News Analysis India

Tag: Muzaffarpur

  • Bihar teacher says teaching in his college is like ‘academic death’, returns salary

    Express News Service

    PATNA: In yet another poor reflection on the state’s decrepit education system, a Hindi college teacher in Bihar has returned his accumulated salary worth nearly Rs 24 lakh as students were not attending their Hindi classes since he joined the college in 2019.

    Taking a high moral ground, assistant professor, Dr Lalan Kumar who teaches Hindi in Nitishwar College under Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU) in the state’s Muzaffarpur district returned his accumulated 32-month salary worth more than Rs 23.82 lakh for a period between September 25, 2019 (date of appointment) to May, 2022.

    “Why should I accept salary when I have not taught the students enrolled in the department,” the teacher remarked while setting new benchmarks of honesty and integrity.

    He has returned his salary by sending a cheque along with a letter to the university vice-chancellor. In his letter, he has also expressed his desire to transfer him to any of these colleges- LS College, RDS College, MDDM College or the PG department of the university.

    Dr Kumar graduated from Delhi University while completing his post-graduation from JNU. He did his M.Phil. and PhD from Delhi University. 

    In his letter to the university’s vice-chancellor, the teacher said, “Out of 131 students, none of them attends his class. For me it is like an ‘academic death’. I am not able to discharge my duties despite my best intention. In such a situation, it would not be morally correct to accept the salary.”

    Besides the vice-chancellor, he has sent copies of his letter to the chancellor (governor), chief minister, state education minister, state finance department, Patna High Court (in form of PIL), chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), union education minister, PMO, President and other dignitaries and high offices.

    Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam also honoured Dr Kumar with Academic Excellence Award for passing his graduation examination from Hindu College in the first division.

    Commenting on the Hindi teacher’s decision to return money to the government, a retired teacher of L N Mithila University professor Vashishtha Singh said, “Dr. Kumar has exposed the government’s education system.” “It’s virtually a slap on the education system prevailing in colleges and universities in Bihar,” he added.

  • Seven workers killed in boiler explosion at factory in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur; PM expresses deep grief

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to the boiler explosion in a factory in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

    At least seven people were killed in a boiler explosion at a factory in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, state Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Ram Surat Rai informed on Sunday, adding that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident. Seven people were also injured, the district police chief said.

    According to reports, the loud explosion was heard by residents in nearby areas, up to a five-kilometers away. Visuals show hundreds of people rushing to the incident site to check what happened.

    The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims.

    The Prime Minister’s office tweeted;

    “The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident at a factory in Muzaffarpur. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each.”

  • Yet another hooch tragedy suspected in Bihar, two dead in Muzaffarpur

    By PTI

    MUZAFFARPUR: Two persons have died in yet another suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar, a dry state where consumption of spurious liquor has claimed more than 40 lives in less than a fortnight. The latest casualties have taken place in Muzaffarpur district where two men died in a village under Kanti police station on Monday after allegedly consuming spurious liquor.

    According to Muzaffarpur SSP Jayant Kant, both the deceased were residents of Sirasiya village, where two others fell ill after consuming the liquor and were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

    “The bodies have been taken for post mortem. We are recording the statements of bereaved family members as well as by those who have been hospitalized. Based on the statements we will be able to confirm whether liquor was consumed,” the SSP said.

    The incident took place close to the Saraiya police station area where five people had died after consuming spurious liquor in the last week of October. This was followed by hooch tragedies in West Champaran, Gopalganj and Samastipur districts around Deepawali which together accounted for 40 deaths.

    The Muzaffarpur SSP said, “We have launched a major crackdown on traders of spirit at Saraiya who have been suspected of manufacturing illicit liquor.” Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government five and a half years ago.

  • Home Ministry declares six Bihar districts Naxal-free

    Express News Service
    PATNA: The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared six out of 16 Naxal-affected districts in Bihar as Naxal-free, thus reducing the activities of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the state to only 10 districts.

    According to this new classification, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Arwal and East Champaran have been cleared from the list of Naxal-affected districts. In the absence of any Naxal bases, security-related expenses in these districts will no longer be spent on the prevention of Naxal activities. 

    With the exclusion of these districts, only 10 districts of Bihar, namely Rohtas, Kaimur, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Aurangabad, Banka, Munger and West Champaran are currently in the category of Naxal-affected districts of the country. 

    Aurangabad district has been flagged as a ‘district of concern’ with regard to Naxal influences in the country.Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs had declared 7 other districts, namely Patna, Sitamarhi, Bhojpur, Bagaha, Begusarai, Khagaria and Sheohar, as Naxal-free.

  • Bihar exports GI certified ‘Shahi Litchi’ to UK amid Covid-19 pandemic

    Express News Service
    PATNA: Amidst a pandemic-induced crisis in the country, the first consignment of well-known GI-certified ‘Shahi Litchi’ was sent from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district to the United Kingdom on Monday via a special flight. 

    Shahi Litchi is cultivated in over 15,000 hectares of land in Muzaffarpur. The consignment is being exported by Cira Enterprises to H&J Veg at London after purchasing from the farmers in Muzaffarpur. 

    According to the official statement from the department of agriculture here, Shahi Litchi was given the GI tag in 2018 along with three other agriculture products which included ‘Jardalu’ mango, Katarni variety of rice, and the Magahai-paan (betel leaves).

    Shahi-Litchi is cultivated in Vaishali, Samatipur, Champaran, Begusarai and Saran districts as well.

    Meanwhile the world famous Litchis have now bagged the ‘Phytosanitary Certificate’ from the state for the first time, and now it will be globally known as Bihar’s Litchi. 

    The phytosanitary certificate is issued by only a public officer who is technically qualified and authorised by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO). Earlier, the Bihar government had obtained the phytosanitary certificate either from either Kolkata or Mumbai.

    Sale of Shahi Litchis rakes in an estimated Rs 1000 crores annually from all over Bihar with nearly 50% of the revenue coming from Muzaffarpur alone. 

    The East Central Railway, headquartered at Hajipur, has also provided a special transportation facility by specially designed rail parcel wagons from Muzaffarpur to other states included Maharashtra, Delhi and Pune, which sees a huge demand for Bihar’s Shahi-Litchi.

    Ravindra Singh of Muzaffarpur, who has a Litchi orchard of over 10 hectares of land, said that the demand for Shahi Litchi has not been affected even with the pandemic going on, although the lack of transportation facilities for farmers are a hurdle. 

    “This time, the fruit of Shahi-variety of Litchi is well shaped, and red, which indicates that the fruits are sweeter and juicier,” he said. 

  • Bihar IAS officer enters India Book of Records for biggest walkathon on voter awareness

    Express News Service
    PATNA: If there is a will, there’s a way. Proving the old saying right, former district magistrate of Bihar’s Muzaffarpur Dr Chandrashekhar Singh figured in the latest edition of the India Book of Records for organising the biggest walkathon on voter awareness in 2020 during the assembly elections.

    According to the office of the chief electoral officer, Dr Singh, now the Patna district magistrate, ensured that a record number of 5,33,588 people took part in the walkathon across Muzaffarpur district on October 30 for an hour.

    The walkathon had created massive awareness among the voters leading to a rise in the polling percentage in the assembly elections.

    The IAS officer not only created awareness but also educated the electorate on their voting rights and the importance of their participation in the Bihar assembly elections amid the strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.

    Lakhs of people, who had participated in the walkathon, had followed social distancing and worn face masks.

    Chief editor of the India Book of Records Dr Biswaroop Roy Choudhury has issued the certificate for ensuring maximum participation in a voter awareness walkathon.

    Expressing thanks to the India Book of Records, Dr Singh said that the credit also goes to the dedicated and motivated team of Muzaffarpur who ensured the success of the walkathon in 2020.

  • Minor girl gang-raped, burnt alive in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, FIR registered

    By ANI
    MUZAFFARPUR: A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped and burnt alive at her residence in Muzaffarpur on January 11, police said on Wednesday.

    The rape victim died this morning in a hospital where she was undergoing treatment.

    The girl’s father has accused four persons and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the matter.

    Speaking to ANI, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rajesh Kumar Sharma said, “A minor girl was brutally gang-raped and burnt alive by four men. The girl’s father has accused four people and an FIR has been registered.”

    “We have initiated the investigation and our priority is in arresting the culprits,” he added. 

  • PM Narendra Modi to address rallies in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Patna today

    As the electorate votes in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing rallies in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna on Wednesday. The respective areas will go to polls in the second phase which will be conducted on November 3.

    Earlier, PM Modi, BJP’s star campaigner addressed rallies in Sasaram, Gaya and Bhagalpur on October 23. The prime minister will address rallies in Chapra, East Champaran, and Samastipur on November 1. The BJP star campaigner will be in West Champaran, Saharsa, and Forbesganj on November 3 to attend public meetings.

    The BJP has joined hands with Nitish Kumar header Janata Dal (United) to contest the Bohar polls. Jiten Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni are also a part of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar. 

    The Bihar election are being held in three phases for a total of 243 seats. While 71 seats are going to polls on the first phase, the second phase will see voting on 94 seats on November 3, and the third phase for the remaining 78 will be on November 7. The Election Commission of India will declare the Bihar Assembly Election Results 2020 on November 10.