No Toilet in 80 Lakh Rural Households in Odisha

The New Indian Express, Feb 15, 2015

BHUBANESWAR:Even as jaundice is spreading to new regions of the State, nearly 80 lakh households in the rural areas do not have toilets in their houses while as many households do not have drinking water connection. The situation in urban areas is similar where outdated pipelines and lack of garbage disposal have led to outbreak of jaundice which the State Government is finding difficult to bring under control.

 Official sources said only 1.59 per cent of the households in rural areas have pipe water connections while the figure is less than one per cent in 17 out of 30 districts in the State. As per the 2011 Census, 81.44 lakh households reside in rural areas out of 96.61 lakh households in the State.

 Only 1.29 lakh houses have water connections and 32.39 lakh families collect drinking water from the stand-posts in their villages. About 47.75 lakh families do not have drinking water facilities. These include tribal and inaccessible villages in Western and Southern Odisha districts.

 Coverage under piped water connectivity is less than one per cent in Sundargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Rayagada, Puri, Nuapada, Nayagarh, Koraput, Khurda, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, Bhadrak, Bargarh, Balangir and Angul districts.

 Similarly, only 10.38 lakh families out of the total 96.62 lakh have toilet facilities as enumerated in 2013 baseline survey. Less than five per cent houses in Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Sundargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Balangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Gajapati, Ganjam and Jharsuguda have toilet facilities.

 The issue cropped up in the ongoing budget session of the Assembly several times as jaundice has affected more than a thousand people in Sambalpur, Cuttack and other areas.

CAG raps OUAT over teacher vacancies

Times of India, Feb 15, 2015
BHUBANESWAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has slammed the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) from the inadequate teacher strength in its constituent colleges and certain irregularities.

In its report tabled in the assembly recently, CAG said the teacher student ratio in the College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna, was 1:11 against the 1:8 norm prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Veterinary Council of India (VCI).

The national auditor said there were 62 teachers in the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Bhubaneswar, despite increase in the average number of students every year. "Though VCI communicated possible de-recognition of the college if the sanctioned strength was not increased, neither more were posts sanctioned nor vacant ones filled up," it pointed out.

Taking potshots at the university authorities, CAG said though ICAR, VCI and state government sanctioned 841 posts, OUAT authorities filled up only 576 posts. It noted a decreasing trend, ranging from 46% to 23%, between 2009 and 2014, in placement of students despite the varsity having a full-time placement officer.

Only a few students from courses like master of computer applications, M.Sc (bio-informatics), microbiology, agri business management got jobs, it said, adding, "Although placement fee of Rs 100 was collected annually from each student in every college, there was no placement of students from other courses during 2009-14."

According to CAG, the authorities have accommodated more students in the hostels than the number of seats. OUAT vice chancellor Manoranjan Kar did not respond to repeated calls for comments on CAG's observations.

Congress seeks local quota in jobs

Times of India, Feb 14, 2015

BHUBANESWAR: The opposition Congress on Friday repeatedly stalled assembly proceedings by creating pandemonium over alleged regional disparity in recruitment for government posts in backward KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput) districts.

Barring the question hour, little business could be transacted during the day, with Congress MLAs storming the well and forcing Speaker Niranjan Pujari to adjourn proceedings.

During zero hour, Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati alleged gross regional disparity during recruitment, mainly for Class IV posts, in KBK and western Odisha districts.

The practice of appointing candidates from outside has sparked resentment among unemployed youths of these districts, he said, demanding that recruitment, particularly for Class IV posts, should be made from within a district.

Some members belonging to other political parties also supported Bahinipati's suggestion, leading to the Speaker twice adjourning the house before the lunch break. The scenes remained the same post-lunch.

Passport Camp launched in State

The New Indian Express, Feb 14, 2015

BHUBANESWAR: In a major move towards taking passport services to the doorsteps of the people, the Regional Passport Office, Bhubaneswar is set to launch a series of camps across districts.

The passport camp began at Rourkela on Friday and will continue till February 15. The camp will be organised at Berhampur from February 27 to March 1. The subsequent camps will be held in Sambalpur from March 21 to 22 followed by Kendrapara in September, Balasore and Angul in October, Bhawanipatna in November and Balangir in December.

“The decision to hold camps has been taken in view of increasing demand for passports. Now people from far off places will not have to come to the Regional Passport Office here and stand in queues. They will get the service at their doorsteps,” Regional Passport Officer Padma Mahanti said.

The issuance of number of passports has increased from 1500 in 1980 to 94,672 in 2014. The camps have been successfully piloted in Berhampur, Rourkela and Sunabeda to huge response. Special camps will also be held for CRPF jawans deployed in remote locations, Mahanti said.

Explosives Seized from Maoist Camp

The New Indian Express, Feb 13, 2015

RAYAGADA:A Maoist camp was destroyed and explosives seized from a village located on Rayagada-Kalahandi border on Wednesday. The seizure followed an encounter between police and the Maoists.

Giving details about the encounter, Rayagada SP K Siva said on getting information about the movement of a group of armed Maoists in Balasaraj village in Niyamgiri area on the border of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, a joint combing operation was launched by the police of both the districts on Wednesday.

During the combing operation, the Maoists suddenly opened fire at the police near Semlabhata village under Lanjigarh police limits at about 3 pm. Security personnel retaliated and unable to face the counter attack, the Maoists fled.

Police later seized a switch board for landmine, a tiffin bomb, four electric detonators, electric wires measuring 30 metres, a walkie-talkie set, torch lights, Maoist literature and books from the spot.

“The Maoist cadres belonged to Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagavali division of Maoists,” the SP said, adding that there is every possibility of Maoist casualties during the encounter. Meanwhile, combing operation in the area has been intensified.

Securitymen, Maoists exchange fire in Odisha’s Kalahandi

Odisha Sun Times, Feb 11, 2015

Reported by Ranjan Rath
Bhawanipatna, Feb 11:

Security personnel and the Maoists exchanged fire in the Lanjigarh area in Odisha’s Kalahandi district this afternoon.

According to sources, a joint team of District Voluntary Force (DVF) and CRPF was on a combing operation in the Lanjigarh area when the Maoist opened fire at them at a place between Bijapur and Trilochanpur under Lanjigarh block.

The security personnel retaliated immediately. After a brief spell of encounter, the Maoist fled the area leaving their arms and ammunition at the spot which were later seized.

The incident took place between 3 pm and 4 pm.

While sources in the CRPF have claimed the casualty from the Maoist side, no confirmation has been made as yet.

Meanwhile, a back-up team of the CRPF from Muniguda in the bordering Rayagada district has rushed to the spot and started a search operation in the area to track down the red rebels.

Camp held for people-friendly policing

Reported by Sri Anshuman Patra
Orissapost, Feb 11, 2015

Dharitri, Feb 11, 2015

Railway development in KBK region

Date: 9.2.2015

To

Honorable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi

CC

Honorable Railway Minister Sri Suresh Prabhu

Honorable Chief Minister of Odisha Sri Naveen Patnaik

Dear Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Modi,

It is surprising that the states that contribute maximum return to railway’s own development are underprivileged not only from railway infrastructure development but also while establishing railway coach and other ancillary factories by Ministry of Railway.  Despite ECOR being one of the most profit making zones of Indian railways, railway ministry has been unfairly treating KBK region in Odisha, whereas many loss-making projects in Bihar and West Bengal were approved and completed due to influence of former railway ministers.

(1) Major railway development and factories were approved in Rae Bareli, Amethi, Chaptra, etc. ONLY due to powerful political leaders rather than due to actual source of raw materials like coal or iron supply for railway’s own requirements, thus, states like Odisha, Chhatisgarh etc. that supply coal, iron, steel and aluminum for railway infrastructure and manufacturing unit are dispossessed. Although many projects approved in other parts of the country has moved, the work of proposed low budget Wagon Maintenance Workshop in Kalahandi have not yet started.  Surprisingly, no allotment of fund was made for Wagon Maintenance Workshop at Kalahandi in last budget. The site in Kalahandi (Narla road) is located at the junction of three public sector steel plants in Bhilai, Rourkela and Visakhapatnam. It is also close to MCL coal blocks in Angul (via Lanjigarh road-Talcher) and Jharsuguda (Titilagarh-Jharsuguda route). National alumina supplier, NALCO, is located very close to it. Therefore, this location is an ideal place and very much in the interest of railway to establish railway coach and manufacturing factory instead of Rae Bareli or Chhapra.

(2) In 1962-63 late MP Sri Pratap Keshari Deo had pointed out in the parliament that Mr. Parkers had done a railway line survey from Kesinga to Nabarangpur to join Kothavalasa-Kirandul (KK) line, because Koraput-Kothavalasa and Koraput-Rayagada are e-special category railway routes having many tunnels and high-level bridges, the speed is limited (often less than 50 kmph) and number of wagon can’t exceed 30 during mineral transportations in these two routes. The idea is Amabguda-Lanjigarh road railway line will make mineral transportation from Kirandul to Visakhapatnam faster and easier.  Realizing this in 1991, Laniigarh road-Junagarh line was approved to connect with KK line at Ambaguda via Nabarangpur. 56 km of Lanjigarh road-Junagarh line of this route took 25 years to get completed, however, surveyed Junagarh-Ambaguda portion of this route has not yet been approved which will bring railway connection to tribal dominated Nabarangur district. KK line is one of the most profit-making routes of Indian railway. Immediate action is needed for approval and completion of rest of Junagarh-Ambaguda line without any delay. 

(3) Though separate East Coast Railway Zone has been established, the new zone has not given much importance towards train connection in place like KBK. Among the far off places Kalahandi, Naupada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Malkangiri and Koraput are one of the worst sufferers in terms of train connectivity with Odisha’s state capital. Recently there is a proposal to separate out Visakhapatnam division to form a new railway zone. Therefore, to a new railway division at Bhawanipatna should be considered, as Bhawanipatna will serve the purpose and interest best for whole KBK, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Boudh districts of Odisha where railway infrastructure is minimum. 

(4) Please speed up the progress of Khordha-Balangir connecting state capital with Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur and Lanjigarh road - Phulbani – Talcher line connecting Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Titilagarh (Balangir dist), Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts with Bhubaneswar (Odisha’s state capital), which joins Khurda-Balangir line near Boudh. Lanjigarh road - Talcher rail line will not only bring first time railway network to Kandhamal district but also make accessible to large part of inaccessible KBK and Kandhamal region from the state capital directly. Beside that this line will facilitate alumina/coal transportation for NALCO from its refinery in Damajodi to its Smelter in Angul by reducing distance about 100 km.

(5) Similarly, extension of Ispat express from Howrah-Titilagarh to Bhawanipatna/Junagarh road, Bhubaneswar-Balangir intercity to Kesinga, and Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train to Junagarh road/ Bhawanipatna is urgently needed.

We appeal that Indian railway immediately looks into the railway projects in KBK region to accomplish in a timely manner in next five years for the reasons mentioned above.

With best regards

SesaSterlite started Supports to Odisha School Program and Child care centre

Orissadiary, Feb 9, 2015
Report by Odisha Diary bureau, Bhubaneswar: SesaSterlite under its corporate Social responsibilities have come forwards to the development of education in Chhatrapur and Lanjigarh Panchayat.SesaSterlite took another initiative under its project Sikhya where supports 10 teachers in Chhatrapur Panchayat High School and Primary School,Chhatrapur.  In this lunching event Mr Jalaj Malpani-CFO SSL inaugurated with announcing the project in the presence of Mr Koustav Ratan Kundu-Head HRD SSL, BirajaMund-Head Power plant, Chandra DwajPesnia-Secretary School Management Committee, KamarajDalbehera-Advisor. Others who presented in the eve are Ranjan Sharma-Head CSR, Sidhartha Behera-PRO, SrikantBohidar,SrimukhAgasty,BinodRath,AnantPal,SudarsanHial(Janajagaran Youth Club) etc. In this function Company has supported two schools with 10 teachers which will be helpful to provide free quality education to the students. School Head Master thanked SesaSterlite for such supports and told that this will help to create 30 nos. of First Class students in matriculation this year. AnantPal,Chhatrapur said that SesaSterlite supported school building of the school earlier and this will help to create more interest to the teachers as a result the students will get better education.  The  new child care centre at Kapaguda, Lanjigarh in Odisha opened to provide free education and nutrition for holistic development of tribal children in the age group of two and half years to five years.Mr. Jalaj Malpani, CFO, Sesasterlite Ltd., Lanjigarh inaugurated the program in the presence of other dignitaries Mr. B. S. Mund, GM-Power Plant, Mr. Ranjan Sharma, Head-CSR Dept., SesaSterlite Ltd., Lanjigarh, Mr.NarsiMajhi-Village Head,Mr.AbhiMajhi . Kapaguda, a village based at peripheral of Plant which is yet to get free Pre Schooling, Child Care and nutrition foods ,physical, psychological and social development of the children for 23 deprived children. Mr. D.P. Agarwal, Founder Trustee, Vedanta foundation -said “The Foundation is committed to bring social changes through various activities for the economically poor people in India and we are extremely happy to include Kapaguda as new Child care centres”  Speaking on both, Mr.K.K.Dave, COO SesaSterliteinformed,SesaSterlite has been taking care of the students as well as children responsibilities at priority towards eradicate malnutrition, providing better education at doorstep and minimizing school dropout which helps to create them better citizen in future to partner in the development of region. SesaSterlite in association with Vedanta Foundation, implementing partners, is running 35 Child Care centres with 1000 children   . The New centre like others will be providing child care, nutrition and pre-school education ensuring. Previously company has opened child care centreat Basantapada,Chhatrapur,Champadeipur,Lanjigarh,Jagannathpur,Balabhadrapur,Kendubarti,Rengopali,Kansari,Sindhabahal,Dengasargi etc. in Rayagada and Kalahandi district . - See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=57102#sthash.kxDkUdze.dpuf

Put Road Projects on the Fast Track: Govt to NHAI

The New Indian Express, Feb 6, 2015

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Thursday directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure completion of road projects sanctioned under National Highway Inter-connectivity Improvement Programme (NHIIP).

Five road projects, including three under NHIIP, are under implementation in the State. The projects, estimated to cost Rs 1,194 crore, are financed by the World Bank.

The Government has sanctioned Rs 185.48 crore for widening of 61-km stretch from Bhojpur to Chhatabar (NH 49 to 53), Rs 197.35 crore for Nabarangpur-Koksara section of NH-26 (55 km) and Rs 148.67 crore for Nuapada-Bangomunda (68 km) connecting NH 353 to NH 59. While work on Nuapada-Bangomunda project is in progress, bids for two other projects are under finalisation, sources said.

Chief Secretary GC Pati reviewed the progress of NHIIP projects in the State along with road and railway over bridge projects under construction in Bhubaneswar-Puri section.

Since the Ministry of Environment and Forest has decided to delegate power to grant forest clearance to linear projects like road and rail to its Regional Empowered Committee (REC) irrespective of the area of forest land involved, the Chief Secretary asked Collectors and divisional forest officers (DFOs) of districts concerned to submit requisite papers to the REC for timely clearance of the projects.

The Ministry has issued fresh guidelines for linear projects in which permission of gram sabha for land acquisition is not required, Pati said. District Collectors were further directed to take legal action against individuals or organisations creating hurdles on the way of infrastructure projects.

The Works Department was directed to ensure that construction of roads, flyovers, and bypass roads between Bhubaneswar and Puri should completed well before Nabakalebara festival.

Ex-mantri under fire from Congman who took Rahul Gandhi to Niyamgiri hills

Times of India, Feb 5, 2015
Subodh Ghildiyal,TNN | Feb 5, 2015, 12.23 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Former Congress MP Bhakta Charan Das has alleged that Jayanthi Natarajan wanted to reopen the Niyamgiri mining case settled in favour of a primitive tribal group and he had warned her that it would deal a death blow to the poor Dongria-Kondhs. 

He said Rahul Gandhi's intervention with the former environment minister was to protect the impoverished tribals who were at the receiving end of "goonda" and police torture for years. "Rahul was not lobbying for the corporates or rich business. He adopted the right course by fighting for tribals. What was so inappropriate about it," he told TOI. 

Das, a Congress secretary and known Kalahandi face, took Rahul to Niyamgiri hills in 2008 where the Congress heir apparent declared his support for tribals and assured them they would not be displaced. 

A controversy broke out last week when Natarajan named Niyamgiri mining as an instance to allege at a press conference that Rahul used to send recommendations to the environment ministry, a charge that was picked up by the BJP government to argue that the Congress leader's whimsical moves had compromised economic growth. 

Despite experts backing the agitating tribals, Das alleged Natarajan looked like having a different idea. "She apparently wanted to reopen the Niyamgiri file after it was almost decided. I spoke to her in Parliament's Central Hall and told her that tribals were agitating for years and any decision against them would set a wrong precedent. She just said she would look into it." 

He said Rahul would not be deterred by motivated attacks like Natarajan's, adding, "His involvement with tribals and poor will be more intense in future." 

According to Das, Niyamgiri was a sensitive issue where denial of mining licence should not be cited as an attempt to stall industrialization. "These are primitive tribals who number only 8,000 spread over 112 villages. They cannot survive outside forests. There was continuous agitation from 2003 to 2010. Almost 300 schools and colleges in Kalahandi held essay and debate competition to save Niyamgiri, there was economic blockade much before Rahul visited in 2008," he said. 

Citing the salience of the case, Das said Niyamgiri became such a celebrated case that demonstrations were held in London. "The blockbuster movie 'Avatar' was based on the struggle of Dongrias," he said.

SESA STERLITE STILL AWAITS BAUXITE LINKAGE

The Pioneer, Feb 4, 2015

The Sesa Sterlite Limited’s (previously Vedanta Aluminium Limited) Rs52,000-crore investment in Odisha is the largest on ground investment made by any company in the State ever. Still, the future of the project is hanging fire owing to the delay in policy decision mechanism of the State Government. Despite numerous requests made by the company to solve its issues, the progress is next to zero.

The SSL has already set up a one-million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) alumina refinery and an associated 75-MW captive power plant at Lanjigarh, a 0.5-MTPA aluminum smelter and a 1215-MW captive power plant and a 2400-MW Independent Power Plant at Jharsuguda. Another 1.25-MTPA smelting plant is also ready for commercial production at Jharsuguda.

However, the company has been facing difficulties in get going for two major issues. The 1.25-MTPA Jharsuguda smelter is lying idle for lack of power supply. The State Government is yet to give permission to the SSL to use power from its own 2400-MW plant located at the same site. SSL MD SK Roongta, in a recent letter to the State Chief Secretary, has written, “Commissioning of the new smelter plant will generate substantial employment opportunity and additional revenue for the State Government. But that needs power supply.” He added, “Since Odisha is now a power-surplus State, we may be allowed to use this power for running the new smelter plant to full capacity.”

On the part of the SSL, which provided the State-run Gridco 600 MW power for three years during the power shortage, it seems logical for it to seek permission to divert the power towards its own plant as the State is power-surplus. More so as the power supply would infuse life into the idle 1.25-MTPA smelter inducing better employment and livelihood opportunities and faster economic growth of the State.

The Lanjigarh alumina refinery is forced to operate way below its capacity as the State Government has not been able to provide the bauxite it promised and the company has to resort to costly imports. Though the company has identified 32 mining sites in the State that can suffice its requirements, it needs some decisive steps on part of the administration to resolve the problem.

The company’s persistent requests to the Government to resolve its issues have failed to produce results so far. Despite Group Head Anil Agarwal meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik twice in the recent past, and the CM promising to resolve the issues in a few months’ time, there has been no progress in the situation.

Looking at the socioeconomic benefits, including employment opportunities of more than 1,00,000, on offer if the Vedanta units operate at full capacity, it is considered to be of utmost importance for the State to resolve the issues at the earliest.

OTELP Figure on Landless Tribal Families Leaves Govt Red-faced

The New Indian Express, Feb 4, 2015

BHUBANESWAR: Contrary to the State Government’s claim of providing land rights to about 2.30 lakh landless families, over 71,000 households of six tribal dominated districts are yet to get the benefit.

As per the latest enumeration in 3,274 villages across six districts covered under Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Programme (OTELP), 92,932 of 2,67,794 families were detected to be landless.

While 35,360 households are absolutely landless (without homestead and farm land), the Government has issued land pattas to 21,899 families. Of these beneficiaries,  19,718 households have received title for homestead land and 2,027 for agricultural land and 154 titles under Forest Rights Act.

Under the Vasundhara scheme, the State Government is providing 4-10 decimal of homestead land and one standard acre of agricultural land to landless people. Although the scheme was launched in 2003, the Government is yet to identify the actual beneficiaries till date.

As per enumeration conducted in 2004-05 across the State, there were 2,49,334 homesteadless families. The Government claimed to have provided homestead land to 2,29,885 families during next three years.

However, the survey conducted by community resource persons (CRP) or Bhumi Sanjojaks, as they are locally called in the OTELP project districts, revealed that the data provided by district revenue officials to the State Government on landless families were false.

Besides, many of the beneficiaries detected by the revenue officials were found to be well off while some of them are relatives or acquaintances of field level revenue officials.

Landesha, a non-profit organisation working for land rights of landless families, has been providing hand holding support to externally aided OTELP for identification of landless families in the project areas.

Distribution of pattas to remaining beneficiaries in the six districts of Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur has not been possible due to administrative inertia, sources said.

Official sources said more than 12 lakh families were leased out homestead land. But there is no official figure about the number of families given rights over land leased out and how many of them have constructed houses over the land.

With the successful enumeration of landless families in OTELP districts except Kandhamal, the State Government has decided to replicate the CRP model in 118 tribal sub-plan blocks.

Odisha suspends 52 doctors who refused to join duty in remote district

Mailonline India, Feb 3, 2015
By RAKESH DIXIT

The Odisha government has finally cracked the whip on those doctors who have been refusing to join duty in remote tribal-dominated districts for years. 

The government has now sacked 52 doctors who did not join the duty despite reminders.

Of the 52 doctors, 28 had been deputed to hospitals in the backward pockets of Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kandhmal and Raygada districts, almost all facing Maoist trouble. 

The state government’s order was clear and unequivocal. 

“Since the whereabouts of these absentee medical officers were not known, they were informed through a notice published in newspapers and were asked to appear before the designated authority and acknowledge the charges made out against them in person. 

"But as there was no response, in tune with the provisions of the Odisha Civil Service Rules, 1962 they were dismissed from service,” the government’s order stated. 

State’s Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak justified the move, saying the obstinacy of these doctors had defeated the objective of providing health services to people in remote areas. 

“We are offering extra incentives to the doctors who work in the backward KBK ( Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) belt and such other areas. 

"But if they still don’t turn up for duty, the state government has to take disciplinary action,” he said. 

Currently, state government is paying Rs 8,000 extra allowance to doctors posted in the district headquarters hospitals (DHHs) in the KBK areas, Rs 5,000 extra to those posted in the sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs) in this belt and Rs 3,000 extra to doctors serving in the community health centres (CHCs) in the region. 

Meanwhile, to attract doctors to government jobs, the state government is planning a special package that would offer them double their present salary if they work in the remote and difficult areas.

Thanks to central Govt., especially ministry of highway, for sanctioning Abhanpur (Chhatisgarh) to Baldhiamal (Kalahandi) as NH 130C

Note: We had been demanding ( http://kalahandia.blogspot.com/2010/06/widening-sh5-chhattisgarh-and-sh52.html ) to make NH for the route Abhanpur in Chhatisgarh  to Baldhiamal in Kalahandi (Odisha) as it will help in reducing distance between Raipur and Gopalpur as well as Nagpur and Gopalpur. This will also a play an alternative route for Nagpur to Gopalpur via Rajanandgaon, Dhamtari, Themil, Debhog, Dharamgarh, thus, Gopalpur port can be even more competitive in comparison to Mumbai port, especially for accessing Southeast Asia from Nagpur region.

Thankfully recently central Govt. has approved this as NH130C. Thanks to all those who made it possible including central Govt., state Govt. of both Odisha and Chhatisgarh.

http://kalahandia.blogspot.com/2011/10/good-initiatived-by-odisha-chief.html

http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=29900


We also continue to demand that further steps should be taken to extend this route to Junagarh-Karlapat Kiapadar-Kalyansingpur-Jakaypur. 

Similarly, Khariar-Bhawanipatna-Muniguda-Paralakhemundi-Palasa should be considered by central Govt. for NH, as per earlier Odisha state Govt.'s recommendation.

Fifth Column: Truth at last

The Indian Express, Feb 1, 2015

Written by Tavleen Singh | Posted: February 1, 2015 12:00 am | Updated: February 1, 2015 10:45 am

Now and then comes a moment in the life of a columnist when an event vindicates writings that have too long been reviled for being partisan or motivated by personal interest. This moment came for me last week when Jayanthi Natarajan summoned up the courage to go public about decisions she was ordered to take as Minister of Environment by her former ‘high command’. This column has been writing against the malignant misuse of the Ministry of Environment ever since Jairam Ramesh was first given charge of it. And, never in 30 years of the Fifth Column’s existence in this newspaper has it come so close to being given the chop. This was because of the limitless powers Madonna and Child once had.

Since Jayanthi has admitted that she was forced to close Vedanta’s project in Orissa’s Niyamgiri hills on the orders of Rahul Gandhi, I want to repeat the story of what would have happened if the project had gone ahead. Anil Agarwal’s idea of building an aluminium refinery close to a source of excellent bauxite reserves could have reduced the international price of aluminium by half. Aluminium is hugely important for the environment because it replaces wood, and Orissa may have become the world’s most important centre for its production. This made international producers nervous so an ageing socialite was recruited to help stop the project after the refinery was built at a cost of more than Rs 11,000 crore. This lady, almost famous long ago for marrying a rock star, was taken to Rahul Gandhi by a Delhi socialite, once very famous for her devotion to the Dynasty.

Rahul was easily persuaded. So off he trotted to the Niyamgiri hills to tell a gathering of tribal boys and girls, wearing very modern hairclips and ribbons, that he would be their ‘sipahi’ in Delhi. He thought it was their land that was being taken away but his Environment Minister closed the project for alleged violations of forest laws. Later in this newspaper’s Idea Exchange, N C Saxena (who headed a committee set up to look into the Vedanta proposal) admitted that Vedanta had brought prosperity to this primitive region and he would not have closed the project if 500 more jobs had been created.

This is only one story. If the Modi government starts examining major projects that were closed on fraudulent environmental grounds, they could find an ugly trail that leads to shady international lobbyists with very clear vested interests. Suffice to say here that nearly every project that was blocked benefited the interests of China. And, there is more. I know from excellent sources that when the Gandhi family wanted environmental rules broken for the benefit of its friends, this happened too. A hint is all I can provide here: rules to protect tiger reserves were loosened to enable friends of the family to set up plush tiger-spotting camps.

Since Jayanthi’s press conference, Congress spokesmen have been in hysterical overdrive in their efforts to protect the Dynasty. They have sought out TV reporters to tell them that neither Sonia nor Rahul Gandhi ever interfered in matters of policy or government. This is so completely untrue that not many people will believe them, but it is the Prime Minister’s duty to find out the extent of this interference and to make it public. What happened was extra-constitutional and must never be allowed to happen again. Already there are far too many Hindutva activists wandering about the corridors of vital ministries.

Whether they succeed in influencing policies or not, they are already trespassing on territory that must be restricted to elected officials and government servants. Having said this, I must clarify that nothing like what happened over the past decade is happening today. But, if the Prime Minister sees the smallest signs of extra-constitutional creatures interfering in policy, he would do well to nip their activities firmly in the bud.

While on the subject of the Prime Minister, may I add that his recent fashion disaster may not have cost Rs 10 lakh as Rahul Gandhi alleged at an election rally in Delhi, but it needs to be hidden away for good. They say he wore the jacket with his name woven into its stripes only because a friend gave it to him. Well the thing to do in future with this kind of gift is to treat it as a housecoat.

To end on a serious note. Political analysts have lately taken to gloating on national television that Narendra Modi’s honeymoon period is over and that this is reflected in the tough fight to win Delhi. Let them remember as they gloat that no matter what the flaws of this government, it has replaced one that did incalculable harm to India. It has replaced an evil empire whose contours become increasingly visible. An evil empire wisely rejected by India’s voters.

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/fifth-column-truth-at-last/99/#sthash.39EWOPeF.dpuf

Demand for Agri Varsity in Kalahandi

The New Indian Express, Feb 2, 2015

BHAWANIPATNA: The demand for establishment of second Agriculture University of the State in Kalahandi district is gaining support from different sections of the society. An all-party citizen’s public meeting, held at Gandhi Chowk on Saturday, resolved to continue the struggle for the university under the leadership of Kalahandi Sikhya Vikas Parishad.

Speakers at the meeting appealed to the State Government to take necessary steps in this regard as soon as possible. They pointed out that Kalahandi is a leading district in the State in production of different crops with the Indravati project bringing a green revolution. As the Government Agriculture College of Bhawanipatna has been performing exceptionally well academically, Agriculture University will be highly beneficial, they added.

Among others, BJD MLA Dibya Shankar Mishra, former ministers Pradip Kumar Nayak, Rasabihari Behera and Bar Association president Bhavendra Panda spoke on the occasion.

Kalahandi demands Odisha's second agriculture university

Business Standard, Feb 1, 2015
Press Trust of India  |  Bhawanipatna  

February 1, 2015 Last Updated at 13:20 IST

The demand for establishment of Odisha's second Agriculture University in poverty stricken Kalahandi district is gradually getting support from all sections of the society. 

An all party citizen's public meeting held at Gandhi Chowk last night resolved to continue fight for the rights of the poor people. Kalahandi Sikhya Vikas Parishad will take lead of the movement. 

Speakers, unanimously demanded for establishment of Agriculture University in Kalahandi and urged the state government to take positive steps early in this regard. It was stressed that in the field of agriculture production in different crops Kalahandi is a leading district in the state and Indravati project has brought green revolution in the district. 

The Agriculture College here is academically doing excellent. Therefore, Kalahandi is the most suitable place for Agriculture University. 

Speakers also alleged that earlier on different occasions Kalahandi has been deprived of its legitimate right to have different institutions. Earlier the proposed Central University was set up elsewhere despite viability in Kalahandi, pointed out Gopabandhu Behera, the president of Kalahandi Sikhya Vikas Parishad.

Odisha cabinet approves land grant policy for Bhubaneswar

Note: I am glad that Odisha cabinet has approved one of the long standing demand for Upper Indravati Project (lift canal)

Bharat Press, Jan 31, 2015

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha cabinet Saturday permitted 12 proposals, together with the land grant policy 2015, for allotment of presidency land in Bhubaneswar to be able to guarantee complete improvement of the town.

The policy will facilitate creation of important infrastructure and facilities, promote the atmosphere of the town and stability the pursuits of various organisations and people in want of land within the metropolis, chief secretary G.C. Pati informed reporters right here.

The policy will look into the land required for housing by statutory authorities like Bhubaneswar Improvement Authority (BDA), Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB) and different our bodies. Land carved out into appropriate sizes within the capital metropolis for residential, business and institutional functions will probably be given by way of public sale, stated Pati.

The cabinet additionally agreed to have a Rs one hundred-crore corpus fund for pre-positioning of fertilisers within the state to offer it to farmers in the course of the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

“The main stumbling block in enhancing fertiliser consumption is the supply of fertilisers on the proper time and proper place. Odisha State Co-operative Advertising Federation (OSCMF) and Odisha Agro Industries Company (OAIC) might be concerned in procurement and provide of fertilisers to the farmers by way of the corpus fund,” stated Pati.

The corpus fund will probably be shared on a seventy five:25 foundation by OSCMF and OAIC respectively for pre-positioning of fertilisers inside the state.

The chief secretary additionally stated the cabinet gave its nod for making a corpus fund of Rs one hundred crore for pre-positioning high quality seed and planting supplies by the institutional businesses and supplying them to farmers on time.

State businesses Odisha State Seeds Company Ltd (OSSC), OAIC and Odisha State Cashew Improvement Company Ltd (OSCDC) will probably be concerned on this to make sure sufficient amount of seeds and planting materials for the farmers.

The cabinet additionally accepted the tender for two mega carry tasks cluster to be executed on Indravati reservoir within the state, stated Pati.

The tenders have been awarded to L&T ltd via a aggressive bidding course of. The primary raise irrigation undertaking costing Rs 757.eighty crore will probably be executed in PKoksara, Jayapatna and Dharmagada blocks of Kalahandi district. The second undertaking will value Rs 515 crore.  

Vedanta on BJD lips

The Telegraph (Kolkata), Jan 31, 2015

Subrat Das and Subhashish Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 30: The BJD today blamed the Congress for becoming a stumbling block in the state's industrialisation process during the previous UPA regime for "its own petty politics". The Congress, on the other hand, said former environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan's statement had exposed the nexus between the Narendra Modi government and the corporate sector. A senior BJD leader said: "Her statement proves beyond doubt that she succumbed to pressures and against her will she withdrew the environment clearance to Vedanta's alumina project. The exercise was done on political considerations and in the process Odisha suffered." Rahul Gandhi had visited the site at Niyamgiri and termed the decision of the ministry as "victory of the Dongria Kondhs". Assuring the local people, Rahul said: "I am your sipahi(soldier) in Delhi. My work is not finished, it's begun. Whenever you need me, I will be there for you." BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda said: "The plant would have played a catalytic role in removing the poverty of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts." He demanded apologies from AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi for derailing the process of industrialisation. Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan, however, described Natarajan's statement as a "political conspiracy hatched in the wake of Delhi Assembly polls.Her statement, he said, has vindicated the fact that the Rahul and the Congress party stood for the weaker sections of society, especially the poor tribal people. Former Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das, who had led the anti-Vedanta movement, said: "Rahul had supported the struggle for safeguarding tribal and forest rights as well as environment protection." State BJP spokesperson Suresh Pujari, however, described the development as an internal matter of the Congress party."When an extra constitutional authority tries to take over the government, such crisis arises. It was happening during the UPA regime all the time," he said.