Bihar

The two States signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing Sone river water in Delhi on 31 August, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and both Chief Ministers. Of the 7.75 million-acre feet allocated to undivided Bihar, Bihar gets 5.75 MAF and Jharkhand 2 MAF.

The Bihar Cabinet on 2 September cleared ₹9,169 crore for all urban local bodies in the State for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, under the Sixteenth Finance Commission award. Urban Development Minister Nitish Mishra said about 90% of the money is distributed on population and 10% on a performance criterion.

A Bihar Home Department notification of 3 September requires prior State permission before the Central Bureau of Investigation initiates any investigation, search, interrogation or arrest against a public servant serving under the State government. The same order widens the agency’s ambit over Central employees, Central PSUs and private persons.

The Bihar School Examination Board will print “kaushal ke liye patra” — eligible for skills — in place of “fail” on Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets from next year. Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari announced the change on 28 August, saying that failure to score the expected marks does not diminish a student’s talent. The Education Department is to issue formal directions to the Board.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched the Vidyarthi Sahyog portal, through which students can send their problems and suggestions directly to the State government. Student support camps will also be organised on the fourth Tuesday of every month to hear grievances in person.

Darbhanga had more than 350 ponds in 1969 according to the district gazetteer and has fewer than 100 today. The citizens’ group Talab Bachao Abhiyan has challenged BUIDCO’s ₹70.34-crore beautification plan for the Harahi, Dighi and Gangasagar ponds. The Supreme Court recorded the State’s undertaking that no further soil would be dumped and fixed 7 September as the next date of hearing.