Wednesday, February 4

Bihar

Big New Year Boost for Bihar’s Mushroom Farmers: Electricity to Cost Just 55 Paise Per Unit
Bihar, State

Big New Year Boost for Bihar’s Mushroom Farmers: Electricity to Cost Just 55 Paise Per Unit

Patna:Mushroom farmers and entrepreneurs in Bihar have received a major year-end gift from the state government, bringing significant relief to thousands engaged in this fast-growing agricultural sector. The Bihar government has announced that mushroom cultivation will now be treated as agricultural activity rather than a commercial one, allowing producers to avail electricity at highly subsidized rates. Until now, mushroom growers were categorized under the non-domestic (commercial) consumer category and were required to pay higher electricity tariffs. With the new decision, they will now be charged only 55 paise per unit, the same rate applicable to general farmers. Earlier High Power Tariffs Burdened Farmers Under the previous system, mushroom cultivators had to pay commercial ...
Bihar Chief Secretary Honours Cricketer Anukul Roy; Samastipur Connection Highlighted
Bihar, State

Bihar Chief Secretary Honours Cricketer Anukul Roy; Samastipur Connection Highlighted

Patna:Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday felicitated Anukul Roy, Protocol Officer of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) and a celebrated all-rounder, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in domestic cricket. The felicitation ceremony was held at Vidyut Bhawan in Patna. Anukul Roy was honoured with a shawl and a memento after being named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025–26, one of India’s premier domestic T20 competitions. The award was presented for his exceptional all-round performance that played a decisive role in his team’s championship triumph. Outstanding Performance in SMAT Roy delivered a stellar performance throughout the tournament, scoring 303 runs and claiming 18 wickets, emerging as the most...
Bihar Records Decline in Crime Rates; Nitish Government Counters Tejashwi Yadav’s Crime Bulletin
Bihar, Politics, State

Bihar Records Decline in Crime Rates; Nitish Government Counters Tejashwi Yadav’s Crime Bulletin

Patna:The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has released its annual crime data, claiming a significant decline in major criminal incidents across the state. The report, presented jointly by the Home Department and Bihar Police, appears to be a direct rebuttal to Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav’s periodic “crime bulletins,” which have frequently questioned the state’s law-and-order situation. According to the official data, murder cases in Bihar have declined by 7.72 percent, incidents of dacoity by 24.87 percent, and riot-related cases by 17.97 percent compared to previous years. The government asserted that the figures reflect improved policing, stronger intelligence mechanisms, and proactive law enforcement. Women’s Crime Rate Nearly Half of National Average One of the key high...
Train Fares from Patna and Ranchi to Delhi Hike, Passengers to Pay More
Bihar, State

Train Fares from Patna and Ranchi to Delhi Hike, Passengers to Pay More

Indian Railways has delivered a blow to passengers traveling from Patna and Ranchi to Delhi, announcing a fare hike that will make journeys slightly more expensive. Following the revision, travelers will have to spend more on tickets. Patna to Delhi fares have seen a flat increase of ₹20, while fares from Ranchi to Delhi have risen by ₹11.50 to ₹23. The good news is that local train fares remain unchanged. Patna to Delhi: Class-wise Fare RevisionFor passengers planning to travel from Patna to Delhi, the fare increase is as follows: Sleeper Class: ₹540 (previously ₹520) Third AC: ₹1,390 (previously ₹1,370) Second AC: ₹1,950 (previously ₹1,930) First AC: ₹3,265 (previously ₹3,245) Trains operating on this route include Tejas Rajdhani Express, Duronto Express, Magadh Expre...
Bihar @ 2047 Vision Echoes in Bengaluru: IPS Vikas Vaibhav Inspires Developed Bihar Pledge
Bihar, State

Bihar @ 2047 Vision Echoes in Bengaluru: IPS Vikas Vaibhav Inspires Developed Bihar Pledge

Bengaluru, December 22, 2025: In a significant gathering of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors, Bihar’s industrial roadmap for 2047 was outlined at the third season of the Bihar @ 2047 Vision Conclave held in Bengaluru. IPS Vikas Vaibhav, a senior officer and humanitarian thinker, played a key role in inspiring participants with a vision for a developed, inclusive Bihar. Government’s Commitment to Investors and StartupsBihar’s Industry Minister, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to creating a robust and secure environment for investors and startups. He emphasized policy reforms, institutional support, and administrative sensitivity as the foundation for a business-friendly ecosystem. Addressing the conclave, Jaiswal said that the government is not...
Aravalli Mountains Under Threat: Khan Sir Explains How Mining Could Impact Delhi and Beyond
Bihar, State

Aravalli Mountains Under Threat: Khan Sir Explains How Mining Could Impact Delhi and Beyond

New Delhi/Rajasthan, December 22, 2025: The iconic Aravalli mountain range, spanning Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat, is once again in focus amid concerns over mining activities. Educator Khan Sir recently addressed the potential consequences in a detailed lecture, highlighting the environmental and hydrological risks associated with indiscriminate mining. According to Khan Sir, hills shorter than 100 meters in the Aravalli range are at risk of being mined. Currently, 93% of Aravalli peaks fall under this category. This mountain range, which is over 250 million years old, could see extensive degradation because these shorter hills are not included in Schedule 6 of environmental protection guidelines. Environmental ConsequencesThe removal of these hills could have far-reaching ...
Bihar Launches Luxury Caravan Buses for Tourists: Travel in Style
Bihar, State

Bihar Launches Luxury Caravan Buses for Tourists: Travel in Style

Patna, December 22, 2025: In a significant move to boost tourism, the Bihar government has launched its first fleet of luxury caravan buses, designed to offer travelers the comfort and amenities of a five-star hotel on the road. Unlike ordinary buses, these caravan buses provide a premium travel experience, enabling tourists to enjoy road trips without the need to stop at hotels. The initiative comes under the Bihar Tourism Department, reflecting the state’s growing focus on improving tourist facilities. Luxury Features on BoardThe buses are equipped with private bedrooms, fully functional kitchens, and advanced entertainment systems. Recliner sofas, tables, mobile charging ports, AC vents, and privacy curtains ensure maximum comfort for passengers. Additionally, overhead cabin boxes...
‘Greater Patna’ to Be Developed on NCR Lines; Sonpur and Raghopur to Become High-Tech Satellite Towns
Bihar, State

‘Greater Patna’ to Be Developed on NCR Lines; Sonpur and Raghopur to Become High-Tech Satellite Towns

Patna, Bihar: The Bihar government is planning a major urban development initiative to expand and modernize cities across the state. A proposal is underway to establish new satellite townships in 11 cities, with a broader master plan being drafted for 43 urban centers. Among the key projects is the creation of a high-tech satellite township across the Ganga in Sonpur and Raghopur, envisioned as part of the “Greater Patna” development, modeled on the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Strategic Expansion Across the GangaOfficials from the Urban Development and Housing Department (UHD) stated that nearly 500 acres near the JP Setu (Digha-Sonpur rail-cum-road bridge) will be used to construct the new satellite township. The initiative aims to ease population pressure, traffic congesti...
Why Bihar Is Missing from the NDA’s ‘ULLAS’ Literacy Drive
Bihar, Politics, State

Why Bihar Is Missing from the NDA’s ‘ULLAS’ Literacy Drive

Patna: While leaders of the BJP and JDU in Bihar often highlight the “double-engine” government for the state’s development, Bihar has surprisingly not joined the central government’s flagship literacy program, ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society). This has raised questions about why the NDA ally is not participating in an initiative aimed at making Bihar fully literate. ULLAS Scheme Aims for 100% Literacy by 2030The ambitious ULLAS scheme, launched in 2022, seeks to achieve 100% literacy across India by 2030. It targets individuals aged 15 and above who are illiterate, offering basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills equivalent to a third-grade level, through online or offline modes. Participants are then evaluated through examinations, and successful candid...
BJP Faces Delicate Caste Equation as Pawan Singh Considered for Rajya Sabha Seat
Bihar, Politics, State

BJP Faces Delicate Caste Equation as Pawan Singh Considered for Rajya Sabha Seat

Patna: With the tenure of five Rajya Sabha members from Bihar coming to an end, political speculation is rife over who will fill these seats. Among the potential names is Bhojpuri cinema superstar Pawan Singh, nominated by the BJP. However, political analysts question whether his selection could disrupt the party’s delicate “forward-backward” (Agra-Pichhda) caste balance in the state. Rajya Sabha Seats Coming Up In the New Year 2026, the terms of five Rajya Sabha MPs will end: RJD: Prem Chand Gupta and AD Singh JD(U): Harivansh Narayan, Rajya Sabha Chairman, and Ramnath Thakur, Union Minister RLSP: Upendra Kushwaha, national president These vacancies are expected to be filled by NDA candidates based on the strength of MLAs. JD(U) and RLSP Strategies JD(U) plans to...