Wednesday 1 June 2011

Bihar News, Latest News from Bihar, News of Bihar, Biharprabha News

Bihar News, Latest News from Bihar, News of Bihar, Biharprabha News

Bihar and Punjab to jointly offer Mobile Money Order Service

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 06:46 PM PDT

PATNA: In a first, ten post offices each of Bihar and Punjab would offer mobile money order service (MMOS) from Wednesday when Union minister of state for information technology and communication Gurudas Kamat is scheduled to formally launch this service through videoconferencing from Delhi. The service would be provided in other parts of the country in phases.

In MMOS, money would be transferred within the country by using cellphone and via SMS. To avail of the service, the customer has to go to the designated post office and furnish mobile number, name, address and some other general information of the sender as well as recipient. Once the sender deposits the amount to be sent, an SMS containing a code is sent immediately by the postal department to the sender and receiver.

The designated recipient can collect the money from the nearest post office by furnishing the code sent by SMS and an identity proof. In one go, up to Rs 5,000 can be transferred through this service on payment of 5% of the amount as service charge to the postal department.

“To start with, the service would be available in Patna’s GPO and Bankipore, Patna City, Gulzarbagh, Kadamkuan, Patna secretariat, Danapur, Lohia Nagar, Mahendru and Rajendra Nagar post offices,” postal department’s marketing director Anil Kumar said and added the service would be launched in at least 50 more post offices of the state within a month.

The postal department is starting this service in collaboration with BSNL. “But this does not mean that the money order sender and receiver should possess BSNL sim cards. The service is available for all the cellphone users,” Kumar told TOI.

The service will save time and money. Also, it would be a boon for people not having a proper address for physical delivery of their money orders.

The apparent reason behind priority to Bihar and Punjab for the launch of MMOS is the fact that Punjab sends the highest number of money orders while Bihar receives the highest number of money orders in the country every year.

Nitish demands setting up National Poverty Commission

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT

Observing that the increase in central schmes was ‘not a healthy trend,’ the chief minister noted that the Centre has been adopting “far reaching decisions” that impinged on the resources and autonomy of the states and urged the Planning Commission, the chief spokesman of states, to act as the bridge between them (states) and the Centre.On Bihar-specific issues, Kumar demanded modification in the FRBM Act to allow higher borrowing limits to those states which have exhibited high growth but continue to lag due to low national average on per capita income so that they could increase investment and sustain growth rate.This, in Bihar’s case, stood between 8.89 to 10.56 per cent after the NDA took over in October 2005, he said.On the flood threat during rainy season, particularly in North and East Bihar due to unregulated release of water from Nepal, Kumar urged the Centre to launch a ‘New Nepal Initiative’ to coax the Himalayan country cooperate for repair and maintenance of the the enbankments.With agriculture being the key sector of the state economy, the chief minister advocated the launch of rainbow agriculture to meet seven per cent growth rate by encouraging production of vegetables, fruits, milk, animal husbandry, etc.Kumar demanded setting up of national poverty commission, an independent panel, to assess the number of BPL, launch of a beggar-free India Mission, Mahadalit Vikas Mission, Integrated Minority Welfare Scheme.He also called for inclusion of six more districts – Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, West Champaran and Kaimur – under the Integrated Action Plan in addition to seven districts presently under the scheme.

Major Cycle manufacturers to setup units in Bihar

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 06:22 AM PDT

Major cycle manufacturing units of Ludhiana such as Hero and Avon Cycles have been approached by the Bihar government for establishing plants and ancillary units in Hazipur and Muzafarpur. Smaller city-based cycle units are shifting out of Ludhiana to the state.

The Bihar government's scheme for providing 12 lakh cycles in the current year under the “Chief Minister Balik-Balika Yozana” is also serving as a stimulus to encourage cycle companies to set up new plants in the state.

Hero Cycles Director SK Rai said the Bihar government had invited his company's officials and he was examining some proposals.

"It was their first visit and nothing has been finalised yet," added Rai.

Nova Cycles Managing Director HM Pahwa added: "The process has begun and let’s see how many units from the city opt for setting up their units in Bihar. The incentives offered are no doubt, sounding lucrative,” he said.

Sensing that Bihar’s gain could be Punjab’s loss, the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking (CICU) has urged the Punjab Chief Minister to grant a stimulus package to retain prominent cycle makers of Ludhiana.

CICU joint secretary Upkar Singh said city-based cycle units should be impressed upon to go for expansion of their plants in Punjab rather than investing in Bihar for establishing new units.

"There is no labour problem in Bihar. Land is also cheaper. All these factors compel the industry to invest in Bihar," said Avtar Singh, CICU general secretary.

Salman Khan fined for Public Smoking

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 05:22 AM PDT

Patiala (Punjab), May 31 (IANS) Bollywood star Salman Khan, who is in this Punjab town for shooting his film ‘Bodyguard’, landed in trouble Tuesday with the local administration penalising him for smoking in public place at a hotel.
Taking cognizance of his photograph published in a daily, the Patiala district administration issued a notice (challan) to Salman Khan late Tuesday, which was coincidentally observed as World No Tobacco Day.
‘We have issued challan on the basis of a photograph, showing Salman smoking at a public place in a hotel, published in a newspaper Saturday. We have also issued a warning to the hotel authorities,’ said an official here.
A crew member of the film’s production unit received the challan on Salman’s behalf. The star or his representative will now have to appear before the district magistrate, who may decide the penalty amount. It was not known when the actor would appear before the official.
Salman came here May 24.
A Patiala-based NGO has also decided to serve a legal notice on Salman for smoking at a public place.
On No Tobbacco Day, the Patiala administration challaned 13 offenders at a bus stand for smoking in public and collected Rs.2,375 in fines.
In January 2009, Salman was issued two notices for lighting up at a public place in Kurali town in Punjab’s Mohali district.

Planning Commission Supports Bihar’s demand of Special status

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 04:16 AM PDT

Planning Commission’s Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia strongly favours need for a special package and help for Bihar in place of special category state status repeatedly demanded by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

“I am aware that Bihar has special problems and facing difficulties.There should be special package and help for Bihar to get rid of problems and difficulties” Ahluwalia, who in Patna to attend two day regional consultation, with five eastern states on the approach paper to be finalised by the Planning Commission, told rediff.com.

Ahluwalia has already made it clear that Bihar demands for special category state status is neither on the agenda nor it is our subject to discuss at ongoing planning commission meeting in Patna.

“Only National Development Council (NDC) can discuss and give Bihar the special category state status as it comes under its purview. The planning commission can only go for special package and help to Bihar” Ahulwalia said.

He admitted that like Bihar, other poor states also demanded the special category state status. “It is not only Bihar, similar demand was made by other states” he said.

Ahulwalia said that planning commission recognises Bihar’s problems and to remove them it gets a special package of Rs 1000 crore (Rs 10 billion), which be followed by an additional Rs 2000 crore (Rs 20 billion).

Besides, Bihar is covered under the Gadgil formula by which it gets more money.

He said that once a state was granted the special category state status, it might open a Pandora’s box leading to decline in central assistance to other states.

After coming to power in November 2005, Nitish Kumar has been repeatedly raising the demand for special category state status. But so far central government’s response has not been so positive.

Sharukh’s RA.ONE to create record of largest fan mail

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 01:20 AM PDT

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Trust Shah Rukh Khan to do things differently. The Bollywood superstar is now aiming to create a Limca Book of World Records by launching a 3,600-foot long fan mail, which will travel through 50 BIG Cinemas properties across India, allowing audiences to share their messages for the actor.
The fan mail was launched during the theatrical trailer launch event of ‘Ra.One’ in Mumbai Tuesday, and the first two Shah Rukh fans to sign the fan mail were the winners of a contest hosted by BIG Cinemas, a division of Reliance Mediaworks.
The activity has been planned as part of the promotion of his forthcoming superhero film ‘Ra.One’, being co-produced by Eros International and Red Chillies Entertainment. It is set for a Oct 26 release.
‘The whole of India swoons over Shah Rukh Khan and with the release of ‘Ra.One’, the mania is going to go even wilder. The longest travelling fan mail is our attempt to give all the BIG Cinemas patrons a chance to express their love for King Khan and ensure that their messages reach him personally. This initiative further strengthens our brand promise of ‘you matter’ to our audiences,’ said Archana Jhangiani, head – Brand and Marketing, BIG Cinemas.
The travelLing fan mail would be personally presented to Shah Rukh before the release of ‘Ra.One’, which also features Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor, and is being directed by Anubhav Sinha.

Raina heads Indian team to West Indies

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 01:17 AM PDT

Mumbai, Jun 1 (PTI) A depleted Indian cricket team, sans senior players such as Sachin Tendulkar and regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, today left for the West Indies to compete in a Twenty20 game and a five-match one-day series, starting June 4.

Led by Suresh Raina, the Indian team boarded a connecting flight to Barbados via London at 0230 hours from the Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport here.

India will play a Twenty20 in Trinidad (June 4) and five ODIs on June 6 (Trinidad), June 8 (Trinidad), June 11 (Antigua), June 13 (Antigua) and June 16 (Jamaica).

The one-day series would be followed by a three-match Test-rubber in Jamaica (June 20-June 24), Barbados (June 28-Jul 2) and Dominica (Jul 6-Jul 10).

The Indian squad for the ODIs and the lone Twenty20 is without nine players who were part of the World Cup winning team under Dhoni.

Doctors strike in support of killed doctor Buddhadeo Singh

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 01:16 AM PDT

All the government doctors in Bihar observed a day-long token strike Tuesday to protest the death of a doctor who was lynched by prisoners inside the Gopalganj jail. Buddhadev Singh was beaten to death Sunday afternoon by some jail inmates in Gopalganj, some 125 km from Patna, when he went inside a ward to conduct a medical check-up of a prisoner serving a sentence in a kidnapping case.
The government doctors were asked by the Bihar State Health Services Association (BSHSA) to boycott their work for 24 hours from 6am on May 31 to 6am on June 1.

Ajay Kumar, general secretary of the BSHSA said, “We have no option but to protest. The BSHSA will review the situation on June 5 to take final decision on whether to launch an indefinite strike or not.”

Doctors in Gopalganj went on an indefinite strike Monday afternoon and demanded foolproof security for them in view of the incident.

On the other hand, the Bihar chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded compensation of Rs.2 crore for the family of the doctor and punishment for the accused. The IMA has given a week’s ultimatum to the state government to meet its demands, including immediate introduction in the state assembly of a legislation to protect medical professionals from assaults and attacks.

Both the IMA and the BSHSA have been demanding introduction of Medical Professional Protection Act for the safety and security of doctors in the state.

A case was lodged Monday against seven inmates of the Gopalganj district jail for beating the doctor to death inside the prison premises, police said. The state government has ordered a probe into Sunday’s ghastly incident but the doctor’s family wants a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.

According to a police officer, the prisoners wanted the doctor to issue them a certificate that they were ill and needed to be shifted out of the jail. But Singh refused, after which he was thrashed.

Gopalganj Jail Superintendent Ashok Kumar was unable to explain why did security officials not intervene to save the doctor when he was assaulted.

Gopalganj Superintendent of Police K.S. Anupam on Monday said, “Police will not spare the accused in the case”.

Dr. Bhudeo Singh received threats from inmates previously also

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 12:54 AM PDT

PATNA: Dr Bhudeo Singh, who died to due to beating in Gopalganj jail, was under threat from a group of inmates.

Reports filtering from the Gopalganj jail said that a group of inmates had been pressing Dr Singh to give certificates to them on feigned illness to facilitate their shifting to another jail, which the doctor refused.

On Sunday, one of the inmates made a false alarm call that a prisoner had fallen ill, whereby the doctor rushed to attend to him, and in turn, was beaten mercilessly that left him bruised, bleeding and severely injured. He, later, was rushed to the Sadar Hospital in the Gopalganj town, but the doctors referred him to the Patna Medical College and Hospital in view of the nature of his injuries, and in the process, died in the way be-fore getting any emergency care and treatment.

The incident, which hit the front-page headlines in newspapers and also the news channels, was an utter embarrassment for the government, since the two-day meeting of the Planning Commission to assess the needs and demands of the eastern zone states to frame its own plan and policy per-spectives had started at Patna on Monday.

However, the IMA and BSHSA were quick to react and respond to the eventual death of Dr Singh with a tinge of bitterness, since their long-pending demands regarding security to doctors and their units or estab-lishments both in the government hospitals and at private clinics, as well as at Nursing Homes, over and above their demand regarding payment of non-practicing allowance (NPA), provision of adequate number of doctors and improved infrastructure in government hospitals, has not yet been met.

The BSHSA doctors in Gopalganj district have already gone on protest strike on Monday, said organization s state general secretary Dr Ajay Kumar.

State IMA secretary Dr Ashok Kumar Yadav said, The anger and frustration of the doctors with the prevailing situation is genuine. The government is announcing new schemes, but paying no attention to in-creasing the number of doctors or improving the infrastructure. Their anger, as Dr Ajay said, stems from the fact that Dr Singh was beaten up on government premises, with jail officials and staff around. Normally, the police are against doctors.

Whenever they are assaulted by anti-social ele-ments, they take the side of criminals. It is the regular experience all over the state, he said.

 

 

Monsoon to hit north by June 7th

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 12:45 AM PDT

According to UN’s National Centre of Environmental Prediction (NCEP) latest update, El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions (near normal temperatures of the Pacific) are expected to develop during May-June 2011 and continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer 2011.

In an ENSO-neutral scenario the normal probabilities of success are 80% and 20% for failure of the Indian monsoon. The IMD’s long range forecast for the monsoon is 98% of normal with an error margin of 5%. Global international weather models are not showing consensus on the Indian monsoon. The Asia Pacific Centre for Climate Change (APCC) based out of the city of Busan in Korea has very categorically indicated “enhanced” precipitation over India with no major variation in regional distribution of rain in its June-July-August (JJA) outllook. The NCEP is also indicating normal or surplus rainfall in its JJA outlook with major concentrations of rainfall on the east and west coast. But the JJA European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) outlook is showing probabilities of above-normal rainfall in North-West, West and central India but below normal rainfall in East India. The International Research Institute based out of Columbia University in the US JJA outlook is not indicating any trend with the exception of above normal precipitation central/east UP/Nepal and Bihar. The IMD is expected to update its monsoon forecast in the next few days.

The southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala on 29th of May. And it seems that the monsoon will keep its date with Mumbai on June 10. Like this time, last year the Arabian Sea arm of monsoon seems to be more active than the Bay Of Bengal. The Bay is relatively quite, and no major cyclogenesis predicted in the next three/four days.

It seems that Gujarat will start receiving rainfall before the eastern states. Pre-monsoon showers will start hitting the state from June 7. Pre-monsoon showers/thunderstorms will continue over entire north India. Maximum temperatures over north and east will be more or less near normal unlike last year. Central India will remain hot and might receive occasional pre-monsoon showers in the next week.
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