Now, use Microsoft Vista operating system and Office 2007 applications in Oriya but be prepared for the shocker. These softwares have been developed by a literature and language facility and not any advanced out and out IT outfit. And, the entity is Post- Graduate Department of Oriya of Ravenshaw University.
After successfully giving shape to the default Oriya language interface for the Windows Vista operating system along with patches for its preceding XP platform for Microsoft, the department, in collaboration with Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), has readied a comprehensive spellchecker and grammar-checker for the Oriya Office-2007 applications.Not stopping at that, it has moved on to developing programming strings in Oriya language for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 applications.
It has developed independent softwares like the comprehensive Oriya dictionary ‘Pramod Abidhan,’ online Oriya tutor ‘Ana Oriya’, dictionary of contemporary word usages ‘Chalanti’ and an revolutionary English to Oriya automated transcription programme.The developers are no IT geeks but students of Oriya literature in the department with basic knowledge of computers and a few of their counterparts from the MCA wing of the university.Under the guidance of Prof and HoD, Dr Girish Chandra Mishra, who had been involved in the developing of Shrilipi Oriya programme in 1990, as many as 24 Oriya PG and eight MCA students are churning out products one after the other.‘Pramod Abidhan,’ the 3,000-odd page Oriya dictionary, has been digitised and made online in the Orissa Government portal.The dictionary contains around two lakh words complete with their etimiology, pronunciation, usage and varieties of meanings. The software can also be used offline.
Besides, keeping in view the rush of foreigners as multinational investors flock to Orissa, the department has developed ‘AnaOriya’ tutoring software package with online interface that enables selflearning from basic alphabets, words and their translated meanings, vowels, vowel symbols, grammar and sentence formation with exhaustive audio-visual support.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Mineral rich States demand constitution of task force:Chief Ministers held meeting at Orissa Bhawan.
The Chief Ministers of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and a Cabinet Minister of Jharkhand on Saturday morning met at Orissa Bhawan in New Delhi to discuss about the possible repercussion of the National Mineral Policy.They signed a joint memorandum on mineral issues and submitted it to the Prime Minister. The five mineral-based States demanded that a task force consisting of officials of Union Government and the State Governments be immediately constituted in order to go into the matters concerning the mineral owning States before any amendment to the MMDR Act and the relevant Rules is introduced in the Parliament.In the memorandum, they alleged that the National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2008, which was tabled a few days back in the Rajya Sabha has not considered many of the viewpoints of the mineral rich States, who have earlier submitted three joint memoranda in December 2006, August 2007 and December 2007.
The States reiterated their demand for value addition within the State to attract investments which will lead to employment and revenue generation as against standalone mining stated in the NMP, 2008.The States opposed the concept of seamless transition from reconnaissance to prospecting to mining lease for bulk minerals since it would deny the States the opportunity to promote mineral-based industry within their States.
The States felt that the over emphasis on attracting FDI in mining in the NMP, 2008 will result in a situation where a few multinational mining companies will acquire control over the vast mineral resources of the country that are essentially required for the domestic manufacturing industry.
The States reiterated that the royalty on various minerals should be ad valorem and the export duty on minerals should be passed on entirely to the respective State. Orissa has already lost hundreds of crores of revenue due to the delay in revision of royalty on minerals by the Central Government.
The States also urged the Centre to continue reservation for the State mining PSUs as recommended by the Hoda Committee. Phasing out export of minerals and allowing captive mining for industries located within the mineral based States are the other key demands made through the Joint Memorandum. "Minerals are finite resources, they should not be exported just for earning foreign exchange," they said. Later, Chief Minister Patnaik attended a meeting of NDA Chief Ministers called by LK Advani where he also raised the mineral issue.
The States reiterated their demand for value addition within the State to attract investments which will lead to employment and revenue generation as against standalone mining stated in the NMP, 2008.The States opposed the concept of seamless transition from reconnaissance to prospecting to mining lease for bulk minerals since it would deny the States the opportunity to promote mineral-based industry within their States.
The States felt that the over emphasis on attracting FDI in mining in the NMP, 2008 will result in a situation where a few multinational mining companies will acquire control over the vast mineral resources of the country that are essentially required for the domestic manufacturing industry.
The States reiterated that the royalty on various minerals should be ad valorem and the export duty on minerals should be passed on entirely to the respective State. Orissa has already lost hundreds of crores of revenue due to the delay in revision of royalty on minerals by the Central Government.
The States also urged the Centre to continue reservation for the State mining PSUs as recommended by the Hoda Committee. Phasing out export of minerals and allowing captive mining for industries located within the mineral based States are the other key demands made through the Joint Memorandum. "Minerals are finite resources, they should not be exported just for earning foreign exchange," they said. Later, Chief Minister Patnaik attended a meeting of NDA Chief Ministers called by LK Advani where he also raised the mineral issue.
Preparations in full swing for Utkal Divas.
The State Government has stepped up preparations for observance of Utkal Divas on April 1. Special celebrations have been planned in the State capital, Utkal Bhawan in Kolkata and Orissa Bhawan in Delhi. Governor MC Bhandare, Culture Minister SN Patro are expected to grace the occasion in Delhi, while Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would address a State-level function in Bhubaneswar, which is scheduled to be presided over by Assembly Speaker Maheswar Mohanty.Similar functions will be held at all district headquarters, most of which will be addressed by Ministers.
1 new IIT and 1 new Central University in Orissa during 11th Five Year Plan period.
New Delhi, Mar 28: In a bid to give an impetus to the higher education sector, Government today decided to establish four new IITs and six IIMs in various states besides upgrading some of the state universities to the status of Central Universities.While the new IITs would be located in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh (Indore), Gujarat and Punjab, the IIMs would come up in Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Uttarakhand and Haryana.These new institutions would be part of the eight IITs and seven IIMs proposed to be set up during the 11th Five Year Plan.Government has already announced establishment of four IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh and one IIM at Shillong.The location of the new higher education institutions has been approved by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, HRD Minister Arjun Singh told reporters here.
In addition, he said the government proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute was already based on the IIT-Joint Entrance Examination.Singh said it is also proposed to establish during the 11th five year plan period 14 Universities with world class standards and 16 universities in states which do not have a Central University at present.
Singh said the establishment of new IITs, IIMs and Central Universities was subject to state governments offering adequate land at suitable locations and free of cost. The 14 Central Universities aiming at world class standards would be located in Pune, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Mysore, Visakhapatnam, Gandhinagar, Jaipur, Patna, Bhopal, Kochi, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Greater NOIDA and Guwahati.The locations have been decided keeping in mind the connectivity and the infrastructure which such universities would need, he said.The state governments would be requested to identify adequate land in or near the selected cities, Singh said adding the contour and shape of such world class universities would be defined shortly.
In addition, he said the government proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute was already based on the IIT-Joint Entrance Examination.Singh said it is also proposed to establish during the 11th five year plan period 14 Universities with world class standards and 16 universities in states which do not have a Central University at present.
Singh said the establishment of new IITs, IIMs and Central Universities was subject to state governments offering adequate land at suitable locations and free of cost. The 14 Central Universities aiming at world class standards would be located in Pune, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Mysore, Visakhapatnam, Gandhinagar, Jaipur, Patna, Bhopal, Kochi, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Greater NOIDA and Guwahati.The locations have been decided keeping in mind the connectivity and the infrastructure which such universities would need, he said.The state governments would be requested to identify adequate land in or near the selected cities, Singh said adding the contour and shape of such world class universities would be defined shortly.
Kosal Liberation Day on April 1: DOSA opposes it.
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
The Kosal Kranti Dal, a new political party registered recently with the Election Commission of India, will observe April 1 as the Kosal Liberation Day amid a gathering of around 20,000 people, said its leader Pramod Mishra at the party's Central General Council (CGC) meeting at Balangir on March 23.According to a Press release, the month-long awareness campaign (Jatha), which was launched on February 26, was reviewed at the meeting. Misra said the campaign touched around 3,000 villages and the people's response was overwhelming.In terms of the party's programme after its registration with the Election Commission, the April 1 congregation would create a kind of self-confidence and gear the party workers to face the next election, said party's secretary general and spokesman Baidyanath Mishra.The party would come up with its election strategy in April, which would be announced at a Press conference in Bhubaneswar, he added.
Delhi Oriya Students Association (DOSA) is opposing any move in the name of Kosal,as DOSA strongly believe that it is the creation of some politicians who are anti-national and even can sell their motherland or state for their own selfish political purpose.
The Kosal Kranti Dal, a new political party registered recently with the Election Commission of India, will observe April 1 as the Kosal Liberation Day amid a gathering of around 20,000 people, said its leader Pramod Mishra at the party's Central General Council (CGC) meeting at Balangir on March 23.According to a Press release, the month-long awareness campaign (Jatha), which was launched on February 26, was reviewed at the meeting. Misra said the campaign touched around 3,000 villages and the people's response was overwhelming.In terms of the party's programme after its registration with the Election Commission, the April 1 congregation would create a kind of self-confidence and gear the party workers to face the next election, said party's secretary general and spokesman Baidyanath Mishra.The party would come up with its election strategy in April, which would be announced at a Press conference in Bhubaneswar, he added.
Delhi Oriya Students Association (DOSA) is opposing any move in the name of Kosal,as DOSA strongly believe that it is the creation of some politicians who are anti-national and even can sell their motherland or state for their own selfish political purpose.
Friday, March 28, 2008
C- DAC to develop Software in Oriya.
Oriya can be added to the list of BOSS ( Bharat Operating System Solutions), if adequate initiatives are taken especially by the people in Orissa. BOSS has been developed by C- DAC, as part of Government of India's initiative towards equipping common people with the benefits of computer technology as a free and open source operating system," said senior scientist of C- DAC , Mumbai Alka S Irani at a national seminar and BOSS workshop towards Language Literate Computers 'LLC 2008' here on Tuesday.
Currently BOSS can process nine Indian languages- Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu in various text editors such as gedit, Open-Office, Abi-Word, Yudit. Move is on to chalk out an action plan for Oriya and to create special interest groups and structures for fulfilling the dream of "language literate computers", added Irani. Irani further said that information and knowledge are considered to be the key factors for development of a society.Unfortunately, only a tiny portion of Indian population is truly informed and knowledgeable.Language Technology, as a key component in human-computer interfaces, can increase the chances for non-technical people to quickly and successfully interact with computers. Under this backdrop BOSS has been developed by C-DAC.
BOSS is a GNU/Linux distribution developed by C-DAC with support from NRCFOSS at Chennai for enhancing the use of Free or Open Source Software in the country. IIMT chairman Srikanta Patnaik said that C-DAC is now showing more interest for Oriya language and accordingly it has identified IIMT as the Centre for Language Technology.
Currently BOSS can process nine Indian languages- Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu in various text editors such as gedit, Open-Office, Abi-Word, Yudit. Move is on to chalk out an action plan for Oriya and to create special interest groups and structures for fulfilling the dream of "language literate computers", added Irani. Irani further said that information and knowledge are considered to be the key factors for development of a society.Unfortunately, only a tiny portion of Indian population is truly informed and knowledgeable.Language Technology, as a key component in human-computer interfaces, can increase the chances for non-technical people to quickly and successfully interact with computers. Under this backdrop BOSS has been developed by C-DAC.
BOSS is a GNU/Linux distribution developed by C-DAC with support from NRCFOSS at Chennai for enhancing the use of Free or Open Source Software in the country. IIMT chairman Srikanta Patnaik said that C-DAC is now showing more interest for Oriya language and accordingly it has identified IIMT as the Centre for Language Technology.
Orissa MLAs take to streets against National Mining Policy.
A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's strong criticism of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre for framing the National Mining Policy 2008 under the influence of the international mining lobby, Biju Janata Dal MLAs on Wednesday took to the streets and staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan protesting against anti-Orissa move of the Centre.The BJD MLAs alleged that the National Mineral Policy 2008, which was tabled in Rajya Sabha on March 20, seems to be heavily influenced by the mining lobby, mainly the international lobby, which has lately earned huge profits due to the favourable market conditions.
"The policy it may result in a few multinational mining companies acquiring control over the huge mineral resources of our country that are essentially required for the domestic manufacturing industry for a global market," the BJD said in a statement.
"There seems to be a hidden hand, or it is said foreign hands, behind this approach. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are jointly trying to hijack development from Orissa," the statement further alleged.
The party feared that the mineral policy would affect the Orissa Government's historic policy of value addition of minerals within the State, which has resulted in large number of minerals-based industries flocking to the State with huge investments.
If the minerals from Orissa could be freely transported to any other part of the country or of the globe, as the policy advocates, there would be no compulsion for industries to set up their plants in Orissa, party MLAs said.
"The policy it may result in a few multinational mining companies acquiring control over the huge mineral resources of our country that are essentially required for the domestic manufacturing industry for a global market," the BJD said in a statement.
"There seems to be a hidden hand, or it is said foreign hands, behind this approach. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are jointly trying to hijack development from Orissa," the statement further alleged.
The party feared that the mineral policy would affect the Orissa Government's historic policy of value addition of minerals within the State, which has resulted in large number of minerals-based industries flocking to the State with huge investments.
If the minerals from Orissa could be freely transported to any other part of the country or of the globe, as the policy advocates, there would be no compulsion for industries to set up their plants in Orissa, party MLAs said.
Orissa Khadi Board spins out sops for Cottage Industries.
Of late, the State Khadi and Village Industries Board has planned to boost the rural cottage industries that are likely to contribute significantly to the State's Gross Domestic Products (GDP).Speaking at a Press meet here on Wednesday, president of State Khadi Board Samir Mohanty said with prime object of bringing development the Board has taken some bold steps. Firstly, it decides to set up a training-cum-production centre at Udyagpuri to provide adequate training to the beneficiaries of spinning, weaving and processing category. Secondly, it has decided to take up a pilot project on Khadi Centre at Khaprakhol in Balangir where 500 cutters and weavers will get employment opportunity.
In a bid to maintain transparency, he is the first president in the State to bring out a comprehensive directory of beneficiaries and distributed these among the legislators and public to get information about the beneficiaries and their production units.Similarly, secretary of Khadi and Village Industries Board, Manmohan Rath said after beneficiaries' directory the Board has contemplated to bring out a product directory, which will ensure one to have information about the production units that are still functional in the State.
He said in his knowledge there were 1,806 cottage industries in the State that were still operational after availing the subsidy money from the Board. As is reported the State Khadi and Village Industries Board received Rs 22.15 crore under the national scheme named as Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) that started operating in 1999. Moreover, 3,194 beneficiaries all across the State have availed the margin money from banks.
To ensure that no beneficiary availing the subsidy money at the rate 25 per cent or 30 per cent as the case may be of the project cost should close down his unit driving it to sickness intentionally, the Board has requested the banks to have at least two years locking period for the margin money, said Mohanty.
In a bid to maintain transparency, he is the first president in the State to bring out a comprehensive directory of beneficiaries and distributed these among the legislators and public to get information about the beneficiaries and their production units.Similarly, secretary of Khadi and Village Industries Board, Manmohan Rath said after beneficiaries' directory the Board has contemplated to bring out a product directory, which will ensure one to have information about the production units that are still functional in the State.
He said in his knowledge there were 1,806 cottage industries in the State that were still operational after availing the subsidy money from the Board. As is reported the State Khadi and Village Industries Board received Rs 22.15 crore under the national scheme named as Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) that started operating in 1999. Moreover, 3,194 beneficiaries all across the State have availed the margin money from banks.
To ensure that no beneficiary availing the subsidy money at the rate 25 per cent or 30 per cent as the case may be of the project cost should close down his unit driving it to sickness intentionally, the Board has requested the banks to have at least two years locking period for the margin money, said Mohanty.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Orissa Govt pushing for establishment of ancillary industries.
With the process of establishment of ultra-mega and heavy industries gaining a steady foothold, Orissa has now trained its eyes on ancillarisation to promote value addition to the output of mother firms.On Tuesday, Team Orissa under the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa ltd (IPICOL) played host to a delegation of industrialists and entrepreneurs from states like Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Around 11 industrialists with specialisation in stainless steel finished products are on a three-day visit to the State to explore opportunities in Stainless Steel sector here.
While the proposed Jindal Stainless Steel Downstream Park (SEZ) at Kalinga Nagar is the focus, the State is also promoting the Choudwar Industrial estate to the visitors. It is also pushing Somnathpur Industrial Estate at Balasore, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Paradip and Dhamra regions for establishment of ancillary industries.
The Stainless Steel SEZ is proposed to be set up over 300 acres around the 1.6 mtpa steel plant project of Jindal Stainless and would house industries to move up the value chain churning out specific products for different sectors. Investment in the SEZ is envisaged to be to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore.
Showcasing the opportunities, Director of Industries Hemant Sharma said that the potential for industrial growth in the sector was immense considering the number of steel plants and capacity addition coupled with availability of infrastructure like land, water, cheap and easy power and connectivity.A study conducted by the JSSL and international consultancy firm CB Richard Elis has pointed out that the precision cold rolling, pipes and tubes, auto components, engineering products, kitchenware and lifestyle products held much promise.
The advantages of setting up projects in Orissa were manifold as it was at the core of emerging markets in Eastern India comprising West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North east. It was also the gateway to the South East Asian Countries in terms of exports.The State Government had lined up a comprehensive package including incentives and concessions to promote the ancillary enterprises, Sharma said.
Asserting the profitability of the ventures here, CEO of Jindal Stainless Steel Ltd SS Virdi stated that applications of steel were the fastest growing among all metals as per capital consumption (PCC) is on rise. In India PCC is only 1.1 kg against 15 to 20 kg in developed nations.
While the proposed Jindal Stainless Steel Downstream Park (SEZ) at Kalinga Nagar is the focus, the State is also promoting the Choudwar Industrial estate to the visitors. It is also pushing Somnathpur Industrial Estate at Balasore, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Paradip and Dhamra regions for establishment of ancillary industries.
The Stainless Steel SEZ is proposed to be set up over 300 acres around the 1.6 mtpa steel plant project of Jindal Stainless and would house industries to move up the value chain churning out specific products for different sectors. Investment in the SEZ is envisaged to be to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore.
Showcasing the opportunities, Director of Industries Hemant Sharma said that the potential for industrial growth in the sector was immense considering the number of steel plants and capacity addition coupled with availability of infrastructure like land, water, cheap and easy power and connectivity.A study conducted by the JSSL and international consultancy firm CB Richard Elis has pointed out that the precision cold rolling, pipes and tubes, auto components, engineering products, kitchenware and lifestyle products held much promise.
The advantages of setting up projects in Orissa were manifold as it was at the core of emerging markets in Eastern India comprising West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North east. It was also the gateway to the South East Asian Countries in terms of exports.The State Government had lined up a comprehensive package including incentives and concessions to promote the ancillary enterprises, Sharma said.
Asserting the profitability of the ventures here, CEO of Jindal Stainless Steel Ltd SS Virdi stated that applications of steel were the fastest growing among all metals as per capital consumption (PCC) is on rise. In India PCC is only 1.1 kg against 15 to 20 kg in developed nations.
Geography Department of Utkal University plans Diploma course in Disaster Management.
With disaster management increasingly catching the attention of policy makers and researchers, the department of Geography under Utkal University is contemplating to start a diploma programme on the subject.
"Today coastal zone study and disaster management are much sought after programmes in colleges and universities across the globe. Their relevance increases in states like Orissa, as the regions are prone to natural disasters," said department head Prof SK Mohanty.The University Grants Commission (UGC) is, in fact, laying special emphasis on such courses and programmes that address human vulnerability to cyclonic disaster and measures to check loss of lives. The new course will be under its wings.
Studies indicate that about 7,516 km of the country’s coastline is prone to cyclones. Orissa itself is visited by about six cyclones every year of which two or three fall under severe category. At a seminar organised by the department in association with the Eastern Geographical Society here today, Prof.SK Agarwal of Delhi University also noted that cyclonic storm is responsible for 90 percent loss of life.
However, one of the positive developments taking shape in recent years, he observed, is that there had been a paradigm shift from response to preparedness. Things like the heavy loss of life in the 1999 super cyclone could have been averted had such a preparedness plan been in place.
Prof Mohanty said the Department of Research Support under UGC’s special assistance programme has asked the university to organise seminars which discuss thrust areas. Seminars of this kind would be held every five years and can be extended thereafter subject to the assessment report.Tuesday’s theme was based on ‘Human vulnerability to cyclone hazards in the coastal regions and was attended by Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Prof. LN Mishra and others.
"Today coastal zone study and disaster management are much sought after programmes in colleges and universities across the globe. Their relevance increases in states like Orissa, as the regions are prone to natural disasters," said department head Prof SK Mohanty.The University Grants Commission (UGC) is, in fact, laying special emphasis on such courses and programmes that address human vulnerability to cyclonic disaster and measures to check loss of lives. The new course will be under its wings.
Studies indicate that about 7,516 km of the country’s coastline is prone to cyclones. Orissa itself is visited by about six cyclones every year of which two or three fall under severe category. At a seminar organised by the department in association with the Eastern Geographical Society here today, Prof.SK Agarwal of Delhi University also noted that cyclonic storm is responsible for 90 percent loss of life.
However, one of the positive developments taking shape in recent years, he observed, is that there had been a paradigm shift from response to preparedness. Things like the heavy loss of life in the 1999 super cyclone could have been averted had such a preparedness plan been in place.
Prof Mohanty said the Department of Research Support under UGC’s special assistance programme has asked the university to organise seminars which discuss thrust areas. Seminars of this kind would be held every five years and can be extended thereafter subject to the assessment report.Tuesday’s theme was based on ‘Human vulnerability to cyclone hazards in the coastal regions and was attended by Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Prof. LN Mishra and others.
APIIT to conduct entrance test in Orissa.
The Indian chapter of Kuala Lumpur-based Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) has decided to hold entrance test in the Capital, Cuttack and Rourkela on June 7.Regional coordinator Om Prakash said, their objective is to enrol a good number of students from the State this year and provide them a scope to complete their studies in Kuala Lumpur or in Staffordshire University in UK, to which the institute is affiliated.
The India campus based in Panipat is recognised by AICTE. It offers specialised programmes under the computer science stream like computing, software engineering and multimedia.Prakash said, unlike other programmes, APIIT curriculums are tailor-made keeping industry requirements in mind. The course modules do away with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, he said while talking to mediapersons here.On the placement front, he said, the highest salary offered this year went up to Rs 4 lakh. The sister branches of APIIT are located in the cities of Perth, Colombo, Karachi and Lahore.
The India campus based in Panipat is recognised by AICTE. It offers specialised programmes under the computer science stream like computing, software engineering and multimedia.Prakash said, unlike other programmes, APIIT curriculums are tailor-made keeping industry requirements in mind. The course modules do away with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, he said while talking to mediapersons here.On the placement front, he said, the highest salary offered this year went up to Rs 4 lakh. The sister branches of APIIT are located in the cities of Perth, Colombo, Karachi and Lahore.
Tit for tat: Orissa to build barrage on upper stream of Mahendratanaya.
In a tit-for-tat move against its Andhra Pradesh counterpart, the Orissa Government has decided to construct a barrage on the upper stream of river Mahendratanya. "We have approached the Planning Commission. Once the proposal is cleared, the Government will go ahead for construction of the barrage," said Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal in the Assembly on Tuesday.In reply to an adjournment motion, Samal said the Government would go to any extent to refrain Andhra Pradesh from going ahead with the project. "If necessary, the Government will once again knock on the doors of the Supreme Court on this issue," he said, adding that Rs 38 crore has been earmarked for this purpose. "Secretary, Water Resources has already written a letter to his counterpart. But we have been waiting for the reply of the Andhra Pradesh Government on this issue," he said, adding that the money would be arranged from NABARD.
Samal further said it had come to the notice of the Government that Andhra Pradesh was planning construction of a weir on river Mahendratanaya and dam nearby valley in Andhra Pradesh. Detailed survey of the proposed project with reference to the likely submergence of part area of Gajapati district has not yet been received by the Orissa Government.He further said the Orissa Government had already urged its Andhra Pradesh counterpart to stop the construction of its project. "The State Government has already requested the Andhra Pradesh Government to stop the construction till the clearance is obtained from the Government of Orissa and Government of India as required under the Inter State Agreement made in 1962.
Regarding irrigation projects proposed by the State Government upstream of Mahendratanya a project has been proposed near village Kaithapadar with a storage reservoir to irrigate 7,490 hectare in Paralakhemundi and Kashinagar and Rayagada block of Gajapati district. Two diversion weirs across river Jalanga and Mahendratanya are proposed for instant utilisation of water an interim measure. Ultimately this project on Mahendratanaya will become an integral part of the proposed Lower Vansadhara river.Earlier, participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition JB Patnaik and other Congress members Trinath Sahu, Nalinikanta Mohanty and Sitakanta Mohapatra demanded that before Andhra Pradesh goes ahead with the project, Orissa should construct the barrage. "If this would not happen, around 3 lakh people will be affected. A dam should be set up 30 km above Parlakhemundi. Power can also be generated from this project," leader of Opposition Patnaik said. Ruling party members also urged the Government to take concrete steps on this issue
Samal further said it had come to the notice of the Government that Andhra Pradesh was planning construction of a weir on river Mahendratanaya and dam nearby valley in Andhra Pradesh. Detailed survey of the proposed project with reference to the likely submergence of part area of Gajapati district has not yet been received by the Orissa Government.He further said the Orissa Government had already urged its Andhra Pradesh counterpart to stop the construction of its project. "The State Government has already requested the Andhra Pradesh Government to stop the construction till the clearance is obtained from the Government of Orissa and Government of India as required under the Inter State Agreement made in 1962.
Regarding irrigation projects proposed by the State Government upstream of Mahendratanya a project has been proposed near village Kaithapadar with a storage reservoir to irrigate 7,490 hectare in Paralakhemundi and Kashinagar and Rayagada block of Gajapati district. Two diversion weirs across river Jalanga and Mahendratanya are proposed for instant utilisation of water an interim measure. Ultimately this project on Mahendratanaya will become an integral part of the proposed Lower Vansadhara river.Earlier, participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition JB Patnaik and other Congress members Trinath Sahu, Nalinikanta Mohanty and Sitakanta Mohapatra demanded that before Andhra Pradesh goes ahead with the project, Orissa should construct the barrage. "If this would not happen, around 3 lakh people will be affected. A dam should be set up 30 km above Parlakhemundi. Power can also be generated from this project," leader of Opposition Patnaik said. Ruling party members also urged the Government to take concrete steps on this issue
Rajya Sabha MP Rama Chandra Khuntia urges PM for IIT in Orissa.
Clinching on to the opportunity of meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP from Orissa and AICC secretary Rama Chandra Khuntia on Tuesday urged him for setting up an IIT in State, allocation of adequate funds for construction work of AIIMS branch, initiatives to change the name of Orissa to Odisha, stopping iron ore exports from the State, laying a four-lane road of National Highway-215 from Rajamunda to Panikoili, rail communication to Dhamra Port and Aredi Akhandalamani via Jajpur's Biraja Kshetra from Jajpur-Keonjhar Road railway station and steps for doubling the Daitari-Bansapani rail line.He also discussed with the PM for setting up of a Railway Division Office at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road and provision for stoppage of all express trains at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station.Khuntia also urged Singh that the minimum support price given to wheat farmers should be extended to paddy growers. Besides, he urged for total implementation of the Arjun Sen Gupta Committee's recommendation for labourers working in farm and unorganised sectors. A permanent rehabilitation scheme should be put into place for labourers residing in close proximity of railway lines in Chhattisgarh, Bilashpur, Raipur and Orissa.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Crash course on Mahatma Gandhi.
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
BHUBANESWAR: Crash course on the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi would now be available through correspondence programme.
Chennai-based Gandhi Study Centre is offering the course free of cost. One has to only register for the programme by paying Rs 150. The course ‘Let us know Gandhi’ would be of three months duration.Examinations would be held thrice every year - on January 30, May 30 and August 30. The question paper would be sent to the candidates and the participants can appear for the test from their homes itself.Talking to this paper, Centre’s research coordinator Prema said, all the successful candidates would be awarded certificates. Those who register their names will also be provided study materials.Contact classes can also be organised in a city that has a good number of candidates. Some teachers from Utkal University have already enrolled for the programme. Examination for the first batch would be conducted on June 1.
BHUBANESWAR: Crash course on the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi would now be available through correspondence programme.
Chennai-based Gandhi Study Centre is offering the course free of cost. One has to only register for the programme by paying Rs 150. The course ‘Let us know Gandhi’ would be of three months duration.Examinations would be held thrice every year - on January 30, May 30 and August 30. The question paper would be sent to the candidates and the participants can appear for the test from their homes itself.Talking to this paper, Centre’s research coordinator Prema said, all the successful candidates would be awarded certificates. Those who register their names will also be provided study materials.Contact classes can also be organised in a city that has a good number of candidates. Some teachers from Utkal University have already enrolled for the programme. Examination for the first batch would be conducted on June 1.
Air connectivity to Bhitarkanika a boost to eco-tourism.
In a bid to woo more tourists and to promote the eco-system of Bhitarkanika National Park, a private airline company Deccan Aviation has planned to launch air services to the park soon.
Air Deccan is going to offer special packages to the tourists to visit Bhitarkanika mangrove forest, the second largest mangrove forest of India. Apart from that they would get a chance to pay a visit to the beaches of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, the world's largest rookery of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the doorless village of Sialia under Rajkania, the magnificent Royal palace of Rajkanika, Hukitola island and nearby tourists spots, said managing director of Deccan Aviation Captain Gopinath on Saturday at Rajkanika.
Gopinath along with a senior official of Deccan Aviation PB Devaya, visited Bhitarkanika on a helicopter on Saturday. The helicopter landed on the ground of royal palace of Rajkanika. The scion of royal family of Rajkanika Shivendu Narayan Bhanjadeo accompanied the officials, who visited the water bodies and dense mangrove forests on a boat. Bhanjadeo said, "As the park is situated about 110 km from Bhubaneswar and the connecting road conditions from the capital city to Bhitarkanika are not so good for which tourists are not taking interest to visit the park."
"As no air communication facilities was available from Bhubaneswar to Bhitarkanika, a couple months ago, I urged the officials of Deccan Aviation to take initiatives to run flights to the national park to boost tourist inflow. After getting invitation, two senior officials visited Bhitarkanika to conduct a survey. Presently, the ground of the palace at Rajkanika will be used as a temporary airfield or helipad for the landing of helicopters and small planes", said Bhanjadeo.
Recently, the State Government formed a Bhitarkanika Eco-Tourism Society (BETS) to attract more tourists to Bhitarkanika, said Bhanjadeo, who is also a member of the society.The forest officials have recently constructed a tower in Bhitarkanika for the tourists to watch the birds, spotted deer, wild boars, water monitors, crocodiles, snakes and other animals from the top.
This watch tower will definitely attract the foreign tourists to see the endangered species of Bhitarkanika.
Air Deccan is going to offer special packages to the tourists to visit Bhitarkanika mangrove forest, the second largest mangrove forest of India. Apart from that they would get a chance to pay a visit to the beaches of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, the world's largest rookery of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the doorless village of Sialia under Rajkania, the magnificent Royal palace of Rajkanika, Hukitola island and nearby tourists spots, said managing director of Deccan Aviation Captain Gopinath on Saturday at Rajkanika.
Gopinath along with a senior official of Deccan Aviation PB Devaya, visited Bhitarkanika on a helicopter on Saturday. The helicopter landed on the ground of royal palace of Rajkanika. The scion of royal family of Rajkanika Shivendu Narayan Bhanjadeo accompanied the officials, who visited the water bodies and dense mangrove forests on a boat. Bhanjadeo said, "As the park is situated about 110 km from Bhubaneswar and the connecting road conditions from the capital city to Bhitarkanika are not so good for which tourists are not taking interest to visit the park."
"As no air communication facilities was available from Bhubaneswar to Bhitarkanika, a couple months ago, I urged the officials of Deccan Aviation to take initiatives to run flights to the national park to boost tourist inflow. After getting invitation, two senior officials visited Bhitarkanika to conduct a survey. Presently, the ground of the palace at Rajkanika will be used as a temporary airfield or helipad for the landing of helicopters and small planes", said Bhanjadeo.
Recently, the State Government formed a Bhitarkanika Eco-Tourism Society (BETS) to attract more tourists to Bhitarkanika, said Bhanjadeo, who is also a member of the society.The forest officials have recently constructed a tower in Bhitarkanika for the tourists to watch the birds, spotted deer, wild boars, water monitors, crocodiles, snakes and other animals from the top.
This watch tower will definitely attract the foreign tourists to see the endangered species of Bhitarkanika.
Appointment for 1.52 lakh posts to be done by Orissa Govt.
There would be no ban on the recruitment process in 2009-10, said Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai on the floor of the Assembly on Monday. Appointments would be given for 1,52,710 posts. Those who were given appointment on a contract basis would be regularised. "Judge Courts will be set up in 16 districts," he said.
He further said that the MoU that was signed with the Centre on ban of recruitment will continue for another one year. After one year, all the bans would be lifted. Special drive will be taken to fill up 38,808 posts. Concurrence has been given to fill up 35,238 posts in class three and four from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
He further said that the MoU that was signed with the Centre on ban of recruitment will continue for another one year. After one year, all the bans would be lifted. Special drive will be taken to fill up 38,808 posts. Concurrence has been given to fill up 35,238 posts in class three and four from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Retired babus eager to test power politics in Orissa.
With elections round the corner and new political alignments emerging, many new retired bureaucrats are making a beeline for power politics in Orissa and are joining the fray to test political power.
Anadi Sahu, a former IPS officer, has already fared well in politics, being elected to Lok Sabha twice, first time from Cuttack as a Congress candidate and next from Berhampur as a BJP nominee. He has now chosen the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as his new forum.
Sources said that at least a dozen of retired IAS, IPS and OAS officers are desirous of joining politics. PK Mishra, former Union Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, has already joined Congress. Reportedly, he has, so far confined his activities to an advisory role for the PCC president. Livinus Kindo, who retired as member, Board of Revenue, is planning for a political career from his native district of Sundargarh, sources confirmed.While Sarbeswar Mohanty, a former Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department, is known to be busy nourishing political ambitions, his successor in that department, Digamber Mohanty, is also reported to be interested in a political career from his Bhadrak district.
BK Tripathy, a retired IPS officer, and NK Mishra, a retired IAS officer, are known to be planning major political roles for themselves and to fight elections from their respective districts. PC Mishra, former Additional Director General of Police, has his sight set on his native Nayagarh Assembly constituency. Besides, two other retired IPS officers, Kulamani Deo and Surendra Nath Swain are all set to try their luck in politics, sources said. While Deo has joined the NCP to fight the Assembly polls from his home constituency of Sukinda in Jajpur district, Swain seems to be a believer in the ekla chalo (go it alone) principle.
The most important among the retired bureaucrats is Jatish Chandra Mohanty, who has abdicated his elite IAS job in Andhra Pradesh and floated a regional outfit, the Samruddha Odisha. He claims to have the divine mandate from Andhra Pradesh-based Amma Bhagwan to come to power and abolish poverty within five years from Orissa, the poorest State in the country.
Anadi Sahu, a former IPS officer, has already fared well in politics, being elected to Lok Sabha twice, first time from Cuttack as a Congress candidate and next from Berhampur as a BJP nominee. He has now chosen the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as his new forum.
Sources said that at least a dozen of retired IAS, IPS and OAS officers are desirous of joining politics. PK Mishra, former Union Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, has already joined Congress. Reportedly, he has, so far confined his activities to an advisory role for the PCC president. Livinus Kindo, who retired as member, Board of Revenue, is planning for a political career from his native district of Sundargarh, sources confirmed.While Sarbeswar Mohanty, a former Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department, is known to be busy nourishing political ambitions, his successor in that department, Digamber Mohanty, is also reported to be interested in a political career from his Bhadrak district.
BK Tripathy, a retired IPS officer, and NK Mishra, a retired IAS officer, are known to be planning major political roles for themselves and to fight elections from their respective districts. PC Mishra, former Additional Director General of Police, has his sight set on his native Nayagarh Assembly constituency. Besides, two other retired IPS officers, Kulamani Deo and Surendra Nath Swain are all set to try their luck in politics, sources said. While Deo has joined the NCP to fight the Assembly polls from his home constituency of Sukinda in Jajpur district, Swain seems to be a believer in the ekla chalo (go it alone) principle.
The most important among the retired bureaucrats is Jatish Chandra Mohanty, who has abdicated his elite IAS job in Andhra Pradesh and floated a regional outfit, the Samruddha Odisha. He claims to have the divine mandate from Andhra Pradesh-based Amma Bhagwan to come to power and abolish poverty within five years from Orissa, the poorest State in the country.
FACTS ON ORISSA VIOLENCE.
"Hindu civilization is something of which I am very proud of.If that is evidence of my being 'communal',then my inner voice tells me, 'SO BE IT'-Tavleen Singh
Facts on 'Clashes among Christian Missionaries and the Tribals in Kandhamal District of Orissa'
(The X'ians, with the geocentric and therefore Vatican and Pope-centric view of the universe, have let loose their conversion machinery, empowered by foreign money, and the machinery has been buying its way into the tribal society of Kandhmal violating its peaceful disposition and undermining their self-esteem and indigenous nature, life and eco-friendly culture and traditions. The X'ians made yet another attempt on the life of HH Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati - the 82 year old tribal religious leader - who has been trying for the last 40 years to put up a bulwark against the spread of anti-national and Maoist supported X'ian missionary activities in the hinterlands of Orissa. A former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer gives here the actual sequence of events in the present case):
Reports of communal violence involving the converted Christians led by the Missionaries on one hand and the Tribals on the other, in Kandhamal District of Orissa by the media since 25 th December 2007 are vastly distorted and motivated which in public interest need be clarified much before the national image is tarnished before the general public and the international community. The whole series of incidents started from unprovoked and preplanned attack on Vedanta Keshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was visiting his disciples in Darsingbadi village in Kandhmal District on 24 th December. Swamiji, 82 years old has been working relentlessly in the District since 1967 to protect the local population where more than 75% are below the poverty line and are not literate. He has opened schools and hostels, hospitals and temples to protect mainly the tribals and the down-trodden from the clutches of Missionaries who are operating with massive fund from foreign countries and pumped into NGOs in disguised operations to convert the local tribals into Christianity. Chief of such NGOs is one 'WORLD VISION' patronized by one Mr. Radhakanta Nayak, a local of Darsingbadi village from 'Pana' community but later got converted to Christianity. He happens to be an employee of the State Government promoted to the IAS and retired, and now a Member in the Rajya Sabha. His henchmen were the assailants who attacked Swamiji on 24 th December.
Meanwhile, the Kui tribals among the Kandhs in the District were agitating on the conspiracy by Mr. Nayak who is engineering for getting a Presidential notification under the provisions of the Constitution, to get his 'Pana' community, who are scheduled castes relisted as scheduled tribe along with the Kui on the ground that the former also speak the Kui dialect. Various reservation facilities to which scheduled tribes are entitled are not available to persons converted to Christianity. On hearing the assault news on Swamiji, the already agitated Kui community reacted and protested through out the district against the 'Pana' community converted to Christianity. Interestingly, the Maoist (Naxalites) activists in the district are also mostly from among the recent converts to Christianity. Among 47 Maoists arrested in connection with recent burning of villages inhabited by Hindus ( Brahmanigaon, Jhinjiriguda, Katingia, and Godapur) as a counter to attacks by tribals on the Churches, 20 guns have been recovered by the security forces from them. It is evident that the Maoists and the Church are hands in glove with each other to spread fratricidal killings and clashes among the tribals which is evident also from incidents in Karbi-Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts in Asaam. Conversions of poor tribal villagers are being conducted on gun point and by spreading terrorism.
While in active government service Mr. Radhakanta Nayak IAS (Retd.) and Mr. John Nayak IPS (Retd.) both converted Christians were instruments of the Church to proselytize the poor and illiterate 'Pana' and tribal communities in Kandhamal district of Orissa. Under guise of NGOs thousands of dollars are pumped into the country for conversion of tribals in Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and the North-East. Taking advantage of the poverty and lack of education, thousands have been converted who are also being trained for separatist movements like NSCN in Nagaland and Maoist insurgency in the aforesaid states. This trend is more pronounced since 1970 which is evident from the census reports till 2001. In Kandhamal District alone the Christian population has increased from 6% in 1970 to 27% in 2001, despite an Act enacted by Orissa Legislature in 1967 (Orissa Freedom of Religion Act [OFRA]-1967) to prevent conversion by allurement, coercion, bribery and cheating. Swamiji has been fighting a lone battle by making the tribal district his home for last 40 years, who has been targeted by the Church to finish him. Earlier to the recent attack, there were two other lethal attacks on Swamiji in 1971 and 1995. Since then the government has provided armed protection to Swamiji. Inspite of that, he was attacked by armed assailants on 24 December 2007 in which he and his driver and armed security personnel were seriously injured and hospitalized in Cuttack Medical College Hospital. Hence, the recent clashes manifest the various ramifications of the socio-economic, political and cultural tribal issues and the deep-rooted conspiracy by the Church to destabilize our society and our economy. Let the Nation awake and protect our tribal brethren and the national media stop distorting the facts.
Ashok Sahu, IPS (Retd.)
Facts on 'Clashes among Christian Missionaries and the Tribals in Kandhamal District of Orissa'
(The X'ians, with the geocentric and therefore Vatican and Pope-centric view of the universe, have let loose their conversion machinery, empowered by foreign money, and the machinery has been buying its way into the tribal society of Kandhmal violating its peaceful disposition and undermining their self-esteem and indigenous nature, life and eco-friendly culture and traditions. The X'ians made yet another attempt on the life of HH Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati - the 82 year old tribal religious leader - who has been trying for the last 40 years to put up a bulwark against the spread of anti-national and Maoist supported X'ian missionary activities in the hinterlands of Orissa. A former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer gives here the actual sequence of events in the present case):
Reports of communal violence involving the converted Christians led by the Missionaries on one hand and the Tribals on the other, in Kandhamal District of Orissa by the media since 25 th December 2007 are vastly distorted and motivated which in public interest need be clarified much before the national image is tarnished before the general public and the international community. The whole series of incidents started from unprovoked and preplanned attack on Vedanta Keshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was visiting his disciples in Darsingbadi village in Kandhmal District on 24 th December. Swamiji, 82 years old has been working relentlessly in the District since 1967 to protect the local population where more than 75% are below the poverty line and are not literate. He has opened schools and hostels, hospitals and temples to protect mainly the tribals and the down-trodden from the clutches of Missionaries who are operating with massive fund from foreign countries and pumped into NGOs in disguised operations to convert the local tribals into Christianity. Chief of such NGOs is one 'WORLD VISION' patronized by one Mr. Radhakanta Nayak, a local of Darsingbadi village from 'Pana' community but later got converted to Christianity. He happens to be an employee of the State Government promoted to the IAS and retired, and now a Member in the Rajya Sabha. His henchmen were the assailants who attacked Swamiji on 24 th December.
Meanwhile, the Kui tribals among the Kandhs in the District were agitating on the conspiracy by Mr. Nayak who is engineering for getting a Presidential notification under the provisions of the Constitution, to get his 'Pana' community, who are scheduled castes relisted as scheduled tribe along with the Kui on the ground that the former also speak the Kui dialect. Various reservation facilities to which scheduled tribes are entitled are not available to persons converted to Christianity. On hearing the assault news on Swamiji, the already agitated Kui community reacted and protested through out the district against the 'Pana' community converted to Christianity. Interestingly, the Maoist (Naxalites) activists in the district are also mostly from among the recent converts to Christianity. Among 47 Maoists arrested in connection with recent burning of villages inhabited by Hindus ( Brahmanigaon, Jhinjiriguda, Katingia, and Godapur) as a counter to attacks by tribals on the Churches, 20 guns have been recovered by the security forces from them. It is evident that the Maoists and the Church are hands in glove with each other to spread fratricidal killings and clashes among the tribals which is evident also from incidents in Karbi-Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts in Asaam. Conversions of poor tribal villagers are being conducted on gun point and by spreading terrorism.
While in active government service Mr. Radhakanta Nayak IAS (Retd.) and Mr. John Nayak IPS (Retd.) both converted Christians were instruments of the Church to proselytize the poor and illiterate 'Pana' and tribal communities in Kandhamal district of Orissa. Under guise of NGOs thousands of dollars are pumped into the country for conversion of tribals in Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and the North-East. Taking advantage of the poverty and lack of education, thousands have been converted who are also being trained for separatist movements like NSCN in Nagaland and Maoist insurgency in the aforesaid states. This trend is more pronounced since 1970 which is evident from the census reports till 2001. In Kandhamal District alone the Christian population has increased from 6% in 1970 to 27% in 2001, despite an Act enacted by Orissa Legislature in 1967 (Orissa Freedom of Religion Act [OFRA]-1967) to prevent conversion by allurement, coercion, bribery and cheating. Swamiji has been fighting a lone battle by making the tribal district his home for last 40 years, who has been targeted by the Church to finish him. Earlier to the recent attack, there were two other lethal attacks on Swamiji in 1971 and 1995. Since then the government has provided armed protection to Swamiji. Inspite of that, he was attacked by armed assailants on 24 December 2007 in which he and his driver and armed security personnel were seriously injured and hospitalized in Cuttack Medical College Hospital. Hence, the recent clashes manifest the various ramifications of the socio-economic, political and cultural tribal issues and the deep-rooted conspiracy by the Church to destabilize our society and our economy. Let the Nation awake and protect our tribal brethren and the national media stop distorting the facts.
Ashok Sahu, IPS (Retd.)
What was Rahul’s mid-night mission with a Christian NGO in Orissa?
Source: www.organiser.org
The colourful ‘Discover India’ trip of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to Orissa concluded colourlessly, without discovering anything except two missionary run evangelical institutions. Shri Gandhi only proved that mere Gandhi-Nehru origin can neither discover India nor identify its soul. It was just a pre-poll campaign of his party for which the state spent crores of rupees from the public exchequer.
BJP’s general secretary, Vinay Katiyar in a public meeting at Berhampur, accused that Rahul’s visit was an attempt to abet religious conversions in the state.
Rahul Gandhi’s last visit to Orissa kept the administration and the security forces on their toes as he went away to some unknown place in the late night, without informing even the police. During his visit to Berhampur, he went away to a village named Kankia, about 30 kms from Gopalpur township. He was accompanied by the chief of a missionary run NGO and two bodyguards. He went to the office of that NGO at about 10 in the night and spent some hours there. Then he visited a residential school run by that missionary and distributed chocolates. He took his dinner in the school and rested in the village. Reliable source said that Rahul Gandhi spent a lot of time with the NGO men than his party workers. The NGO is well-known as a Christian institution and is allegedly involved in proselytisation and evangelical activities in the southern part of the state. He returned to his camp in the morning where all his party leaders were searching for him.
He did a similar disappearing act during his visit to Koraput district, where he was warmly welcomed by a reputed evangelical institution. Rahul visited it late night, accompanied only by four bodyguards. In both the cases, the police and the administration were kept in dark. Rahul allegedly did not permit the police force, no police pilot nor even the Superintendent of Police of Koraput to follow him, fully knowing that it was a Naxal-prone area. When contacted about the Berhampur incident, the S.P. of Ganjam district admitted the unscheduled visit to an unknown place but declined to disclose more.Perhaps he was completely unaware that the KBK districts suffered from acute poverty for 30 years, in the tenure of his party’s government.
The colourful ‘Discover India’ trip of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to Orissa concluded colourlessly, without discovering anything except two missionary run evangelical institutions. Shri Gandhi only proved that mere Gandhi-Nehru origin can neither discover India nor identify its soul. It was just a pre-poll campaign of his party for which the state spent crores of rupees from the public exchequer.
BJP’s general secretary, Vinay Katiyar in a public meeting at Berhampur, accused that Rahul’s visit was an attempt to abet religious conversions in the state.
Rahul Gandhi’s last visit to Orissa kept the administration and the security forces on their toes as he went away to some unknown place in the late night, without informing even the police. During his visit to Berhampur, he went away to a village named Kankia, about 30 kms from Gopalpur township. He was accompanied by the chief of a missionary run NGO and two bodyguards. He went to the office of that NGO at about 10 in the night and spent some hours there. Then he visited a residential school run by that missionary and distributed chocolates. He took his dinner in the school and rested in the village. Reliable source said that Rahul Gandhi spent a lot of time with the NGO men than his party workers. The NGO is well-known as a Christian institution and is allegedly involved in proselytisation and evangelical activities in the southern part of the state. He returned to his camp in the morning where all his party leaders were searching for him.
He did a similar disappearing act during his visit to Koraput district, where he was warmly welcomed by a reputed evangelical institution. Rahul visited it late night, accompanied only by four bodyguards. In both the cases, the police and the administration were kept in dark. Rahul allegedly did not permit the police force, no police pilot nor even the Superintendent of Police of Koraput to follow him, fully knowing that it was a Naxal-prone area. When contacted about the Berhampur incident, the S.P. of Ganjam district admitted the unscheduled visit to an unknown place but declined to disclose more.Perhaps he was completely unaware that the KBK districts suffered from acute poverty for 30 years, in the tenure of his party’s government.
Oriya boy wins international art contest.
Basudev Ojha a 13-year-old boy of class IX student of MN High School, Pattamundai in Kendrapada district, has bagged first prize in the 7th International Annual Children's Art Competition, organised by the US-based Mangrove Action Project at Port Angeles.
The contest was open to children from areas home to mangroves forests.Almost 1,500 children from 22 countries, where mangroves are found, participated in the contest.
Basudev had portrayed the mangroves, the world's largest crocodile, endangered Olive Ridley turtles and migratory birds in his painting.After knowing about the International Art Competition from environmentalist and director of Action for Protection of Wild Animals (APOWA) Bijay Kabi, he sent his painting through post to headquarters of MAP in Port Angeles, USA.The MAP has proven effective in highlighting the rapid decline in the number of mangrove forests worldwide, which is now reported to occur at a rate of one percent loss per annum.
The contest was open to children from areas home to mangroves forests.Almost 1,500 children from 22 countries, where mangroves are found, participated in the contest.
Basudev had portrayed the mangroves, the world's largest crocodile, endangered Olive Ridley turtles and migratory birds in his painting.After knowing about the International Art Competition from environmentalist and director of Action for Protection of Wild Animals (APOWA) Bijay Kabi, he sent his painting through post to headquarters of MAP in Port Angeles, USA.The MAP has proven effective in highlighting the rapid decline in the number of mangrove forests worldwide, which is now reported to occur at a rate of one percent loss per annum.
Orissa plans 2 Reservoirs.
To counter Andhra Pradesh government’s proposed off-shore project on the Mahendrataneya river, Orissa government is planning to set up two reservoirs one at Gudari village in Rayagada block on the Bansadhara river and second one at upper end of Gosani and Rayagada blocks on the Mahendrataneya river, said state energy, IT and culture minister Mr Surjya Narayan Patro here today.The minister hopes that these two projects will boost irrigation and agriculture of the concerned regions to a great extent.
NABARD sanctions Rs138 crore for projects to Orissa
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 138.27 crore for Orissa under tranche XIII for construction of 21 minor, one medium irrigation and one flood projects, 12 roads and an equal number of bridges.These projects will have to be completed by 2010. The decision of fund sanction was taken at a meeting of the bank authorities at New Delhi on March 17. Taking into account release of funds earlier, the total funds available under the trache amounted to Rs 508.95 crore.The newly sanctioned rural roads (175 km) and bridges (843 metres) will benefit 771 villages connecting 97 marketing centres, 24 tourist spots and 34 pilgrimage centres. These projects will be implemented in 19 districts across the State including the three KBK districts of Kalahandi, Koraput and Nuapada.
Projects sanctioned under irrigation will bring an additional ayacut of 11,314 hectares. These projects are expected to generate non-recurring employment of around 105 lakh mandays. Since the RIDF was launched in 1995-96, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 3,112 crore to the State Government for irrigation, rural connectivity, animal husbandry infrastructure development and drinking water supply system.
Projects sanctioned under irrigation will bring an additional ayacut of 11,314 hectares. These projects are expected to generate non-recurring employment of around 105 lakh mandays. Since the RIDF was launched in 1995-96, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 3,112 crore to the State Government for irrigation, rural connectivity, animal husbandry infrastructure development and drinking water supply system.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Centre praises Orissa's utilisation of NREG fund.
Though AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi during his four-day visit to Orissa criticised the State Government for not effectively implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in the State, Union Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Thursday appreciated the Orissa Government's utilisation of funds under the NREGS.During his meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at New Delhi, Raghuvansh Prasad praised the Management Information System (MIS) and pace of utilisation of funds under the NREGS in the State. He also assured the Orissa Government that with NREGS being the demand driven scheme, funds as per requirement of the districts shall be made available to the State.Patnaik demanded a corpus of Rs. 200 crore to the State to tide over the cash crunch faced by various districts in implementation of the NREGS.Patnaik also pointed out that whereas Rs. 762 crore was allotted to Orissa in 2007 when only 19 districts were covered under the NREGS, in 2008 only Rs 506 crore had been allotted till date when 24 districts of the State were covered under the scheme.Patnaik also mentioned that the allocation of funds by the Union Government under the scheme was highly inadequate to meet the employment demand of the job seekers of the State. He further demanded extension of the scheme to all the remaining districts.Prasad also mentioned that there would not be any shortage of funds to the districts and the scheme would be extended to all 30 districts from April 1, 2008. Patnaik reiterated that funds should be made available immediately as the financial year was coming to a close and there was a problem of unemployment in the rural areas.The Chief Minister also demanded that the Government of India should accept the suggestion of the State Government to fix the number of rural BPL households of the State at 44 lakh. The Union Minister indicated that the matter needs to be resolved in consultation with the Planning Commission.Patnaik also urged the Union Minister to allow the State Government to continue with the selection of beneficiaries under various anti-poverty and rural development programmes including Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and Sampurna Gramina Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) on the basis of the prevailing BPL list till the new BPL list was finalised. The Union Minister reportedly agreed to consider the proposal favourably.Patnaik also called on Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni and discussed about various tourism projects of the State.During the discussion, he demanded for an early sanction of Rs.50 crore for development of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the famous tourism circuit of Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri-Chilika under the Mega Circuit Scheme.
Soni reportedly agreed to include the circuit of Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri-Chilika under the Mega Circuit Scheme and extend all necessary assistance under the scheme for its integrated development. She also reportedly agreed to consider release of 5o per cent of the funds immediately.Patnaik asked for a direct flight and a thematic tourist train to connect Varanasi and Bodhigaya with the Buddhist sites of Orissa. The Union Minister reportedly intimated that the Government of India will extend all support for the connectivity of the Buddist sites.She also agreed to take up the matter with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Railways soon. Soni also intimated that the matter of rail connectivity of Bhubaneswar, Banaras and Gaya would be discussed with the Planning Commission and Ministry of Railways soon.
Patnaik urged the Union Minister to take up the project of sound and light show for Konark, which is a world heritage site and also for the historic Barabati Fort at Cuttack. The Union Minister was also requested for expeditious completion of the sound and light show at Khandagiri. The Chief Minister also demanded for better maintenance of the historical monuments, Buddhist sites, temples and other protected monuments by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Soni reportedly agreed to include the circuit of Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri-Chilika under the Mega Circuit Scheme and extend all necessary assistance under the scheme for its integrated development. She also reportedly agreed to consider release of 5o per cent of the funds immediately.Patnaik asked for a direct flight and a thematic tourist train to connect Varanasi and Bodhigaya with the Buddhist sites of Orissa. The Union Minister reportedly intimated that the Government of India will extend all support for the connectivity of the Buddist sites.She also agreed to take up the matter with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Railways soon. Soni also intimated that the matter of rail connectivity of Bhubaneswar, Banaras and Gaya would be discussed with the Planning Commission and Ministry of Railways soon.
Patnaik urged the Union Minister to take up the project of sound and light show for Konark, which is a world heritage site and also for the historic Barabati Fort at Cuttack. The Union Minister was also requested for expeditious completion of the sound and light show at Khandagiri. The Chief Minister also demanded for better maintenance of the historical monuments, Buddhist sites, temples and other protected monuments by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Friday, March 21, 2008
Four new Rajya Sabha members from Orissa.
Four candidates were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Orissa on Wednesday. The Returning Officer in-charge of the Rajya Sabha polls declared the four leaders elected unopposed as they were the contenders for an equal number of seats.
Those elected to the Rajya Sabha were Mangala Kisan and Renubala Pradhan of the Biju Janata Dal, Ramachandra Khuntia of the Congress and Balbir Punj of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Those elected to the Rajya Sabha were Mangala Kisan and Renubala Pradhan of the Biju Janata Dal, Ramachandra Khuntia of the Congress and Balbir Punj of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Naveen Patnaik on a five-day tour to Delhi
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday left for New Delhi to meet Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh with regard to implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.According to an official release, Mr. Patnaik would apprise Dr. Singh about the implementation of the programme and seek release of more funds under the scheme. The Centre had given funds to the tune of Rs. 724 crore to the State under the NREGS last year when 19 districts were covered the scheme.However, the Centre had released only Rs. 506 crore this year despite the fact that five more districts were brought under the NREGS in the State. As a result, the work under the scheme could not progress due to paucity of funds. The Centre had not responded to the communications sent by the State Panchayati Raj Department in this regard, the government said.Before his return to the State on Sunday, the Chief Minister will also meet Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and discuss the development of tourism in the State.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
15 Orissa districts are Maoist-hit .
Chief minister Navin Patnaik informed the State Assembly that 15 out of the total 30 districts of the state have been identified as Maoist-affected.The chief minister, while replying to a question, said that earlier 14 districts, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and Jajpur were declared identified as Maoist-hit.The district of Nayagarh has now been added to the list in the wake of the Maoist attack and arms loot incident in the district on the night of February 15, he added.He also said that apart from the two police districts, Berhampur in Ganjam district and Rourkela in Sundargarh district, have also been identified as Maoist-affected areas.Referring to the action taken against the left wing guerillas in the last six months, Patnaik said that 63 extremists were arrested in different parts of the State from September 2007 to February 2008.
On the issue financial nexus of the Maoists, he said that information received from various sources and also a study of various Maoist documents suggest that the Maoists are mostly collecting funds by means of extortion from landlords, contractors, businessmen, and mine owners.They were also raising funds by imposing fines in their 'Praja Courts' and through membership fees and sale of party documents and are also raising funds through ganja cultivation in their pockets of influence, the chief minister apprised the members.
On the issue financial nexus of the Maoists, he said that information received from various sources and also a study of various Maoist documents suggest that the Maoists are mostly collecting funds by means of extortion from landlords, contractors, businessmen, and mine owners.They were also raising funds by imposing fines in their 'Praja Courts' and through membership fees and sale of party documents and are also raising funds through ganja cultivation in their pockets of influence, the chief minister apprised the members.
Oriyas neglected in PSUs, allege Orissa MLAs.
Cutting across party lines MLAs of Orissa expressed concern over the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) continued negligence to the cause of Orissa and Oriya boys.
"Oriyas are being neglected even in the State itself. They have not been given recruitment in Central PSUs like Railways, Nalco and Mahanadi Coal Field Limited," alleged members on the floor of the House. "The Government should publish a White Paper on how many Oriya boys are being recruited by these public sector units during the last three to four years," they demanded.Raising the issue through a special mention during Zero Hour,in the Assembly, Chief Whip of the Government Kishore Chandra Mohanty said non-Oriya officers denied jobs to Oriya youth. People from Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are getting more and more jobs at the cost of Oriya youth. "There is no job for Oriyas in the Group-D service also. Though they earn huge profits from Orissa, no opportunities are given to Oriya youth at the time of recruitment," he said.Supporting Mohanty, BJD member Pradip Kumar Maharathi said only Biharis were getting jobs in the Railways. After Biharis, people from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are given preference at the time of job selection. "If the situation does not change, more trouble will crop up," he cautioned.BJP member Rabi Naryan Nayak said only 241 were recruited during the past four years and out of this only 87 were Oiyas.Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati said there was a 'Bihari raj' in the Rail sector. Nowhere Oriyas were being given jobs. "Public Sector companies like Nalco and MLC are also ignoring the cause of Oriyas," he alleged.BJD's Bikram Keshari Arukh and Kalpataru Das said at the time of giving tenders, Biharis were given the preference. They also alleged that Orissa had been neglected by the Railway Minister in the current Budget.
"Oriyas are being neglected even in the State itself. They have not been given recruitment in Central PSUs like Railways, Nalco and Mahanadi Coal Field Limited," alleged members on the floor of the House. "The Government should publish a White Paper on how many Oriya boys are being recruited by these public sector units during the last three to four years," they demanded.Raising the issue through a special mention during Zero Hour,in the Assembly, Chief Whip of the Government Kishore Chandra Mohanty said non-Oriya officers denied jobs to Oriya youth. People from Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are getting more and more jobs at the cost of Oriya youth. "There is no job for Oriyas in the Group-D service also. Though they earn huge profits from Orissa, no opportunities are given to Oriya youth at the time of recruitment," he said.Supporting Mohanty, BJD member Pradip Kumar Maharathi said only Biharis were getting jobs in the Railways. After Biharis, people from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are given preference at the time of job selection. "If the situation does not change, more trouble will crop up," he cautioned.BJP member Rabi Naryan Nayak said only 241 were recruited during the past four years and out of this only 87 were Oiyas.Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati said there was a 'Bihari raj' in the Rail sector. Nowhere Oriyas were being given jobs. "Public Sector companies like Nalco and MLC are also ignoring the cause of Oriyas," he alleged.BJD's Bikram Keshari Arukh and Kalpataru Das said at the time of giving tenders, Biharis were given the preference. They also alleged that Orissa had been neglected by the Railway Minister in the current Budget.
SEZ for Ginger and Turmeric in Orissa soon.
The State Government has decided to set up an agriculture based Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for ginger and turmeric. "A proposal has been sent to the Centre to this effect," said Agriculture Minister Surendra Nath Nayak. The zone would be set up at Phulbani.
Nayak said Rs 66.96 would be spent for the improvement of the infrastructure of this SEZ. Many areas of Phulbani and Koraput are famous for producing turmeric and ginger
Nayak said Rs 66.96 would be spent for the improvement of the infrastructure of this SEZ. Many areas of Phulbani and Koraput are famous for producing turmeric and ginger
Buddha was born in Orissa, not Nepal: Scholars.
While the controversy still persists on the birth place of Buddha and the historians are giving more contradictory views in the subject, a high-level Buddhist scholar team from Kolkata under the leadership of a renowned international scholar Prof Satyakam Sengupta on Tuesday strongly asserted that Lord Buddha was born in Orissa.
Speaking at a Press meet at Buddha Mandir Prof Sen Gupta said we have enough evidence to substantiate the claim that Orissa previously known as Kalinga was the real birth place of Buddha. Moreover, during the past two days visit to various places within the boundaries of golden triangle, that is Puri-Konark-Bhubaneswar, they have gathered more evidences in support of their claim and will present the findings in an international seminar to be held in Japan in the last week of March. The team will meet Japanese Culture Minister and apprise him of the fact. An accompanying Buddhist scholar who was born and brought up in Nepal Madhav Sharma said a comprehensive documentation of Buddhist sites, inscriptions and intense research must prove that Buddha was born in Orissa. The team has collected valuable research information and photographs from Kapileswar village area. They have also visited the excavated site at Kapileswar and photographed Buddhist sculptures inside the temple premises. Besides, they have made photo documentation of Bhaskareswar Siva Linga identified as part of an Ashokan Pillar, the Bell Capital and Lion Emblem along with Buddhist cultures of the State Museum. The team also documented relics of Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauli.
Speaking at a Press meet at Buddha Mandir Prof Sen Gupta said we have enough evidence to substantiate the claim that Orissa previously known as Kalinga was the real birth place of Buddha. Moreover, during the past two days visit to various places within the boundaries of golden triangle, that is Puri-Konark-Bhubaneswar, they have gathered more evidences in support of their claim and will present the findings in an international seminar to be held in Japan in the last week of March. The team will meet Japanese Culture Minister and apprise him of the fact. An accompanying Buddhist scholar who was born and brought up in Nepal Madhav Sharma said a comprehensive documentation of Buddhist sites, inscriptions and intense research must prove that Buddha was born in Orissa. The team has collected valuable research information and photographs from Kapileswar village area. They have also visited the excavated site at Kapileswar and photographed Buddhist sculptures inside the temple premises. Besides, they have made photo documentation of Bhaskareswar Siva Linga identified as part of an Ashokan Pillar, the Bell Capital and Lion Emblem along with Buddhist cultures of the State Museum. The team also documented relics of Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauli.
Oriya Play to be staged in Mumbai.
Much to the cheer of the Orissa’s theatre fraternity, Oriya play ‘Maati’ (the mother earth), produced by the city-based Natya Chetana theatre organisation, will be staged at Rang-Sangam national theatre festival in Mumbai later this month.The nine-day festival, being hosted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, and mounted at Mumbai University Theatre Academy, will feature 12 plays in seven languages -- Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Gujarati and Dogri and Oriya. ‘Maati’ has been scripted and directed by Natya Chetana’s founder-director Subodh Patnaik, a noted theatre activist who has set up ‘Natyagram’ theatre village near the State capital.“I was provoked to produce the play by newspaper reports on the series of farmers’ suicides across several Indian states, including Orissa. ‘Natya Chetana’ team went and stayed with such farmers’ families in Orissa’s Kalahandi district to have a feel of the dramatic situation that resulted in the tragic situation before embarking on this production,” says Mr. Patnaik. It is based on real life, he adds. The story apart, what makes ‘Maati’ a poignant play is its presentation.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
More capacity building in Naxal areas:Orissa CM
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced that the future plan for modernisation of State Police included greater emphasis on further capacity building in Naxalite-affected districts.To a question from Ashwini Kumar Patra (BJD) and Baidhar Mallik (BJP), the Chief Minister said the plan includes strengthening of the intelligence wing and special operation group, revamping of training infrastructure and equipment and upgradation of mobility and reduction in response time of police.
Patnaik said that while planning and taking steps for modernisation of the State Police force, the State Government has kept in view the measures taken for police modernisation in different states. Communication network will be upgraded and scientific methods of investigation will be improved, he said.Stating that a number of steps have been taken to modernise the police force, the Chief Minister said that the number of Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) battalions had been raised and strength of police personnel in the police stations in the Naxalite-affected areas and industrial clusters has been augmented.Besides, essential equipment like bullet-proof jackets, helmets, body protector sets and global positioning systems for anti-Naxalite operations have also been procured.To a question from Bhaskar Madhei (BJP), Patnaik said that four forest divisions were engaged in protection of Similipal forests. He said that 94 anti-smuggling and anti-poaching camps have been set up for prevention of tree felling and poaching in Similipal National Park.He said that 716 local youths have been engaged as tiger protection force volunteers. Besides, 143 eco-development committees have been constituted to check illicit felling and poaching.
Patnaik said that while planning and taking steps for modernisation of the State Police force, the State Government has kept in view the measures taken for police modernisation in different states. Communication network will be upgraded and scientific methods of investigation will be improved, he said.Stating that a number of steps have been taken to modernise the police force, the Chief Minister said that the number of Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) battalions had been raised and strength of police personnel in the police stations in the Naxalite-affected areas and industrial clusters has been augmented.Besides, essential equipment like bullet-proof jackets, helmets, body protector sets and global positioning systems for anti-Naxalite operations have also been procured.To a question from Bhaskar Madhei (BJP), Patnaik said that four forest divisions were engaged in protection of Similipal forests. He said that 94 anti-smuggling and anti-poaching camps have been set up for prevention of tree felling and poaching in Similipal National Park.He said that 716 local youths have been engaged as tiger protection force volunteers. Besides, 143 eco-development committees have been constituted to check illicit felling and poaching.
For Good Governance, Orissa toes AP line
Orissa Government may have one difference too many with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh when it comes to sharing of tribal villages, water, power and even a herd of elephants.But if it’s about good governance, it would not hesitate to toe the AP line. Seven years after Andhra Pradesh established Centre for Good Governance (CGG) with good effect, Orissa has decided to follow suit. It seems to be following its neighbour in ‘letter and spirit.’ Literally. The resolution that General Administration Department has brought about speaks the CGG lingo.The AP centre talks about knowledge, technology and people while the Orissa Government resolution says that ‘for improving governance, there is a need to establish an institution to undertake governance reform by bringing together knowledge, technology and people.’
The centre - proposed to be christened as Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI) - will ‘undertake action research, provide professional advice and conduct change management programmes for Government departments and agencies to implement their reform agenda successfully.’The Hyderabad-based CGG, interestingly, speaks the same set of words too, on its official website. The GA Department resolution says CMGI will work closely with policy makers and stakeholders for an accountable and transparent Government.
The Government plans to form a society under Society Registration Act, 1860 to prepare the organisational structure of the institution. The State Government wants to take forward its governance reforms programme initiated under the Orissa Modernising Government Initiative (OMG) with DFID assistance. Since the DFID assistance will only be up to December, CMGI would carry the work beyond that period.
As the centre comes into effect immediately, it will, for the time being, operate out of Orissa Computer Application Centre premises. Its management structure will soon be chalked out by the Government.
The centre - proposed to be christened as Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI) - will ‘undertake action research, provide professional advice and conduct change management programmes for Government departments and agencies to implement their reform agenda successfully.’The Hyderabad-based CGG, interestingly, speaks the same set of words too, on its official website. The GA Department resolution says CMGI will work closely with policy makers and stakeholders for an accountable and transparent Government.
The Government plans to form a society under Society Registration Act, 1860 to prepare the organisational structure of the institution. The State Government wants to take forward its governance reforms programme initiated under the Orissa Modernising Government Initiative (OMG) with DFID assistance. Since the DFID assistance will only be up to December, CMGI would carry the work beyond that period.
As the centre comes into effect immediately, it will, for the time being, operate out of Orissa Computer Application Centre premises. Its management structure will soon be chalked out by the Government.
Orissa Govt. to revive Coastal Highway plan.
The State Government has decided to revive the Gopalpur-Digha coastal highway proposal. Announcing this on Monday during question hour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty said the proposal would be submitted to the Centre for approval after completion of the feasibility report.Mohanty, who was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said that the length of the highway will be 573 km. Of this, the Astaranga-Dhamra patch will be 245 km while the length of Astaranga-Gopalpur will be 180 km. The patch of highway from Dhamra to Subarnarekha will be 148 km.
The State Government had earlier submitted a proposal to the Centre and requested that it should be included in a Central scheme. However, the proposal was rejected as it did not confirm to the guidelines of the Planning Commission.
The State Government had earlier submitted a proposal to the Centre and requested that it should be included in a Central scheme. However, the proposal was rejected as it did not confirm to the guidelines of the Planning Commission.
Hockey talents ‘drained’ from Orissa:Orissa Govt.must act immediately.
It’s scarcity amid plenty in Orissa. Again, the State is going to face dearth of talent as at least four budding hockey players of Sundargarh district are up for grabs.In its 23-year history, Panposh Sports Hostel (PSH) here, the cradle of hockey, has produced as many as 34 internationals including big names like India captain Prabodh Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, Ignace Tirkey and Jyoti Sunita Kullu.But not a single player ever played for Orissa in the National championship. The reason is not far to seek.Circumstances forced them to serve the States of their postings. Ironically, nobody else than these tribal players, for whom hockey is a source of livelihood, are at immense pain for not being able to play for their own State.Blame it on the lack of vision for failing to stop this ‘talent drain’. Sources said latest junior internationals Sameer Baxla, Amardeep Ekka and Anand Tirkey of PSH have received feelers from Indian Railways to join at Secunderabad, while Manjeet Kullu of SAI Hostel at Sundargarh has already left.Hockey lovers are surprised that the State Government is not doing enough to stop the ‘talent drain’. Former Olympian Michael Kindo summed it up: ‘We are sowing the seeds, but others are enjoying the fruit.’A coach at the PSH felt that the Government must take the initiative to provide employment in the Public Sector Undertakings and ensure players do stay in Orissa.
There is no denying the fact that after years of strenuous efforts, those talented are groomed to become quality players, but poachers tiptoe with the lure of services.
Senior women internationals Binita Xess, Annarita Kerketta, Sarita Lakra, Subhadra Pradhan and Poonam Toppo are with South Eastern Railway (SER) and have no option but to play for Jharkhand with their postings at Ranchi.
‘Why the SER is not posting them in Orissa,’ asks Arjuna Awardee Kindo. Moreover, hockey does not seem to be taken seriously in Orissa as regular senior international Nilima Kujur spent nearly four years as a constable in Orissa before switching over to Jabalpur for the Railways.
There is no denying the fact that after years of strenuous efforts, those talented are groomed to become quality players, but poachers tiptoe with the lure of services.
Senior women internationals Binita Xess, Annarita Kerketta, Sarita Lakra, Subhadra Pradhan and Poonam Toppo are with South Eastern Railway (SER) and have no option but to play for Jharkhand with their postings at Ranchi.
‘Why the SER is not posting them in Orissa,’ asks Arjuna Awardee Kindo. Moreover, hockey does not seem to be taken seriously in Orissa as regular senior international Nilima Kujur spent nearly four years as a constable in Orissa before switching over to Jabalpur for the Railways.
China to help in building World-Class Railway Station at Barang between Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
A 12-member high-level Chinese railway delegation, headed by Director of Sino-India Railway Cooperation Working Group WU Wei held discussions with East Coast Railway General Manager AK Goyal and his team of senior officers at the ECoR headquarters here on Monday in connection with the proposed development of Bhubaneswar Railway Station as a world-class railway station.The delegation will stay in Bhubaneswar till Tuesday. Goyal briefed the delegation about the performance of ECoR in general and Bhubaneswar Railway Station in particular.Earlier, the Chinese delegation visited Bhubaneswar Station and the proposed site of New Bhubaneswar Station near Barang.
The group will study various pros and cons of the proposal of developing a world-class station which can serve the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.The Chinese delegation will also hold discussions at the Railway Ministry level regarding further modalities of developing a world-class station after completing their field trip.
The group will study various pros and cons of the proposal of developing a world-class station which can serve the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.The Chinese delegation will also hold discussions at the Railway Ministry level regarding further modalities of developing a world-class station after completing their field trip.
Barabati Stadium to get facelift in two years.
Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) to spend 56 cr on expansion of the Barabati Stadium.It announces pension scheme for former Ranji players. Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare on Monday laid the foundation stone for the renovation and expansion of the picturesque Barabati Stadium here.
The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) would spend around Rs. 56 crore for the expansion of the stadium that would be completed in two years.The BCCI is funding OCA for the expansion of the stadium, which has so far hosted as many as 13 One-day Internationals,several Test matches and hundreds of first class matches.
Seating capacity.“The stadium would soon have an indoor practice hall to facilitate players to continue their practice during inclement weather. There are plans to have a swimming pool inside the stadium premises. Seating capacity of the stadium would be increased from the present 30,000 to 50,000,” said OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera.
Press box
Capacity of two galleries would be increased while the present Press Box would be renovated with all modern communication facilities. Similarly, the players’ dressing room would be renovated as per the international standards, Mr Behera added.State Sports Minister Debashis Naik, Urban Development Minister K V Singh Deo and Higher Education Minister Samir Dey, who is also president of Orissa Olympic Association (OOA), were present at the foundation stone laying ceremony. OCA president Ranjib Biswal, a national selection committee member, presided over the meeting.No objection.Mr. Behera said: “although, the stadium belongs to OOA, BCCI has no objection in OCA developing the stadium into a world-class cricket stadium.
“BCCI has promised the assistance to be given in two phases and this would be spent in next two years to give a major facelift to the stadium,” said Mr Behera, who is also the secretary of OOA.Asked about recent media reports about the objection raised by the BCCI of not allotting international matches to the associations that do not have their own stadiums, Mr. Behera refuted the reports saying: “Like OCA, many affiliated associations of BCCI do not have stadiums of their own but they host matches in stadiums of their respective States which either belong to State Government or corporate houses.”
State-of-art gym
The stadium has floodlight facilities and a state-of-art multi-gym inside its premises and a sophisticated Press box. Many international cricketers like the stadium for its lush green outfield.However, for its location of about 30 km from the international airport in Bhubaneswar and lack of any five-star hotels in Cuttack city, the venue often gets a miss from the international fixtures, he said .OCA also on the occasion announced a pension scheme for former Ranji players of the State.
Of the 109 former players, 49 players turned up on Monday to receive their first pension from Governor Bhandare.
The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) would spend around Rs. 56 crore for the expansion of the stadium that would be completed in two years.The BCCI is funding OCA for the expansion of the stadium, which has so far hosted as many as 13 One-day Internationals,several Test matches and hundreds of first class matches.
Seating capacity.“The stadium would soon have an indoor practice hall to facilitate players to continue their practice during inclement weather. There are plans to have a swimming pool inside the stadium premises. Seating capacity of the stadium would be increased from the present 30,000 to 50,000,” said OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera.
Press box
Capacity of two galleries would be increased while the present Press Box would be renovated with all modern communication facilities. Similarly, the players’ dressing room would be renovated as per the international standards, Mr Behera added.State Sports Minister Debashis Naik, Urban Development Minister K V Singh Deo and Higher Education Minister Samir Dey, who is also president of Orissa Olympic Association (OOA), were present at the foundation stone laying ceremony. OCA president Ranjib Biswal, a national selection committee member, presided over the meeting.No objection.Mr. Behera said: “although, the stadium belongs to OOA, BCCI has no objection in OCA developing the stadium into a world-class cricket stadium.
“BCCI has promised the assistance to be given in two phases and this would be spent in next two years to give a major facelift to the stadium,” said Mr Behera, who is also the secretary of OOA.Asked about recent media reports about the objection raised by the BCCI of not allotting international matches to the associations that do not have their own stadiums, Mr. Behera refuted the reports saying: “Like OCA, many affiliated associations of BCCI do not have stadiums of their own but they host matches in stadiums of their respective States which either belong to State Government or corporate houses.”
State-of-art gym
The stadium has floodlight facilities and a state-of-art multi-gym inside its premises and a sophisticated Press box. Many international cricketers like the stadium for its lush green outfield.However, for its location of about 30 km from the international airport in Bhubaneswar and lack of any five-star hotels in Cuttack city, the venue often gets a miss from the international fixtures, he said .OCA also on the occasion announced a pension scheme for former Ranji players of the State.
Of the 109 former players, 49 players turned up on Monday to receive their first pension from Governor Bhandare.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Orissa loses Rs 800 crore annually due to power theft.
Orissa suffers an annual loss of around Rs 800 crore due to power theft as well as because of faulty transmission and distribution practices.The loss of Rs 800 crore is despite the fact that the government has reduced T&D loss by around 10 per cent."The percentage of T&D loss has decreased from 47.5 per cent to 39.6 per cent between 2001-02 to 2005-06," said state Energy Minister S N Patro.Stating that the government was not happy over the achievement in reducing T&D loss by 10 per cent, the minister said systems should be upgraded."We need to develop mechanism as well as educate people involved in the power theft in order to bring down revenue losses," the minister said while replying to a question in the assembly on Saturday.Out of the four distribution companies’ in-charge of power supply in four different regions of the state, Central Electricity Supply Unit (CESU) recorded maximum T&D loss, about 42.8 per cent, while Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) recorded 37.1 per cent loss, the minister said.Distribution companies in central, northern and western regions of the state have reduced T&D loss by six per cent, 14 per cent and eight per cent respectively whereas it has increased marginally in southern region, the minister said.Though the state had succeeded in bringing down the T&D loss to an extent, it had failed in tackling the power theft problem faced by all the distribution companies, sources said.
BPUT aims at achieving world standard.
The Biju Patnaik University of Technology's (BPUT) third convocation was held at the NIT Auditorium here on Saturday, with Governor-Chancellor MC Bhandare presiding over the function and VS Arunachalam, former Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, addressing as the chief guest.In his welcome address, BPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Omkar Nath Mohanty said priority is being given on research and development to enable the university achieve international standard. MoUs have been signed with IIT, Khargpur, XLRI, Jamshedpur, NITTTR, Kolkata, IIT-Kerala and Brockhaus GambH and University of Siegen, Germany.Arunachalam urged both the Union and State Governments to introduce a large number of scholarships and fellowships for new graduates to study and train abroad.The Governor awarded 19 gold medalists in different streams and three special medal awardees. He expressed his confidence that the university would continue to enhance its academic excellence as well as social commitments.
New Agriculture Policy for Orissa soon
State Agriculture Minister Surendra Nath Nayak on Saturday said the State Government has already finalised the new Agriculture Policy and it would be announced during the current Budget session.Giving reply to the Budget discussion of the department, Nayak said Government was putting priority for the development of the agriculture in the State.He further said that the agricultural lands had gradually diminished due to the rise of population. "This has been the case of the whole country," he said, adding that Orissa Government doesn't take away the lands forcibly for industrilisation as it happened in the left-ruled States.He further said the condition of the agriculture has reached at alarming stage.Despite being neglected by the Centre, the agricultural growth has reached 3 per cent while the growth rate at the national level has subsided. He further said the State Government has made a target to produce 91 lakh metric tonne of paddy during this year.He further said that steps have been taken to provide water to the tail end of the canal.Participating in the discussion, both the ruling and opposition members demanded pensions for farmers and waiving of the power tariff for the agricultural activities.
Orissa has 78,519 Primitive Tribals.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing a 100-per cent Centrally-funded scheme, Development of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) for conservation and overall development of the PTGs.This was stated by Minister of Tribal Affairs PR Kyndiah in a reply to a question by BJD MP Mohan Jena in the Lok Sabha. He further added that as per information submitted by the State Government, there were 13 PTGs in Orissa, their total population being 58,225 as per the 1991 census. The PTG-wise population figure of the 2001 census was not available. However, the population of PTGs of Orissa, as per the Base Line Survey conducted by the State Government during 2007 is 78,519.As per a plan submitted by the State Government for the 11th Plan period, it has, for the Mankirdia PTGs inhabiting Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj district, identified certain priority areas fort them such as providing cultivable land, housing, health facilities, residential education, connectivity, drinking water system and irrigation facilities. The Ministry has released Rs 10 crore during current financial year for development of PTGs in the State, including the Mankirdia PTGs, the Minister added.
Andhra constructs 'illegal' barrage in Gajapati.
The inefficiency of the State Government has allowed the Andhra Pradesh Government to dominate in the border areas of the State. The growing number of Illegal intrusions, forcible constructions, encroachments, lease and auctions just shows Orissa Government's miserable failure. Taking advantage of the State's lax attitude, the AP Government is frequently undertaking many illegal activities on the State's borders.In 1980, the AP Government kept the gate of a barrage down in the rainy season and due to a devastating flood in the Banshadhara river many lives were lost and property destroyed in Kashinagar and Gunupur.But due to the then Government's strong reprimand, an accord was signed between the two States. It was clearly stated that during heavy rains or floods one of the barrage's gates in AP would remain open and constructions, lease or encroachments on any river, mountain and roads on the AP-Orissa border would not be carried out with discussions between the two sides.However, the AP Government openly flouted the agreement and constructed 12 barrages on the Bansadhara river.It changed the river's course in the 2002-03 rainy seasons. The water entered into more than 20 villages of the State and destroyed hundred of acres of agricultural land.After much outcry AP Government removed only four barrages and claimed to have removed all. In the present situation AP is collecting sand from the river bed near Abhilima in Gajapati district from its side due to which the area has become hollow.The AP Government has already completed a survey, and have dumped a huge quantity of stones for building a barrage here,which would ultimately damage some more villages and agricultural land if the State Government does not lodge a strong protest in time ,said the locals.
Monday, March 17, 2008
I’ll fight for rights of Orissa, says Balbir Punj
Orissa BJP nominee for the Rajaya Sabha Balbir K Punj said that he will be the voice of the State at Centre and fight for the rights of the State.Before filing his second sets of nomination papers to the upper house today, Punj told this paper that though the State is blessed with abundant natural resources, it has not met its potential because of the indifference of the Government at Centre.The all-India BJP secretary in-charge of Punjab, Chandigarh and Kerala said he has not experienced any resentment, but love and affection of the State leaders after his arrival here on Thursday.State BJP president Suresh Pujari, leader of the BJP legislature party BB Harichandan and the party MLAs have extended all help in filing of the nomination papers.Punj who was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006 from Uttar Pradesh said there was neither any opposition from the State leadership to his candidature and nor any demand before the central leadership to reconsider the decision of nominating an outsider.Referring to Chhatrapal Singh who brought shame to the BJP in the ‘cash-for-query’ scandal, Punj said he was aware that the people of the State had not been so happy with outsiders.‘‘I will reverse the trend and do my utmost to win over the confidence of the people of the State,’’ he asserted.
Mega power projects for Orissa
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, March. 14: The government today said that three new ultra-mega power projects of 4,000 MW could be set up in Orissa, in addition to nine UMPPs already proposed across the country.Besides, there is also a “strong” possibility for a fourth such project in Orissa and a new one in Gujarat as well, which would take the total number of UMPPs to 14 in the country.“Orissa has just agreed for three ultra mega power projects that could be structured through special purpose vehicle, promoted by Power finance corporation,” power Secretary Mr Anil Razdan told reporters here.He said that "the projects would be set up in a way so that the host state would be the major beneficiary".“The process to locate sites and potential purchasers of electricity will begin soon. There is a strong possibility that there could be a fourth UMPP in Orissa and another one in Gujarat,” Mr Razdan said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by industry body CII today. “We need super-critical technology for the UMPPs,” Mr Razdan added.As a measure to mitigate power shortage in the country, the government had decided to set up power plants of 4,000 MW each with the help of the private sector.Anil Ambani-led Reliance power has bagged the Sasan (Gujarat) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) UMPPs while Tatas have bagged the Mundra UMPP. Modalities for awarding other projects are being worked out.
New Delhi, March. 14: The government today said that three new ultra-mega power projects of 4,000 MW could be set up in Orissa, in addition to nine UMPPs already proposed across the country.Besides, there is also a “strong” possibility for a fourth such project in Orissa and a new one in Gujarat as well, which would take the total number of UMPPs to 14 in the country.“Orissa has just agreed for three ultra mega power projects that could be structured through special purpose vehicle, promoted by Power finance corporation,” power Secretary Mr Anil Razdan told reporters here.He said that "the projects would be set up in a way so that the host state would be the major beneficiary".“The process to locate sites and potential purchasers of electricity will begin soon. There is a strong possibility that there could be a fourth UMPP in Orissa and another one in Gujarat,” Mr Razdan said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by industry body CII today. “We need super-critical technology for the UMPPs,” Mr Razdan added.As a measure to mitigate power shortage in the country, the government had decided to set up power plants of 4,000 MW each with the help of the private sector.Anil Ambani-led Reliance power has bagged the Sasan (Gujarat) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) UMPPs while Tatas have bagged the Mundra UMPP. Modalities for awarding other projects are being worked out.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Orissa to sell power to other states after 2012.
The Orissa government on Thursday said that an additional 33,000 MW of power would be generated in the state by 2012 and about Rs 1.5 lakh crore would be invested for transmission systems for sale of surplus power to other states.Of the 33,000 MW, extra power targeted to be generated by 2012, around 17,000 MW will be produced by 13 independent power projects for which MoUs have been signed and the rest by public sector units like NTPC, energy minister Surya Narayan Patra said here.The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd would invest nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the transmission system for supplying surplus power to other states, he said.
Stating that Orissa would get about 11,000 MW from generating companies as per agreements signed, Patro said that the remaining 22,000 MW would be sold to buyers outside the state for six paise per unit of power.The state would require only 4,000 MW to meet its projected internal demand and the remaining 7,000 MW would be sold to other states facing power scarcity, he said.As a result, the minister said that the total volume of power to be evacuated from the state, including the electricity to be directly sold by generating companies, would be of the order of 29,000 MW.
Stating that Orissa would get about 11,000 MW from generating companies as per agreements signed, Patro said that the remaining 22,000 MW would be sold to buyers outside the state for six paise per unit of power.The state would require only 4,000 MW to meet its projected internal demand and the remaining 7,000 MW would be sold to other states facing power scarcity, he said.As a result, the minister said that the total volume of power to be evacuated from the state, including the electricity to be directly sold by generating companies, would be of the order of 29,000 MW.
IIT issue: Naveen Patnaik shoots off letter to PM
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that steps should be taken to set up an IIT in the State as soon as possible.In his letter, Patnaik stated that Orissa has been deprived of getting an IIT in 2008-09 financial years. Even, Orissa's dream to get an IIT during the 11th Five-Year Plan is not going to materialise. When the other two States like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have reputed educational institutions of national level, they have been able to get IITs.
Patnaik further stated that even after the 60 years of independence, Orissa had not been able to get an educational institution of national repute. While the Centre aims to give opportunity to at least 15 per cent students to avail higher education, only 6.1 per cent students have been able get an opportunity to avail higher education. "If the Government of India wants equal development through out India, Centre should set up an IIT in Orissa," Patnaik stated in his letter, adding that such as institute is required as it would able to produce required human resources to meet the needs of the rapid indistrilisation of the State.
The issue also rocked the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Ruling party members raised this issue. During Zero Hour, BJD member Saroj Padhi urged the Chair to allow discussion on a special mention relating to the establishment of IIT. Chief Whip of the Government Kishore Mohanty also raised this issue and alleged that Centre has neglected the cause of the Orissa despite Orissa Government's repeated plea to set up an IIT in the State.
Demanding for an IIT, BJD and BJP members sat on a dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the premises of the Assembly. They also displayed the placards showing the Centre's negligence to the cause of Orissa.
Patnaik further stated that even after the 60 years of independence, Orissa had not been able to get an educational institution of national repute. While the Centre aims to give opportunity to at least 15 per cent students to avail higher education, only 6.1 per cent students have been able get an opportunity to avail higher education. "If the Government of India wants equal development through out India, Centre should set up an IIT in Orissa," Patnaik stated in his letter, adding that such as institute is required as it would able to produce required human resources to meet the needs of the rapid indistrilisation of the State.
The issue also rocked the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Ruling party members raised this issue. During Zero Hour, BJD member Saroj Padhi urged the Chair to allow discussion on a special mention relating to the establishment of IIT. Chief Whip of the Government Kishore Mohanty also raised this issue and alleged that Centre has neglected the cause of the Orissa despite Orissa Government's repeated plea to set up an IIT in the State.
Demanding for an IIT, BJD and BJP members sat on a dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the premises of the Assembly. They also displayed the placards showing the Centre's negligence to the cause of Orissa.
MLAs of Gajapati district join stir against Andhra's river project
Protesting against the Andhra Pradesh Government's move to construct Mahendratanya off-shore project, two MLAs Bharat Paika of BJP and Trinath Sahu of Congress on Wednesday staged a dharna in front of Maharaja Krushan Chandra Gajapati statue on the State Assembly premises. The agitations will be intensified further, they cautioned.
The Mahendratanya River originates from the Rayagada block of Gajapati district. While 80 per cent of it passes through Orissa and only 20 per cent passes through Andhra Pradesh. Without consulting the Orissa Government, the Andhra Pradesh Government has issued a tender to construct a dam on it. It would invest Rs 127 crore for the project. If the project comes up, around 2.5 lakh people of Parlakhemundi Municipalities and people of two blocks will be affected.
The BJP Leaders further said the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was going to lay the foundation stone for the project on March 22. "Before the laying foundation ceremony, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should visit the area," they said, adding that the Government should consider constructing a dam on the upper stream of the Mahendratanaya river.
The Mahendratanya River originates from the Rayagada block of Gajapati district. While 80 per cent of it passes through Orissa and only 20 per cent passes through Andhra Pradesh. Without consulting the Orissa Government, the Andhra Pradesh Government has issued a tender to construct a dam on it. It would invest Rs 127 crore for the project. If the project comes up, around 2.5 lakh people of Parlakhemundi Municipalities and people of two blocks will be affected.
The BJP Leaders further said the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was going to lay the foundation stone for the project on March 22. "Before the laying foundation ceremony, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should visit the area," they said, adding that the Government should consider constructing a dam on the upper stream of the Mahendratanaya river.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Orissa CM writes to PM to consider the demands of mineral rich-States
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to consider the demands of mineral rich-States before the finalisation of the National Mineral policy. "All the mineral rich States will be thankful if the National Mineral Policy duly amended before it is placed before the Union Cabinet.This is essential as the welfare and development of the people of the mineral-based States is to large extent dependant upon the National Mineral Policy," he stated in his letter
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Australia wants sector-specific expertise for Orissa
The Australian Trade Commission (ATC) in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) on Monday organised a seminar on 'Doing Business with Australia' with special focus on business in Orissa.
Speaking at the seminar the Commissioner of the Australia Trade Commission Michael Carter said, "His country can provide value-added competitive solutions and expertise both in traditional and emerging sectors for business in Orissa. The Australian Trade Commission has embarked on a focused strategy to provide technology, expertise and solutions for Indian business in the areas of resources, mining and energy, infrastructure, building and construction, food and beverage, agri-business, film, media and entertainment and retail and financial services."
Carter also informed that India has become the most significant export market for Australia and is demonstrated as the fourth biggest expert market. The seminar basically showcased the services offered by the Australian Trade Commission for business in Orissa.
Moreover, the seminar was aiming at identifying Australian business partners, technology, products, services and expertise that are now helping Orissa in redefining its business potentiality.The experts informed that some of the Australian companies have been active in Orissa.
Speaking at the seminar the Commissioner of the Australia Trade Commission Michael Carter said, "His country can provide value-added competitive solutions and expertise both in traditional and emerging sectors for business in Orissa. The Australian Trade Commission has embarked on a focused strategy to provide technology, expertise and solutions for Indian business in the areas of resources, mining and energy, infrastructure, building and construction, food and beverage, agri-business, film, media and entertainment and retail and financial services."
Carter also informed that India has become the most significant export market for Australia and is demonstrated as the fourth biggest expert market. The seminar basically showcased the services offered by the Australian Trade Commission for business in Orissa.
Moreover, the seminar was aiming at identifying Australian business partners, technology, products, services and expertise that are now helping Orissa in redefining its business potentiality.The experts informed that some of the Australian companies have been active in Orissa.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Orissa Govt extends 30% reservation for girls in all Technical Institutes.
In a bid to create more women technocrats, the State Government has decided to extend reservation facilities for women candidates in all the technical institutes of the State.Henceforth, all the private engineering college and schools will adhere to the principle of giving reservation to women candidates. Earlier, the reservation facilities were available in 25 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), seven engineering colleges and 13 engineering schools. The facilities would be extended to all other technical institutes of the State.Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Director, Technical Education Srikant Paikray said all the Engineering Colleges, Schools, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Poly-techniques and Industrial Training Centre (ITC) will have to reserve 30 per cent seats for the girls students.
The State now boasts of 317 private ITIs, 41 private engineering colleges, 25 engineering schools and poly techniques. Henceforth, 30 per cent seats of the total 48,783 seats of these institutes would be reserved for women candidates.Paikray further said that steps would be taken to engage all the students passing out from all technical institutes. He further said the Government has accorded Centre of Excellence to the 11 ITIs to encourage technical education in the State.Meanwhile, the Government has been able to connect two ITIs and 10 engineering schools through EDUSAT programme. The Central hub of the EDUSAT has already been established in the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institutes. An MoU to this effect has already been inked with the ISRO to this effect.Paikray further said that 5 per cent seats would be reserved for the passed out students of the engineering schools who will evince interest to take admission in the engineering colleges.Computer software giant Infosys has evinced interest to take up more number of students in its firm. "An MoU will be signed to this effect soon," he said.
The State now boasts of 317 private ITIs, 41 private engineering colleges, 25 engineering schools and poly techniques. Henceforth, 30 per cent seats of the total 48,783 seats of these institutes would be reserved for women candidates.Paikray further said that steps would be taken to engage all the students passing out from all technical institutes. He further said the Government has accorded Centre of Excellence to the 11 ITIs to encourage technical education in the State.Meanwhile, the Government has been able to connect two ITIs and 10 engineering schools through EDUSAT programme. The Central hub of the EDUSAT has already been established in the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institutes. An MoU to this effect has already been inked with the ISRO to this effect.Paikray further said that 5 per cent seats would be reserved for the passed out students of the engineering schools who will evince interest to take admission in the engineering colleges.Computer software giant Infosys has evinced interest to take up more number of students in its firm. "An MoU will be signed to this effect soon," he said.
RAVENSHAW news
Ravenshaw University to continue scholarships,
Over 600 students to benefit in the coming academic year.
Rs. 23.25 lakhs has been earmarked for the purpose
24 students to get National Scholarships
An amount of Rs. 23. 35 lakhs has been earmarked for scholarships to be given to 646 students of Ravenshaw University in the coming academic year.The university authorities have decided to continue all the 11 categories of the scholarships that were available to students in the erstwhile autonomous college.
“We are going to continue all the annual scholarships, including the POSCO scholarship, which is given to four students for an amount of Rs. 88,696,” says university registrar Satyakam Mishra. Scholarships are basically provided to the meritorious and poor students of the university to continue their studies without any hindrance, he adds.
At least 24 students will receive the national scholarships of an amount of Rs. 1,12,042 and another 510 students will receive about Rs. 20 lakhs as post-matriculation scholarship for SC and ST students.Besides, there are 50 senior merit scholarships and 30 PG merit scholarships are available for students in the ensuing academic year.There are other scholarships like senior merit-cum-means (8), PG merit-cum-means (5), Physically challenged (8), mining scholarships (4) and two SEBC scholarships available for the university students in 2008-09 academic session, according to sources.
Borasambar Cup Debate :
Apart from the continuation of old scholarships, the university authorities have also decided to revive the oldest debate competition of the erstwhile college that was abruptly stopped in 1970.“It has been decided that the famous Borasambar-Senapati debate competition winner will also be awarded with Chancellor’s cup and there will not be a separate competition for this,” says university Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chhotray.The origin of the prestigious debate can be traced back to 1934, two years before the State became a separate province.
Nilamani Senapati, one of the few Oriya ICS officers posted as deputy commissioner of Sambalpur district. Borasambar was then a small principality of about 1000 square miles in Gandhamardan hills. When Senapati was transferred to Cuttack, he was presented with Rs. 600 as parting gift by the Raja of Borasambar estate Rajendra Singh Bariah. Senapati then donated the amount to Ravenshaw College to create an endowment for awarding prize to the best English debater.
Among the winners of the prestigious debate are luminaries like Shreeram Chandra Dash, Prafulla K Pati, A.N. Tiwary, Nilakanth Rath, S.K. Palit, P.C. Hota, Sarat Kar, D.K. Ray and the present Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chhotary himself in 1963. The debate, for some reasons was stopped in 1970 and it was revived last year when Chhotray joined as Vice-Chancellor.
Over 600 students to benefit in the coming academic year.
Rs. 23.25 lakhs has been earmarked for the purpose
24 students to get National Scholarships
An amount of Rs. 23. 35 lakhs has been earmarked for scholarships to be given to 646 students of Ravenshaw University in the coming academic year.The university authorities have decided to continue all the 11 categories of the scholarships that were available to students in the erstwhile autonomous college.
“We are going to continue all the annual scholarships, including the POSCO scholarship, which is given to four students for an amount of Rs. 88,696,” says university registrar Satyakam Mishra. Scholarships are basically provided to the meritorious and poor students of the university to continue their studies without any hindrance, he adds.
At least 24 students will receive the national scholarships of an amount of Rs. 1,12,042 and another 510 students will receive about Rs. 20 lakhs as post-matriculation scholarship for SC and ST students.Besides, there are 50 senior merit scholarships and 30 PG merit scholarships are available for students in the ensuing academic year.There are other scholarships like senior merit-cum-means (8), PG merit-cum-means (5), Physically challenged (8), mining scholarships (4) and two SEBC scholarships available for the university students in 2008-09 academic session, according to sources.
Borasambar Cup Debate :
Apart from the continuation of old scholarships, the university authorities have also decided to revive the oldest debate competition of the erstwhile college that was abruptly stopped in 1970.“It has been decided that the famous Borasambar-Senapati debate competition winner will also be awarded with Chancellor’s cup and there will not be a separate competition for this,” says university Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chhotray.The origin of the prestigious debate can be traced back to 1934, two years before the State became a separate province.
Nilamani Senapati, one of the few Oriya ICS officers posted as deputy commissioner of Sambalpur district. Borasambar was then a small principality of about 1000 square miles in Gandhamardan hills. When Senapati was transferred to Cuttack, he was presented with Rs. 600 as parting gift by the Raja of Borasambar estate Rajendra Singh Bariah. Senapati then donated the amount to Ravenshaw College to create an endowment for awarding prize to the best English debater.
Among the winners of the prestigious debate are luminaries like Shreeram Chandra Dash, Prafulla K Pati, A.N. Tiwary, Nilakanth Rath, S.K. Palit, P.C. Hota, Sarat Kar, D.K. Ray and the present Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chhotary himself in 1963. The debate, for some reasons was stopped in 1970 and it was revived last year when Chhotray joined as Vice-Chancellor.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Orissa:Seven hubs recognised for industries
Orissa Government has identified seven places as major upcoming hubs for ancillary and downstream industries in steel, power, aluminium and cement sectors.Making a presentation on prospects of benefits of big industries percolating down to small-scale industries here on Friday evening, Director of Industries Hemant Sharma said Jharsuguda and Angul could be the next hub ancillary industries for thermal power generation. While Sterlite Industries was recognized to be nucleus of downstream industries development in Jharsuguda, Navbharat Power Private Limited would drive the growth in Angul region, Mr. Sharma said.Similarly, concentration of ancillary industries is expected to be more in Paradip area. South Korean steel major POSCO’s proposed steel mill may witness small companies reaping benefits. Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IPICOL) proposed refinery complex at this port town may galvanize the growth further in petrochemical sector.
Moreover, Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, where a dozen steel industries were coming up, was viewed as the next hub for stainless steel and its associated products. Grasim and OCL India will have major stake in creating a zone for ancillary industries in Sundargarh, Mr. Sharma said. RSB transmission may drive the auto-component industries at Choudwar.
MoU
Industrial Investment Promotion Corporation of Orissa Limited (IPICOL) studied that 19 different downstream industries and 36 ancillary industries could survive alone by establishment of big steel projects. The State Government has so far signed memoranda of understanding with 66 companies, of which 45 will alone go for steel industries while 219 other large and medium industries are already operating in the Sate.As many as nine public sector companies in the State have been utilising services of 217 small companies for their operation. The worth of orders being placed by PSUs touches Rs. 100 crores annually.
The State Government identified 197 items for promotion of ancillary industries. “Due to function of Nilachal Ispat Nigm Limited, Mid East Integrated Steel, Maithan Ispat and VISA industries in Kalinga Nagar as many as nine ancillary and four downstream industries had come up,” the Director of Industries said.
Besides, 76 projects are under various stages of implementation.
Moreover, Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, where a dozen steel industries were coming up, was viewed as the next hub for stainless steel and its associated products. Grasim and OCL India will have major stake in creating a zone for ancillary industries in Sundargarh, Mr. Sharma said. RSB transmission may drive the auto-component industries at Choudwar.
MoU
Industrial Investment Promotion Corporation of Orissa Limited (IPICOL) studied that 19 different downstream industries and 36 ancillary industries could survive alone by establishment of big steel projects. The State Government has so far signed memoranda of understanding with 66 companies, of which 45 will alone go for steel industries while 219 other large and medium industries are already operating in the Sate.As many as nine public sector companies in the State have been utilising services of 217 small companies for their operation. The worth of orders being placed by PSUs touches Rs. 100 crores annually.
The State Government identified 197 items for promotion of ancillary industries. “Due to function of Nilachal Ispat Nigm Limited, Mid East Integrated Steel, Maithan Ispat and VISA industries in Kalinga Nagar as many as nine ancillary and four downstream industries had come up,” the Director of Industries said.
Besides, 76 projects are under various stages of implementation.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Orissa Governor backs demand for IIT
Orissa Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare has lent his voice for setting up of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in the State. Addressing a function at an engineering college here, he said he was sad that the State was still deprived of an IIT. The entire audience present on the occasion was overwhelmed by the response of the First Citizen of the State, said a senior professor. "With the Governor's genuine concern for the State's casue, we feel emboldened," he said.
Orissa Govt launches Dakshyata for Capacity Building of PRIs
On the occasion of Panchayati Raj Diwas on Wednesday, Panchayati Raj Minister Raghunath Mohanty launched project Dakshyata for capacity building of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their members. The project is supported by UNDP and DFID.
Addressing a Press conference, Mohanty said the project would help the PRI members be well acquainted- with various procedures and processes of handling the PR structures, system and the operational modalities in Orissa in the light of the constitutional provisions and various programmes of the Government. It would also provide appropriate and necessary training to different stakeholders under the Panchayati Raj system for improved governance through better inter-and-intra-institutional relationships and coordination. It would also try to establish an efficient and reliable capacity building system and to develop a standardised capacity building framework and relevant capacity building policy of the State.
He further said the project planned to build capacity of about 30,000 functionaries of within 10 months. It would include the president, vice-president and members of Zilla Parishad, chairperson, vice-chairpersons and members of Panchayat Samitis, sarpanches and naib sarpanches of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Executive Officers and Gram Panchayat secretaries within 10 months.
The State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD) will take collaborative effort with selected capable agencies to produce standardised training modules, manuals and materials and training kits. " The SIRD will be developing 100 State-level trainers and 400 district-level trainers to conduct a large-scale training programme with given equal parameters. Each of the clientele will be given about 15 days training through five different modules that include Rules and Role clarity and Responsibilities of the PRIs, Financial Account and Management, Transparency and Accountability, Social Welfare schemes and other line department schemes, Rural Development schemes in PR department," Mohanty said.
Addressing a Press conference, Mohanty said the project would help the PRI members be well acquainted- with various procedures and processes of handling the PR structures, system and the operational modalities in Orissa in the light of the constitutional provisions and various programmes of the Government. It would also provide appropriate and necessary training to different stakeholders under the Panchayati Raj system for improved governance through better inter-and-intra-institutional relationships and coordination. It would also try to establish an efficient and reliable capacity building system and to develop a standardised capacity building framework and relevant capacity building policy of the State.
He further said the project planned to build capacity of about 30,000 functionaries of within 10 months. It would include the president, vice-president and members of Zilla Parishad, chairperson, vice-chairpersons and members of Panchayat Samitis, sarpanches and naib sarpanches of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Executive Officers and Gram Panchayat secretaries within 10 months.
The State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD) will take collaborative effort with selected capable agencies to produce standardised training modules, manuals and materials and training kits. " The SIRD will be developing 100 State-level trainers and 400 district-level trainers to conduct a large-scale training programme with given equal parameters. Each of the clientele will be given about 15 days training through five different modules that include Rules and Role clarity and Responsibilities of the PRIs, Financial Account and Management, Transparency and Accountability, Social Welfare schemes and other line department schemes, Rural Development schemes in PR department," Mohanty said.
Small, Medium Industries given equal thrust:Orissa CM
Inaugurating the Entrepreneurship Week- 2008 on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said despite the current process of heavy industrialisation, development and revival of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continues to be the focus of the Government. The function is being organised by the State-level apex industries associations and the Government.
He further said that special efforts were being made to promote maxium possible forward and backward linkages between the large and mega enterprises and the MSMEs, through development of ancillary and downstream industries by setting up sector specific industrial parks. "To facilitate ancillary and downstream industrial development in the State, the Government has already notified constitution of Plant Level Consultative Commitees (PLCCs) for the large and mega industries and projects in the private sector," he said, adding that the paradigm of the Government's focus continues to be eradication of poverty, generation of employment and promotion of entrepreneurship to ensure better quality of life for the people.
He further said the current process of industrialisation in the State has not undermined the Government's realisation that agriculture still remains the mainstay of our economy providing employment to a large chunk of the population.As skill development is critical for promoting entrepreneurship in the State, Patnaik said initiatives have been taken to coverage the self employment programmes with the technical education schemes.
He further said that special efforts were being made to promote maxium possible forward and backward linkages between the large and mega enterprises and the MSMEs, through development of ancillary and downstream industries by setting up sector specific industrial parks. "To facilitate ancillary and downstream industrial development in the State, the Government has already notified constitution of Plant Level Consultative Commitees (PLCCs) for the large and mega industries and projects in the private sector," he said, adding that the paradigm of the Government's focus continues to be eradication of poverty, generation of employment and promotion of entrepreneurship to ensure better quality of life for the people.
He further said the current process of industrialisation in the State has not undermined the Government's realisation that agriculture still remains the mainstay of our economy providing employment to a large chunk of the population.As skill development is critical for promoting entrepreneurship in the State, Patnaik said initiatives have been taken to coverage the self employment programmes with the technical education schemes.
US firm to invest Rs 100 cr in Biotechnology in Orissa
Next Generation Technology of New York will invest Rs 100 crore in biotechnology in Orissa. It will set up a Biotechnology Research and IT Development Centre in the State. The company has requested the State Government to provide 60 acres of land. The Chief Minister has directed the Director, Agriculture, to identify land near Derasa for the purpose.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Feel poverty in KBK region, Naveen tells Rahul
With AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi scheduled to visit Orissa’s backward Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) region, known as “country’s hunger zone”, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday asked the young leader to feel poverty in the area and report it to the Centre.
“I hope he (Rahul) will see for himself the needs of KBK area which we have been demanding for a long time and report it to the Centre,” Patnaik told reporters after returning here from a five-day tour to New Delhi. Mr. Rahul is slated to launch his ‘India discovery tour’ from the KBK region on March 7 and travel through the State during his four-day tour. The Orissa government has launched Biju-KBK Yojna for development of KBK region, known as the country’s hunger zone, accusing the Centre of discontinuing the long-term action plan for the poverty-stricken area.
Since Mr. Rahul Gandhi chose KBK region for launching his countrywide tour from Sinapalli, ruling BJD-BJP feels it was an attempt to hijack poverty issue, but Mr. Patnaik said he was not worried. -PTI
“I hope he (Rahul) will see for himself the needs of KBK area which we have been demanding for a long time and report it to the Centre,” Patnaik told reporters after returning here from a five-day tour to New Delhi. Mr. Rahul is slated to launch his ‘India discovery tour’ from the KBK region on March 7 and travel through the State during his four-day tour. The Orissa government has launched Biju-KBK Yojna for development of KBK region, known as the country’s hunger zone, accusing the Centre of discontinuing the long-term action plan for the poverty-stricken area.
Since Mr. Rahul Gandhi chose KBK region for launching his countrywide tour from Sinapalli, ruling BJD-BJP feels it was an attempt to hijack poverty issue, but Mr. Patnaik said he was not worried. -PTI
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Planning Commission okays State plan for Rs 7,500 cr
The State's Plan for 2008-09 has been set at Rs 7,500 crore. It was finalised during a meeting between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi on Monday. Earlier, the State had put forth a demand of Rs 7,100 crore to the Planning Commission.
During a period of three years, the plan size has doubled. It will help the State achieve the targeted growth rate of 9 per cent during the 11th Plan. The average annual growth rate for Orissa during the 10th Plan was estimated at 8.59 per cent against the target of 6.2 per cent. "We have achieved a growth rate of 8.59 per cent," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.As the State Government has already declared 2008 as the 'Year for Irrigation', the plan outlay allocates 20 per cent for irrigation. The plan lays special emphasis on improving the infrastructure, on education with focus on education of tribal girls, health and the strengthening of Mission Shakti (Women Self Help Groups). They have been provided credit linkage of more than Rs 900 crore.
During discussions, Patnaik reiterated the demand for the Vijayawada-Ranchi road. It was decided that this road would receive an outlay of Rs 300 crore during 2008-09 with participation from Planning Commission, Ministry of Surface Transport and Government of Orissa in equal measure.While presenting the highlights of the proposed plan to the Planning Commission on Monday in New Delhi, the Chief Minister demanded an increase in the fund flow to Orissa under various schemes such as Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Patnaik also repeated his demands for the establishment of educational institutes such as IIT, IIM, IIIT and Central University in Orissa to meet the growing need for highly skilled manpower for many upcoming industries within the State.
He demanded exemption from Income Tax and Central Excise Tax for the KBK region for a period of 10 years for attracting investment in the region. He urged that the royalty on coal and other minerals be revised on an ad valorem basis without any further delay, and that the iron export duty levied by Central Government on major minerals be transferred in full to the concerned States.
Discussions also took place on the National Mineral Policy. The member of Planning Commission, Anwarul Hoda informed the Chief Minister that the joint memorandum presented by the Chief Ministers of Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to the Prime Minister was under active consideration. Orissa has pioneered the principle of value addition to minerals within the State in order to attract industries and thereby generate additional job opportunities and revenues.
In view of the vast coal reserves in Orissa, there is a huge potential for setting up power plants which will make Orissa the power house of the country. The Chief Minister of Orissa demanded that adequate compensation be paid to the power producing States for mitigating the environmental and displacement cost. Patnaik also reiterated his demand for Special Category Status for Orissa.
During a period of three years, the plan size has doubled. It will help the State achieve the targeted growth rate of 9 per cent during the 11th Plan. The average annual growth rate for Orissa during the 10th Plan was estimated at 8.59 per cent against the target of 6.2 per cent. "We have achieved a growth rate of 8.59 per cent," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.As the State Government has already declared 2008 as the 'Year for Irrigation', the plan outlay allocates 20 per cent for irrigation. The plan lays special emphasis on improving the infrastructure, on education with focus on education of tribal girls, health and the strengthening of Mission Shakti (Women Self Help Groups). They have been provided credit linkage of more than Rs 900 crore.
During discussions, Patnaik reiterated the demand for the Vijayawada-Ranchi road. It was decided that this road would receive an outlay of Rs 300 crore during 2008-09 with participation from Planning Commission, Ministry of Surface Transport and Government of Orissa in equal measure.While presenting the highlights of the proposed plan to the Planning Commission on Monday in New Delhi, the Chief Minister demanded an increase in the fund flow to Orissa under various schemes such as Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Patnaik also repeated his demands for the establishment of educational institutes such as IIT, IIM, IIIT and Central University in Orissa to meet the growing need for highly skilled manpower for many upcoming industries within the State.
He demanded exemption from Income Tax and Central Excise Tax for the KBK region for a period of 10 years for attracting investment in the region. He urged that the royalty on coal and other minerals be revised on an ad valorem basis without any further delay, and that the iron export duty levied by Central Government on major minerals be transferred in full to the concerned States.
Discussions also took place on the National Mineral Policy. The member of Planning Commission, Anwarul Hoda informed the Chief Minister that the joint memorandum presented by the Chief Ministers of Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to the Prime Minister was under active consideration. Orissa has pioneered the principle of value addition to minerals within the State in order to attract industries and thereby generate additional job opportunities and revenues.
In view of the vast coal reserves in Orissa, there is a huge potential for setting up power plants which will make Orissa the power house of the country. The Chief Minister of Orissa demanded that adequate compensation be paid to the power producing States for mitigating the environmental and displacement cost. Patnaik also reiterated his demand for Special Category Status for Orissa.
Orissa given the go by as Kerala, HP get IITs
It appears that if the State's leadership does not take up the matter of opening an IIT in Orissa with the Centre, it is unlikely to get one. While all the other States are actively lobbying for a new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Orissa has only opted for written letters. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sent four letters to the Prime Minister and Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD), requesting them for an IIT in the State.
After Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, now Kerala and Himachal Pradesh have been given the go-ahead for their IITs. Behind-the-sceneslobbying by these two States has helped them get the IITs, according to sources. Union Defence Minister AK Anthony has been pressing Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh for quite some time for an IIT in his home State of Kerala. An IIT at Palakkad in Kerala has now been granted, said sources Similarly, Himachal Pradesh tried hard during Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's regime for an IIT in the State.
After Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, now Kerala and Himachal Pradesh have been given the go-ahead for their IITs. Behind-the-sceneslobbying by these two States has helped them get the IITs, according to sources. Union Defence Minister AK Anthony has been pressing Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh for quite some time for an IIT in his home State of Kerala. An IIT at Palakkad in Kerala has now been granted, said sources Similarly, Himachal Pradesh tried hard during Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's regime for an IIT in the State.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Literacy can eliminate poverty, feels Orissa Governor.
The Statesman,Anugul:
Orissa Governor Mr Muralidhar Chadrakanta Bhandare observed that literacy can help in eliminating poverty and education of girl child holds the key to combating poverty.He was talking to media persons on the side lines of his visit to Baji Rout Chhatrabas here yesterday. Evading a direct response to the question on allegation of negligence by centre to Orissa in general and in the railway budget he said "the state should fight for its dues".The Governor spent time interacting with children at the chhtrabash. He enquired about the condition of the students.
Expressing concern over the drop out of girl students from schools he urged them to complete schooling and take to higher education. “Children are the joy and beauty of the world”, he said to the school students.The chhatrabash chief Ms Krishna Mahanty, daughter of late Nabakrushna Chaudhury read out the report on the chhatrabash and urged the governor to help them build a children park inside the campus.
Orissa Governor Mr Muralidhar Chadrakanta Bhandare observed that literacy can help in eliminating poverty and education of girl child holds the key to combating poverty.He was talking to media persons on the side lines of his visit to Baji Rout Chhatrabas here yesterday. Evading a direct response to the question on allegation of negligence by centre to Orissa in general and in the railway budget he said "the state should fight for its dues".The Governor spent time interacting with children at the chhtrabash. He enquired about the condition of the students.
Expressing concern over the drop out of girl students from schools he urged them to complete schooling and take to higher education. “Children are the joy and beauty of the world”, he said to the school students.The chhatrabash chief Ms Krishna Mahanty, daughter of late Nabakrushna Chaudhury read out the report on the chhatrabash and urged the governor to help them build a children park inside the campus.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Rs 100 crore to be invested in handicrafts, handllooms in Orissa.
The Centre has proposed to set up an Integrated Marketing Project for the development and promotion of handicrafts and handloom of Orissa with a special focus on Tribal and Fibre Crafts.The project is proposed to be executed by Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and IL&FS. It will involve an investment of approximately Rs.100 crore.In order to make it a reality, Executive Director of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Rakesh Kumar along with other senior officials called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Orissa Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday and apprised him about the project.
During the meeting, Patnaik said the State has a vast potential for development of Tribal Crafts, Tribal Jewellery, Dhokra Casting, Silver Filigree work and other metal work, Terracotta, Wood work, Appliqué work, horn work, golden grass work, Cane and Bamboo products. Kumar informed the Chief Minister that the project will include various components like human resource development, design & product development, national & international marketing, setting up of a state of the art Crafts Complex at Bhubaneswar and Puri as well as setting up of showrooms abroad.This one will be an integrated one and executed in phased manner. Additional employment opportunity for more than three lakh families of the State will be created in phased manner, he said. Patnaik hoped that the projects will give a great boost for development of the handicraft and handloom sectors in the integrated manner to the benefit of large number of weavers and artisan families.
During the meeting, Patnaik said the State has a vast potential for development of Tribal Crafts, Tribal Jewellery, Dhokra Casting, Silver Filigree work and other metal work, Terracotta, Wood work, Appliqué work, horn work, golden grass work, Cane and Bamboo products. Kumar informed the Chief Minister that the project will include various components like human resource development, design & product development, national & international marketing, setting up of a state of the art Crafts Complex at Bhubaneswar and Puri as well as setting up of showrooms abroad.This one will be an integrated one and executed in phased manner. Additional employment opportunity for more than three lakh families of the State will be created in phased manner, he said. Patnaik hoped that the projects will give a great boost for development of the handicraft and handloom sectors in the integrated manner to the benefit of large number of weavers and artisan families.
No IIT, No special package,Orissa completely neglected in Budget 2008,Congress led UPA cheated Orissa again.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 29th Feb. termed the Union Budget as disappointing for Orissa. "There is no special package for Orissa. We expected a special package to bridge the regional imbalances. But no such announcement was made," he said.Launching a scathing attack on the Centre for neglecting the cause of Orissa, Patnaik said IIT seems to have done with political consideration. "There has been no scheme for the welfare of the tribal people," he said. Orissa had earlier demanded an IIT for the State and the Chief Minister wrote a number of letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh. But without conceding to the demands of the Orissa Government, the Centre announced setting up of IITs in Bihar, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai said no steps had been taken to arrest price rise and inflation. While a certain amount has been sanctioned for the North-East States, no special package was announced for Orissa. "There has been no budgetary provision for Backward Grant Fund. Similarly no steps have been taken to take up developmental works in the Maoist affected region," he said.
Industry Minister BB Harichandan said this Budget was made keeping elections in mind. The Union Government has adopted a stepmotherly attitude towards the State while announcing setting up a number of IITs. "More budgetary provision should have been made to take up road works," he said.
Eminent economist and former MP Trilochan Kanungo said Chidambaram's Budget speech has sent a message that elections are round the corner. The UPA Government has promised El Dorado to woo the electorate. "The higher income States would garner more benefit at the cost of the backward States like Orissa and Bihar," he said.
"Had the Government pursued the right kind of farmer's friendly policy consistently in the past, such a huge loan waiver would not have been resorted to," he said, adding that would only increase the regional imbalances.
BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan said the Budget had ignored the State's interests. He further said the Finance Minister by not conceding to Orissa and mineral rich States demand for fixation of royalty of mineral resources on ad valorem basis, had ignored the financial interest of the States. BJP State unit president Suresh Pujari also criticised the Budget.
Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai said no steps had been taken to arrest price rise and inflation. While a certain amount has been sanctioned for the North-East States, no special package was announced for Orissa. "There has been no budgetary provision for Backward Grant Fund. Similarly no steps have been taken to take up developmental works in the Maoist affected region," he said.
Industry Minister BB Harichandan said this Budget was made keeping elections in mind. The Union Government has adopted a stepmotherly attitude towards the State while announcing setting up a number of IITs. "More budgetary provision should have been made to take up road works," he said.
Eminent economist and former MP Trilochan Kanungo said Chidambaram's Budget speech has sent a message that elections are round the corner. The UPA Government has promised El Dorado to woo the electorate. "The higher income States would garner more benefit at the cost of the backward States like Orissa and Bihar," he said.
"Had the Government pursued the right kind of farmer's friendly policy consistently in the past, such a huge loan waiver would not have been resorted to," he said, adding that would only increase the regional imbalances.
BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan said the Budget had ignored the State's interests. He further said the Finance Minister by not conceding to Orissa and mineral rich States demand for fixation of royalty of mineral resources on ad valorem basis, had ignored the financial interest of the States. BJP State unit president Suresh Pujari also criticised the Budget.
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