BIA president K P S Kesri said that local MSMEs would have to stand on their own feet by availing the facilities provided in the new industrial policy and some other policies of the state government, and quality manpower management. But the state government, being a large purchaser, would have to bring out an effective purchase preference policy for the local MSMEs to provide them level playing field, he said.

Kesri said the BIA is identifying 100 industrial units for their extension and capacity addition. The BIA would submit a proposal to the state government to give impetus to their growth The new industrial policy of the state government, which became effective from July 1, 2011, provides for subsidy on purchase of machinery needed for extension of the existing industries.

Industrial Development Commissioner C K Mishra had recently said that subsidies could not be given to industries as they did not demand it. Nevertheless, recently some food processing industries were given subsidy under the Food Processing Policy of the state government for establishing their units, he said.

Asked about measures that should be taken for accelerating the development of manufacturing industries in the state, Kesri emphasized on manpower management for efficient running of industries. For this, the BIA will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a national-level human resource development agency for providing 3-6 months rigorous training in industrial management skill to youths for handling the small and mid-sized industries.

The BIA is also interacting with a national-level private equity fund management agency for managing equity capital for establishment of new industries and extension of the existing ones. One such equity fund management agency had already held a meeting with BIA, he said.

BIA, with the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, recently organized a workshop on product design for local entrepreneurs. NID will continue its product design training to local entrepreneurs under the national manufacturing competitive programme of the Union ministry of MSME, he added.

Former BIA president K P Jhunjhunwala said that investment climate in Bihar had improved, but in the new year government’s initiative for industrial development would be crucial.

Courtesy: TNN

Presiding over the Congress function, party spokesman Vinod Sharma recalled that Sahay, as revenue minister, had played a key role in the implementation of Zamindari Abolition Act and Land Reforms Act. He had proved himself as an able administrator both as minister and chief minister.

Several Congress leaders including Harkhu Jha, Jagannath Pathak, Shrikant Satyadarshi and Madhurendra Singh were present on the occasion.

State Youth Congress president Lalan Kumar, at the YC function, said born in a common family, Sahay had risen to the post of chief minister with his grit, sharp intellect and hard work. Today, Bihar needed an administrator like him.

The two organizations also observed the 31st death anniversary of noted freedom fighter and former legislator Syed Fida Hussain. Former MLC Vijay Shankar Mishra and Lalan Kumar presided over the functions of their respective bodiess.

Sahay was remembered at a function organized by Sri Chitragupta Puja Samiti at Bansi Kunj in Kadamkuan. Speakers included late CM’s daughter Meena Verma, son-in law and former DGP of UP A K Sharan, Amitabh Rituraj and Suman Kumar who highlighted great qualities of Sahay and his role in freedom struggle.

Courtesy: TNN

30th December 2011 would be remembered for decades in Kishanganj and the educational field of Bihar. It is also a memorable day for AMU vice chancellor Dr. PK Abdul Azis as he was quite eager to get the land issue cleared before his retirement.

There were many agitations for the land acquisition for this campus in and out of Bihar. Last October thousands of demonstrators blocking railway and road transport.

The Kishanganj Campus of AMU has to face stiff resistance from forces like the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the student wing of BJP which is the alliance partner of Nitish Kumar led Bihar government.

It is expected that the session would start from next July though it would take ten years to build the needed infrastructure there. The AMU VC has requested the state government to provide a building on rent to start the session.

AMU VC Dr. Azis says that they hope to start some courses by July 2012. Mr. Azis says this Campus of AMU is more ambitious. AMU is expected to spend Rs. 1300 crores and Rs. 100 crores in Murshidabad and Mallepuram Campus respectivle towards build up of the infrastructure. It is expected that similar amount would be spent in Kishanganj opening the doors of jobs for locals.

Mr. Azis promises that the Kishanganj centre would be a state of the art centre for higher education with international facilities and tech support.

The district magistrate of Kishanganj Sandeep Kumar R Pudukalkatti and AMU registrarDr. Abdul Jalil signed the land transfer agreement. Though AMU required 250 acres of land, it got 224.02 acres I ub Mauza Chakala and Gobindpur villages under Kishanganj circle. Earlier the government was providing land in three different blocks but the AMU authorities insisted to provide a single and contiguous block of land which finally it got though it is minus 26 acres.

The deal was signed in the presence of energy minister and in charge of Kishanganj district Vijendra Prasad Yadav as the HRD minister Mr. PK Sahi was away who had quite a bad spat with the AMU authorities. Although the principal secretary Mr. Anjani Kumar Singh was present on this occasion.

DM, Kishanganj Sandeep Kumar informed that now the expert committee of AMU would have send the detailed project report to Union HRD ministry and a detailed finance report to finance ministry. AMU would also seek the President cum Visitor’s nod to launch the academic session.

Courtesy:  NVONews

“The Nitish Kumar led Bihar Government is denying CBI enquiry into the killings because it fears that such an enquiry will not only bring the truth behind the firing but also expose the corruption in Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA)” alleged Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, National Spokesperson of Congress Party, while addressing the protestors.

He said that the state government ignored the notice by Supreme Court regarding CBI inquiry which was issued after hearing a PIL.

He questioned the secular credibility of the Nitish Kumar by asking “On one hand, he refused to share dais with Narendra Modi and on the other hand he runs the government with Sushil Kumar Modi” he added.

Dr. Ahmad assured the victims that he and his party will be fighting until justice is delivered to them.

On June 3, 2011, four members of the Muslim community were brutally killed by Police in Bhajanpur village under Forbesganj block in Araria district of Bihar while they were protesting against blockade of their road by a company named Auro Sundaram International Private Limited.

Notably, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was blamed that Bhajanpur Police firing was done on his direction as he has close relationship with BJP MLC Ashok Kumar Agrawal whose son Saurabh Kumar is a member of the board of directors of Auro Sundaram International Private Limited.

Criticizing Bihar Government, Congress leader and organizer of the protest, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khan said: “”When a non-Muslim businessman is killed here, the Police inspector is suspended but the killer of Muslims is given promotion. SP Garima Malik who ordered the Bhajanpur firing was made senior SP of Darbhanga instead of being suspended.”

He said that judicial inquiry into the incident is only a formality. “The inquiry commission is yet to take any important step but the victims have been terrorized in several ways” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, local MLA Afaq Alam alleged that Bihar Government is working on the direction of communal forces and Forbesganj firing has been an example for that.

On the occasion, several other people also put their views and expressed their feelings. The victims also narrated their horrible stories. Each of those victim’s families were given Rs. 25000/ by a well-wisher.

Courtesy: TCN

Kangana Ranaut with Chirag, Reena, and Ram Vilas Paswan

Chirag Paswan is undertaking the ambitious task of translating his father’s political battle with Laloo Prasad Yadav onto celluloid

Politician Ram Vilas Paswan’s son Chirag Paswan’s debut film Miley Na Miley Hum may have bombed without anyone taking notice of him, but the young actor is far from calling it quits. He is, in fact, on the cusp of his biggest project yet — a biopic on his father. And Chirag will reportedly play the lead character of his father.

Three persons belonging to the minority Ansari community were shot dead by the rebels from a village in the Jhajha block in the early hours of Friday. Four others were kidnapped and the ultras later shot them dead and disposed of their bodies in a neighbouring village pond, police sources said.

Superintendent of Police R.N. Singh told The Hindu that the Maoists later stuck leaflets on village walls, accusing the seven of indulging in extortion and rape in the name of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

However, police authorities do not view this as a plausible theory as only three of the seven killed had criminal antecedents, dating back to several years.

Pointing out that the motive still remained murky, Mr. Singh said that of the four people abducted, one was a retired fourth-grade employee, while two others were daily wage-earners.

Earlier this year, two internecine feuds occurred between Naxals and tribal communities — six members from the Koda community were killed in Munger district in July, while three from the Kharwar tribe were gunned down in Rohtas district in early August.

The main reason cited here was a power struggle between the Yadav-dominated Naxal hierarchy and the tribal communities, some of whose members earlier sided with the ultras and were now attempting to break away.

Despite some successful government initiatives, there has been no let-up in anti-social activities across the Munger-Jamui belt, with the outlaws orchestrating at least two major incidents in the past month, in which landless labourers contracted by private construction firms were abducted for levy extortion.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Kumar, who arrived here from New Delhi this afternoon, flew in a chopper to Aurangabad where he visited the Goh Circle and Block offices and went to Parta village under Amba police station where he offered prayers at a temple.

He stayed for an hour at archaeological site atKutumbagarh and directed the Divisional Commissioner K P Ramaiya to take immediate steps for development there.

Kumar also visited Mehfile Kalin to see weaving of carpets and inspected the Khadi Gramudyog centre at Obera.

He would camp in Aurangabad tomorrow and the day after.

Ahead of Bihar Chief Minister’s scheduled Seva Yatra today, Maoists had pasted posters in schools and government buildings asking the people to boycott his programmes in Aurangabad district.

The posters appeared in schools, community centres and government buildings under town police station late last night, police said.

Earlier Maoists had burnt road rollers of a private construction firm engaged in road construction at Parta village in the district on December 26.

The road was being repaired for Kumar’s proposed visit to the district.

Security measures have been tightened in Aurangabad.

Courtesy: PTI

The Transfer of documents along with the certificate for delivery of possession was initiated by Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Government of Bihar. The Principal Secretary, Human Resource Department, Government of Bihar, Patna was the authority to undertake the delivery of possession and Mr. Sandeep Kumar, R. Pudakalkatti, District Magistrate and Collector respectively of Kishanganj, Bihar; had delivered the possession as per the authorization of Bihar government.

The land falls under the Kishanganj circle, Mauza Chakla, Khata no. 384 and Mauza Govindpur, Khata No. 40, together totaling 224.02 acres. The land has been transferred over to the Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University by the District Magistrate and Collector of Kishanganj District, free from any encumbrances for setting up a Centre of the Aligarh Muslim University.

The Minister Incharge of Kishanganj and Araria districts, Mr. Brijendra Prasad Yadav; Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Energy, Registration and Excise, Mr. Anjani Kumar Singh; Principal Secretary, Human Resource Development Department, Government of Bihar, Mr. Brijesh Mahrotra; Commissioner, Purnea, Mr. Rahman Balyavi, representing the Government of Bihar, were present during the transfer ceremony along with Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University; Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar, AMU; Mrs. Yasmeen Jalal Beg, Finance Officer and Member in charge, Property; Prof. H. S. A. Yahya, OSD, Nodal Office for AMU Centres; Prof. N. A. K. Durrani, Media Advisor; Prof. Javaid Akhtar, former Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Research and Prof. Ekram Husain, Principal, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, representing Aligarh Muslim University.

The Minister, Mr. Brijendra Prasad Yadav has assured all possible support in providing the necessary infrastructure required including the construction of a 30 meter wide road, 30 KV electricity substation dedicated to AMU Centre as well as water supplies to the campus will be provided. Besides he assured to build a fence to make the land encumbrance-free.

Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University assured that AMU Kishanganj matter will be put on fast track and within a couple of days a consultant will be appointed with instruction to submit DFR and DPR within a month’s time so that the University can submit a suitable proposal for funding of the project and for getting approval from the Visitor under Section 12(2) of the AMU Act 1981. In the meantime, the matter will be brought before the Academic Council, Executive Council and University Court for undertaking necessary amendments. He said that the project for the Kishanganj centre will be prepared similar to that of the AMU Malappuram Centre and Murshidabad Centre in terms of facilities and long-term plans and the AMU Kishanganj Centre will be a state-of-the-art centre of higher education with world class facilities and technological support.

The Vice Chancellor also assured that if the State government provides temporary accommodation, the University hopes to launch some of its programme in the next academic session itself.

The visiting AMU team inspected the land along with the District Revenue Officer. AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis observed that before fencing the land, all temporary settlements should be shifted taking in to consideration all humanitarian principles, while evacuating. Prof. Azis said that if necessary, around 2-3 acres can be parted away from the land given to AMU in order to resolve the temporary settlement issue in an amicable way. The district officials said that the land transfer has been made after the decision of the state cabinet.

Prof. Azis expressed gratitude to the people who organized a movement for the identification and transfer of land for the AMU Kishanganj Centre and congratulated them telling that their dream had finally come true.

Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi, Member of Parliament from Kishanganj, was present for the meeting, he expressed extreme happiness for the helps provided by the State government, Central government and the initiative taken by AMU Vice Chancellor, as his dream of bringing a modern education centre to Kishanganj has come true now. He hoped that in the near and distant future it is going to change the fate and face of this underdeveloped region of the country.

Mr. Akhtarul Iman, MLA, who played an active role in the identification of the land, and a number of distinguished people of the area were all present for the programme.

Courtesy: TCN

The Nitish Kumar government will appoint 34,540 trained teachers in government schools in February.

After years of excruciating wait, Rani Kumari will finally land a permanent job in February when the Nitish Kumar government appoints 34,540 trained teachers on regular pay scale in keeping with the Supreme Court’s directive.

But her joy will be short-lived. She will retire just a month later, on March 2, when she turns 60, the retirement age for school teachers in Bihar. On March 5, another recruit, Dani Mahto, will also retire because of the same reason.

Rani and Dani are among many 59-year-old job aspirants who will superannuate within months of joining the service as government teachers. There are others too, who will retire before completing one year in service – including Sushila Devi (who will retire on March 12), Kashinath Yadav (April 6), Tarika Devi (April 10), among others.

But they should still consider themselves lucky. The Bihar education department officials say nearly 600 aspirants, who would turn 60 before January 31, 2012 – the cut-off date set by the SC – would not get jobs at all. The SC had told the state government not to consider cases of persons who would turn 60 by January 31 next year.

The education department has now posted on its website, the list of the 34,540 candidates, including 4,827 Urdu teachers and 1,113 physical training instructors, who will get the appointments soon.

The appointments follow a prolonged legal battle between the job seekers and the state government which began in 2003, when the RJD was in power. The erstwhile government had advertised vacancies for 34,540 primary teachers but proceeded to appoint untrained teachers. Though there were 1.23 lakh applicants, around 29,000 candidates were rejected by the Staff Selection Commission after scrutiny.

The trained teachers challenged the eligibility criterion in the Patna High Court, which subsequently asked the state government to appoint only trained B.Ed teachers. The government appealed against the ruling in the SC. In 2007, the Nitish Kumar government promised in the SC that it would absorb all the trained teachers as more vacancies were available.

But when it started appointing the teachers on a contractual basis on a consolidated salary, the trained teachers moved the SC and demanded that they be appointed on a permanent basis with the prescribed pay scale. The SC again ruled in their favour.

The Bihar government last week conducted the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) to select suitable candidates for the job. But it is going ahead with the appointment of trained teachers, howsoever aged, first.

Courtesy: India Today

 It also sanctioned another Rs 380 crore for the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) to purchase additional power, taking the total allocation for buying power to Rs 1100 crore, official sources said today.

The state would buy power from NTPC at the rate of Rs 180 crore per month, from December 2011 to March 2012.

The cabinet gave its consent to pay Rs 6.54 crore to the Bihar State Hydro-electric Power Corporation (BSHPC) as state’s share in the 7 MW minor hydro-electric project at Ararghat (Madhepura), they said, adding administrative approval for the project, estimated to cost Rs 65.44 crore, had already been secured and NABARD had approved Rs 58.89-crore loan for it.

Courtesy: Money Control