JICA to assist Rs 150 cr for Rengali Canal

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agrees to provide a financial assistance of Rs 150 crore for completion of the construction of Rengali left canal. This was informed by JICA’s assistant director Mitsuaki Suzuki at Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

JICA’s assistant director Mitsuaki Suzuki led a high level delegation to the State and met Chief Secretary TK Mishra on this issue. Once the money would be utilised, irrigation facilities would be extended to nearly 29,000 hectares on the left side of the canal.

The project began in 1994 and is likely to be completed by June next year. Nearly 1.14 lakh hectares of land can avail irrigation facilities upon the completion of the Rengali Left canal

Don't allow foreign NGOs to Orissa: Vedanta Group

Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, has already written to the state’s Home Ministry seeking restrictions on movement of such foreign nationals, besides investigation into their source of funding, he said. Survival International’s spokesperson said, “Survival International does not oppose industrial development. But where, as in this case, industrial projects take place on the land of indigenous people, they have a right to be consulted at the very least. Vedanta has not bothered to do this.”

The Vedanta Group has asked the Orissa government to restrict the entry of foreign non-government organisations (NGOs) in the area where it proposes to mine bauxite, as part of its $8-billion project in the state, saying they were instigating locals. “These NGOs comprising Survival International and Action Aid are instigating locals to go to the hill top, where we have proposed to mine bauxite, and set up houses. The Orissa government has already said there is no tribal population in our proposed mining site. Such efforts by these NGOs are aimed at harming the project and investments in the state; their movement has to be regulated,” Vedanta Aluminium Ltd COO Mukesh Kumar told PTI.

The NGO said, the metal company has “launched an unprecedented attack on Survival International, apparently to drive its researchers out of an area where the company is planning to mine.” Kumar added, “They (foreign NGOs) are enemy of industrial development in the state. If such NGOs and foreign nationals have come on tourist visas, why are they camping in jungles of Kalahandi, Rayagada.If they do not abide by rules, they should be sent back,” he added.

Kumar said the influx of foreigners has gained momentum after Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh instituted a probe into the allegations of illegal bauxite mining by the firm in joint venture with Orissa Mining Corporation at Niyamgiri.

Orissa Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty had said that “not a single family of Dangaria Kandha tribe lived at the proposed mining area, located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts” and there would be no displacement.

POSCO India asked for fresh proposal

The Centre today asked South Korean steel maker Posco's Indian arm to apply afresh for permission to set up a 12 mtpa plant in Orissa that has been held up for four years over land acquisition.
Posco India Pvt Ltd had been given extension twice since October 2006, when it received in-principle approval (without the required land) for the 12 million-tonnes project with Special Economic Zone status. The company signed an agreement with Orissa in 2005.
It has, however, not been able to acquire land due to fierce opposition from locals, who from time to time have abducted Posco officials.
Posco India had approached the BoA for third extension of time from the Board of Approval (BoA) for implementing its Rs 54,000 crore SEZ project, as it could not get land due to protests by tribals.
"They have to a file the Form A (fresh application) and recommendations of the state government...," an official said.

Posco India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of world's fourth largest steel maker, has conveyed to the Commerce Ministry that it is "committed to the project" despite the problems of land acquisition.

Bulk of the about 4,000 acres falls under the forest land for which the company received clearance from the Green Bench of the Supreme Court last year. Keen on fast clearance of the project, the Steel Ministry has also written to the Orissa government to help Posco resolve the land issue.

Orissa government allocates just INR 1000 for endangered turtles

It is reported that Orissa state government has allocated just INR 1000 under the budget head for turtle protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles in its budget!

Mr Sanjiv Gopal oceans campaign manager of Greenpeace India said that “This is an indication of the level of importance the state government accords to its endangered sea turtles.” Mr Gopal said that “What is the point in creating a special budget head if adequate resources are not provided to the forest department to fulfill its responsibilities?”

According to a Greenpeace financial estimate in 2007 a sum of INR 7 million is required every year for effective sea turtle conservation activities by the forest department.

It has also been pointed out that the mortality rate of sea turtles along the Orissa coast is high. Crucially, the variance in figures between the officials and independent estimates continues as the forest department is yet to act on a commitment made last year to involve local NGOs in the turtle mortality census, to avoid disputes over the number of turtles killed.

The other area in which the state government has yet to demonstrate action is in the provision of income generation and alternative livelihood options for fishers affected by the fishing ban, particularly in the Kendrapara district. A pilot proposal is currently being drafted, but there is no clear indication as to when it will be implemented.

Mr Gopal said that “It is important that income generation options be provided to the traditional fishers in the Kendrapara region, who are affected by the ban on fishing in Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary. This will help improve voluntary adherence to the fishing ban, and resolve the livelihood distress being faced by traditional fishers in this region.”

(Sourced from Statesman News Service)

Starvation deaths continue, as officials demur ---Story of ORISSA

BPL politics at the central level is skewed, and quotas are fixed for every state, regardless of the actual number of people who need to be protected. Pradeep Baisakh reports on one family's near-total loss.


"What is your daily diet?" I asked Ramprasad, the seven-year-old son of Jhintu Bariha in Balangir district of Orissa. "I take mudhi (puffed rice) with black tea in the morning given by my grandparents; rice with either salt or with some wild spinach collected from the forest during noon." I waited a while for him to tell me about dinner, but he did not continue, so I asked him again, "OK, then what do you take for dinner?" Still no answer.

Upon my innocent repetition of the question, Ramprasad began crying. Immediately I realised my mistake - I should have not repeatedly asked him the question. This child doesn't get to eat anything for dinner.

Ramprasad is the only survivor among his siblings, in Buromal village of Bhanpur Panchayat. His father Jhintu had lost Siba Prasad, his 3-year-old son, Gundru, his 1-year-old daughter and Bimla, his 35-year-old wife Bimla one after another on 6, 7 and 9 September 2009 respectively. The local media initially reported these as starvation deaths, but eventually malaria was said and reported to be the cause of these deaths.

Jhintu (42) a tribal, was married to a hindu woman. After their wedding, due to oppostion from the community to his inter-community marriage, he preferred to move out of state with his family to work. Three years ago, when he was working in Madhya Pradesh as an agricultural labourer, he was eloctrocuted in an accident, and his left hand and left leg were partially paralysed. As a result, he was forced to return to Orissa. He is separated from his parental family and does not possess any agricultural land. He and his wife used to do minor agricultural work in the village and in surroundings to earn their livelihood, but this was hardly sufficient - there is very little work in and around.

This forced the family to again migrate, this time to work in the brick kilns in Andhra Pradesh last year. Jhintu, already too weak, fell drastically ill in Andhra and was brought back to the village in June this year. This time around, again back in village, it was very difficult for Jhintu to work as he was too ill, and Bimla also could not go out full time for work as she had their infant daughter to care for. As a result, the whole family was suffering from gross inadequacy of income and food.

Jhintu did not possess any PDS (Public Distribution System) card. The only help they received was a share of PDS rice (half of 25 kg of rice a month) from his elderly parents, some portion from his father's old age pension (his mother is not getting her pension, though she is eligible) and some occasional help from the community in terms of food items. For a family of two adults and three children, this added up to a lot less than subsistence. Little wonder then, that three of them lost their lives.

But to what? Starvation or malaria?

The cause of deaths

Champi Bariha (80) and Bimpi Bariha (70), Jhintu's parents say that since his family had been living on grossly inadequate food for a very prolonged period, their deaths are clearly the result of starvation. They admit that the children were ill and feverish just before their deaths, but insist that these were merely the final symptoms - they succumbed essentially to starvation. Jhintu Bariha, who was himself then admitted in the hospital and been treated for fever, also confirmed this. He said the family had been starving as they did not have adequate income nor had they been getting any government entitlements. Their gradually starvation led to the illnesses, culminating in death.

Jhintu Bariha's parents.
Photo by by Purossottam Thakur

But district officials do not believe Jhintu's children and wife died of starvation. The Collector-in-charge Sanjay Kumar Habada and the Block Development Officer Chandramani Seth say that Jhintu's financial transactions with villagers indicate he would have had money to meet his food expenses. Moreover, just the day before the death of his wife, his parents had got their quota of 25 kg rice from the ration shop, so they must have had some food too available, say the officials. Some villagers too say the three died of malaria, and not starvation.

The State Advisor's office attached to the Supreme Court Commission on Right to Food, in its report submitted to the Commission based on its fact-finding visit, writes "... food intake for the family of five may clearly give a picture of the severity of the vulnerable condition of the family. The inadequate food intake was taking a heavy toll on the health of the whole family which in turn was reducing their ability to work to earn. They were therefore caught in the vicious cycle of poverty and starvation."

Bimpi, Jhintu's aged mother has still a clear way of describing the starved situation of the family. "When the small two children would cry out of hunger, they would start sucking their mother's breast, ... but nothing would come out." She says. "How can there be secretion of milk from the mother's breast if the mother herself does not get enough food to eat?" she asks.

The doctors say the deaths were most likely the result of malaria. Firstly, it was found that there is a malaria epidemic in the village where out of a total of 370 people, almost a third (120) were found malaria positive after testing. Secondly, in case of Jhintu and his surviving elder son, who were taken to the district hospital by the administration as they were suffering from fever and loose motions, "they responded positively to anti-malaria doses, although they tested negative; this is clinical malaria" says Dr Balaram Panigrahi, a medical officer at the district hospital in Balangir.

A conspiracy?

Immediately after the media report of three starvation deaths, a mobile health unit was sent by the administration to camp in the village. This health unit tested and found 120 positive cases of malaria, and all of them were administered anti-malaria doses. However, doctors say that although this area is malaria-prone, there have not been any recent reports of malaria deaths. Moreover, the villagers don't appear to show any post-malarial weaknesses.

The report sent by the advisor's (Advisor to SC Commission) office observes that there were some influential people in the village trying to track the movement of the fact finding team, and the villagers were generally tight-lipped on this matter. However, some investigations and in-depth questioning of a few young people gave them a clue - that only five to six people had fever, but the doctors had administered many people anti-malaria doses anyway.

Bideshi Meher had no fever, but his blood was tested and he was given anti-malaria doses. "The doctors told me that malaria has spread, and I should take these medicines. If I do not take these I will have malaria." says Bideshi. After taking anti-malarial pills, however, he fell ill. When he discontinued the medicine, he became normal. Santosh Meher, a young man in the village also did not have any fever but was given anti-malaria pills. The advisor's office report writes " ... In order to cover up, the doctors have administered malaria doses to many who did not have any fever. This may be why the media initially reported it as a case of starvation death, but later ... as malaria. The report suggests that further investigation is needed to establish the truth behind the "probable conspiracy".

Amidst the controversy, Jhinu Bariha also breathed his last on 7 October 2009. After he was discharged from the district hospital (where has treated for fever during September), he came back to his village. On the fateful day, he began vomiting and was taken to the nearest hospital by the villagers. On the way he died.

Covering up starvation

The Supreme Court, in an interim order in October 2002 in PUCL vs. Union of India and Others fixed the responsibility on the Chief Secretary for any starvation death occurring in a state. Following the order, the Chief Secretary of Orissa despatched a letter in November 2002 to all the Collectors stating "... The responsibility of the Chief Secretary is the collective responsibility of the entire State administration of which the Collectors are the key functionaries." By implication all the collectors along with the Chief Secretary will have to own responsibility for such cases.

With the government's image at stake, the administration has been hostile to poverty and starvation reports, as documented in a number of cases. In 2002, for instance, NDTV and Star News reported the starvation death of two tribal children in Keonjhar district. A fact-finding team sent by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution reported otherwise.

It may be remembered that the government in the state at that time comprised of a coalition between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the BJP, with the latter heading a larger coalition also including the BJD at the Centre. The politics in the country is not so mature where New Delhi ruled by one party will give a hostile report on a state ruled by the same party or is a coalition partner. Ironically, a national English weekly blasted the journalists for making sensational reports, and even went to the extent of making charges of bribery against the Star News reporter!

In another case, in 2005 it was reported by some electronic media that the people of Paharia, a vulnerable community in Nuapada district eat 'soft stone'. In its response, the government filed a criminal case against a journalist and the regional electronic channel reporter was sacked from the television. In protest to the criminal case, the Orissa Journalists' Union (OJU) staged a dharna to condemn the vindictive act of the government.

Starvation and the BPL list

Twenty two per cent of Orissa's population are tribals, and another 16 per cent are dalits, both highly vulnerable communities. Therefore, proper mapping of BPL (Below Poverty Line) families is important, as it serves as the lifeline for many. But the BPL politics at the central level is skewed, and quotas are fixed for every state, regardless of the actual number of people who need to be protected. The has bearing on the Supreme Court's orders to check starvation deaths.

In its 8th report submitted to the Supreme Court in 2008, the SC Commission on Right to Food headed by Dr N C Saxena and Harsh Mander observes "... we have found that interim order of 2nd May 2003 of the Supreme Court (that identified six vulnerable categories of people should be provided with AntoDaya Anna Yojana, AAY cards) is one of those least implemented by most state governments. We believe that there are three main reasons for this wide failure ... the quotas for AAY in most states were already exhausted before the said 2003 order". The report suggests that there should be exclusive court orders for covering these categories of people under AAY for two years irrespective of the quota limits. However, this recommendation has not cut much ice in government circles.

Interactions with many families in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region suggest that the '25 kg of rice' scheme by the state government which was universal in this region (given to those who possess a ration card irrespective of whether BPL or APL) served as lifeline for them. But in Orissa, the BPL list has not been updated since 1997 (2002 BPL survey was not made operational). This puts many deserving families in the region out of the loop, as so many families that have formed in the last twelve years have not got a card. The economists sitting in the Planning Commission, who fix the limit of food subsidy so also the state quotas, hardly take into account on how many families like Jhintu's are made to starve due to its changed approach based on 'economic rationalism'.

The expert committee appointed by Ministry of Rural Development and headed by N C Saxena has recommended a more inclusive methodology for conducting BPL surveys. According to the committee, the poverty level in Orissa is projected to be 84.5 per cent - as against 47 per cent in the 1997 survey. It is for the Centre to recognise this reality, and stop the tragic deaths of many others like Jhintu and his family. ⊕

http://www.indiatogether.org/2009/dec/pov-starve.htm

3,509 Farmers Committed Suicide in Orissa in 11 Years

As many as 3,509 farmers committed sucide in the past eleven years in Orissa.

This was stated by Agriculture Minister, Damodar Rout in the assembly today while replying an adjournment motion on unabated suicide of farmers in the state.

Stating that all farmers did not commit suicide due to crop loss, the minister said that social factors were mostly the reasons for such drastic steps.

The highest number of 418 farmers committed suicide in 1998, he said adding that ratio of farmers' suicide was less than that of other sections of the society.

"A total of 48,631 people committed suicide in the state from 1997 to 2008. The number of farmer suicide was 3,509 during the period", Rout said.

Stating that 73 per cent of the state's population earn their livelihood from cultivation, he said most of the farmers committed suicide had reasons like family disputes and other reasons.

Referring to allegation of suicide by 30 farmers from October to November 19, 2009, Rout said the son of a farmer who committed suicide at Nimapara in Puri district had told that his father was ill.

"This is a grave situation. Therefore, all members including those in the opposition should suggest measures to the government for the socio-economic development of the community", Rout said.

Temple in Orissa and Non-Hindu Devotees

Today , two Indian origin NRI are arrested by police, tried to enter the Lord Jagannath temple.After questing ,the police released them. Police arrested them because they thought that the foreigners are Non-Hindu.

It is not only Jagannath temple, several other temples in Orissa do not allow a certain portion of people to enter the temple. In some cases Non-Hindu people are not allowed , in other cases even a part of the Hindu population ,specially SCs and STs are barred from give prayer to their god.

When I heard such type of news ,some question arises to me :

What can be unfortunate than that ?

Which god in the Hindu religion has taught us that all men are not equal ?

Does the colour of blood between Hindu and Non-Hindu people differ from each other ?

Is it necessary to believe that Non-SC and Non-ST people in Hindu religion have less love to god that other Hindu people ?

If a Hindu people can enter a Mosque or a Church ,what is wrong with allowing them to our work place ?

Is there any holy book which divide the world on the basis of race and caste ?

The existing system is not the opinion of any god or the philosophy of Lord Jagannath. It is simply a tactics adopted by few people and some particular caste of people in the society for their benefits .Even though the Orissa is in 21 century ,still we are following their in-humane rule which started few hundred years ago without any justification.

We should wake up now..........

Next weekend you can be at ... Bangriposi

Bangriposi, a tribal hamlet nestled in the Thakurani range of hills in Orissa, offers the perfect marriage of scenery and serenity. Situated 228km from Calcutta, this quaint destination off NH6 is far from the city’s frenzy and a welcome abode in the solace of nature. Those who long for hills, jungles and waterfalls cannot afford to miss the beautiful daughter of the hills (that’s what Bangriposi means in Oriya).

Bangriposi can be easily reached by road or rail. There are buses from Esplanade to Keonjhar in the afternoons and late evenings that cross Bangriposi around five hours after departure. One can also hop on to buses heading for Baripada, which take a turn at Bombay Chowki, 14km from Bangriposi. Trekkers are available from here to Bangriposi.

If you are travelling by train, get off at Balasore and take a trekker to Bangriposi, 110km away. By road, take Bombay Road (NH6) and drive straight, past Kolaghat, Kharagpur, the Baharagora checkpost and Jamsola. The drive is pleasant, especially on a winter morning, with stopovers at roadside dhabas selling mouth-watering fare.

The main attraction of Bangriposi is its serenity. For the more adventurous, there’s rock-climbing, a picnic by the fabled Buribalam waterfall (Bagha Jatin fought the British alongside this river) and a visit to the Kanak Devi shrine in the hills. A day’s trip to the Kuliana village 7km away promises a satisfying encounter with the traditional folk-art, dhokra.

There are a number of picturesque trekking and walking trails in the vicinity, especially those that start at the foothills of the Thakurani hills. One can also stroll midway up the hill and enjoy a panoramic view of the rocky terrain.

For staying, Hotel Bangriposi is a good option. It is an earthy cottage, the last resort before the hills start. Savour their chicken curry and dimpora and enjoy a moonlit night on the portico amid the distant drumming of the madol and the heady fragrance of mahua (local brew).

Plan your trip over a weekend to visit the local haat and get a taste of haariya (fermented local rice wine). The place is also well-known for its honey brought down by woodcutters from the forest in the hills.

Various migratory birds visit Bangriposi in winter, making it an ideal destination for birdwatchers and those interested in wildlife photography. Shutterbugs can delight in the hilly landscape, the trickling waterfall, the Buribalam river and the local Santhals.

Tourist destinations like Puri, Chandipur, Gopalpur-on-sea and Chilika are easily accessible from Bangriposi.

National Law University, Odisha inaugurated

The National Law University, Odisha (NLUO) was formally inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice K. G. Balakrishnan here on Saturday.

In his address Justice Balakrishnan emphasised the importance of legal education in today's world. Noting that legal profession had played a decisive role in shaping the course of our political and social developments, he regretted that the present decline in professional and ethical standards had cast a shadow on the reputation of the bar and the bench alike.

The Chief Justice expressed the hope that new law schools such as NLUO would succeed in arresting this trend.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik touched upon the remarkable economic progress Odisha had made in the recent years and last twelve years and termed the state as an emergent knowledge-hub.

Envisaged as a third generation law school, NLUO seeks to become a leading player on the global stage as well. It focusses on justice studies rather than law as it is usually understood and its goal is to address law in its larger context and ensure that its students and research output are finely attuned to ethical and social relevancies.

Among others who spoke on the occasion include Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Justice. I. M. Quddusi, State Higher Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and Minister of Law Bikram Keshari Arukha.

Orissa on Discovery Channel - Saturaday 9 PM

Orissa is a state characterised by beautiful landscapes, magnificent archaeological sites, dense forests, abundant wildlife, pristine beaches, rivers, art and culture. Learn all about the state in Discovery channel’s new programme, Orissa: The Divine Land on Saturday, October 31, 9 p.m.

The programme takes you into the heartland of Orissa and shows you more than classical Odissi dance, exotic sculptures and rituals like Jagannath Yatra that attracts thousands of visitors. Hosted by Kim Jagtiani, the programme delves into Orissa’s documented history stretching back to 2000 BC. Dotted with ancient monuments ranging from the ruins of Sisupalgarh to the magnificent Lingaraj and Jagannath temples, from the world heritage site of the Konark Sun temple to the exquisitely carved Mukteswar, the programme captures the grandeur of the state.

Venture deep into the excavation sites of Udaygiri, Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri; bask on the sun soaked beaches of Puri and Gopalpur; observe the spectacular wildlife of Bhitarkanika; step into the birds paradise at Chilika Lake; and explore the colourful art and handiwork that Orissa is famous for at the weavers’ village of Nuapatna and the artisans’ village of Raghurajpur, amongst others.

The Divine Land offers interesting facts about Orissa: Bhubaneswar, also known as the ‘city of temples’ still preserves over 500 of India’s finest temples which showcase centuries of temple architecture. The small and elegant Muktesvar temple dates back to 950 AD.

SPV formed for development of primitive tribals

Orissa government has finally begun acting to take proper measures for the development of primitive tribes thanks to the intervention by the Apex Court.

In a belated move the state government at the instance of the Supreme Court has formed the much touted Lanjigarh Project Area Development Foundation (LPADF), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to initiative programmes for primitive tribal communities like Kutia Kondh and Dongaria Kondh.

The SPV is being headed by southern range Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Satyabrata Sahu, the LPADF has the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation and Sterlite Industries as its stakeholders.

Developmental projects in the areas of healthcare, education and infrastructure in the poverty-stricken Kalahandi and Rayagada districts will be carried out for which Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned in the first phase, according to Mr Sahu. There will be emphasis on supply of drinking water beside health care, he added.

The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the SPV, which was held in Berhampur on Wednesday under the chairmanship of RDC Mr Sahu, decided to take up Chairman of the Foundation. Mr Sahu informed that the SPV would initiate projects for socio-economic development of Kutia Kondh and Dongria Kondh communities on priority basis, besides looking after other tribal sections of people living in the region.

Hyderabad based National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) has been short listed for undertaking the Need Assessment Study (NAS) in the tribal area. The study will help in formulating effective development interventions.

The Foundation will have its office at and operate from Lanjigarh. However, on temporary basis it will have offices at Kalahandi and Rayagada collectorates. Collectors of both the districts, who are ex-officio directors of the Foundation, will be responsible for execution of the entire developmental project, in their respective area of the Foundation.

Sterlite Industries had deposited Rs 20 crore in the Foundation for the year 2007-08 and 2008-09, as per the Supreme Court’s directive. It had deposited another Rs 12.2 crore during the same period towards tribal development and compensatory aforestation.

Dr Mukesh Kumar, chief operating officer (COO) Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL), - the Indian arm of Sterlite Group said,“Vedanta is expecting a sea change in the peripheral village development process once the money will be utilised for the tribal development which is otherwise long awaited.”

As per the Supreme Court’s order on August 8, 2008, Sterlite Industries will deposit five per cent of the profit or Rs 10 crore; whichever is higher for local area development with the SPV. The SPV will dedicatedly work for development of tribals in the areas of health, education, communication, recreation, livelihood and cultural lifestyle within 50 km radius of Lanjigarh Project.

Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL) a subsidiary of Vedanta Resource pls has set up a Greenfield Alumina Refinery in Orissa with a capacity of 1 million tons per annum. It is also setting up a 0.5 MTPA aluminum smelter, 1215 MW captive power plant. The Group Company Sterlite Energy Limited is also setting up a 2400 MW Independent Power Plants at Jharsuguda.

Tata Steel to set up Rs 300 mn hospital in Orissa

The steel major, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), is setting up a 6 million ton integrated greenfield steel plant at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, and a hospital near its rehabilitation colony at Gobarghati, reports Economic Times.

The project will be completed over next 2 years with the first phase commissioning slated in next one month. The hospital building is under construction over 4 acres of land and the civil construction of the project is almost over. About Rs 300 million is proposed to be spent by the company for the hospital project.

This is expected to benefit the families affected by the Tata Steel`s (Q,N,C,F)* project at Kalinganagar and also the people in periphery villages.

Various health services related activities like, rural health check-up programs, health camps during epidemics and awareness building activities for people on health issues are proposed to be planned through the hospita

Sivakasi of Orissa

Nalabanta, a tiny village on the outskirts of Aska, is known as Sivakasi of South Orissa for manufacturing fireworks in huge quantity.Making fireworks is almost a way of life here. The inhabitants, mostly poor, make a quick buck by manufacturing fireworks during Diwali and sundry other functions. A number of mishaps due to blasts has failed to deter the people from ‘playing with fire’. Rather they have taken the mishaps in their stride.During last three decades, at least 25 villagers have died due to blasts while manufacturing crackers. The deceased include women and children. The blasts normally occur just before the Diwali. Though manufacturing fireworks is household business here, the village has only a handful of licensed firework manufacturers. The rest have been manufacturing fireworks illegally for decades.Of late, the number of accidents during manufacture of fireworks has multiplied due to involvement of unskilled workers. The elders of the village feel that the small-time fireworks makers should form a cooperative to get licence to manufacture fireworks in an organised way so that the risks can be minimised. But no attempt has been made in this direction yet.Villagers make fireworks as per order for various occasions like marriages, rallies and idol immersions apart from Diwali. But they eagerly wait for Diwali as it is their main source of income.Fireworks were first manufactured in the village under the patronage of king of Dharakote. Later after independence, the villagers took it up as a profession. They earn up to Rs 50 lakh a year, most of which is earned around Diwali. The finished goods are supplied throughout Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.The village is known for manufacturing hugely popular “Aska Chakra”, an innovative cracker made of palm leaves. This cracker spins like a “chakra”, rises high like a rocket and explodes mid-air.The village usually takes centrestage during Diwali. But this year it is in the news much before the Festival of Lights due to a different reason. Police have cracked down on illegal fireworks manufacturers in the village.Three platoons of armed police led by revenue officials raided five cracker-making units in the village and seized explosive materials worth around Rs 5 lakhs yesterday. Two persons were detained for interrogation. Last month, police had seized fireworks worth around Rs 2 lakh.

She epitomizes perfect motherhood

She has not given birth to any child. But she has set a glowing example of an ideal mother. We are talking about Arati Biswas, who nourishes 40-odd destitute children at Thakkar Bapa Seva Sadan at Belpahar in Jharsuguda.

Showing a good Samaritan spirit, she has devoted her entire life in sprouting smiles on the faces of the needy children, most of whom are oblivious about their past. Biswas derives immense pleasure from the philanthropy and understands ‘joy of giving’ to the core.

The inmates lovingly call her ‘bada maa’. They reciprocate Biswas’s love by working diligently in study and learning social and moral etiquettes of life.

“I don’t know why my parents ditched me here. Bada maa has been taking care of us very nicely. She is giving us education besides other facilities,” Bagabati Bhoi, an inmate said.

Source: Orissa Tv

Biswas hails from a poor family in Gandhinagar at Belpahar and has ten siblings. Her father had passed away when she was young. She was then forced to chuck her education.

Later Biswas joined an ashram where she was teaching the children. “In 1982 I was told to teach the children in Gramshree ashram which had 75 children, but later the ashram was shut down to due to certain problems. Then I started this ashram,” Biswas said.

She has developed a garden in the ashram premises where varieties of vegetables are cultivated.

Through her love and affection she has created a paradise for these children in Belpahad.

"We hope that the land issues will be resolved soon. We hope to start work on the project by December," Binay Kumar Singh, vice-president of the Orissa project, Tata Steel told reporters here.It should be noted that Tata Steel, has proposed to set up a Rs.21,000-crore plant in Orissa's Kalinganagar,

Tata has been facing stiff resistance from local residents against acquiring land for the six-million-tonne per annum project. The mega project suffered a major setback Jan 2, 2006, when 13 tribals were killed in a police firing.

"But let me tell you, we don't want any confrontation keeping in view of the sensitive nature of the issue. We want to forget the past and start the project in an amicable way with the cooperation of local people," Kumar said.

"The rehabilitation work is going on. The state government has also come forward."

The official, however, did not give any definite date for commencing the project.

"I don't give a definite date, but we hope things would be resolved by December and we will start work soon," Singh said.

The steel major needed 3,500 acres for the project and the government has allotted 3,040 acres. But the company is yet to take physical possession of the land due to resistance from the local residents.

Adani group aiming for abig port in Orissa

Ahmedabad-based Adani group has evinced interest to set up a large port in Orissa, which will eventually have a capacity to handle 100 million tonne (MT) cargo.The scope of the project also includes port-based industries like ship building and repairing unit.

The proposed venture will be an all-weather and multi-user port and the company’s preferred location for this is Barunei Muhan in Kendarapara district, official sources said.

Rajesh S Adani, managing director, Adani group, met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the state secretariat on Tuesday and discussed with him the company’s investment proposals.

During the discussion, Adani informed the chief minister that the group had been selected as the Miner Developer Operator (MDO) for the coal blocks allotted to the government of Maharashtra and Gujarat in Talcher Coalfields area.

Both the state governments proposed to set up 2,500-Mw (250x10) power plant at Angul and are in the process of setting up a coal washery.

Orissa signs MoU with SBI to bring financial inclusion in all GPs

Orissa on Tuesday became the first state in the country in providing banking outposts in all 6234 GPs bu enetring an MoU with SBI.This will facilitate Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) of National Rural Employment Guarantee [NREGA] payments and other social security benefits throughout the state paving the way for financial inclusion of disadvantaged and low income groups.

As per the MoU, the Bank through its Banking Correspondent (BC) will put in place Banking Outposts in all the 6,234 GPs of the State. The BC will establish Customer Service Points [CSPs] in all the GPs who will act as “Business Correspondent” of the Bank in the area. This will make “Door Step Banking” a reality.

“Initially, the project targets to cover payments to NREGA beneficiaries throughout the State and will be launched in 1,000 GPs in 10 districts, in the first phase, where NREGA beneficiaries and payments are more in number. The Panchyati Raj Department and Bank will select the GPs on the above criteria taking into consideration the contiguity of the GPs in the District. Based on the experience in the first phase, the Project will be extended to the remaining GPs over a period of next 10 to 15 month period”, SBI CGM, Shiv Kumar said.

The other social security benefits like old age pensions etc, distributed by the state government will also be gradually brought under the EBT Project. SBI also proposes to use this platform for non-government banking business. The masses in rural areas across the state will be able to avail of the banking facilities even if they are not beneficiaries of government schemes.

The Bank will leverage the BC model for achieving the goals of financial inclusion. SBI has selected “A Little World” (ALW) as one of its technology partner for this project in the state. The technology platform of the ALW is fully integrated with the Bank’s Technology platform and data transfer is seamless. This model will provide a workable option of banking services in inaccessible areas of the State in a cost effective manner.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Samal exuded confidence that the historic MoU would bring a sea change in the rural economy by rooting out corruption and go a long way to put a stop to migration of the rural poor.

SBI chief general manager Shiva Kumar and Panchayat Raj commissioner and director, J P Agarwal singed the MoU on behalf of the Bank and the state government respectively in the presence of minister for Panchayat Raj, Prafulla Samal.

15 hospitalised after applying mehndi in Orissa

Fifteen women who applied mehndi (henna) in Orissa's Bhadrak district were hospitalised after complaining of dizziness and an allergic reaction, officials said Monday.
According to the district's Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bhagwan Dixit, about 300 people approached the Bant primary health centre, complaining of dizziness and allergy after applying the mehndi paste. Some were released after minor treatment but 15 of them were referred to the district hospital .

Similar reports have been reported in other parts of the state too. There are reports of people being admitted to hospitals after applying mehndi in Jaleswar and state capital too.

"Some people had come to the hospital. Most of them were having allergies after applying mehndi," Umakanta Mishra, the chief medical officer of a hospital here said.

Aluminum Park at Angul

The Orissa government and Navratna public sector blue-chip National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) on Saturday signed a MoU for an establishment of an Aluminum park at Angul at acost of 75 crore.

The proposed park will be a 50:50 joint-venture between Nalco and the state-owned Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).

The MoU was signed by Mr P K Dey, general manager (business development), Nalco and Srikant Kabi, managing director IDCO in the presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, industry minister Raghunath Mohanty, Nalco chairman and managing director C R Pradhan, chief secretary T K Mishra, industry secretary Sourabh Garg and several other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said establishment of the aluminium park would help entrepreneurs to set up downstream industries near the Nalco's smelter at Angul.

"My government's Industrial Policy 2007 and Medium Small Micro Enterprises [MSME] Policy 2009 accord highest priority for development of ancillary and downstream industries in MSME sector for greater value addition of steel and aluminium products in the state. The proposed park is yet another step to provide a platform for MSME industries to come up and grow," Mr Patnaik observed.

NALCO CMD Mr Pradhan said MSMEs coming up in the 200-acre proposed park would save a lot of cost as it will be located close to the smelter plant.

"Being close to the smelter plant, transfer of alumina in molten stage is possible. This would reduce the cost of production," Mr Pradhan said, adding, the MSMEs in the proposed park would have easy access to water, coal, electricity and other required materials.

The ancillary and downstream units identified to be set up in the proposed industrial park in the alumina/aluminium sectors will be caustic soda, calcined petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, aluminium fluoride, aluminium conductors, aluminium extrusions, aluminium castings, slugs and circles; and aluminium power.

"I hope the initiative will trigger similar downstream and ancillary industrial parks in close vicinity of the new mega projects being set up in aluminium, steel and power sectors in Orissa," industry minister Mr Mohanty said.

" Jajpur becomes another Jamshedpur in Orissa "

Committed to its Kalinga Nagar project despite a bloodbath in 2006 when 13 persons died in police firing during land acquisation, Tata Steel today vowed to make Orissa's Jajpur "another Jamshedpur".

"We will make Jajpur district another Jamshedpur. Kalinga Nagar project is on the top of our priorities," Tata Steel's vice-president B K Singh told PTI after attending the review meeting on progress of implementation of mega projects in Orissa.

Dubbing the 2006 police firing incident as "unfortunate", Singh said the company was ready to help the families of the victims.

"We should forget the incident and heal the situation," he said.

Asked whether the company would like to make any change in the proposed site in the backdrop of the incident, Singh said the company had no such plan. "Rahter Tata Steel wants to make Jajpur as another Jamshedpur," he said.

Singh claimed that the company had already invested Rs 4,000 crore out of estimated project cost Rs 18,700 crore in the project and expected to go for first phase production in 2014.

Tata Steel which signed MoU with the state government for setting up a 6 MTPA steel mill required 3500 acre of land for the purpose.

Though the state owned IDCO (industrial development corporation of Orissa) had allotted 3040 acre of land in four phases, the company was yet to start construction due to law and order problem.

The proposed plant had also been allotted 74 cusec of water from the Baitarani river and permitted to avil power of 100 Mw at 220 kv from Duburi Grid substation.

The company had meanwhile set up rehabilitation colonies and sponscored local youths for vocational training, Singh informed the state government at the review meeting.

However, the company was asked several questions on its project at Nayagarh in Keonjhar district and Gopalpur in Ganjam district.

The company, which was developing an SEZ in the name of Tata Realty and Infrastructure Development, assured the state government that it would start activities at Gopalpur in next six months.

"Some companies will invest in steel, electric goods, auto-spare and other goods in its Gopalpur SEZ," Singh said, adding that it was taking steps for Keonjhar project.

Orissa to review progress of 13 mega projects

Concerned about tardy progress in several mega projects in the state, the Orissa government would hold talks with investors, including world&aposs largest steel maker ArcelorMittal and Posco tomorrow to kind out the cause for the delays, official sources said."We want to know from the investors about the reason of delay in implementation of projects even as the state government had provided facilities to them,"state Steel and Mines minister Raghunath Mohanty told PTI. The 13 mega projects were scattered in different sectors like steel, aluminium and power, he said. In 2004, Tata Steel had signed an MoU with the sate government for setting up a 6 mtpa steel plant at Kalinga Nagar, it was yet to come up, an industries department official said. Similarly, Posco which signed understanding for its proposed 12 MTPA steel plant near Paradip on June 22, 2005, but has been unable to acquire land for its Rs 51,000 crore project. ArcelorMittal 12 million tonne steel plant project, too, is lagging behind schedule. It had signed an MoU on December.2006 This apart, two mega aluminium projects, one by Vedanta Aluminium Limited and another by Aditya Aluminium Limited also progressed slowly, causing major headache for the state government." Non-implementation of mega projects had come as a major set back for the state&aposs industrlisation process", a senior official said.

Source : PTI

SRK planning to light up Seven villages in Orissa

Remember the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Swades, where lead protagonist Mohan Bhargava, an NRI working in NASA, returns to his former nanny's village in India and resolves the irregular electricity problem by setting up a hydro power plant. In a case of real life imitating reel life, Khan has lighted up seven remote coastal villages in Orissa by funding a solar electricity project.

The effort has dramatically changed the lives of the people of Ahriajpur, Banhipal, Okilapala, Palachua, Rangani, Denlasahi and Gupti villages in Kendrapara district, about 150 km from here. Each village has a population of 500 people and most of them fall in the below poverty line bracket. They mostly depend on fishing and agriculture for their livelihood. For the villagers, Khan is a messiah.

The rural electrification project used solar energy to produce electricity. Khan funded the project under the NDTV's Greenathon initiative titled 'Light a Billion Lives'. The project was implemented by The Energy & Research Institute (TERI).

Local coordinator of the project Biraja Prasad Pati said, "Can you imagine even after 61 years of Independence, they did not have electricity. But the project changed their lives.

Once dusk sets in, they all rush back to their houses and savour the pleasure of having electricity at home. Can you imagine even after 61 years of Independence, they did not have electricity," he said. Earlier, kerosene lanterns were the only source of light.

Now, the villagers have been provided with solar lanterns. "Life now starts after sun set," Pati said, adding that villagers had taken the cost-effective solar lanterns after paying the users' fees of Rs3 towards charging.But occasional users pay Rs5 by way of charging fees.

A recharging station has been installed in each village. Solar panels have also been set on rooftops to allow villagers to charge their lanterns every morning. "Now people are happy and know more about Khan," said local ward member Tapas Mandal.Ironically, the state government is clueless about the project.

Rural dvelopment in Orissa in a worse position

Nothing seems to be surprising regaring Orissa. The State continues to languish among the bottom five states as far as the rural development indices is concerned. Orissa is the only State in the country where a high of 44.4 per cent households don’t have the potential to spend even Rs 12-aday. The landless and the destitute population account for a national high of 16.4 per cent of the total households in the State. Over 50 per cent households (hhs) dwell in katcha houses, 49 per cent hhs are devoid of sanitation, 69 per cent depend on kerosene to light up their houses and again a national high of 84 per cent use firewood to cook their one square meal.Adding to the woes is, a whopping 43 per cent villages are still out of road loop and a high of 40 lakh rural hhs have no electricity connection.The blame lies squarely on the Government for the state of affairs.The inability to spend is because of non-availability of income generating opportunities for the landless and the destitute lot.As per the latest round of National Sample Survey, in Orissa the workers engaged in public work here earn only Rs 50 for men and Rs 46 for women on an average.The lack of adequate public works is solely due to the Government’s failure in provisioning a single rupee for the period 2002-03 to 2007-08 towards the capital expenditure - that ensures creation of new assets/services and jobs - under the rural development expenditure.Moreover, the nonwage and salary component of the revenue expenditure meant for maintaining existing services for rural development stands at Rs 754 crore in 2007-08, which is a mere 0.4 per cent of the total revenue expenditure and only 3 per cent of the total revenue receipts.The Government allocates a measly 0.8 per cent of its gross state domestic product for rural development.However, Government sources explained that the capital expenditure incurred under separate heads like Health and Family Welfare, Education and Transport Departments took care of the required capital expenditure for rural development. But the fact is, capital expenditure towards Health and Family Welfare has declined from Rs 38 crore in 2002- 03 to Rs 20 crore in 2007-08 and in Education too it declined from Rs 19 crore to Rs 6 crore during the same period. The transport sector has chequered capital expenditure with increases and decreases in actual expenditure. So, it is right time the Government focused more towards rural development.

Distortion of prayer in Orissa --"Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari…Ghena Dayabahi Mora Guhari’

Controversy surrounded the distorted use of famous prayer—‘Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari…Ghena Dayabahi Mora Guhari’—in an Oriya album with culture enthusiasts demanding action against the culture-spoilers.

In the album, the lyricist drew flak after penning the line ‘Ahe Dayamaya Biswabihari…Mate Kala Kain Ete Sundari”.

This has angered the culture lovers in the state with one Nishikant Mishra from Cuttack filing a PIL in the Orissa High Court against the vulgar depiction of the devotional song in the album.

Activists of Kalinga Sena, a local cultural outfit, filed complaint against 8 persons associated with the album making, with the Kharabel police.

But the lyricist, Bapu Goswami and music composer, Gudli Rath have pleaded innocence. “We did not deliberately want to hurt the sentiments of others. There was no ill-motive behind the music composition and penning of the song,” they said in unison.

Orissa to expedite Infocity-II project

The Orissa IT department has got its act together to expedite the Infocity-II project to be developed over 500 acres of land at Janla on the outskirts of the city.

The global economic meltdown had slackened demand for IT projects. But with the sign of recovery in sight, the state government is gearing up to keep the infrastructure of Infocity-II ready to welcome any IT firm keen to set up its shop in the city.

Towards this objective, the state IT department has now planned to go for a four-lane approach road connecting the Infocity-II project with the National Highway.

“We are committed to provide external infrastructure like roads, water and electricity for the Infocity-II project. The state IT department has engaged a consultant which is undertaking a survey work on the proposed four-lane approach road and the private land that needs to be acquired for the purpose”, an official source told Business Standard.

Earlier, the state government had sanctioned Rs 150 crore for developing external infrastructure for the project like approach road, electricity and water.

While land acquisition for the Infocity-II project is already over, the construction of the boundary wall is underway. The state government is on the look out for anchor tenants for the project.

Though IT heavyweights like Infosys Technologies and Wipro Technologies had evinced interest in taking possession of land within the Infocity-II region, they were non-committal on their expansion plans due to the prevailing slowdown.

As per the estimates of the Orissa IT department, the Infocity-II project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2012 and the project is set to attract investments worth Rs 4,000 crore from IT ad ITes (IT enabled services) companies.

The proposed Infocity-II project will generate direct and indirect employment for about four lakh people in the information technology (IT) and ITes sectors.

Presently, more than 18,000 professionals are engaged in the IT sector in the state while the ITes sector had a workforce of over 15,000.

The Infocity-II project would be a part of the proposed IT investment region in the state. The IT investment region (ITIR) in Orissa was to be developed on an area of 40 sq km (around 10,000 acres) between Bhubaneswar and Khurda.

The ITIR project in the state is expected to be fully operational by 2020.

Apart from its focus on the Infocity-II project, the state IT department is also keen to expedite the commissioning of the second tower of the Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC) in the city at an investment of Rs 30 crore.

The proposed facility is being developed exclusively for IT and ITes (information technology enabled services) companies and it is scheduled to be operational by early 2010.

This tower will have a total built-up space of about 2 lakh sq ft and it is being developed by the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).

Relief package for Maoist violence hit families

The Orissa government on Sunday announced relief measures for families hit by Maoist violence including financial assistance to the children of policemen killed while battling rebels.

As per the finance department notification, the government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month towards education of atleast two children of policemen killed in the line of duty at Maoist affected areas in the state.

Moreover, the family members will also be entitled to get the salary earned by the deceased cops as pension till their retirement period. The government is also contemplating to provide pension after retirement similar to that meant for other government employees.

Man arrested in Orissa for raping daughter for years

Bishnumohan Panda, a 58-year-old resident of Rajgurupur village, was arrested after his daughter complained to the police Saturday with the help of villagers, said Damodar Mohapatra, in charge of the police station in the village.

The 32-year-old victim, who is now married and has two children, alleged that her father first sexually exploited her when she was studying in Class 9 and continued to do so for years, threatening her with dire consequences if she complained to anyone.

"Though my father later married me off to a poor man, he wanted my husband and me to stay at his home so that he could exploit me further," the victims said in her complaint.

"She also alleged that she was forced to undergo many abortions by her father in the past," Mohapatra said. "We have arrested her father and are investigating the matter further," he said.

IDBI to open 10 new branches in Orissa

As a part of its expansion plan, the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) would open 10 new branches in Orissa by the end of 2009-10.

These branches would be over and above the existing 11 branches of IDBI in the state.

IDBI is focusing on the western Orissa region for its branch expansion, Arun Kumar Panda, deputy general manager of the bank said at the inauguration of the 11th branch of IDBI Bank at Talcher, near here.

The branch was inaugurated by PR Das, chairman of the Orissa State Financial Corporation (OSFC). “We selected Talcher for the 11th new branch of the bank because of its proximity to Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and other private industries. IDBI may also set up a branch at Angul soon,” said Panda Out of the proposed ten new branches of IDBI, four new branches would be opened by the end of this month while the other six branches will be set up later, he informed.

IDBI's total business in Orissa currently stands at Rs 500 crore and the bank has targeted a business of Rs 1,200 crore by the end of this fiscal, he said.

On a pan-India basis, the bank aims to ramp up its branch network from 580 at present to 1,000 by the end of this fiscal.

Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik review pogress of various infrastructure project

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the progress of different Roads, Buildings and Bridge projects in a high level committee held in the Orissa Secretariat on Friday .Out of 1,219Kms long High way 983 Kms of Orissa will be constructed by the Orissa state government.

Similarly the Cuttack-Paradeep and Khurda - Bolangir highways will be completed by June,2010.It has been decided that the Vanivihar-Rajmahal Road in Bhubaneswar will be converted to an eight lane road.Besides the Pandapada-Naranpada of Keonjhar district ,Cuttack-Banki, Barkote-Lahunipada,Bolangir-Kantabanji,Chorda-Duburi and Udala-Baripada Roads will be completed during current financial year.

The Chief minister also reviewed the progress of the Bhanjanagar-Phulbani-Charichhak,Tiring-Jashipur-Karanjia-Sakipur, Dhenkikote-Karanjia,Panikoili-Rajaminda,Biramitrapur-Rajamunda,Munduli-Angul etc roads.

It was also expressed in the meeting that the process of Tender has already been completed for construction of E-Procurement Cell at Cuttack,Construction Academy Buildings at Gopalpur, Parala Moharaja Engineering College at Brahmapur,Engineering College at Bhawanipatna, Agriculture College and Horticulture at Chipilima.

Among others Principal Secretary of Chief Minister Bijoy Patnaik, Secretary of Roads and Buildings Suvendu Kumar Ray,Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Nalinikanta Pradhan were present in this high level review meeting .a

Orissa tops malaria death list, 2,368 died in 8 yrs

With 2,368 deaths in the last eight years, Orissa has the highest number of malaria deaths in the country.

"High incidence of malaria deaths in Orissa is the main cause of concern for the Centre. The state tops the list of malaria deaths in India," P K Pradhan, Additional Secretary in Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said here today.

Out of the total 7,25,502 cerebral malaria cases reported from across the country in 2008, 45 per cent came from Orissa, he said.

Pradhan, also director of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), was addressing a national workshop on 'Equity, Quality & Accountability' in the NRHM.

Even as the National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP), renamed as National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), was implemented in Orissa since 1953, the state contributed to 25 per cent of malaria deaths in the country, official sources said.

Centre to look into problems of RGGVY in Orissa

The Centre has assured the Orissa government to look into various problems encountered in the implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

This includes the removal of the discrepancy between the number of villages where the electrification is reported to be completed and the number of actual villages offered for inspection, creation of additional transformer capacity and finalisation of packages for Jajpur district.

The state energy secretary, Pradeep Kumar Jena held discussion with the officials of the Union power ministry in New Delhi on these issues recently.

Sources said, the energy secretary took up the issue of discrepancy between the list of completely electrified villages furnished by the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) vested with the rural electrification work in Orissa and the list of villages which are offered for inspection by the state government.

The state officials pointed out that the total number of electrified villages under the RGGVY as given by the CPSUs is not correct as the same number of villages are not offered for inspection. They urged the ministry officials to come on a field visit and check the numbers.

Similarly, it has come to the notice of the state government that some villages are electrified with just extension of the existing LT lines without commensurate increase in the transformer capacity. About 300 villages in Ganjam and Gajapati districts couldn’t be charged as the additional transformer capacity was lacking. In this context, the Centre was urged to accept the revised cost estimates of these villages.

Though the CPSUs were given the target of electrifying all the villages targeted to be electrified in the 10th plan by the end of September 2009, given the pace of work, there was apprehension whether these villages could be provided power within the stipulated time. About 1200 habitations are yet to be electrified. Besides, the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) was urged to finalise one package work in Jajpur district.

Orissa plans to start cluster mapping soon

The Orissa government plans to start a ‘cluster mapping’ exercise soon to optimize the growth of the existing clusters and identify the possibility of setting up new clusters in the state,

The mapping process would include possible measures for the development of clusters in areas like handicrafts, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cottage industries. The process of mapping has been set in motion and it is expected to be over by March 2010, official sources said.

“We are in the process of preparing a cluster map for the overall growth of the existing and potential clusters, which would include handicrafts, SME and cottage industry sectors”, Hemant Sharma, director industries told Business Standard.

The method adopted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) for cluster mapping will be followed in this exercise and some people in the state industry department have been trained for the purpose.

As part of the UNIDO project, the directorate of industries, directorate of handicrafts and cottage industries and directorate of textile and handlooms have adopted 2 clusters each as model clusters. This is proposed to be replicated at other locations. It may be noted, the state government has decided to develop 86 clusters.

Sources said, a cluster cell has been constituted in the directorate of industries for implementation of the cluster development programme and a pool of 43 officers has been trained in the cluster methodology. Meanwhile, the Union government has approved 14 clusters out of 20 clusters notified by the state government for central assistance. The approved clusters include engineering cluster at Rourkela and Jharsuguda, rice milling cluster at Baragarh and Nuapada, pharmaceutical cluster at Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, cashew cluster at Ganjam,

Kalinganagar cluster in Jajpur district. plastic cluster at Balasore, and graphite polishing cluster

at Bolangir. Two proposals namely plastic cluster at Balasore and engineering cluster at Mancheswar have been sent to the Union government for assistance under Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (IIUS). Each of these units can avail Rs 60 crore assistance under the scheme.

Out of the 14 approved clusters, special purpose vehicle (SPV) has been registered in case of four clusters. The state government is also in the process of sending the proposal for a sponge iron cluster at Bonai near Rourkela for assistance under IIUS.

It may be noted, the development of enterprise through cluster approach was initiated in the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR), 2001. It was taken forward in the IPR, 2007 and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development policy 2009. The directorate of industries of the Orissa government is taking steps to leverage funds from Micro and Small Enterprise Development Programme. (MSE-CDP) of the government of India (GoI).

Orissa goes hi-tech in school education

The Orissa government has linked 40 schools in the state to the Edusat network with an aim to modernising the school education.

"We have connected 40 schools on an experimental basis. I am sure it will be successful and expanded to many other schools in Orissa," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday.

The network provides two-way video and audio communications between teachers at the studio here and students in the remote schools thus making the class interactive.

The state government hopes that this would help in addressing the deficiency of quality teachers in the remote areas of Orissa. The technical assistance has been provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

"We have connected 40 schools of 28 districts. The technical assistance has been provided by ISRO. ISRO has also provided the required bandwidth and its technical hub free of cost," an official said.

The official said the infrastructure has the potential to cover all the schools of the state.

Election in Educational Institutions in Orissa

Recent violence in Utkal University came into lime light because it is situated in the heart of the state capital where media coverage is the highest in the state and the nature of the violence was high.But this is not the only violence happening in Orissa in recent times or in the past in colleges and universities.It is common for all government institution weather small or big.Six bused were set on fire , six ATM were broken ,one Bank office was damaged , and even one hospital was attackedUtkal Universityin the recent incident . by some students of

What a society can expect from such so called educated students who do not hesitate to attack a hospital where half dead patients are struggling for life and damage public property.One question is that "had they dare to destroy their own property for the sake of strike".On the other hand, the administration is so incapable that few actions has been taken against such students in the past. Either the officials are influenced by the politicians or threatened by the students.

The motto of college election is representation of students in the general activities of colleges and allow them to present their demands.But those who have ever be a part of such institutions in Orissa can realise that the actual positive impact is very less .The represented candidates only interested in corruption , bribe from several companies etc. But one certain result of such election is violence ,damage to government property,interruption of regular classes etc.

So ,why we need such election if the objective deviates from the reality ? There are few colleges in Orissa, where election is restricted or only indirect election is possible. G.M college in Sambalpur conducts such indirect election .The procedure for such election is that first each class will select their leader and the head of the institution (President ,Secretary and others) will be nominated by the selected candidates.Such type of election procedure fulfill the objective of representation and at the same time reduces violence.

The government should think to adopt the indirect election procedure across the state .It will helpful in reducing unnecessary ferocity and will helpful in continuance of peace education in the state.

Central team visits diarrhoea-hit Orissa region

A team of medical experts on Monday visited the Kalahandi district of Orissa to take stock of the situation after an outbreak of diarrhoea killed 24 people there and hit thousands over the past one month.

"A three member team led by Uma Chawla, joint director of National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), reached the region on Monday. They are visiting the affected areas," joint director of state health department Bikash Patnaik told IANS.

The outbreak was first reported early this month from a hamlet in Kalahandi, about 450 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, and it later spread to dozens of nearby villages.

Patnaik said doctors have treated hundreds of people in hospitals and temporary camps set up at various places during the past 30 days. He said unhygienic living conditions and contaminated drinking water led to diarrhoea in the district.

"The situation is under control now. There is no report of death or outbreak from the region since Aug 21," he said.

Bhakta Charan Das, who is representing the region in the Lok Sabha, alleged that diarrhoea has claimed at least 38 people. "At least 38 people have died. There are no adequate doctors in the region to tackle the crisis which has taken an epidemic form," Das told IANS.

However, the state health department maintained that diarrhoea has claimed 24 lives.

Kapil Sibal inaugurates Central Varsity of Orissa in Koraput

Union Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday inaugurated the Central University in Orissa痴 Koraput here. Sibal delivered a speech on 'Innovations and Reforms in Higher Education and Modern India' on the occasion. Vice chancellor Surabhi Banerjee, Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, higher education minister Debi Prasad Mishra and other senior Central and state government officials were among those present. Incidentally, the university has already started functioning and offering courses in English, Oriya, Journalism and Mass Communication, Anthropology and Sociology. Meanwhile, the counselling for English and Anthropology has been extended till September 8. However, the University does not have a permanent campus yet. The varsity is all set to commence classes from September 8 from the temporary Council of Analytical Tribal Studies (COATS) campus.

Election in Educational Institutions in Orissa

Recent violence in Utkal University came into lime light because it is situated in the heart of the state capital where media coverage is the highest in the state and the nature of the violence was high.But this is not the only violence happening in Orissa in recent times or in the past in colleges and universities.It is common for all government institution weather small or big.Six bused were set on fire , six ATM were broken ,one Bank office was damaged , and even one hospital was attacked by some students of Utkal Universityin the recent incident .

What a society can expect from such so called educated students who do not hesitate to attack a hospital where half dead patients are struggling for life and damage public property.One question is that "had they dare to destroy their own property for the sake of strike".On the other hand, the administration is so incapable that few actions has been taken against such students in the past. Either the officials are influenced by the politicians or threatened by the students.

The motto of college election is representation of students in the general activities of colleges and allow them to present their demands.But those who have ever be a part of such institutions in Orissa can realise that the actual positive impact is very less .The represented candidates only interested in corruption , bribe from several companies etc. But one certain result of such election is violence ,damage to government property,interruption of regular classes etc.

So ,why we need such election if the objective deviates from the reality ? There are few colleges in Orissa, where election is restricted or only indirect election is possible. G.M college in Sambalpur conducts such indirect election .The procedure for such election is that first each class will select their leader and the head of the institution (President ,Secretary and others) will be nominated by the selected candidates.Such type of election procedure fulfill the objective of representation and at the same time reduces violence.

The government should think to adopt the indirect election procedure across the state .It will helpful in reducing unnecessary ferocity and will helpful in continuance of peace education in the state.

Student agitation intenfies in Orissa

The students, angry over arrest of their leaders in connection with Utkal University violence, were divided into groups to commit vandalism at several places in Bhubaneswar. At least six buses were set on fire, six automatic trailer machines (ATMs) and branch office of a nationalised bank were damaged and two private hospitals here attacked here.

The violence which began at around 2 am continued till the noon. The agitators also reportedly fought pitched battles with police at different places in Bhubaneswar leading to injuries to at least a dozen people from both sides.

However, no arrests have been made.

Police said the students owning allegiance to students’ wing of the Congress indulged in violence.

The student unrest began after two rival groups attacked each other at the Utkal University here three days ago over union elections, which are barely a month away. Six student leaders including state president of students’ wing of the Congress Chinmoy Sahu were arrested in connection with the incident. All of them were released on bail on Tuesday.

The colleges in Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state recorded thin attendances as the state unit of National Students Union of India, a frontal organisation of Congress, threatened to intensify the stir.

Meanwhile, Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee working president Lalatendu Vidyadhar Mohapatra warned the state government to refrain from its “anti student suppression” activity and threatened that there would be state-wide agitation if the arrested students’ representatives of various colleges and universities were not freed immediately.

“What crime the students have committed? Is it an offence if the students’ leaders tried to expose the Naveen government’s involvement in theft of valuable mineral resources of the state? The state government wants to silence a students’ movement against its corrupt activities,” Mr Mohapatra observed.