Orissa airlifts food for forces in Maoist zone

The state government on Tuesday airlifted food and other essential commodities for police who are confined to Nayapatnam owing to closure of roads by Maoists.

Since June 15, the roads to Narayanpatna are closed as the government has failed to remove trees felled by Maoists to block them. On June 17, nine security personnel and a driver were killed when the rebels blew off their jeep with a landmine near Narayanpatna.

Sources said a helicopter made two sorties from Koraput to Narayanpatna carrying rice, dal, sugar, kerosene and dry food. At the moment, there are 100 CRPF and 60 OSAP personnel stationed at Narayanpatna along with local policemen. They have gone out after the Maoists destroyed telecommunication towers in the area last week.

Authorities fear that the Maoists may loot weapons taking advantage of the situation, the sources said. Additional forces have also been airlifted to Narayanpatna, they added.

The use of choppers comes in the wake of attacks on a guest house and checkgate in the Sunabeda forest range in neighbouring Nuapada district on Monday night. About 20 extremists came from Chhatisgarh and burnt all official papers and furniture at the guest house. They took away about Rs 60,000, a walkie-talkie and mobile phones from the staff. They did not harm anyone, police said.

The Maoist violence also continued in Kandhamal district where four persons were kidnapped on Sunday night. The victims included the husband of the interior Sonepur panchayat sarpanch, a local panchayat member and a ward member.

Life was paralyzed in Malkangiri and parts of southern Orissa on the second day of the two-day bandh call given by the extremists. Public vehicles remained off the road and government officials did not attend work fearing Maoist attacks. Government sources said Union home minister P Chidambaram is likely to visit Bhubaneswar on Thursday to take stock of the situation. He is also scheduled to visit Koraput, they added.

District collector (Koraput) Bichitrananda Das said the road blockade will be cleared over the next few days. "The situation is certainly serious. We have reports that the extremists have laid mines at several places. No one is willing to enter the area during the bandh. It is difficult to get labourers at this moment," he added.

The sources said Narayanpatna had been out of bounds because police are reluctant to clear the roads. "Road clearance is the job of the district administration. Police can provide a security cover," a senior police official said. "The genesis of the trouble in Narayanpatna and other areas stemmed from the land problems and lack of development in the area. We are not responsible for poverty of the people, but we are getting killed," the official added.

Maoists target Orissa after Lalgarh

First it was Lalgarh in West Midnapore district of West Bengal targeted by Maoists and now Orissa''s Narayanpatna region. Maoists new target is the non-tribal land of Orrisa.

After laying siege over Lalgarh in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, Maoists have now targeted Orissa's Narayanpatna region.

According to the reports, Hundreds of Maoists activists have forcibly occupied the non-tribal land in Orrisa’s Narayanpatna causing bizarre in the area.

Activists of Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh, a tribal group of Maoists have forcibly grabbed the lands. All the roads are blocked by Maoists activists to bar the entry of police in the area.

Maoists activities are becoming a major problem in the country and now government is aiming to take some tough steps towards it.

ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath starts

The fun time of the deities of Puri Jagannath temple started as a sea of humanity turned up to watch the Lord’s nine-day sojourn, popularly dubbed as Rath Yatra on Wednesday.

The Grand Road facing the 12th century shrine was packed like sardines with the curious devotees braving the scorching sun waited with bated breaths for glimpse of the deities on their respective chariots. Crowd jostled for space when the triad Hindu deities—Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra—were escorted out of the sanctum sanctorum in a boisterous procession called pahandi.

The pahandi rituals of the deities were solemnized in the scheduled time. By 10.30 am, the sibling deities boarded their respective chariots. Puri Sankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati had the darshan of the deities on chariots.

Puri scion Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb later performed the traditional sweeping rite of the chariot decks with golden broomstick, a ritual known as chheran pahanra. Soon after the King’s business got over on the chariots, the giant wooden cars marched towards the Gundicha temple where the deities would spend nearly a week. Devotees and cops pulled the chariots with gung-ho spirit. It was a treat to watch the chariots festooned with flowers, appliqué and mural paintings. Till reports last reached, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra reached Gundicha temple at around 4.45pm. And chariots of Subhadra and Jagannath were a stone's throw from the destination.

Unlike the previous years, all the rituals of the deities, including the pulling of chariots were solemnized much before the schedule time. “It was possible thanks to the cooperation of shrine sevayats. They always play a major role in the timely completion of rituals,” a temple official said.

The temple town was fortified in the wake of possible subversive attacks by radicals. “But no untoward incident was reported till evening,” a senior police official said.

More than 55 platoons of police force were garrisoned through out the city to control law and order during the mega event. Massive security arrangement was made for crowd and traffic control as well. “Keeping last year’s stampede in mind, we are cautious to avoid the recurrence of the mishap,” the cop said.

Governor MC Bhandare, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, revenue minister Prafulla Ghadei among a host of other ministers visited Puri to watch Rath Yatra.

Maoist threatens to destroy Balimela Power House in Orissa

The state’s premier Power Generating Industry-Balimela Power House will be blasted if the electricity is not supplied to all the remote villages,threatned the C.P.I(Maoist).In hundreds of posters found at several places in the district,the Maoist organization has alleged that though power is generating from Balimela power house situated in Malkangiri district,but the many remote and inaccessible villages have yet been deprived of electricity facility.After the Naxal threat,an atmosphere of fear has prevailed in the Balimela Town and the locals as well as the project employees have become frightened.

Defense equipment manufacturing unit to be set up in Orissa

A defense equipment manufacturing unit would come up in Orissa very soon. The proposed project has been dubbed as Defence Offset Project.An expert team headed by state-owned IDCOL would soon make a stock-taking visit to the defence factories existing in Orissa and West Bengal. IDCOL director M N Ray said that the skilled entrepreneurs, factories or private sectors would be identified through advertisements who can produce equipment used in defence department.
The list would be prepared soon and sent to the ministry of defence, he added. As per the guidelines of the Centre, the foreign companies, who sell war equipment worth more than Rs 300 crore to India would invest 30-50 percent amount in the country for establishment of defence equipment factories.
Since India procures defence equipment worth nearly 3 billion dollar from foreign exporters, there is a need to set up a defence equipment factory in the country and so Orissa has a fare chance. The proposed project can generate good employment in the state also. Our move is in a nascent stage. No detail analysis has been made on it. But the project is a profitable one, Ray said.

Centre-Orissa relation dips amidst allegations of neglect

The relation between the UPA government and Orissa has gone downhill with the Naveen Patnaik administration accusing the Centre of adopting a step-motherly attitude towards the state.

Be it flood assistance or paddy procurement by FCI and expansion of railway network, the ruling BJD alleged negligence by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. The Biju Janata Dal, which won 103 seats in the 147-member Assembly in Orissa and 14 of the s tate's 21 Lok Sabha seats, has issued a direction to its MPs to raise the issue of neglect in both houses of Parliament.

“We have been asked to raise issues like revision of coal/mineral royalty and negligence in railway expansion,” BJD's parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha Mr Arjun Sethi said. This time BJD's voice would be louder in Delhi as it has 14 MPs in Lok Sab ha, he said.

Similar was the view of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, BJD leader in Rajya Sabha. “We will be more critical as the Centre continues to neglect Orissa,” he said. Congress, on the other hand, accused BJD of attacking the Centre to hide its failures.

“Instead of blaming the Centre for everything, Orissa government should try to work in coordination with us,” leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Mr Bhupinder Singh said.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Naxalites havoc continues in Orissa

he Terror of naxals has been continued Since 14th June. After a long days silent Naxals again created havoc in Sambalpur district. In a firce gun battle with police personales in GaraKhaman Forest near kisinda, a police subinspector Narashingha Prasad Mahankuda killed and three others severely injuried. Still now the gun battle has been continued as the combing operation is going on. On the other side In Malkangiri and Koraput District Naxals and pro naxal Organisation Chasi Mulia Adivasi sangha continued their operation for the thrid day. Today around 300 Armed Tribals Of Narayanapur forcibly occupied more than 500 acres of cultivable land of general people. On the other side Naxals cutdown hundred of trees and jamed the chitrakonda and malkangiri road. It Is reported that some armed naxals ransacked 5 country liquor shops near chitraknoda. In an Bizarre incident naxals killed a Quack named Balaram Soren in Baripada,Near Chhatishgarh-Orissa Border On14th june night. Who was returned from weekly hata at DakaDiha

Summer vacation extended for schools

Bringing cheer to the school children, the education department in Orissa Tuesday extended the summer vacation by a week to June 23, almost two months after the schools were closed early due to the unprecedented heat wave.
Usually the summer vacation in the state start from May 1 and ends June 16 every year. However, this year the schools announced early vacation from April 21 and the extended holiday till June 23 has added to the happiness of students.

“The government extended the summer vacation for seven more days as many places continue to witness maximum temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius,” a senior official of the state school and mass education department told IANS.

According to Bhubaneswar meteorological centre, the places witnessing over 40 degrees temperature include Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Angul and Titilagarh.

Naveen submits demands to Mamata

hief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik has demanded that the state be given its due in the railway budget, which is scheduled to be presented on 3 July.

While the Indian Railways earns more than Rs 5,000 crore per annum from the state, it is really unfortunate that it does not invest adequately for development of the railway infrastructure of the state, Patnaik noted in his missive to the Union minister for railways Ms Mamata Banarjee.

Development of railway infrastructure in the state should be undertaken on a priority basis to boost the ongoing rapid industrialization.This apart, it would also accelerate the much-needed development of the backward areas in the state, Patnaik observed.

He also stressed on timely completion of the ongoing projects. Referring to his missive to the then Union railway minister Lalu Prasad on 17 January this year, Chief Minister Patnaik pointed out that the state had proposed an investment of Rs 1,520 crore for infrastructural development in the state.

Among other issues, development of railways in KBK region, establishment of a rail coach factory in the backwards area, acceleration of Khurda Road-Bolangir railway line work, doubling of Daitari-Banspani, Talcher-Sambalpur and Haridaspur-Paradip lines, increase in the frequencies of Bhubaneswar-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Express, Puri-Guwahati Express, Puri-Patna Express and Puri-Ahmedabad Express trains, daily running of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and introduction of Puri-Paradip Shatabdi Express figured prominently in the missive to Yadav.

Besides reiterating the old demands, Chief Minister Mr Patnaik has also suggested that survey work be started for a high-speed railway on the Howrah-Bhubaneswar-Vishakapatnam-Vijayawada route."Immediate steps should be taken to upgrade Bhubaneswar railway station into a world class station," the missive maintained.
Assuring that the state government will extend all sorts of support for railway infrastructure development in the state, Chief Minister Mr Patnaik exuded confidence that if the Centre agrees to the proposals of the state, it would usher in development of the socio-economic condition of the people in the backward regions.

From Superstitious Village to Model in Sanitation

Despite the prevailing Naxal menace, Kanjali village under Padmagiri Gram Panchyat of Malkangiri district stands apart from other villages - it's spick and span. This has been made possible through the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) launched by the administration few years back.
Slogans propagating sanitary habits and cleanliness adorn its walls. The alleys passing through the nearly 73 'thatched ' houses are bereft of any litter. There are no flying plastic bags, no unwanted paper, no cow dung scattered on the streets that look immaculately clean. The populace, which consists of “Koyas”, depends mainly on agriculture for sustenance. And it's not just external cleanliness that the around 350 villagers have imbibed. What makes this sleepy Koya Tribe dominated village, just 23 km from the hustle and bustle of the district headquarter town, stand out among other villages as a model village.
The village Sarpanch Guru Durua, took it up as a crusade and through sheer determination and support garnered from the District Water & Sanitation Mission and helped turn “Kanjali “- comprising a cluster of 73 houses and hutments with a population of 350 - into a model total sanitation village.
Thanks to the District Water & Sanitation Mission (DWSM) for making strides in the field of sanitation.
"Earlier, the villagers were not aware of the sanitation. But after the district administration's efforts and the implementation of the project, the village has undergone a 'sanitation surgery'," says Sarpanch Guru Durua.
Krushna Madkami’s eyes sparkle with joy every time he talks of the new flush latrine constructed just few months back inside his little hutment. He will now no longer have to undertake those arduous journeys at unearthly hours to answer nature’s call..Only two houses in the village had toilets just a year back. Today, it boasts of having a 100 percent sanitation graph. "Not a single house of the village is without a toilet," says DWSM Member Secretary Tapan Kumar Raut. Initially, a lot of counselling had to be done to convince the villagers to discard the age-old tradition of taking a 'lota' (small utensil) and going out for defecation.
"Motivating them to change their mindset was an extremely arduous task. But gradually each one started aping the other. They understood the importance of having a personal and exclusive toilet," says Raut. “Certainly it was not easy convincing all the 60 families of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and 13 Above Poverty Line (APL) to build toilets. All the BPL families were given Rs.2200 each for the construction of the toilet.
Getting inspired by the “Kanjali” model,the District Water & Sanitation Mission recently organized a three day long mega camp at Sivananda Anglo-Vedic School here ,where about 1000 Anganwadi and ‘asha’workers,Sarpanchs and Self Help Group(SHGs) participated.The programme called Community Lead Total Sanitation Campaign was inaugurated by the Collector & DWSM Chairman Nitin Bhanudas Jawale.Later,the delegates were visited the toilets and sanitation arrangements at Kanjali village and were imparted training by the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation and DWSM Junior Engineers under the leadership of DWSM Member Secretary Tapan Kumar Raut. Speaking on the occasion,Raut said the mission aims to replicate the "Kanjali model" in every part of the district and promote the sense of sanitation among the rural people.
Ending open defecation is not a scheme but a total behavioural change. “Once the villagers learn the basic principles of hygiene and realize the scheme will give respect and security to their women and act as a symbol of social status they will fall in line,” said DRDA Project Director Govinda Chandra Sethy, adding that the movement against open defecation is gathering momentum in the district.Tthe delegates also visited Talaguda G.P and took stock of the toilets there.At the end,the delegates visited Pandripani Gram panchyat where about 700 toilets were built in 15 days .

Live Link - ICC Twenty20 Cricket

..........................................................................



www.ooxtv.com




...........................................................................

Ghadei presents revenue deficit balanced budget

Orissa finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, on Thursday, presented a Rs 35,001.45 crore budget in the state assembly here for the year 2009-10 compared to a Rs 28,747.08 crore budget last year, underscoring the need for allocation of more funds to the social sector and for poverty eradication, infrastructure development, social security programmes and completion of ongoing projects on priority basis.

Presenting a balanced and revenue deficit budget, Mr Ghadei said the government is determined to achieve the fiscal targets and containing interest payment within 15% of revenue receipts as mandated by the 12th Finance Commission.

Reading out the 33-page long speech here, Mr Ghadei said the state has been able to earmark more funds for capital expenditure largely due to the improvement in the fiscal situation during the last five years. Capital expenditure has been estimated at Rs 3,594.33 crore for the current fiscal against a mere Rs 799 crore earmarked in 1999-2000.

"It needs no mention that there has been much improvement in the fiscal condition of the state due to sincere efforts of the Government. Consequently, from 1st December, 2004, the government has neither resorted to Ways and Means Advance nor Overdraft from the Reserve Bank of India," Mr Ghadei said, adding that the letter of credit is being issue to concerned departments as per their requirement for different developmental works.

For the first time in the last three years, the state will have an estimated revenue deficit of Rs 2,369.1 crore. "However, on the whole, receipts and expenditure have been balanced, taking into account the Revenue Account, Capital Account and Public Account together. Thus, it is a balanced budget with revenue deficit," Mr Ghadei asserted.

Recognising debt burden as the single most important problem affecting the state’s finances, the finance minister asserted that the debt stock of the state had been reduced after a long gap of 61 years. "It is worth mentioning that while the debt continuously increased and was Rs 37,249.51 crore at the end of 2006-07, it came down to Rs 36,311.61 crore at the end of March 31, 2008," he remarked.

In his attempt to provide more funds for the crucial social, health and education sectors, Mr Ghadei has hiked the allocation of school and mass education from Rs 3,734 crore (revised estimates) in 2008-09 to Rs 4,600 crore (budget estimates) in 2009-10.

For health and family welfare, there is a hike from Rs 1,186 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 1,596 crore in 2009-10. Similarly, to boost irrigation, Mr Ghadei has increased the allocation from Rs 2,204 crore in the last fiscal to Rs 2,404 crore in the current financial year.

Underscoring the need for proper utilization of funds, the finance minister told ET, "The size of the outlay is not so important as the manner in which it is being utilized. The quality of expenditure and achievement of the physical target and improvement achieved in the delivery of services are more crucial and critical and not merely what amount is being spent."

Mr Ghadei, however, admitted that his effort to mobilize additional resources could be adversely impacted due to global recession. "There is already decline in collection of state’s tax, non-tax and share in central taxes from the beginning of the current financial year. We are taking strong steps for generation of more revenues as well as curtailment of unnecessary expenditure," he said

Centre team on Orissa tour to spot site for Central University

Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has appointed the Site Selection Committee and has asked to determine the place for the Central University of Orissa(CUO).

Joint Secretary of the HRD Ministry in charge of Univeristies Sunil Kumar is visiting Orissa on June 13 to finalyze the site for the CUO. Kumar is heading the Five-member team will visit Koraput on 14 June and site will be selected, said sources on Wednesday.

The Team included Dr.Renu Batra, Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Prof. A N Rai, Vice Chancellor Mizoram Univeristy.

Madhu Sudan Padhi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education department in Government of Orissa is a member in the Committee. Suravi Benarjee, Vice Chancellor of the CUO is in the Committee to finalyze the site.

Budget At a Glance :2009

TotalBudget: Rs 35,001.45 Cr.

*Outlay fixed at Rs 9,500 Cr.
*25,071.8 Cr. in non-plan sector
*Estimated Tax revenue Rs 8,199.89 Cr.
*Non-tax revenue 2,242.27 Cr.

PRIORITIES

*Rs 1,153 cr for Accelerated Irrigation benefit Program
*Rs 324 cr to implement Backward Region Grant Fund in 19 dists.
*Rs 847.85 cr for flagship programme Rs 2 per kg rice
*Rs 80 cr provided for Western Orissa Development Council

NAXAL ISSUE

*Rs 9.41 cr allotted for recruitment of 2100 SPOs.
*Rs 43 cr allotted for recruitment of constables & sepoys
*Rs 13.86 cr for special infrastructure development to counter Naxal threats

Rs 100-cr BDA Housing Projects

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is embarking on housing projects in five major locations of the capital city at a cost of Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore, official sources said on Saturday.
The locations include Badagada Brit Colony, Chandrasekharpur, Kalinga Nagar and Subhudipur. The BDA would make the investment for development of 1,000 dwelling units, which would be a mix of 1-BHK (bedroom hall kitchen), 2-BHK and 3-BHK flats.
These housing projects are set to be launched within three to four months and expected to be commissioned by the end of 2011.The total built-up area of the flats would range from 700 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft, and the prices of the flats would vary from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, depending on the built-up area. While a 1-BHK flat would comprise a built-up area of 700 sq ft and be priced at Rs 7-8 lakh, a 2-BHK flat with a built-up area of 1,000-1,200 sq ft would be available in the range of Rs 12-15 lakh.Similarly, a 3-BHK flat with a built-up area of 1,500-1,700 sqft would be priced at Rs 20-25 lakh.

capacity building to curb Maoists in Orissa

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today blames Centre for not extending any support needed to weed out Naxals from the state. Mr. Patnaik said that his government has been initiating anti-Maoist measures to deal with situations stemming out of the growing guerilla threat. He said this replying to an adjournment motion on the deteriorating law and order situation moved by the Opposition MLAs in the assembly on Wednesday in the wake of the Maoist violence in Malkangiri and Koraput.

Mr. Patnaik said so far state government arrested as many as 159 Naxal activists, 17 millitants have been neutralized and 803 weapons and large quantity of explosives have been recovered during the year 2008 and 2009(till June 8).

Arrest of Asutosh (Central Committee Member and Central Commission and head of the Eastern Politburo of CPI(Maoist) is viewed as one of the most spectacular achievements in the country in the anti-naxalite campaign in recent times. He was involved in more than 200 Killings in Orissa and Jharkhand areas and had mastemindde the Nayagarh attack and killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Few top cadres of Bansadhara and Kalinga Nagar Divisional Committee including Uday (Divisional Committee Secretary, Bansadhara Division)and Bhaskar (Platoon Commander of Kalinga Nagar Area Committee)have been arrested during the current year. While Uday was involved in several cases of heinous crimes including Upalada Police Camp attack (2001), R.Udaygiri attack (2006), Nayagarh attack(2008) and murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati(2008), Bhaskar was the key accused in tha attacks in Similipal Reserve Forest.

Maoist Militancy in Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundergarh Zonal Committee has been substantially contained due to effective security measures.

The activities CPI-ML-Janashakti, which had carried out a few acts of violence in the contiguous axis of Keonjhar, Jajpur and Dhenkanal districts in 2006-07, have been contained and its chief Anna Reddy has been arrested.

Akash ( a top ranking cadre of Bansadhara Divisional Committee)and his wife Jharana (Commander of a Local Guerilla Squad) have surrendered in Rayagada District 07.06.2009.

We are, however not content with the above actions of the police. We are taking many medium and long term measures to control the situation throughout the state which will start yielding results in the months to come. My Government stands committed to protect the life and property of our citizens to the best of its ability.

State Response :

State Govt. has focused on a massive capacity build up and has created dedicated intelligence(SIW) and operational units i.e. SOG, five special security Battalions, five India Reserve Battalions, Orissa Special Striking Forces, etc. to combat the menace effectively.

The manpower of the 83 most affected Police Stations has been augmented and a large number of vacancies in various ranks have been filled up.

As many as 305 rural Police Station and 115 urban Police Stations have been covered under the fortification scheme. Emphasis is also being laid on specialixed training to the force and induction of sophisticated weaponry in the State Police.

2100 Special Police Officers(SPOs) have been appointed in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam districts.

Central Govt. has decided to locate a COBRA Battalion of CRPF in Koraput district.In addition to the four Battalions of CRPFalready inducted, the State Government has proposed that 15 COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units and four additional CRPF Battalions should be inducted for extensive anti-naxalite operations in Malkangiri and Koraput districts. We are pursing the matter vigourously in this regard.

State Government has also decided to further strengthen the SIW and SOG. It has been decided to set up a security Hub at Koraput. A facility for basic training of 1000 police constables per year is also being set up shortly.

Institutionalized mechanism has been put in place for sharing of intelligence with all the concerned and for lanunching joint or coordinated anti-naxalite operations in the bordering areas. Several joint and coordinated operations have been conducted with Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand Police. State Intelligence Department has been linked with S-MAC (Subsidiary Multi Agency Centre) set up by Government of India for greater coordination between the Intelligence agencies. Regular meetings are being held with all the Intelligence Agencies in the State.

Top Maoist leaders operating in the State have been identified and Action Teams have been set up to get them arrested at the earliest.

State Government have made it mandatory for all direct recruited personnel (Sub-Inspectors and other ranks) to undergo three months Anti-Extremist Tactics training.

Orissa gears up to become an favourite IT destination

A recent NASSCOM – A.T. Kearney study on the Location Roadmap for IT-BPO Growth: Assessment of 50 leading cities has identified Bhubaneswar as one of the attractive locations and has recommended an action agenda for growth.

The Government of Orissa in association with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) organized ‘Destination Bhubaneswar’ to showcase the phenomenal progress made by Orissa in general and Bhubaneswar in particular, in creating excellent IT and urban infrastructure, which would act as a catalyst to social and economic growth in the state.

IT Conclave on Destination Bhubaneswar, organized jointly by Nasscom and the Orissa IT department where other members of the respected IT/ ITES companies present, Mrs. Uma Natarajan, vice president, Zensar Technologies, Mr. Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, Founding member, Nasscom, Mr. Gopal Krishna Nayak, Director, IIIT, Bhubaneswar, Mr. Bijoy Kumar Sahoo, President, CITE, Mr. Trinandan Mishra, COO, Ztransparency Technologies, Mr. A.K Mohanty, MD, Tatwa Technologies, Mr. Priyadarshi Nanu Pani, CEO, CSM technologies, Mr Devesh Sinha, CEO, ESSPL. Mr Monoj Panda, Eastern Head, TCS.

Speaking about the recent development in the IT and ITES sector, Sri P.K. Mohapatra, IAS commissioner-cum-secretary IT, Government of Orissa mentioned that the top IT companies like Infosys, TCS have already established their Software Development Centres at Bhubaneswar and Genpact, Mind Tree Consulting, ICICI Regional Hub and many mid-sized IT and ITES units from other parts of the country have already decided to set up their base in Bhubaneswar.

Talking of specific infrastructure initiatives, Sri Mohapatra said, ‘Orissa has focussed in creating world class IT infrastructure and to catalyze the growth of IT industry in Orissa. The Infocity IT SEZ is the first operational IT SEZ of the state and one of the biggest in the Eastern India. Three other IT SEZs are in the pipeline and in different stages of implementation are Mindspace IT Park by K.Raheja, Infopark by DLF and Infovalley IT SEZ by the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.’

He added that “to attract mid-sized IT companies to Bhubaneswar, we are coming up with OCAC Tower with affordable world class plug and play space to cater to requirement of IT and ITES units. This would also help local entrepreneurs to have quick start-ups.”

Shri P.K. Das, Director, Software Technology Parks of India mentioned that STPI is also coming up with incubation and high speed broadband connectivity at Berhampur besides the two fully operational centres at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Shri Vishal Dev, Director IT Government of Orissa added that the road, sewerage, Municipal facilities in Bhubaneswar and Puri are also undergoing massive improvement with funds from Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission of the Government of India.

Mr. Bijoy K Sahoo, president, Confederation of Information Technology Enterprises (CITE), said, “The Orissa government has asset a target of software exports worth $1bilion and a pool of 2,00,000 professionals in the IT and ITes sectors in the state by 2010. To achieve these targets, we have to upgrade social infrastructure and also ensure that a vast pool of our engineering and non-engineering graduates are made employable.”

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, NASSCOM & Global CEO, Zenasr Technolies said that organizing of this event is a step in the right direction. He said that the Government should continue to increase the visibility of the location as a potential IT-BPO destination, in order to attract more investors.

Dr. Natarajan mentioned that the Government should promote collaboration of Industry and Academia, to align course curriculum and provide training, in specific areas, to increase employability. He went on to add, that it s imperative to develop local and international connectivity, in addition to improving national air connectivity to support the anticipated growth.

Complimenting the Government of Orissa on its efforts to direct its attention to the social and urban infrastructure, Dr. Natarajan said,” It is imperative in order to attract fresh, middle and senior level talent to Bhubaneswar”.

Welfare measures secret of victory in Orissa:Naveen Patnaik

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the secret of his party's return to power, third time in a row, was launching of welfare schemes by his government that touched the hearts of the people.

"I think the major reason of success for BJD is its pro-poor programmes, mostly Rs 2 a kg rice scheme for the poor people," he said, adding people felt that their day's meal was protected as the government provided rice at a cheap price.

Naveen had launched the cheap rice scheme barely five months before the elections when prices of essential commodities were sky-rocketing.

Besides, pension scheme for old and invalid under Madhubabu pension scheme, 'mo kudia' (housing scheme for people denied Indira Awas Yojana houses), Biju KBK Yojana and Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana won people's appreciation.

Patnaik was replying to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor for his address to the first session of the newly constituted assembly last night

Mote than 70 IITians Join KIIT

In a development that will further strengthen the academic backbone of KIIT University, 75 candidates passing out from seven IITs of the country have joined its ranks as faculties. In an independent recruitment drive, these B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. candidates from IITs were appointed as faculty in different courses of KIIT. While about half of the selected candidates have already joined, remaining will be joining by the end of this month.

Presence of such a large number of IITians will add to intellectual capital of KIIT University. This has also bolstered confidence of students and guardians on the quality of education here. Academicians commended the efforts of KIIT Founder, Dr. A. Samanta in roping in IITians and expressed hope that this would do a lot of good to the engineering education in the state.

Besides the IITians, more than 20 competent professors from different reputed universities across the country have also joined KIIT. Further, five law academicians of national and international repute have joined KIIT Law School.

KIIT University has been attracting intellectuals from the country and outside due to its good reputation. Recent appointments will not only further add to its reputation, but also invigorate the general academic environment in the state, said Dr. Samanta.

Population of Orissa - District Wise

ANGUL , Angul ,Angul, ANGUL

ANGUL , Angul ,Angul, ANGUL

MPLAD Corruption in Orissa

The former member of parliament of Kendrapada, Pravat Samantray in a clear nexus with some venal government officials and sundry Non Government Organizations (NGOs) allegedly misappropriated more than seven cores of MPLAD fund for the period of 1993 to 1994 to 2003 to 2004 as revealed in the audit report of the state government. The alleged laundering of central grants earmarked for Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) has come under scanner by the audit report of the state government in coastal Kendrapada parliamentary constituency after a social worker Gayadhar Dhal of Kendrapada has voiced the demand for probe by a the state government what he said “multi core” scam. It was mentioned in the audit report that the total irregular expenditure incurred has been found Rs77,470358.00 . The audit report also criticized the role of the district collector and district planning officer as they had clear nexus with the NGOs and MP who looted major chunks of MPLAD fund. As per the audit report , Rs.6.98 Lakh was granted to an NGO “Parivatan” of Kendrapada under MPLAD to plant 6000 trees . But during the spot verification , it was found that the NGO planted only 362 trees. Another NGO “Kartabya” got Rs.2.50 Lakh from MPLAD to plant 4575 numbers of seedlings of different varieties and 200 coconut trees But the NGO had not planted any coconut tree and planted only 1300 trees in village Narendrapur.
The audit team also found that an NGO “Parivatran” received Rs16.02 Lakhs to supply drinking water through mobile vehicles. But the NGO has been using the water tank and the vehicles for commercial purposes.
Parivartan and Rohini two NGOs got Rs24 Lakh to install High Mast Light at 40 places. The said project was recommended by the ex-MP Pravat Samantray. The audit team came to know that both the NGOs furnished fake bills . M/S Olympia of Kendrapada though a registered dealer authorized to deal with only sports and science instruments was not entitled to sell tubular poles. It was reflected in the audit report that the bills and cash memos submitted by the NGOs had been manipulated by the NGOs.
The ex- MP had also sanctioned Rs29,99,500 .00 to provide computers in educational institutions in the district. The audit team found that there was no mention about the brand name and model of the computer and other accessories the genuineness of articles were doubted. No warranty registration card against the computers supplied was found.
Another NGO “VARAT” had received Rs8,99,963.00 to build road in village Pareswarpur Adei road under Baulakani Gram Panchayat in Mahakalapada block . The road was under the jurisdiction and control of the irrigation division, Kendrapada but the work shown to have been executed without the knowledge of the concerned department and without production of supportive evidences, obviously doubted.
Another NGO ‘ROHINI “ also got eight lakh to build road from Chagharia to Ichapur . But the NGO misappropriated the total amount by not doing any work.
Many NGOs in a clear nexus with the ex-MP and government officials looted MPLAD fund by fake projects like road construction, creek irrigation projects, water supply, computer supply and other projects.

Investment from Oman to Orissa

"I'm optimistic on investments opportunities from Oman for my state Orissa," said Pyare Mohan Mohapatra, a Rajya Sabha member from Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a regional party of the Indian state of Orissa, on his first visit to the Sultanate.

Oman has been exposed to western and southern India but eastern India is not explored yet.

"Orissa is an unexplored territory with a lot of growth potential," said Mohapatra.

"I'm looking for possible investors in the field of tourism, agro industries, fisheries, textile and real estate. Anything that can generate larger employment."

Till now from Orissa there has been no attempt to attract investment but with this visit Mohapatra is hoping for a better industrial and growth prospect for the state. The Rajya Sabha member plans to provide detailed information of the state and frequent visits for its potential investors.

"Our government would support prospective investors of various sectors from Oman to start their business ventures as early as possible," he said

Last year, during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Oman a joint venture fund of $100 million was finalised between the two nations to boost infrastructure and development projects.

Mohapatra is positive that both nations will pursue their area of interest through this strategic tie boosting their economies.

"Though this is an exploratory trip, I got good responses, from companies like Oman Oil and Omzest Group." "Even investment bankers and private equity players have shown interest because this is the right time to capture good opportunities," said Mohapatra, who is in the city for a special screening of the film, The Living Ghost.

Talking about BJD's agenda for Orissa, he focused on areas like higher agricultural production and diversification, animal resource development, fisheries, health and education.

"Our aim is to build skilled and educated manpower and employment opportunities for everyone in the state," he said.

Orissa PSC to conduct fresh OAS main exam from July 22

Call it smile back in the face of OAS officer aspirants. The Orissa Public Service Commission would host a fresh Main Examination for the Orissa Civil Services Examination from July 22, sources said on Sunday.

The examination will continue till August 18. With this, about 4,560 eligible candidates would appear their Main Examinations.

The move of the Commission came following the May 21 directive of the Orissa High Court, which had asked for a fresh and composite Main examination by cancelling the previous one in which 3,730 candidates had appeared.

The Court had ordered to conduct the examination within three months. Earlier, a second Main test, ordered by the State Administrative Tribunal, was stayed by the High Court on March 26.

Last year, after the preliminary examination for 380 posts of Orissa Civil Services was held, the Commission brought out a list of 3,730 candidates eligible for the Main examination.

As per the regulation, for one post, at least 12 candidates have to be selected for the Main test which put the number at 4,560. Later, 3,730 candidates appeared for the OCS (Main) Examination.

This, however, was challenged before the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) by Tanmay Kumar Rout and others through a petition.

They pleaded that by selecting insufficient number of candidates, OPSC had deprived 830 others of their right to appear for the Main examination.

In September, the SAT asked OPSC to hold a second Main examination for rest of the candidates and the test was scheduled on March 27.

The SAT direction, meanwhile, was challenged before the HC by Jeetesh Kumar Nayak, Tapan Kumar Mohapatra and others who submitted that two Mains will be contrary to the principles of fair conduct of examination since there would be difference in questions and settings.

ICC Twenty20 : Point Tables on 8,June,09

Vedanta to invest Rs 25,000 cr for aluminium units in Orissa

Armed with 'Stage I' clearance, mining major Vedanta announced its plan to start bauxite mining project in Orissa's Niyamgiri Hills within a month and to invest Rs 25,000 crore more for its aluminium units in the state in next two years. 

"We are going to start our bauxite mining project within a month from today for which Stage I clearance has already been granted," Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal said after a meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here last night.

Asked whether the bauxite mining project could start this month itself, he said 'may be'.

Asserting that Vedanta was going full steam in implementing its Orissa projects despite economic recession, Agarwal said the company has already invested Rs 25,000 crore in the state and an equal amount would be pumped in during the next two years.

Stating that he discussed all aspects of Vedanta's Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda projects with the Chief Minister, the Vedant Resource Chairman said the company has applied for raising the capacity of its refinery up to six mtpa.

Work for the power plant at Jharsuguda was also being accelerated with a request made for allocation of coal blocks, he said adding that Orissa has immense coal reserves.

Govt announces total block grant to 488 junior, 249 degree colleges

The Orissa government on Saturday issued a notification announcing 100 per cent block grant to 488 junior colleges and 249 degree colleges in the state. It would be implemented after the gazette notification is issued within a week, said higher education minister Debi Prasad Mishra.Briefing newsmen here, Mishra said that as per the notification, 8,702 employees and lecturers working in these colleges would be benefited. Grant-in-aid would be provided to all eligible employees against admissible posts as per prevalent yardstick in Aided Colleges, Aided Junior Colleges and Aided Higher Secondary Schools appointed up to April 1, 1998, he said.Henceforth, 3,377 lecturers would get a salary of Rs 11,139 each, 873 demonstrators would get Rs 8,531 each, 963 junior clerks would get Rs 5,041 each, 171 librarians would get Rs 5,351, 271 Physical Training Instructors would get Rs 7,579, 2563 peons would get Rs 4,174 and 538 store keepers and library attendants would get Rs 6,627 and Rs 4,378 each respectively as salary. Mishra said that the state government would bear a burden of Rs 80 crore to implement the block grant. All the information has been provided in the website of the higher education department to maintain transparency, he pointed out.

No respite from heat despite of rain in Orissa

At least one person has died due to the severe heat wave sweeping across Orissa, where the mercury has crossed 40 degrees Celsius, an official said Monday. Local newspapers had reported that at least 23 people died in the past month due to the heat wave. However district administers figured as 5 only and only one was due to sunstroke.The person who died of sunstroke April 1 has been identified as Baisnaba Charan Das, 56, a resident of Jagatsinghpur district.

According to the meteorological office here, a heat wave is prevailing in several areas of the Orissa."Many places recorded a maximum temperature of over 40 degrees Sunday," said meteorological officer K. Subudhi.

While Angul town recorded the highest temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius, Titilagarh reported 43.5 degrees Sunday. Talcher town in Angul district had recorded 44.3 degrees Saturday.

Other places that recorded maximum temperatures of over 40 degrees Sunday were Bhabanipatna at 42.7, Chandbali at 42.0, Balasore at 41.5, Keonjhar at 40.0, Jharsuguda at 42.4, Sambalpur at 43.5, Bolangir at 43.3, Malkangiri at 41.6, Sundergarh at 43.0 and Phulbani at 41.0 degrees Celsius.

State level Puppetry festival from May 23 at Angul

Kandhei Ghar, an umbrella organisation of the puppeteers of the State led by scholar-researcher-puppeteer Gouranga Charan Dash, will host its first ever State-level puppetry festival at the newly set up Puppet World (museum) at Kutarimunda village in Angul district from May 23 to 25.

Mr. Dash, a college teacher by profession and a puppetry exponent by passion, has undertaken pioneering research and promotional activities on puppetry. “Orissa is the only Indian State where we come across all the four traditions of puppetry – rod, string, glove and shadow – but lack of patronage has marginalised it into an endangered arts practice,” Mr. Dash pointed out.

The festival that will also include a workshop is an attempt to trace out the factors leading to the marginalisation of puppetry and means to rejuvenate the scene, he added. Twenty exponents and six troupes representing all the four styles besides 10 research, scholars and critics on Orissan puppetry are slated to participate in this three-day event , informed Mr. Dash.

During the festival, the troupes will go round the nearby villages to stage shows to feel the pulse of the people towards their productions while familiarising the audience with the beauty of puppetry, the ancient form of theatre, he informed.

Rural folks have been the best connoisseurs of puppetry and hence we decided to build up the museum in a village, pointed out Dash. The Dhenkanal and Angul districts, both sharing common boarder, are quite rich in puppetry having closer proximity to Keonjhar and the coastal districts of Cuttack and Jajpur having a number of puppetry practitioners, he observed and hoped that the museum and resource-cum-training centre for Orissan puppetry at Kutarimunda village would serve as a catalyst to the revival of puppetry in the State.

Testing time for state Finance Minister in the upcoming Budget

Finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei has tough task ahead when he tables this year’s budget in the Assembly on June 12. Meltdown and a host of government sponsored pre-poll populist measures costing a fortune would cast a spell on the new budget. Ghadei will have to do a balancing act in the budget to carry forward the development programmes of the state government. Populist measures like Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme, enhanced pay package for government employees under the Sixth Pay Commission and other developmental measures would hit the state treasury hard this time around. One of the major decisions taken by the State Government before the election was the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for the employees. This alone will cost the state treasury nearly Rs 2,400 crore per annum. Similarly the Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme would cost the state coffers nearly Rs 850 crore and the state government would have to cough up around Rs 600 crore for paying the teachers and lecturers.

“The recession impact would be felt on tax receipt. Revenue collection would nosedive. But we are working out on it to present a balanced budget,” Ghadei said.

Tax receipts of the state government are likely to be less than the previous year’s because of the slowdown. Besides, the state’s share from Central taxes would be less this time. It is believed that both tax and non-tax revenues of the state will be less this year because of the recession. The Central share to the state would be minimal this time.

At the same time the govt has to invest large on infrastructure , agriculture and other basic services of the people to prove the choice of citizen in the last assembly election. But the recession time will make it difficult for more state expenditure because of less state revenue this year ,otherwise may further deteriorate the existing unfavorable fiscal condition .

Orissa State budget on June 11

The Council of Ministers in its first meeting on Wednesday finalized the Budget for 2009-10.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei said that since the State Assembly session would commence from June 8, it would not be proper to reveal the contents of the Budget. We will place the budget before the Assembly on June 11, he pointed out.
He also said that all the ongoing social welfare programmes would continue.Stress would be given to rural development, agriculture and infrastructure, he said, adding that emphasis would also be given to maintain fiscal discipline and management. Ghadei also said that despite market recession, the state government would try hard to go ahead with all the programmes.Stating tat the state government would go ahead with the rice at Rs 2 per kg scheme, he, however, admitted that it would be difficult to arrange the financial resources. It has been speculated that the budget would be a deficit one.The state government in January this year had presented a vote-on-account.However, this time the Budget would be a full one. Sources maintained that the full budget would cross Rs 40,000 crore.Populist measures like Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme, enhanced pay package for government employees under the Sixth Pay Commission and other developmental measures would hit the state treasury hard this time around. One of the major decisions taken by the state government before the election was the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for the employees. This alone will cost the state treasury nearly Rs 2,400 crore per annum. Similarly, the Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme would cost the state coffers nearly Rs 850 crore and the state government would have to cough up around Rs 600 crore for paying the teachers and lecturers.

BEL acquires 37025 equity shares of Orissa Sponge

Bhushan Energy Limited has announced that Bhushan Energy Limited along with Mr Brij Bhushan Singal, Mr Neeraj Singal, BNS Steel Trading Pvt Limited, BBN Transportation Pvt Limited, BNR Infotech Pvt Limited, BNR Consultancy Services Pvt Limited and Bhushan Steel Limited have issued a public announcement dated February 27th 2009 and published on February 28th 2009, to the shareholders of Orissa Sponge Iron & Steel Limited in compliance with Regulations 10 & 12 of Chapter III of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Regulations 1997 and any subsequent amendment thereto to acquire on a voluntary basis up to 6,100,000 fully paid up equity shares of INR 10 each of OSIL, representing 20% of the Diluted Capital of OSIL at a price of INR 330 per equity share of INR 10 each of OSIL, payable in cash.

On June 2nd 2009, BEL has acquired 37,025 equity shares of INR 10 each of OSIL, constituting 0.14% of the current issued and paid up share capital of INR 27,00,00,000 of OSIL at a price of INR 348.01 per equity share by way of open market purchase.

Vedanta to raise Rs 10K cr debt for Orissa project

Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) is raising a debt of Rs 10,000 crore for expansion of its aluminium project in Orissa. Sources close to the development say the State Bank of India has been signed up as the lead underwriter for the loan. SBI is talking to various bankers for the syndication of Rs 10,000 crore for Vedanta.

ICICI Bank, IDBI, PNB, BoI, Canara Bank, and Axis Bank are expected to be part of the syndicate to provide PLR-linked long-term debt to VAL, in which Sterlite Industries holds 29.5 per cent stake. Anil Agarwal’s global metal group, Vedanta Resources Plc, holds rest of the 70.5 per cent stake in VAL through Twin Star & Welter Trading. This loan is expected to be a non-recourse loan for Indian company, Sterlite Industries, to be serviced by Vedanta Resources.

VAL is raising debt for investing in its alumina and aluminium-producing units in Orissa. In the second phase of the expansion plans, the capacity of the alumina refinery will increase to 5 MTPA from 1.4 MTPA currently. The capacity of the aluminium smelter will be raised to 1.75 MTPA, from close to 0.7 MTPA. The total investment is expected to be $5.8 billion for next three years.

Reacting to the debt tie-up, Tarang Bhanushali, a senior metal analyst with India Infoline said, “That they raised the fund easily in the financial crisis is positive.” The Sterlite Industries stock is trading lower today, after trading advancing for eight straight trading sessions.

Sources in the Vedanta Group also suggest that the group is targeting to raise Rs 15,000-20,000 crore in the next six months. A large chunk of that is already tied up for the Orissa project. In April, Sterlite Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sterlite Industries, raised Rs 6,000 crore for part-investment in the 2400 MW power project at Jharsuguda in Orissa.

Orissa: Hindu extremists burn three Christian homes in Kandhamal

 Three Christian houses, were set on fire by Hindu extremists in Sirsapanga village of Kandhamal, (Orissa). The episode took place on May 31st in the evening, the very day the Central reserve police force (Crf), sent to the area to protect the Christians, began their phased withdrawal as mandated by the central government.  The incident seems aimed at stopping from Christians returning to their villages.

The three houses belong to Manoj Pradhan, Lankeswar and Sunil Digal and lie only 3 km from the headquarters of the Crpf. Eyewitnesses report that the extremist group celebrated the police withdrawal by attacking the homes.  Deployed for months across the region to halt assaults and another pogrom of the Christians, the New Delhi government decided to withdraw the Crpf. The Orissa governor, Naveen Patnaik, has however asked the Minister for Internal Affairs Chidambaram to leave the last 10 companies - circa 1000 men – at least for another three months.

The withdrawal coincides with the closure of the refugee camps and the Orissa governments appeal to the Christians to prepare for their return to their home villages.  On June 5th the district administration in Kandhamal organised a peace meeting between the Christians in the camps and the communities of their local villages.  Fr. Bijay Pradhan, parish priest in Raikia, sees in the burning of the three homes in Sirsapanga “an attempt to stop this”.

Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (Gcic), explains that “The Christians from Sirsapanga village have not returned to the village, they are still in the Refugee camps. The administration is keen that the people go back to the villages and be resettled, so occasionally, the Christians go to their homes and try to make some temporary repairs.  This is being objected to by the dominant community, and the burning of the three Christians homes is an attempt to control our people”.

The situation is still unstable.  The three owners of the burned houses in Sirsapanga have presented official reports to the police.  According to Fr.Ajay Kumar Singh, Director of Jan Vikas, Social Action Initiative “the gang was led by Dilu Mohanty, who is mastermind behind attacks against Christians in Raikia and G.Udayagiri”.  The victims identified him in First Information Report. “But the police – continues Fr. Singh – asked them to change tehir report ommitting the extremist agng leaders name”.

 “Culprits [of the violence] continue to roam about freely, - concludes Fr. Pradhan - and some of them threaten our people that if they don’t withdraw their police reports against them, they will not be able to return to their villages”.

Orissa man kills wife for not cooking meat

(IANS) 

An Orissa villager has been arrested for beating his wife to death because she did not cook meat for him, police said Monday.
Tirtha Biswal, a 38-year-old resident of Bhagirathipur village in Angul district, some 200 km from here, came home in an inebriated condition Saturday night and asked for food.

After seeing that there was no meat for dinner, he abused his wife Sukumari and beat her to death in a fit of anger. Biswal and Sukumari had three children.

“He beat her up in front of the other family members,” an officer of the local police station told IANS.

The accused was arrested after his father Kunthu Biswal lodged a complaint at the Jarpada police station, the police officer added.

Three new ultra mega power projects in Orissa

Having launched four ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) during the previous UPA rule, the Power Ministry, being headed again by Sushilkumar Shinde, is now on an overdrive with plans to launch another seven such projects in 2009-10. This would involve a total investment of Rs 1,40,000 crore in power generation under the public private partnership (PPP) model.

Of the four UMPPs awarded earlier, Reliance Power bagged three at Sasan in Madhya Pradesh, Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Tilaiya in Jharkhand. Tata Power has been awarded the Mundra UMPP in Gujarat.

“So far we have identified seven projects. Sites for four have been finalised. We are scouting for locations for the other three,” a government official told The Indian Express. The seven projects would see three UMPPs in Orissa, one each in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Each project will require an investment of about Rs 20,000 crore

Oriyas in America ready for 40th convention

Art, dance, theatre and other facets of Oriya culture will be in full play at the 40th convention of the Orissa Society of the Americas (OSA) to be held in the state of New Jersey next month.

The annual event will be held at Trenton from July 2 to 5 this year. OSA is one of the oldest Indian American associations.

'There would be several special events this year starting from the classical and traditional dances of our state to drama competitions,' Dhirendra Kar, former vice president of OSA, told IANS on phone from the US.

The 40th Convention will be a milestone in OSA's history. It is expected to be the largest OSA convention, packed with cultural events, seminars, social networking, youth enrichment programmes and various symposiums.

Artists will enact 'Kali Jaai', an epic Oriya story, and perform Lok Nrutya or traditional dances like ranapa, ghoda naacha, chhou and santala dance will be the greatest attractions of the event, he said.

Artists will also depict 'Bharat Darshan', showcasing India's diversity, he said.

'We are also organizing a fashion show, an event of devotional songs, and classical dance performances such as Odissi by renowned artists,' he said.

OSA is an organisation whose goal is to promote Oriya culture in the US and facilitate the exchange of information between Orissa and North America. Founded in 1969, OSA has 14 regional chapters that operate as a social umbrella for different regions in the US.

Source: IANS