Bihar Legislative Council Addresses Student Tragedy and Agricultural Concerns
During the budget session on Wednesday, members of the Bihar legislative council voiced serious concerns regarding two critical issues affecting the state: the alleged suicide of a BSEB Matric examinee and significant delays in paddy procurement across multiple districts.
Student Denied Exam Entry for Lateness Sparks Outrage
MLC Shashsi Yadav brought attention to a distressing case involving a candidate from Masaurhi in Patna district. The student reportedly jumped in front of a train after being refused entry to the examination hall on Tuesday for arriving just 10 minutes late. This tragic incident has raised questions about examination protocols and student welfare.
Several council members expressed their concern and demanded immediate intervention. MLC Sanjeev Kumar Singh argued that candidates often face delays due to traffic and transport problems, and such minor lateness should not prevent them from taking crucial examinations. He emphasized the need for more flexible policies to accommodate genuine difficulties faced by students.
MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav highlighted another systemic issue: many students are assigned examination centers located 20 to 40 kilometers from their homes, creating substantial travel challenges. He urged the government to either provide centers closer to residential areas or restore the practice of home centers to reduce student stress and logistical burdens.
Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the government has taken note of the matter and is approaching it with sensitivity. The council members, including Urmila Thakur, joined in calling for compassionate measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Paddy Procurement Delays and Farmer Distress
The legislative council also extensively discussed complaints about the slow pace of paddy procurement in Bihar. MLC Maheshwar Singh reported that farmers are being turned away at procurement centers, often citing reasons such as excessive moisture content and impurities in their produce. This rejection forces farmers to sell their paddy in open markets at significantly lower prices.
Singh detailed that payments to farmers are taking four to five days to process, exacerbating their financial difficulties. As a result, many farmers are incurring substantial losses by selling their produce at rates lower by Rs 250 to Rs 400 per quintal compared to government procurement prices. This situation has created widespread distress among the agricultural community.
In response, Cabinet Minister Ashok Choudhary provided an update on procurement operations. He stated that procurement began in 19 districts of north Bihar on November 1, 2025, and in 19 districts of south Bihar on November 15, 2025. Bihar has been assigned a target of 36.85 lakh metric tonnes for paddy procurement.
By December 2025, approximately 10.29 lakh metric tonnes—representing 28% of the target—had been procured from 1.42 lakh farmers. Choudhary added that the state minister has met with the Union counterpart to seek an extension of the procurement deadline, aiming to alleviate pressure on farmers and improve the procurement process.
Call for Policy on Bettiah Estate
Separately, council members raised the need for a clear policy regarding the Bettiah estate through a call attention motion. MLCs Maheshwar Singh, Saurabh Kumar, Bhishm Sahni, and Sachchidanand Rai expressed concerns that farmers are receiving notices to vacate land, creating fear and uncertainty among the local population.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha addressed these concerns, assuring the council that a comprehensive policy is currently being framed to address land-related issues in the Bettiah estate. This move aims to provide clarity and security to affected farmers and residents.
The budget session thus highlighted multiple pressing issues, from student welfare and examination policies to agricultural challenges and land rights, demonstrating the legislative council's active engagement with diverse public concerns in Bihar.
