Tag: Gopalganj-district

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar writes to PM Modi for immediate ban on porn sites.

Source – thehindu.com

In the wake of rising incidents of rape and gang rape of women and minor girls across the country, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to immediately ban pornographic sites and inappropriate content.

“A large number of children and youth are watching pornographic, violent and inappropriate content. In many cases, videos of rape incidents are being circulated on social media, which severely affects the brains of children and youngsters, and such material has also been seen as a factor leading to crimes of rape,” Mr. Kumar said in his one-page letter to Mr. Modi.

Serious concerns

Earlier, on December 6, while addressing a public meeting in the course of his ongoing Jal Jeevan Hariyali Yatra on climate change in the Gopalganj district, Mr. Kumar had expressed serious reservations over the free use of porn sites by children and youth. He had also urged students and youth to stay from visiting porn sites as it eventually led to “perversion” in their minds.

“Though there is a provision for this in the Information Technology Act, 2000 [amended in 2008], it is not effective. In this regard, the honourable Supreme Court, too, has given several directions to the government,” said Mr. Kumar.

‘Unlimited availability’

He added, “In my opinion, the unlimited availability of such improper material in the name of freedom of expression and thought is not proper, and it is an urgent need to take effective steps to check this to prevent crimes of rape against women and children. There is an urgent need to give strict directions to Internet Service Providers as well, and a vigorous awareness campaign along with parents, educational institutes and NGOs too is important.”

Recent incidents of rape and gang rapes from various parts of Bihar have rocked the State government. On December 9, a 20-year-old girl student of Patna University was allegedly gang raped by four youths, and later all four accused persons in the case were arrested by the police.

Nitish Kumar To Begin Bihar Tour Against Climate Change From December 3.

Source – ndtv.com

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will begin his statewide ”Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Yatra” against climate change from December 3, officials said on Monday. Emphasising the importance of water conservation and afforestation, the chief minister will undertake the four-day first phase of the tour in the northwestern districts of the state, they said.

“Nitish Kumar will commence the ”yatra” from Bagha in West Champaran district and after traversing East Champaran and Siwan districts, he will conclude the first phase of the tour at Gopalganj district,” a senior official said.

The chief minister will speak in public meetings on climate change, launch projects under his ”Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali  Abhiyan”, inspect ponds and waste management units and hold talks with officials concerned, he said.

The entire ”yatra”, during which the chief minister will traverse the length and breadth of the state, is expected to conclude by January 19, following which a human chain would be formed, the official said.

The human chain will showcase state government initiatives such as a ban on sale and consumption of liquor and drives against dowry and child marriage. The Bihar chief minister has won accolades from American business magnate Bill Gates for the initiative.

The tour comes less than a year ahead of the state Assembly elections, success in which will enable Nitish Kumar to return to power for the fourth consecutive time and ultimately make him the longest-serving chief minister of Bihar.

The JD(U) national president is known for conducting statewide tours to review progress made in the remote corners of Bihar.

The ”Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Yatra” shares a name with the chief minister’s drive launched a few months back against climate change.

The drive was conceptualised after an all-party meeting in July this year in which members of both the Houses of the state Assembly had unanimously agreed to make efforts in combating climate change.