The Times of India News

The RJD alleges the Bihar election mandate was rigged, citing a Union minister's past remarks and claiming machinery management manipulated votes. Despite the Election Commission's rejection of anomalies, the RJD insists a dacoity occurred, questioning the NDA's ground presence versus their victory. The BJP dismisses these claims as baseless accusations from a losing party.

In light of the biting cold and dense fog, the district administrations of Patna, Bhojpur, and Buxar have revised school hours to safeguard children's well-being. The new timetable will be in effect until December 25th, ensuring that young learners remain healthy during this chilly season while still facilitating important exams as scheduled.

During a recent address, Bihar's Transport Minister Sharwan Kumar voiced urgent concerns regarding the sluggish pace of revenue collection and the mounting backlog of vehicle registrations and driving licenses. He cautioned that officials failing to meet established targets could face disciplinary measures, as many districts are reporting woefully low revenue figures.

Patna is gearing up for a grand reception for Nitin Nabin, the BJP's newly appointed national working president, on his inaugural visit next week. A massive roadshow from the airport to Hanuman Mandir, followed by a felicitation ceremony at Miller School Ground, will mark his arrival. The events aim to showcase the party's strength and unity.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's remarks about his party losing a Bihar assembly seat y mistake have ignited a political firestorm. Opposition parties, citing the video, allege vote chori, while Manjhi claims the footage is tampered with. The controversy reignites long-standing accusations of electoral malpractice in the state.

A Delhi court will decide on framing charges in the land-for-jobs case on January 9, with Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and their children ordered to appear. The court also dismissed Rabri Devi's plea to transfer cases, including the IRCTC scam and money laundering proceedings, from Judge Vishal Gogne, whom she accused of bias.

Bihar is on the cusp of an industrial revolution, according to JD(U), with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's initiatives paving the way for self-reliance and job creation. The party anticipates significant industrial growth and investment between 2025 and 2030, driven by improved infrastructure and skill development, promising tangible improvements for the state's youth and society.

Panic gripped Aurangabad as a fire erupted at NTPC's Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project's Unit-1 cooling tower during maintenance. While no injuries were reported, significant damage to equipment occurred. Firefighting efforts brought the blaze under control after several hours. An internal inquiry is underway to determine the cause, with maintenance resuming only after a safety review.

North Bihar's 2024 floods caused over Rs 126 crore in losses to 2,290 families across seven districts. The survey revealed significant damage to land and housing, with 91% of families reducing food intake and many mortgaging assets. Floods affected 27 districts, highlighting the need for proactive flood management.

Bihar finds itself enveloped in a thick blanket of fog, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a cautionary alert. In western Bihar, temperatures have dipped significantly, Gaya experiencing the coldest lows. The local government has initiated warmth measures, setting up bonfires and emergency shelters to aid those affected by the harsh winter chill.

Patna traffic police have unveiled a comprehensive plan for the 359th Prakash Parv, with significant road restrictions in place for devotees and general traffic. Key routes, including Ashok Rajpath, will see diversions and closures from December 24th to 28th to facilitate celebrations and ensure smooth movement for essential services and participants.

In a bold move to elevate industrial growth in Bihar, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit championed a decisive 'now or never' mindset. He underscored the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and called for rapid policy reforms. During the meeting, he addressed ongoing payment disputes faced by innovators and urged for urgent road repairs adjacent to a new ethanol facility.

Patna's District Magistrate has ordered the destruction of over 2 lakh litres of seized liquor, with police stations holding the largest quantities. Country liquor must be destroyed within ten days and foreign liquor within fifteen. Additionally, 1,256 vehicles are slated for auction, and authorities are cracking down on crime syndicates involved in illegal trades.

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has partnered with IIT-Patna to enhance tunnel safety and protect hill slopes along national highways. This collaboration aims to tackle complex geological challenges in hilly regions, drawing on past incidents to build stronger scientific and engineering capabilities. The initiative seeks to create safer, more resilient highway infrastructure for the future.

East Champaran police have dismantled a significant cybercrime ring, arresting three individuals involved in ten fraud cases across India. Authorities seized cash, cellphones, and ATM cards. The syndicate exploited a local villager's bank account, facilitating over Rs 3 crore in fraudulent transactions since April. Investigations are ongoing.

Gaya is set to host the 67th state convention of ABVP from December 28, with Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar performing the 'bhoomi pujan'. Over 1,200 volunteers will attend the event, the first in 27 years, focusing on youth and societal issues.

Patna's administration is cracking down on animal cruelty following last year's rescue of 89 animals and 11 arrests. District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M emphasized stopping atrocities against living beings vital to our ecosystem. Local officials are now tasked with monitoring animal welfare, with plans to involve NGOs and grassroots workers to enhance reporting and expand surveillance across all blocks.

Patna University teachers are threatening direct action, including mass casual leave and a dharna on January 17, due to the administration's alleged apathy towards their long-pending demands. Key issues include maternity and child care leave, stalled promotions since 2022, service confirmation, pending salaries for a physics teacher, and research scholar allotments. PUTA insists on prompt resolution.

Patna residents face a significant property tax hike as 19 main roads are upgraded to 'principal main road' status. Over 5,000 households will see their residential property taxes increase by approximately 1.5 times. Commercial properties, including hotels and malls, will also experience substantial increases, with some facing up to double the previous tax.

A 19-year-old girl, Phoolwanti Kumari, was grievously injured after a bear strayed from Valmiki Tiger Reserve and attacked her in West Champaran. The incident occurred as she collected fodder near her home. Villagers intervened, driving the bear away. Forest officials are working to return the animal to the reserve and have advised caution.

In a daring daylight heist, criminals targeted two State Bank of India ATMs in West Champaran, making off with over Rs23 lakh. Using gas cutters, they breached the machines in the Nagar and Nautan police station areas. The thieves, arriving in a four-wheeler and disabling CCTV cameras, struck within a half-hour window, suggesting a single, well-prepared gang is responsible.

Dense fog has shrouded the Delhi-Patna rail corridor for the second consecutive day, bringing travel plans to a standstill for countless passengers. Major express services, including the Tejas Rajdhani and Sampoorna Kranti, have encountered substantial delays, leaving many travelers stranded for hours.

In the pursuit of revitalizing urban spaces, we're at a crossroads where creativity meets caution, as emphasized by architect Ettore Maria Mazzola. He argues that while rejuvenating our cities is vital, we must be careful not to erase the distinctive flavors of regional identity.

In a significant move to enhance law enforcement efficiency, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled 34 high-tech mobile forensic vehicles, designed to streamline crime scene investigations. These innovative tools will provide on-site evidence collection and immediate case initiation, vastly reducing the time taken to deliver crucial data from remote labs.