Top Bihar News- IBNLive.com

Bihar Intermediate Commerce results announced

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:20:33 +0530

The Bihar School Examination Board declared the Intermediate Results 2013 for Commerce stream on Thursday at 1 pm. Candidates can log on to www.biharboard.net to check their results.

Bihar: Meet Ajit and Shabnam who provide education, meals to orphans

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:56:34 +0530

Barauni railway station in Bihar is witness to a noble initiative. Ajit Kumar and his wife Shabnam take care of orphans at the platforms, and provide them education and home-cooked meals. And their efforts have now inspired railway authorities too, to support their cause.

CPM MLA murder: Pappu Yadav released after acquittal

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:40:03 +0530

Four days after the court acquitted former RJD MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav on charges of killing CPI-M leader Ajit Sarkar, he was formally released from jail here on Tuesday, police officials said.

Nalanda University project takes major step forward

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:35:33 +0530

In a major step towards realising the ambitious Nalanda International University, coming up in Rajgir in Bihar, an international jury has selected the architectural design of an Ahmedabad-based firm for the varsity. The design of Ahmedabad-based company Vastu Shilpa Consultants was selected by a jury that comprised top architects from Singapore, China, Japan and India.

Special status will boost investment in Bihar: Nitish

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:20:48 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar defended on Thursday his repeated demand for special status to the state saying it (the status) will boost private investment in a big way to accelerate its industrial development. "I am pushing for grant of special status to Bihar only to bring private investment in a big way to expedite industrialisation process for generation of employment opportunities," he said in a function at Pataliputra industrial area after inaugurating a diamond cutting unit, the first of its kind in the state.

Bihar: Prisoner sets himself ablaze in jail, dies

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:25:32 +0530

An undertrial prisoner died of his burn injuries after he doused himself with kerosene and set himself ablaze at a jail in Bihar's Nalanda district on Thursday.

Bihar: Bureaucrats provide free coaching to IAS aspirants in Naxal-affected areas

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:02:18 +0530

Cracking the UPSC is a difficult proposition, especially for aspirants who live in Naxal-infested areas, with no access to proper coaching facilities. But all that has changed in Bihar's Banka district due to the efforts of District Magistrate Dipak Anand and his deputy Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mithilesh Mishra. Together, they conduct free coaching sessions for students taking the UPSC exam from this region.

Lalu holds Parivartan rally in Patna, I-T seeks expense details

Wed, 15 May 2013 02:27:37 +0530

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad held a massive 'Parivartan' rally in Patna as the Income Tax department issued a notice to his party seeking details of expenses for the rally. The rally which is being held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna is the first of its kind by RJD after 2005 when it lost power to the NDA.

All my successors in Rail ministry getting derailed: Lalu

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:56:44 +0530

With UPA-II having six ministers in the Railways during the present tenure, RJD president Lalu Prasad on Monday took a jibe saying since he left Railways his successors were getting "derailed". "After I left Rail Ministry, none of my successors have been able to stay there...everybody is getting derailed in the ministry," Lalu, who served as a rail minister in UPA-I, told reporters.

Indian reaches home after spending nine years in a Pak prison

Sun, 12 May 2013 07:58:54 +0530

After spending nine years in a prison in Pakistan, Indian prisoner Khushbu Paswan has reached his native village in Bihar's Rohtas district, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

Special category status for Bihar after criteria change: Chidambaram

Sat, 11 May 2013 08:02:57 +0530

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said that Bihar will be accorded special category status after the change of criteria. "I hope that new criteria will determine status of backward states. Bihar will certainly qualify for special category status under new criteria for it," said Chidambaram.

Development expenditure has jumped ten-fold: Nitish

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:43:57 +0530

Highlighting initiatives undertaken by his government, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the pace of progress could be understood from the almost ten-fold increase in funds spent on development in the state. "Prior to the NDA rule not even Rs 3,000 crore were spent on developmental works in Bihar. The amount has now risen to Rs 26,000 crore in fiscal 2012-13," Kumar said in Gaya.

13-year-old Bihar boy cracks IIT-JEE preliminary exam

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:45:19 +0530

A 13-year-old boy from Bihar has cracked the preliminary examination of the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE). He is the youngest to pass the exam.

Metro rail in Patna by 2016, says Bihar Minister

Sun, 05 May 2013 06:08:59 +0530

The Bihar capital city's dream of a Metro train may come true by 2016 if the state urban development minister is to be believed. The project is set to cover a distance of 40-km stretch at a cost of Rs 8,000 crore, Urban Development Minister Prem Kumar said.

No compromise with basic principles for power: Nitish

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:53:02 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asserted that he will not compromise with his basic principles, such as secularism, to stay in power and will instead prefer to quit. "I have never compromised with basic principles, whether I stay in power or not," he said, while addressing a meeting of minority cell workers of his Janata Dal-United (JD-U) in Rajgir in Nalanda district.

Great scope to develop religious tourism in Bihar: Nitish

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:46:19 +0530

Stating that Bihar has treasure trove of all religions, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said there is tremendous scope to develop religious tourism in the state and exhorted industrialists to invest in the sector, particularly in hotel and transport sectors. "Bihar has many religious and historic tradition which people from across the world wish to see," Kumar said addressing a convention of industrialists at Rajgir.

Two men provide free coaching to IAS aspirants in Naxal-hit Banka

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:58:33 +0530

Two bureaucrats are paving the way for a better, brighter life for others in Bihar's Naxal-hit Banka region. They are providing UPSC aspirants free education and coaching sessions.

14 chitfund companies raided in Bihar, 11 arrested

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:57:46 +0530

Bihar police on Sunday raided offices of over a dozen chitfund companies on the outskirts of state capital and arrested 11 persons from whom Rs 8 lakh was seized. On a tip off about activities of chitfund companies in Bakhtiyarpur, Barh and Mokama areas of rural Patna, a special team was formed which conducted raids in their offices, a release from the office of Senior Superintendent of Police said.

Nitish asks JDU to prepare for future uncertainties

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:26:42 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked Janata Dal (United) workers to be prepared to face "any kind of situation" in the future. "Though everything is now normal within NDA but we should be prepares to face any if and buts in future," he said. Nitish made this appeal to party workers while addressing the JD-U trader cell at the convention hall at Rajgir.

Female literacy rate leapfrogs to 53 pc in Bihar: Nitish

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:09:22 +0530

Literacy among women in Bihar has leapfrogged to over 53 per cent from 33 per cent 12 years ago due to sustained efforts of the government, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Sunday. "Due to the hard labour of our government the female literacy rate in Bihar which was 33 per cent in 2001 leapfrogged to over 53 per cent in 2011," Nitish told a seminar.

Give special status or people will decide in polls: Nitish

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 02:59:48 +0530

Making a strong pitch for special category status for Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said it would be better if the privilege was given sooner or else people would themselves take a decision in this regard in the 2014 general elections. "Amendment in criteria for according special status itself symbolises half victory for Bihar," Kumar said addressing a rally at Purnea.

Bihar: Train makes unscheduled stop for pregnant passenger

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:41:12 +0530

A Patna-bound Express train made an unscheduled stop at Fafoond railway station in Auraiya district after a pregnant passenger complained of labour pain. In the process, a coach of the Sampoorna Kranti Express, which was coming from Delhi, derailed. However, no injuries to any passenger was reported.

Nitish stresses on making buildings earthquake-proof

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:54:47 +0530

There is a need to make buildings earthquake-proof and these constructions should comply to green norms, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Friday. "Large parts of Bihar comes in earthquake zone four-five hence there is a need to make building earthquake-proof and follow green norms," the CM said addressing Indian Building Congress function in Patna.

Bihar: Four men rape mother and daughter, 3 arrested

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:00:12 +0530

Three people have been arrested in Bihar for abducting and raping the mother and sister of a youth as a revenge for his eloping with the sister of one of the accused, police said on Wednesday.

European Union praises rapid development of Bihar

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:15:23 +0530

The European Union On Tuesday praised the rapid development spree in Bihar within a short period of time. EU envoy Joao Cravinho met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his residence and attributed the turnaround to "dynamic leadership" of the Chief Minister. The EU envoy was accompanied by First Counsellor and head of its political affairs Anne Marchal.

Muzaffarpur: Panchayat to boycott Delhi minor rape accused's family

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:19:48 +0530

The Bharthua panchayat on Saturday decided to boycott the family of rape accused Manoj Kumar after villagers came to know about his involvement in the horrific crime in east Delhi. This decision was taken by members at an emergency meeting of the panchayat.

Nitish Kumar expresses anguish over Delhi minor's rape

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 01:02:16 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday strongly condemned the brutal rape of the five-year-old girl in Delhi but opined against death sentence for the perpetrator of such heinous crime. "The act is barbaric. Such incidents raise serious question on humanity," Kumar told reporters while expressing his anguish over the minor's rape which has sparked outrage across the country.

Bharthua panchayat to boycott rape accused's family

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:27:50 +0530

Delhi rape: Muzaffarpur residents demand death for accused

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:21:34 +0530

People in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district expressed anger and shame on Saturday that one of their own was involved in the brutal rape of a five-year-old girl in Delhi. Manoj Kumar, who allegedly raped the girl after confining her in his Gandhi Nagar room in east Delhi, is from Bharthua village under Aurai police station in Muzaffarpur.

Govt's decision to sanction package for Bihar motivated by elections: D Raja

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:59:13 +0530

Questioning the timing of the Centre approving a Rs 12,000-crore grant for Bihar, CPM leader D Raja said while he has nothing to oppose the decision. He, however, alleged that the government's decision to sanction the grant was motivated by the upcoming elections.

Congress woos JD(U), Bihar gets Rs 12,000 crore development grant

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:04:30 +0530

In a major move, the Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Backward Region Development Grant for Bihar and other states. Bihar got the lion's share of Rs 12,000 crore.

Cong woos Nitish, Cabinet may approve Rs 12,000 cr Bihar package

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:12:15 +0530

As the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal United continue to lock horns, the Cabinet is on Thursday likely to announce a special package for Bihar. In what is being seen as the government wooing the JD(U), the Cabinet could give a go ahead for a Rs 12,000 crore special package.

Nitish deferred probe into Godhra carnage to save Modi: Lalu

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:14:36 +0530

Refusing to buy Nitish Kumar's argument absolving himself of the Godhra tragedy, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday accused him of closing the Railways' probe in the train burning incident to suit the interest of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

WHO praises Bihar immunisation drive

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:10 +0530

World Health Organisation (WHO) appreciated the successful implementation of health programmes, particularly anti-polio and immunisation campaigns, in Bihar on Wednesday.

Nitish Kumar a 'puppet' in Advani's hands, says RJD

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:55:18 +0530

RJD, arch rival of JD(U) in Bihar, on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of being a "puppet" in the hands of L K Advani and playing the politics of misleading the Muslims. "In the internal quarrels in the top leadership of BJP on the leadership issue, Nitish is a puppet in the hands of Advani....," RJD General Secretary Vijay Krishna said, adding "only communal can protect the communal".

Bihar BJP to meet Rajnath after Nitish's veiled threat over Modi

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:55:21 +0530

The Bharatiya Janata Party is scrambling to tackle Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ultimatum on its Prime Ministerial candidate. The Bihar BJP core group will meet party chief Rajnath Singh on April 18 in Delhi.

Bihar clocks 29 per cent hike in commercial tax collection

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:30:21 +0530

In another first in the country, tax collection in Bihar in the 2012-13 fiscal jumped to 29 per cent, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Saturday. "The achievement becomes all the more impressive considering that the world was witnessing an economic slowdown," Modi, also the Finance minister, told a review meeting of the commercial tax department in Patna.

Bihar official arrested for raping 14-year-old daughter

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 06:07:46 +0530

A Bihar government official was arrested on Saturday for repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter, police said.

Bihar literacy growth rate much ahead of national average: Sushil Kumar Modi

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:19:07 +0530

Educational programmes in Bihar have resulted in pushing literacy growth rate in the state to 16.82 per cent, much ahead of national average of 9.28 per cent, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Saturday. Social indices like decline in death rate, universalisation of immunisation scheme and rise in per capita income in Bihar reflects that the state was achieving inclusive growth, he said addressing a function here.

Patna court rejects Hasan Ali Khan's bail plea

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:46:49 +0530

A local court in the district rejected the bail application of Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan in a fake passport case. Judicial Magistrate Sunil Kumar passed the order summarily rejecting Khan's bail plea on Friday.

Bihar: Conjoined twins' family welcomes SC verdict

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:29:55 +0530

The Supreme Court's order has come as a huge relief for the parents of the conjoined twins, who are now being taken care by Patna's leading hospital. Following the Supreme Court's order that the Bihar government should take the full responsibility of the conjoined twins' medical treatment, the hospital has been looking after the sisters.

All Mahadalit families must be provided land: Nitish

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:08:36 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday directed the revenue department to provide land by this fiscal to all Mahadalit families in the state for housing.

SC orders Bihar government to take care of conjoined twins

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:50:28 +0530

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Bihar government to give financial help to conjoined twins Saba and Farah Saleem and take care of their medical expenses along with regular check up of the twins. Directing the state government to provide financial help to the family of the twins, the court also ordered Patna Medical College and Hospital to undertake regular checkups of Saba and Farah.

Bihar: Call centre in Madhubani a lifeline for farmers

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:56:40 +0530

A call centre is proving to be quite a lifeline for farmers in Madhubani in Bihar. It is an initiative by Delhi-based Drishti Foundation and is proving to be central to the economy of agriculture in the region.

Bihar: 3 children burnt to death, 1000 huts gutted

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:47:46 +0530

Three children were killed when a fire broke out in hutments in Bihar's Khagaria district, police said today. The fire broke out last night in a kitchen and soon spread to other hutments, destroying over 100 thatched huts, Circle Officer Pradeep Sinha said.

Maoists blow up railway track in Bihar to enforce strike

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 05:12:31 +0530

Maoists on Saturday blew up a railway track in Bihar to enforce a two-day strike called by them to protest against the killing of their cadres in Jharkhand, railway police said. Ten Maoists were killed in a gun battle with the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), a rival splinter group of the Maoists, in Chatra district of Jharkhand on the intervening night of March 27-28, 2013.

450 houses, shops gutted in fire in Patna and Munger

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:40:21 +0530

Over 450 houses and shops were gutted and four persons injured in separate incident of fire in Bihar's Munger and Patna districts today, officials said. A major fire broke out in Bahadur Nagar and Kutlupur villages in Munger district gutting 350 houses, while four perons, including a woman and two minor girls, sustained burn injuries, the District Magistrate Kuldeep Narayan said.

Bihar: Man manages to pave way through a mountain

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:59:57 +0530

For 18 years his hammers rang across the mountainside. And for 18 years Ramachandra Das ignored his family and worked like a man possessed to build a road through the mountain.

Women reservation in Bihar will empower them, says Nitish

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 06:00:29 +0530

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said the state government's decision to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in the cooperative bodies will go a long way towards empowering the fair gender in Bihar. Intervening during the Cooperative Minister Ramadhar Singh's reply to debate on the Bihar Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2013, he said, the decision to provide 50 per cent reservation to the women in the cooperative bodies will be a positive move in the direction of their empowerment.

Bihar: Alleged rape victim burns perpetrator to death

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:11:39 +0530

A woman set on fire a man who had allegedly raped her in Soiya village in Patna district, police said on Tuesday. The woman caught hold of Bhola Thakur allegedly after he had outraged her modesty on Monday night at her home and poured kerosene on him before allegedly setting him on fire with a matchstick, the sources said.

Unidentified persons rape and murder first year student

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:30:49 +0530

A college girl was allegedly raped and murdered by unidentified persons in Bihar's Begusarai district, district police said on Monday. The 17 year-old BSc first year student was allegedly raped on Sunday night and later stabbed to death.

Nitish not in favour of politicians running sports bodies

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:15:54 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday took exception to politicians and businessmen running sports organisations saying sports persons who should be at the helm of such affairs. Intervening during the speech of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sukhda Pandey in favour of the 'Bihar Sports Association Registration, Affiliation and Regulation Bill, 2013,' in the assembly, he said this system was not good for sports persons and sports.

Ashok Choudhary appointed as new PCC chief of Bihar

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:15:20 +0530

Congress on Sunday appointed a young dalit leader Ashok Choudhary, considered close to Rahul Gandhi, as the new PCC chief of Bihar, two and a half years after Mehboob Ali Qaiser resigned from the post following the drubbing in the last assembly elections. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has appointed Ashok Choudhary as president of the Bihar unit of the party, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

NHRC summons Bihar Police chief in missing girl case

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 06:35:02 +0530

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned the Bihar Police chief to appear before it for failing to submit a report on a minor girl missing since September 18, 2012. The NHRC has asked Director General of Police Abhyanand to appear before it personally at its office in New Delhi on May 3.

Bihar ex-minister's son arrested for vehicle theft

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:35:49 +0530

The son of a former Bihar minister was arrested for stealing two sports utility vehicles (SUVs), police said in Ptna on Saturday. Mukesh Sahni, son of Ramashray Sahni - who was animal husbandry minister in the Lalu Prasad government in the 1990s - was arrested in Belari village in Bihar's Samastipur district for the theft of two SUVs.

MP replaces Bihar as state with highest GDP growth

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:41:56 +0530

Madhya Pradesh has dislodged Bihar from its number one position in terms of highest GDP growth. The provisional data released by the Central Statistical Organisation for the year gone by shows Bihar's growth in per capita income has also been a disappointment when compared to MP.

People excited over special status to Bihar, says Nitish

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:20:23 +0530

The Holi this year has brought added joy to the people of Bihar amid heightening excitement and anticipation that the state could be granted special status, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Wednesday. Celebrating Holi at his official residence, Kumar could not hide his joy with the Centre reportedly considering to grant 'backward' status to the state and said: "this Holi appears to be special."

Nitish Kumar beats Narendra Modi in 'pichkari' battle

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:10:17 +0530

It is a contest between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi - and the former is ahead. "Pichkaris (colour sprinklers)" with pictures of the two leaders are doing brisk business in the markets here ahead of Holi.

False gallantry awards claims: Bihar Police yet to start probe

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:01:51 +0530

On Friday, CNN-IBN and Open Magazine aired an explosive video of CRPF commandos stating that a Bihar Superintendent of Police and his SHO fraudulently claimed gallantry awards for an encounter in which they never took part. Two CRPF commandos, Ramzan and Imtiaz, who braved the bullets to fight the Naxals during the Rohtas encounter in January 2012, said they were sidelined for the awards.

No question of sidelining anyone: CRPF DG

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:53:39 +0530

Downplaying the allegations that police sidelined CRPF personnel by recommending the names of two of its officers for the gallantry awards for an encounter, CRPF Director General Pranay Sahay said the recommendation of Bihar Police officials is a proposal of the state government.

Bihar: 10 feared dead as boat capsizes in Bhagalpur

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:00:48 +0530

Ten persons were feared drowned and many others missing when a country boat capsized in the Ganga in Bihar's Bhagalpur district Saturday morning.

Bihar policemen claim awards based on false Naxal encounter claims

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:57:29 +0530

The Bihar Police recommended the names of two of its personnel for the President's gallantry medals allegedly for an encounter they did not take part in, a CNN-IBN and Open magazine expose has revealed. The Rohtas Naxal encounter took place in January 2012 and the CRPF has claimed that its officers partook in the operations and that the Bihar police officers reached the site three hours later. They filed a false FIR and reported shooting eight rounds of cartridges during the shootout in which three Naxals were killed.

Bihar: 1 killed, 6 injured as train rams into bus

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:53:37 +0530

A goods train rammed into a bus at an unmanned railway crossing near Saraigarh in Bihar's Supaul district on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and six others injured.

Actor-MLA complaints neglect of local artistes on Bihar divas

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:19:59 +0530

Actor-legislator Vinay Bihari today complained that the state government was spending exorbitant sums on Bollywood stars for Bihar Diwas ignoring regional artistes.

Bihar: Nearly 1,600 students expelled for cheating in board exams

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:15:43 +0530

Nearly 1,600 students, caught cheating in Bihar's Class 10 boards, were expelled from the exams and over 100 parents who helped them use unfair means were arrested, an official said on Monday.

Nitish Kumar 'hopeful' after meeting Prime Minister

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 06:22:48 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister and the Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar on Monday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia to discuss granting of special status to Bihar. Nitish said the meeting with the Prime Minister has given him a hope that the issue would be taken up at a higher level.

Bihar's special status: Nitish meets Chidambaram

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:22:53 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia on special status for Bihar on Monday.

Real hero Kabita Bhattarai treats leprosy patients for free

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:18:02 +0530

There will be only few who would venture close to a leper, leave alone tend and care, but the way Kabita Bhattarai reaches out to them is extraordinary. Setting up an ashram in a remote corner near the Bihar-Nepal border, she has treated nearly half a million patients for free in her 240-bed leprosy hospital.

Nitish Kumar makes a pitch for national stage ahead of 2014 elections

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 08:25:35 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made a pitch for the national stage ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a massive rally in the national capital on Sunday. Nitish made an attempt to pitch his growth model against Narendra Modi's Gujarat model.

Nitish brings his fight for Bihar to Delhi, keeps options for 2014 open

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:19:00 +0530

Signalling his intentions of playing a bigger role in national politics, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar on Sunday addressed a huge rally at New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday and declared that his fight for a special status to the state would continue till the Centre accepted it.

Congress does nothing for backward states, says BJP

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 05:12:23 +0530

Commenting at Nitish Kumar's Adhikar rally in New Delhi, BJP slammed the Congress for not doing much to improve backwards states. "Backward states should stop expecting anything from Congress. When BJP-led NDA will come to power, we will take care of everyone. Congress will do nothing for them," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

Adhikar rally: Nitish takes on Centre, Modi; raises pitch for 2014

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:02:44 +0530

In his first foray into national politics, Bihar Chief Minsiter Nitish Kumar came up with a powerful political statement at the Adhikar rally in Ramlila Maidan in the capital. He admitted that while Finance Minister P Chidambaram's Budget 2013 had showed concern for Bihar, the state had largely been treated unfairly by the Centre.

Adhikar rally live: Won't rest till Bihar is granted special status, says Nitish

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:02:50 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will make his first foray into national politics in the run up to the next General Elections in a massive show of strength in the capital on Sunday. Kumar will address a rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan seeking special status for Bihar.

Special status for Bihar: Nitish to hold rally in Delhi today

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 07:26:51 +0530

Prepared to fight next LS polls in Bihar alone: JD(U)

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:12:00 +0530

National Democratic Alliance constituent and ruling party in Bihar Janata Dal (United) has said it is prepared to fight the next Lok Sabha elections alone in the state if the situation demands and its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party ceases to exist. On the eve of JD(U) rally in Delhi, dubbed by many as a show of strength, party general secretary and spokesperson Shivanand Tiwary said the JD(U) wanted the alliance to continue but at the same time the party was prepared "to contest all the seats with all our strength".

Bihar: Ransom calls make life tough for Motihari’s rich

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:06:45 +0530

The deterioration in the law and order in Bihar in the last few months have led to questions being raised on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar government's claims of providing good administration in the state.

Hyderabad blasts: NIA detains 4 suspects from Bihar

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:52:11 +0530

The National Investigation Agency has detained four suspects from Munger in Bihar in connection with the Hyderabad blasts of February 2013. Earlier on Wednesday, a Delhi court remanded suspected Indian Mujahideen operative Obaid-ur-Rehman in seven days of NIA custody in connection with the February 21 Hyderabad blasts case.

Bihar: 200 Class X students expelled for cheating

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:08:53 +0530

More than 200 school students, caught cheating in the Class 10 board exam, were expelled and nearly 100 parents, who helped them use unfair means, were arrested in Bihar on Wednesday.

Bihar: Hardcore Maoist arrested in Aurangabad

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:17:31 +0530

A hardcore Maoist was arrested on Wednesday from a village in Bihar's Aurangabad district, police said.

Ramvilas Paswan demands President rule in Bihar

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:42:04 +0530

Lokjanshakti Party president Ramvilas Paswan on Tuesday demanded imposition of President rule in Bihar in the wake of 'brutal' police lathicharge on agitating teachers which attracted adverse comments from Supreme Court.

Patna: Police lathicharge protestors agitating against a student's murder

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:46:36 +0530

Police on Tuesday lathicharged protesting students in Patna who were agitating against the murder of a student on Monday evening. Reports say students at a hostel affiliated to the Patna University had an altercation with some locals. One of the students had died in the ensuing firing.

Bihar: 13-year-old boy ends life over mobile phone

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:49:43 +0530

A 13-year-old boy committed suicide by consuming poison in a village in Bihar's Gaya district after his parents refused to give him a mobile phone that he repeatedly asked for, police said on Saturday.

SC seeks explanation from states on police brutality in Punjab, Bihar

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:07:59 +0530

The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognizance of police lathicharge on a woman in Tarn Taran and contractual teachers in Bihar. The court has sought explanation by Monday from both the states on the conduct of the police and has directed the Attorney General to assist the matter.

Police hunt doctors who abandoned victims during Bihar floods

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:52:38 +0530

Police in Bihar are searching for eight doctors charged with dereliction of duty following complaints they abandoned survivors who needed medical assistance during devastating floods more than four years ago, police said.

Bihar: Police lathicharge protesting contract teachers

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:41:22 +0530

The Bihar Police on Tuesday afternoon resorted to lathicharge against a group of protesting contract teachers. The teachers had been protesting peacefully when suddenly the police started raining blows on them.

Ex-JD(U) leader Upendra forms a new political party

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 07:50:20 +0530

A month after quitting the Rajya Sabha seat as well as the JD(U)'s primary membership, senior leader Upendra Kushwaha on Sunday launched political party Rashtriya Lok Samata Party with a pledge to oust the NDA government in Bihar.

High population in Bihar a matter of concern: Nitish Kumar

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:33:29 +0530

The high population growth rate in Bihar is a matter of concern and if it continues, it will double by 2051 and erode economic growth, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday. "If the population growth rate continues in the years to come, our population will double by 2051 and put insurmountable pressure on infrastructure, resources and land in particular that cannot be stretched to accommodate the growing number of people," Kumar said at a paediatricians' conference in Patna.

Does Nitish's praise of Budget hint at realignment?

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:56:38 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose party JD(U) is an ally of the BJP, on Thursday lavished praise on Finance Minister P Chidambaram for Union Budget. Nitish Kumar's praising Chidambaram indicated that political permutations and combinations may soon change as his stand on the Union Budget is contradictory to the BJP's which criticised it for being nothing more than verbose.

JD(U) retains Kalyanpur Assembly seat

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:01:32 +0530

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal(United) on Thursday retained the Kalyanpur assembly seat, with its candidate Manju Kumari defeating Lok Janshakti Party's Rekha Paswan by over 17,000 votes, an election official said.

World Bank lauds Bihar's high growth rate

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:29:35 +0530

A senior officer of World Bank on Wednesday praised the high growth rate achieved by Bihar which indicates that an "encouraging" environment of progress has been created for faster economic development of the hitherto laggard state.

India's 'dolphin man' does his best to save the aquatic animal

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:46:31 +0530

Professor RK Sinha of Patna University is popularly known as India's dolphin man. Thanks to him, dolphins have now been declared as the National Aquatic Animal.

Pakistani team learning success of polio drive in Bihar

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:40:09 +0530

Impressed with success of anti-polio campaign in Bihar, a four-member team from Pakistan is in Patna on the invitation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take tips about the programme particularly in minority Muslim dominated areas.

Hyderabad blasts: NIA to quiz duo arrested from Indo-Nepal border

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:30:03 +0530

A team of the National Investigation Agency is visiting Raxaul in Bihar to interrogate two suspects there in connection with the Hyderabad blasts. The two suspects, one a resident of Hyderabad and the other a Somalian national, had been arrested on Saturday evening from a village in Raxaul on the Indo-Nepal border, by immigration officials.

Kanpur: 8 arrested for conducting sex determination test

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 08:55:14 +0530

Eight people, including five doctors were arrested on Saturday for allegedly conducting sex determination tests. Raids were conducted in different hospitals after a local NGO informed the District Magistrate.

NDA established rule of law in Bihar with great difficulty: Nitish

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 01:39:24 +0530

The NDA government in Bihar has established rule of law with great difficulty with the help of police and judiciary and it would make all efforts to maintain an environment of peace prevailing in the state, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday.

Montek's plane waits in air as cows invade airstrip

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:39:36 +0530

A plane carrying Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia could not land for quite some time on Saturday due to a cow herd grazing on the airstrip near Darbhanga and it touched down only after officials stepped in and shooed the cattle away.

Hackers post bomb threat on Bihar Tourism website

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 06:18:48 +0530

A threat of Hyderabad-like blasts to avenge the hanging of Afzal Guru was posted on the website of Bihar Tourism department after it was attacked by hackers Saturday morning. Bihar Tourism minister Sunil Kumar Pintu said the website www.bihartourism.gov.in remained hacked from morning till 2:30 pm.

Bihar has highest conviction rate in the country: Nitish

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 03:40:28 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday praised the judiciary for assisting the state government in ushering in the rule of law as a result of which Bihar has attained the highest conviction rate in the country.

Raids on officials' premises yield around Rs 100 cr in cash, properties

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:37:25 +0530

Cash, investment documents and luxurious cars worth around Rs 100 crore were seized during searches by Bihar police at the premises belonging to four officials, including suspended DIG Alok Kumar, it was claimed in Patna on Thursday.

Opposition leader in Bihar surrenders security

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:53:14 +0530

Leader of Opposition in Bihar, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, has surrendered his security following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's claim that law and order situation is good in the state. "When everybody is protected in Bihar, what is the need of security for VIPs?" Siddiqui said in a letter to state police chief Abhyanand on Wednesday.

Bihar: Strike hits financial, transport services

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:59:21 +0530

Transport and financial services were hit in Bihar on Thursday on the second day of the two-day strike called by central trade unions to protest the central government's economic policies.

Dalits denied water, NHRC issues notice to Bihar

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:15:58 +0530

The NHRC on Wednesday sought a report from the Bihar government over the denial of water to Dalits by upper caste people in Kishanganj.

Bharat bandh: Strike hits normal life in Bihar

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:00:58 +0530

Normal life was paralysed in Bihar on Tuesday, the first day of the two-day strike called by the central trade unions, official sources said. The market and business establishments remained shut at many places in Bihar even as the bandh supporters were seen forcing the traders to down shutters of their shops, they said.

Bihar: BJP ministers call RJD MLAs 'Pakistani agents'

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:07:21 +0530

Bihar Assembly on Tuesday saw bedlam with RJD members demanding resignation of two BJP ministers for allegedly calling them 'Pakistani agents' after they protested against school students being made to do the 'surya namakar' yoga asana. RJD members started shouting that the two ministers called them 'Pakistani agents' during Governor Devanand Konwar's address to the joint session of the state legislature on Monday and claimed that RSS agenda was being foisted in making school students offer surya namaskar.

Bihar: MLA protests against govt policies with liquor bottles

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:15:55 +0530

The Bihar assembly's month-long budget session began in Patna on Monday on a stormy note as the opposition parties attacked the government over its liquor policy, poor law and order situation, and rampant corruption in the state.

Congress MLC disrupts Bihar Governor's address

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 04:57:51 +0530

Bihar Governor Devanand Konwar was heckled by a Congress woman lawmaker on Monday during his address to joint session of state legislature over alleged corruption in appointment of Vice-Chancellors prompting him to admonish her.

Bihar potato farmer sets new world record

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 03:45:58 +0530

Bihar's farmers have done it again. A farmer from Sohdih village of Bihar's Nalanda district has set a new world record in potato production through organic farming this year. The potato farmer, Rakesh Kumar, has harvested 108.8 tonnes of potato per hecrtare and set a new world record in potato production, Nalanda district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agrawal said on February 18.

Bihar pins hope on Chidambaram's budget speech

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:08:18 +0530

The people of Bihar have pinned their hopes on Union Finance minister P Chidambaram for consideration of their demand for special status, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Friday. Kumar said that the Union minister was recently quoted as saying that the Centre would explore what it could do to help the states lagging behind the average national development ratio.

Patna gets world's tallest Gandhi statue

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 06:01:38 +0530

With a towering height of 70 feet, the world's tallest statute of Mahatma Gandhi was on Friday unveiled in Bihar. Bapu is seen standing affectionately with two children on either side in the bronze statue constructed at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Bihar: Molester sets woman on fire in Bettiah

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 02:21:16 +0530

A Dalit woman was set on fire when she opposed her molestation by a known anti-social of the area in Bettiah district, Bihar. The accused doused the woman with kerosene when she resisted their attempts to molest her and then set her on fire.

Bihar: Jilted lover arrested for chopping off girl's nose

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:39:11 +0530

A young girl's nose was chopped off by her jilted lover, who also made an unsuccessful attempt to rape her in Bihar's Kishanganj district, police said on Tuesday.

Bihar village bans jeans, T-shirt, mobile phones for girls

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:08:32 +0530

After three of its girls went missing, a village in Bihar's Siwan district has barred girls from using mobile phones and wearing jeans and T-shirts, an official said on February 11. The villagers also imposed heavy fines on girls if they violated the diktat.

Patna: Constable arrested for molesting girl child

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:19:25 +0530

A police constable was arrested and sent to jail on Saturday on charge of molesting a five-year-old girl near Birla Mandir in Patna.

Sri Lanka President arrives at Bodh Gaya

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 02:26:15 +0530

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajpaksa, accompanied by his wife Shiranthi Rajpaksa and a 70-member delegation, on Friday arrived at the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya for pilgrimage.

Bihar: Murder convict reforms self, teaches 300 children free of charge

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:56:37 +0530

A murder convict has not just reformed himself, but is also helping build a secure future for many poor children in Bihar. Out of jail after 14 years, Dipak Kumar runs a school and teaches more than 300 poor children almost free of charge.

No special status for Bihar: Montek Singh Ahluwalia

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 02:20:20 +0530

Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Monday said it was not possible to grant Bihar the status of a special category state but its special package can be improved.

Bihar: Rapist gets death within four days of trial

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 08:15:50 +0530

A rapist at Katihar has been sentenced to death within four days of being produced before a fast-track court. The accused had been charged with raping his 3-year-old niece. He had also allegedly strangled her to death.

JD(U) leader Tyagi files nomination for RS from Bihar

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 04:48:02 +0530

KC Tyagi, senior JD(U) leader and close confidante of party president Sharad Yadav, on February 2 filed nomination for the lone Rajya Sabha seat vacant from Bihar following resignation of rebel leader Upendra Kushwaha.

Anna recreates JP's aura in Patna, launches Janatantra Morcha

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:02:29 +0530

Anti-graft activist Anna Hazare, who launched his Janatantra Morcha in Patna on Wednesday, sought to recreate the aura of legendary socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan and conducted himself in a manner to remind one and all about the leader who had launched the first movement against corruption in the country about three decades ago.

Bihar: Sex worker leaves past behind, elected twice as ward councillor

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:43:38 +0530

A sex worker turned politician and was twice elected as the ward councillor of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. Rani Begum has now put her past behind and is working towards a better future for people like her. "Initially, I faced difficulties working in the society. But gradually, when people saw my work they starting accepting me," Rani Begum said.

Anna Hazare to hold rally in Patna today

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:11:56 +0530

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare will be holding a rally in Patna on Wednesday to launch a farmers' movement. The movement will be extended to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka over the next year.

Soon, Bihar prisoners to get multi-purpose smart card

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:59:36 +0530

Bihar will issue a multi-purpose smart card - a first of its kind in the country - to more than 33,000 prisoners in its 56 jails, an official said on Friday.

Lalu Prasad is like a fish without water: Nitish

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:14:38 +0530

In a veiled attack on bete noir RJD President Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said being out of power his condition resembled 'a fish out of water'.

RJD Lok Sabha MP Umashankar Singh dead

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:45:51 +0530

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lok Sabha MP Umashankar Singh died on Thursday morning at a hospital in New Delhi, his family said.

West Bengal: Mamata blames crib deaths on Bihar patients

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:20:33 +0530

Attributing crib deaths to underweight and malnourished babies, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday labelled the influx of patients from neighbouring Bihar as a problem. "You know what our problem is? Many people from Bihar bring their children for treatment to hospitals in Malda and Murshidabad (districts)," Mamata said while inaugurating a fair price medicine shop here.

Bihar's tilkut makers' global dreams

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:07:02 +0530

Tilkut or bars of sesame seeds - a sweet cracker made by mixing the seeds either with jaggery or sugar - that is indelibly linked to Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism, has been growing patrons not only in Bihar, but also in neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, and also the US.

Top Indian Mujahideen operative arrested by NIA

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:24:56 +0530

A top Indian Mujahideen operative was on Monday arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bihar. The arrested Indian Mujahideen operative was identified as Danish.

'Bihar DGP to act against Saran DIG in bribe case'

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 05:47:04 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked Director General of Police Abhayanand to take the strictest possible action against senior Indian Police (IPS) officer and Saran Range DIG Alok Kumar for allegedly demanding Rs 10 crore bribe from a liquor merchant and threatening to falsely implicate him if he failed to pay the amount.

Bihar: Robbers shoot dead one while trying to loot train

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:12:08 +0530

ne person was killed and two others were injured after they were shot at by robbers for resisting their attempt to loot passengers on a moving train in Champaran district. About eight robbers, who boarded the Gorakhpur-Sonepur passenger train at Sugauli station, fired nine rounds on the passengers injuring three of them, one of whom died later in a hospital, official sources said.

Bihar: People paint gods on trees to save them from being cut

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:53:11 +0530

Green activists in Mithilanchal in Bihar have come up with a bright new idea of preventing deforestation. They've started painting the Madhubani painting, featuring gods and goddesses on tree trunks. Gods and goddesses adorn the canvas on tree trunks across the highway and this is a unique initiative, started by the locals to save the trees from being felled.

Bihar farmers better than scientists, says Nobel laureate

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:18:02 +0530

Nobel laureate Joseph E Stiglitz is impressed by the organic farming practices in Bihar's Nalanda district, terming its practitioners "better than scientists" and calling for their experiences to be researched so that these can be replicated elsewhere. "Indian farmers are better than scientists," Stiglitz said here after visiting organic farmers in Nalanda, the home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

JD(U) rally in Delhi for special status for Bihar

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 02:28:29 +0530

The ruling Janata Dal (United) on Monday decided to organise a massive rally in Delhi on March 17 to press for its demand for grant of special category status to Bihar by the Centre to spur growth. The rally would be attended by a large number of people from Bihar and those from the state living in Delhi, Bihar JD(U) President Vashist Narayan Singh told reporters after a meeting of party MPs, MLAs and MLCs chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Bihar: Men gangrape woman, strangulate her to death

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:19:16 +0530

In a grim reminder of the horrific Delhi rape case, a woman who got down from a Delhi-bound train in Bhagalpur district, was gangraped, killed and her body hung from a tree in a mango orchard.

Bihar's per capita income doubles in 8 years

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:37:03 +0530

Indicative of its impressive growth, Bihar's per capita income has almost doubled since 2004. But it is still well below the national average, a state minister says. Planning and Development Minister Narendra Narayan Yadav said that Bihar's per capita income in 2011-12 was Rs 15,268, which was still far behind the national average of Rs 35,993.

25 killed, 10 injured in Bihar road accident

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:16:23 +0530

Twenty-five people, including 11 children, were killed and 10 others injured when a speeding truck overturned and fell into a roadside ditch near Titai Bigha in Aurangabad district in the wee hours on Thursday. Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Praveen Kumar Parai said from the accident spot that the injured had told him the truck driver was drunk and that he along with his assistant fled from the spot.

Bihar CM orders inquiry into Aurangabad road accident

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:18:00 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on January 10 ordered an inquiry into the Aurangabad road accident which claimed 25 lives. Condoling the loss of lives, Kumar ordered the district magistrate and superintendent of police to inquire under what circumstances people were being carried in a truck meant for freight, an official statement said here.

Case filed against Asaram for remarks on Delhi gangrape

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:52:05 +0530

A case was filed in a local court in Bihar against the self-styled godman Asaram Bapu for his remarks in connection with the Delhi gangrape case and the court has taken cognisance of it. The complaint case against the godman was filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate(CJM) SP Singh, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Bihar: HC grants bail to teacher convicted of killing BJP MLA

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:04:49 +0530

The Patna High Court on Tuesday granted bail to school teacher Rupam Pathak in connection with the murder of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raj Kishore Keshari two years ago. A division bench of Justice BN Sinha and Justice Shivaji Pandey granted the bail to Pathak, who is serving life sentence in Beur jail in Patna.

Patna: Girl tries to commit suicide before CM

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:56:07 +0530

A polio-stricken girl, looking for a job, on Monday tried to commit suicide by slashing her hand by a blade in front of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna. The incident occurred when the Chief Minister was busy talking to people in his weekly 'Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri' programme.

To escape molester, woman jumps from speeding train

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:24:14 +0530

A woman jumped from a speeding express train suffering injuries on her head and legs to escape from molesters who were identified as Army jawans near Ara junction in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Thursday, officials said.

Bihar panchayat bans use of mobile phones by girls

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:00:40 +0530

After a panchayat in Kishanganj district imposed fine on women using cellphones in December, another one in Siwan district has banned use of mobiles and wearing short dress by school and college girls. The ruling was adopted at a meeting of Siswa Kala panchayat under Hasanpur police station on Wednesday to stop crime against women, Sarpanch Vijaykant Kunwar said.

Cong demands all-party meet on special status for Bihar

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:24:12 +0530

Congress in Bihar on Jaunary 3 accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of "not being serious" to acquire special category status for the state as he is not calling an all-party meeting to press for the demand before the centre.

Bihar ministers richer than Nitish Kumar

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 04:56:46 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is poorer than his cabinet colleagues as far as cash assets are concerned. According to details of movable and immovable assets declared by the chief minister and his cabinet ministers for 2012, Nitish Kumar has Rs 14,475 in cash. This was less than the Rs 46,974 he had in 2011.

Bihar: College student alleges gangrape, then retracts

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:55:14 +0530

A Bihar college student, who at first alleged that she was gangraped by two young men from her village, later retracted her statement despite a medical test proving her charges to be true. The 17-year-old student had alleged that she was gangraped three days ago.

Parents of Delhi gangrape accused lock themselves

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 11:30:43 +0530

Saryug Singh, father of Delhi gangrape accused Akshay Thakur, has locked himself in his house along with his wife while security men deputed outside are saying they can hear frequent wails from inside since the the Delhi braveheart lost her battle for life. Thakur, one of the six accused, was arrested by a joint team of Delhi and Bihar police from his house in Lahankarma.

Bihar: Hospital employee rapes differently-abled woman

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:54:40 +0530

A differently-abled woman was allegedly raped by an employee of the Sadar hospital here in Bihar's East Champaran district, police said on Sunday. Acting on the complaint of locals, District Civil Surgeon Saroj Singh lodged an FIR against Ram Sakal Ram in the town police station, Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar said.

Bihar MLA accuses husband of trying to poison son

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 04:41:42 +0530

The Bihar Police on Friday arrested husband of JD(U) MLA Bima Bharti on complaint of the legislator that he was trying to kill their son. An FIR was lodged by Bharti, MLA from Rupauli assembly seat in Purnea district, against her husband Awdesh Mandal.

Nitish pitches for Bihar's special category status

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:02:13 +0530

Unfazed by the Planning Commission disapproving his demand to grant special category status to Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday made a strong pitch for it, alleging the Centre's Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) did not consider the issue with seriousness.

Bihar: Cold wave kills 11 more lives, toll touches 18

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:12:05 +0530

The prevailing intense cold wave has claimed 11 more lives in Bihar, taking the total number of deaths in the state due to inclement weather to 18, an official said on December 27. "The inclement weather claimed 11 more lives within a span of 24 hours, taking the death toll to 18 in the state," an official of the state disaster management department here said.

Bihar is fastest growing state, Gujarat left behind

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:03:37 +0530

In a huge turnaround, Bihar has emerged as the fastest growing state in the country with a figure of 10.9 per cent, overtaking Gujarat whose growth has dipped. According to the Planning Commission data, Bihar was the slowest growing state during 2001-05 period with GDP figure of 2.9 per cent. However, between 2006 and 2010, it grew at 10.9 per cent, becoming the fastest growing state and shedding the tag of BIMARU (an acronym for sick states).

Delhi gangrape: Sixth accused arrested in Bihar

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:51:14 +0530

The police on Friday arrested the sixth accused in connection with the gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus in the national capital. The sixth accused was arrested by the police from Aurangabad in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar remains silent on Narendra Modi's victory

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 03:29:04 +0530

Even as congratulations poured in for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for winning three successive Assembly polls in the state, his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar is keeping a stoic silence, which has set the tongues wagging.

Nitish to raise special status plea at NDC meet

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:44:06 +0530

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said he would raise the demand for special status state for Bihar at the National Development Council meeting. The chief minister whose party JD(U) had organised a massive rally on November 4 on the demand said, "I will raise the issue in the forthcoming meeting of the National Development Council."

Bihar: 8-year-old girl gangraped, killed

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:01:28 +0530

A minor girl was allegedly gangraped and murdered in Bihar's Saharsa district.

Bihar: Man asks for death sentence for his son

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:26:10 +0530

A father on Tuesday demanded death sentence for his son for allegedly killing his step-mother and two step-sisters in the state capital. "I simply want death sentence for my son. He has committed an unforgivable crime," Gopal Sharan Singh, a retired government official said.

Gaya hooch tragedy main accused surrenders

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:08:46 +0530

Rajkumar Yadav alias Mantu Yadav, brother of Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Surendra Yadav, who is the main accused in the hooch tragedy in Bihar's Gaya district that claimed at least 20 lives, on Monday surrendered before a court. Yadav arrived in the district court virtually unnoticed and surrendered before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate RNS Pandey.

Bihar: Trader's son goes missing, 2 detained

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 10:42:51 +0530

A trader's 14-year-old son has gone missing from his friend's house in a locality under Town police station area in Bihar's Nawada district, police said on Sunday. The trader Pradeep Agrawal's son Abhishek has been missing since Saturday after he visited his friend Satyam Kumar's house, the sources said.

Girl sets herself ablaze after being molested

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 10:11:05 +0530

A girl allegedly committed suicide on Saturday at Chatakpur in Ranchi after being molested. She poured an inflammable substance and set herself ablaze, a senior police officer with the Ratu police station said.

Patna: KFC outlet running without a licence sealed

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:36:55 +0530

Bihar's first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet has been sealed after it was found to be running without a licence, state Food Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said on Friday.

Bihar: Students from Belgium donate Rs 2 cr build TB centre

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:02:46 +0530

Students from Belgium are in Bihar on a special mission - to build a tuberculosis research centre in Darbhanga. They have not only donated a whopping sum of Rs 2 crore for the project, but are also working as labourers.

Fodder scam: CBI court rejects petition against Bihar CM

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:54:46 +0530

Relief for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and JD-U leader Sivanand Tiwari as a special CBI court has rejected a petition seeking to indict the two in a Rs 950 crore fodder scam case, on grounds that there wasn't adequate proof of their involvement. Even earlier, the court had declined the petition but the petitioner got direction from the High Court for the case to be heard in a lower court.

Tourism emerging as sunrise sector in Bihar

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:00:44 +0530

Tourism is emerging as a sunrise sector in Bihar where the number of tourists has been doubled in just years "due to improvement in law and order".

Bihar: Three more die due to spurious liquor

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:23:29 +0530

Three more people died on Tuesday after drinking spurious liquor in Gaya district, taking the total number of hooch deaths in Bihar this month to 28. Almost a dozen others are battling for their lives in hospital.

Bihar: Eight more die after drinking illicit liquor

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 02:20:59 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Monday said that the state government has launched a crackdown on illegal liquor traders.

Nitish favours quota for SC/STs in promotion

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 04:49:45 +0530

ith Parliament set to take up Amendment Bill to restore quota in promotion for SC/STs, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he favoured the legislation. "I and my party JD(U) is in favour of the Bill for restoration of quota in promotion for SC/STs," Kumar told reporters emerging from his favourite "Janata ke darbar me mukhya mantri" programme.

Rebel JD(U) MP who voted for FDI to resign from RS, party

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 06:22:19 +0530

Rebel JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha, who voted in favour of FDI in multi-brand retail against the party stand, on Sunday announced that he would resign as MP and also from the party. "I have decided to quit my membership from Rajya Sabha and also from JD(U) to protest dictatorial attitude of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha said addressing a state-level meeting of a non-political group he has floated with some other disgruntled JD(U) leaders.

Grant special status to Bihar to spur growth, Nitish tells PM

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 04:54:56 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that with per capita income being one third of the country and low developmental indices in all core sectors, the state would need at least 30 years to catch up with the national average and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to grant special category status to the state to spur its growth.

Five more die in Bihar hooch tragedy, toll rises to 13

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 02:10:11 +0530

Five more persons have died after drinking spurious liquor taking the toll to 13 on Saturday in Anaith village and adjoining areas under Nawada police station area in Bihar's Bhojpur district, a police official said.

Bihar: Man beaten to death by nieces over land dispute

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 12:07:45 +0530

A man has been beaten to death by his three nieces over a land dispute in Bihar, police said on Saturday. Harihar Choudhary, a resident of Bhatwalia village in Gopalganj district, was beaten to death by his three nieces while he was ploughing the field Friday, police officer Anand Kumar Pandey said.

Bihar: Seven die after consuming spurious liquor

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:54:47 +0530

At least seven people, including a woman, died after they consumed spurious liquor in a village in Bihar's Bhojpur district, police said on Friday. The incident happened late Thursday in Anitha village in Bhojpur district.

NDA yet to decide its 2014 PM candidate: Nitish

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:11:13 +0530

Amid suggestions by some BJP leaders that Narendra Modi was fit to be the Prime Minister, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said the NDA has not yet decided on its Prime Ministerial candidate and this will be done at a later stage.

Healthcare improving in rural Bihar: Survey

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:54:57 +0530

There has been improvement in the quality of various services in rural Bihar over the past four years with the health facilities leading the improvement rate at 86 per cent, according to a survey.

Bihar village bans mobile phones for women

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 01:08:31 +0530

Bihar govt rejects demand for CBI probe into MNREGA

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:00:26 +0530

The Bihar government rejected the opposition demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged Rs 6,000 crore scam in the implementation of MNREGA in the state on Monday and questioned the 'political motive' behind the survey carried out by a Delhi-based NGO.

UPA cash transfer inspired from Bihar: Nitish

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:58:08 +0530

Describing the direct cash transfer scheme of the Centre as "good" in principle but "bad" in form as it excludes food and fertiliser, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said he would take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bihar: Bank provides grains on loan to Dalit women

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:16:52 +0530

A bank with a difference provides grain on loan to poor Dalit women in Paliganj in Bihar. It saves them from the clutches of upper caste moneylenders.

Patna varsity to witness student polls after 28 yrs

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:13:41 +0530

A notification was issued on Thursday for the Patna University Students Union (PUSU) elections on December 11. The notification has cleared the way for student elections in Patna University after a gap of 28 years.

Bihar Assembly pays tribute to Bal Thackeray

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:44:24 +0530

Bihar legislature on Thursdsay paid rich tributes to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, noted filmmaker Yash Chopra, 'milkman' Verghese Kurien among others on the opening day of its Winter Session. Thackeray who passed away in Mumbai on November 17 was paid tributes by members in the Legislative Council in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is an MLC.

Bihar: '75 per cent of MNREGA funds siphoned off'

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:37:52 +0530

The MGNREGA programme in Bihar has run into a controversy. A survey conducted by an NGO shows that nearly 75 per cent of funds have been allegedly siphoned off by local officials. In some cases, money was allegedly withdrawn in the names of people, who only even exist.

Asia's biggest cattle fair 'Sonepur mela' starts

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:31:29 +0530

The month-long Sonepur mela, Asia's largest cattle fair which has attracted international attention, got off to a colourful start on Tuesday at Sonepur in Saran district amidst tight security. Elephants, horses, dogs, donkeys, ponies, rabbits and goats are sold from the mela, which is also known as the Harihar Kshetra Mela.

Bihar: KBC winner gives tuitions on how to crack the show

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:40:07 +0530

If you've been one of those who wished to try and be part of the reality game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, it's time for you to head to Bihar. An expert at the show, Rs 1 crore winner Anil Kumar Sinha, is giving tuitions on how to ace the reality game show.

Nitish Kumar's report card contains 'wasteful talks': Lalu

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 03:42:26 +0530

RJD President Lalu Prasad on Saturday described as "wasteful talks" the report card presented by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on achievements of his government in the past one year. "The report card contains wasteful talks," Prasad said in his reaction over the report card-2012 presented by the Bihar chief minister.

Bihar village celebrates gifting lathi to Gandhiji

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 04:57:26 +0530

A small village in Bihar's Munger district is celebrating an unusual festival - a three-day 'lathi mahotsav' to commemorate the gifting of a lathi (bamboo stick) to Mahatma Gandhi in 1934. Residents of Ghorghat village, 150 km from Patna and 25 km from Munger district headquarters, celebrate the festival every year. This year it began on Friday.

Chhath stampede: Two cases filed against Bihar CM

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 02:46:33 +0530

Two cases have been filed in separate courts in Patna against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in connection with the stampede on Chhath festival that claimed 17 lives.

Relatives of Bihar victims of Mumbai terror attack happy

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:21:25 +0530

Relatives of victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack on Wednesday in Patna were happy with the execution of Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab. Rukhsana Bano, wife of Mokhtar, who was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, and Israel Ansari, who lost six members of his family, said they are happy that "killer Ajmal Amir Kasab tasted death".

Patna stampede: Nitish govt faces tough questions

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:08:28 +0530

In the Patna Chhath Puja tragedy, fingers are now being pointed officials responsible for building the make shift bamboo bridge along river. Year after year, the people responsible for the arrangements have gotten away with last minute arrangements.

Patna stampede: Keys missing, family awaits body

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:49:43 +0530

There is no end to the misery of one of the families of the Patna stampede victims after hospital authorities refused to hand over the body a four-year-old boy to his family saying it has lost the keys to the morgue.

Bihar Chhath stampede: Inadequate arrangements made?

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:02:00 +0530

At least 17 people were killed in Patna on Monday at a stampede during the Chhath Puja festivities. The incident took place after a makeshift bamboo bridge collapsed, forcing devotees into a narrow lane.

Patna: 17 dead in Chhath stampede, Oppn questions govt

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:48:58 +0530

The Bihar government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the tragic deaths of 17 people during a stampede at the Adalat Ganj ghat in Patna as people thronged the place to celebrate the Chhath festival on Monday. Eyewitnesses had claimed that there was no assistance from the administration even as the situation slowly spiralled out control.

Stampede at Chhath ghat in Patna, 20 feared dead

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 07:39:22 +0530

In a tragic incident in Bihar, a stampede took place at a ghat the Adalat Ganj area in Patna during the Chhath festival on Monday. At least 20 people died and several others got injured during the stampede.

Muslim convict observes Chhath in Bihar jail

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 06:35:52 +0530

A Muslim convict serving out a life term in Bihar's Bhagalpur Central Jail is observing a fast and performing other rituals of Chhath, the most popular Hindu festival of Bihar, jail officials said on Monday.

Bihar: Man, two minor children fall to 'honour killings'

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 01:21:43 +0530

In an another incident of honour killing in Bihar, a man and his two minor children were murdered and his wife critically injured for marrying against her family's wishes, police said on Monday.

Bihar: Muslims join hands with Hindus to construct temple

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 11:22:34 +0530

While violence over the expansion of a Hindu temple near Charminar in Muslim-dominated Hyderabad's Old City is hogging media attention, in Bihar's Sitamarhi district, Muslims have been quietly helping Hindus construct a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, ahead of the Chhath festival.

Bihar: panchayat to impose fines on branding a woman as a witch

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:00:49 +0530

A village panchayat in Bihar on Wednesday said it would impose a fine of Rs 21,000 on anyone branding a woman as a witch. "A panchayat meeting decided to fight branding of women as witches. The panchayat will impose a fine if anyone is found branding a woman as a witch," said Madhumala Devi, head of Mithai panchayat (village council) in Madhepura district.

2G spectrum auction resumes on demand in Bihar

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:44:55 +0530

The second day of auction for 2G spectrum started at 9 AM on Wednesday, on the back of demand for spectrum in the Bihar telecom circle. A Department of Telecommunications official replied in the affirmative when asked if the auction resumed on time on Wednesday morning. "Yes. Eighth round is in progress," the official said.

Bihar open jail inmates to celebrate Diwali with family

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:31:50 +0530

Over 70 prisoners lodged in an open jail in Bihar are eagerly waiting to celebrate the festival of lights with their families inside prison, a unique move by the state which has attracted universal praise. The families of these prisoners, three of whom facing death sentence and many others lifer, have started arriving in the jail for the celebrations.

Search on for proposed nuclear power plant in Bihar

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:02:03 +0530

Reeling under acute power crisis, the Bihar government has expedited process to find out a viable site for construction of the proposed nuclear power plant in the state, an official said on Thursday. "We have expedited the process for identification of a suitable land keeping in mind the availability of perennial water for the proposed nuclear power plant," Bihar State Power Company Limited (BSPCL) Managing Director PK Rai said.

Bihar emerging as hotspot of foreign tourists

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:05:15 +0530

With one out of six foreign tourists heading towards Bihar to visit the historical sites, the state has become a favourite to the tourists from abroad. "One among every six foreign tourists arriving in the country is accepting hospitality of Bihar now," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.

Bihar: 2 die, 20 injured on way to rally in road accidents

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 05:13:23 +0530

Two persons have died and 20 others were injured in road accidents in Bihar while coming for the JD(U)'s "Adhikar rally" here on Sunday, police said. One person died in Samastipur when the minibus in which he was coming to Patna for the rally overturned near Rajdhani chowk under Tazpur police station.

Jailed ex-MLA goes all out to support Nitish's rally

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 05:46:48 +0530

Jailed former legislator Munna Shukla of the ruling Janata Dal (United) on Friday distributed pamphlets appealing to people to participate in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "Adhikar Yatra". The pamphlets were distributed on Friday within the court premises at Muzaffarpur, where Munna Shukla was brought for a hearing, police said.

Bihar implements power sector reforms

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 05:18:54 +0530

The much-awaited power sector reforms formally began in Bihar Thursday, over a decade behind schedule, with five newly set up companies coming into existence.

Bihar: Panchayat member dubbed witch, nose chopped off

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 03:41:52 +0530

In a shocking incident, a woman panchayat member's nose was chopped off by five persons who dubbed her as a witch and beat her up in Bihar's Khagaria district. The woman, a member of Kenjari panchayat, was beaten up on Tuesday on suspicion of practising witchcraft, by five persons.

Dengue grips Bihar, 18 dead, over 1,000 cases reported

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:35:07 +0530

The dengue menace continues in Bihar. Over 300 patients have been admitted to government hospitals so far and 18 people have lost their lives. Many more patients have been admitted to private hospitals and as per rough estimates, the figure could well be over 1,000. Only three blood banks in Patna have the facility to segregate blood platelets crucial for transfusions. The administration claims it's on war footing, but these steps have so far failed to contain the spread of the virus.

Bihar: Woman dubbed witch, burnt alive by relatives

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:51:48 +0530

A 50-year-old woman was allegedly burnt alive by her distant relatives, who claimed she was practising witchcraft in Mae village here, police said on Tuesday.

Action to be taken, says Nitish on ex-MLA's extortion call

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:50:15 +0530

The opposition on Monday slammed the ruling JD(U) after a jailed former MLA allegedly called up an engineering college director demanding Rs two crore, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said action would be taken. After meeting the director, RJD president Lalu Prasad said "this is the true face of the rule of the NDA" of which the JD(U) is the senior partner in Bihar.

Bihar government to open gym, library in jails

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:27:00 +0530

Initiating a unique experiment, the Bihar government has decided to set up a gymnasium and a library in all its jails to promote physical and mental health of prisoners. "The jail department has released money for setting up a gym and a library in all the eight central jails and 31 districts prisons across Bihar," Director General, Prisons, Anand Kishore told PTI on Saturday.

Mohd Tazmul is defying clerics to worship Goddess Durga

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 07:52:26 +0530

Mohammad Tazmul is a devoted Muslim. He leads a simple life, beginning his day with the Namaj. But after this, there is a tectonic shift to his existence, especially during the festival season. Tazmul worships Maa Durga and leads a Bhajan troupe during the 9 days of Navratra. "When I came here in 2009, I was really shocked to see him making his contribution in every morning prayers," says Krishnanad Acharya.

Bihar: Naxals blow up anti-landmine vehicle of CRPF, 3 dead

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:39:38 +0530

Naxals blew up an a CRPF anti-landmine vehicle at Dumaria in Gaya district in Bihar early on Thursday. Three CRPF personnel were reportedly killed in the blast.

Bihar police gets transit remand of 'murdered' Bihar boy

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:55:50 +0530

The teenaged boy, whose purported murder had sparked off riots in Madhubani district of Bihar, has been handed over to the state police by a court here to take him back as a case of kidnapping was lodged against him. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Raghubir Singh gave Bihar police the transit remand of 17-year-old boy who was spotted by a man from the state in Mehrauli here along with his minor girl companion.

'Slain' Bihar boy found sipping tea at a stall in Delhi

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:31:55 +0530

The Bihar boy whose alleged murder triggered riots and protests in Madhubani was found sipping tea at a stall in Delhi.

Some people suffer from virus of impatience: Nitish

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:55:23 +0530

In a veiled attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav, whose party supported a Left sponsored Bihar strike, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said some people were suffering from 'the virus of impatience' to dislodge his government, but they would not succeed.

Boy whose 'death' triggered Bihar bandh found in Delhi

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 06:45:25 +0530

The schoolboy, whose alleged murder triggered large scale violence in Madhubani district of Bihar and prompted a statewide bandh by the opposition parties on Monday, was found in New Delhi along with a girl with whom he had reportedly eloped.

Bihar bandh: 12 trains halted, highways blocked

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:55:25 +0530

Protesting against the recent incidents of violence in Madhubani after the murder of a student there, workers of Opposition parties, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), organised a Bihar bandh on Monday and halted 12 trains and blocked several National Highway routes across the state.

Bihar: Woman burnt to death by neighbour

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:40:21 +0530

A newly-married woman died due to burn injuries after her father's house was set on fire by neighbour in Ekdedhwa village in Bihar's Gopalganj district, police sources said on Sunday. In a vengeful act, one Udaymal Pal set on fire his neighbour Gorakh Yadav's house on Saturday night following a land dispute between them, the sources said.

Nitish Kumar a pet parrot of RSS, says Lalu

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:34:50 +0530

Playing the minority card, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday questioned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's secular credentials alleging that he was ignoring persecution of Muslim youths of the state and had become a 'parrot' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Bihar: Woman marries dead partner for legitimacy

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 04:01:18 +0530

A poverty-stricken tribal woman was forced to marry her dead partner in Bihar to save their four children from the stigma of illegitimacy. The incident took place at Rosaiya village under Katoria block of Banka district last week and the authorities confirmed it on Friday.

Bihar BJP roots for Modi as prime ministerial candidate

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:34:44 +0530

BJP workers in Bihar on Thursday rooted for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general elections. The BJP workers also demanded that Modi be invited to Bihar during a meeting of Yuva Morcha led by party-incharge Ananth Kumar, state unit president CP Thakur and deputy chief minister SK Modi.

Bihar reels under encephalitis outbreak

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:21:11 +0530

The Cabinet is finally set to discuss the encephalitis outbreak that has claimed the lives of hundreds of children this year. The disease is a cause for alarm not just in eastern UP but Bihar as well.

I will break BJP-JD(U) ties using people's power: Lalu

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:25:46 +0530

Terming the alliance between NDA partners JD (U) and BJP in Bihar as "incompatible", RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday claimed he would break the ties "using people's power". Referring to the reported strain in relations between the two parties on ideological issues, Prasad said, "The alliance between JD(U) and BJP has been incompatible from the very beginning."

Bihar BJP split over Gujarat CM Narendra Modi

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 04:39:15 +0530

To invite Narendra Modi or not? That seems to be the Hamletian dilemma for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), part of the ruling alliance in Bihar, with one leader saying yes and the other a firm no. BJP leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Wednesday quite firmly that the Gujarat chief minister should not be invited for the April 15 'hunkar' rally of the party.

Mahadalit woman beaten, burnt to death in Gaya

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 08:15:00 +0530

A Mahadalit woman was beaten up and burnt to death by three men in Gaya in Bihar. She was beaten up because she refused to give them the money she had received under the government's Indira Awas Yojna to help her construct a house.

Never blocked Bihar special status demand: Nitish

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 03:48:57 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday denied that he had ever scuttled the special status demand made by Rabri Devi and taunted Lalu Prasad that being a powerful minister in the UPA-I he should have used his influence to get the demand met by the UPA government if it was not done by the NDA government.

65,000 Bihar policemen to go on mass leave

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:03:50 +0530

Escalating its agitation for pay raise and other demands, the Bihar Policemen's Association (BPA) on Sunday launched a signature campaign for over 65,000 constables to go on five days' mass leave on October 10.

Over 65,000 Bihar policemen threaten mass leave

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 01:27:44 +0530

Over 65,000 Bihar Police constables have threatened to go on five days mass leave from October 10 after talks between the state government and the policemen's association failed, an official said on Saturday.

Bihar: Criminals try to molest woman, slit her throat

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 03:29:36 +0530

A group of men allegedly slit the throats of a woman and her two-year-old son in Siwan, Bihar after they failed to molest her. The incident occurred early on Thursday morning at the Siwan railway station.

Girl gangraped at Jharkhand MLA's house in Patna

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 09:11:08 +0530

A 20-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped in Patna at an MLA's house by five men. The woman filed an FIR with the Patna police and all five accused have been arrested.

Bihar: Train hits bus, kills 7, rly station ransacked

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 05:42:41 +0530

A bus on Wednesday collided with an express train at an unmanned railway crossing in Siwan district in Bihar, killing as least seven students. Following the accident, an angry mob set on fire the railway crossing where the incident took place.

Patna demolition drive: Residents go on rampage

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 01:48:46 +0530

Residents of Bhagwat Nagar in Patna took to the streets on Wednesday demanding that their houses should not be demolished. The residents were up in arms protesting against the demolition drive directed by the Supreme Court to clear encroached areas.

Bihar: MBBS classes begin at AIIMS Patna

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:19:34 +0530

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, on Tuesday formally began classes for 50 MBBS students at its spacious campus in Phulwarisharif locality in the state capital. State Health Minister Ashwani Chaube and director of AIIMS, Patna Girish Kumar Singh presided over the inaugural function at its campus.

Bihar: 2 girls beaten up for visiting fair with youth

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:54:46 +0530

Two teen aged girls were allegedly beaten up and had their hair cut forcibly by locals on the order of the Gram Panchayat for visiting a fair with a youth and chewing paan at Prabalpur village in Madhubani district, police said on Monday.

Bihar: 2 girls beaten up for visiting fair with youth

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:41:53 +0530

Man seen waving sleeper at Nitish Kumar

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:41:57 +0530

A man was allegedly seen waving sleeper towards Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public meeting in Madhubani district but the Superintendent of Police denied occurrence of such an incident.

Diesel to get cheaper by 85 paise/litre in Bihar

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 07:31:37 +0530

Diesel will now be cheaper in Bihar by 85 paise per litre after the state government reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) from the existing 18 per cent to 16 per cent. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had said on Tuesday that tax on diesel will be reduced so that farmers do not suffer.

Bharat bandh throws normal life out of gear in Bihar

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:48:28 +0530

The opposition-sponsored Bharat bandh against FDI in multi-brand retail and diesel price hike began on Thursday morning with protesters disrupting road and train services across Bihar.

Will back party giving special status to Bihar: Nitish

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:38:24 +0530

With the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government reduced to a minority after the Trinamool Congress pulled out of the alliance, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leaders Nitish Kumar has decided to play his cards.

Retail FDI allowed under foreign pressure: Nitish

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 01:02:27 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has charged the Centre with allowing foreign direct investments (FDI) in multi-brand retail under foreign pressure. Claiming that the FDI in retail would be of no economic significance, Kumar said that the "aam admi" (common man) will suffer due to this policy.

Patna: Husband kills 12-year-old son, wife

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:37:32 +0530

In a heinous double murder in Patna on Thursday, a man allegedly killed his wife and son. The murders took place in the Jakanpur Railway Colony on Thursday afternoon.

Man beheaded in public in Bihar

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:41:55 +0530

A man was beheaded by unidentified assailants in full public view in Bihar's Sheikhpura district on Thursday, a police officer said.

Bihar: Police manhandle accused, caught on camera

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:13:38 +0530

Men in uniform have turned predators in Bihar's Munger district. A shocking incident has been caught on camera of the police manhandling an accused.

20-year-old girl gangraped in Patna boys' hostel

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:42:40 +0530

A 20-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped in a boys' hostel in the Bihar capital, police said on Wednesday.

Man beaten to death in Bihar for eloping

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:57:39 +0530

In an incident of honour killing in Bihar, a 35-year-old man was lynched in Araria district after a village kangaroo court found him guilty of eloping with a newly-married woman, police said Wednesday.

Bihar: 6 Maoists killed, 70 landmines destroyed

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 07:43:56 +0530

Six Maoists were killed and 70 landmines destroyed in an encounter with security forces in Panchrukhia forests bordering Bihar's Gaya and Aurangabad districts, a CRPF official claimed on Monday.

Videograph riots rather than stopping it: Bihar DGP

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 06:27:40 +0530

If Bihar Police has its way, it will be a better idea to focus on registering cases against protesters in law and order situations rather than trying to prevent them from indulging in vandalism.

Bihar: Woman sells son to pay off Rs 15000 debt

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:47:52 +0530

Driven by poverty, a woman of Samastipur has sold her 18-month-old son to another woman to pay off a debt of Rs 15,000, police said on Tuesday.

Bihar: High school students attack police station

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 05:48:26 +0530

Students of a local high school attacked a police station and set a jeep on fire in Sitamarhi on Monday to protest against alleged inaction by police to arrest the accused in the suicide of a college girl.

President to visit Bihar on October 3: Nitish

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:34:54 +0530

In his maiden tour since becoming the President, Pranab Mukherjee will arrive in Patna on a two-day visit from October 3, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Sunday.

Biharis safe, say Mumbai Police on Raj's rant

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 09:07:45 +0530

A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray once again spewed venom against Biharis, calling them "infiltrators" and threatening to drive them out of the state, the newly-appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh on Saturday said that Biharis living in Mumbai are safe.

Girl helps nab traffickers on tip from TV serial

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:02:21 +0530

A teenaged girl saved herself and another girl from the clutches of human traffickers in the Bihar capital after she sensed trouble, thanks to scenes she recalled from her favourite Hindi TV serial on crime investigation, police said on Friday.

Ranvir Sena chief murder: One more arrested

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:00:00 +0530

Prince Pandey, one of the accused in the murder of Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh, was arrested near Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand, police said on Friday.

Bihar: Sushil Modi denies Opposition's scam charge

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:25:57 +0530

Rubbishing the Opposition's charge of scam and irregularity in Bihar in respect of non-reconciliation of contingency bills, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday said reconciliation of funds was yet to be done.

Bihar: Two sadhvis gangraped in an ashram

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 05:34:48 +0530

Two sadhvis at the Maharshi Mehi Ashram in Bhagalpur were allegedly gang-raped by its in-charge and his associates, police said on Monday.

Nitish asks banks to improve micro management

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:57:12 +0530

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday directed the banks to improve micro management of its workforce to ensure delivery of its services to the people.

Bihar: JD(U) MLA injured in landmine blast

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:02:29 +0530

JD(U) MLA Randhir Kumar Soni on Saturday sustained minor injuries when a landmine went off near a culvert in Bihar's Sheikhpur district.

Patna: 5 held for parading mother half naked

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:39:50 +0530

Police arrested five people, including two sons and daughters-in-law of a middle-aged Dalit widow who was publicly beaten and paraded half naked in a village in Bihar's Gaya district, police said Friday.

Bihar: Jail superintendent attacked by prisoners

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:41:03 +0530

The jail superintendent of a divisional prison in Araria in Bihar was on Thursday injured when a group of prisoners attacked him during inspection.

Patna: Indigo flight grounded after bird hit

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:36:31 +0530

An Indigo plane was struck by a bird at Patna airport on Thursday morning just before take off, sources said.

Bihar govt not to deposit funds in 21 banks

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 05:21:10 +0530

Bihar government has decided against depositing funds in 21 public and private sector banks for their failure to provide loans to borrowers on the four-point criteria, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Tuesday.

Bihar govt takes steps for security to NE bound trains

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 02:38:53 +0530

Bihar government has made arrangements to ensure security in Northeast-bound trains passing through the state, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Friday.

Women not safe in Bihar, says NCW team

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 01:41:27 +0530

A National Commission for Women (NCW) team on Friday said women are not safe in Bihar and after probing the alleged gangrape of a Class 11 student here described the situation as "serious".

Bihar: Boy beaten with hot iron rod for stealing

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:58:37 +0530

A 10-year-old boy was allegedly beaten by some people with a hot iron rod at Dumari village in Bihar's Khagaria district following suspicions of theft.

World's largest temple project in Bihar not a replica

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:44:53 +0530

The world's largest Hindu temple project in Bihar's East Champaran district was not an exact replica of the world-famous Angkor Wat temple located in Cambodia, according to the Mahavir Mandir Trust (MMT) secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal.

Drought-like situation likely in Bihar: Nitish

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:42:58 +0530

Expressing fear over inadequate rainfall, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the prospect of drought loomed in several districts of the state.

Bihar: Rail official mistaken for thief, killed

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:27:31 +0530

A railway official was beaten to death on a train in Bihar by a group of people who thought he was a thief, police said on Wednesday.

Bihar mulling over proposal to run monorail

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:37:47 +0530

Bihar Urban Development Department is mulling over a proposal to run monorail service in the state capital, official sources said. The tenders would soon be invited for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) in the next couple of months.

Two girls gangraped by five students in Bihar

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:44:59 +0530

Two girl students were allegedly gangraped by five fellow students at a lodge in Bihar's Nalanda district on Monday, police said in Biharsharif.

Patna gangrape-MMS: Fourth accused arrested

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 09:15:48 +0530

The fourth suspect in the Patna gangrape and MMS case was arrested on Friday, after he showed up at a local news channel's office.

Patna rape: CM forms SIT, 2 accused taken to Bihar

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:45:26 +0530

The anger is now showing on the streets of Patna. Women, men, students - all are raising their voice against the crime that has shaken the state. Two out of the five accused in the Patna gangrape and MMS case are still at large and people are out on the street, mounting pressure on the government to ensure swift action.

Patna rape MMS: Police arrest 3, two still at large

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:16:05 +0530

Patna girl raped by classmates, MMS circulated

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:17:15 +0530

In a horrific incident in Patna, a young girl was gangraped by her boyfriend and his classmates. And what's worse was that the heinous crime was shot on a camera and circulated on MMS.

Patna: Minor girl allegedly raped by five schoolboys

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:21:07 +0530

A minor girl was allegedly gangraped in the city by five school students over a month ago and obscene CDs and MMS on it were circulated, according to an FIR lodged by Bihar Women's Commission.

Flood in north Bihar districts

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 02:31:48 +0530

Incessant rains in the catchment areas have caused rivers flowing through north Bihar to swell and flood parts of West Champaran, Saharsa and Kishaganj districts. Some of the rivers flowing through the area have crossed the danger mark.

Nalanda International University won't be stalled: Nitish Kumar

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 04:54:17 +0530

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed confidence that work of Nalanda International University would not get stalled after constitution of Nalanda monitoring committee by the Centre and appointment of Nobel prize winner and economist Amartya Sen as the Chancellor of the university.

Bihar Jail manual to be amended after 87 years

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 02:15:42 +0530

Bihar Jail Manual would be amended after 87 years to categorise the inmates as per their offence and educational qualification, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.

Patna: Four buried alive in house collapse

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 01:13:57 +0530

Four members of a family were buried alive and two others injured on Wednesday when a house caved in at Purab Darwaza locality in Patna following heavy rains.

Bihar seeks one pound a day for hospital

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:47:32 +0530

Health Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey has urged doctors from Bihar living in Britain to donate one pound every day to help build a super speciality health centre in the state.

1996 Bihar carnage: SC admits pleas against acquittals

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:41:23 +0530

The Supreme Court on Monday admitted the Bihar government's appeal against the acquittal of 23 people, allegedly involved in the 1996 carnage of 21 dalits at Bathani Tola in Bhojpur district of the state by Ranvir Sena.

Bihar: Woman sells 4-month-old son for Rs 62

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 05:29:12 +0530

In a shocking incident in Bihar, a mother allegedly sold her four-month-old son for Rs 62.

Bihar: Dalit woman beaten up for visiting temple

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:15:50 +0530

A Dalit woman was beaten up for visiting a temple in Beghusarai in Bihar. The victim said a group of men attacked her when she said she wanted to perform a puja.