar is “in touch with the BJP and he might once against tie up with the party if the situation demands”.
“What should I say on this? He (Prashant) keeps talking rubbish. He makes such statements just for his publicity. Everybody knows that he is working for which party”, Kumar remarked in reply to questions from journalists who sought his views on Kishor’s claims that the CM is still in touch with the saffron party.
Kishor had also told PTI on Wednesday that Kumar has kept a line of communication open with the BJP through JD (U) MP and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, Harivansh.
“After having snapped ties with the BJP, Nitish Kumar should have asked Harivansh to step down. If he insisted on occupying the post, he could have been expelled from the JD(U). But Nitish is having this arrangement to keep options open for the future,” Kishor on Wednesday had alleged at a public meeting in West Champaran district, where he has been for three weeks as part of a state-wide ‘padayatra’.
The chief minister said, “Let him (Kishor) speak whatever he wants. We have nothing to do with him. Earlier, he used to work with me. It’s a fact that there are certain people whom I promoted, ditched me”.
Commenting on phone calls made to Bihar DGP by a conman, who posing as a high court judge sought leniency towards a now-suspended IPS officer accused of links with liquor traders in the dry state, the chief minister said, “All the accused, except the IPS officer who is absconding, have been nabbed by the police. The DGP detected the case on time”.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the state police sent the fraudster Abhishek Agarwal to jail on Thursday.
He was arrested on the charges of cheating, impersonation, causing hindrance in government work, and cybercrime.
When asked about the Patna High Court’s latest ruling that the civic polls in Bihar may be held, with seats reserved for Extremely Backward Classes, the CM said, “Bihar is the first state in the country where the government allowed reservation for extremely backward classes. We welcome this ruling of the Patna HC and the process will start very soon”.
On Wednesday the High Court, which had on October 4 declared as illegal the quotas for extremely backward classes in the state’s urban local bodies, agreed to the state government’s plea that fresh polls, with reservations in place, be allowed after a report to the effect was obtained from a statutory commission set up for the very purpose.
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday refused to comment on the claim made by political strategist Prashant Kishor that the former was still in touch with the BJP and said “he keeps talking rubbish”.
The political strategist on Thursday claimed that Kumar is “in touch with the BJP and he might once against tie up with the party if the situation demands”.
“What should I say on this? He (Prashant) keeps talking rubbish. He makes such statements just for his publicity. Everybody knows that he is working for which party”, Kumar remarked in reply to questions from journalists who sought his views on Kishor’s claims that the CM is still in touch with the saffron party.
Kishor had also told PTI on Wednesday that Kumar has kept a line of communication open with the BJP through JD (U) MP and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, Harivansh.
“After having snapped ties with the BJP, Nitish Kumar should have asked Harivansh to step down. If he insisted on occupying the post, he could have been expelled from the JD(U). But Nitish is having this arrangement to keep options open for the future,” Kishor on Wednesday had alleged at a public meeting in West Champaran district, where he has been for three weeks as part of a state-wide ‘padayatra’.
The chief minister said, “Let him (Kishor) speak whatever he wants. We have nothing to do with him. Earlier, he used to work with me. It’s a fact that there are certain people whom I promoted, ditched me”.
Commenting on phone calls made to Bihar DGP by a conman, who posing as a high court judge sought leniency towards a now-suspended IPS officer accused of links with liquor traders in the dry state, the chief minister said, “All the accused, except the IPS officer who is absconding, have been nabbed by the police. The DGP detected the case on time”.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the state police sent the fraudster Abhishek Agarwal to jail on Thursday.
He was arrested on the charges of cheating, impersonation, causing hindrance in government work, and cybercrime.
When asked about the Patna High Court’s latest ruling that the civic polls in Bihar may be held, with seats reserved for Extremely Backward Classes, the CM said, “Bihar is the first state in the country where the government allowed reservation for extremely backward classes. We welcome this ruling of the Patna HC and the process will start very soon”.
On Wednesday the High Court, which had on October 4 declared as illegal the quotas for extremely backward classes in the state’s urban local bodies, agreed to the state government’s plea that fresh polls, with reservations in place, be allowed after a report to the effect was obtained from a statutory commission set up for the very purpose.
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BJP flays Nitish Kumar for HC’s ruling on urban local bodies elections in Bihar
Express News Service
PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came under sharp attack of the opposition once again on Tuesday after the Patna high court ruled as ‘illegal’ the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in urban local bodies election.
A division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar declared as ‘illegal’ reservation of seats for OBCs and EBCs and directed the state election commission to hold the polls ‘only by immediately re-notifying the seats reserved for OBCs, treating them as general categoryseats.’
The order came barely a week before the local bodies elections are scheduled on October 10. The candidates have started campaigning in their respective areas with election symbols allotted to them by the commission. Around 1.14 crore electors were expected to exercise their franchise in two phases i.e on October 10 and 20, respectively.
Former deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi blamed the chief minister Nitish Kumar for the mess. “Had the state government constituted a dedicated commission in the wake of Supreme Court’s order, such situation would not have arisen ahead of the urban bodies elections,” he added.
He also took a dig at some JD(U) leaders for their attempt to divert the attention of the people on the issue. “Caste based count and ensuring reservation for OBCs and EBCs in the local bodies elections are two separate things,” he clarified.
The JD(U), on the other hand, claimed that the delay in conducting caste count in the state was among the factors that led to court’s order on Tuesday. JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha tweeted, “It is unfortunate.”
Kushwaha, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, said that the HC’s order was a part of the conspiracy of the union government and the BJP. “Had the union government led by PM Narendra Modi conceded the demand of caste census and fulfilled constitutional provisions, the situation would not have arisen,” he said.
Kushwaha also threatened to launch agitation to expose the conspiracy the union government and the BJP on the issue. The court, while reserving its verdict on September 29, had said that the elections shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition and told the state election commission that it may defer the first phase of the elections should it find it “prudent” to do so.
Following the HC’s September 29 observations, the SEC had issued a circular on September 30 to all district magistrates concerned who were asked to keep the contestants in the loop regarding the developments.
PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came under sharp attack of the opposition once again on Tuesday after the Patna high court ruled as ‘illegal’ the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in urban local bodies election.
A division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar declared as ‘illegal’ reservation of seats for OBCs and EBCs and directed the state election commission to hold the polls ‘only by immediately re-notifying the seats reserved for OBCs, treating them as general category
seats.’The order came barely a week before the local bodies elections are scheduled on October 10. The candidates have started campaigning in their respective areas with election symbols allotted to them by the commission. Around 1.14 crore electors were expected to exercise their franchise in two phases i.e on October 10 and 20, respectively.
Former deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi blamed the chief minister Nitish Kumar for the mess. “Had the state government constituted a dedicated commission in the wake of Supreme Court’s order, such situation would not have arisen ahead of the urban bodies elections,” he added.
He also took a dig at some JD(U) leaders for their attempt to divert the attention of the people on the issue. “Caste based count and ensuring reservation for OBCs and EBCs in the local bodies elections are two separate things,” he clarified.
The JD(U), on the other hand, claimed that the delay in conducting caste count in the state was among the factors that led to court’s order on Tuesday. JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha tweeted, “It is unfortunate.”
Kushwaha, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, said that the HC’s order was a part of the conspiracy of the union government and the BJP. “Had the union government led by PM Narendra Modi conceded the demand of caste census and fulfilled constitutional provisions, the situation would not have arisen,” he said.
Kushwaha also threatened to launch agitation to expose the conspiracy the union government and the BJP on the issue. The court, while reserving its verdict on September 29, had said that the elections shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition and told the state election commission that it may defer the first phase of the elections should it find it “prudent” to do so.
Following the HC’s September 29 observations, the SEC had issued a circular on September 30 to all district magistrates concerned who were asked to keep the contestants in the loop regarding the developments.
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Nitish takes ‘sadachari’, ‘bhrashtachari’ swipe at BJP
By PTI
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday took a swipe at the BJP on Sunday, saying the party considers those with it “sadachari” (people with good conduct) and those who speak against its policies “bhrashtachari” (corrupt), JD(U) sources said.
Kumar, speaking at the Janata Dal (United) national council meeting here, wondered if poaching leaders from other parties is not corruption, an apparent reference to opposition leaders crossing over to the BJP in many states, the sources said.
Kumar asserted he will work to unite opposition parties across the country to take on the BJP amid the buzz that the JD(U) is eying the opposition leadership role for him in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
He told reporters after the meeting that a united Opposition can oust the BJP from power at the Centre.
During his visit to Delhi, likely between September 5-8, Kumar will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Asked about the Congress’ ‘Mehangai Par Halla Bol’ rally in Delhi on Sunday, Kumar said, “It is good.”
JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters that Kumar will also meet leaders from around six regional parties besides those from the Congress in Delhi.
Tyagi asserted his party is not projecting Kumar as the prime ministerial face of the Opposition while describing him as the “rising sun”.
“The sun rises in the east,” he said, underlining Bihar’s geographical location of being in the country’s east.
The veteran socialist leader claimed that Kumar’s decision to snap ties with the BJP last month has enthused the opposition camp in the same way V P Singh’s entry into its fold had done in late 80s.
Tyagi noted some leaders like Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao want a non-BJP and non-Congress front, but added the JD(U) does not agree with this.
The Congress being in the fold is necessary for a viable alliance against the BJP, he said.
The Congress is part of the ruling grand alliance in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters, JD(U) president Lalan Singh alleged BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Bihar later this month is aimed at disturbing communal harmony in the state.
“It will not make any impact,” he said, claiming the grand alliance will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2024.
Speaking about the details of the party meeting, Tyagi said the decision to snap ties with BJP-led NDA was appreciated by its members as the saffron party was trying to weaken the JD (U) as a “conspiracy”.
“The BJP was trying to repeat the Eknath Shinde plan to sabotage the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. However, CM Kumar recognised it in time and foiled the conspiracy,” he said.
In the 2020 assembly polls, the JD (U)’s tally came down to 43 as it was targeted with the “Chirag model”, he said, referring to then LJP president Chirag Paswan’s decision to field candidates mostly on the seats where the JD(U) was contesting.
On five JD(U) MLAs in Manipur joining the BJP, Tyagi alleged it was done through inducements as they were set to arrive in Patna to attend the meeting.
“Earlier, the BJP did it in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP is doing it everywhere, therefore all opposition parties must unite against it,” he said.
The JD(U) passed two resolutions related to political situation in the country in its two-day meeting which ended on Sunday.
The party has charged the BJP-led central government with imposing an “undeclared emergency” in the country, “misusing” probe agencies to silence opposition voices and stoking “communal frenzy” in society.
A party resolution said Kumar’s “vision and mission” behind Bihar’s development have been praised in and outside India.
The JD(U) leader may reach Delhi on September 5 to meet several opposition leaders, party sources said.
The JD(U) also accused the ruling BJP of having “authoritarian” tendencies and destabilising non-BJP governments in several states, including Delhi and Jharkhand besides Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra earlier.
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday took a swipe at the BJP on Sunday, saying the party considers those with it “sadachari” (people with good conduct) and those who speak against its policies “bhrashtachari” (corrupt), JD(U) sources said.
Kumar, speaking at the Janata Dal (United) national council meeting here, wondered if poaching leaders from other parties is not corruption, an apparent reference to opposition leaders crossing over to the BJP in many states, the sources said.
Kumar asserted he will work to unite opposition parties across the country to take on the BJP amid the buzz that the JD(U) is eying the opposition leadership role for him in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
He told reporters after the meeting that a united Opposition can oust the BJP from power at the Centre.
During his visit to Delhi, likely between September 5-8, Kumar will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Asked about the Congress’ ‘Mehangai Par Halla Bol’ rally in Delhi on Sunday, Kumar said, “It is good.”
JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters that Kumar will also meet leaders from around six regional parties besides those from the Congress in Delhi.
Tyagi asserted his party is not projecting Kumar as the prime ministerial face of the Opposition while describing him as the “rising sun”.
“The sun rises in the east,” he said, underlining Bihar’s geographical location of being in the country’s east.
The veteran socialist leader claimed that Kumar’s decision to snap ties with the BJP last month has enthused the opposition camp in the same way V P Singh’s entry into its fold had done in late 80s.
Tyagi noted some leaders like Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao want a non-BJP and non-Congress front, but added the JD(U) does not agree with this.
The Congress being in the fold is necessary for a viable alliance against the BJP, he said.
The Congress is part of the ruling grand alliance in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters, JD(U) president Lalan Singh alleged BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Bihar later this month is aimed at disturbing communal harmony in the state.
“It will not make any impact,” he said, claiming the grand alliance will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2024.
Speaking about the details of the party meeting, Tyagi said the decision to snap ties with BJP-led NDA was appreciated by its members as the saffron party was trying to weaken the JD (U) as a “conspiracy”.
“The BJP was trying to repeat the Eknath Shinde plan to sabotage the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. However, CM Kumar recognised it in time and foiled the conspiracy,” he said.
In the 2020 assembly polls, the JD (U)’s tally came down to 43 as it was targeted with the “Chirag model”, he said, referring to then LJP president Chirag Paswan’s decision to field candidates mostly on the seats where the JD(U) was contesting.
On five JD(U) MLAs in Manipur joining the BJP, Tyagi alleged it was done through inducements as they were set to arrive in Patna to attend the meeting.
“Earlier, the BJP did it in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP is doing it everywhere, therefore all opposition parties must unite against it,” he said.
The JD(U) passed two resolutions related to political situation in the country in its two-day meeting which ended on Sunday.
The party has charged the BJP-led central government with imposing an “undeclared emergency” in the country, “misusing” probe agencies to silence opposition voices and stoking “communal frenzy” in society.
A party resolution said Kumar’s “vision and mission” behind Bihar’s development have been praised in and outside India.
The JD(U) leader may reach Delhi on September 5 to meet several opposition leaders, party sources said.
The JD(U) also accused the ruling BJP of having “authoritarian” tendencies and destabilising non-BJP governments in several states, including Delhi and Jharkhand besides Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra earlier.
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Bihar govt cancels leaves of doctors, health workers till April 5
By ANI
PATNA: In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Bihar Health Department on Friday cancelled the leaves of all doctors and health workers till April 5.This order has come into force with immediate effect.
On Wednesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, following the interaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Ministers on the COVID-19 situation, said the state government had decided to increase the number of daily COVID-19 tests.
“The PM held a meeting with all CMs today on the COVID-19 situation. Bihar government is alert. We will soon hold a meeting with all districts. It has been decided to take the number of daily tests to 70,000 again,” Kumar had told the media persons here.
“The situation in Bihar is under control but we should be careful. I will hold a meeting at the district-level in two days regarding the COVID situation in Bihar,” he had added.
Meanwhile, India has reported 39,726 fresh COVID-19 cases, 20,654 recoveries and 154 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.
As many as 3,93,39,817 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered till 8 am on Friday in what is billed as the largest vaccination drive in the world.
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Bihar CM Nitish Kumar gets first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on 70th birthday
By ANI
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday, who turned 70 on Monday, took first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Patna and assured the people of the state that his government will provide vaccination free of cost.“Vaccination will be absolutely free in the entire Bihar state. Such facility will be made available even at private hospitals, it will be facilitated by the state government,” Nitish Kumar said on Monday.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the first dose of Covaxin, India’s homegrown coronavirus vaccine developed by biotechnology firm Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research, addressing the hesitancy over the COVID-19 vaccine.
PM Modi took the first dose of the vaccine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi.
“Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS,” PM Modi tweeted with his picture of receiving the jab.
“Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19,” the Prime Minister added.