Hindustantimes, Nov 17, 2010
The London-based Vedanta Group got another setback in Orissa on Tuesday when the state High Court declared that the land acquisition notification for the Rs 15,000-crore Vedanta University project in Puri district was illegal. This is the second setback for the group in Orissa after the Union environment ministry recently stalled its alumina refinery expansion project and refused to allow it to mine bauxite in Kalahandi district.
Delivering their order in response to eight public interest petitions, a division bench of the high court comprising chief justice V Gopal Gauda and justice BP Das directed the Orissa government to return the acquired lands to the respective owners.
“This is a historic judgment. Vedanta had acquired fertile land by violating the land acquisition, environment, wildlife and Jagannath Temple acts,” said petitioner and BJP leader Uma Ballabh Rath.
The lawyer for Vedanta University was not available for comment. A Vedanta spokesperson, not wanting to be named, said the group would take appropriate action after going through a copy of the order.
Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We have not received the copy of the judgement yet. When we receive it, we will examine it and decide what is to be done.”
The Anil Agarwal Foundation, promoted by Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal, signed an MoU with Orissa in 2006 to set up a world class university near the Konark-Puri marine drive.
The foundation had earlier proposed to acquire about 20,000 acres but as this met with public resistance, the government allotted Vedanta about 8,000 acres. Of this, 6,500 acres were acquired for the varsity.
Petitions were filed in the high court in 2007 challenging the acquisition process. They also questioned the government’s granting of land to the university near eco-sensitive zones along the coast.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Railways will bring industrial boom in the country: Mamata
Sify.com, Nov 17, 2010
Kolkata, Nov 16 (IANS) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the railways will usher in an industrial boom in the country as her ministry is to set up 20 new industries in the next one year.
'We will set up 20 more heavy industries like wagon factories in underdeveloped areas of the country like Kalahandi in Orrisa, in Telangana (in Andhra Pradesh) and in Junglemahal (Maoists affected area),' said Banerjee, while addressing a function to commence the work for the Dedicated Eastern freight Corridor at Dankuni.
She also urged the industrialists to come and join hands with the railways and make new initiatives in private-public-partnership mode.
'Railways have land and we want investment. If you come, it will not be a problem. We have business and package ready in our hands,' said Banerjee.
'Recently, we have changed our policy and made IT industrialist friendly. So if any person is interested, he will not have to invest a single paisa on survey or for preparing project reports. We have railway engineers and the investor will have his share on his investment,' said Banerjee.
She said the Eastern Corridor will connect Ludhiana to Sonnagar via Ambala, Saharanpur, Khurja, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mughalsarai and Dankuni near Kolkata where there will be a new freight terminal.
'Eastern Freight Corridor will usher in a new era in industrialisation and Dankuni will be turned into an industrial town in future as two industries and a professional training institute will come up in the area,' said the railway minister.
Kolkata, Nov 16 (IANS) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the railways will usher in an industrial boom in the country as her ministry is to set up 20 new industries in the next one year.
'We will set up 20 more heavy industries like wagon factories in underdeveloped areas of the country like Kalahandi in Orrisa, in Telangana (in Andhra Pradesh) and in Junglemahal (Maoists affected area),' said Banerjee, while addressing a function to commence the work for the Dedicated Eastern freight Corridor at Dankuni.
She also urged the industrialists to come and join hands with the railways and make new initiatives in private-public-partnership mode.
'Railways have land and we want investment. If you come, it will not be a problem. We have business and package ready in our hands,' said Banerjee.
'Recently, we have changed our policy and made IT industrialist friendly. So if any person is interested, he will not have to invest a single paisa on survey or for preparing project reports. We have railway engineers and the investor will have his share on his investment,' said Banerjee.
She said the Eastern Corridor will connect Ludhiana to Sonnagar via Ambala, Saharanpur, Khurja, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mughalsarai and Dankuni near Kolkata where there will be a new freight terminal.
'Eastern Freight Corridor will usher in a new era in industrialisation and Dankuni will be turned into an industrial town in future as two industries and a professional training institute will come up in the area,' said the railway minister.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
RTI Act is not being implemeted in Kalahandi: Petition filed in High Court by Sanjib Satapathy of Antodaya
Thanks to our contributor Sri Dillip Kumar Das
Samaja, Nov 16, 2010
Samaja, Nov 16, 2010
Wagon Factory and branch of Sri Sri University in Kalahandi !!!
I learned that railway ministry has written letter to Orissa Government for allotting land for Wagon factory (railway) in Kalahandi.
To a local proposal through Vision Kalahandi 2020, Sri Sri Ravishankar ji has also agreed for a branch of his University in Kalahandi, but it depends how things move in the ground and how state Government behaves towards Kalahandi while allotting land.
Lets hope both become reality and not hope like Central University.
To a local proposal through Vision Kalahandi 2020, Sri Sri Ravishankar ji has also agreed for a branch of his University in Kalahandi, but it depends how things move in the ground and how state Government behaves towards Kalahandi while allotting land.
Lets hope both become reality and not hope like Central University.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
No starvation death in India in last 3 years, says minister
Tehelka, Nov 12, 2010
BY Bijay Kumar Singh
Delhi
Delhi
There have been reports that as many as 150 persons including children reportedly died in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in the last year. However, Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas in his reply to Parliament earlier this week claimed there were no starvation deaths in the country during the last year.
“No state government, Union Territory administration has reported any incidence of starvation death during last three years,” he said in Parliament last week.
Reacting to Thomas’ claim, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Tarun Vijay claimed that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance party at the Centre was covering up starvation deaths.
“It is not true. It is a statement which does not reflect ground reality. The minister seems to be unconcerned. In the last two years, many cases of starvation have been reported in Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput belt of Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh. Even the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) report in 2008-09 reported starvation deaths in India,” he said.
Bijo Francis, spokesperson, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), agreed. “I have to say Professor Thomas is living in Mars to have such an opinion. We at the AHRC in the past three years have reported several cases of starvation deaths in India. In all these cases, the UN Rapporteur on Right to Food has written to the government of India calling for action,” he said.
“The Congress party of which Professor Thomas is part has made use of cases reported by the AHRC for its election campaign in states like Uttar Pradesh. However, he could be technically correct that ‘no state has reported instances of starvation’ to the central government, as they call it in bureaucratic jargon,” he added.
He raised some other points. “Beyond all this, does the central government require a state government to seek its support to address malnutrition in the country? Because a state government has not informed about the issue to the central government, does it absolve the central government from its constitutional and mandate to address the issue?” he asked.
Jamini Kumar Srivastava, spokesperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), too, said that state governments not responding to notices from the NHRC was a cover-up.
“Taking suo motu cognizance of the media report carried on the February 24, 2010, which alleged that chronic hunger has lead to death of 50 persons in Balangir district of Orissa, NHRC issued notice to the chief secretary, government of Orissa, but still we have not received any reply from Orissa government,” he said.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Odisha: Tribal leaders appeal in High court against MoEF's decision over Vedanta Aluminium
orissadiary.com, Nov 12, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Cuttack: Today, several leading tribal organisations from Kalahandi and Raygada districts have proactively submitted writ petitions to the Hon`ble High court against the recent verdict of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) for stalling the expansion of refinery project of Vedanta Aluminium limited ( VAL) at Lanjigarh.
In an unprecedented move, perhaps for the first time in the country, hundreds of local tribals and inhabitants of the nearby villages of Lajigarh have come all the way from their native village to appeal to the state High Court at Cuttak against the move of MOEF, Government of India.
In a writ petition to the High Court the organisations have mentioned that because of refinery initiative of Vedanta Aluminium at Lanjigarh , hundreds of locals are being engaged directly and indirectly for the livelihood . In fact the company has taken steps to ensure that the residents of Lanjigarh have some form of a dignified lifestyle; have been able to integrate themselves into the mainstream and have succeeded in providing for the needs of their family members.
They have further submitted that all-round development has been initiated in the villages, resulting in raising the standard of education, medical facilities, infrastructure facilities, thereby giving confidence and assurance to the locals of Lanjigarh. A large number of locals, who are also members of the Petitioner association, have purchased vehicles, which are being used at the construction site. It is further submitted that owing to the stoppage of construction activities at the said site, these Petitioners will be faced with the prospect of dishonouring of the loans taken to purchase the said vehicles.
Eight such organisations have jointly submitted the petition to the Chief justice of Orissa .These organisations are :-
1. Niyamgiri Vedanta Nagar, ( Rehabilitation Colony), Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
2. Lanjigarh Anchalika Bikash Parishad, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
3. Nabin Vikash Trush, Bisamcuttack, Rayagada, Orissa.
4. Unnayan Anchalika Samiti, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
5. Alumina Refinery Labour Union, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
6. Niyamgiri Adivasi VIkash Parishad,
7. Shakti Organisation, Rayagda, Orissa
8. Kuii Bikash Parishad, Kurli, Rayagada, Orissa.
After submitting the PIL ,their official spokesperson Mr Sridhar Pesina said to the media “In the last three months, most of the shops & markets have been closed. Our people have again started migrating to other states and some people who had started private entrepreneurship are avoiding coming home in fear of action on account of default of loan repayment. Conditions are becoming worse day by day” Although Vedanta Management has assured us of restarting the project, but the current situation has created uncertainties and fear among the people. He criticised the MOEF for not realising the ground reality and consequences of such decision which has forced them to approach the Hon`ble High Court for the justice .
There is a quantum shift in the region through the community development initiatives undertaken by the company in health, education and livelihood. The people of this area are waiting to reap the benefits of implementation of the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court by which 5% of the profit (before tax) from the project would have been shared with the community for developmental works. The process has started and we understand that after expansion the contribution for the developmental work would be in the order of Rs 80-100 Cr annually which can provide livelihood opportunities for everyone in the area and changing today`s perception of Kalahandi as a “Black Pot”.
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Cuttack: Today, several leading tribal organisations from Kalahandi and Raygada districts have proactively submitted writ petitions to the Hon`ble High court against the recent verdict of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) for stalling the expansion of refinery project of Vedanta Aluminium limited ( VAL) at Lanjigarh.
In an unprecedented move, perhaps for the first time in the country, hundreds of local tribals and inhabitants of the nearby villages of Lajigarh have come all the way from their native village to appeal to the state High Court at Cuttak against the move of MOEF, Government of India.
In a writ petition to the High Court the organisations have mentioned that because of refinery initiative of Vedanta Aluminium at Lanjigarh , hundreds of locals are being engaged directly and indirectly for the livelihood . In fact the company has taken steps to ensure that the residents of Lanjigarh have some form of a dignified lifestyle; have been able to integrate themselves into the mainstream and have succeeded in providing for the needs of their family members.
They have further submitted that all-round development has been initiated in the villages, resulting in raising the standard of education, medical facilities, infrastructure facilities, thereby giving confidence and assurance to the locals of Lanjigarh. A large number of locals, who are also members of the Petitioner association, have purchased vehicles, which are being used at the construction site. It is further submitted that owing to the stoppage of construction activities at the said site, these Petitioners will be faced with the prospect of dishonouring of the loans taken to purchase the said vehicles.
Eight such organisations have jointly submitted the petition to the Chief justice of Orissa .These organisations are :-
1. Niyamgiri Vedanta Nagar, ( Rehabilitation Colony), Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
2. Lanjigarh Anchalika Bikash Parishad, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
3. Nabin Vikash Trush, Bisamcuttack, Rayagada, Orissa.
4. Unnayan Anchalika Samiti, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
5. Alumina Refinery Labour Union, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.
6. Niyamgiri Adivasi VIkash Parishad,
7. Shakti Organisation, Rayagda, Orissa
8. Kuii Bikash Parishad, Kurli, Rayagada, Orissa.
After submitting the PIL ,their official spokesperson Mr Sridhar Pesina said to the media “In the last three months, most of the shops & markets have been closed. Our people have again started migrating to other states and some people who had started private entrepreneurship are avoiding coming home in fear of action on account of default of loan repayment. Conditions are becoming worse day by day” Although Vedanta Management has assured us of restarting the project, but the current situation has created uncertainties and fear among the people. He criticised the MOEF for not realising the ground reality and consequences of such decision which has forced them to approach the Hon`ble High Court for the justice .
There is a quantum shift in the region through the community development initiatives undertaken by the company in health, education and livelihood. The people of this area are waiting to reap the benefits of implementation of the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court by which 5% of the profit (before tax) from the project would have been shared with the community for developmental works. The process has started and we understand that after expansion the contribution for the developmental work would be in the order of Rs 80-100 Cr annually which can provide livelihood opportunities for everyone in the area and changing today`s perception of Kalahandi as a “Black Pot”.
Cholera Epidemic in Orissa
PIB, Nov 10, 2010
41 deaths in Rayagada district and 8 deaths in Kalahandi district due to acute diarrhoeal diseases have been reported in recent months in Orissa.
A Central team comprising experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi and National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata was deputed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to assist the state/district health authorities in the investigation and control of outbreaks. The team visited the affected areas of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts during the period 17-21 September 2010. The recommendations made to the State Government in order to minimize the risk of further outbreaks of cholera include provision of safe water, adopting safe practices in food handling, sanitary disposal of human waste, personal and domestic hygienic practices, availability of ORS in all the habitations, making all tube wells functional to ensure that people use safe water for drinking and domestic purpose and promoting hand washing with soap and water (with earth and water, if soap is not available) after defecation and before preparing and eating meals.
The cases and deaths declined in the second fortnight of September 2010.
This information was given by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.
41 deaths in Rayagada district and 8 deaths in Kalahandi district due to acute diarrhoeal diseases have been reported in recent months in Orissa.
A Central team comprising experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi and National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata was deputed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to assist the state/district health authorities in the investigation and control of outbreaks. The team visited the affected areas of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts during the period 17-21 September 2010. The recommendations made to the State Government in order to minimize the risk of further outbreaks of cholera include provision of safe water, adopting safe practices in food handling, sanitary disposal of human waste, personal and domestic hygienic practices, availability of ORS in all the habitations, making all tube wells functional to ensure that people use safe water for drinking and domestic purpose and promoting hand washing with soap and water (with earth and water, if soap is not available) after defecation and before preparing and eating meals.
The cases and deaths declined in the second fortnight of September 2010.
This information was given by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Our Earlier Letter: Changing the name: Udis(h)a should be accepted like Odis(h)a
Nov 4, 2010
Dear Honorable Chief Minister Sri Patnaik,
In the coming winter session there will be a discussion for changing name to Odisha[1].
I do not have problem of changing of Orissa, but why to change that of Udisha or Udisa?
Whether it is a dialect form of Odia (Udia) or Kosli language [2] (prevalent in Western part of the state) is not a serious concern here, since many people in the present state still use Udis(h)a, it should not be called wrong. If we can accept Utkal/Kalinga as Odisha/Udisha then why not Udisha as local name of Odisha?
We write Biswanath (Odia/Udia form) instead of Viswanath (Hindi/Sankrit form), are we accepting Biswanath as incorrect? I will say Biswanath is correct as per our language as we pronouce in the same way.
Similarly, in pure Odia/Udia we say KUADE, in Westen part of the state it is pronouced KENE, are we not accepting KENE as a local version or saying KENE is wrong?
I was reading few folklore from Western part of the state, most of the folklore mention Udisa/Udia rather than Odisha/Odia. Are we not marginalizing those hidden rich culture in folklore and their language?
Officially changing Briitish given name to local name make sense, but changing a local name to another local name seems political. By undermining our local dialect (Kathit bhasha) or language are we not culturally marginalizing our people further? Such cultural dominance and/or marginalization slowly divides the society and some of them are being witnessed.
Rather Odisha and Udisha both should be accepted as it is.
I hope you and your Government will look into this matter to take appropriate action.
Thanking you
Best regards
Digambara Patra
[1] http://www.orissasambad.com/news_article.php?id=39342
[2] http://www.dailypioneer.com/149202/Week-long-Kosli-drama-fest-in-Balangir-from-Jan-14.html
Dear Honorable Chief Minister Sri Patnaik,
In the coming winter session there will be a discussion for changing name to Odisha[1].
I do not have problem of changing of Orissa, but why to change that of Udisha or Udisa?
Whether it is a dialect form of Odia (Udia) or Kosli language [2] (prevalent in Western part of the state) is not a serious concern here, since many people in the present state still use Udis(h)a, it should not be called wrong. If we can accept Utkal/Kalinga as Odisha/Udisha then why not Udisha as local name of Odisha?
We write Biswanath (Odia/Udia form) instead of Viswanath (Hindi/Sankrit form), are we accepting Biswanath as incorrect? I will say Biswanath is correct as per our language as we pronouce in the same way.
Similarly, in pure Odia/Udia we say KUADE, in Westen part of the state it is pronouced KENE, are we not accepting KENE as a local version or saying KENE is wrong?
I was reading few folklore from Western part of the state, most of the folklore mention Udisa/Udia rather than Odisha/Odia. Are we not marginalizing those hidden rich culture in folklore and their language?
Officially changing Briitish given name to local name make sense, but changing a local name to another local name seems political. By undermining our local dialect (Kathit bhasha) or language are we not culturally marginalizing our people further? Such cultural dominance and/or marginalization slowly divides the society and some of them are being witnessed.
Rather Odisha and Udisha both should be accepted as it is.
I hope you and your Government will look into this matter to take appropriate action.
Thanking you
Best regards
Digambara Patra
[1] http://www.orissasambad.com/news_article.php?id=39342
[2] http://www.dailypioneer.com/149202/Week-long-Kosli-drama-fest-in-Balangir-from-Jan-14.html
Lok Sabha approves Orissa's name as 'Odisha', Oriya as 'Odia'
Sify.com, Nov 9, 2010
On the first day of Parliament's Winter Session, the Lok Sabha here today passed the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill and approved the name of Orissa state to 'Odisha', and its language to 'Odia' from Oriya.
The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, seeking change of the State's name, was introduced in the 2010 Budget Session. It was passed by electronic voting in Lok Sabha today.
"The Motion is carried by the majority of the total membership of the house and by majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present in voting. The Bill (Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010) as amended is passed by the requisite majority in accordance with provision of Article 368 of the Constitution," said Meira Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker.
The Central Government had received a proposal from the Orissa Government in 2008 after the State Assembly moved a Bill to change both names, in deference to the manner in which the name of the State is pronounced in the local language.
The State till date was called 'Udisa' in Hindi and 'Orissa' in English, and its language called 'Udiya' in Hindi and 'Oriya' in English as per the Constitution.
There have been many cities or States which have been renamed after independence, including Kanpur, formerly called Cawnpore, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Pune (Poona), Kochi (Cochin) and the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which became Arunachal Pradesh. (ANI)
On the first day of Parliament's Winter Session, the Lok Sabha here today passed the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill and approved the name of Orissa state to 'Odisha', and its language to 'Odia' from Oriya.
The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, seeking change of the State's name, was introduced in the 2010 Budget Session. It was passed by electronic voting in Lok Sabha today.
"The Motion is carried by the majority of the total membership of the house and by majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present in voting. The Bill (Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010) as amended is passed by the requisite majority in accordance with provision of Article 368 of the Constitution," said Meira Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker.
The Central Government had received a proposal from the Orissa Government in 2008 after the State Assembly moved a Bill to change both names, in deference to the manner in which the name of the State is pronounced in the local language.
The State till date was called 'Udisa' in Hindi and 'Orissa' in English, and its language called 'Udiya' in Hindi and 'Oriya' in English as per the Constitution.
There have been many cities or States which have been renamed after independence, including Kanpur, formerly called Cawnpore, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Pune (Poona), Kochi (Cochin) and the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which became Arunachal Pradesh. (ANI)
BJD, Cong clash in Lok Sabha over clearance to Posco
The Hindu, Nov 9, 2010
The passage of two bills for change of name of Orissa and language of the state in the Lok Sabha was today marked by a clash between BJD and Congress after a member from the ruling benches attacked the Naveen Patnaik government for giving clearance apparently to Posco plant.
The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010 and Constitution (113th Amendment) Bill, 2010 for change of language were moved by Home Minister P. Chidambaram on the basis of resolutions passed by the Orissa Assembly.
The Bills provide for change of name of state to Odisha and language to Odia.
Soon after the Bills were moved for consideration, Congress member Bhakta Charan Das took the opportunity to attack the Navin Patnaik-led BJD government accusing it of playing into the hands of corporates.
Amid strong protests from BJD members, Das alleged that the Patnaik government was trying to convert the state into a land of corporates at the cost of tribals who are the original inhabitants of the region.
Apparently referring to the clearance given by the BJD government to Korean steel major Posco for setting up a plant despite reservations of the union environment ministry, Das accused the state government of violating the constitution and law.
He demanded the state government’s dismissal which was endorsed by thumping of desks by Congress members, including party chief Sonia Gandhi.
Das referred to efforts made by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, besides Sonia, Rajiv and Indira Gandhi to protect the interests of tribals in the state.
As the MP from Orissa launched the attack on the state government, Gandhi and others were seen egging him on even though Speaker Meira Kumar repeatedly told him to conclude his speech.
BJD members, meanwhile, continued to protest terming it as bipartisan debate. Kumar assured them that she would check the record and see if there was anything objectionable.
Normalcy was restored and the Bills were passed by division of votes with all 294 members present in the House voting in favour and none against.
Bartruhari Mahtab, Tathagata Satpathy and Prasanna Kumar Patasani (all BJD) were the main speakers during the debate on the Bill.
The passage of two bills for change of name of Orissa and language of the state in the Lok Sabha was today marked by a clash between BJD and Congress after a member from the ruling benches attacked the Naveen Patnaik government for giving clearance apparently to Posco plant.
The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010 and Constitution (113th Amendment) Bill, 2010 for change of language were moved by Home Minister P. Chidambaram on the basis of resolutions passed by the Orissa Assembly.
The Bills provide for change of name of state to Odisha and language to Odia.
Soon after the Bills were moved for consideration, Congress member Bhakta Charan Das took the opportunity to attack the Navin Patnaik-led BJD government accusing it of playing into the hands of corporates.
Amid strong protests from BJD members, Das alleged that the Patnaik government was trying to convert the state into a land of corporates at the cost of tribals who are the original inhabitants of the region.
Apparently referring to the clearance given by the BJD government to Korean steel major Posco for setting up a plant despite reservations of the union environment ministry, Das accused the state government of violating the constitution and law.
He demanded the state government’s dismissal which was endorsed by thumping of desks by Congress members, including party chief Sonia Gandhi.
Das referred to efforts made by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, besides Sonia, Rajiv and Indira Gandhi to protect the interests of tribals in the state.
As the MP from Orissa launched the attack on the state government, Gandhi and others were seen egging him on even though Speaker Meira Kumar repeatedly told him to conclude his speech.
BJD members, meanwhile, continued to protest terming it as bipartisan debate. Kumar assured them that she would check the record and see if there was anything objectionable.
Normalcy was restored and the Bills were passed by division of votes with all 294 members present in the House voting in favour and none against.
Bartruhari Mahtab, Tathagata Satpathy and Prasanna Kumar Patasani (all BJD) were the main speakers during the debate on the Bill.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Odisha to challenge MoEF decision on Vedanta in SC
The Pioneer, Nov 8, 2010
PNS, Bhubaneswar
The State Government is contemplating to challenge in the Supreme Court the denial of permission to the Vedanta Alumium Limited (VAL) by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for bauxite mining at the Niyamgiri hill in Kalahandi district.
According to sources, the Government, instead of going to the SC as a direct applicant, would challenge the decision through the State-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The State Government has already obtained the State Advocate General’s legal advice in this regards, the sources informed.
The Government has opted to follow the indirect route to approach the SC apparently to ward off the criticism by the opposition Congress and the BJP that allege that the Naveen Patnaik Government was desperate for some obvious reason to facilitate mining of bauxite by VAL at Niyamgiri.
In 2005, the VAL had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government to set 1-million-tonne refinery complex at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district with an investment of Rs 4,500 crore.
In the MoU, the State Government had committed to supply 150 million tonne (mt) of bauxite for the refinery. For this, the State had identified the Niyamgiri mine as the initial source of the material’s supply to the extent of 78 MT.
On October 24 last, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had announced cancellation of the permission for exploitation of bauxite from Niyamgiri on a joint venture by the OMC and Sterlite Industries India Ltd. Sterlite is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company, which also owns Vedanta Alumina Ltd, operator of the Lanjigarh alumina refinery.
PNS, Bhubaneswar
The State Government is contemplating to challenge in the Supreme Court the denial of permission to the Vedanta Alumium Limited (VAL) by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for bauxite mining at the Niyamgiri hill in Kalahandi district.
According to sources, the Government, instead of going to the SC as a direct applicant, would challenge the decision through the State-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The State Government has already obtained the State Advocate General’s legal advice in this regards, the sources informed.
The Government has opted to follow the indirect route to approach the SC apparently to ward off the criticism by the opposition Congress and the BJP that allege that the Naveen Patnaik Government was desperate for some obvious reason to facilitate mining of bauxite by VAL at Niyamgiri.
In 2005, the VAL had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government to set 1-million-tonne refinery complex at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district with an investment of Rs 4,500 crore.
In the MoU, the State Government had committed to supply 150 million tonne (mt) of bauxite for the refinery. For this, the State had identified the Niyamgiri mine as the initial source of the material’s supply to the extent of 78 MT.
On October 24 last, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had announced cancellation of the permission for exploitation of bauxite from Niyamgiri on a joint venture by the OMC and Sterlite Industries India Ltd. Sterlite is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company, which also owns Vedanta Alumina Ltd, operator of the Lanjigarh alumina refinery.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Nod for scientific institution in Thiruvananthapuram
The Hindu, Nov 5, 2010
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of a national centre for molecular materials in Thiruvananthapuram at a cost of Rs. 76.7 crore.
The centre will be the first of its kind in the country, pursuing high-end science and developing technologies in niche areas such as sensors for biomedical devices, materials for better harvesting of solar energy, and space electronics.
It will collaborate with other academic institutions and actively interact with industry and other user groups. It will come up on a 40-acre land provided free of cost by the State government.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Vedanta hires exec to oversee environmental issues
Reuters (africa), Nov 5, 2010
Appoints ex-Cemex executive chief sustainability offer
* Move comes after setbacks on green issues
LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Indian focused mining group Vedanta (VED.L: Quote) has appointed a chief sustainability officer after being hit with a series of setbacks due to environmental issues.
The London-listed company on Friday named Antony Henshaw, previously corporate vice-president of sustainability at Mexico's Cemex (CX.N: Quote) (CMXCPO.MX: Quote), the world's No. 3 cement maker.
On Oct. 21, India said it had cancelled plans by Vedanta to expand its alumina refinery over environmental issues. [ID:nSGE69L050]
The government also cited green issues when it banned Vedanta from going ahead with a plan to mine bauxite in the eastern Orissa state, which was also opposed by indigenous peoples.
Environmental concerns were also behind a court order to close Vedanta's Tutincorin facility, the world's ninth-largest copper smelter, although India's Supreme Court gave Vedanta the go-ahead to reopen on Oct. 1. [ID:nSGE6900CP]
(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Erica Billingham)
Appoints ex-Cemex executive chief sustainability offer
* Move comes after setbacks on green issues
LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Indian focused mining group Vedanta (VED.L: Quote) has appointed a chief sustainability officer after being hit with a series of setbacks due to environmental issues.
The London-listed company on Friday named Antony Henshaw, previously corporate vice-president of sustainability at Mexico's Cemex (CX.N: Quote) (CMXCPO.MX: Quote), the world's No. 3 cement maker.
On Oct. 21, India said it had cancelled plans by Vedanta to expand its alumina refinery over environmental issues. [ID:nSGE69L050]
The government also cited green issues when it banned Vedanta from going ahead with a plan to mine bauxite in the eastern Orissa state, which was also opposed by indigenous peoples.
Environmental concerns were also behind a court order to close Vedanta's Tutincorin facility, the world's ninth-largest copper smelter, although India's Supreme Court gave Vedanta the go-ahead to reopen on Oct. 1. [ID:nSGE6900CP]
(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Erica Billingham)
50 CT examinees expelled for copying at Bhawanipatna
The Pioneer, Nov 5, 2010
PNS | Bhawanipatna
Fifty students were expelled on last Friday and four teachers suspended, including the Centre Superintendent on Monday following malpractice in the Distant Education Programme Certified Teachers' Training (DEPCT) examinations here at Bhawanipatna.
Reports said, 451 examinees are taking the DEPCT examinations since October 25 at the Brajamohan High School (BHS) and Government Girls' High School (GGHS) centres this year.
It is alleged that copies were supplied in the examination halls after taking bribe from the examinees. The squad from Puri searched both the centres when they got the message of rampant malpractice.
During the search, the squad caught 16 examinees at the GGHS and 34 examinees at the BHS and were expelled while centre superintendent Gajendra Prasad Nayak, including four other teachers were suspended and three teachers were transferred by the Kalahandi and Nuapada CI of Schools.
Now, the district administration has given the responsibility to the Tehsildar and BDO as majistrates to keep an eye on both the centres till the examinations end.
PNS | Bhawanipatna
Fifty students were expelled on last Friday and four teachers suspended, including the Centre Superintendent on Monday following malpractice in the Distant Education Programme Certified Teachers' Training (DEPCT) examinations here at Bhawanipatna.
Reports said, 451 examinees are taking the DEPCT examinations since October 25 at the Brajamohan High School (BHS) and Government Girls' High School (GGHS) centres this year.
It is alleged that copies were supplied in the examination halls after taking bribe from the examinees. The squad from Puri searched both the centres when they got the message of rampant malpractice.
During the search, the squad caught 16 examinees at the GGHS and 34 examinees at the BHS and were expelled while centre superintendent Gajendra Prasad Nayak, including four other teachers were suspended and three teachers were transferred by the Kalahandi and Nuapada CI of Schools.
Now, the district administration has given the responsibility to the Tehsildar and BDO as majistrates to keep an eye on both the centres till the examinations end.
Drugs Inspector, clerk held taking bribe in Kalahandi
The Pioneer, Nov 5, 2010
Bikash Khemka, Bhawanipatna
While taking bribe of `12,000 from an applicant to issue a drug licence to open a new drug shop, Kalahandi Range Drugs Inspector Dilip Kumar Jena was caught red-handed by Vigilance sleuths under the direction of DSP Vigilance, Kalahandi Jagannath Nayak on Thursday.
In the same case, Clerk Subash Chandra Padhiari also came under the Vigilance net while taking bribe of `1,000 from the applicant.
Reports said Sambhulal Goel from Junagarh had applied for a drug licence six months back and the officials were demanding `30,000 as bribe from him to complete the paper works. Talking to The Pioneer, Goel said the clerk was dealing the matter and Drugs Inspector Jena never came before him.
Goel said that initially he had given `10,000 on October 30 to the clerk and later on when he again demanded money he agreed to pay another ` 12,000.
A frustrated Goel finally decided to inform the Vigilance Department in this regard.
Bikash Khemka, Bhawanipatna
While taking bribe of `12,000 from an applicant to issue a drug licence to open a new drug shop, Kalahandi Range Drugs Inspector Dilip Kumar Jena was caught red-handed by Vigilance sleuths under the direction of DSP Vigilance, Kalahandi Jagannath Nayak on Thursday.
In the same case, Clerk Subash Chandra Padhiari also came under the Vigilance net while taking bribe of `1,000 from the applicant.
Reports said Sambhulal Goel from Junagarh had applied for a drug licence six months back and the officials were demanding `30,000 as bribe from him to complete the paper works. Talking to The Pioneer, Goel said the clerk was dealing the matter and Drugs Inspector Jena never came before him.
Goel said that initially he had given `10,000 on October 30 to the clerk and later on when he again demanded money he agreed to pay another ` 12,000.
A frustrated Goel finally decided to inform the Vigilance Department in this regard.
Long-term plan for checking cholera soon
The Pioneer, Nov 5, 2010
Pioneer News Service, Bhubaneswar
The State Government on Thursday decided to make a long-term plan to check further spreading of cholera in the vulnerable districts like Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput.
Collectors of these districts have been asked to prepare action plans for their respective districts with immediate effect.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Bijaya Kumar Patnaik.
The meeting thrust upon the immediate solution to the problems like non-availability of drinking water, bad road communication and appointment of Asha workers in the recently diarrhea affected areas Kashipur, the most-affected one.
Health Secretary informed that all the concerned Collectors have been asked to submit their action plan by November. “Collectors’ action plan would focus on digging of tube wells, finding out alternative for supply of drinking water in the areas where it would not be possible to dig tube wells, construction of roads in inaccessible areas and appointment of more number of Asha workers,” Garg said, adding that the action plans would be implemented by December 31, 2010.
The meeting decided that the tribal pockets would have one Asha worker in each area having population of 200 people.
It is to be noted that nearly a hundred people had died due to diarrhea and more than 1,500 were affected in the disease.
Two central teams and different political parties had moved to the area to take stock of the situation and attributed the cause for spreading of the disease to use of contaminated disease and lack of road communication.
Pioneer News Service, Bhubaneswar
The State Government on Thursday decided to make a long-term plan to check further spreading of cholera in the vulnerable districts like Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput.
Collectors of these districts have been asked to prepare action plans for their respective districts with immediate effect.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Bijaya Kumar Patnaik.
The meeting thrust upon the immediate solution to the problems like non-availability of drinking water, bad road communication and appointment of Asha workers in the recently diarrhea affected areas Kashipur, the most-affected one.
Health Secretary informed that all the concerned Collectors have been asked to submit their action plan by November. “Collectors’ action plan would focus on digging of tube wells, finding out alternative for supply of drinking water in the areas where it would not be possible to dig tube wells, construction of roads in inaccessible areas and appointment of more number of Asha workers,” Garg said, adding that the action plans would be implemented by December 31, 2010.
The meeting decided that the tribal pockets would have one Asha worker in each area having population of 200 people.
It is to be noted that nearly a hundred people had died due to diarrhea and more than 1,500 were affected in the disease.
Two central teams and different political parties had moved to the area to take stock of the situation and attributed the cause for spreading of the disease to use of contaminated disease and lack of road communication.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
KALAHANDI UTSAV GHUMURA‐ 2010: Final function 14 - 17 Jan, 2010
orissa.gov.in
The final function of the mega annual cultural event of Kalahandi ‐ Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura‐ 2010 organised by Zilla Sanskruti Parishad ‐ is scheduled to be held from January 14th to 17th at Lalbahadur stadium of Bhawanipatna and simultaneously in the Sub‐divisional head quarter at Dharamgarh.
Artists from all across the State and country will perform a series of folk dances. These include Raibani martial art dance from West Bengal, Mewasi from Gujarat, Bodo dance from Assam, Chau from Saraikala and Mayurbhanj, Ghodanach from Sakhigopal, Sabda Nrutya from Kumbhari, Pasunrutya from Bhanjangar besides Ghumra, Singhbadya, Ghodar dance forms from Kalahandi.
Apart from these, Pallishree Mela, KBK Craft Mela, Food Mela and agriculture fair will be organized in 258 stalls at the Lalbahadur stadium. Volley ball tournament among youths of KBK Districts, Kabi Sammelani and a seminar will also be held. On the eve of the Utsav the Ghumura Dance marathon will be organized.
At Dharamgarh, besides cultural shows the major attraction will be an exhibition Namast Kalahandi showcasing culture, heritage, and literature and development aspects of Kalahandi.
The final function of the mega annual cultural event of Kalahandi ‐ Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura‐ 2010 organised by Zilla Sanskruti Parishad ‐ is scheduled to be held from January 14th to 17th at Lalbahadur stadium of Bhawanipatna and simultaneously in the Sub‐divisional head quarter at Dharamgarh.
Artists from all across the State and country will perform a series of folk dances. These include Raibani martial art dance from West Bengal, Mewasi from Gujarat, Bodo dance from Assam, Chau from Saraikala and Mayurbhanj, Ghodanach from Sakhigopal, Sabda Nrutya from Kumbhari, Pasunrutya from Bhanjangar besides Ghumra, Singhbadya, Ghodar dance forms from Kalahandi.
Apart from these, Pallishree Mela, KBK Craft Mela, Food Mela and agriculture fair will be organized in 258 stalls at the Lalbahadur stadium. Volley ball tournament among youths of KBK Districts, Kabi Sammelani and a seminar will also be held. On the eve of the Utsav the Ghumura Dance marathon will be organized.
At Dharamgarh, besides cultural shows the major attraction will be an exhibition Namast Kalahandi showcasing culture, heritage, and literature and development aspects of Kalahandi.
Mondei tunes into tribal folk dances
Expressbuzz, Nov 4, 2010
NABARANGPUR: Folk dances of western Orissa wowed the audience on the second day of Mondei-2010.
Artistes from Sambalpur performed Sambalpuri folk dance and those from Balangir and Kalahandi presented 'Dhap' and 'Kureifula' dances respectively. The artistes from Kalahandi also presented Ghumura.
Another attraction of the evening was Ranapa dance presented by Upasana Rout of Ganjam district. While a troupe from Bhubaneswar performed Dandia, artistes from Choudwar showcased Ghoda Nacha.
Tribal dancers from Tentulikhunit, Chandahandi and Umerkote blocks of the district presented their traditional tribal folk dances.
Dancers from Prasidhi Kala Kendra and Sangeet Vidyalaya, both at the district headquarters town of Nabarangpur, staged Odissi and other folk dances.
The function was attended by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern region) Chandra Sekhar Kumar.
NABARANGPUR: Folk dances of western Orissa wowed the audience on the second day of Mondei-2010.
Artistes from Sambalpur performed Sambalpuri folk dance and those from Balangir and Kalahandi presented 'Dhap' and 'Kureifula' dances respectively. The artistes from Kalahandi also presented Ghumura.
Another attraction of the evening was Ranapa dance presented by Upasana Rout of Ganjam district. While a troupe from Bhubaneswar performed Dandia, artistes from Choudwar showcased Ghoda Nacha.
Tribal dancers from Tentulikhunit, Chandahandi and Umerkote blocks of the district presented their traditional tribal folk dances.
Dancers from Prasidhi Kala Kendra and Sangeet Vidyalaya, both at the district headquarters town of Nabarangpur, staged Odissi and other folk dances.
The function was attended by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern region) Chandra Sekhar Kumar.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Vedanta abides Jairam dictum
Tathya.in, Bhubaneswar:2/November/2010
Mukesh Kumar has informed the Odisha Pollution Control Board (OPCB) that Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) is already implementing a Three Year Action Plan of Environment Protection.
Dr.Kumar, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a letter to Sidhanta Das, Secretary OPCB pointed out that the Aluminium Major has already installed Online Stack Monitoring System in the plant during last 3 years.
Secondly VAL has already Piezometer around the red mud and ash ponds.
Thirdly VAL has created 108 hectares of Green Cover out of 128 hectares and rest will be naturally covered during next 2 years, reveals the Report.
“We have received the Report given by the Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh, said Sidhanta Das, Secretary OPCB.
Mr.Das said VAL authorities have also deposited Rs.10 crore Bank Guarantee drawn with the HDFC Bank as a guarantee, which the company will keep it deposited for next three years.
OPCB will monitor the implementation of the Action Plan and if the company fails to do so, they will be forced to spend money for environment protection activities in the area, said Mr.Das.
VAL has deposited its Action Plan on 1 November along with the HDFC Bank Guarantee with the OPCB.
Ministry of Forest & Environment (MOEF), while allowing VAL with its’ 1 million ton refinery at Lanjigarh asked the Aluminium Major to present its Action Plan and Bank Guarantee.
The MOEF has, however, disallowed the VAL to go ahead with its expansion programme to ramp up the capacity of its refinery capacity to 6 million tonnes from the present 1 million tonne and the captive power plant capacity to 300 MW from the present 75 MW.
VAL authorities have already written to the MOEF on 26 October, pointing these actions being taken by them.
“As we are taking all these actions on pollution control and environment protection front, where is our fault lies”, asks a senior officer of VAL.
Mukesh Kumar has informed the Odisha Pollution Control Board (OPCB) that Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) is already implementing a Three Year Action Plan of Environment Protection.
Dr.Kumar, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a letter to Sidhanta Das, Secretary OPCB pointed out that the Aluminium Major has already installed Online Stack Monitoring System in the plant during last 3 years.
Secondly VAL has already Piezometer around the red mud and ash ponds.
Thirdly VAL has created 108 hectares of Green Cover out of 128 hectares and rest will be naturally covered during next 2 years, reveals the Report.
“We have received the Report given by the Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh, said Sidhanta Das, Secretary OPCB.
Mr.Das said VAL authorities have also deposited Rs.10 crore Bank Guarantee drawn with the HDFC Bank as a guarantee, which the company will keep it deposited for next three years.
OPCB will monitor the implementation of the Action Plan and if the company fails to do so, they will be forced to spend money for environment protection activities in the area, said Mr.Das.
VAL has deposited its Action Plan on 1 November along with the HDFC Bank Guarantee with the OPCB.
Ministry of Forest & Environment (MOEF), while allowing VAL with its’ 1 million ton refinery at Lanjigarh asked the Aluminium Major to present its Action Plan and Bank Guarantee.
The MOEF has, however, disallowed the VAL to go ahead with its expansion programme to ramp up the capacity of its refinery capacity to 6 million tonnes from the present 1 million tonne and the captive power plant capacity to 300 MW from the present 75 MW.
VAL authorities have already written to the MOEF on 26 October, pointing these actions being taken by them.
“As we are taking all these actions on pollution control and environment protection front, where is our fault lies”, asks a senior officer of VAL.
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