Good news for Orissa cricket lovers. After a gap of nearly five years, yet another Orissa cricketer has found a berth in Indian cricket team when Pragyan Ojha was picked up by the national selectors for the upcoming Triangular series in Bangladesh as well as the subsequent Asia Cup to be played in Pakistan.
The 22-year-old left arm off spinner who plays for the Hyderabad and represented the Deccan Chargers in the ongoing IPL, is actually the fourth Oriya to be selected for the national team.Sanjay Roul, Debashis Mohanty and S S Das of the state have earlier done duty for the Team India.Born in Khurda district in 1986, Ojha started his cricketing career from Sahid Sporting club in Bhubaneswar along with Mohanty. He played in the Under-15 inter-state cricket tournament organized by the Orissa Cricket Association. He went to Hyderabad in the year 2000 for his studies and from since then is a regular player of the Hyderabad Ranji team.
Under-19
Ojha had also represented India U-19 and played against Zimbabwe and Kenya. His inclusion in the India team is to fill in the off-spinner’s slot in the absence of banned Harbhajan Singh.Cricket lovers in the State have welcomed the inclusion of Ojha in the India team. “Although, he plays for Hyderabad but we are definitely happy that an Oriya has booked a berth in India team.
We congratulate him and wish him good luck”, said the OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera. OCA president Ranjib Biswal, a member of the national selection committee too is elated over the news. “It’s definitely a good news for every Oriya cricket lover”, Biswal said.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Greenpeace 'twisting facts' on Dhamra port !
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar:
A major port at Dhamra in Orissa's Bhadrak district was initiated in 1996, though the earlier old Dhamra port was operating till 1947. The current port limits of the Dhamra port were defined way back in 1931. Greenpeace, India is deliberately trying to spread a maligned misinformation campaign against the upcoming modern Dhamra port with ulterior motives, which can be seen from its several motives, according to the port management sources.
Although the work of the major port at Dhamra was initiated in 1996, Greenpeace never raised its objections till 2001. It also did not file its objections during the environment clearance nor did it move the National Appellate Authority.
As per the various studies of the Central and Orissa Governments, the State has three nesting and mating places along its coast, Gahirmatha, mouth of river Devi and mouth of river Rusikulya. As per studies of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 1994, the Orissa coast, which is north of Dhamra river, is shallow and muddy in nature and unfit for turtle mating and nesting. Why is Greenpeace then trying to prove that Dhamra port is going to harm the Olive Ridley turtles in spite of the Government of India's report, which is as old as 14 years, much before Dhamra major port was conceived, ask knowledgeable quarters.
As per WWF, an UN-based organisation, banning of movement of ships and trawlers needs to done during the turtle breeding and mating period of 45 days on a 20-km radius of turtle breeding grounds. The facts of the ports in Orissa with regard to the turtle breeding grounds are as follows: The Paradip port is located about 30 km (sea coast distance) from the Gahirmatha breeding ground. But it may be noted that the turtles travel from south to north, so they pass through the activity area of the Paradip Port to reach Gahirmatha. There are no visible obstacles between the Gahirmatha breeding ground and Paradip Port. Further, the Debi river mouth's turtle breeding place is also located 30 km south of Paradip.
The upcoming Dhamra port is also located 30 km from Gahirmatha. But there are three major obstacles between the two locations. They are Mahipura river, Kanika Sands and Dhamra river in order of south to north. The Dhamra port site is north of Dhamra river. Further, the DRDO is also located between the two locations. Due to these obstacles the turtles do not cross the Mahipura river as per the observation during the last 20 years. There is no mating and breeding area of turtles north to Dhamra. It is absolutely clear that the location of Dhamra port is the safest location vis-à-vis turtle travelling, mating and nesting ground. Greenpeace is twisting the facts against the Dhamra port, rued the sources.
A major port at Dhamra in Orissa's Bhadrak district was initiated in 1996, though the earlier old Dhamra port was operating till 1947. The current port limits of the Dhamra port were defined way back in 1931. Greenpeace, India is deliberately trying to spread a maligned misinformation campaign against the upcoming modern Dhamra port with ulterior motives, which can be seen from its several motives, according to the port management sources.
Although the work of the major port at Dhamra was initiated in 1996, Greenpeace never raised its objections till 2001. It also did not file its objections during the environment clearance nor did it move the National Appellate Authority.
As per the various studies of the Central and Orissa Governments, the State has three nesting and mating places along its coast, Gahirmatha, mouth of river Devi and mouth of river Rusikulya. As per studies of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 1994, the Orissa coast, which is north of Dhamra river, is shallow and muddy in nature and unfit for turtle mating and nesting. Why is Greenpeace then trying to prove that Dhamra port is going to harm the Olive Ridley turtles in spite of the Government of India's report, which is as old as 14 years, much before Dhamra major port was conceived, ask knowledgeable quarters.
As per WWF, an UN-based organisation, banning of movement of ships and trawlers needs to done during the turtle breeding and mating period of 45 days on a 20-km radius of turtle breeding grounds. The facts of the ports in Orissa with regard to the turtle breeding grounds are as follows: The Paradip port is located about 30 km (sea coast distance) from the Gahirmatha breeding ground. But it may be noted that the turtles travel from south to north, so they pass through the activity area of the Paradip Port to reach Gahirmatha. There are no visible obstacles between the Gahirmatha breeding ground and Paradip Port. Further, the Debi river mouth's turtle breeding place is also located 30 km south of Paradip.
The upcoming Dhamra port is also located 30 km from Gahirmatha. But there are three major obstacles between the two locations. They are Mahipura river, Kanika Sands and Dhamra river in order of south to north. The Dhamra port site is north of Dhamra river. Further, the DRDO is also located between the two locations. Due to these obstacles the turtles do not cross the Mahipura river as per the observation during the last 20 years. There is no mating and breeding area of turtles north to Dhamra. It is absolutely clear that the location of Dhamra port is the safest location vis-à-vis turtle travelling, mating and nesting ground. Greenpeace is twisting the facts against the Dhamra port, rued the sources.
Centre to provide funds to increase Cereal and Edible Oil production in Orissa.
The Centre has reportedly agreed to provide huge funds for the development of agriculture in the State in the current financial year.The funds would be utilised for enhancing the production of cereals and edible oil seeds. This was stated by the Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture PK Mishra after he called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat on Friday.Briefing the media about the assurance made by Mishra, Secretary, Agriculture UP Singh said the Centre has put stress on enhancing the production of oil seeds and pulses in the State.
Though the country has been self-reliant in the production of paddy, it has not yet been able to be self-sufficient in the production of cereals and edible oil. The country aims to produce 227 million tonne of paddy in the current year. "Similarly, the paddy production in Orissa has increased over the years," he said, adding that the country imports 40 per cent of its required cereals and two million tonne of edible oil.
Under the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the Centre would provide Rs 115 crore and Rs 61 crore under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme.He further said the Centre has given a proposal to introduce Weather based Crop insurance programme. Under the National Horticulture Programme, the Centre has also reportedly agreed to give Rs 95 crore, Singh said.
Though the country has been self-reliant in the production of paddy, it has not yet been able to be self-sufficient in the production of cereals and edible oil. The country aims to produce 227 million tonne of paddy in the current year. "Similarly, the paddy production in Orissa has increased over the years," he said, adding that the country imports 40 per cent of its required cereals and two million tonne of edible oil.
Under the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the Centre would provide Rs 115 crore and Rs 61 crore under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme.He further said the Centre has given a proposal to introduce Weather based Crop insurance programme. Under the National Horticulture Programme, the Centre has also reportedly agreed to give Rs 95 crore, Singh said.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Orissa To Upgrade Technology To Check Cyber Crimes.
To check the growing cyber crimes in the state, Orissa police has decided to upgrade facilities, including procurement of state-of-the-art cyber technology to meet the situation.
Advanced cyber forensic software and hardware were being procured to upgrade the facilities in police stations and regular training programs organised to educate the investigating officers, Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said.Addressing a workshop on cyber crime, Nanda said a cyber police station was opened in the state in 2006 to deal with such crimes. The police station, despite certain limitations, had successfully investigated some cases including an e-mail threat addressed to state government, he said.Nanda hoped the workshop would benefit the state police in understanding the nuances of the cyber crime, its investigation and the legal framework to deal with it.
At least 30 officers, including police and computer professions participated in the workshop and exchanged ideas on various aspects of the crime including cyber terrorism.Other crimes against individuals such as cyber pornography, cyber stalking and cyber defamation were also discussed. The participants expressed concern over crime against property like online gambling, intellectual property infringement, phishing and credit card frauds.
Advanced cyber forensic software and hardware were being procured to upgrade the facilities in police stations and regular training programs organised to educate the investigating officers, Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said.Addressing a workshop on cyber crime, Nanda said a cyber police station was opened in the state in 2006 to deal with such crimes. The police station, despite certain limitations, had successfully investigated some cases including an e-mail threat addressed to state government, he said.Nanda hoped the workshop would benefit the state police in understanding the nuances of the cyber crime, its investigation and the legal framework to deal with it.
At least 30 officers, including police and computer professions participated in the workshop and exchanged ideas on various aspects of the crime including cyber terrorism.Other crimes against individuals such as cyber pornography, cyber stalking and cyber defamation were also discussed. The participants expressed concern over crime against property like online gambling, intellectual property infringement, phishing and credit card frauds.
Infosys to invest Rs 500 cr in State.
Computer software major Infosys will invest Rs 500 crore in the Information Technology Enabled Service (ITES) in the State. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Director HR, Infosys TV Mohan Das Pai along with his team attended the meeting.More than 5,000 employment opportunities would be created in the IT sector. Infosy has also decided to give employment to 700 engineers at its Development Centre in Bhubaneswar this year. Software exports would reach Rs 5,000 crore by the end of 2011-12, the Government spokesperson claimed.
The team under the leadership of Pai assured the State Government that it would invest in the health sector, creating job employment opportunities in the rural areas. It has also extended help to popularise the mid-day meal scheme.Pai said the Infosys would provide help in developing the health structure. It has planned to open a multi specialty hospital in Bhubaneswar. Another heart-care hospital in the lines of Narayan Hrudalaya of Bangalore would be opened."However, we need SEZ status to develop our computer centre. We require 50 acres of land for this purpose," he said, adding that it would extend the mid-day meal scheme provided under the "Akshya Patra" to areas like Kandhamal and Gajapati. Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijay Kumar Patnaik and other senior officials were present at the meeting
The team under the leadership of Pai assured the State Government that it would invest in the health sector, creating job employment opportunities in the rural areas. It has also extended help to popularise the mid-day meal scheme.Pai said the Infosys would provide help in developing the health structure. It has planned to open a multi specialty hospital in Bhubaneswar. Another heart-care hospital in the lines of Narayan Hrudalaya of Bangalore would be opened."However, we need SEZ status to develop our computer centre. We require 50 acres of land for this purpose," he said, adding that it would extend the mid-day meal scheme provided under the "Akshya Patra" to areas like Kandhamal and Gajapati. Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijay Kumar Patnaik and other senior officials were present at the meeting
Achyuta Samanta is now the member of both UGC and AICTE.
Founder of KIIT Group of Institutions and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences A. Samanta, has been nominated member of the Executive Committee of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). He will hold the office for three years.He is already a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), appointed to the office in February this year, making him the first ever Oriya member in UGC. His nomination to the AICTE Executive Committee will give a momentum to the qualitative and quantitative growth of technical and professional education system in the State in particular and in the country in general.
100 Gramin Bazars (Rural Market Yards) to be set up in the State.
The State Government has decided to set up 100 Gramin Bazars (Rural Market Yards) in the State. In the first phase, 10 rural market yards would be set up. All facilities would be provided in the market yard. Paddy would be purchased and sold at the market yard.
The market yards would bet set up in RMC. One market yard would be set in Angul RMC, two in Atabira RMC, two in Sambalpur, two in Baragarh, one in Baharakhela, one in Kendupatna and one in Digapanhadi. The State Government has so far provided computers to 61 market yard centres. Government would provide Rs 15 lakh from the National Horticulture Mission Programme for the development of the market yards.
The market yards would bet set up in RMC. One market yard would be set in Angul RMC, two in Atabira RMC, two in Sambalpur, two in Baragarh, one in Baharakhela, one in Kendupatna and one in Digapanhadi. The State Government has so far provided computers to 61 market yard centres. Government would provide Rs 15 lakh from the National Horticulture Mission Programme for the development of the market yards.
All families in the State to get Electricity by 2015, Insulated cables to check power theft .,
BERHAMPUR: Insulated cables would be used for all new connections to provide electricity to families under rural electrification programs to put check on power theft, said State Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro.
He attended a high-level meeting in the city on Thursday to review the progress of rural electrification programme in south Orissa under Biju Gramin Jyoti Yojana (BGJY) of the State Government and the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) of the center. Collectors of 10 districts of south Orissa, State Energy Secretary Suresh Mohapatra and Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, Satyabrata Sahu attended this meeting.
The stumbling blocks in the path of rural electrification under these two programmes were major points of discussion at this meeting. Discussions were also held on non-availability of Prestressed Cement Concrete (PCC) poles which had been responsible for slow progress of RGGVY. Under the RGGVY, the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has released 239.79 crores to NTPC, NHPC and PGCIL for the first phase rural electrification projects in Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Balasore, Jajpur and Puri.
Speaking to newsmen after the review meeting Mr Patro said during the current financial year around 4000 habitations and villages would be electrified. The BGJY was being taken up at habitats with a population of less than 100. At present work of the BGJY was on in 3,036 habitats of 238 blocks of the State. The BGJY was initiated by the State Government last year. Under this project Rs. 50 lakhs has been placed for utilisation for rural electrification work for every block.
The State Government has submitted project report for implementation of the RGGVY in all the 30 districts of the State to the REC. The total outlay for the State for implementation of the RGGGVY would be around Rs. 3,582.19 crores. In total the RGGVY would electrify 17,895 unelectrified or de-electrified villages and 31,85,863 BPL households.Mr Patro said maintenance of this rural electrification programme would be taken up through community participation. Village groups would be responsible for checking power theft and collection of power dues, from which they would also get some commission. It was envisioned that all families in the State would get electricity by 2015
He attended a high-level meeting in the city on Thursday to review the progress of rural electrification programme in south Orissa under Biju Gramin Jyoti Yojana (BGJY) of the State Government and the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) of the center. Collectors of 10 districts of south Orissa, State Energy Secretary Suresh Mohapatra and Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, Satyabrata Sahu attended this meeting.
The stumbling blocks in the path of rural electrification under these two programmes were major points of discussion at this meeting. Discussions were also held on non-availability of Prestressed Cement Concrete (PCC) poles which had been responsible for slow progress of RGGVY. Under the RGGVY, the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has released 239.79 crores to NTPC, NHPC and PGCIL for the first phase rural electrification projects in Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Balasore, Jajpur and Puri.
Speaking to newsmen after the review meeting Mr Patro said during the current financial year around 4000 habitations and villages would be electrified. The BGJY was being taken up at habitats with a population of less than 100. At present work of the BGJY was on in 3,036 habitats of 238 blocks of the State. The BGJY was initiated by the State Government last year. Under this project Rs. 50 lakhs has been placed for utilisation for rural electrification work for every block.
The State Government has submitted project report for implementation of the RGGVY in all the 30 districts of the State to the REC. The total outlay for the State for implementation of the RGGGVY would be around Rs. 3,582.19 crores. In total the RGGVY would electrify 17,895 unelectrified or de-electrified villages and 31,85,863 BPL households.Mr Patro said maintenance of this rural electrification programme would be taken up through community participation. Village groups would be responsible for checking power theft and collection of power dues, from which they would also get some commission. It was envisioned that all families in the State would get electricity by 2015
'Yashoda' scheme launched, to be implemented in 9 districts.
To take care of the newborn children and safeguard their health, the State Government will implement the Yashoda scheme in nine districts. Under the scheme, the pregnant women coming to the hospitals for delivery would be advised not to leave the hospital immediately and advice would be given to take care of the newborn child for at least 48 hours. As a result this would help in decreasing the child mortality rate, said Health Minister Sanatan Bisi.Bisi said the mother and child would be provided with advanced healthcare facilities and women would be persuaded for more and more institutional delivery to curb the Infant Mortality Rate and Mother Mortality Rate in the State.
The MMR is 401 in 1 lakh mothers and IMR which is 58 in 1,000 live births at the national level,in Orissa it is 358 and 73 respectively.This would be curbed further and efforts are by the Health Department to reduce MMR to 250 and IMR 50 respectively by 2010.An agreement was signed with Norway India Partnership Initiative on December 13,2007 according to which NIPI is extending cooperation. 'Yashodas' would be appointed in hospitals to advise and take care of the news born children.
The scheme has been already started in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Angul district.While 12 Yashodas were appointed in each of the district headquarter hospitals of Sambalpur and Angul, nine were absorbed in Jharsuguda district hospital. Other districts, which will be covered are Balasore, Keonjhar, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkanagiri and Kalahandi.In the hospitals or PHCs were more than 50 children are being born or delivered Yahodas would be appointed to give round the clock services, said the Minister.
The MMR is 401 in 1 lakh mothers and IMR which is 58 in 1,000 live births at the national level,in Orissa it is 358 and 73 respectively.This would be curbed further and efforts are by the Health Department to reduce MMR to 250 and IMR 50 respectively by 2010.An agreement was signed with Norway India Partnership Initiative on December 13,2007 according to which NIPI is extending cooperation. 'Yashodas' would be appointed in hospitals to advise and take care of the news born children.
The scheme has been already started in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Angul district.While 12 Yashodas were appointed in each of the district headquarter hospitals of Sambalpur and Angul, nine were absorbed in Jharsuguda district hospital. Other districts, which will be covered are Balasore, Keonjhar, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkanagiri and Kalahandi.In the hospitals or PHCs were more than 50 children are being born or delivered Yahodas would be appointed to give round the clock services, said the Minister.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Raheja Corporation (Mindspace) to set up IT park in Bhubaneswar.
The State Government on Tuesday inked an MoU with K Raheja Corporation for setting up a dedicated infrastructure facility for the Information Technology/ Information Technology Enabled Service (IT/ITES) sectors under the brand name of Mindspace.
It is expected to be completed in three years and an estimated Rs 250 crore will be invested in the first phase. The Mindspace IT Park will facilitate the city to turn into a preferred destination for IT, ITES and financial sectors.On behalf of the State Government, Secretary, IT PK Mohapatra and Ravi C Raheja from Raheja Crop signed the MoU in the presence of IT Minister Surjya Narayan Patro and Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy.
The proposed IT Park will be implemented through a joint venture company to be formed by IDCO and K Raheja Corp. The IT Park will be designed as a green building thereby promoting environment-friendly and energy conserving infrastructure development practices.Three possible locations at Infocity-I, Infocity-II and Mancheswar Industrial Estate have been identified. It would be built over 30 acres of land. The park is expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 12,000 people in the next 3-4 years.
Speaking on the occasion, IT Minister Surjya Naryan Patro said the park would be developed on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. "The State Government will earn revenue to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore from software export by 2012," he said, adding that about 3-4 lakh jobs were likely to be created in the IT and ITES sector. Raheja said the Bhubaneswar IT Park would generate vast employment opportunities for the people.Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), the nodal agency for IT sector promotion and facilitation, will provide single-window support to the IT Park for project implementation.Secretary IT, PK Mohapatra said the proposed IT park would provide the much needed quality IT infrastructure in the State. Chief Secretary AK Tripathy and Vishal Dev, Director, IT Department, were present on the occasion.
It is expected to be completed in three years and an estimated Rs 250 crore will be invested in the first phase. The Mindspace IT Park will facilitate the city to turn into a preferred destination for IT, ITES and financial sectors.On behalf of the State Government, Secretary, IT PK Mohapatra and Ravi C Raheja from Raheja Crop signed the MoU in the presence of IT Minister Surjya Narayan Patro and Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy.
The proposed IT Park will be implemented through a joint venture company to be formed by IDCO and K Raheja Corp. The IT Park will be designed as a green building thereby promoting environment-friendly and energy conserving infrastructure development practices.Three possible locations at Infocity-I, Infocity-II and Mancheswar Industrial Estate have been identified. It would be built over 30 acres of land. The park is expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 12,000 people in the next 3-4 years.
Speaking on the occasion, IT Minister Surjya Naryan Patro said the park would be developed on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. "The State Government will earn revenue to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore from software export by 2012," he said, adding that about 3-4 lakh jobs were likely to be created in the IT and ITES sector. Raheja said the Bhubaneswar IT Park would generate vast employment opportunities for the people.Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), the nodal agency for IT sector promotion and facilitation, will provide single-window support to the IT Park for project implementation.Secretary IT, PK Mohapatra said the proposed IT park would provide the much needed quality IT infrastructure in the State. Chief Secretary AK Tripathy and Vishal Dev, Director, IT Department, were present on the occasion.
OAS mains exam begins, 3,485 candidates appear.
As many as 3,485 students, who qualified the Orissa Administrative Service preliminary examination, appeared at the mains examination which began on Tuesday in five different zones, including13 centres, in the State. The examination will continue until the next hearing of the High Court on June 17.The examination may be held once again, if the court will declare it null and void, said a student. However, the aspirants cannot claim for the results. This has been notified in the notice boards of every examination centre by the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC) authorities.
As the case is under res sub-judice before the High Court, no one can demand their result, the Commission mentioned in the notice boards. However, wheher the same thing can be obtained under the prevalent RTI Act, is a matter of question, questioned an aspirant Amit Barik.Notably, the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) had deferred the examinations by three months. But challenging the order of SAT, the Commission had filed a petition before High Court pledging the pre-preparation of the examination to have been completed and abiding by the permission of the High Court, the Commission conducted the examination yet with uncertainty of the announcement of its results.
As the case is under res sub-judice before the High Court, no one can demand their result, the Commission mentioned in the notice boards. However, wheher the same thing can be obtained under the prevalent RTI Act, is a matter of question, questioned an aspirant Amit Barik.Notably, the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) had deferred the examinations by three months. But challenging the order of SAT, the Commission had filed a petition before High Court pledging the pre-preparation of the examination to have been completed and abiding by the permission of the High Court, the Commission conducted the examination yet with uncertainty of the announcement of its results.
Two new auditoriums to be set up .
The State Government has decided to open two big auditoriums in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur, each with a sitting capacity for 1,000.The auditoriums would be set up on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode. Four galleries would be set up for this purpose. Photo-galleries would also be set up.At an investment of Rs 17 lakh, a regional archives centre would be at set up at Sambalpur.A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Culture Minister Surjya Naryan Patro. He also took a review meeting of various building projects.
NABARD ropes in NGOs for SHG-Bank-linkage programme.
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to promote Self Help Group-Bank linkage, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has roped in non-government organisations by making them partner.About 150 NGOs so far had been associated with NABARD in promotion of SHG-Bank Linkage programme in Orissa, which scaled to new heights, Chief General Manager of bank C. R Patnaik said here on Tuesday.He said 2,75,587 SHGs were credit-linked with different financial institutions as on March 31 involving cumulative credit outflow of Rs.1329.31 cr. “Managing and leading an NGO is a multi-disciplinary and complicated task for the leader. NGOs working in the micro-finance sector are facing greater challenges as it involves considerable resources and management skill to ensure empowerment of the community,” Mr. Patnaik said.
World-class tech to be adopted for Orissa project:Arcelor Mittal CEO.
The world's best possible technology would be adopted at the Patna green field project in Keonjhar district and Jharkhand project, Chief Executive Officer of Arcelor Mittal (India) Vijay Bhatnagar said at a one-day workshop here on Monday.
CEO Bhatnagar said 20 high level technocrats from Europe, Brazil and Spain are engaged for these two projects for formulating a corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan. CEO of the Orissa project Sanak Mishra informed that Acelor Mittal would spend Rs 1,200 crore for the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people of 14 villages to be affected by the project at Patna in accordance with R&R Policy, 2006 of the State Government.
Mishra also informed that there is a plan to set up an ITI at Rajanagar for which the required 10 acre of Government land has been identified along with initial upgradation of medical facilities in Swampatna, Kendeiposi, Turmunga and Rajanagar in Patna and Keonjhar Hospital to develop the health and education infrastructure.
District Collector Bipin Behari Mohapatra urged the residents of the mineral rich district to come forward and join hands for this mega steel project. District Superinten-dent of Police Soumendra Priydarshi welcoming the initiative of CSR expressed this will usher in an new era for the whole district including stakeholders of Patna.
CEO Bhatnagar said 20 high level technocrats from Europe, Brazil and Spain are engaged for these two projects for formulating a corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan. CEO of the Orissa project Sanak Mishra informed that Acelor Mittal would spend Rs 1,200 crore for the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people of 14 villages to be affected by the project at Patna in accordance with R&R Policy, 2006 of the State Government.
Mishra also informed that there is a plan to set up an ITI at Rajanagar for which the required 10 acre of Government land has been identified along with initial upgradation of medical facilities in Swampatna, Kendeiposi, Turmunga and Rajanagar in Patna and Keonjhar Hospital to develop the health and education infrastructure.
District Collector Bipin Behari Mohapatra urged the residents of the mineral rich district to come forward and join hands for this mega steel project. District Superinten-dent of Police Soumendra Priydarshi welcoming the initiative of CSR expressed this will usher in an new era for the whole district including stakeholders of Patna.
3 lakh fishermen to be insured against accidents in Orissa.
The State Government has decided to insure 3 lakh fishermen against any accidents by the end of the current financial year, said Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Golak Bihari Nayak.In a phase manner in the next three years, 10lakh fishermen would be insured against any sorts of accidents. It would cover fishermen in the age group of 18 to 70. In case of any accident, the kith and kin of the deceased would receive Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia. Those who suffer injuries would only receive Rs 25,000 per annum. Both the State Government and the Centre would equally share the expenditure incurred towards the insurance.The State Government has also decided to set up a training centre in Bhubaneswar. The training Centre would offer special packaging system to export dry fishes.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
BDA unveils plan for south city expansion .
Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the mushrooming of a host of IT and ITES companies, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has come up with a perspective plan for south city of Bhubaneswar to the tune of Rs. 80,000 crore in the next 15 years for the new area.
The Authority has included 40 villages along two sides of National Highway-5 from Khandagiri to Khurda that would be the south extension of the capital city.
According to the draft interim plan of South City, Bhubaneswar, the new development area would accommodate 10 lakh to 12 lakh people and can create about 2 lakh to 3 lakh jobs (IT & ITES as well as ancillary sectors).
Most of the top companies, including Infosys, TCS, WIPRO, MindTree and Genpact, have promised substantial investments in the temple city while the state government already declared to locate its second Infocity within the South City.
The BDA has solicited public opinion on the interim development plan before its final notification.
The investments in infrastructure required would be to the tune of Rs 4,000 crores over 15 years and will have an investment potential of about Rs 80,000 crores, the plan said. The plan was prepared by BDA in association with Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, IL&FS and Alchemy Urban Systems Private Limited.
The planning regulatory body also proposed to develop 18 high-end residential projects in the corridor.
Besides, a sports complex over 70 acres land at Khudupur and a number of institutional and commercial zones are planned in the upcoming city which will be spread across 6,740.17 hectares.
About 44.05 per cent of the area has been earmarked for residential purposes.
The Authority has included 40 villages along two sides of National Highway-5 from Khandagiri to Khurda that would be the south extension of the capital city.
According to the draft interim plan of South City, Bhubaneswar, the new development area would accommodate 10 lakh to 12 lakh people and can create about 2 lakh to 3 lakh jobs (IT & ITES as well as ancillary sectors).
Most of the top companies, including Infosys, TCS, WIPRO, MindTree and Genpact, have promised substantial investments in the temple city while the state government already declared to locate its second Infocity within the South City.
The BDA has solicited public opinion on the interim development plan before its final notification.
The investments in infrastructure required would be to the tune of Rs 4,000 crores over 15 years and will have an investment potential of about Rs 80,000 crores, the plan said. The plan was prepared by BDA in association with Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, IL&FS and Alchemy Urban Systems Private Limited.
The planning regulatory body also proposed to develop 18 high-end residential projects in the corridor.
Besides, a sports complex over 70 acres land at Khudupur and a number of institutional and commercial zones are planned in the upcoming city which will be spread across 6,740.17 hectares.
About 44.05 per cent of the area has been earmarked for residential purposes.
Agni IV ready to take off.
Indian Express,BALASORE:
If everything goes according to defence scientists’ plans, nuke-capable and most powerful longest range missile Agni-IV will in India’s arsenal soon.This has been envisaged as after the successful test-firing of 3000-km range ballistic missile Agni-III earlier this month, defence scientists have already started planning for the maiden test of Agni-IV.“This 5,000-km range missile has already been developed. The missile will be tested from the Wheeler Island only after scientists get the government nod, which could be anytime this year,” a source at the Chandipur defence base told this website's newspaper on Sunday.“But before that, India will also carry out further tests of its special naval missile, an acronym used by DRDO scientists for a submarine launched ballistic missile and the second test of interceptor missile, for which preparations are on here,” the source added.
The scientists working in the DRDO are a delighted lot because they are planning for the first test-flight of the country’s longest range missile at the time, perfectly 19 years after the first test of the Agni missile.India’s most sophisticated and indigenously developed Agni was first tested on May 22, 1989 from the Integrated (then Interim) Test Range (ITR) here.The Agni-IV missile, which will surpass all the previous three versions of the missile, will be surface-based, solid and liquid-propellant ballistic missile and equipped with inertial guidance systems with an improved optical or radar terminal phase co-relation system.The missile also possesses a submarine launch capability. It would be virtually indestructible and unstoppable in times of war.Defence experts said launching of the 5,000-km range missile would entail strapping third stage booster rocket on Agni-IV missiles powered by solid fuel propellant.Its success will propel the country into the select group of nations which have long range ballistic missiles.
If everything goes according to defence scientists’ plans, nuke-capable and most powerful longest range missile Agni-IV will in India’s arsenal soon.This has been envisaged as after the successful test-firing of 3000-km range ballistic missile Agni-III earlier this month, defence scientists have already started planning for the maiden test of Agni-IV.“This 5,000-km range missile has already been developed. The missile will be tested from the Wheeler Island only after scientists get the government nod, which could be anytime this year,” a source at the Chandipur defence base told this website's newspaper on Sunday.“But before that, India will also carry out further tests of its special naval missile, an acronym used by DRDO scientists for a submarine launched ballistic missile and the second test of interceptor missile, for which preparations are on here,” the source added.
The scientists working in the DRDO are a delighted lot because they are planning for the first test-flight of the country’s longest range missile at the time, perfectly 19 years after the first test of the Agni missile.India’s most sophisticated and indigenously developed Agni was first tested on May 22, 1989 from the Integrated (then Interim) Test Range (ITR) here.The Agni-IV missile, which will surpass all the previous three versions of the missile, will be surface-based, solid and liquid-propellant ballistic missile and equipped with inertial guidance systems with an improved optical or radar terminal phase co-relation system.The missile also possesses a submarine launch capability. It would be virtually indestructible and unstoppable in times of war.Defence experts said launching of the 5,000-km range missile would entail strapping third stage booster rocket on Agni-IV missiles powered by solid fuel propellant.Its success will propel the country into the select group of nations which have long range ballistic missiles.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Over 80,000 students appear for Orissa JEE .
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admissions into various engineering and medical colleges of the state ended peacefully on Sunday in all the 158 centres spread across in 35 cities of the country, including seven cities outside the State. Barring few hiccups for the lateral entry students, around 80,000 students appeared the tests for different courses.According to Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) sources, 128 examination centers were setup in 28 cities of the State including the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
While the maximum 33 centers were in the State capital Bhubaneswar, 16 centers were in Cuttack city. Similarly, 30 centers were set up in cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Kharagpur and Vishakhapatnam to facilitate the Oriya students settled in these places.
Sources said the entrance examinations were held to select students for admissions into four government and 41 private engineering colleges of the State.The entrance tests were also held to pick up students for admissions into MBBS and BDS courses in all the three government and five private medical colleges of the State.Students would also be selected for admissions into MBA, MCA, and B Pharma courses of different government institutions from these tests also.While the tests went off peacefully in all the centers, the diploma students who are seeking admissions to B.E. and B. Tech course as lateral entry candidates were found in a quandary, as there were no separate questions for these candidates.These students were asked to attempt the same set of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics questions as were meant for other students.
Results on June 14
Sources pointed out that the JEE-2008 results would be published on June 14 and counselling of the students would begin from July 11.
While the maximum 33 centers were in the State capital Bhubaneswar, 16 centers were in Cuttack city. Similarly, 30 centers were set up in cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Kharagpur and Vishakhapatnam to facilitate the Oriya students settled in these places.
Sources said the entrance examinations were held to select students for admissions into four government and 41 private engineering colleges of the State.The entrance tests were also held to pick up students for admissions into MBBS and BDS courses in all the three government and five private medical colleges of the State.Students would also be selected for admissions into MBA, MCA, and B Pharma courses of different government institutions from these tests also.While the tests went off peacefully in all the centers, the diploma students who are seeking admissions to B.E. and B. Tech course as lateral entry candidates were found in a quandary, as there were no separate questions for these candidates.These students were asked to attempt the same set of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics questions as were meant for other students.
Results on June 14
Sources pointed out that the JEE-2008 results would be published on June 14 and counselling of the students would begin from July 11.
Pipe water to all panchayats of Orissa in 3 yrs: Minister
The State Government has decided to supply pipe water to all the panchayats of the State. All the tube-wells would be replaced by the pipe drinking water within next three months. A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Rural Development Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan.He further said that the construction of 2,000 new water project pipe schemes would be completed by December. So far 142 projects have been completed, he said, adding that all the district collectors have been asked to take steps in this connection.
He further said that steps are being taken to provide drinking water to school also. 45,188 rural schools have been provided with drinking water against target of 45,927.The cost is shared by the State and the Centre on 50:50 basis under ARWSP. The yardstick is to provide one tube wells/standposts for 250 populations in general habitations and 150 populations in KBK areas.He further said that steps are being taken to provide good toilet and running water supply to 1,003 tribal girls' hostels in the State.
He further said that steps are being taken to provide drinking water to school also. 45,188 rural schools have been provided with drinking water against target of 45,927.The cost is shared by the State and the Centre on 50:50 basis under ARWSP. The yardstick is to provide one tube wells/standposts for 250 populations in general habitations and 150 populations in KBK areas.He further said that steps are being taken to provide good toilet and running water supply to 1,003 tribal girls' hostels in the State.
Orissa to embark on massive plantation drive.
To take the 'plant a sapling each' campaign to the masses, the Orissa Government has chosen a day for massive plantation across the State on the line of the drive undertaken in the States like Uttar Pradesh.On a single day, tentatively fixed as July 15, the Government has decided to plant at least 20 lakh saplings in 250 locations having about 1,250 hectares of land, a senior forest official said. Like the Uttar Pradesh Government had planted about one crore saplings on a single day last year, the Orissa Government will also lead the drive on a mammoth scale, according to Forest Department sources.
The massive plantation will involve all sections of the people to build awareness as well as to ensure transparency in forestation programme," the sources said.During the year, the Government decided to plant 4.50 crore saplings on about one lakh hectares of land.Factors like the onset of monsoon prompted the authorities to settle for July as the time would be conducive for plantation. The Forest Department has sent a letter to the implementing agency of NREGS to include plantation work under its labour intensive work, according to the officials.The drive would help to raise the forest area by growing forest on barren lands.
The massive plantation will involve all sections of the people to build awareness as well as to ensure transparency in forestation programme," the sources said.During the year, the Government decided to plant 4.50 crore saplings on about one lakh hectares of land.Factors like the onset of monsoon prompted the authorities to settle for July as the time would be conducive for plantation. The Forest Department has sent a letter to the implementing agency of NREGS to include plantation work under its labour intensive work, according to the officials.The drive would help to raise the forest area by growing forest on barren lands.
Campaign launched to stop child hunger in State.
The Campaign against Child Hunger (CACH), a network of NGOs and Civil Society members on Sunday, organised a workshop and pledged to fight child hunger and malnutrition.Notably, the situation in Orissa is drastic. Death of children in Jarigaon block of Nabarangpur district in 2004, the recent death of children in Koraput due to cholera, 18 children died in Similipal forest range in2007, highest infant mortality of 97 out of 1,000 live births, plight in malnourishment and chronic hunger in KBK districts are some of the burning examples of the issue.
This is not that non -availability of food or economic status of the family. But the child hunger deaths persists due to the denials of food rights, faulty distribution system and mass corruption are sole cause of killing of number of children , said Mahesh Purohit of the campaign.
Campaign against Child Hunger believes that if the four important schemes to fight hunger and food insecurity like ICDS, MDM, PDS and NREGA are implemented properly no doubt Orissa would save its children from acute hunger.Instead of the Supreme Court's verdict to universalize ICDS the State Government has failed to cover all the targeted children and all the settlements in the State.The scheme needs to improve the quality in its delivery system.
This is not that non -availability of food or economic status of the family. But the child hunger deaths persists due to the denials of food rights, faulty distribution system and mass corruption are sole cause of killing of number of children , said Mahesh Purohit of the campaign.
Campaign against Child Hunger believes that if the four important schemes to fight hunger and food insecurity like ICDS, MDM, PDS and NREGA are implemented properly no doubt Orissa would save its children from acute hunger.Instead of the Supreme Court's verdict to universalize ICDS the State Government has failed to cover all the targeted children and all the settlements in the State.The scheme needs to improve the quality in its delivery system.
Dhamra Port CEO allays doubts over project.
The doubts lingering in the minds of the populace of Bhadrak district over the construction of Dhamra port are gradually disappearing.The people had pondered when the railway tracks are going to be laid, when the Government would acquire their land. But all these doubts were removed by the Chief Executive Officer of Dhamra Port, Santosh Mahapatram at a Press conference on Sunday.
In 1998, the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik had laid the foundation of the Dhamra - Chandbali port. However, the project construction is in full swing from 2005 in a joint collaboration of Tata and L & T at an estimated cost of Rs 2,400 crore. The port is expected to be functional from 2010. Tata and L and T are investing Rs 600 crore and the rest of the funds are being generated from the national and international market.Nearly 1,100 crore would be invested in construction of the port and berths. But due to the delay by the construction company in laying railway lines connecting the port there is a delay in construction of berths. In the initial phase the port would have a capacity of 13 million tonnes and from 2013 and 2015 the capacity would increase to 25 million tones.
After the construction of the port, ships carrying 180 thousand tones capacity can use the port. More than Rs 550 crore would be spent in the initial phase for dredging of the port. Mahapatra informed that the construction of Kirtania and Chudamani port which would be coming up in the State would be an expensive proposition.The Dhamra port which would be the second largest port in Asia would have a channel of 18 km. After Dhamra the distance of the deep sea increases from the coast. For that reason while a 18 km channel is needed for Dhamra for ships to come in, it is 30 km for Chudamani , 40 km for Kirtania and 60 km for Haldia port.
On the other hand the port authorities have signed an agreement for the safety of olive ridley turtles at Gahirmatha and Babubali.The port authorities have tied up with international organisation IUCN which would suggest how the dredging work would be carried out, in what routes the ships would navigate and what would be the lighting facilities for the port. The environmental protection for the turtles would be monitored by IUCN, informed Mahapatra.
In 1998, the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik had laid the foundation of the Dhamra - Chandbali port. However, the project construction is in full swing from 2005 in a joint collaboration of Tata and L & T at an estimated cost of Rs 2,400 crore. The port is expected to be functional from 2010. Tata and L and T are investing Rs 600 crore and the rest of the funds are being generated from the national and international market.Nearly 1,100 crore would be invested in construction of the port and berths. But due to the delay by the construction company in laying railway lines connecting the port there is a delay in construction of berths. In the initial phase the port would have a capacity of 13 million tonnes and from 2013 and 2015 the capacity would increase to 25 million tones.
After the construction of the port, ships carrying 180 thousand tones capacity can use the port. More than Rs 550 crore would be spent in the initial phase for dredging of the port. Mahapatra informed that the construction of Kirtania and Chudamani port which would be coming up in the State would be an expensive proposition.The Dhamra port which would be the second largest port in Asia would have a channel of 18 km. After Dhamra the distance of the deep sea increases from the coast. For that reason while a 18 km channel is needed for Dhamra for ships to come in, it is 30 km for Chudamani , 40 km for Kirtania and 60 km for Haldia port.
On the other hand the port authorities have signed an agreement for the safety of olive ridley turtles at Gahirmatha and Babubali.The port authorities have tied up with international organisation IUCN which would suggest how the dredging work would be carried out, in what routes the ships would navigate and what would be the lighting facilities for the port. The environmental protection for the turtles would be monitored by IUCN, informed Mahapatra.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
OPSC exams as per schedule .
The Hindu,Cuttack.
High Court vacation judge quashes the order of State Administrative Tribunal
Exams to be held from May 27 to June 24
Applications invited to fill 381 posts
It is official now. The Orissa Civil Services (OCS) main examinations will be held as per the schedule. The examinations will be conducted from May 27 to June 24 as announced earlier by the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC).The directive came from the vacation judge of the High Court on Friday. Adjudicating over a petition filed by the OPSC, vacation judge Justice M.M. Das quashed the May 15 order of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) and made it clear that the said examinations would begin from May 27.The High Court, however, directed the OPSC not to publish the results till the Tribunal disposes of the main cases.
Interim order
“With this direction, it is now implied that only the 3,485 candidates, who have cleared the preliminary examination, will now take the main examination and not 4,572 candidates as directed by the SAT,” said the OPSC counsel Bijay Kumar Das.The SAT last week, while taking up the petitions filed by some unsuccessful candidates, in an interim order asked the OPSC to postpone the examinations by three months.The Tribunal also asked the OPSC to recast the impugned preliminary examination results and publish it afresh allowing candidates 12 times that of the posts advertised for to write the main examination.
The OPSC came out with an advertisement in August 2006 inviting applications for the civil services examination to fill 381 Class-II posts for the Orissa Administrative Service (OAS) and Orissa Financial Service (OFS). The advertisement was given after a gap of six years accommodating the vacancies from 2001 to 2006.Out of some 50,000 candidates who applied, approximately 35,000 of them appeared the preliminary examination that was held in May 2007.After a hue and cry over the reservation percentage for SC, ST and OBC, the preliminary results were published in February this year.
Despite the delay, the OPSC is gearing up to conduct the main examinations from May 27. But it ran into a temporary trouble last week following the SAT ruling. However, following the HC vacation judge’s intervention, the uncertainty over the much-awaited examinations is over and it will now be held as per the schedule.But the matter would be heard again at full length after the vacation was over on June 17 by a regular bench of the High Court, the OPSC counsel said making it clear that the ruling by the vacation judge was only ‘interim’.
High Court vacation judge quashes the order of State Administrative Tribunal
Exams to be held from May 27 to June 24
Applications invited to fill 381 posts
It is official now. The Orissa Civil Services (OCS) main examinations will be held as per the schedule. The examinations will be conducted from May 27 to June 24 as announced earlier by the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC).The directive came from the vacation judge of the High Court on Friday. Adjudicating over a petition filed by the OPSC, vacation judge Justice M.M. Das quashed the May 15 order of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) and made it clear that the said examinations would begin from May 27.The High Court, however, directed the OPSC not to publish the results till the Tribunal disposes of the main cases.
Interim order
“With this direction, it is now implied that only the 3,485 candidates, who have cleared the preliminary examination, will now take the main examination and not 4,572 candidates as directed by the SAT,” said the OPSC counsel Bijay Kumar Das.The SAT last week, while taking up the petitions filed by some unsuccessful candidates, in an interim order asked the OPSC to postpone the examinations by three months.The Tribunal also asked the OPSC to recast the impugned preliminary examination results and publish it afresh allowing candidates 12 times that of the posts advertised for to write the main examination.
The OPSC came out with an advertisement in August 2006 inviting applications for the civil services examination to fill 381 Class-II posts for the Orissa Administrative Service (OAS) and Orissa Financial Service (OFS). The advertisement was given after a gap of six years accommodating the vacancies from 2001 to 2006.Out of some 50,000 candidates who applied, approximately 35,000 of them appeared the preliminary examination that was held in May 2007.After a hue and cry over the reservation percentage for SC, ST and OBC, the preliminary results were published in February this year.
Despite the delay, the OPSC is gearing up to conduct the main examinations from May 27. But it ran into a temporary trouble last week following the SAT ruling. However, following the HC vacation judge’s intervention, the uncertainty over the much-awaited examinations is over and it will now be held as per the schedule.But the matter would be heard again at full length after the vacation was over on June 17 by a regular bench of the High Court, the OPSC counsel said making it clear that the ruling by the vacation judge was only ‘interim’.
HC stays SAT order on OPSC examinations.
Pioneer News Service | Cuttack
In a significant development, the Orissa High Court on Friday stayed the order passed by the State Administrative Tribunal over Orissa Civil Services Examination-2006 following allegation of illegal examination procedures by some unsuccessful candidates."A vacation bench of the High Court has stayed the order passed by SAT and allowed OPSC to go head with the Mains Examination as per schedule beginning from May 27,' Commission's counsel Bijay Das said. "A few candidates have challenged the selection procedures by OPSC in Preliminary Examinations and few other issues while the fate of maximum successful candidates are at stake if the Commission did not hold its examinations as per schedule," Das quoting the court verdict said, adding that the court allowed the Commission to hold examinations from May 27 onwards taking the cases of the successful candidates.
"The order does not serve the general interest but of only a few," OPSC pleaded before the court while citing non-availability of institutions to serve as examination centres after three months. Meanwhile, as many as 3,485 Preliminary qualifying candidates got respite after the court verdict while unsuccessful candidates hoping on SAT would have to fight a long legal battle against OPSC.
In a significant development, the Orissa High Court on Friday stayed the order passed by the State Administrative Tribunal over Orissa Civil Services Examination-2006 following allegation of illegal examination procedures by some unsuccessful candidates."A vacation bench of the High Court has stayed the order passed by SAT and allowed OPSC to go head with the Mains Examination as per schedule beginning from May 27,' Commission's counsel Bijay Das said. "A few candidates have challenged the selection procedures by OPSC in Preliminary Examinations and few other issues while the fate of maximum successful candidates are at stake if the Commission did not hold its examinations as per schedule," Das quoting the court verdict said, adding that the court allowed the Commission to hold examinations from May 27 onwards taking the cases of the successful candidates.
"The order does not serve the general interest but of only a few," OPSC pleaded before the court while citing non-availability of institutions to serve as examination centres after three months. Meanwhile, as many as 3,485 Preliminary qualifying candidates got respite after the court verdict while unsuccessful candidates hoping on SAT would have to fight a long legal battle against OPSC.
Airstrip to be set up in Kalinga Nagar.
In order to facilitate the movement of various company owners and executives to the site of the Kalinga Nagar industrial hub, the State Government has decided to set up an airstrip in that area.The airstrip will be set up near Mangalpur on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai. Steel and Mines Minister Pradip Amat and other senior officials also attended the meeting.Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Ghadai said the Secretary, Steel and Mines has been asked to identify the required land for this purpose. "An airstrip is required to improve connectivity to that area," he said.
In order to improve road communication to the industrial area, Ghadai said an overbridge would be constructed at Manpur railway station at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. The required fund would be shared by both the State and Centre equally.
He further said that four laning work of Jajpur-Duburi road has started and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has been asked to shift its water pipeline farther from the road to facilitate the four laning work.The works of another road Duburi-Keonjhar Road via Harichandrapur has also started. Rs 320 crore would be invested in the road and it would reduce the distance between Duburi and Keonjhar by about 70 kms.
Unveiling the plans for rehabilitation of displaced families, Ghadai said four rehabilitation colonies have been completed and 5 additional colonies are planned to be constructed. The construction work of two of these proposed rehabilitation colonies at Mantira and Bargadia will start next week."Government would also acquire 5,000 acres of land for setting up more rehabilitation colonies having the facility modern school, colleges, of hospital, stadiums, bus terminal and market complex, among others," he said, adding that the Dangadi Community Health Centre (CHC) will be upgraded to a 60 bed hospital in PPP mode.All the industrial houses have been asked to take up development of plantations in a major way and contribute to the periphery development of these areas.
In order to improve road communication to the industrial area, Ghadai said an overbridge would be constructed at Manpur railway station at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. The required fund would be shared by both the State and Centre equally.
He further said that four laning work of Jajpur-Duburi road has started and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has been asked to shift its water pipeline farther from the road to facilitate the four laning work.The works of another road Duburi-Keonjhar Road via Harichandrapur has also started. Rs 320 crore would be invested in the road and it would reduce the distance between Duburi and Keonjhar by about 70 kms.
Unveiling the plans for rehabilitation of displaced families, Ghadai said four rehabilitation colonies have been completed and 5 additional colonies are planned to be constructed. The construction work of two of these proposed rehabilitation colonies at Mantira and Bargadia will start next week."Government would also acquire 5,000 acres of land for setting up more rehabilitation colonies having the facility modern school, colleges, of hospital, stadiums, bus terminal and market complex, among others," he said, adding that the Dangadi Community Health Centre (CHC) will be upgraded to a 60 bed hospital in PPP mode.All the industrial houses have been asked to take up development of plantations in a major way and contribute to the periphery development of these areas.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Centre continues to play politics in setting up of IIT in Orissa.
Union Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh is known for his clumsy way of doing things. He seems to have some evil designs for Orissa so far as establishment of a new IIT is concerned.Three new IITs are opening next month in Bihar, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The three existing IITs in Guwahati, Madras and Delhi have been made 'mentor institutions' for the new institutes in Patna, Medak and Rajasthan. But Singh's Ministry appears to have coolly ignored the IIT for Orissa.In all fairness, the IIT Kharagpur should have been declared as the 'mentor institution' for the new institution for Orissa. Singh, however, seems to be playing a game of setting people of Orissa against each other.
While the Centre announced place-specific IITs in cases of Bihar and Tamil Nadu, Singh's Ministry let politics play a big role in cases of Rajasthan and Orissa. But Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia acted smarter in frustrating Singh's game plan, while her Orissa counterpart Naveen Patnaik failed to understand the designs.In Orissa, there is now a big fight in at least four places, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Koraput, for location of the IIT, which Singh exactly wanted, sources said. A top technocrat pointed this out to Patnaik. The Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) was asked to identify the land for establishment of the proposed IIT. The IDCO has identified three spots for the purpose.Interestingly, last week only, the MHRD sent a letter to identify land measuring 600 acres for the proposed IIT in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar, which will be directly accessible to the airport, railway and National Highway. Closest to Bhubaneswar, a temple land near Jatni is available, which is only 25 km from the Capital city. This is approachable by railway and NH. But the snag is that only 400 acres of Government land is available, which may not be acceptable for IIT.
The second place is near Banki-Cuttack road, which is around 65 km from Bhubaneswar. There is a patch of more than 2,000 acres of Government land there. However, the place is not directly connected with NH, though it lies by the side of a State Highway.The third place is in Tangi of the Bhusandpur area near the Chilika lake. More than 4,000 acres of land is available in the low-lying areas of the lake. It will be more than 70 km from Bhubaneswar. The place is enchantingly picturesque. The NH-5 is passing close the place.
Out of these three places, one will be chosen. Experts are visiting the places, and it will take much time to reach a final decision. However, nothing prevents the MHRD to declare IIT Kharagpur as the 'mentor institution' of IIT Orissa and start the classes from this education year. IIT Kharagpur needs three to four acres of land as it is having an extension centre in Bhubaneswar. Only 70,000 square feet of an area is needed to begin the classes.
While the Centre announced place-specific IITs in cases of Bihar and Tamil Nadu, Singh's Ministry let politics play a big role in cases of Rajasthan and Orissa. But Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia acted smarter in frustrating Singh's game plan, while her Orissa counterpart Naveen Patnaik failed to understand the designs.In Orissa, there is now a big fight in at least four places, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Koraput, for location of the IIT, which Singh exactly wanted, sources said. A top technocrat pointed this out to Patnaik. The Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) was asked to identify the land for establishment of the proposed IIT. The IDCO has identified three spots for the purpose.Interestingly, last week only, the MHRD sent a letter to identify land measuring 600 acres for the proposed IIT in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar, which will be directly accessible to the airport, railway and National Highway. Closest to Bhubaneswar, a temple land near Jatni is available, which is only 25 km from the Capital city. This is approachable by railway and NH. But the snag is that only 400 acres of Government land is available, which may not be acceptable for IIT.
The second place is near Banki-Cuttack road, which is around 65 km from Bhubaneswar. There is a patch of more than 2,000 acres of Government land there. However, the place is not directly connected with NH, though it lies by the side of a State Highway.The third place is in Tangi of the Bhusandpur area near the Chilika lake. More than 4,000 acres of land is available in the low-lying areas of the lake. It will be more than 70 km from Bhubaneswar. The place is enchantingly picturesque. The NH-5 is passing close the place.
Out of these three places, one will be chosen. Experts are visiting the places, and it will take much time to reach a final decision. However, nothing prevents the MHRD to declare IIT Kharagpur as the 'mentor institution' of IIT Orissa and start the classes from this education year. IIT Kharagpur needs three to four acres of land as it is having an extension centre in Bhubaneswar. Only 70,000 square feet of an area is needed to begin the classes.
Oriya woman climbs Everest.
After failing twice in her ambition to climb the Mount Everest, 38-year-old Kalpana Dash from Dhenkanal finally made it to the top of the world fighting against all odds, on Wednesday.Kalpana, who hails from the Kumbhar Sahi locality of Dhenkanal, became the first Oriya to climb Mount Everest at 11.45 am on Wednesday. Kalpana had made her first attempt to climb the world's highest mountain peak in 2004, but had not been successful.Her second attempt in 2006 had also ended in failure due to hostile weather conditions.But this time round, Kalpana had left her hometown on March 5 with strong determination to make it a success. And she finally made it big by scaling the 8,848 metre high Mount Everest making the whole State proud. As news about her achievement reached in the afternoon, it was celebration time at her home. She was among the 27 individuals who successfully scaled Everest as members of High Altitude Workers of HAD International Everest Expedition 2008.
While Kalpana was the only Indian among the 27 members, others belonged to Nepal, the United States of America and other countries. She led a team of five persons. Other climbers in her team were Ryszard Kurdziel from Canada and three persons from Nepal Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa, Kusang Tenzing Sherpa, and Ngima Nuru Sherpa.Meanwhile, Governor Murlidhar Chandra Kanta Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Kalpana for becoming the first Oriya to climb Mount Everest. "It was indeed amazing, I wish a great future of Kalpana," Governor Bhandare said."I congratulated Kalpana for her commending success and I will extend all help for the future growth of the women mountaineer," Chief Minister, who holds the Sports portfolio, said. Similarly, all leading sports institutions of the State congratulated Kalpana for her success. Her sponsors including Arcelor-Mittal group, Bhushan Steels, Coal India Ltd, Orissa Mining Corporation and Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys have also congratulated her.
While Kalpana was the only Indian among the 27 members, others belonged to Nepal, the United States of America and other countries. She led a team of five persons. Other climbers in her team were Ryszard Kurdziel from Canada and three persons from Nepal Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa, Kusang Tenzing Sherpa, and Ngima Nuru Sherpa.Meanwhile, Governor Murlidhar Chandra Kanta Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Kalpana for becoming the first Oriya to climb Mount Everest. "It was indeed amazing, I wish a great future of Kalpana," Governor Bhandare said."I congratulated Kalpana for her commending success and I will extend all help for the future growth of the women mountaineer," Chief Minister, who holds the Sports portfolio, said. Similarly, all leading sports institutions of the State congratulated Kalpana for her success. Her sponsors including Arcelor-Mittal group, Bhushan Steels, Coal India Ltd, Orissa Mining Corporation and Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys have also congratulated her.
Aditya Birla Group to invest Rs 80,000 cr in Orissa.
Chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla on Thursday said the group would invest about Rs 75,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore in Orissa. "We are committed to larger and more investments in Orissa, and it is a very important investment destination for us," he said after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here. The investment will be made in sectors like aluminium, cement, telecom and retail sectors over the next few years.Birla called on the Chief Minister to discuss project related-issues with him. "We apprised the Chief Minister about the progress of different projects executed by the company in the State," he told reporters, adding that the progress of different projects is satisfactory.
"The company is committed to a lot of social work like setting up ITIs and health centres at the project sites," he said, adding that company would launch its retail business in the State within next six months.
On the issue of resistance of the local people to the alumina refinery project Utkal Alumina at Raygada, Birla said steps were being taken to solve the problem. "We would abide by the R&R policy of the State Government," he said, adding that as long as there is a reasonable settlement the company would be happy.On the issue of possible investment in the port sector, Birla said he had a discussion about the Chudamani port with the State Government officials.
"The company is committed to a lot of social work like setting up ITIs and health centres at the project sites," he said, adding that company would launch its retail business in the State within next six months.
On the issue of resistance of the local people to the alumina refinery project Utkal Alumina at Raygada, Birla said steps were being taken to solve the problem. "We would abide by the R&R policy of the State Government," he said, adding that as long as there is a reasonable settlement the company would be happy.On the issue of possible investment in the port sector, Birla said he had a discussion about the Chudamani port with the State Government officials.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
OAS officers to be treated as Class-1 at entry level.
The OAS officers will be treated as junior Class-1 at the entry level. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting when a delegation led by its president Rabi Narayan Nanda called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat. Chief Minister assured the delegation that their cadre would be restructured within three months.Sources said the association demanded that the Government should hand over at least four Secretaries posts to the OAS (Orissa Administrative Service) cadre. "OAS officers should be posted as Collectors at least in 15 districts," they argued. At present OAS officers are appointed as Collectors in six districts only, while the rest of the districts are managed by IAS officers.
Majority of the OAS officers are of the view that when they play a major role in implementing various welfare schemes of the government, they should be handed over few departments to lead. "We do have the expertise in handling the nitty-gritty of the departments," said a senior OAS officer on the condition of anonymity.Sources said the OAS officers are eyeing for secretary posts of departments like Panchayati Raj, Urban and Revenue.
Majority of the OAS officers are of the view that when they play a major role in implementing various welfare schemes of the government, they should be handed over few departments to lead. "We do have the expertise in handling the nitty-gritty of the departments," said a senior OAS officer on the condition of anonymity.Sources said the OAS officers are eyeing for secretary posts of departments like Panchayati Raj, Urban and Revenue.
OAS aspirants slam OPSC for moving court.
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
The OAS aspirants have severely criticised the move of the Orissa State Public Commission to move Orissa High Court against the decision of the State Administrative Tribunal to defer the Orissa Administrative Service mains examination by three months. Notably, the examination was to be held on May 27.The aspirants in a Press release said when the aspirants have been demanding postponing of the examinations, at least for a few months as every aspect of the examination, the timing, the schedule and the procedure embarked on by the Commission are fraught with grave mistakes sometimes even clashing with the constitutional norms on quota.
However, the OPSC is out to challenge the SAT decision on a flotilla of frivolous grounds like the arrangements have been made or money has been spent for the mains examination.But the candidates said as the Commission has flawed, the money spent, should be recovered from the salaries of the decision makers. The past record of OPSC is indicative of its inefficiency and stagnant attributes. Now the OPSC is groping for some loopholes in law and making a gimmick to save its face, said the release.
The OAS aspirants have severely criticised the move of the Orissa State Public Commission to move Orissa High Court against the decision of the State Administrative Tribunal to defer the Orissa Administrative Service mains examination by three months. Notably, the examination was to be held on May 27.The aspirants in a Press release said when the aspirants have been demanding postponing of the examinations, at least for a few months as every aspect of the examination, the timing, the schedule and the procedure embarked on by the Commission are fraught with grave mistakes sometimes even clashing with the constitutional norms on quota.
However, the OPSC is out to challenge the SAT decision on a flotilla of frivolous grounds like the arrangements have been made or money has been spent for the mains examination.But the candidates said as the Commission has flawed, the money spent, should be recovered from the salaries of the decision makers. The past record of OPSC is indicative of its inefficiency and stagnant attributes. Now the OPSC is groping for some loopholes in law and making a gimmick to save its face, said the release.
Keonjhar girl cracks UPSC exam.
Pioneer News Service | Keonjhar
Twenty-seven-year-old Anita Barick, daughter of late Sanatan Barick and Premalata Barick of Jharbeda village under Patna block in Keonjhar district, has succeeded in this year's UPSC examinations without taking any coaching or refresher course, although she appeared in the examinations for second time.She was a meritorious student since her childhood and secured 73 per cent marks in HSC examination while reading at Turumunga High School. She had secured 78 per cent and 69 per cent marks in +2 and +3 respectively from Dharanidhar College of Keonjhar.
She has recently completed her PhD after qualifying MPhil from the Jawaharlal Neheru University ,New Delhi. While studying MA in Utkal University, she had prepared herself to take the UPSC examination to fulfil her father's wish. In the UPSC examination held in October, 2007, she opted for Sociology and General Administration as her first and second optional.While talking to The Pioneer, she attributed her success to her dedication and hard labour along with the cooperation of all near and dears and her father's cherished dream. Her success is adjudged as the first success of an OBC category girl in Keonjhar district
Twenty-seven-year-old Anita Barick, daughter of late Sanatan Barick and Premalata Barick of Jharbeda village under Patna block in Keonjhar district, has succeeded in this year's UPSC examinations without taking any coaching or refresher course, although she appeared in the examinations for second time.She was a meritorious student since her childhood and secured 73 per cent marks in HSC examination while reading at Turumunga High School. She had secured 78 per cent and 69 per cent marks in +2 and +3 respectively from Dharanidhar College of Keonjhar.
She has recently completed her PhD after qualifying MPhil from the Jawaharlal Neheru University ,New Delhi. While studying MA in Utkal University, she had prepared herself to take the UPSC examination to fulfil her father's wish. In the UPSC examination held in October, 2007, she opted for Sociology and General Administration as her first and second optional.While talking to The Pioneer, she attributed her success to her dedication and hard labour along with the cooperation of all near and dears and her father's cherished dream. Her success is adjudged as the first success of an OBC category girl in Keonjhar district
Migrant labourers to be registered at panchayat level.
In order to check the flow of migrant labourers to other States, the State Government has decided to introduce registration of labourers at the panchayat level. All the labourers who want to flee their areas in search of livelihoods have to register themselves before the sarpanches.It has been found that as there is no system of registration of labourers at the panchayat level, Government finds itself unable to track the movement of labourers. Sometimes, the labourers get infected with the AIDS and return to their village. "In order to avoid of all sorts of problem and to save the labourers from further exploitation, the Government is planning to register the names of the labourers at the panchayat level," said Labourer and Employment Secretary Ashok Kumar Tripathy on Wednesday after attending a review meeting on Self-Employment programme chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
Briefing the media persons, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said three lakh self-employment opportunities have been created since Employment Mission came into existence in 2006. In order to create awareness among the people about the job opportunities programme, the State Government has started organising self-employment meal at block level. In the current financial year, the one day self -employment mela would start from June 20 and continue till July 5 at block levels.Steps would be taken to impart special training to youths on water supply pipe repair at Pattamundai and motor repair works at Cuttack. The State Government has decided to open up seven Apparel Training Design Centres.
In yet another significant decision, the State Government has decided to create a new cadre to empower the women. The cadre would be known as Shakti Sahayika. They would act as business development service providers for the Women Self Help Group. Those who passed Plus Two examination would be considered for the post of Shakti Sahayika. Government would not give them the remuneration. They would get their dues from the women self help group for proving training to them.Tripathy further steps would be taken encourage youths to opt careers in army. "The pre-recruitment training programme would start from June," he said.Development Commissioner RN Bohidar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijoy Kumar Patnaik, Secretary, Industries Chinmoy Basu, Director, Employment Mission, Subha Sharma attended the meeting.
Briefing the media persons, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said three lakh self-employment opportunities have been created since Employment Mission came into existence in 2006. In order to create awareness among the people about the job opportunities programme, the State Government has started organising self-employment meal at block level. In the current financial year, the one day self -employment mela would start from June 20 and continue till July 5 at block levels.Steps would be taken to impart special training to youths on water supply pipe repair at Pattamundai and motor repair works at Cuttack. The State Government has decided to open up seven Apparel Training Design Centres.
In yet another significant decision, the State Government has decided to create a new cadre to empower the women. The cadre would be known as Shakti Sahayika. They would act as business development service providers for the Women Self Help Group. Those who passed Plus Two examination would be considered for the post of Shakti Sahayika. Government would not give them the remuneration. They would get their dues from the women self help group for proving training to them.Tripathy further steps would be taken encourage youths to opt careers in army. "The pre-recruitment training programme would start from June," he said.Development Commissioner RN Bohidar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijoy Kumar Patnaik, Secretary, Industries Chinmoy Basu, Director, Employment Mission, Subha Sharma attended the meeting.
Banks asked to support infrastructure growth in rural areas.
The State Government has expressed displeasure over the banks for not coming out of with specific infrastructure development plan to support credit growth. "The banks need to submit their proposals for required infrastructure growth in rural areas either to the District Collectors and the secretaries of various departments," Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said in a recently concluded State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) meeting.The SLBC meeting should be convened in the first week of March when the figures for the December quarter is also available, he said, adding that it would help in suggesting some policy intervention if required before the end of the fiscal.
Regarding he setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Training Institute by the banks, Tripathy said no significant progress has been made on this front. Expressing his concern for the banks' failure to take up skill up gradation for artisans and weavers in handloom and the handicraft sectors, he said if any banks come up with a plan in this connection, it would be cleared within a month.However, the SLBC in its meeting decided to complete the financial inclusion of all districts of the State by 2009. It also decided to form a small sub-committee having representatives upto three banks to work out the modalities for the formation of MSME Orissa Development Consortium.
Under the financial inclusion plan, the Ganjam district has archive 100 per cent fanatical inclusion. It is on the verge of completion in five more districts namely Cuttack, Puri, Ganjam, Rayagada, Nayagarh and Keonjhar. By October 2008, another 14 districts would be completed.Chairman of SLBC Brij Mohan Mittal called upon all the banks doing business in Orissa to pursue this objective vigorously. "The objective of financial inclusion can be realised only when the people inculcate the saving habits among them," he said.He further said that as Orissa is on the threshold of industrialisation, banks should play an important role in the development of the State. "There is vast scope for lending to small and medium enterprises, agriculture, agro based, information and technology and self help groups," he said, adding that there is need to expand areas under the cultivation.
Emphasising on the need for covering all the crops under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, he said, it would help to mitigate the risks associated with cultivation of different crops. The framer's clubs, which have become defunct in the State, also need to be revived by the National Bank for Agriculture.Finance Secretary RN Senapati expressed his concern about the falling credit-deposit ratio in the State. The CD ratio, which was about 81 per cent by the end of December 2006, declined to 76.95 per cent in December 2007.
Regarding he setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Training Institute by the banks, Tripathy said no significant progress has been made on this front. Expressing his concern for the banks' failure to take up skill up gradation for artisans and weavers in handloom and the handicraft sectors, he said if any banks come up with a plan in this connection, it would be cleared within a month.However, the SLBC in its meeting decided to complete the financial inclusion of all districts of the State by 2009. It also decided to form a small sub-committee having representatives upto three banks to work out the modalities for the formation of MSME Orissa Development Consortium.
Under the financial inclusion plan, the Ganjam district has archive 100 per cent fanatical inclusion. It is on the verge of completion in five more districts namely Cuttack, Puri, Ganjam, Rayagada, Nayagarh and Keonjhar. By October 2008, another 14 districts would be completed.Chairman of SLBC Brij Mohan Mittal called upon all the banks doing business in Orissa to pursue this objective vigorously. "The objective of financial inclusion can be realised only when the people inculcate the saving habits among them," he said.He further said that as Orissa is on the threshold of industrialisation, banks should play an important role in the development of the State. "There is vast scope for lending to small and medium enterprises, agriculture, agro based, information and technology and self help groups," he said, adding that there is need to expand areas under the cultivation.
Emphasising on the need for covering all the crops under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, he said, it would help to mitigate the risks associated with cultivation of different crops. The framer's clubs, which have become defunct in the State, also need to be revived by the National Bank for Agriculture.Finance Secretary RN Senapati expressed his concern about the falling credit-deposit ratio in the State. The CD ratio, which was about 81 per cent by the end of December 2006, declined to 76.95 per cent in December 2007.
MKCG Medical College Hospital to get a facelift.
The Hindu,Berhampur,
At last plans are on to transform the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur City to a referral hospital in real sense.The authorities of the medical college have sent a project report worth Rs. 75.7 crores to the Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET), Orissa for the developmental work.Although it happened to be the only referral hospital in south Orissa also catering to the areas of bordering Andhra Pradesh, yet lack of modern infrastructure always bogged down the institution. As a result of which the experts posted at the medical college were compelled to refer the patients reaching the medical college hospital to either SCB Medical College hospital or to any private hospital.
Upgradation
According to principal of the medical college J.P. Behera, the proposal of requirement for upgradation of standard of services was sent to the DMET so that it could be included under the plans of the 13th Financial Commission. Improvement of infrastructure includes renovation and construction of buildings of wards, laboratories and other sections of the medical college.The medical college is yet to have a boundary wall around its campus.As per the plans it would have a mini-indoor stadium, modern library and new hostels for students. The total proposed cost of building and renovation work would be Rs. 47.70 crores.
Around Rs. 28 crores is planned to be spent on acquiring modern instruments and equipments for different departments of the institution, said Mr Ranjan Sharma, the administrative officer of the medical college. A special burns unit would be established at a cost of Rs. 3 crores.Proposed establishment of cardiac catheterisation laboratory and a slice tomography machine in the cardiology department would cost around Rs. 13 crores. Without these machines the cardiology department of the medical college is facing serious handicap.An MRI machine of Rs. 4 crores has also been proposed.
The existing more than a decade old Gama camera in the nuclear medicine department would be replaced with a modern ‘spect-camera’. Similarly the replacement of radioactive source of the nine-year-old Cobalt 60 machine whose ‘half life’ period has already been completed would need Rs. 2 crores. The medical college hospital is yet to have an oxygen plant of its own for the smooth management of ICU, Operation Theatres and wards. This plant would be established at a cost of one crore rupees.
At last plans are on to transform the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur City to a referral hospital in real sense.The authorities of the medical college have sent a project report worth Rs. 75.7 crores to the Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET), Orissa for the developmental work.Although it happened to be the only referral hospital in south Orissa also catering to the areas of bordering Andhra Pradesh, yet lack of modern infrastructure always bogged down the institution. As a result of which the experts posted at the medical college were compelled to refer the patients reaching the medical college hospital to either SCB Medical College hospital or to any private hospital.
Upgradation
According to principal of the medical college J.P. Behera, the proposal of requirement for upgradation of standard of services was sent to the DMET so that it could be included under the plans of the 13th Financial Commission. Improvement of infrastructure includes renovation and construction of buildings of wards, laboratories and other sections of the medical college.The medical college is yet to have a boundary wall around its campus.As per the plans it would have a mini-indoor stadium, modern library and new hostels for students. The total proposed cost of building and renovation work would be Rs. 47.70 crores.
Around Rs. 28 crores is planned to be spent on acquiring modern instruments and equipments for different departments of the institution, said Mr Ranjan Sharma, the administrative officer of the medical college. A special burns unit would be established at a cost of Rs. 3 crores.Proposed establishment of cardiac catheterisation laboratory and a slice tomography machine in the cardiology department would cost around Rs. 13 crores. Without these machines the cardiology department of the medical college is facing serious handicap.An MRI machine of Rs. 4 crores has also been proposed.
The existing more than a decade old Gama camera in the nuclear medicine department would be replaced with a modern ‘spect-camera’. Similarly the replacement of radioactive source of the nine-year-old Cobalt 60 machine whose ‘half life’ period has already been completed would need Rs. 2 crores. The medical college hospital is yet to have an oxygen plant of its own for the smooth management of ICU, Operation Theatres and wards. This plant would be established at a cost of one crore rupees.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
OAS exams: OPSC challenges SAT order in High Court.
Irked over the order passed by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) over the OAS Examinations-2006, the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC) on Tuesday challenged the order in the Orissa High Court. The move followed the SAT's direction to the OPSC to conduct the OAS main examinations on May 27 after a gap of three months.
The OPSC informed the court that it has made all necessary steps to conduct the main examination on May 27 and if the examination is deferred, it would affect the aspirants; those have prepared to sit in the examinations. OPSC chairman Suchit Das and other office bears held a closed door meeting in Cuttack over the issue before knocking the doors of the judiciary.
While speaking to The Pioneer, OPSC special secretary DP Mohanty said, "We have filed a write petition before the High Court and it will be heard on May 23. The Commission has fielded two lawyers, B Das and Rajat Rath." Asked about the OPSC's preparedness for main examinations, Mohanty claimed that the Commission has taken all steps to conduct the examinations as per schedule. However, the legal wrangle between the SAT and the OPSC has put the future of OAS aspirants at stake, said some of the aspirants.Earlier, the SAT had directed the OPSC to recast the preliminary results afresh that was published earlier in 2008. An aspirant, Nibedita Das, and several other candidates had approached the SAT alleging that the OAS-2006 preliminary results were not published in accordance to the rules governing them.
The OPSC informed the court that it has made all necessary steps to conduct the main examination on May 27 and if the examination is deferred, it would affect the aspirants; those have prepared to sit in the examinations. OPSC chairman Suchit Das and other office bears held a closed door meeting in Cuttack over the issue before knocking the doors of the judiciary.
While speaking to The Pioneer, OPSC special secretary DP Mohanty said, "We have filed a write petition before the High Court and it will be heard on May 23. The Commission has fielded two lawyers, B Das and Rajat Rath." Asked about the OPSC's preparedness for main examinations, Mohanty claimed that the Commission has taken all steps to conduct the examinations as per schedule. However, the legal wrangle between the SAT and the OPSC has put the future of OAS aspirants at stake, said some of the aspirants.Earlier, the SAT had directed the OPSC to recast the preliminary results afresh that was published earlier in 2008. An aspirant, Nibedita Das, and several other candidates had approached the SAT alleging that the OAS-2006 preliminary results were not published in accordance to the rules governing them.
Orissa's growth faster than that of India: World Bank.
The World Bank, in its latest report, has pointed out that the State has made remarkable progress, lifting some three million people out of poverty and making the strongest fiscal turnaround of all Indian States during 2000-06.Releasing the forthcoming World Bank study "Orissa in Transition - From Fiscal Turnaround to Rapid and Inclusive Growth" here on Tuesday, Lead Economist of the World Bank VJ Ravishankar said large population of the State, including scheduled castes, has improved incomes since 2002.
He further said that the State today has a US$125 billion portfolio of 470 ongoing investment projects that are projected to generate an additional GSDP of US$ 35 billion. This alone is twice the size of the State's GSDP in 2006. This level of investments suggests that the State may experience a period of even more rapid growth in future.In the study of the World Bank further points out that regional disparities in the State has come down over a period. The younger generation has new ambitions, reflecting new opportunities. The people in the State no more run after Government jobs. Now only one in seven wants career in government services. However, earlier one in two wanted careers in government services. Interestingly, rural poverty is probably declining faster in Orissa since 2000. In rural areas, higher income groups prospered more than lower income groups, but they all prospered during 2000-2006.The economic growth in Orissa is faster than that in India as a hole. This was possible due to the recent growth acceleration in the State in industrial sectors. The State Government's efforts to improve investment climate has yielded the desired results.The cost of doing business in Orissa has declined over time and is now comparable to the rest of India. Household expenditure rose faster in rural areas than in urban areas. Most rapid rural growth has taken place in Southern Orissa, the report says.It has done well in building infrastructure. The number of bridges completed has gone up from 19 in 2004 to 585 in 2005 and over 100 in 2006.
However, the World Bank has expressed concern in the field of education. Though enrollment has risen, learning achievement is very poor. Majority of teenagers do lack basic mathematical knowledge. Students in Orissa test far behind other countries in mathematics.On the social sector, the World Bank points out that the anti-poverty programmes suffer from delivery gaps and leakage of funds to non-poor. Scheduled tribes are not adequately aware of the available programmes for their benefit.World Bank praised the State Government's anti-corruption steps. "We will be soon funding a number of projects in Orissa. We did not stop any funding because of the scam in the health sector," Ravishankar said.
Mahesh Vyas of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt Ltd (CMIE) in its report on "Impact of current investment intentions on income and employment in the case of Orissa", said the State is fast changing and it tops the list of States with foreign investments. The additional employment that could be generated in 2013 would be 1.25 million.
He further said that the State today has a US$125 billion portfolio of 470 ongoing investment projects that are projected to generate an additional GSDP of US$ 35 billion. This alone is twice the size of the State's GSDP in 2006. This level of investments suggests that the State may experience a period of even more rapid growth in future.In the study of the World Bank further points out that regional disparities in the State has come down over a period. The younger generation has new ambitions, reflecting new opportunities. The people in the State no more run after Government jobs. Now only one in seven wants career in government services. However, earlier one in two wanted careers in government services. Interestingly, rural poverty is probably declining faster in Orissa since 2000. In rural areas, higher income groups prospered more than lower income groups, but they all prospered during 2000-2006.The economic growth in Orissa is faster than that in India as a hole. This was possible due to the recent growth acceleration in the State in industrial sectors. The State Government's efforts to improve investment climate has yielded the desired results.The cost of doing business in Orissa has declined over time and is now comparable to the rest of India. Household expenditure rose faster in rural areas than in urban areas. Most rapid rural growth has taken place in Southern Orissa, the report says.It has done well in building infrastructure. The number of bridges completed has gone up from 19 in 2004 to 585 in 2005 and over 100 in 2006.
However, the World Bank has expressed concern in the field of education. Though enrollment has risen, learning achievement is very poor. Majority of teenagers do lack basic mathematical knowledge. Students in Orissa test far behind other countries in mathematics.On the social sector, the World Bank points out that the anti-poverty programmes suffer from delivery gaps and leakage of funds to non-poor. Scheduled tribes are not adequately aware of the available programmes for their benefit.World Bank praised the State Government's anti-corruption steps. "We will be soon funding a number of projects in Orissa. We did not stop any funding because of the scam in the health sector," Ravishankar said.
Mahesh Vyas of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt Ltd (CMIE) in its report on "Impact of current investment intentions on income and employment in the case of Orissa", said the State is fast changing and it tops the list of States with foreign investments. The additional employment that could be generated in 2013 would be 1.25 million.
Khargpur IIT submits plan for twin cities.
The Department of Architecture & Regional Planning IIT Kharagpur on Tuesday submitted the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban to the State Government.It has prepared the Perspective Plan Vision-2030 for the twin cities. Khurda, Jatani and Choudwar town have been included in the plan.The total planning area stretches over an area of 720 sq. km. with a total population of population of 1.58 million (Census, 2001).
The vision for the planning area perceived around the following core ideas: Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as twin cities in complementary role, transformation of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban Complex to a world class urban centre as an important gate way for national and international investments. It also speaks of promotion of cultural, built and natural heritage in a sustainable manner.In order to achieve it, a road map has been prepared. It would stress on generating higher service facilities for attracting various developmental activities, investors and industrial houses. It would also focus on generating facilities and activities to support small investor, informal sectors and slum inhabitants and rural migrants
It has also put thrust on improving the transport network system for faster communication and high standard linkages between the growth centers and their rural hinterlands.It has also suggested to take steps to transform the whole region to a pollution free zone with conservation of bio-diversity and environment.
The vision for the planning area perceived around the following core ideas: Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as twin cities in complementary role, transformation of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban Complex to a world class urban centre as an important gate way for national and international investments. It also speaks of promotion of cultural, built and natural heritage in a sustainable manner.In order to achieve it, a road map has been prepared. It would stress on generating higher service facilities for attracting various developmental activities, investors and industrial houses. It would also focus on generating facilities and activities to support small investor, informal sectors and slum inhabitants and rural migrants
It has also put thrust on improving the transport network system for faster communication and high standard linkages between the growth centers and their rural hinterlands.It has also suggested to take steps to transform the whole region to a pollution free zone with conservation of bio-diversity and environment.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Oriya-friendly software to be developed soon.
The State Government has roped in major IT companies like the Microsoft to develop necessary Oriya-friendly software soon. The State-run Odia Bhasa Pratisthan (Institute of Oriya) has been entrusted with this task.Experts from five such companies, besides the Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC) and the Department of Science and Technology held a brainstorming session with Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy and language exponents of the Pratisthan at the State Secretariat.
According to the institute's director Sevak Tripathy, efforts are on to evolve a collaborative project involving all the companies and organisations that are already on the job of developing the software for Oriya language so as to ensure that there is no danger of duplication. Emphasis would be on standardisation of the keyboard of the computer, besides the provision of lexical assistance, which would include spell-check and grammar.Keeping in view the use of multiple uses of some alphabets in the Oriya language, the language committee of the Pratisthan would finalise the number of alphabets to be used, sources said. The improvised software would help in translation of Oriya into other languages.
The Odia Bhasa Pratisthan is also chalking out an ambitious plan to bring out dictionaries of the State's colloquial languages. As part of the project, 30 district units have been set up to compile such words in use in the respective regions. The dictionaries would also be made available on the website of the institute soon. It was felt necessary to document the rich regional flavours of the Oriya language, sources said.
According to the institute's director Sevak Tripathy, efforts are on to evolve a collaborative project involving all the companies and organisations that are already on the job of developing the software for Oriya language so as to ensure that there is no danger of duplication. Emphasis would be on standardisation of the keyboard of the computer, besides the provision of lexical assistance, which would include spell-check and grammar.Keeping in view the use of multiple uses of some alphabets in the Oriya language, the language committee of the Pratisthan would finalise the number of alphabets to be used, sources said. The improvised software would help in translation of Oriya into other languages.
The Odia Bhasa Pratisthan is also chalking out an ambitious plan to bring out dictionaries of the State's colloquial languages. As part of the project, 30 district units have been set up to compile such words in use in the respective regions. The dictionaries would also be made available on the website of the institute soon. It was felt necessary to document the rich regional flavours of the Oriya language, sources said.
BHEL eyes Orissa to set up thermal power projects.
Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries Satyanarayan Dash is upbeat about the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) investing in Orissa. He said BHEL is eager to invest in Orissa in setting up thermal projects with Supercritical technology. The Navratna PSU wants to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a State Government undertaking to form a joint venture company (JVC) specifically with one of the power sector PSUs of the State, he said. It would be on the lines of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These two States have already taken the lead on this front.
BHEL has already given a proposal to the Government of Orissa, and Energy Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra is processing the proposal, said Dash. BHEL has made its entry into the area of executing thermal power projects with supercritical technology with the signing of MoUs with both the States. The PSU will take up the execution of the first 2x800 MW Supercritical Thermal Power Project in Tamil Nadu and a single 800-MW project in Andhra Pradesh, with principal equity stake from BHEL, TNEB and APGENCO.
BHEL has already given a proposal to the Government of Orissa, and Energy Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra is processing the proposal, said Dash. BHEL has made its entry into the area of executing thermal power projects with supercritical technology with the signing of MoUs with both the States. The PSU will take up the execution of the first 2x800 MW Supercritical Thermal Power Project in Tamil Nadu and a single 800-MW project in Andhra Pradesh, with principal equity stake from BHEL, TNEB and APGENCO.
21-yr-old Oriya girl succeeds in civil service exams.
Twenty one-year-old Madhusmita Sahu, daughter of Lingaraj Sahu and a resident of Talabarkot village of Govindpur block in Dhenkal district, has become the youngest candidate to be successful in the Indian Civil Service examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). She had appeared at the mains examination in October, 2007 and appeared for viva in New Delhi on April 11, 2008.Though she has a weak financial background as her father sells betel for his livelihood, by her hard labour she has set an example for others to emulate. Presently she is a final year student of Department of Economics of the Bhubaneswar based Utkal University.
Earlier, while studying at Utkal University she expressed her wish to appear for the Orissa Administrative Service examinations. But due to the age factor she was deprived from it. From her childhood Madhusmita was a meritorious student. In the High School Certificate examinations she secured 88.8 per cent marks while she got 84.1 marks in the + 2 and secured ninth position. Vikash Educational Charitable Trust had provided scholarships to her for her higher education. As a result she studied at Dhenkanal Autonomous College and secured 77.38 per cent in Economics Honours and become topper of her college. She had only received six days coaching in New Delhi during her fiteen day trip to New Delhi with the manager of Vikash Charitable Trust LN Dash.
Earlier, while studying at Utkal University she expressed her wish to appear for the Orissa Administrative Service examinations. But due to the age factor she was deprived from it. From her childhood Madhusmita was a meritorious student. In the High School Certificate examinations she secured 88.8 per cent marks while she got 84.1 marks in the + 2 and secured ninth position. Vikash Educational Charitable Trust had provided scholarships to her for her higher education. As a result she studied at Dhenkanal Autonomous College and secured 77.38 per cent in Economics Honours and become topper of her college. She had only received six days coaching in New Delhi during her fiteen day trip to New Delhi with the manager of Vikash Charitable Trust LN Dash.
Separate Coal India company at Talcher demanded'.
The Talcher Cultural Association has reiterated its demand for creation of a separate company of the Coal India Limited (CIL) in Talcher which is one of the largest coal-producing areas under the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), headquartered at Burla in Sambalpur, about 200 km away from Talcher.Being one of the largest depositories of boiler grade coal in the country, the Talcher area is producing more than 55 million tonnes of coal per annum, the association's president and former MLA Bibhudendra Pratap Das has pointed out in a memorandum to the Prime Minister.There is, therefore, an urgent need of establishing a separate CIL company for Talcher, he has argued. As per the principle of CIL, a coal-producing unit having 20 million tonnes of output qualifies for the creation of a separate company, he has pointed out.
Das has said that inspite of repeated requests made to the Union Government and CIL at different times by eminent persons of Orissa, no step has been taken as yet for creation of a separate coal company at Talcher.The people of Talcher have to depend on the MCL headquarters which is situated at quite a far distance at Burla. In particular, the land oustees are facing serious problems after losing their land for availing rehabilitation benefits. The resultant discontentment is affecting coal mining activities in the area.
He has suggested that a separate coal company be created bringing under its jurisdiction the Talcher and Chhendipada coalfields.
Das has said that inspite of repeated requests made to the Union Government and CIL at different times by eminent persons of Orissa, no step has been taken as yet for creation of a separate coal company at Talcher.The people of Talcher have to depend on the MCL headquarters which is situated at quite a far distance at Burla. In particular, the land oustees are facing serious problems after losing their land for availing rehabilitation benefits. The resultant discontentment is affecting coal mining activities in the area.
He has suggested that a separate coal company be created bringing under its jurisdiction the Talcher and Chhendipada coalfields.
Nalco has spent Rs 100 cr on social sector growth in Orissa.
National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has so far spent more than Rs 100 crore towards various social sector development activities. Creation of infrastructure in the surrounding villages for communication, education, healthcare and drinking water gets priority in the periphery development plans of the company. Nalco sources said community participation in innovative farming, pisciulture, social forestry and sanitation programmes apart, encouragement to sports, art, culture and literature are all a part of Nalco's involvement with the life of the community. Successful operations of the company have led to employment and income generation for the local people in many significant ways.
These apart, during natural calamities, Nalco has been donating to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Soon after Super Cyclone in Orissa in 1999, Nalco created 197 primary school-cum-cyclone shelters in the coastal districts. Besides, illuminating Lord Lingaraj Temple, Nalco has set up Mahatma Gandhi Park and Biju Patnaik Park in Bhubaneswar and Gandhi Ghat Park at Puri. The company has also committed Rs 2 crore for renovation of Ananda Bazar in the premises of the Jagannath Temple.
"In education, our focus is on primary education, for which we have been extending financial assistance in remote tribals-dominated places of Orissa. But, despite our best of intentions, it is not possible to fund all such projects. As a result, at times, some aggrieved persons do turn to media to tarnish the image of Nalco," a senior officer of the company remarked.
As for the rehabilitation of the 635 families displaced due to the Nalco project in the Damanjodi and Angul sectors, the company sources said employment has been provided to 629 nominees. The nomination status of balance six families has been taken up at appropriate level. Besides, 1,530 families were substantially affected (parting with one-third or more of their lands) in Angul. Even from these, jobs have been provided to 1,160 persons. Nalco has also been sponsoring ITI training to such persons, with 543 having been technically trained so far. Nalco CMD CR Pradhan said, "As a corporate policy, Nalco has been allocating 1 per cent of its net profit of the year for social sector activities in the succeeding year. During the 2006-07 fiscal, Nalco made a net profit of Rs 2,381 crore and, accordingly, for the 2007-08, the company allotted Rs 23.81 crore for various developmental activities. "Today, in any investment plans in Orissa, the interested companies are cited Nalco's role as a responsible corporate citizen."
These apart, during natural calamities, Nalco has been donating to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Soon after Super Cyclone in Orissa in 1999, Nalco created 197 primary school-cum-cyclone shelters in the coastal districts. Besides, illuminating Lord Lingaraj Temple, Nalco has set up Mahatma Gandhi Park and Biju Patnaik Park in Bhubaneswar and Gandhi Ghat Park at Puri. The company has also committed Rs 2 crore for renovation of Ananda Bazar in the premises of the Jagannath Temple.
"In education, our focus is on primary education, for which we have been extending financial assistance in remote tribals-dominated places of Orissa. But, despite our best of intentions, it is not possible to fund all such projects. As a result, at times, some aggrieved persons do turn to media to tarnish the image of Nalco," a senior officer of the company remarked.
As for the rehabilitation of the 635 families displaced due to the Nalco project in the Damanjodi and Angul sectors, the company sources said employment has been provided to 629 nominees. The nomination status of balance six families has been taken up at appropriate level. Besides, 1,530 families were substantially affected (parting with one-third or more of their lands) in Angul. Even from these, jobs have been provided to 1,160 persons. Nalco has also been sponsoring ITI training to such persons, with 543 having been technically trained so far. Nalco CMD CR Pradhan said, "As a corporate policy, Nalco has been allocating 1 per cent of its net profit of the year for social sector activities in the succeeding year. During the 2006-07 fiscal, Nalco made a net profit of Rs 2,381 crore and, accordingly, for the 2007-08, the company allotted Rs 23.81 crore for various developmental activities. "Today, in any investment plans in Orissa, the interested companies are cited Nalco's role as a responsible corporate citizen."
Friday, May 16, 2008
OAS main exams deferred for 3 months.
The Hindu,Cuttack.
Happy news for Orissa Administrative Service (OAS) aspirants. The main examinations scheduled to be held from May 27 would now be held after three months. The Cuttack bench of State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) on Thursday directed the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC) to recast the preliminary results afresh that were published earlier this year. Accordingly, the SAT has also asked the OPSC to conduct the OAS main examinations after a gap of three months.
One Nibedita Das and several other candidates had approached the SAT alleging that the OAS-2006 preliminary results were not published in accordance to the rules governing them. Urging the tribunal to quash the impugned results, the petitioners had mentioned that the advertisement was made for recruitment of 380 OAS officials. Accordingly, 12 times of the posts, i.e. 4560 candidates should have been shortlisted for the main examination. Instead, only 3700 candidates were declared qualified to sit for the main examination, the petitioners alleged.
Issuing notices to the State Government and OPSC, SAT chairman Haraprasad Das on Thursday disposed of the petitions asking the OPSC to allow candidates numbering 12 times of the posts to sit for the main examination. Accordingly, the OPSC was asked to conduct the main examinations after three months so as to allow the Commission to publish the result of 860 more candidates. Some OAS aspirants were demanding postponement of the examination as they are preparing for the UPSC examinations scheduled for May 18.
Happy news for Orissa Administrative Service (OAS) aspirants. The main examinations scheduled to be held from May 27 would now be held after three months. The Cuttack bench of State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) on Thursday directed the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC) to recast the preliminary results afresh that were published earlier this year. Accordingly, the SAT has also asked the OPSC to conduct the OAS main examinations after a gap of three months.
One Nibedita Das and several other candidates had approached the SAT alleging that the OAS-2006 preliminary results were not published in accordance to the rules governing them. Urging the tribunal to quash the impugned results, the petitioners had mentioned that the advertisement was made for recruitment of 380 OAS officials. Accordingly, 12 times of the posts, i.e. 4560 candidates should have been shortlisted for the main examination. Instead, only 3700 candidates were declared qualified to sit for the main examination, the petitioners alleged.
Issuing notices to the State Government and OPSC, SAT chairman Haraprasad Das on Thursday disposed of the petitions asking the OPSC to allow candidates numbering 12 times of the posts to sit for the main examination. Accordingly, the OPSC was asked to conduct the main examinations after three months so as to allow the Commission to publish the result of 860 more candidates. Some OAS aspirants were demanding postponement of the examination as they are preparing for the UPSC examinations scheduled for May 18.
Govt doctors to be paid more.Junior Class I status for doctors at entry level .
The State Government on Thursday issued a notification regarding the enhancement of the pay scale of doctors. Henceforth, the entry level scale for Assistant Surgeons will be considered as Junior Class-1 with a pay scale of Rs 8,000 -13,500. The cadre will be restructured within two months in order to create sufficient promotional posts at different levels.The regular specialists of all categories of Orissa Medical Service Cadre holding the post of specialists in the district and peripheral Government hospitals will be granted specialist allowance of Rs 3,000 per month in lieu of special pay. The doctors conducting post-mortem will get an allowance of Rs 500 per case.
With a view to preventing dislocation of health services in the tribal and backward districts of the State all sanctioned posts of specialists shall be filled up by suitable deployment in the peripheral and interior areas of the aforesaid district on priority basis.A new legislation will be introduced to prohibit violence against Medicare service persons and damage of property in Medicare service institutions.
Earlier, the Orissa Medical Service Association threatened that they would go on strike if the notification regarding the enhancement of pay scale was not notified.
With a view to preventing dislocation of health services in the tribal and backward districts of the State all sanctioned posts of specialists shall be filled up by suitable deployment in the peripheral and interior areas of the aforesaid district on priority basis.A new legislation will be introduced to prohibit violence against Medicare service persons and damage of property in Medicare service institutions.
Earlier, the Orissa Medical Service Association threatened that they would go on strike if the notification regarding the enhancement of pay scale was not notified.
All primary schools in State to be electrified
All the primary schools in the State will be electrified. All of them would be given power connection under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyut Yojana. The Village Committee will bear all the expenses regarding the electrification of the schools. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy.The School and Mass Education Department will urge the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to bring the electricity dues of the schools under general categories. Steps would be taken to clear all the pending dues incurred against the use of power by the schools authorities.
Some amendments will be brought in existing rules of the Village Education Committee. Henceforth, one of the parents will be chosen as the president of the Village Education Committee.The headmaster of the school will act as the Member Secretary of the Committee. Massive plantations will be taken up in the school premises. The teachers would be ultimately responsible on the quality on the standard of education.
Some amendments will be brought in existing rules of the Village Education Committee. Henceforth, one of the parents will be chosen as the president of the Village Education Committee.The headmaster of the school will act as the Member Secretary of the Committee. Massive plantations will be taken up in the school premises. The teachers would be ultimately responsible on the quality on the standard of education.
Environmental Performance Bank Guarantee scheme on anvil in Orissa.
In a bid to protect the environment, the State Government has come up with an Environmental Performance Bank Guarantee (EPGB) scheme. It has got the support of all the upcoming industries on a long term basis. A notification to this effect will soon be issued and the upcoming new industries will be appraised of the State's latest move to make stringent all the pollution control norms and regulations.
The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is currently working out the benchmark for the bank guarantee depending on the nature and type of industry. Existing norms suggests that the all industries will have to provide a bank guarantee against installation of pollution control equipments (PCEs) within their premises. In the new formula, the SPCB will be primarily gauging the effective utilisation of the PCEs by the industries. It has been found that most of the industrial houses are just ignoring the Government's guidelines and do not operate the PCEs in the right direction.
Taking it seriously, the SPCB is working out modalities where bank guarantees provided by erring industries will be forfeited if they are found not to comply with pollution norms. Recently many sponge iron units were penalised for not conforming to Air Pollution Control Prevention norms they had the required PCEs, said a senior official of the Pollution Control Board.It was in the absence of the proper utilisation that SPCB issued orders for closing down these units.
It may be noted the State is witnessing rapid industrialisation in the last six to seven years. Keeping it in mind, the SPCB has decided to revise its existing pollution norms and make it stringent wherever possible for a better compliance of pollution control standards from these industries. The news EPCB system is likely to include a bank guarantee benchmark of 1-3 years. This would be the stipulated period within which an industry will be ask to comply with environment standards, failing which the guarantee would be forfeited with no chance for a taking back of the money.
Though most of the industries have the PCES facilities, they just use to operate it on an effective manner with an intention to maximize their profits. The whole of the State has already been declared an AIR pollution Control areas and therefore all industries coming up in these State will have to conform to such norms.
The Government is also planning ways to fine polluting units through the setting of a polluter pay scheme where the money connected in an environment relief fund. This will be the first time that an erring industrial unit will have to pay for its faults in cash together with other penal provisions imposed on it. The fine would be measured on the basis on the environment damage cost.
The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is currently working out the benchmark for the bank guarantee depending on the nature and type of industry. Existing norms suggests that the all industries will have to provide a bank guarantee against installation of pollution control equipments (PCEs) within their premises. In the new formula, the SPCB will be primarily gauging the effective utilisation of the PCEs by the industries. It has been found that most of the industrial houses are just ignoring the Government's guidelines and do not operate the PCEs in the right direction.
Taking it seriously, the SPCB is working out modalities where bank guarantees provided by erring industries will be forfeited if they are found not to comply with pollution norms. Recently many sponge iron units were penalised for not conforming to Air Pollution Control Prevention norms they had the required PCEs, said a senior official of the Pollution Control Board.It was in the absence of the proper utilisation that SPCB issued orders for closing down these units.
It may be noted the State is witnessing rapid industrialisation in the last six to seven years. Keeping it in mind, the SPCB has decided to revise its existing pollution norms and make it stringent wherever possible for a better compliance of pollution control standards from these industries. The news EPCB system is likely to include a bank guarantee benchmark of 1-3 years. This would be the stipulated period within which an industry will be ask to comply with environment standards, failing which the guarantee would be forfeited with no chance for a taking back of the money.
Though most of the industries have the PCES facilities, they just use to operate it on an effective manner with an intention to maximize their profits. The whole of the State has already been declared an AIR pollution Control areas and therefore all industries coming up in these State will have to conform to such norms.
The Government is also planning ways to fine polluting units through the setting of a polluter pay scheme where the money connected in an environment relief fund. This will be the first time that an erring industrial unit will have to pay for its faults in cash together with other penal provisions imposed on it. The fine would be measured on the basis on the environment damage cost.
ORDEA-ICCE pact inked to combat Climate Change in Orissa.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) represented by its chief executive Ajit Bharthuar and the Institute of Climate Change and Ecology (ICCE) represented by its director Pramod Kant on May 14 to work together in enabling Orissa to cope with the climate change.
Orissa, with its long coast line is particularly vulnerable to the effects and consequences of climate change that have already begun and will become more severe in the coming years. Keeping this in view (OREDA) has taken an initiative to work together with ICCE to enhance the capacity of the State to meet the challenges of climate change through promotion of research, training and creating awareness. ICCE is a Delhi-based non-profit international autonomous institution that focuses on international climate change negotiations, the effects of climate change on bio-diversity, mountains, coastal zone, mangroves, the vulnerability of food crops and the climate change mitigation opportunity that the forestry and renewable energy sectors offer.
ICCE will create centres on special areas of its expertise and accordingly open an office at Bhubaneswar to promote, coordinate and undertake various activities in eastern India. The centre will start its function from the (OREDA) office campus.
Orissa, with its long coast line is particularly vulnerable to the effects and consequences of climate change that have already begun and will become more severe in the coming years. Keeping this in view (OREDA) has taken an initiative to work together with ICCE to enhance the capacity of the State to meet the challenges of climate change through promotion of research, training and creating awareness. ICCE is a Delhi-based non-profit international autonomous institution that focuses on international climate change negotiations, the effects of climate change on bio-diversity, mountains, coastal zone, mangroves, the vulnerability of food crops and the climate change mitigation opportunity that the forestry and renewable energy sectors offer.
ICCE will create centres on special areas of its expertise and accordingly open an office at Bhubaneswar to promote, coordinate and undertake various activities in eastern India. The centre will start its function from the (OREDA) office campus.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
3 lakh free meals for Rath Yatra Day(July 4) in Puri.
PURI:MANY multinational companies (MNC) and charitable bodies have come forward in a big way to serve the pilgrims during the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath scheduled for July 4.
A meeting of all concerned NGOs and representatives of MNCs was convened by the district magistrate yesterday. It was revealed that about three lakh free meals would be doled out for the pilgrims on the day. The distribution of food packets and serving of cooked food on tables besides drinking water packets would be organised at various places of pilgrim congregation points.
The participating NGOs and religious trusts have given their consent to operate 15 ambulances in the city during the yatra to serve the devotees. This apart many have agreed to run first aid centres at various places in the city. The volunteers would collect and preserve 50 bottles of blood at the Red Cross blood bank for meeting emergency cases.
Sale of non-vegetarian food along Badabanda, the venue of Rath Yatra, has been banned by the district administration during the fete. District Magistrate Rashmiranjan Pattnaik and executive officer of the civic body M.D.Parida were present.
A meeting of all concerned NGOs and representatives of MNCs was convened by the district magistrate yesterday. It was revealed that about three lakh free meals would be doled out for the pilgrims on the day. The distribution of food packets and serving of cooked food on tables besides drinking water packets would be organised at various places of pilgrim congregation points.
The participating NGOs and religious trusts have given their consent to operate 15 ambulances in the city during the yatra to serve the devotees. This apart many have agreed to run first aid centres at various places in the city. The volunteers would collect and preserve 50 bottles of blood at the Red Cross blood bank for meeting emergency cases.
Sale of non-vegetarian food along Badabanda, the venue of Rath Yatra, has been banned by the district administration during the fete. District Magistrate Rashmiranjan Pattnaik and executive officer of the civic body M.D.Parida were present.
Power project near Cuttack City ,Cuttack may become the hottest place in the state, an urgent debate needed.
Indian Express,Cuttack,
Public hearing to assess the environment impact of the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj, on the outskirts of the city here, was cancelled for the second time on Wednesday in view of the apprehensions of breach of peace.
Officials from State pollution control board, Tata Company and senior officials of the district, who gathered at the spot for the deferred public hearing, had to make a retreat at the last moment when the local police warned that the situation was not conducive to hold the same in view of the prevailing situation at the site.
City additional DCP Deba Prasad Mazumdar, who was camping at the site for past two days, informed the district administration that the situation at Naraj was not conducive to hold the public hearing on Wednesday as hundreds of pro and anti project activists were prepared to create serious law and order situation.
PIL dismissed
A PIL filed in the Orissa High Court challenging the proposal to change the venue of public hearing on environment assessment was, however, dismissed on Wednesday. The bench of Chief Justice A.K. Ganguly and Justice B.N. Mohapatra taking up the PIL that was filed on Tuesday said: “It was too late to interfere into the matter at this stage as the public hearing was scheduled for the day itself,” the HC said. The locals had been opposing the project ever since the State government issued notification about the project in November last year.
They say the thermal power project would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the State thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery. The locals also allege that the project would deprive at least 20,000 villagers in the vicinity of their livelihood.
Public hearing to assess the environment impact of the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj, on the outskirts of the city here, was cancelled for the second time on Wednesday in view of the apprehensions of breach of peace.
Officials from State pollution control board, Tata Company and senior officials of the district, who gathered at the spot for the deferred public hearing, had to make a retreat at the last moment when the local police warned that the situation was not conducive to hold the same in view of the prevailing situation at the site.
City additional DCP Deba Prasad Mazumdar, who was camping at the site for past two days, informed the district administration that the situation at Naraj was not conducive to hold the public hearing on Wednesday as hundreds of pro and anti project activists were prepared to create serious law and order situation.
PIL dismissed
A PIL filed in the Orissa High Court challenging the proposal to change the venue of public hearing on environment assessment was, however, dismissed on Wednesday. The bench of Chief Justice A.K. Ganguly and Justice B.N. Mohapatra taking up the PIL that was filed on Tuesday said: “It was too late to interfere into the matter at this stage as the public hearing was scheduled for the day itself,” the HC said. The locals had been opposing the project ever since the State government issued notification about the project in November last year.
They say the thermal power project would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the State thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery. The locals also allege that the project would deprive at least 20,000 villagers in the vicinity of their livelihood.
NALCO refrains from investing in social sector in Odisha.
Chairman and Managing Director of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) Shriram Upadhyay seems more concerned for educational and social development of Orissa than his counterpart in National Aluminium Company (Nalco) Chitta Ranjan Pradhan. Upadhyay is eager to provide fund for establishment of a medical college at Talcher. Pradhan, though an Oriya, on the other hand, has till date not shown any interest in investing in human resource development of the State in a big way. Interestingly, Nalco's medical bill per annum is around Rs14 crore, and if this Navratna public sector undertaking (PSU) takes a bold step, it could save the huge medical expenses for its employees by investing in setting up of a medical college and hospital.
Lack of interest at the top management level of Nalco to fund in social sector of the State has irked the leading non-resident Oriyas (NROs) and educationists. While major private investors have been providing funds for development of the educational sector, PSU Nalco's shyness to develop Orissa as an educational hub has resulted in a sorry state of affairs, lamented Professor Chitta Baral, who teaches at the Arizona State University.
Prof baral has asked the Nalco chief to fund a medical college at Damanjodi (Koraput), an engineering college at Angul and a topnotch management institute in Bhubaneswar. He said that this is high time the Nalco authorities were forced to invest in the social sector in a big way.
Owing to political pressure, Nalco is funding few projects in Koraput and Anugul, alleged an educationist. He said that Nalco must take cue from MCL and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in taking initiative for investment in the social sector. CCL, it may be pointed out, is funding an engineering college in Jharkhand, its area of operation. Similarly, the Bokaro Steel Plant is also funding a medical college in Jharkhand.
While Tata Steel is liberally funding in the social sector in Jharkhand, Nalco, which is the pride of Orissa, seems to be reluctant to play its role in similar projects in the State, said another leading NRO Dhirendra Kar. As Nalco has applied for another bauxite mines in Orissa, it is high time the State Government pressurised the PSU to fund liberally in the educational sector of the State, he said. In fact, NROs in general feel that this central PSU will only succumb to the pressure tactics.
Lack of interest at the top management level of Nalco to fund in social sector of the State has irked the leading non-resident Oriyas (NROs) and educationists. While major private investors have been providing funds for development of the educational sector, PSU Nalco's shyness to develop Orissa as an educational hub has resulted in a sorry state of affairs, lamented Professor Chitta Baral, who teaches at the Arizona State University.
Prof baral has asked the Nalco chief to fund a medical college at Damanjodi (Koraput), an engineering college at Angul and a topnotch management institute in Bhubaneswar. He said that this is high time the Nalco authorities were forced to invest in the social sector in a big way.
Owing to political pressure, Nalco is funding few projects in Koraput and Anugul, alleged an educationist. He said that Nalco must take cue from MCL and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in taking initiative for investment in the social sector. CCL, it may be pointed out, is funding an engineering college in Jharkhand, its area of operation. Similarly, the Bokaro Steel Plant is also funding a medical college in Jharkhand.
While Tata Steel is liberally funding in the social sector in Jharkhand, Nalco, which is the pride of Orissa, seems to be reluctant to play its role in similar projects in the State, said another leading NRO Dhirendra Kar. As Nalco has applied for another bauxite mines in Orissa, it is high time the State Government pressurised the PSU to fund liberally in the educational sector of the State, he said. In fact, NROs in general feel that this central PSU will only succumb to the pressure tactics.
Vedanta's free schooling in DAV .
Provision of admission to the Puri DAV School by Anil Agarwal Foundation's Vedanta University project for the children of displaced families has drawn an enthusiastic response from the villagers. As per the arrangement, 500 children from the land losing and displaced families will be admitted to the school.
By May 10, as many as 618 applications were received from children of the target families for admission in the DAV School. The children will get free education and the Foundation will provide uniforms, transport facilities, books and also mid-day snacks.
Despite discouragement and threats from vested interests opposed to the university project, the villagers and their children are very enthusiastic about the whole arrangement as they are serious about good education and a better future. After selection and admission, the classes are scheduled to start from July 1, according to a company release.
By May 10, as many as 618 applications were received from children of the target families for admission in the DAV School. The children will get free education and the Foundation will provide uniforms, transport facilities, books and also mid-day snacks.
Despite discouragement and threats from vested interests opposed to the university project, the villagers and their children are very enthusiastic about the whole arrangement as they are serious about good education and a better future. After selection and admission, the classes are scheduled to start from July 1, according to a company release.
No slum eviction drive in Cuttack, says POSCO.
POSCO has reiterated its stand that it is not even remotely connected with any slum eviction drive in Cuttack.
Referring to a report published in The Pioneer on Tuesday, the South Korean company, which has proposed to set up a mega steel plant near Paradip, has said the rumours that slum-dwellers on the banks of the Taldanda Canal in Cuttack will be evicted to lay pipelines for supply of the Mahanadi water to the steel project are the handiwork of some vested interests. Such rumours were also denied by the company in February this year.
Posco asserted that any slum eviction drive by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation has no linkage whatsoever with its project. The project is "for the benefit of the State of Orissa in a win-win partnership with Posco" and has "no plan whatsoever to do anything to cause any harm to the people", the release added.
Referring to a report published in The Pioneer on Tuesday, the South Korean company, which has proposed to set up a mega steel plant near Paradip, has said the rumours that slum-dwellers on the banks of the Taldanda Canal in Cuttack will be evicted to lay pipelines for supply of the Mahanadi water to the steel project are the handiwork of some vested interests. Such rumours were also denied by the company in February this year.
Posco asserted that any slum eviction drive by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation has no linkage whatsoever with its project. The project is "for the benefit of the State of Orissa in a win-win partnership with Posco" and has "no plan whatsoever to do anything to cause any harm to the people", the release added.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Students of Art courses demand job opportunities.
The Hindu,Bhubaneswar.
Students of eight colleges in the State demands for reintroduction of art teachers
Nearly 1,000 students from eight colleges of art and crafts of the State have formed a forum – Orissa Kala Sikshya Chhatra Parishad – to demand the Government to create job opportunities for them.With the the newly founded Orissa Art Education Foundation chairperson Asit Mukherjee in chair, representatives of these colleges – the Government College of Art and Crafts in Khallikote, BK College of Art and Craft in Bhubaneswar, Dhauli Collage of Art and Craft in Bhubaneswar, Baleswar Art College, Bhadrak Art College, Jeypore Art College, Sundargarh Art College and Sri Aurobindo Art College of Keonjhar – organised a meeting at the Orissa Modern Art Gallery here this week to form the forum and fix up its objectives.A 16-member Coordination Committee was formed with two representatives of each college. It includes Rajanikanta Sahoo (president), Debi Prasad Das (secretary), Chintamani Padhi, Harekrushna Bisoi, Sudarsan Jayasingh, Gadadhar Sutar, Digbijay Ray, Pritiranjan Moharana, Rajendra Meher, Sandipan Sarangi, Ramakrushna Mohanty, Soumendra Boitei, Padma Charan Choudhury, Satya Ranjan Sahoo and Sukamati.
The first meeting of the Parishad was also attended by the Foundation’s working president and former Orissa Sahitya Akademi secretary Indu Bhusan Kar, Baleswar Art College principal Nikunj Behari Das, Dhauli Art College principal Panchanan Samal, Bhadrak Art College principal Manoj Bhattacharya, Sundargarh Art College principal Seetal Mohapatra and Keonjhar Art College principal Durga Prasad Patnaik – all members of the Foundation.The Parishad would demand for reintroduction of the posts of art teachers in schools that was abolished 25 years ago, informed the students’ representatives.Art students of each Assembly constituency would meet their respective MLAs to convince them about the need for creating job opportunities for art students and the apathy of the State Government towards the issues concerning promotion of art education in the State.
Students of eight colleges in the State demands for reintroduction of art teachers
Nearly 1,000 students from eight colleges of art and crafts of the State have formed a forum – Orissa Kala Sikshya Chhatra Parishad – to demand the Government to create job opportunities for them.With the the newly founded Orissa Art Education Foundation chairperson Asit Mukherjee in chair, representatives of these colleges – the Government College of Art and Crafts in Khallikote, BK College of Art and Craft in Bhubaneswar, Dhauli Collage of Art and Craft in Bhubaneswar, Baleswar Art College, Bhadrak Art College, Jeypore Art College, Sundargarh Art College and Sri Aurobindo Art College of Keonjhar – organised a meeting at the Orissa Modern Art Gallery here this week to form the forum and fix up its objectives.A 16-member Coordination Committee was formed with two representatives of each college. It includes Rajanikanta Sahoo (president), Debi Prasad Das (secretary), Chintamani Padhi, Harekrushna Bisoi, Sudarsan Jayasingh, Gadadhar Sutar, Digbijay Ray, Pritiranjan Moharana, Rajendra Meher, Sandipan Sarangi, Ramakrushna Mohanty, Soumendra Boitei, Padma Charan Choudhury, Satya Ranjan Sahoo and Sukamati.
The first meeting of the Parishad was also attended by the Foundation’s working president and former Orissa Sahitya Akademi secretary Indu Bhusan Kar, Baleswar Art College principal Nikunj Behari Das, Dhauli Art College principal Panchanan Samal, Bhadrak Art College principal Manoj Bhattacharya, Sundargarh Art College principal Seetal Mohapatra and Keonjhar Art College principal Durga Prasad Patnaik – all members of the Foundation.The Parishad would demand for reintroduction of the posts of art teachers in schools that was abolished 25 years ago, informed the students’ representatives.Art students of each Assembly constituency would meet their respective MLAs to convince them about the need for creating job opportunities for art students and the apathy of the State Government towards the issues concerning promotion of art education in the State.
Excise Department to set up 3 testing laboratories in the state.
The State Excise Department has decided to set up three testing centres one each at Sambalpur, Cuttack and Berhampur. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Excise Minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Tuesday at the State Secretariat.The laboratories would be operational by the first week of June.
As the Excise Department has no laboratory, it has to send the opium, bhang and ganja for testing to the Laboratory of the Drugs Controller. Around 6,000 cases are coming up to the Centre per annum.In the first phase, liquor would be tested. The laboratory would work under Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue Department.
As the Excise Department has no laboratory, it has to send the opium, bhang and ganja for testing to the Laboratory of the Drugs Controller. Around 6,000 cases are coming up to the Centre per annum.In the first phase, liquor would be tested. The laboratory would work under Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue Department.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
SCB Medical College,Cuttack to offer PG courses in Dental Stream.
DENTAL education in Orissa is set for a major leap with the dental wing of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) here bracing to introduce post-graduate courses from the ensuing academic session.
The Health Ministry, on the basis of the recommendations of the Dental Council of India (DCI), has granted the dental wing of the SCBMCH to offer PG courses in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pedodontics departments.
These would be the first PG courses in any dental stream in the State.
According to vice-principal of the dental wing Dr Niranjan Satpathy, both the departments would have two seats each, which would be filled by one candidate each from the State and one from national counselling.
In February, the DCI inspected the college to assess the latter’s capacity to effectively deliver training in higher education in fields of specialisation and all parameters like infrastructure, staffing pattern and patient service were examined before making recommendation to the Centre.
Besides, the dental college is also expecting an increase in BDS seats from 20 to 50 from the current academic year. A DCI team had been on an assessment visit and returned on Sunday. The permission for PG courses will be a catalyst for grant of additional seats, Satpathy hoped.
Head of the Oral and Maxillofacial department Dr Indubhusan Kar observed that the PG streams would churn out specialists in the emerging fields of dentistry to fill the void. ‘‘With people waking up to the importance of dental care and hygiene, the opportunities are growing. Demand for restructuring distortion caused by natural causes, disease or accident is on the rise and we need specialists to attend to them,’’ he said. Pedodontics or paediatric dentistry is an important specialisation where doctors have to be specially trained as they have to deal with children, including infants.
The Health Ministry, on the basis of the recommendations of the Dental Council of India (DCI), has granted the dental wing of the SCBMCH to offer PG courses in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pedodontics departments.
These would be the first PG courses in any dental stream in the State.
According to vice-principal of the dental wing Dr Niranjan Satpathy, both the departments would have two seats each, which would be filled by one candidate each from the State and one from national counselling.
In February, the DCI inspected the college to assess the latter’s capacity to effectively deliver training in higher education in fields of specialisation and all parameters like infrastructure, staffing pattern and patient service were examined before making recommendation to the Centre.
Besides, the dental college is also expecting an increase in BDS seats from 20 to 50 from the current academic year. A DCI team had been on an assessment visit and returned on Sunday. The permission for PG courses will be a catalyst for grant of additional seats, Satpathy hoped.
Head of the Oral and Maxillofacial department Dr Indubhusan Kar observed that the PG streams would churn out specialists in the emerging fields of dentistry to fill the void. ‘‘With people waking up to the importance of dental care and hygiene, the opportunities are growing. Demand for restructuring distortion caused by natural causes, disease or accident is on the rise and we need specialists to attend to them,’’ he said. Pedodontics or paediatric dentistry is an important specialisation where doctors have to be specially trained as they have to deal with children, including infants.
Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Chilika in top 20 tourist destinations of India.
Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark and Chilika have been identified among the top 20 tourist destinations of the country, State Tourism Department officials said on Monday.
These sites have been identified as tourist destinations with an eye on wooing the potential foreign and domestic tourists. Besides, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Varanasi-Sarnath (both in UP), Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda (Bihar), illumination of monuments in Delhi, Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) and Haridwar-Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) have been selected as some other destinations.
Under this new initiative, financial assistance up to Rs 25 crore will be provided for development of a mega destination and Rs 50 crore for a mega circuit. Apart from this financial assistance, the Union Ministry of Tourism is also working with other Central Ministries and concerned State Governments to achieve convergence and synergy with other Government programmes so that the impact of investment on these destinations is maximised, officials added.
These sites have been identified as tourist destinations with an eye on wooing the potential foreign and domestic tourists. Besides, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Varanasi-Sarnath (both in UP), Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda (Bihar), illumination of monuments in Delhi, Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) and Haridwar-Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) have been selected as some other destinations.
Under this new initiative, financial assistance up to Rs 25 crore will be provided for development of a mega destination and Rs 50 crore for a mega circuit. Apart from this financial assistance, the Union Ministry of Tourism is also working with other Central Ministries and concerned State Governments to achieve convergence and synergy with other Government programmes so that the impact of investment on these destinations is maximised, officials added.
Orissa Govt. identifies thrust areas for future investment.
The State Government has come out with an industrial brochure, titled "Taking Your Business to New Heights," in which it has clearly spelt out the areas for future investments. It has also identified the quarters where Government would put top priority on future investments. These future investments would be made primarily in the small, medium and secondary sectors. The brochure was prepared jointly by the State Industries department and the Industrial Promotion Investment Corporation of Orissa Limited (IPICOL). Steel, power, aluminum and cement contribute for more than 70 per cent of the proposed Rs 4.21 lakh crore investments proposed in the State.
Though the State Government has signed 49 MoUs with the steel major and 13 MoUs with the Independent Power Producers, it would continue to put thrust on the development of small, medium and secondary sectors. It has identified agro- process, automobiles, auto component, textile, apparels and ancillary and downstream sectors as thrust areas for future investments. In the brochures, Government has also projected how much investments would be made in a particular area.
Government has projected that Rs 300 crore would be invested in the automobile sector with creating job potential of around 500. Auto -component may bring an investment of Rs 50 crore generating jobs for around 200 people. Rs 25 crore is likely to be invested in the agro- processing sector with potential for direct jobs being 100.
Similarly, the minimum investment could be in the region of Rs 50 crore and would generate an employment for 500. In the apparel sector, the investment could be Rs 10 crore with a capacity to generate an employment of 500. The ancillary and down stream sector will have employment capacity of 100 with investment of Rs 10 crore.
Government has identified information technology and enabled services (IT and ITES), tourism, biotechnology, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, handlooms, coir goods, leathers products, gemstone cutting and polishing, fly ash and blast furnace slag-based industries and mineral based industries as other priority sectors future investments.
Though the State Government has signed 49 MoUs with the steel major and 13 MoUs with the Independent Power Producers, it would continue to put thrust on the development of small, medium and secondary sectors. It has identified agro- process, automobiles, auto component, textile, apparels and ancillary and downstream sectors as thrust areas for future investments. In the brochures, Government has also projected how much investments would be made in a particular area.
Government has projected that Rs 300 crore would be invested in the automobile sector with creating job potential of around 500. Auto -component may bring an investment of Rs 50 crore generating jobs for around 200 people. Rs 25 crore is likely to be invested in the agro- processing sector with potential for direct jobs being 100.
Similarly, the minimum investment could be in the region of Rs 50 crore and would generate an employment for 500. In the apparel sector, the investment could be Rs 10 crore with a capacity to generate an employment of 500. The ancillary and down stream sector will have employment capacity of 100 with investment of Rs 10 crore.
Government has identified information technology and enabled services (IT and ITES), tourism, biotechnology, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, handlooms, coir goods, leathers products, gemstone cutting and polishing, fly ash and blast furnace slag-based industries and mineral based industries as other priority sectors future investments.
Monday, May 12, 2008
KBK still the poorest’
Indian Express,Bolangir,12/05/08
Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest districts in India, where 87 percent people and nearly 12 lakh families live below poverty line. KBK is still the most backward region even though funds for development programmes continue to flow to these districts over the years.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said this quoting the 2007-08 CAG report. The CAG report clearly pointed out the erratic use of funds meant for agriculture, forest, irrigation, communication and drinking water facilities.
It specifically reported that as many as 1450 projects were either closed or remained incomplete. It said, ‘‘Participatory management was poor as contribution in respect of ‘pani panchayats and watershed development funds’ failed to take off creating apprehension about future maintenance of projects. Mainly, the Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana failed to generate employment days targeted under RLTAP, Indira Awas Yojana couldn’t provide dwelling to targeted group and short supply of rice and dal affected emergency feeding to the beneficiaries. And above all safe drinking water couldn’t be ensured in most of the habitations. More so, only 6 percent BPL families were covered under KBK schemes against the targeted 30 percent.
Mishra attributed this abysmally low economic progress to poor performance of developmental programmes undertaken in KBK. He said education is extremely dissatisfactory in KBK. ‘‘Proper education will clear bottlenecks in the way of development. State’s first priority should be education,’’Mishra said. He demanded that Central University should be established either in Balangir or any KBK district for socio-economic development.Mishra warned that due to poor socio-economic growth and the failure of government to meet the development targets, Naxalite menace is growing. ‘‘To check the Naxal menace, a separate post of RDC should be created in KBK,’’ he added.
Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest districts in India, where 87 percent people and nearly 12 lakh families live below poverty line. KBK is still the most backward region even though funds for development programmes continue to flow to these districts over the years.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said this quoting the 2007-08 CAG report. The CAG report clearly pointed out the erratic use of funds meant for agriculture, forest, irrigation, communication and drinking water facilities.
It specifically reported that as many as 1450 projects were either closed or remained incomplete. It said, ‘‘Participatory management was poor as contribution in respect of ‘pani panchayats and watershed development funds’ failed to take off creating apprehension about future maintenance of projects. Mainly, the Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana failed to generate employment days targeted under RLTAP, Indira Awas Yojana couldn’t provide dwelling to targeted group and short supply of rice and dal affected emergency feeding to the beneficiaries. And above all safe drinking water couldn’t be ensured in most of the habitations. More so, only 6 percent BPL families were covered under KBK schemes against the targeted 30 percent.
Mishra attributed this abysmally low economic progress to poor performance of developmental programmes undertaken in KBK. He said education is extremely dissatisfactory in KBK. ‘‘Proper education will clear bottlenecks in the way of development. State’s first priority should be education,’’Mishra said. He demanded that Central University should be established either in Balangir or any KBK district for socio-economic development.Mishra warned that due to poor socio-economic growth and the failure of government to meet the development targets, Naxalite menace is growing. ‘‘To check the Naxal menace, a separate post of RDC should be created in KBK,’’ he added.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Missile Man pitches for Rural Growth,Dr. Kalam spoke to Ravenshaw University students.
Indian Express,Cuttack
Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam today called upon Ravenshaw University to spearhead a mission to bring about allround social development particularly in the rural pockets in its vicinity.
The University should consider adopting around 20 to 30 villages around it, covering a population of around 50,000 and implement developmental activities through establishment of PURAs (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).
The PURA concept envisioned by the former head of the nation propagates development of infrastructure for bringing rural prosperity, mainly through creation of three connectivities — physical, electronic and knowledge. The basic objective is to bridge the urban-rural divide, ensure balanced growth and thereby stem rural migration, generate employment and improve basic amenities from roads, communication to health and education.
Delivering the First Convocation address of Ravenshaw University, he said the road to India’s transformation into a developed country as envisaged in the Vision 2020 goals lies in uplift of the rural areas and masses within. Educational institutions have a major role to play in furthering the mission. ‘‘In Periyar PURA at Vallam in Tamil Nadu students and teachers of Periyar Maniammai College of Engineering and Technology are working in around 60 villages involving over a lakh population. The results have been stupendous. And Ravenshaw can replicate the model here in its own backyard,’’ Dr Kalam suggested.
He emphasised on integration of the school syllabus and university with entrepreneurship courses to build entrepreneurs right from their school and college days. ‘‘Our education system injects nearly 10 million into the employment market every year but still there is large gap in employable skills. Therefore, focus should be on generating employment providers rather than employment seekers,’’ he said.
Agreeing with Dr Kalam, Governor and Chancellor of Ravenshaw University MC Bhandare urged students and faculty to devote at least 15 days a year for motivating and teaching children in villages and tribal areas.
The first convocation of the historic institution after it became a university to award degrees on the Class of 2007 had all the grandeur of the ceremony combined with an overt attachment to the cultural ethos of Orissa. The stoles donned by the students, faculty and ordaining officiary bore Sambalpuri motifs, which is a first for any such ceremony in the State.
Dr Kalam and Chancellor Bhandare awarded gold medals to the students excelling in different disciplines as well as the winners of the historic Bora Sambar debate and Inter State RTI debate. Among others, Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chotray, Dean NR Patnaik and Registrar Satyakam Mishra were present.
Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam today called upon Ravenshaw University to spearhead a mission to bring about allround social development particularly in the rural pockets in its vicinity.
The University should consider adopting around 20 to 30 villages around it, covering a population of around 50,000 and implement developmental activities through establishment of PURAs (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).
The PURA concept envisioned by the former head of the nation propagates development of infrastructure for bringing rural prosperity, mainly through creation of three connectivities — physical, electronic and knowledge. The basic objective is to bridge the urban-rural divide, ensure balanced growth and thereby stem rural migration, generate employment and improve basic amenities from roads, communication to health and education.
Delivering the First Convocation address of Ravenshaw University, he said the road to India’s transformation into a developed country as envisaged in the Vision 2020 goals lies in uplift of the rural areas and masses within. Educational institutions have a major role to play in furthering the mission. ‘‘In Periyar PURA at Vallam in Tamil Nadu students and teachers of Periyar Maniammai College of Engineering and Technology are working in around 60 villages involving over a lakh population. The results have been stupendous. And Ravenshaw can replicate the model here in its own backyard,’’ Dr Kalam suggested.
He emphasised on integration of the school syllabus and university with entrepreneurship courses to build entrepreneurs right from their school and college days. ‘‘Our education system injects nearly 10 million into the employment market every year but still there is large gap in employable skills. Therefore, focus should be on generating employment providers rather than employment seekers,’’ he said.
Agreeing with Dr Kalam, Governor and Chancellor of Ravenshaw University MC Bhandare urged students and faculty to devote at least 15 days a year for motivating and teaching children in villages and tribal areas.
The first convocation of the historic institution after it became a university to award degrees on the Class of 2007 had all the grandeur of the ceremony combined with an overt attachment to the cultural ethos of Orissa. The stoles donned by the students, faculty and ordaining officiary bore Sambalpuri motifs, which is a first for any such ceremony in the State.
Dr Kalam and Chancellor Bhandare awarded gold medals to the students excelling in different disciplines as well as the winners of the historic Bora Sambar debate and Inter State RTI debate. Among others, Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chotray, Dean NR Patnaik and Registrar Satyakam Mishra were present.
Strive for Rural Prosperity, Kalam tells Ravenshaw University students.
Suman Mohanty,The Pioneer,Cuttack
The Ravenshaw University should work for bringing rural prosperity through the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Area (PURA) in Cuttack and its vicinity covering about 20 villages with a population of 50,000, said former President APJ Abdul Kalam while delivering his address as the chief guest at the first convocation of the Ravenshaw University here on Saturday.
He said that in order to bring economic prosperity in villages, infrastructural development is a must. This can be achieved only through the mission of PURA. In this context, educational institutions have a greater role to play. He cited how the lives of nearly 1 lakh people got transformed through proper implementation of PURA by the Periyar Maniammal Engineering College of Tamil Nadu. The Ravenshaw University can do the same in Cuttack district, he said.
Envisioning his ideas on a prosperous nation in the year 2020, Dr Kalam said university education should not only provide value-based quality education but should be restructured so as to make it an effective instrument for socio-economic transformation of the nation, said. He was referring to the Mission of Education- Capacity Building.
He said that here is a time when the country is witnessing a continuous rise in its foreign exchange reserves, global recognition of its technological advancements, energy of 540 million youth, spread and reach of 25 million people in various parts of the planet with the potential of sharing capacity of resources and knowledge and the illusory distinction of public-private and private sectors slowly vanishing. India's reputation as the largest democracy in the world is building up today. This has led to a rise in confidence among foreign investors to evince interest in India.
Dr Kalam laid out before the students, teachers and audiences a 10-point distinctive profile of the nation for transforming the country into a developed nation. He stressed on agriculture and food processing, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all in each part of the country, education and healthcare, information and communicative technology, self-reliance in critical technology. His India of dream in 2020 would be such a nation where the distinct line between urban and rural would vanish and power and drinking water for all would be a reality.
Kalam recalled the book written by Howard Gardener titled Five Minds for Future, which has published 25 centuries after Lord Buddha's enlightenment. After studying it, he came to know about the five minds about the future. These are disciplinary mind, synthesising mind, creating mind, respectful mind and ethical mind. "If we control these 5 types mind then we can achieve what is expected and what is not anticipated. Without these a person will be at the mercy of the forces which one cannot understand," he said.
Chancellor of the university MC Bhandare recalled the development of the Ravenshaw College into a university and said the Orissa history is incomplete without Ravenshaw. Vice-Chancellor Dr Devdas Chhotray gave his welcome address.
The Ravenshaw University should work for bringing rural prosperity through the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Area (PURA) in Cuttack and its vicinity covering about 20 villages with a population of 50,000, said former President APJ Abdul Kalam while delivering his address as the chief guest at the first convocation of the Ravenshaw University here on Saturday.
He said that in order to bring economic prosperity in villages, infrastructural development is a must. This can be achieved only through the mission of PURA. In this context, educational institutions have a greater role to play. He cited how the lives of nearly 1 lakh people got transformed through proper implementation of PURA by the Periyar Maniammal Engineering College of Tamil Nadu. The Ravenshaw University can do the same in Cuttack district, he said.
Envisioning his ideas on a prosperous nation in the year 2020, Dr Kalam said university education should not only provide value-based quality education but should be restructured so as to make it an effective instrument for socio-economic transformation of the nation, said. He was referring to the Mission of Education- Capacity Building.
He said that here is a time when the country is witnessing a continuous rise in its foreign exchange reserves, global recognition of its technological advancements, energy of 540 million youth, spread and reach of 25 million people in various parts of the planet with the potential of sharing capacity of resources and knowledge and the illusory distinction of public-private and private sectors slowly vanishing. India's reputation as the largest democracy in the world is building up today. This has led to a rise in confidence among foreign investors to evince interest in India.
Dr Kalam laid out before the students, teachers and audiences a 10-point distinctive profile of the nation for transforming the country into a developed nation. He stressed on agriculture and food processing, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all in each part of the country, education and healthcare, information and communicative technology, self-reliance in critical technology. His India of dream in 2020 would be such a nation where the distinct line between urban and rural would vanish and power and drinking water for all would be a reality.
Kalam recalled the book written by Howard Gardener titled Five Minds for Future, which has published 25 centuries after Lord Buddha's enlightenment. After studying it, he came to know about the five minds about the future. These are disciplinary mind, synthesising mind, creating mind, respectful mind and ethical mind. "If we control these 5 types mind then we can achieve what is expected and what is not anticipated. Without these a person will be at the mercy of the forces which one cannot understand," he said.
Chancellor of the university MC Bhandare recalled the development of the Ravenshaw College into a university and said the Orissa history is incomplete without Ravenshaw. Vice-Chancellor Dr Devdas Chhotray gave his welcome address.
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