Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Manipal Group proposes Varsity, Hospital

Note: Last year through Kalahandi MP we had tried to invite this group to Kalahandi for establishing a University and the group had informed certain infrastrucure requirement for etsblishing private university, it is nice that the group has now taken interest on Odisha, we wish in future it opens a banch in Kalahandi.

Expressbuzz, June 29, 2011
BHUBANESWAR: The Manipal Group has proposed to set up a university near Bhubaneswar and a multispeciality hospital in the Capital city.


Member of the board of directors of Infosys and Manipal Group advisor TV Mohandas Pai on Tuesday met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to discuss the progress in the Info Valley project.

Official sources said land for the Info Valley project had been identified along the BhubaneswarKhurda road.

The State Government has started work for infrastructure development and road construction work for the project, already started, is likely to be completed by Julyend.

Infosys will start the first phase work in the next three months. Employment opportunities for 5,000 IT professionals will be created in the first phase which will further rise to 15,000 in the next 15 years.

In the first campus of Infosys, 4,000 professionals have got direct and indirect employment.

The Manipal Group has proposed to invest `500 crore in the university where students from Orissa will be given priority.

The Chief Minister promised that the State Government would consider both the proposals and take a decision.

Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik, senior officials from different departments and Ranjan Pai of Manipal Group were present.

Fill up vacant posts of doctors in 12 weeks, HC tells govt

IBNlive, June 29, 2011
Cuttack, Jun 29 (PTI) The Orissa High Court has asked the state government to fill up all vacant posts of doctors in the state within 12 weeks and to provide basic infrastructure facilities in primary health centers and dispensaries, mainly those located in tribal and remote areas.Disposing a PIL filed by an advocate of the court, division bench of Chief Justice V Gopala Gowda and Justice B N Mohapatra in its verdict yesterday also asked the state government to file a compliance report after filling all posts of doctors which are lying vacant for the past several years.Expressing concern over the lack of basic amenities in many hospitals, the High Court asked the government to ensure that apart from infrastructure facilities, the health centers should have adequate staff and proper drinking water facility and the patients should be provided with cooked food as per the policy decision of the state government.Following last September's cholera outbreak in Rayagada district, advocate Dilip Mohapatra, through a PIL, had sought the High Court intervention alleging that health services in all tribal districts of the state are in a very poor state.He had brought to the notice of the HC that despite 284 posts of doctors lying vacant in Koraput district and another 80 posts lying vacant in Kalahandi district, the state government had not bothered to post a single doctor in these two districts during the last two years.Responding to HC notice, the state government had informed the court last year that out of 4258 sanctioned posts of allopathic doctors for the entire state, as many as 1085 posts were lying vacant.The government however had informed that efforts were on to fill up the vacant posts of doctors by contractual appointments.The petitioner advocate had also brought to notice of the court about the poor infrastructure facilities in different healthcare centers stating that even ambulance services were not available in at least nine cholera-hit districts, including that of Rayagada, Koraput, Malknagiri, Nawarangpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi district.

MGNREGS: Centre sanctions Rs 170 crore

IBNlive, June 28, 2011

BHUBANESWAR: After initial refusal to sanction funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to the six districts under CBI scanner, the Centre on Monday released Rs 170 crore for the wage employment programme.

“The Government received the Central assistance and this has been distributed among six districts,” said Panchayati Raj Secretary PK Jena.� Though the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) released the first installment of ` 530 crore for the rural job scheme last week, it intimated the State that the Central assistance to the six districts of Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Balangir will be suspended till the CBI probe into the alleged financial irregularities is over.

The Panchayati Raj Department shot off a letter to MoRD saying the State Government is not in a position to pay unemployment allowance to the job seekers who would be denied wage employment due to paucity of funds.

The State should not be held responsible for violation of the NREGA which provides unemployment allowance to job seekers who are denied jobs on demand, the official communique said.

The State Government further clarified that it had already informed the Supreme Court through an affidavit about the action taken in the rural job scam.

Suspension of Central assistance to the six districts will be like denying work to the people and the Centre will be fully responsible for any eventuality, it cautioned.

The Government had submitted a labour budget to the tune of ` 2,300 crore to the Centre under the flagship wage employment scheme for the current financial year.� Normally, the first dose of assistance under Central schemes and Centrally- sponsored schemes are released in April, the� first month of the financial year.� As pressure mounted on the Centre for a CBI probe into the rural job scam, the MoRD refused to release the first installment to the State.� The MoRD released funds following a threat from the State Government to stop the food security programme due to paucity of funds.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Public Hearing on MGNREGA: Corruption still continues in MGNREGA in Kalahandi

Shared by Sri Dillip Kumar Das

The New Indian Express, June 23, 2011

 The Pioneer (Bhubaneswar), June 23, 2011

 The Statesman, June 23, 2011
 Samaja (Sambalpur Edition), June 23, 2011
 Dharitri, June 22, 2011
 Khabara, June 22, 2011
 Dharitri, June 23, 2011
 Orissa Express, June 23, 2011


Friday, June 24, 2011

An interview with Jogabyas Bhoi

Shared by Sri Hrushikesh Mishra





Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Activist threatened for using RTI Ashok

Times of India, June 21, 2011
BHUBANESWAR: An activist has had his arm fractured in an attack and has been receiving fresh threats for exercising his right to use the right to information (RTI) act. Parameswar Sabar, a resident of Mahagaon village under Deogaon panchayat, has lodged a police complaint that he has been getting threats from some people, affected by his recent RTI application questioning details of ownership of a piece land, housing the village primary school. Earlier, Sabar had suffered a limb fracture in an alleged attack by individuals annoyed over his RTI application demanding details of a BPL list in the remote Kalahandi district village.


"I am even scared to go to the block headquarter at Kesinga or district headquarter of Bhawanipatna," said Sabar, at the Orissa information commission office here on Tuesday. Sabar said he cannot take the recent threats lightly because he has already suffered a fracture in his hand due to an earlier attack.

Earlier in June 2010, Sabar had filed an application under the RTI Act about the BPL list of their village and also filed a petition before the National Human Rights Commission that some families listed in the BPL list were not getting rice and other benefits meant for them. But before he got his RTI reply, Deogaon panchayat started disbursing rice to them from the same month.

Monday, June 20, 2011

15 mentally-challenged rescued from godman

Expressbuzz, June 20, 2011
BHAWANIPATNA: As many as 15 mentally-challenged, kept under confinement with their legs chained, were on Sunday rescued from the clutches of a self-styled godman who claimed to cure psychiatric patients in Kalahandi district.


The godman, identified as Sridas Baba from Kerala, was arrested here after a search operation at the Baba’s residence revealed the plight of the victims, police said. “We have rescued 15 mentally challenged persons from a house in the town and temporarily kept them on the premises of the government hospital here,” an official said.

Patients with psychiatric problems from across the district and outside used to visit the Baba, residing here for over four years now, who claimed to cure the patients with ‘mantra’ and herbal medicines.

The place located near the local Doordarshan Kendra often witnessed heavy turnout as a large number of people came there with the hope of getting cured. Sridas allegedly charged the guardians ` 10,000 to 60,000 depending on the condition of the patient.

On a tip off that the patients were being subjected to torture, the district administration and police swung into action and rescued the patients.

The accused has been detained in Bhawanipatna Town Police station.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Ten Rupees Child Labour

Shared by Sri Dillip Kumar Das
Dhartri, June 10, 2011 (Sambalpur Edition)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Vedanta has shelved the University project in Puri due to legal hassltes and local opposition

Economic Times, June 12, 2011

BHUBANESWAR: Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL), a unit of Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources PLC, will invest about Rs 10,000 crore to complete its aluminium smelter and independent power plants at Jharsuguda.


The company has so far invested around Rs 40,000-crore in its Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda projects in Orissa. It has set up a greenfield alumina refinery with a capacity of 1-million tons at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi.

"We have so far invested around Rs 40,000-crore in Orissa and will invest about Rs 10,000 crore to complete the ongoing smelter and powr projects at Jharsuguda", VAL president and CEO, Dr Mukesh Kumar on Sunday told "The ET" over telephone from Lanjigarh.

Incidentally, VAL had lined up investment of Rs one lakh crore its Orissa including the Vedanta University at Puri and expansion of aluminium smelter at Lanjigarh, but it has shelved the University project due to legal hassltes and local opposition while the latter one is mired in legal controversies.

The VAL has also plans to set up an Aluminium Park in Jharsuguda at an estimated cost Rs 15000-Rs 20000 crore that will co-locate multiple downstream industries. "The proposed park will help promote the budding enterprises by utilising molten or liquid alumina, the process would reduce the cost of producing different aluminium products like electrical appliances, aluminium extrusion and automobile parts", Dr Kumar added.

The company plans to increase smelting capacity at its Jharsuguda plant to 1.75-million tons from the present 0.5-million tons, by 2013-14. The first phase of the smelter (0.25 mtpa) is on the verge of completion and work on the second phase is progressing well. It has alos invested for 1215 MW captive power plant at Jharsuguda.

The VAL has set up a greenfield alumina refinery in Orissa's Kalahandi district with a capacity of one million tons per annum, [MTPA] and a 75 MW captive power plant. The company has plans to ramp-up its alumina refinery to five million tons from the present 1-million tons at Lanjigarh 300 MW post expansion.

The expansion of the refinery has, however, ran into rough weather with the union ministry of forest and environment stopped the expansion not giving clearance on October 21, 2010. The company and several tribal organization have moved the Orissa High Court on the issue.

Jharsuguda is also the site of the 2400 MW power plant of Sterlite Energy Ltd , a group company of Vedanta Resources. "So far we have achieved 2,415 MW in our two power plants at Jharsuguda. We hope to achieve 3,615 MW by 2012," Dr Kumar said.

In fact, Vedanta Group has come to the rescue of power-starved Orissa which is currently facing an acute power shortage due to scanty rainfall and "almost dried-up" reservoirs.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Vedanta’s green measures at Lanjigarh okayed

Economic Times, June 11, 2011
MUMBAI: Less than eight months after putting a blanket ban on a capacity expansion programme by Vedanta Aluminum at Lanjigarh in Orissa, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has cleared antipollution measures taken by the metals major.


A team comprising officials from the ministry and the Orissa State Pollution Control Board visited Vedanta Aluminums refinery at Lanjigarh to inspect the impact from the alleged leakage in an effluent pond after concerns were raised by prominent activist groups such as Amnesty International and other local groups.

The team that inspected the unit said Vedanta Aluminum has implemented environmental practices.

The unit is complying with most of the conditions of the (pollution control) board in respect of air and water pollution and has taken steps to make the pond impervious. But as an abundant precaution to ensure no percolation from the pond, it (Vedanta Aluminum) has been asked to take up complete lining of the cells, said the report.

No discharge was observed from the pond or any outlet of the industry to the nearby Bamsadhara River during the visit, the report added. However, it may be possible that water collected in the centralised collection pit of the red mud pond might get in to the natural water pond during heavy rains.

The waste, a toxic byproduct of bauxite from which aluminum is extracted, is reported to be harmful to people and animals.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Incomplete projects in KBK to get priority

Expressbuzz, June 10, 2011
BHUBANESWAR: The Planning and Coordination Department has asked all the administrative departments to formulate their annual action plans for 2011-12 under Special Plan for KBK Districts and submit it by June 15.


In its order, the Department has stated that priority must be accorded to complete the ongoing as well as incomplete projects which are being funded out of the Special Central Assistance (SCA) under the Special Plan for KBK, earlier known as Revised Long Term Action Plant (RLTAP).

In fact, the Planning Commission had earmarked ` 130 crore in the shape of SCA for formulation and implementation of the RLTAP for 2011-12.

All the administrative departments have been asked to prepare their action plans and submit the same so that the Annual Action Plan, put together by Planning and Coordination Department, can be submitted to the Planning Commission.

The Planning and Coordination Department has already approved ` 16.81 crore for the Works Department which will carry out the infrastructure projects for improving connectivity.

Similarly, ` 10.68 crore has been proposed for Agriculture Department for development of 150 micro watersheds while the Forest and Environment Department is earmarked about ` 1.8 crore. For drinking water supply projects, ` 10 crore has been proposed for the Urban Development Department.

The highest allocation of ` 38 crore has been proposed for Woman and Child Development Department towards emergency feeding programme. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Department has been allocated ` 28 crore. Construction of hostels will be taken up at an estimated ` 10 crore while water supply, electricity, sport activities, scholarship funding will require the rest.

The Planning and Coordination Department had come out with a new guideline on formulation of the action plan stating that since a number of infrastructure projects were lying incomplete due to rigid norms, relaxation was necessary.

The guidelines had prescribed that projects with high cost and long gestation should be avoided and selection of new projects should be based on feasibility factor.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Everest conquerer returns home to warm welcome

Times of India, June 6, 2011
BHUBANESWAR: Jogabyasa Bhoi, the third Oriya to scale Mt Everest, received a grand welcome on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik airport here on Monday.


Opposition leader Bhupinder Singh and senior officials of the state government were at the airport to greet the primary school teacher from Kalahandi district. Bhoi met Governor M C Bhandare later in the day.

"While atop the world's highest point, I felt close to my mother who passed away in 1997. I am missing her badly. I wish she was around," the 29-year-old bachelor said.

The Second of three children, Jogabyasa started dreaming about climbing the Everest in 2008. "As a NCC volunteer, I started and liked mountaineering way back in 2001," he said. Earlier, Bhoi had conquered the 17,298 ft high Renik mountain in the Himalaya range and the highest peak in South Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro, without oxygen.

Bhoi of Rupra village in Narla block scaled the Everest on May 19. Trained under "Mountaineering Consultant," Kathmandu, Bhoi was the only mountaineer in the team of seven who did not use oxygen till 25,000 feet. Bhoi had started his expedition on April 15.

Jogabyas, after his mission Everest, aims to scale top 14 peaks of the world without oxygen. "I had attempted to scale the Everest without oxygen. However, after 25000 ft, I felt the need to take oxygen," he said.



Sambad, June 6, 2011

MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM THE HIGEST MOUNTAIN PEAK

Jogabyasa Bhoi at Bhubaneswar Airport
Jogabyasa Bhoi with Indian Flag at Mt. Everet

Jogabyasa Bhoi, the 1st Kalahandia and the third Oriya to scale Mt Everest, received a grand welcome on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik airport here on Monday 6th June 2011 along with two Nepali Co-Climber.


Opposition leader Bhupinder Singh, Kishore Mania, Asst. Director of Sport and Youth Services, Sanjiv Mangaraj, Jr Pragrammee Co-Ordinater of Sport and Youth Services ,senior officials of the state government, fans and media persons were at the airport to greet the primary school teacher from Kalahandi district. Bhoi met Governor Odisha later in the day.

"While atop the world's highest point, I felt close to my mother late Puspanjali Bhoi,who passed away in 1997. I am missing her badly. I wish she was around," the 32-year-old bachelor said.

The youngest child of retired teacher Fakir Mohan Bhoi and late Puspanjali Bhoi of Rupra village in Narla block, Jogabyasa started dreaming about climbing the Everest at the age of 14. "As a NCC volunteer, I started and liked mountaineering way back in 2001," he said. Earlier, Bhoi had conquered the 17,298 ft high Renik Mountain in the Himalaya range, Rethun (2007, 21334 ft) of Sikkim, Stackcangri of Ladakh and the highest peak in South Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro, without oxygen.

Bhoi of Rupra village in Narla block scaled the Everest on May 19 at 9:30am in about thirty days. (April 20th to May 19th 2011). Trained under "Mountaineering Consultant," Kathmandu, Bhoi was the only mountaineer in the team of seven who did not use oxygen till 25,000 feet. He spent about 45 minutes at the peak. His eyes become watery after seeing so many dead bodies at the peak who were failed to complete difficult job. He said that “My main aim to climb Everest was to spread the peaceful thought of Sri Aurobinda Form world’s higest peak.”

Jogabyas, after his mission Everest, aims to scale top 7 highest peaks of the 7 continents. He has already reached at two. (Asia- Everest and Africa – Kilimanjaro) without oxygen. "I had attempted to scale the Everest without oxygen. However, after 25000 ft, I felt the need to take oxygen," he said.

He again said that about “20 lakh ruppes was spent in this mission but it is very regret to say that state government has not sponsored a single penny”. He also gave thanks to the companies and individuals those gave financial help for doing a great and risky job. He gave thanks to Sri Aurivinda

Many Institutions like Kamal Mandal Paryatan Bikash Samiti, Narla, Primary School Teacher’s Association, Narla Press club, Narla Bar Council, B.D.O, Narla, Chairman Narla, TDCC Chairman Balabhadra Majhi, and all the peoples of Kalahandi has gave best wishes to Jogabyash the primary school teacher of Kalar Padar Primary School.

Kalahandia e group and Kalahandia blog also giving many many best wishes to him and wishing a great and successful journey in future.

Contributed By: Sri Santosh Kumar Kar

Lanjigarh-Junagarh rail line trial run begins

The Pioneer, June 7, 2011
PNS, Bhawanipatna
After 20 years, the dream of the local people of Kalahandi has come true as the trial of a train line between Lanjigarh Road and Junagarh via Bhawanipatna began on Sunday afternoon in the presence Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das. Das, along with thousands of people, greeted a special engine of a train run on the line for a trial.

Though the project was passed in 1991, the implementation of work took 20 years to be completed. However, in spite of the delay, the people of the district have welcomed the works.

Das told the media that trains will run full-fledged from August 15 after testing of the line in three different phases. He has assured the people here that all the major stations will be connected with Bhawanipatna Railway Station.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Picture of Jogabyash Bhoi who climbed Mt. Everest

Shared and Contributed by Sri Santosh Kumar Kar


Jogabyash Bhoi at the peak of mt everest with Indian Tricolour

Note: Contributed by Sri Santosh Kurmar Kar

Swabhiman Jagaran Manch Protests for Wagon Factory in Narla

Note: Shared by Sri Santosh Kumar Kar
Sambad, May 31, 2011