‘Vanity van’ near Prashant Kishor’s protest site in Patna sparks controversy
Patna, Jan 4: Controversy erupted on Saturday over a ‘vanity van’ parked close to Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor is on a fast-unto-death over BPSC question paper leak allegations.
The vehicle, reportedly with many luxury facilities, is parked a few hundred metres from the site at the historic Gandhi Maidan, where Kishor launched his ‘aamaran anshan’ on Thursday evening.
Quizzed by reporters about the presence of the van, he said: “I am on a fast here. If I go home to relieve myself, then journalists will ask questions whether I went to have food or take a nap... Some people said the vanity van is worth Rs 2 crore and the rent for the same is Rs 25 lakh per day.
“I want to convey this through mediapersons... let this van be taken away and in return, give me Rs 25 lakh per day and provide an alternate space that can be used as washroom.”
Asked further about the purpose of the vehicle, the 47-year-old former political strategist wondered if the question of “where we relieve ourselves is more important than the future of BPSC aspirants”.
“Will you be able to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the amenities they enjoy?” Kishor said.
The Jan Suraaj Party founder has demanded cancellation of the 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) held on December 13, following allegations of question paper leak.
An FIR has been slapped on Kishor and his "150 supporters" by the district administration, which has asserted that the protest at the site was "illegal".
According to District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, in accordance with a Patna High Court order, "no dharna can be allowed at a spot other than the designated place in Gardani Bagh”.
Several candidates have been staging a demonstration, for close to three weeks, at Gardani Bagh.
"We will take appropriate action against Kishor and his supporters, who were served with a notice on Thursday to vacate the spot,” the DM added.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
