Nitish Kumar will lead NDA in Bihar elections, says Amit Shah.

Source – thehindu.com

Bharatiya Janata Party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Nitish Kumar would lead the NDA in the Assembly election in Bihar due this year.

“I want to make it clear once and for all that NDA will contest the next Assembly election in Bihar under Nitish Kumar….Lalu’s dream to become chief minister again will not be fulfilled”, said Mr. Shah, while addressing a public meeting as part of the party’s ongoing Jan Jagran Abhiyan (people’s outreach programme) on the new citizenship law, CAA, in Vaishali, near Patna.

While listing the achievements of the NDA governments in Bihar and at the Centre, Mr. Shah slammed the Opposition and the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. “We took Bihar from lantern age to LED age, from loot to law and order, fodder scam to protection of cows and from jungle raj to janata raj”, he said.

He also appealed to the audience to dial 88662 on their mobile phone to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked how many of them dialled the number. However, very few hands were raised.

“The new citizenship law is not for taking away anyone’s citizenship but to give citizenship to those who were persecuted and oppressed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and seek refuge in our country”, explained Mr. Shah, while asking people, “whether we should give them citizenship or not?”. “But, the opposition Congress party, Lalu Prasad, Arvind Kerjriwal and Mamata Banerjee are opposing this…they speak the same language of Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan”, he added.

“It was the Congress government which had divided the country earlier on religious grounds…30% Hindus were living each in East (now Bangladesh) and west Pakistan but today there are only 7% Hindus in Bangladesh and 15% in Pakistan — who is responsible for this?”, asked Mr. Shah. “Lalu, Rahul and Company should answer where they have gone”, he said.

“When slogans like Bharat tere tukde honge hazaar were chanted in JNU, the Modi government sent them to jail but the Kejriwal government was opposing it…don’t you think they should be sent to jail?”, Mr. Shah asked the audience. When the new Citizenship Act came in there was communal tension in several parts of the country. “Congress party, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Co. are responsible for the communal tension over CAA”, he alleged.

The BJP chief declared that “the process of construction of a Ram temple will begin in Ayodhya within four months”. He listed the abrogation of Article 370, 35 (A) and surgical strikes in Pakistan as the government’s achievements.

Mr. Shah asked party leaders and workers to undertake a door-to-door campaign in the State and explain to people the new citizenship law and how the Opposition has been spreading rumours over it.

On Tuesday Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had come to Gaya in Bihar to remove ‘misgivings’ on CAA but protesters sent up black balloons during his speech.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav too began his four-day Pratishodh Yatra in Muslim-dominated Seemanchal (border districts) on Thursday to intensify the anti-CAA stir.

Dalai Lama visits Bihar CM’s residence, prays for peace.

Source – thehindu.com

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama called on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday at his official residence here, and held a prayer ceremony for peace and well-being of all, official sources said.

Mr. Kumar accorded a warm welcome to the exiled Buddhist monk, and presented him with a bouquet and ‘angavastram’, following which they posed for pictures, the sources said.

The Dalai Lama thereafter offered prayers before a ’Bodhi tree’ at the Chief Minister’s 1, Anney Marg bungalow along with other Buddhist priests, praying for all-round peace and prosperity.

The ‘Bodhi tree’ at the CM’s official residence is a sapling of the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, under which Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment more than 2,000 years ago.

Several officials, including Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, legislative council officiating chairman Haroon Rashid and state minister Ashok Choudhary, were also present at the occasion.

As a parting gift, the Chief Minister presented the monk with an idol of Lord Buddha.

The Dalai Lama visits Bihar every year in December-January as part of an annual retreat during which he offers public discourses at Bodh Gaya and conducts the “Kalachakra” tantric initiation ceremony.

Last week, the Chief Minister had called on the Dalai Lama at the Tibetan temple in Bodh Gaya, and apprised him of his government’s ‘Jal Jeevan Hariyali’ campaign.

Routes for electric buses finalised.

Source – telegraphindia.com

Get ready for shuttle service on electricity powered mini-buses in the state capital by October this year.

Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited (RSCCL) has drawn up two circular routes for the shuttle services initially.

“Acting on the directive of the principal secretary of the state urban development department Ajoy Kumar Singh, we have finalised two routes for the 14+1-seater (14 passengers plus driver) electric bus shuttle services and bids will be invited for service providers soon,” a senior RSCCL official said on Friday.

“We are hopeful of starting the bus service before the festive season in October this year on these two routes. The routes have been drawn up in such a manner that they cover most parts of the city. Depending on the response, we will be increasing the routes later on,” the official added.

The buses will have low-floor configuration, which are easy to get on or disembark from.

The first round-trip route will start and end at Kantatoli and cover a distance of more than 10km. “The Kantatoli shuttle services will begin from Kantatoli Chowk and cover Bahu Bazaar roundabout, Munda Chowk, railway station, Patel Chowk, Sujata Talkies Chowk, Ratan Talkies Chowk, Sarjana Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Main Road (Mahatma Gandhi Chowk), Albert Ekka Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Jail Chowk, Lalpur Chowk, Circular Road, and Dangratoli,” the source informed.

The other route of the shuttle service will begin from Booty Mor and cover Khelgaon roundabout, Kokar Chowk, Kantatoli Chowk, Bahu Bazaar, Munda Chowk, Sujata Chowk, Rajendra Chowk, Hinoo Chowk (near Ranchi airport), Birsa Chowk, Satellite Chowk, Argora, Harmu, Sahjanand Chowk, Ratu Road, Kishore Yadav Chowk, Suchna Bhavan, Machhli Ghar, and Bariatu Road.

“The second route will cover a distance of nearly 29 km,” the RSCCL source said. “The objective of introducing such buses — both fuel driven and battery operated — which have more seating capacity than the auto-rickshaws is to decrease traffic congestion caused by such auto-rickshaws as people will opt for such buses. We plan to roll out nearly 150 such buses.”

Urban development department spokesperson Amit Kumar said the routes had been planned carefully.

“The environment-friendly battery operated buses will ply on the two routes selected based on traffic density and cover most of the capital,” he said.

The existing fuel driven city buses (29-seater) will be made to ply on the six-lane ring roads outside the city touching the national highways. “The hybrid or CNG buses with better seating capacity (29-seater) will be made to ply on more routes which do not witness traffic jams,” Amit said.

Brace for rainy days in Jharkhand.

Source – telegraphindia.com

As earlier predicted by the meteorological department, several parts of the state are likely to witness light to moderate rain and thundershowers for the next three to four days.

A fresh western disturbance, formation of two cyclonic circulations, and a low pressure trough are expected to trigger light to moderate rain over Jharkhand.

A bulletin issued by the Ranchi centre of the India Meteorological Department on Friday afternoon indicated formation of a cyclonic circulation over eastern Madhya Pradesh extending up to 900m above mean sea level.

Another cyclonic circulation was hovering over western Uttar Pradesh, while the trough at 1.5km above mean sea level was stretched between the cyclonic circulation over Uttar Pradesh to south Gujarat across western Madhya Pradesh.

“The cyclonic circulations coupled with the trough and a fresh western disturbance would result in rainfall activity over Jharkhand for the next four days at least,” said S.D. Kotal, director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

According to the weatherman, light to moderate rain was expected at isolated places over north-western ( Palamau and Chatra) on Friday night. The Ranchi Meteorological Centre issued forecast of light to moderate rain at isolated places over central and northern Jharkhand on Saturday, while on Sunday showers are expected in several districts in southern, central and north-eastern parts of the state.

The Met office also predicted rainfall activity in southern and north-western parts of Jharkhand on Monday and Tuesday. The weathermen also issued a warning of thunder accompanied by lightning in isolated pockets over the weekend.

The adverse weather systems resulted in a change in the wind pattern. Currently, the south-easterly wind is dominating over Jharkhand resulting in moisture incursion and rise in night readings.

Data revealed that minimum readings in Ranchi and many other districts including Daltonganj, Simdega, Khunti, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Dumka, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum witnessed a rise.

Ranchi on Friday recorded a minimum temperature of 11.4°C, two notches above normal.

Daltonganj recorded 14°C, five points above normal.

The local IMD observatory in Jamshedpur on Friday recorded a minimum of 13.4°C, three degrees above normal. Chaibasa in neighbouring West Singhbhum district recorded 11.8°C, three points above normal.

WBPSC Recruitment 2020: Apply for 262 Workshop Instructor and Assistant Engineer Post at pscwbonline.gov.in

Source – www.pagalguy.com

West Bengal Public Service Commission is a registered body under the aegis of the state government of West Bengal. It handles the duty for organising various recruitment drives periodically according to the vacancies available with different departments, ministries, and undertakings of the West Bengal government.

Numerous candidates who are interested in government jobs participate in the recruitment campaigns organised by the West Bengal Public Service Commission.

According to the latest notification published by the West Bengal Public Service Commission, i.e. WPSC Recruitment 2020, applications have been invited from interested candidates for the position of Instructor and Workshop Engineer across various departments of the state government. A

s per the official notification released on 16th January 2020, the total number of available vacancies is 262. Out of which 244 vacancies pertain to the post of workshop instructor and 18 vacancies pertain to the post of Assistant Engineer.

The application process should be completed by the candidates by logging-on to official website of West Bengal Public Service Commission @pscwbonline.gov.in. The last date for completion of the online application process for the post of workshop instructor is 5th February 2020 and for the post of Assistant Engineer is 4th February 2020.

Candidates must, therefore, complete their applications before the cut-off date, so as to avoid any hassles later on. Only those applicants will be considered for the WPSC Recruitment 2020 who have completed their application process before the last date.

Candidates must apply for either of the available positions only as applying for both the profiles will lead to cancellation of the candidate’s application.

Stay connected with fellow students on PaGaLGuY for  WBPSC Recruitment 2019

Merely meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an interview for the candidates. The candidates will be selected based on their qualifications as well as performance in the preliminary screening test.

Age relaxation norms, as specified by central government, will be applicable to the WPSC Recruitment 2020.  Candidates must keep their original educational documents, experience certificates, caste certificates, and other documents ready as the same must be produced when requisitioned by the commission.

If at any stage of the selection process, it is found that the candidate does not meet the requirements, the candidature can be cancelled at any time.

UPSC Recruitment 2020: Application process for intelligence officer posts closing soon.

Source – hindustantimes.com

UPSC Recruitment 2020: Today is the last date to apply for deputy central intelligence officer (technical) posts. If you have not yet applied for the posts, do it before the end of the day. Engineering graduates can apply for the posts.

The last date to print the completely filled application form is January 17, 2020. Candidates can apply online at upsconline.nic.in

There are a total of 27 posts of deputy central intelligence officer (Technical), Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The candidates shortlisted for interview on the basis of the information provided in the online applications submitted by them will be required to send self attested copies of documents/relevant certificates in support of the claims. Candidates are also advised to bring the required certificates and documents at the time of interview to support their information provided in the application form.

Educational Qualification: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E. or B. Tech.) or B.Sc. (Engg.) awarded by a recognized University in the fields of Electronics or Electronics and Communication or Electronics and Telecommunication or Computer Science or Computer Engineering or Computer Technology or Computer Science and Engineering or Information Technology or Software Engineering or Associate Membership of Institute of Engineers (AMIE) in Electronics and Communications Engineering or Graduate Ship awarded by Associate Membership of Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers (AMIETE) in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering or Master of Science in Physics with Electronics or Telecommunication or Master of Computer Applications (MCA) after three years Bachelor of Science in Physics or Master of Science (Information Technology)or Master of Science (Computer Science)or Master of Science(Software) from a recognized University.  

Moreover, there are two other posts vacant for data processing assistant, National Crime Records Bureau, Department of Women Safety, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The posts are suitable for Physically Challenged person viz. Deaf and Hard of Hearing/ Locomotor Disability including Cerebral Palsy/ Leprosy Cured/ Dwarfism/ Acid Attack Victims/ Muscular Dystrophy with disability i.e. Deaf (D) or Hard of Hearing (HH), Both legs affected but not arms (BL), One leg affected (R or L) (OL). The posts are permanent.

Educational Qualification for Data Processing Assistant:

Master’s Degree in Computer Applications /Information Technology /Computer Science of a recognized University/Institute OR B.E./B.Tech. in Computer Engineering/Computer Science/Computer Technology/Computer Science and Engineering/ Information Technology from a recognized University/Institute.

5 nabbed for molesting 6 minors in Jharkhand.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Six minor girls, returning from a village fair, were allegedly molested by five people in Khunti village of Jharkhand late on Wednesday, police said on Thursday, adding that all five accused, including a minor, have been nabbed.

The police said that cases under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have been lodged against them.

Ashutosh Sekhar, Khunti superintendent of police, said it was the case of molestation, not rape.

“The victims told police that they were molested. We also interrogated the accused and they admitted to doing the same thing,” said Shekar.

He, however, said a board has been constituted for medical examination of the girls. All six girls were also produced before the child welfare committee (CWC).

The incident took place on Wednesday around 7.30 pm when six girls, in the age group from 12 to 15 and students of classes 5 to 8, were returning from a Makar Santranti fair.

They were intercepted by the youth, who were on two bikes and one scooty. They invited the girls to a sweet shop. The girls knew one youth as he studies in the same school. The boys offered them a lift to their village, but on the way, took them to Hatudami village, around six kilometres away from the village of the girls, police said.

Ashish Mahli, the subdivisional police officer (SDPO) of Khunti, said two girls jumped from the bikes and received minor injuries, and they managed to run to their village. They narrated the story to the villagers who then went to Hatudami village to rescue the remaining four girls.

Mahli said residents of both the villages rescued the girls and called police on Thursday morning.

“We also conducted a raid and nabbed all five, including a minor. A team of forensic science laboratory and crime investigation department went to the spot for inspection,” he said.

Mahli said further detailed could be revealed on Friday after reports from the medical board and FSL team come. The police also recovered a motorbike and a scooty from the crime scene. All six girls are school students and also hockey players.

MS Dhoni starts practicing with Jharkhand Ranji squad after omission from BCCI contract list.

Source – indiatoday.in

Dropped from BCCI’s central contracts list, former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni began practising with the Jharkhand Ranji Trophy squad on Thursday amid fresh speculation on his future.

The 38-year-old showed up at his home team’s net practice in Ranchi, indicating that he is gearing himself for the upcoming Indian Premier League. This was on a day when BCCI axed him from the list of centrally contracted players.

“Even we did not know that he was going to come and train with us. It was a pleasant surprise. He batted for a while and did the usual training routine, ” a source close to the Jharkhand team management told PTI.

“We are expecting him to train with the team regularly from now on. His presence can only help the players,” the source added.

In fact, Dhoni has bought a brand new bowling machine for his training. While the Jharkhand team will have their red-ball routines, Dhoni will primarily practice against the white ball.

Jharkhand’s next match is against Uttarakhand, starting Sunday in Ranchi. The team has returned home after an eight-wicket loss against Maharashtra in Nagothane. Out of five games, Jharkhand have won two, lost two and drawn one.

He has not played a competitive game since the World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand on July 9 though he was seen training for the first time since that defeat in November.

India head coach Ravi Shastri has hinted that the celebrated wicketkeeper-batsman might retire from ODIs soon but will be in contention for a T20 World Cup berth provided he does well for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia in October-November.

Outgoing chief selector MSK Prasad has already made his stance clear, saying that the World Cup-winning captain can only be selected again on the basis of performances.

While Dhoni has not revealed anything about his future, he is certain to captain Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 IPL.

Since the World Cup, he has missed the tour of the West Indies and the home series against South Africa, Bangladesh, the West Indies and the ongoing one against Australia.

Gear up for scooter rides at Ranchi Lake.

Source – telegraphindia.com

Water sports buffs, by the end of this year you can try out water scootering, paddle boating and motorboat rides at the iconic Swami Vivekananda Sarovar, popularly known as Bada Talab or Ranchi Lake.

Acting on the order of state urban development principal secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) directed Chadda and Associates, the architecture consultancy firm, to incorporate the components of water sports in the second phase of renovation of Ranchi Lake. This is to be carried out on 10 acres of Bada Talab near the Nagarmal Modi Seva Sadan Hospital-end.

Ranchi Lake or Bada Talab will be the first reservoir in Jharkhand to have water scooter rides if the plan fructifies.

Bada Talab, spread over 52 acres, was created by a British agent, Colonel Onsely, in 1842 with the help of prisoners to maintain the groundwater level of the city located more than 2,100 feet above sea level.

“Based on the directive of the principal secretary on inclusion of water sports for youths, we have asked private consultants to purchase water scooters, paddle boats and motorboats,” RMC commissioner Manoj Kumar said. “Ideally, we would begin with a pair of each of the water-sport equipment, which would be operated by a private agency and ensure safety of the participants.

“We hope to introduce the facility soon after the completion of the second phase of the renovation plan by the end of 2020,” he added. “We also plan to convert a small patch of island at the centre of the lake into a resting place with chairs and a snack kiosk.”

Chadda and Associates has also been asked to incorporate a kids’ play zone with swings and simple gaming activities and playstations.

An open-air theatre with live band performances, on the lines of the ones Rock Garden in Kanke, is also on cards.

The lake would have a sewage treatment plant (STP) and treatment of wastewater through bio-remediation.

“The consultant has been asked to submit a fresh detailed project report incorporating the new suggestions including setting up of STP within a week. After getting the report we will be getting it sanctioned by the department. As soon as we get an official nod, we will start the process of issuing a tender for the renovation work,” said a senior official in RMC engineering wing.

The cost of renovation is pegged at over Rs 14 crore after inclusion of the new suggestions. The plan already had the proposal for landscaping, benches and tensile structures, and a cafeteria.

The first phase of the beautification and conservation of the lake began in May 2017. Two bridges — one 20m long and 6m wide linking the main entrance with Island-1 of the lake, the other 200m long and 6m wide connecting Island-1 with Island-2 — were built then. This apart, lighting, fountains, pathways and sewage treatment plants were done in the first phase of renovation. This was pegged at Rs 13 crore.

A 33-foot-high statue of Swami Vivekananda was added to the beautification project taking the cost to Rs 20-crore in June 2017. The statue was opened to the public in January 2019.

Fodder scam case: Lalu Prasad Yadav appears before CBI court in Ranchi.

Source – newindianexpress.com

RANCHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday appeared before a special CBI court here to record his statement in another fodder scam case.

Lalu Prasad was brought to the CBI court from paying ward of Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Ranchi. He was produced before special CBI court of S.K. Shashi.

His statement will be recorded in a fodder scam case no. RC 47A/96 which is related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139 crore from Doranda treasury of Ranchi.

Lalu Prasad has been convicted in four fodder scam cases. He has been awarded jail up to 14 years.

Lalu Prasad is accused in six cases in the fodder scam. Of the five cases in Jharkhand, he has been convicted in four. The trial in the fifth case is underway in the CBI court of Ranchi.

There are total 111 accused and statements of 107 have been recorded in Doranda treasury case so far.