THE Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar has brought out a report card on its performance after the completion of one year in office in November. It boasts of implementation of 35 per cent reservation for women in all state government jobs, enforcement of total prohibition, beginning of work on the Kachi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge on the Ganges and conducting free and fair matriculation examinations.

TOTAL prohibition declared by the Bihar government and the resultant bootlegging have occupied much of the space of daily newspapers in the state. The legislation enacted by the government to enforce the prohibition has been criticised for some of its provisions that are harsh, including the one to penalise all members of a family and the entire village if liquor is found in a family or is brewed in a village illegally.The prohibition has gained wide support among the people in general and the women folk in particular and its positive impact can be seen in the lives of daily wage earners.

AFTER the assumption of power by the BJP alliance at the centre and Mahagathbandhan alliance comprising of JD(U), RJD, Congress in Bihar, the feudal and the rich classes feel emboldened. They have become more aggressive towards the poor people. Attacks have grown manifold against the weaker sections like dalits, mahadalits, extremely backward classes, minorities and women.On the birthday of Sahjanand Saraswati, the first president of Kisan Sabha and a legendry peasant leader, the entire Kachia village in Nawadah district inhabited by mahadalits, was set on fire.

THE two-day meeting of CPI(M) Bihar state committee, held in Patna from December 2 to December 3, reviewed in detail the outcome of the assembly election, its impact, and the performance of the Party as well as the newly-formed Left bloc.The October-November assembly election attracted the nation’s attention and everybody was anxiously awaiting the results.

THE election campaign in Bihar is at its zenith. But the people are at a loss to see that the political discourse has touched the lowest depth. Accusations and counteraccusations in filthy languages are flying thick and fast.