Bihar State PCS

• 26 Mar 2024

ONGC to Drill Well in Bihar

Why in News?

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) plans to drill a well in Bihar to look for oil and gas.

• A commercial discovery will put the state on India's oil map and also open up for exploration the entire Ganga basin stretching from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Key Points

• The company has acquired 3D seismic data for 300 sq. km for its block in Samastipur and is set to drill two exploratory wells.
  • The first drilling will be carried out in 2024.
  • Besides this, the oil and gas producer also plans to drill an exploratory well in another block in the Ganga basin in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
• Data from the first well's drilling will help guide the company's plans for the rest of the exploration block, including drilling of the second well.
  • Both blocks in Samastipur and Ballia were obtained in the fourth Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) round a few years ago.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

• It is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India.
• It was set up in 1995 and is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• It is the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India, contributing around 70% to Indian domestic production.

Ganga Basin

• The headwaters of the Ganga called the ‘Bhagirathi’ are fed by the Gangotri Glacier and joined by the Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.
• At Haridwar, Ganga emerges from the mountains to the plains.
• The Ganga is joined by many tributaries from the Himalayas, a few of them being major rivers such as the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, and the Kosi.

Bihar Diwas 2024

Why in News?

Bihar day or Bihar diwas is marked on 22^nd March every year. It is a public holiday across the state as offices, organisations, banks, and educational institutions under the central and state government remain shut.

Key Points

• The Bihar Day 2024 marks the fulfilment of 111 years since the state was founded, making it a critical achievement for individuals of Bihar to consider their history and celebrate their identity.
  • The Bihar government has coordinated a line of multicultural events and programs to celebrate the entire day.
  • The celebration was held with the intention of restoring the people's pride in the state of Bihar.
• Bihar Diwas marks the development of the state from the Bengal presidency. The state was shaped on 22^nd March, 1912, when the British government partitioned the Bengal Province.
  • The celebration of Bihar Diwas is marked by gaiety and enthusiasm. This is due to the fact that it denotes the foundation of their way of life as a particular state with a unique cultural legacy.
  • The day also gives the people of Bihar a chance to show off their history, culture, traditions, and heritage.
• Apart from India, it is celebrated in nations including the United States, Canada, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Britain (Scotland), Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Mauritius.