𝐁𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

21-06-2023 Government's new proposal for Subsidy on Desi Cattle Farming: Upto- 75% (sc/st-75%, General-50%) Eligibility - Anyone Who holds Land 5-10 Kattha. Objectives:- Promotion of Desi Cattle, Increase in Farmers income. Desi Cows- Sahiwal, Gyr, Tharparkar Total Milk Output in Bihar- 121 lakh tonnes (Bihar Economic Survey, 2023) 64% Cows, 33% Buffaloes, 2.3% Goats)

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is an autonomous institute offering courses in fashion, fashion designing course, technology, and management. NIFT currently has 18 campuses spread across the country. The first campus was established in 1986 in Haus Khaz, New Delhi. NIFT Patna was started in June, 2008, from its transit campus situated in the prestigious Udyog Bhavan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna and from July 2014 it has start functioning from its own permanent campus at Mithapur Farms, Patna.

Sand is the most important construction material. Ensuring its availability is vital for infrastructure development in state. The most important source of sand is River. However, the extraction is to be conducted on par with standards set by the Minind Dept ensuring the Healthy condition of Man and the Environment. The reckless extraction of Sand in Bihar has not only put Environments in peril but also caused other law and order issues in the state. Bihar has deposit of Sands for both purposes of Construction and Filling. The North side of the Ganga has white sand used for filling whereas the South Side has Yellow sand referred to as Golden Sand mainly found in the Sone River, it has high demand across the country. Excessive extraction of sand Govt effort to compensate the revenue The Bihar government imposed prohibition in 2016, and is keen to make up lost alcohol-sale taxes by increasing its revenue from sand mining. Its sand policy is also intended to generate sustainable, local employment. The Bihar government has earned an all-time high revenue of Rs 1384.46 crore from sand mining during 2022-23, an increase of nearly 54 per cent compared to the previous fiscal. Nexus between Sand Mafia and Politicians This “nexus” of powerful people drives large-scale illegal sand mining, which is a significant source of money without the need for much investment. High Demand During September- October Govt bans the extraction of sand during the Monsoon season from July to September. This year the ban has been extended to 15 October. Once the plantation of paddy in the state is over, Most of the people including the agricultural labourer become unemployed and shift to Construction work. This causes the demand rise of sand, which contributes to the illegal mining of Sand. Concerns Environmental: Sone is fragile ecosystem for Gharials. Illegal and unscientific mining has destroyed natural habitats. Flood: Over-extraction has caused denundation of water causing floods in nearby areas. Water Scarcity: Sand mining can lead to the depletion of groundwater. Health of workers: Sand mining is risky work. which become more vulnerable when it is unscientific and unmonitored. The working conditions are far from safe. The labourer working on the Sone riverbed says he fears for his life, as he points to the riverbank rising steeply 30 to 40 feet above him. If it were to collapse, it could bury him; in July, three labourers across two sites in Bihar were reported to have been killed when huge chunks of sand fell on them during illegal mining operations. A SANDRP report revealed that 124 people, mainly poor workers, died in accidents and violence with Bihar on top at 83. Law and order issue: it gives rise to sand mafias and nexus between mafias and the law enforcement agencies causing corruption in governance.