Following the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on health grounds, several BJP leaders from Bihar have expressed their support for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a potential successor. Kumar, who leads the JD(U)—a key constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar—is being seen by some within the BJP as a strong contender for the constitutional post.

BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul described Kumar’s nomination as a matter of pride for the state, citing his extensive administrative background. “Although the final decision rests with the Centre, having Nitishji as Vice-President would be a significant honour for Bihar,” Thakur remarked while speaking to reporters during the Assembly’s monsoon session.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP minister Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu noted, “There’s no harm in his elevation to the Vice-President’s office. It would actually be a positive development.” Responding to speculation surrounding Dhankhar’s resignation, Bablu dismissed any suggestion of political pressure, asserting, “Everyone is simply performing their respective responsibilities.”

Another senior BJP figure, Minister Prem Kumar, added that while he personally would welcome a Vice-President from Bihar, the ultimate decision lies with the central leadership. “Whether Nitish Kumar becomes the Vice-President is a matter for the Centre to decide,” he said.

Nitish Kumar’s return to the NDA alliance in early 2024 has led to considerable political chatter. Many have questioned whether the BJP intends to retain him as Chief Minister should the NDA win the 2025 Assembly elections. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have so far refrained from naming Kumar as the alliance’s official chief ministerial candidate, though Shah has indicated that the election will be contested under his leadership.

Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders have rejected the Vice-Presidential speculation, insisting that Nitish Kumar remains fully committed to governing Bihar. Minister Shravan Kumar dismissed the buzz as unfounded. “These are baseless rumours. Nitishji’s only vision is to accelerate Bihar’s progress. The NDA will fight the 2025 elections under his leadership and secure a strong majority,” he said, asserting that BJP leaders expressing alternate views were doing so in a personal capacity.

JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha also called for restraint in politicizing Dhankhar’s resignation, which he maintained was due to health issues. On questions about Kumar’s possible elevation, Kushwaha reiterated that the focus remains on the upcoming Assembly polls. “The people of Bihar are clear—‘2025 phir se Nitish.’ The election will be contested with Nitish Kumarji as the face, and he will return as Chief Minister,” Kushwaha affirmed.

In response to sustained criticism and farmer pushback, the Punjab Cabinet has approved key revisions to the state’s contentious land pooling policy. Among the latest changes is a significant increase in the annual compensation for participating farmers—from ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per acre. This amount will be paid until development work on the pooled land begins, after which compensation will rise to ₹1 lakh per acre annually, with a 10% increase each subsequent year if development is delayed.

The government also announced that farmers offering even a kanal (around 505.86 sq. meters) of land will now be entitled to a 125-square-yard residential plot and a 25-square-yard commercial plot. For every acre pooled, the return will be a 1,000-square-yard residential and 200-square-yard commercial plot on fully developed land. Farmers can also opt for additional residential space in place of the commercial plot.

A Letter of Intent (LoI) outlining these terms will be issued within 21 days of a farmer agreeing to pool their land. Importantly, farmers can continue agricultural activity until development commences and will retain the ability to take loans against the LoI. The sale and registry of such land have not been frozen, the government clarified.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the revised policy, dismissing opposition claims that the scheme would strip farmers of their land rights. He argued that the updated provisions are based on feedback from farming communities and that the scheme aims to promote transparent and planned urban development across Punjab. Mann also criticized opposition parties for allegedly spreading misinformation and attempting to derail the state’s developmental agenda.

Despite these amendments, political opposition and farmers’ unions—particularly the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)—remain skeptical. Many leaders have accused the AAP-led government of making unfeasible promises, citing financial constraints. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticized the revised compensation plan as a deceptive strategy, comparing it to “a postdated cheque on a crashing bank,” and warning farmers not to fall for what he termed a “trap.”

As farmer unrest continues and protests escalate, including a planned tractor rally on July 30, the land pooling debate is expected to remain a key flashpoint in Punjab’s political and agricultural discourse.

In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, Punjab Police announced on Sunday, July 20, 2025, that they had dismantled a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror cell reportedly guided by overseas operatives Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan. Three suspects, believed to be involved in grenade attacks on police outposts in Badshahpur (Patiala, Punjab) and Ajimgarh (Haryana), were taken into custody.

The operation was carried out in collaboration between the Counter Intelligence unit in Patiala and the State Special Operation Cell in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, according to Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav.

The arrested suspects were identified as Sandeep Singh alias Deepu from Badshahpur, Harpreet Singh alias Jagga from Harchandpura, and Harmanpreet Singh alias Preet from Gurdialpura—all hailing from the Patiala district.

These arrests come in the aftermath of two separate grenade assaults: one on April 1 at the police post in Badshahpur, and another on April 6 in Ajimgarh, Haryana. Babbar Khalsa operatives had reportedly claimed responsibility for both incidents.

DGP Yadav stated that the arrests had led to the resolution of both attacks, further revealing that the module was in the process of planning additional strikes on law enforcement facilities within Punjab.

Simrat Kaur, Additional Director General (CI) Patiala, noted that during interrogation, the detainees admitted the attacks were orchestrated by Gurpreet Singh alias Babbu, who is currently incarcerated in Patiala Jail but remains under police watch.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly conducted searches at 15 different locations across Punjab in connection with the BKI network, intensifying the crackdown on the banned organization.

In a major pre-election move, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has rolled out a groundbreaking policy aimed at uplifting women in Bihar. His government has approved 35% reservation exclusively for native women in all state government jobs. The decision, passed unanimously in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, marks a significant stride toward gender equity and regional prioritization.

Details of the Policy
Under the new policy framework, only women who are permanent residents of Bihar will be eligible for the 35% quota in all categories and levels of state government recruitment. Women from outside the state will not be considered for this reservation and must apply under the general category.

Speaking on the policy, Nitish Kumar emphasized its importance in promoting women’s economic independence and increasing their presence in public sector roles. “This move is designed to empower the women of Bihar by enhancing employment avenues and boosting their financial stability,” he stated.

Experts suggest this reservation policy will improve the socio-economic standing of women across Bihar by giving them a stronger foothold in the job market. The timing of the announcement has fueled discussions around its political impact, with analysts calling it a strategic move to consolidate female voter support ahead of the upcoming elections. Women have long formed a key part of Nitish Kumar’s support base, and this policy is expected to deepen that connection.

The cabinet also greenlit the formation of a Bihar Youth Commission, a new body aimed at expanding employment and skill-building opportunities for young people across the state.

Outpacing the Opposition
The ruling government has also taken a dig at the opposition, particularly Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, who had earlier floated a domicile-based policy proposal. The current administration underscored that this initiative is rooted in Bihar’s welfare and reflects a commitment to prioritizing local talent—especially women. While the move has been celebrated as a win for native women, it may pose challenges for female candidates from other states. Officials clarified that only women with valid domicile certificates from Bihar will qualify under the reservation clause, reinforcing the state-first nature of the initiative.

Air India has completed thorough safety checks on the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking systems in its fleets of Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, following directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after a devastating crash last month.

The fatal incident occurred on June 12, when a Boeing 787-8 en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed into a residential building shortly after takeoff, resulting in 260 deaths, including 19 people on the ground. Only one of the 242 onboard passengers survived. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but the tragedy has sparked widespread safety reviews across the aviation industry.

In response, the DGCA released a safety order on July 14, requiring checks on the FCS mechanisms in all applicable aircraft. Air India and its low-cost branch, Air India Express, promptly carried out these inspections on their respective Boeing 787 and 737 models.

An airline representative confirmed that no malfunctions were discovered during the evaluations. “We began precautionary checks on July 12, ahead of the official DGCA directive, and completed them within the recommended timeframe,” the spokesperson stated. “Our compliance has been reported to the regulator.”

Air India reaffirmed its unwavering focus on safety, reiterating that passenger and crew welfare remains its top priority.

Authorities in Bihar have issued an alert across multiple districts on Sunday due to rising water levels in the Ganga River and the likelihood of continued rainfall, raising fears of flood-like conditions.

Development Commissioner Pratyaya Amrit chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the state’s flood preparedness. The Disaster Management Department (DMD) stated that all divisions have been instructed to remain on high alert, especially in light of predicted heavy rainfall over Nepal’s Gandak and Kosi river catchment areas.

“Considering the steady increase in the Ganga’s water level and significant rainfall forecast across Bihar—including in the catchment zones of the Sone river—all concerned districts must stay vigilant,” the DMD noted.

The department has directed that any potential flood threat be immediately communicated to the public using loudspeakers. If floodwaters reach residential areas, swift evacuation and relocation measures must be implemented. Authorities have also been instructed to make arrangements for setting up relief shelters and community kitchens in anticipation of displacement.

Teams from the Water Resources Department, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been placed on standby.

District magistrates from regions likely to be impacted—such as East and West Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Arwal, Aurangabad, Bhojpur, and Rohtas—joined the meeting via video conference.

According to officials, the current water discharge at the Kosi Barrage stands at 1,10,845 cusecs, though this figure may increase if rainfall intensifies in upstream Nepal.

All embankments are reportedly in stable condition, and emergency flood-control supplies have been pre-positioned at high-risk locations. Engineers and contractors in these regions have been instructed to remain on standby.

“The department is fully equipped to manage any emerging crisis,” the DMD affirmed.

Punjab is poised to witness a record-breaking paddy harvest this Kharif season, with sowing already completed on 30.94 lakh hectares. While the anticipated yield of 185 lakh tonnes—slightly above last year’s 182 lakh tonnes—has sparked optimism among farmers, agricultural experts are raising red flags over the long-term ecological toll of paddy cultivation.

The state’s heavy dependence on paddy farming has come under scrutiny due to its significant environmental impact. According to the agriculture directorate, 25.19 lakh hectares are under coarse grain varieties covered by the Minimum Support Price (MSP), while 5.75 lakh hectares are devoted to premium basmati.

“This year’s crop is expected to perform well due to ideal sowing conditions, including ample rainfall and suitable temperatures,” said Jaswant Singh, Punjab’s Director of Agriculture, adding that another 50,000 to 60,000 hectares may yet be brought under cultivation.

However, experts warn that paddy, a non-native crop, offers only a temporary gain and could have severe long-term consequences for Punjab’s agrarian ecosystem. The cultivation of paddy over more than 30 lakh hectares has displaced other traditional Kharif crops like maize and cotton, effectively undermining the state’s long-standing crop diversification strategy.

One of the gravest concerns is the unsustainable exploitation of groundwater. Punjab relies on approximately 14.5 lakh tubewells for irrigation, with 70% of its revenue blocks now designated as “dark zones” due to critical groundwater depletion. On average, the water table is falling by one metre annually—a trend that jeopardizes the future viability of all crops, including paddy.

“Paddy yield has never been the issue,” said Sardara Singh Johal, former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and an expert with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). “The real crisis is our fast-depleting water reserves. Without water, no crop can survive. If we are serious about conservation, paddy cultivation must be reconsidered.”

Echoing this sentiment, BS Dhillon, another former PAU Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the urgency of agricultural reform. “Punjab’s current model is unsustainable. Water scarcity and environmental degradation are worsening, and we must urgently transition to water-efficient alternatives like maize, millets, and cotton,” he advised.

The expected bumper harvest poses logistical challenges as well. The new rice yield could add 185 lakh tonnes to the existing 80 lakh tonnes of surplus from the previous season, potentially overwhelming the state’s storage infrastructure and increasing the risk of wastage.

“Though beneficial for farmers in the short term, the surplus stock could strain financial and storage capacities,” Jaswant Singh noted.

Another environmental hazard linked to paddy farming is stubble burning. Punjab produces roughly 190 lakh tonnes of paddy straw each year, much of which is burned, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. This practice significantly deteriorates air quality in northern India, particularly affecting cities like Delhi during winter months.

To tackle this issue, the state has sought ₹500 crore in aid for stubble management, which could also support future crop diversification efforts. Since 2018, around ₹1,700 crore has been allocated as subsidies for machinery aimed at in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy residue.