NEWS

The saga of allegations and counter allegations in Maharashtra has now reached the Bombay High Court with an advocate filing a plea seeing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

Advocate Jayshree Patil had earlier filed a written complaint at the Malabar Hill police station seeking registration of an FIR against Anil Deshmukh.

In the petition, Jayshree Patil has argued that the high court should issue a direction to the CBI or "any other independent agency" to conduct an "unbiased, uninfluenced, impartial and fair" probe in the "various corrupt malpractices of Anil Deshmukh", as alleged by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari of "hiring and harbouring criminals" in Nandigram. Adhikari will contest against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Nandigram constituency. 

In a letter to the Election Commission (EC), the TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O' Brien has accused Adhikari of visiting one of the four locations where he is allegedly harbouring criminals. 

"It has come to our knowledge that Suvendu Adhikari, the candidate fielded by BJP in Nandigram has been harbouring criminals, who are non-residents of Nandigram," PTI quoted TMCs letter. 

With 81% of the latest 401 samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK Covid variant, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday appealed to the people to get themselves vaccinated.

He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to widen the vaccination ambit to cover those younger than 60 since the mutant has been found to be infecting young people more.

Expressing concern over the emerging situation, Amarinder stressed on the need for the Centre to urgently open up vaccination for a larger section of the populace. The process needs to be expedited, he said, pointing to the fact that experts had found the existing Covishield vaccine to be equally effective against the UK variant - B.1.1.7. It was essential to vaccinate more and more people to break the chain of transmission, he added.

Since the British regime carved out the state of Bihar from Bengal on March 22, 1912, the day is observed as Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day. The day is celebrated not only in Bihar but also in the neighboring states and countries abroad by natives. People prepare special meals and turn to folklores and folk music to mark the day.

The theme for this Bihar Diwas is Jal Jeevan Hariyali to raise awareness about declining annual rainfall and water security in the state.

Bihar has given birth to many extraordinary people whose contributions strongly influenced the history of our country. Indias first President Rajendra Prasad was born in Bihar.  Anugrah Narayan Sinha, also known as Bihar Vibhuti who played a significant role in the freedom was also born in the state. Shri Krishna Singh, popularly known as Bihar Kesari was the first Chief Minister of Bihar. Veer Kunwar Singh who led the  'Indian Rebellion of 185'7 also hailed from the state.