PNS | Bhubaneswar
The country's poorest State, Orissa, is getting poorer, owing to the natural calamities striking it's zone almost every year. The State's geographical location and geo-climatic conditions make it one of the most vulnerable zones for frequent natural disasters, pointed Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Nikunja Kishore Sundaray.
He said more than 80 per cent of the geographical area and 90 per cent of the people are vulnerable to one or more types of disasters. Over 60 per cent people living below the poverty line (BPL) face the brunt of calamities and their economic conditions have been deteriorating rapidly.
During the last 16 years, the State has suffered a staggering financial loss of Rs 20,000 crore. Since 1995-96 to 2007-08, the loss was Rs 17,385 crore, Sundaray said.
Due to the Super Cyclone of 1999, the State became poorer by Rs 6,243 crore, he revealed. This year's devastating floods have cost the State Rs 2,500 crore, according to a preliminary survey. And after the final assessment, the loss would rise further, said an analyst of flood damage.
Cyclonic disturbances are also relatively high on the Orissa coast in comparison to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that this coast is twice more vulnerable compared to other eastern States. Orissa is one of the States worst affected by flood, he said, adding that Orissa's 3.34 million hectares of land is flood-prone.
Apart from storms and severe cyclones, the Orissa coast is also prone to tsunami, while the reservoirs of the Hirakud and Rengali dams are in the Earthquake Zone-III.
In this backdrop, the SRC has raised the issue of reviewing the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) kitty and lowering the ratio of the State's share of 25 per cent to the CRF. It may be mentioned that the State Government is now preparing to present a memorandum to the Thirteenth Finance Commission
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Malnutrition prevention centres to be opened
The Hindu.
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to raise awareness level in public about health of mothers and children, the State government has decided to organise Health and Nutrition Day at every anganwadi centre of the State once a month.At a high level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Anu Garg, it was resolved that the health and nutrition day will be observed either on every Tuesday or Friday.Anganwadi workers, Asha karmies, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and general people would have to remain present on those days for the success of this initiative, a Health Department statement said here on Monday.
According to sources, the programme would be launched at an anganwadi centre in Koraput district on November 14, which is observed as Children’s Day.Similarly, three child malnutrition prevention and rehabilitation centres would come up in Koraput, Kalahandi and Mayurbhanj district. A budgetary allocation of Rs. 8 lakh has been made for each centre.
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to raise awareness level in public about health of mothers and children, the State government has decided to organise Health and Nutrition Day at every anganwadi centre of the State once a month.At a high level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Anu Garg, it was resolved that the health and nutrition day will be observed either on every Tuesday or Friday.Anganwadi workers, Asha karmies, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and general people would have to remain present on those days for the success of this initiative, a Health Department statement said here on Monday.
According to sources, the programme would be launched at an anganwadi centre in Koraput district on November 14, which is observed as Children’s Day.Similarly, three child malnutrition prevention and rehabilitation centres would come up in Koraput, Kalahandi and Mayurbhanj district. A budgetary allocation of Rs. 8 lakh has been made for each centre.
'Kandhamal violence due to SC-ST rift'.
PTI
NEW DELHI: Seeking to deflect attention from Bajrang Dal which has been accused for attacks on Christians, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest" between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.Speaking at the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here, he sought to project a rosy picture of Orissa in terms of communal harmony even while acknowledging the "disturbances in some pockets" of the state from "time to time", for which he blamed "ethnic strains, particularly among ST and SC communities".
Referring to two incidents of communal violence in Kandhamal, he said there were clashes between members of SC and ST communities in the past "on account of conflict of interest in the matter of land rights, employment opportunities and religion"."The recent incidents of violence in Kandhamal are a manifestation of such discord," he said about the district where STs constitute 53 per cent of the population and SCs constitute 22 per cent.This comment assumes significance as the violence against Christians and churches has been blamed on Bajrang Dal, prompting demands for banning the Sangh Parivar outfit.
Patnaik insisted that the situation in Kandhamal has been brought under control and a "gamut" of measures initiated to facilitate "harmonious and speedier" socio-economic development of different communities living in the district.He said a Special Administrator of the rank of a Commissioner has been appointed in the district to oversee the development of the area. The administrator has been given powers to settle long-standing issues over land rights.
NEW DELHI: Seeking to deflect attention from Bajrang Dal which has been accused for attacks on Christians, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest" between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.Speaking at the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here, he sought to project a rosy picture of Orissa in terms of communal harmony even while acknowledging the "disturbances in some pockets" of the state from "time to time", for which he blamed "ethnic strains, particularly among ST and SC communities".
Referring to two incidents of communal violence in Kandhamal, he said there were clashes between members of SC and ST communities in the past "on account of conflict of interest in the matter of land rights, employment opportunities and religion"."The recent incidents of violence in Kandhamal are a manifestation of such discord," he said about the district where STs constitute 53 per cent of the population and SCs constitute 22 per cent.This comment assumes significance as the violence against Christians and churches has been blamed on Bajrang Dal, prompting demands for banning the Sangh Parivar outfit.
Patnaik insisted that the situation in Kandhamal has been brought under control and a "gamut" of measures initiated to facilitate "harmonious and speedier" socio-economic development of different communities living in the district.He said a Special Administrator of the rank of a Commissioner has been appointed in the district to oversee the development of the area. The administrator has been given powers to settle long-standing issues over land rights.
Finally Orissa Govt starts looking into false certificate cases in Kandhamal
Bijoy Pradhan IENS
BHUBANESWAR: After decades of neglect, the State Government in an initiative similar to the ‘wiser after the event syndrome’ has started looking into the false caste certificate issue in Kandhamal district.
It took more than a decade for the Government to prepare a resolution as per the Supreme Court ruling on issues of caste certificate in Madhuri Patil verses Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development, Thane, case. The apex court ruling was pronounced on April 28, 1997.
The Supreme Court has laid down a detailed procedure for identification of false caste certificates with the ruling that such cases should be handled by a police officer of the rank of inspector of police.
Notwithstanding the claim of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal after the December 2007 attack on Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati that tehsildars of Kandhamal district are on the job of verifying cases relating to false caste certificates, the Government resolution as per the apex court ruling only issued to the district collectors on June 28, official sources said.
The Government deputed 10 inspectors of police to investigate the false caste certificate complaints only recently following request from the Kandhamal district administration.
The district administration has also provided two-day training to the 10 cops. While officers of ST and SC Development Department and anthropologists from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, provided basic knowledge on how to distinguish non-tribals from tribals, senior district officers guided them on administrative issues involved in dealing with false caste certificate cases, Kandhamal District Collector Krishen Kumar told this paper.
The police inspectors will be deputed in those blocks having maximum such complaints, Kumar said adding, the district administration has received about 540 registered complaints so far.Apprehending slow progress on the investigation front in the current month, Kumar exuded confidence that the process will speed up from November. Efforts will be made to complete the investigation as quickly as possible as a series of procedures need to be followed, he added.The specially deputed police officers have a final round of discussion today with senior district officials at the Phulbani collectorate. Special administrator, Kandhamal, Madhusudan Padhi was present.
Most of the complainants alleged that ‘Panas’ and Christian ‘Panas’ have entered into Government services by producing false caste (ST) certificates. Although ‘Panas’ ceased to enjoy the status of Scheduled Caste after conversion to Christianity, Christian ‘Panas’ are still getting both the benefits.a
BHUBANESWAR: After decades of neglect, the State Government in an initiative similar to the ‘wiser after the event syndrome’ has started looking into the false caste certificate issue in Kandhamal district.
It took more than a decade for the Government to prepare a resolution as per the Supreme Court ruling on issues of caste certificate in Madhuri Patil verses Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development, Thane, case. The apex court ruling was pronounced on April 28, 1997.
The Supreme Court has laid down a detailed procedure for identification of false caste certificates with the ruling that such cases should be handled by a police officer of the rank of inspector of police.
Notwithstanding the claim of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal after the December 2007 attack on Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati that tehsildars of Kandhamal district are on the job of verifying cases relating to false caste certificates, the Government resolution as per the apex court ruling only issued to the district collectors on June 28, official sources said.
The Government deputed 10 inspectors of police to investigate the false caste certificate complaints only recently following request from the Kandhamal district administration.
The district administration has also provided two-day training to the 10 cops. While officers of ST and SC Development Department and anthropologists from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, provided basic knowledge on how to distinguish non-tribals from tribals, senior district officers guided them on administrative issues involved in dealing with false caste certificate cases, Kandhamal District Collector Krishen Kumar told this paper.
The police inspectors will be deputed in those blocks having maximum such complaints, Kumar said adding, the district administration has received about 540 registered complaints so far.Apprehending slow progress on the investigation front in the current month, Kumar exuded confidence that the process will speed up from November. Efforts will be made to complete the investigation as quickly as possible as a series of procedures need to be followed, he added.The specially deputed police officers have a final round of discussion today with senior district officials at the Phulbani collectorate. Special administrator, Kandhamal, Madhusudan Padhi was present.
Most of the complainants alleged that ‘Panas’ and Christian ‘Panas’ have entered into Government services by producing false caste (ST) certificates. Although ‘Panas’ ceased to enjoy the status of Scheduled Caste after conversion to Christianity, Christian ‘Panas’ are still getting both the benefits.a
Ravenshaw signs MoU to start unique facility.
Express News Service
CUTTACK: Continuing to tread the uncharted path to redefine the academic milieu in the State, Ravenshaw University on Saturday announced plans for setting up a unique facility in contemporary music.
The initiative envisages establishment of not only one of the richest repository of contemporary music in the country but also offer educational programmes in niche areas relating to it. And, what better way of starting it than by naming it as Akshaya Mohanty Centre for Contemporary Music, after the legendary singer of Orissa.
The project, in fact, would come up in association with the Akshay Mohanty Foundation (AMF) and entails an investment of Rs 1 crore. Both Ravenshaw University and the foundation would be pooling Rs 50 lakh each.
A provisional MoU was signed between the university and foundation here today. As per the agreement, the foundation would prepare a detailed project report on the basis of which work would commence. The music library would be up and running within a year, Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray said.
The library would not only store and archive Oriya contemporary music but also other Indian languages like Hindi along with English, Japanese, African, French, Latin, Deutsch etc. ‘‘It would have listening boxes where students can listen to the music without disturbing each other. We also have proposals to enable community access to one of its kind facility in Orissa,’’ the Vice-Chancellor informed.
The centre also plans to start Department of Sound and Department of Presentation to offer courses in the areas that are now considered integral parts of music and performance. The Department of Sound would train students in the best studio management and recording practices using the latest technology, while the Department of Presentation would arm the musical performers from singers to musicians to instrumentalists with a riveting stage presence.
‘‘Today stage presence like proper posture and positioning along with placement of instruments and accessories is deemed a prerequisite at the international-level. The course which would be run by expert faculty drawn from across the country aims at preparing our artistes for the international audience. Further, both the departments would be used by students for in-house productions for Ravenshaw Radio and other performances,’’ he added.
CUTTACK: Continuing to tread the uncharted path to redefine the academic milieu in the State, Ravenshaw University on Saturday announced plans for setting up a unique facility in contemporary music.
The initiative envisages establishment of not only one of the richest repository of contemporary music in the country but also offer educational programmes in niche areas relating to it. And, what better way of starting it than by naming it as Akshaya Mohanty Centre for Contemporary Music, after the legendary singer of Orissa.
The project, in fact, would come up in association with the Akshay Mohanty Foundation (AMF) and entails an investment of Rs 1 crore. Both Ravenshaw University and the foundation would be pooling Rs 50 lakh each.
A provisional MoU was signed between the university and foundation here today. As per the agreement, the foundation would prepare a detailed project report on the basis of which work would commence. The music library would be up and running within a year, Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray said.
The library would not only store and archive Oriya contemporary music but also other Indian languages like Hindi along with English, Japanese, African, French, Latin, Deutsch etc. ‘‘It would have listening boxes where students can listen to the music without disturbing each other. We also have proposals to enable community access to one of its kind facility in Orissa,’’ the Vice-Chancellor informed.
The centre also plans to start Department of Sound and Department of Presentation to offer courses in the areas that are now considered integral parts of music and performance. The Department of Sound would train students in the best studio management and recording practices using the latest technology, while the Department of Presentation would arm the musical performers from singers to musicians to instrumentalists with a riveting stage presence.
‘‘Today stage presence like proper posture and positioning along with placement of instruments and accessories is deemed a prerequisite at the international-level. The course which would be run by expert faculty drawn from across the country aims at preparing our artistes for the international audience. Further, both the departments would be used by students for in-house productions for Ravenshaw Radio and other performances,’’ he added.
Naveen picks holes in Centre’s claim.
PNS | New Delhi
The Chief Ministers of Orissa and Karnataka, the two States where violence prompted the Central Government to call the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting, have shot back at their critics for trying to 'frame' the State Governments "without any reason'.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest' between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Patnaik explained that the long history of ill-feeling and suspicion between the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) on a variety of issues such as forcible occupation of land of the tribals and jobs secured on the basis of false caste certificates are the main reasons for the ongoing violence in Kandhamal district.
Kandhas and Panas are the original inhabitants of the Kandhamal. While majority of the Kandhas are Hindus, most of the Panas are converted to Christianity. The problem cropped up after Panas started demanding rights as enjoyed by the Kandha tribe. Kandhas alleged that Panas have grabbed their land.
At the meeting, Patnaik also mentioned that a Special Administrator had been appointed to address the long standing problems of the people of Kandhamal as well as to oversee implementation of a special package for the district."Kandhamal has practically not had any violent incident for the last 10 days due to the presence of police forces," he said, adding that the entire nation must fight hatred, fanaticism and recrimination.
"Orissa has an excellent track record of peace and harmony and is remarkably free of considerations of casteism and communalism," he said, adding that in its more than eight years of incumbency, his Government had not had any violence in the entire State except for the two unfortunate incidents in one of the State's 30 districts namely, Kandhamal in December, 2007 and in August, 2008.Condemning the violence, he said more than 1,000 persons have been arrested out of which more than 500 were from the district of Kandhamal alone. "The Crime branch is investigating these incidents. It has made significant progress and arrested three persons involved in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati," he said.
Describing the rape of a nun as a "shameful and barbaric incident", he stated that eight persons have been arrested in connection with this case and prompt action has been taken against police officials who have neglected their duty. "A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the incidents," he said.Mentioning that the incidents in Kandhamal were happening in the backdrop of the worst floods in the post-Independence history of Orissa, Patnaik urged the Government of India for Central assistance for more than four million people who have been affected by the floods.
Responding to the discussion on extremism, he mentioned that over 15,000 posts have been created in the Orissa police during the last three years which was an increase of 30 per cent.He requested the Government of India to accept the long standing demand of the State Government for deployment of four more battalions of CRPF for at least two years in order to assist the State Governments efforts to fight extremism.
The Chief Ministers of Orissa and Karnataka, the two States where violence prompted the Central Government to call the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting, have shot back at their critics for trying to 'frame' the State Governments "without any reason'.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest' between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Patnaik explained that the long history of ill-feeling and suspicion between the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) on a variety of issues such as forcible occupation of land of the tribals and jobs secured on the basis of false caste certificates are the main reasons for the ongoing violence in Kandhamal district.
Kandhas and Panas are the original inhabitants of the Kandhamal. While majority of the Kandhas are Hindus, most of the Panas are converted to Christianity. The problem cropped up after Panas started demanding rights as enjoyed by the Kandha tribe. Kandhas alleged that Panas have grabbed their land.
At the meeting, Patnaik also mentioned that a Special Administrator had been appointed to address the long standing problems of the people of Kandhamal as well as to oversee implementation of a special package for the district."Kandhamal has practically not had any violent incident for the last 10 days due to the presence of police forces," he said, adding that the entire nation must fight hatred, fanaticism and recrimination.
"Orissa has an excellent track record of peace and harmony and is remarkably free of considerations of casteism and communalism," he said, adding that in its more than eight years of incumbency, his Government had not had any violence in the entire State except for the two unfortunate incidents in one of the State's 30 districts namely, Kandhamal in December, 2007 and in August, 2008.Condemning the violence, he said more than 1,000 persons have been arrested out of which more than 500 were from the district of Kandhamal alone. "The Crime branch is investigating these incidents. It has made significant progress and arrested three persons involved in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati," he said.
Describing the rape of a nun as a "shameful and barbaric incident", he stated that eight persons have been arrested in connection with this case and prompt action has been taken against police officials who have neglected their duty. "A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the incidents," he said.Mentioning that the incidents in Kandhamal were happening in the backdrop of the worst floods in the post-Independence history of Orissa, Patnaik urged the Government of India for Central assistance for more than four million people who have been affected by the floods.
Responding to the discussion on extremism, he mentioned that over 15,000 posts have been created in the Orissa police during the last three years which was an increase of 30 per cent.He requested the Government of India to accept the long standing demand of the State Government for deployment of four more battalions of CRPF for at least two years in order to assist the State Governments efforts to fight extremism.
State earmarks over Rs 600 cr to protect seashore villages from cyclone threat
PNS | Bhubaneswar
The State Government has decided to include all villages within five km radius of the seashore under the disaster mitigation plan. Special plan would be chalked out to protect the villages from the possible onslaught of the cyclone. Rs 609.40 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.It would be implemented under the aegis of the National Cyclone Disaster Mitigation Project (NCDMP) plan. The villages near the Chilka lake will also be included in the programme.
A total of 311 villages of Puri district, 194 villages of Kendrapara, 76 villages in Jagatsingpur, 217 villages in Balasore and 18 villages in Ganjam district would be included in the plan.While the Centre would bear nearly 75 per cent of the total expenses, the rest would be borne by the State Government.
Rs 190 crore will be spent on the repair of the saline embankment which has been created by the rising sea tide, Rs 130 crore to be spent on building cyclone centres, Rs 195 crore for connecting roads to the village having less than 500 population, Rs 23.03 crore to be spent of protection of mangrove forest, Rs 17.68 crore on creating awareness on super cyclone and Rs 53.69 crore to be spent on implementation of the project.Water proof high frequency mobile would be given to fishermen.In each village, one VHF would be installed. All the VHF would be run by battery. Special cyclone centres would be built for the fishermen. Fishermen would be provided 10,000 boats and life-jackets.
In this connection, OSDMA sent a proposal of Rs 400.67 crore to the NDMA which was later approved by it. A World Bank team has already visited the cyclone prone areas.Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy on Monday held a high-level meeting to chalk out plan to meet any possible cyclone in the coming days.Indian Metrological Department (IMD) presented a documentation on how can people be saved during super cyclone and how can it be predicted.Orissa generally witnesses cyclone from March to May and October to first week of December.
The State Government has decided to include all villages within five km radius of the seashore under the disaster mitigation plan. Special plan would be chalked out to protect the villages from the possible onslaught of the cyclone. Rs 609.40 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.It would be implemented under the aegis of the National Cyclone Disaster Mitigation Project (NCDMP) plan. The villages near the Chilka lake will also be included in the programme.
A total of 311 villages of Puri district, 194 villages of Kendrapara, 76 villages in Jagatsingpur, 217 villages in Balasore and 18 villages in Ganjam district would be included in the plan.While the Centre would bear nearly 75 per cent of the total expenses, the rest would be borne by the State Government.
Rs 190 crore will be spent on the repair of the saline embankment which has been created by the rising sea tide, Rs 130 crore to be spent on building cyclone centres, Rs 195 crore for connecting roads to the village having less than 500 population, Rs 23.03 crore to be spent of protection of mangrove forest, Rs 17.68 crore on creating awareness on super cyclone and Rs 53.69 crore to be spent on implementation of the project.Water proof high frequency mobile would be given to fishermen.In each village, one VHF would be installed. All the VHF would be run by battery. Special cyclone centres would be built for the fishermen. Fishermen would be provided 10,000 boats and life-jackets.
In this connection, OSDMA sent a proposal of Rs 400.67 crore to the NDMA which was later approved by it. A World Bank team has already visited the cyclone prone areas.Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy on Monday held a high-level meeting to chalk out plan to meet any possible cyclone in the coming days.Indian Metrological Department (IMD) presented a documentation on how can people be saved during super cyclone and how can it be predicted.Orissa generally witnesses cyclone from March to May and October to first week of December.
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