A woman, as everyone
knows, usually gives birth to a baby after nine months of pregnancy, but in
Bihar 298 women claim to have delivered two to five children in a span of
60 days – at least that’s what records of incentives amount given to new
mothers under a government scheme show.
A woman gets around Rs.1,000 when she gives
birth under the government’s Janani Suraksha Yojana but a total of Rs.6.6 lakh
was paid as incentive to 298 women who claimed to have delivered two to five
children within 60 days under the scheme, says a report of the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG) that exposes corruption in the state.
These irregularities were found in the year
2008-09 in the districts of Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Kishanganj
and Nalanda, according to the CAG report 2009 tabled in the monsoon session of
the state assembly that concluded last week.
“The concerned officials paid incentives
under the Janani Suraksha Yojana to these women two to five times in 60
days,” the report says.
Unfortunately, thousands of genuine lactating
mothers were denied the incentive due to them. The CAG report says that of
470,307 new mothers, 97,146 were not provided cash incentives under the Janani
Suraksha Yojana for want of funds. Also, payment of Rs.25.19 crore to 1.8 lakh
beneficiaries were made after a delay ranging between eight and 732 days.
Opposition leaders criticised the state
government for the corruption in the implementation of the Janani Suraksha
Yojana in the state.
“All this is happening in Bihar when Chief
Minister Nitish Kumar is claiming good governance. This is just a trailer of
the unbelievable corruption in implementation of welfare schemes,”
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) state president Abdul Bari Siddiqui said.
Said Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)
youth leader Gopal Sharma: “High corruption during Nitish Kumar’s
four-and-a-half year rule has eaten into welfare schemes like in the case of
Janani Suraksha Yojana exposed by the CAG report.”
Tag: champaran
A place in Bihar with relation to Mahatma Gandhi
Motihari (East
Champaran): Motihari was to
the first laboratory of Gandhian experiment in Satyagraha and probably it will
not be very incorrect to say that is has been the spring board for India’s
independence. Champaran district generated a wave of enthusiasm and inspiration
to the people who were thirsting for a selfless and saintly leader. The
technique followed by Gandhiji in Champaran was what attained later on the name
of Satyagraha.
Hazarimal
Dharamshala, Betia (West Champaran): It is at Betiah in the Lal Bazar area. Gandhi and his companions
used to camp here and it was the epicenter of his “Satyagraha”. The State Govt.
has declared this building a protected monument. The Betia Raj Kuteherry and
the Dharmashala were Mahatama Gandhi stayed are well worth visit.
Bhitharwa
Ashram (West Champaran): It
is a village in the Bettiah Sub-division under Gaunaha Block. This was one of
the centre for social work selected by Gandhiji, when he was in Champaran in
1917.
At
present there is a Khadi Centre working under direct control of the Bihar Khadi
Samiti. There is a Gandhi Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during the
Indian freedom straggle.
Brindaba (West
Champaran): It is a small
village in the Betia sub-division under Champatia Block. It has the Gram Seva
Kendra, which had been planned to work out the deals of the Gandhi Seva Sangh.
The all India Gandhi Seva Sangh held there annual conference at this village in
1937. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad attended it. Gandhiji stayed here
in 1939 and started an Ashram, which is still functioning.
Shri Rampur
(West Champaran): Situated
in the Gannaha Block of Bhitiharwa Panchayat. Gandhiji had stayed here on 16th
November, 1917.
Koeldih (West
Champaran): Under Gaunaha
Block in the Belwa Panchayat. Gandhiji had visited this place on 16th November,
1917.
Amolwa (West
Champaran): Under Gaunaha
Block in the Majharia Panchayat, where Gandhiji spent a night on the 27th
April, 1917 with his other companions.
Murli Bharhawa
(West Champaran): It was
the native place of Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla who had been a close associates of
Mahatma Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagrah Movement. Pandit Shukla took a
lead role in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran.
Sariswa (West
Champaran): This place is in
Ratanmala Panchayat under Majhaulia Block-Gandhiji and his companions had taken
statement of raiyats in a open yard in front of the temple.
Hardiya Kothi
(West Champaran): It is
under Bishunpur Panchyat of the Nautan Block. It was house of Mr. G. P. Edward,
a British Indigo Planter. Remains of this building are in some what better
condition in comparison to other such old buildings.
Sadaquat
Ashram (Patna): It is
situated in Digha area on Patna Danapur Road and in pre independence days
guided the freedom movement in Bihar. It is Associated with the memories of
Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Mautana Mazharal Haque and other leaders.
Gandhi
Sangrahalay (Patna Museum): Close
to the Western end of Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The Gandhi Sangrahalaya houses a
large number of items and artifacts related with Mahatma Gandhi and his
satyagrah movement in Bihar. It also has a vast collection of Gandhian
literature and photographs depicting his life and works. A “Charkha” (Country
made spinning wheel) used by Mahatma Gandhi is also well preserved in this
museum.
Tourist places in Motihari
Introduction
Motihari is a town steeped in history
Motihari holds its eminence as the
Places in and around Motihari have had an older link
A museum and a stone pillar are there to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s links with Motihari.Gandhiji’s courageous
Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha
Places of Interest
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Gandhi Sangrahalaya
It has on display an array of photographs and relics of the Champaran
satyagraha.
Schools
started by Gandhi
The schools started by Mahatma Gandhi in the village of Barharwa Lakhensen and
Madhuban are among other important sites of interest in the vicinity of
Motihari.
Kesaria
There’s a stupa at Kesaria near Motihari which is said to be the tallest and
the largest Buddhist stupa in the world.It was discovered in 1998 through
excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The stupa’s height is 104 feet,which is far less than its reported original
height.Yet,it is one ft taller than the famous Borobodur stupa in Java.Legend
has it that Buddha,on his last journey,is reported to have spent a memorable
night at Kesaria,where he reportedly made some historical revelations.These
were later recorded in a Buddhist Jataka story
Orwell’s
birth place
George orwell,one of the greatest writersof twentieth century and author of
famous books like ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’,was born in Motihari
in 1903.His father Richard walmesley Blair was a deputy posted in the opium
department in Bihar.The cottage,where the famous author was born,lies in the
midst of the town.A plaque commemorating has birth place stands outside the
house.
Areraj
Temple
A
little away from Motihari lies the temple town of Areraj.The Shiva temple here
is a popular pilgrim site.Also at Areraj lies an Ashokan pillar attracting
tourists throughout the year.
Lake
Town
Motihari
has a picturesque lake-Motijheel-running through it.HOW TO REACH
By Air:
Nearest Airport
Motihari has a railway station. But it is advisable to travel to Motihari by
road from Patna. Buses and taxis are available. The distance between Patna and Motihari
is 160 km.
By Rail:
Nearest railhead
Motihari
By Road:
A number of buses play between Patna and Motihari.
Where to Stay:
Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas in the Motihari Town.
Aarti Hotel,Main Road,Phone: 06252-290664,09304255459
ACjnon-AC rooms are available for Rs 150 to Rs 1,000. Food is also served here.
Hotel Shakti,Chhatauni Road,Phone: 06252-235715
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 900.
Hotel Monica,Madhuban Chhawni Chowk,Phone: 09430255419
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 900.
Hotel Divya Raj,Madhuban Chhawni Chowk,Phone: 06252-241777
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 1,400.
Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.
In Emergency,Contact:
District Magistrate: 06252-222695(Off) , 242800(Res) 9431811222 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police: 222684(Off),232683(Res) 9431822988 (Mobile
Sub-Divisional Police Officer: 222923(Off),9431800068(Mobile)
Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr.Shambhu Saran(Cardiologist): 9431233077
Dr.Ashutosh Saran(Surgeon): 9431233123
Dr. Jasbir Saran(Gynaecologist): 9431434954
Dr Shekhar Verma (Dentist): 9431434954
Dr. J. N. Gupta(Physician): 9431233022
Tourist Season
October to March.
Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November
to January).