Another under-construction bridge in Bihar caves in
Kishanganj, Jun 24: Barely three weeks after an under-construction bridge over the Ganga collapsed in Bihar's Khagaria district, a portion of another bridge in Kishanganj district caved-in on Saturday, an official said.
In the incident, which took place around 400 km from state capital Patna, a pillar of the bridge over river Mechi collapsed, said Arvind Kumar, project director of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
"The under-construction bridge on NH-327E would have linked Kishanganj and Katihar upon completion", the official said.
Claiming that nobody was injured in the accident, the official said, "a five-member team" of experts has been constituted to investigate the cause.
"Prima facie it seems to be an instance of human error during the piling process," the official said.
The state government, meanwhile, clarified that the structure was part of a central project and the authority to take action rested with the NHAI.
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who holds the road construction portfolio, said, "The bridge is being constructed by the NHAI as part of the Centre's Bharat Mala project. It has nothing to do with Bihar government."
"It is the NHAI which is empowered to reward or punish officials or agencies concerned," Yadav added.
On June 4, an under-construction bridge, which was supposed to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur, had collapsed.
The incident, which claimed the life of a security guard, had evoked a huge outcry since despite an initial deadline of November 2019, it remained incomplete.
The Bihar Engineering Services Association had expressed concern and stressed on the need for "structural audit" of all bridges, complete as well as under-construction, in the state.
#WATCH | Pillar of an under-construction bridge on Mechi River which connects Katihar and Kishanganj districts in Bihar, caves in near Gori village on NH-327E. pic.twitter.com/VsYAP9xnl7
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2023
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What is a ‘substantive motion’? BJP MP initiated one against Rahul Gandhi? Full details here
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday said he has initiated a substantive motion against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he was “hand in glove” with “anti-national” forces.
After Dubey raised the matter during the zero hour in the house, protests ensued leading to adjournment for the day.
In his notice, Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi of having engaged with the Soros Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and USAID, and had travelled to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the United States to carry out “anti-India” activities.
Speaking to the presspersons outside Parliament, Dubey said he had demanded cancellation of Gandhi’s membership and sought that he be banned from contesting elections for life time.
Dubey had earlier, in February 2025, filed a privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi accusing him of distorting facts and attempting to undermine the prestige of the country through his speech in the Lok Sabha.
While Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had indicated that the government might move a privilege motion, but government sources on Thursday said no such decision had been taken.
Responding to the motion, Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal stated that the Congress party was “not bothered about any motions.”
Venugopal criticised the removal of parts of Rahul Gandhi’s speech during the Lok Sabha debate on the India-U.S. interim trade deal, in which Gandhi had accused the government of compromising national interests.
He also defended the Congress’ move to submit a notice seeking the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker, stating that the party had not been receiving justice from the Chair.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism, he asked what privilege Gandhi had violated and said that despite past action against him, voters had returned him to Parliament with a higher margin.
What is a substantive motion?
A substantive motion is a formal proposal brought before the Lok Sabha to get a clear and final decision from the House.
It is a complete proposal by itself and is not connected to any other matter being discussed. If the House approves it, the motion becomes the official opinion or decision of the Lok Sabha on that issue.
According to the Lok Sabha rules, such a motion can be taken up only if the Speaker allows it. The Speaker has full authority to accept or reject the proposal and also decides when and how it will be discussed.
If the Speaker admits the motion, members can debate it and then vote on it. In some cases, the matter may also be sent to a special committee to study the issue and submit a report.
A substantive motion forces the House to seriously consider a specific issue and take a clear stand. Since Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition, which is a constitutional position, any action against him must follow a proper parliamentary process. A substantive motion provides that proper procedure.
