Source :PTI, Phulbani (Orissa), Feb 28,2010
Three Maoist rebels, including a woman cadre, who were involved in a number of attacks in Orissa's Gajapati and Kandhamal districts, today surrendered before the police.
"They decided to lay down arms repenting the path of violence ...They claimed they have been tortured by seniors," Superintendent of Police, Kandhamal, Praveen Kumar told reporters here.
The surrendered were identified as Kamla Mandal (22) of Gajapati district, Binayak Parida (30) and Bishnu Parida (21) from Bariguda village in Raikia police station in Kandhamal district, he said.
While Kamla of Bansadhara committee of CPI (Maoist) had been active in Maoist activities since 2003 and involved in over eight cases, the other two ultras were providing logistic support and engaged in information collection, Kumar said.
Information about Maoist activities in Orissa and neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are likely to be obtained from them, the police said.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
News Updates from Central University of Orissa, Koraput
The Hindu,Koraput,28.01.2010
Appointment of the first registrar and finance officer of Central University of Orissa at Koraput has been granted by the President. They would join the university shortly, Surabhi Banerjee ,Vice-Chancellor of the university, said in a press meet here. While it would take some more months to get regular teaching faculty for the university, eminent professors and other experts in their subjects were contacted to support the teaching-learning process in the university by taking classes as visiting faculty on the campus. In addition to this there were a good number of MOU to be signed in the next few months by the university with institutions of repute like M.S. Swaminathan Research Centre, Jamia Hamdard University and British Council for developing the scope and opportunities for integral development of students, she added.
While the university had plans to shift the campus from the existing COATS premises to the newly acquired building of Central Silk Board at Landiguda near here, she expressed gratitude to the people and institutions for providing the required infrastructure for launching the classes of the university in its formative stage. The university wishes to clear all the pending payments in connection with the rent of the building on COATS premises before the shifting takes place. But lack of clarity on the ownership of the building was causing problem for the release of the funds from the university accounts . Intervention of Rajesh Pravakar Patil, district Collector was sought in this regard and on the expenditure incurred by the district administration for organising the inaugural function of the university last year , she said .
While briefing the media on the plans and proposals of the university, she said that nine out of 39 Central universities in the country were selected to have medical colleges and hospitals. Construction work for the university had begun at Sunabeda and discussions were held with chief officers of HAL, NAD, CPWD and the district administration for making plans for construction work in addition to laying proper road links to the prime site in between HAL and NAD .
The executive council at a recent meeting in New Delhi had approved the proposal to provide free education in the university to economically backward students under its community welfare initiatives from next academic session, she added.
Appointment of the first registrar and finance officer of Central University of Orissa at Koraput has been granted by the President. They would join the university shortly, Surabhi Banerjee ,Vice-Chancellor of the university, said in a press meet here. While it would take some more months to get regular teaching faculty for the university, eminent professors and other experts in their subjects were contacted to support the teaching-learning process in the university by taking classes as visiting faculty on the campus. In addition to this there were a good number of MOU to be signed in the next few months by the university with institutions of repute like M.S. Swaminathan Research Centre, Jamia Hamdard University and British Council for developing the scope and opportunities for integral development of students, she added.
While the university had plans to shift the campus from the existing COATS premises to the newly acquired building of Central Silk Board at Landiguda near here, she expressed gratitude to the people and institutions for providing the required infrastructure for launching the classes of the university in its formative stage. The university wishes to clear all the pending payments in connection with the rent of the building on COATS premises before the shifting takes place. But lack of clarity on the ownership of the building was causing problem for the release of the funds from the university accounts . Intervention of Rajesh Pravakar Patil, district Collector was sought in this regard and on the expenditure incurred by the district administration for organising the inaugural function of the university last year , she said .
While briefing the media on the plans and proposals of the university, she said that nine out of 39 Central universities in the country were selected to have medical colleges and hospitals. Construction work for the university had begun at Sunabeda and discussions were held with chief officers of HAL, NAD, CPWD and the district administration for making plans for construction work in addition to laying proper road links to the prime site in between HAL and NAD .
The executive council at a recent meeting in New Delhi had approved the proposal to provide free education in the university to economically backward students under its community welfare initiatives from next academic session, she added.
91 new ITIs, 415 Skill Development Centres (SDC)s to be set up in Orissa under the public private partnership (PPP) mode.
Indian Express,Bhubaneswar,28th February 2010
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has provisionally sanctioned 91 new industrial training institutes (ITIs) and 415 skill development centres (SDCs) to be established under the public private partnership (PPP) mode.
While the private promoters of the proposed training institutes will take the lead role, the State Government will provide basic infrastructure support, including land, free of cost. Supply of power, water and road connectivity will be the responsibility of the Centre. The Central support will be through viability gap funding.
The proposed ITIs will have a strength of about 250 trainees per shift running at least 10 demand-driven trades and the estimated cost of each institute is Rs 6 crore.
The proposed SDCs will be smaller centres of vocational training with intake capacity of about 300 persons per shift per annum to meet the skill training need of the local demand in the industries and unorganised sector in short-term modular pattern.
The minimum requirement of land for an SDC is 500 square metre and about Rs 50 lakh for equipment and machinery.
The Government will invite expression of interest from training providers for the proposed ITIs and SDCs in PPP mode.
The Industries Department has written to the district collectors to locate suitable land measuring three to five acres for ITI at the unrepresented block headquarters and 500 square meters of land or built up area for establishment of SDC at selected gram panchayat level.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has provisionally sanctioned 91 new industrial training institutes (ITIs) and 415 skill development centres (SDCs) to be established under the public private partnership (PPP) mode.
While the private promoters of the proposed training institutes will take the lead role, the State Government will provide basic infrastructure support, including land, free of cost. Supply of power, water and road connectivity will be the responsibility of the Centre. The Central support will be through viability gap funding.
The proposed ITIs will have a strength of about 250 trainees per shift running at least 10 demand-driven trades and the estimated cost of each institute is Rs 6 crore.
The proposed SDCs will be smaller centres of vocational training with intake capacity of about 300 persons per shift per annum to meet the skill training need of the local demand in the industries and unorganised sector in short-term modular pattern.
The minimum requirement of land for an SDC is 500 square metre and about Rs 50 lakh for equipment and machinery.
The Government will invite expression of interest from training providers for the proposed ITIs and SDCs in PPP mode.
The Industries Department has written to the district collectors to locate suitable land measuring three to five acres for ITI at the unrepresented block headquarters and 500 square meters of land or built up area for establishment of SDC at selected gram panchayat level.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
13th Finance Commission recommends Rs 78,974 cr for Orissa
Indian Express,Bhubaneswar, 26.02.2010
The 13th Finance Commission (TFC) has recommended a grant of Rs 78,974.9 crore for the State for the award period from 2010 to 2015. The grant has increased substantially compared to the 12th Finance Commission, which recommended Rs 36,942.8 crore for Orissa.
However, the percentage share of Orissa in Central taxes has decreased by 0.38 per cent, from 5.16 pc to 4.78 pc, in comparison to the 12th Finance Commission. The share of all low income States such as Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh has decreased.
Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei described the recommendations of the TFC as disappointing.
The 12th Finance Commission had recommended Rs 31,669.47 crore as the State’s share in Central taxes as against Rs 69,316.1 crore by the TFC.
Compensatory grant of Rs 50,000 crore has been recommended to meet the loss on account of implementation of Goods and Services Tax.
The pre-devolution non-plan revenue deficit of Rs 1,32,141.64 crore projected by the State Government has been ignored by the TFC. It has fixed the deficit at Rs 28,282.67 crore by over-estimating the State’s resources and under-estimating the expenditure like salary, pension and interest payment.
Besides, Rs 9,658.8 crore would be available to the State as grants.
The existing sharing pattern of 75:25 for calamity relief fund has been retained as against the demand of 90:10. However, the corpus has been enhanced to Rs 2,163.75 crore from Rs 1,599.16 crore though the demand was Rs 4,000 crore.
The grant for local bodies has been increased to Rs 3,270.9 crore from Rs 907 crore. The State Government, however, maintained that too many conditionalities would greatly hamper the operational flexibility.
Other grants include Rs 50 crore for eco-restoration of Chilika lake, Rs 400 crore for construction of anganwadi centres, Rs 350 crore for health sector, Rs 500 crore incentive grant for development and upgradation of the distribution system, Rs 70 crore for police training, Rs 100 crore for jails, Rs 65 crore for preservation of monuments and Buddhist heritage, Rs 150 crore for fire services and Rs 60 crore for establishment of market yards.
Besides, the elementary education sector will get Rs 1,016 crore while the forest sector will get Rs 331 crore. The water sector will get Rs 184 crore.
Recommendations for other sectors include Rs 193.6 crore for improvement of justice system, Rs 178.5 crore for issuing UIDs, Rs 30 crore for district innovation, Rs 30 crore for improvement in statistical system and Rs 10 crore for employee and pension data base.
CM unhappy with TFC recommendations
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed dissatisfaction over the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC). The recommendations are unfortunately below expectations, he said in a release issued here today.
Orissa’s share has been reduced from 5.16 percent of the total grant announced by the 12th Finance Commission to 4.78 percent by the 13th TFC, he said.
Besides, the State Government’s proposals for adopting a criterion like population below poverty line (BPL), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) population and tax efforts have not been taken into consideration by the Commission, he said, adding that it will hamper developmental works of the State.
The 13th Finance Commission (TFC) has recommended a grant of Rs 78,974.9 crore for the State for the award period from 2010 to 2015. The grant has increased substantially compared to the 12th Finance Commission, which recommended Rs 36,942.8 crore for Orissa.
However, the percentage share of Orissa in Central taxes has decreased by 0.38 per cent, from 5.16 pc to 4.78 pc, in comparison to the 12th Finance Commission. The share of all low income States such as Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh has decreased.
Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei described the recommendations of the TFC as disappointing.
The 12th Finance Commission had recommended Rs 31,669.47 crore as the State’s share in Central taxes as against Rs 69,316.1 crore by the TFC.
Compensatory grant of Rs 50,000 crore has been recommended to meet the loss on account of implementation of Goods and Services Tax.
The pre-devolution non-plan revenue deficit of Rs 1,32,141.64 crore projected by the State Government has been ignored by the TFC. It has fixed the deficit at Rs 28,282.67 crore by over-estimating the State’s resources and under-estimating the expenditure like salary, pension and interest payment.
Besides, Rs 9,658.8 crore would be available to the State as grants.
The existing sharing pattern of 75:25 for calamity relief fund has been retained as against the demand of 90:10. However, the corpus has been enhanced to Rs 2,163.75 crore from Rs 1,599.16 crore though the demand was Rs 4,000 crore.
The grant for local bodies has been increased to Rs 3,270.9 crore from Rs 907 crore. The State Government, however, maintained that too many conditionalities would greatly hamper the operational flexibility.
Other grants include Rs 50 crore for eco-restoration of Chilika lake, Rs 400 crore for construction of anganwadi centres, Rs 350 crore for health sector, Rs 500 crore incentive grant for development and upgradation of the distribution system, Rs 70 crore for police training, Rs 100 crore for jails, Rs 65 crore for preservation of monuments and Buddhist heritage, Rs 150 crore for fire services and Rs 60 crore for establishment of market yards.
Besides, the elementary education sector will get Rs 1,016 crore while the forest sector will get Rs 331 crore. The water sector will get Rs 184 crore.
Recommendations for other sectors include Rs 193.6 crore for improvement of justice system, Rs 178.5 crore for issuing UIDs, Rs 30 crore for district innovation, Rs 30 crore for improvement in statistical system and Rs 10 crore for employee and pension data base.
CM unhappy with TFC recommendations
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed dissatisfaction over the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC). The recommendations are unfortunately below expectations, he said in a release issued here today.
Orissa’s share has been reduced from 5.16 percent of the total grant announced by the 12th Finance Commission to 4.78 percent by the 13th TFC, he said.
Besides, the State Government’s proposals for adopting a criterion like population below poverty line (BPL), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) population and tax efforts have not been taken into consideration by the Commission, he said, adding that it will hamper developmental works of the State.
Orissa features among non-performing states
Indian Express, Bhubaneswar,26/02/2010:
Concerted efforts to develop and strengthen elementary education from Class I to Class VIII notwithstanding, Orissa continues to feature among the non-performing states in terms of quality deliverance.
The State occupies a low rank of 29 and 27 in the Composite Education Development Index (CEDI) for the upper primary and primary segments respectively.
The CEDI developed by the National University of Education Planning and Administration (NEUPA) assigns scores and ranks to a particular State by separately evaluating the four primary variables like Access, Infrastructure, Teachers and Outcome at the primary and upper primary school level.
Orissa has been given a score of 0.513 with corresponding rank of 21 in the `Access’ parameter that primarily accounts for percentage of households not served and schools per 1000 population in the age group of 6-11 years.
In `Infrastructure’ that takes into account indicators from student-classroom ratio to water and toilet facilities in the schools, the State scores 0.489 and ranked 26. In two other parameters, `Outcome’ and `teachers’, the State with scores of 0.795 and 0.536 was ranked at 13 and 22 respectively.
The State performed better in the `Outcome’ parameter by improving 13 places over 2007-08. The apparent survival rate of 83 percent at the V grade helped the State to gain more points. But with the pupil-teacher ratio at 27 and with only 34 percent female teachers against 43 percent nationally, the State fares poor nationally in the `Teachers’ parameter. The percentage of professionally trained teachers at 78 percent in Orissa against 82 percent nationally also counted much in the ranking.
However, the State has failed badly with regard to provisioning of minimum basic necessities in its schools. As high as 43 percent schools don’t have a toilet facility at all. Only 34 percent schools were being provisioned with girl’s toilet and only 18 percent schools have electricity connection.
Over 40 percent schools don’t have a boundary wall here.
And, the average number of classrooms per school and average student-classroom ratio for the State remains below the national average.
With these slip-ups in basics, the low penetration of computers in schools is not astonishing.
But, the disconcerting fact is computer penetration has declined to seven percent from 12 percent in 2006-07.
Concerted efforts to develop and strengthen elementary education from Class I to Class VIII notwithstanding, Orissa continues to feature among the non-performing states in terms of quality deliverance.
The State occupies a low rank of 29 and 27 in the Composite Education Development Index (CEDI) for the upper primary and primary segments respectively.
The CEDI developed by the National University of Education Planning and Administration (NEUPA) assigns scores and ranks to a particular State by separately evaluating the four primary variables like Access, Infrastructure, Teachers and Outcome at the primary and upper primary school level.
Orissa has been given a score of 0.513 with corresponding rank of 21 in the `Access’ parameter that primarily accounts for percentage of households not served and schools per 1000 population in the age group of 6-11 years.
In `Infrastructure’ that takes into account indicators from student-classroom ratio to water and toilet facilities in the schools, the State scores 0.489 and ranked 26. In two other parameters, `Outcome’ and `teachers’, the State with scores of 0.795 and 0.536 was ranked at 13 and 22 respectively.
The State performed better in the `Outcome’ parameter by improving 13 places over 2007-08. The apparent survival rate of 83 percent at the V grade helped the State to gain more points. But with the pupil-teacher ratio at 27 and with only 34 percent female teachers against 43 percent nationally, the State fares poor nationally in the `Teachers’ parameter. The percentage of professionally trained teachers at 78 percent in Orissa against 82 percent nationally also counted much in the ranking.
However, the State has failed badly with regard to provisioning of minimum basic necessities in its schools. As high as 43 percent schools don’t have a toilet facility at all. Only 34 percent schools were being provisioned with girl’s toilet and only 18 percent schools have electricity connection.
Over 40 percent schools don’t have a boundary wall here.
And, the average number of classrooms per school and average student-classroom ratio for the State remains below the national average.
With these slip-ups in basics, the low penetration of computers in schools is not astonishing.
But, the disconcerting fact is computer penetration has declined to seven percent from 12 percent in 2006-07.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Orissa government to buy 100 new Buses to improve communication in Naxal prone areas
Source : Orissadiary.com,Bhubaneswar, 25.02.2010
A review meeting regarding OSRTC held in the Orissa Secretariat on Thursday under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary Tarunkanti Mishra . After the meeting the Transport Secretary Satyabrata Sahoo told the media persons that the Baramunda Government Bus Stand will be fully modernised in Government Private Partnership ( PP) mode in an estimated expenditure of 56 crore and it will be a model bus stand.
Further the Secretary told that during the month November, 2009 the Maoists has set fired four busses, and at the time of Bolangir students strike , the students had also set fired in two busses. It has been decided to recommend for compensation of Rs 1 crore .
It has also been decided to purchase 100 new Busses of the OSRTC , including some Air Conditioned Busses. It will be purchases by the credit of the Banks. Now there are 275 Busses are working and most of the Busses are playing in Naxal prone areas. It has been decided to instruct the district Collectors and SPs to provide adequate security for playing the Busses
A review meeting regarding OSRTC held in the Orissa Secretariat on Thursday under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary Tarunkanti Mishra . After the meeting the Transport Secretary Satyabrata Sahoo told the media persons that the Baramunda Government Bus Stand will be fully modernised in Government Private Partnership ( PP) mode in an estimated expenditure of 56 crore and it will be a model bus stand.
Further the Secretary told that during the month November, 2009 the Maoists has set fired four busses, and at the time of Bolangir students strike , the students had also set fired in two busses. It has been decided to recommend for compensation of Rs 1 crore .
It has also been decided to purchase 100 new Busses of the OSRTC , including some Air Conditioned Busses. It will be purchases by the credit of the Banks. Now there are 275 Busses are working and most of the Busses are playing in Naxal prone areas. It has been decided to instruct the district Collectors and SPs to provide adequate security for playing the Busses
Railway budget ignores state demands
Pragativadi,Bhubaneswar, 25.02.2010
The demand of the Odisha for allocation of at least Rs 1,805 crore towards railway development has been ignored in the 2010-11 Railway Budget that was announced by railway minister Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The state has got about Rs 836.64 crore as against Rs 715.22 crore for 2009-10.
It would be spent for construction of new lines, gauge conversion, doubling and electrification.
In addition, Rs 65.53 crore has been sanctioned for undertaking traffic facilities work at various stations located in the state.
In total, the state has got Rs 902.17 crore.
This includes Rs 430 crore for completion of the ongoing new lines and Rs 399.73 crore for doubling of the major rail tracks.
However, the good news is that Rs 120 crore has been sanctioned for the Khurda- Balangir railway project, Rs 101 crore for Haridaspur-Paradeep, Rs 75 crore for Daitari-Bansapani and Rs 50 crore for Talcher-Bimalagarh project.
In the Railway Budget for 2009-10 the state had asked for Rs 1,504 crore, but it was allocated only Rs 715 crore, of which only Rs 653.22 crore was released.
The budget has proposed to update the surveys for the Phulbani-Berhampur, Puri-Konark, Gunupur-Theruvali and Jeypore-Malkangiri routes.
In addition, survey will be made for new train lines in the Talcher-Phulbani-Lanjigarh and Gunpur-Therubali-Junagarh-Jeypore routes.
The only new line project that was included in the Budget is Digha-Jaleshwar.
The railway minister has proposed to set up a state-of-the-art wagon factory in joint venture or public-private partnership (PPP) mode either at Bhubaneswar or Kalahandi.
Similarly, for rail connectivity to the new minor ports coming up at Astranga, Chudamani and Gopalpur, the railway minister has proposed PPP mode.
While Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna portion of Lanjigarh-Junagarh line are expected to be completed during the year 2009-10, the Bhawanipatna-Junagarh of Lanjigarh-Junagarh & Khurda-Begunia of Khurda-Balangir sections are expected to be completed in 2010-11.
Introduction of nine new trains has been announced in the budget for Odisha while four more will pass through the state.
The new trains announced for the state are, Puri-Howrah Duranto Express, Bhubaneswar-Pune weekly express, Sambalpur-Howrah Weekly Express, Baripada-Shalimar Express (tri-weekly), PuriValsad Weekly Express via-Katni-Bhopal-Vadodara, Puri-Digha Weekly Express, Bhubaneswar-Khurda Road Passenger, Naupada-Gunupur Passenger (after gauge conversion) and Ahmedabad-Puri-Kolkata-Varanasi-Ujjain-Ahmedabad (Bharat Tirtha train).
This apart, Out Patient Department (OPD) and diagnostic centres will be set up at Balugoan, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Bramhapur, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Kantabhanji, Kesinga, Khurda Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram stations.
Secondary-level General Specialty Hospitals will be set at Bramhapur, Kantabanji, Koraput, Palasa, Rayagada & Visakhapatnam stations of the East Coast Railways.
The demand of the Odisha for allocation of at least Rs 1,805 crore towards railway development has been ignored in the 2010-11 Railway Budget that was announced by railway minister Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The state has got about Rs 836.64 crore as against Rs 715.22 crore for 2009-10.
It would be spent for construction of new lines, gauge conversion, doubling and electrification.
In addition, Rs 65.53 crore has been sanctioned for undertaking traffic facilities work at various stations located in the state.
In total, the state has got Rs 902.17 crore.
This includes Rs 430 crore for completion of the ongoing new lines and Rs 399.73 crore for doubling of the major rail tracks.
However, the good news is that Rs 120 crore has been sanctioned for the Khurda- Balangir railway project, Rs 101 crore for Haridaspur-Paradeep, Rs 75 crore for Daitari-Bansapani and Rs 50 crore for Talcher-Bimalagarh project.
In the Railway Budget for 2009-10 the state had asked for Rs 1,504 crore, but it was allocated only Rs 715 crore, of which only Rs 653.22 crore was released.
The budget has proposed to update the surveys for the Phulbani-Berhampur, Puri-Konark, Gunupur-Theruvali and Jeypore-Malkangiri routes.
In addition, survey will be made for new train lines in the Talcher-Phulbani-Lanjigarh and Gunpur-Therubali-Junagarh-Jeypore routes.
The only new line project that was included in the Budget is Digha-Jaleshwar.
The railway minister has proposed to set up a state-of-the-art wagon factory in joint venture or public-private partnership (PPP) mode either at Bhubaneswar or Kalahandi.
Similarly, for rail connectivity to the new minor ports coming up at Astranga, Chudamani and Gopalpur, the railway minister has proposed PPP mode.
While Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna portion of Lanjigarh-Junagarh line are expected to be completed during the year 2009-10, the Bhawanipatna-Junagarh of Lanjigarh-Junagarh & Khurda-Begunia of Khurda-Balangir sections are expected to be completed in 2010-11.
Introduction of nine new trains has been announced in the budget for Odisha while four more will pass through the state.
The new trains announced for the state are, Puri-Howrah Duranto Express, Bhubaneswar-Pune weekly express, Sambalpur-Howrah Weekly Express, Baripada-Shalimar Express (tri-weekly), PuriValsad Weekly Express via-Katni-Bhopal-Vadodara, Puri-Digha Weekly Express, Bhubaneswar-Khurda Road Passenger, Naupada-Gunupur Passenger (after gauge conversion) and Ahmedabad-Puri-Kolkata-Varanasi-Ujjain-Ahmedabad (Bharat Tirtha train).
This apart, Out Patient Department (OPD) and diagnostic centres will be set up at Balugoan, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Bramhapur, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Kantabhanji, Kesinga, Khurda Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram stations.
Secondary-level General Specialty Hospitals will be set at Bramhapur, Kantabanji, Koraput, Palasa, Rayagada & Visakhapatnam stations of the East Coast Railways.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Healthy initiative in Koraput !
The Hindu,Koraput,25.02.2010
It is for the first time in Orissa that about 16,000 adolescent girls were covered under a special programme to improve their anaemic condition by providing Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets every week along with de-worming tablets twice a year, Neelam Bhatnagar, nutrition specialist from UNICEF, said here on Wednesday. She was here for the launching of the programme along with Sujata Rao, consultant, adolescent health, UNICEF, being held in the residential school for the girls at Mondaguda near Koraput.
While the programme would be carried out in all the 136 schools of the department, selected teachers from all these schools have already been given orientation on the nature and frequency of administering these tablets, Sweta Kumar Das, District Welfare Officer, said. Adolescent girls often suffer from anaemia for poor diet, malaria and worm infection and the programme would give a coverage for them from two angles. While IFA tablets bring the girls back from the anaemic condition, the de-worming tablets would protect them from worm infections, said Ms. Bhatnagar.
It is for the first time in Orissa that about 16,000 adolescent girls were covered under a special programme to improve their anaemic condition by providing Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets every week along with de-worming tablets twice a year, Neelam Bhatnagar, nutrition specialist from UNICEF, said here on Wednesday. She was here for the launching of the programme along with Sujata Rao, consultant, adolescent health, UNICEF, being held in the residential school for the girls at Mondaguda near Koraput.
While the programme would be carried out in all the 136 schools of the department, selected teachers from all these schools have already been given orientation on the nature and frequency of administering these tablets, Sweta Kumar Das, District Welfare Officer, said. Adolescent girls often suffer from anaemia for poor diet, malaria and worm infection and the programme would give a coverage for them from two angles. While IFA tablets bring the girls back from the anaemic condition, the de-worming tablets would protect them from worm infections, said Ms. Bhatnagar.
Orissa seeks year’s extension of Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLEP)
Express News Service
25 Feb 2010 ,Bhubaneswar
The State Government today requested the Centre and the Department for International Development (DFID) to extend the tenure of Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLEP) by another year in view of the delay in expenditure of funds.
A part of the Orissa State Poverty Mitigation Mission, WORLEP - a DFID funded programme - aims at reducing poverty by promoting livelihood initiatives in the four western Orissa districts of Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi and Nuapada where health indicators are poor and there is shortage of safe drinking water. Besides, the four districts are drought prone.
A state government initiative, WORLEP is managed by Orissa Watershed Development Mission, with financial assistance from DFID. Although the overseas agency has sanctioned Rs 230 crore for the project, the Government has so far utilised Rs 194 crore.
Chief Secretary TK Mishra today reviewed the progress of all the externally aided projects at a highlevel meeting here attended by representatives of World Bank, DFID, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The other livelihood and infrastructure development projects funded by DFID are the Rs 446 crore Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Project (OTELP) and Rs 400 crore Orissa Health Sector Development Project.
The Government has utilised Rs 138 crore in OTELP and Rs 52 crore in the health sector development.
The major projects funded by the World Bank include Rs 1431 crore Orissa State Road Project, Rs 546 crore Orissa Community Tank Management project, Rs 315 crore Targeted Rural Initiative for Poverty Termination and Infrastructure (TRIPTI) and Rs 39 crore National Hydrology project.
The Japanese agency is providing assistance to the Orissa Forestry Sector Development project, Rengali Irrigation Left Bank canal project, Orissa Integrated Irrigation and Water Management project and Orissa Integrated Sanitation project.
A 17 members delegation of the four external agencies attended the review meeting along with 13 officials of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The representatives of the overseas agencies expressed their satisfaction over the progress of progress of the infrastructure and livelihood projects.
25 Feb 2010 ,Bhubaneswar
The State Government today requested the Centre and the Department for International Development (DFID) to extend the tenure of Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLEP) by another year in view of the delay in expenditure of funds.
A part of the Orissa State Poverty Mitigation Mission, WORLEP - a DFID funded programme - aims at reducing poverty by promoting livelihood initiatives in the four western Orissa districts of Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi and Nuapada where health indicators are poor and there is shortage of safe drinking water. Besides, the four districts are drought prone.
A state government initiative, WORLEP is managed by Orissa Watershed Development Mission, with financial assistance from DFID. Although the overseas agency has sanctioned Rs 230 crore for the project, the Government has so far utilised Rs 194 crore.
Chief Secretary TK Mishra today reviewed the progress of all the externally aided projects at a highlevel meeting here attended by representatives of World Bank, DFID, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The other livelihood and infrastructure development projects funded by DFID are the Rs 446 crore Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Project (OTELP) and Rs 400 crore Orissa Health Sector Development Project.
The Government has utilised Rs 138 crore in OTELP and Rs 52 crore in the health sector development.
The major projects funded by the World Bank include Rs 1431 crore Orissa State Road Project, Rs 546 crore Orissa Community Tank Management project, Rs 315 crore Targeted Rural Initiative for Poverty Termination and Infrastructure (TRIPTI) and Rs 39 crore National Hydrology project.
The Japanese agency is providing assistance to the Orissa Forestry Sector Development project, Rengali Irrigation Left Bank canal project, Orissa Integrated Irrigation and Water Management project and Orissa Integrated Sanitation project.
A 17 members delegation of the four external agencies attended the review meeting along with 13 officials of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The representatives of the overseas agencies expressed their satisfaction over the progress of progress of the infrastructure and livelihood projects.
Consumer advice centres to come up in Bhubaneswar and Ganjam
PNS | Bhubaneswar, 25.02.2010
The Consumer Advice Centres (CAC) would come up in Bhubaneswar and Ganjam. An agreement to this effect was signed under the Indo-German Bilateral Programme. The MoU was signed between the Government of India and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department of the State Government.
The German Technical Corporation (GTZ) is providing technical support to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, under the project “Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption in India,” as a part of the advisory services in Environmental Management Programme of the Indo-German Bilateral Programme.
The Consumer Advice Centres (CAC) would come up in Bhubaneswar and Ganjam. An agreement to this effect was signed under the Indo-German Bilateral Programme. The MoU was signed between the Government of India and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department of the State Government.
The German Technical Corporation (GTZ) is providing technical support to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, under the project “Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption in India,” as a part of the advisory services in Environmental Management Programme of the Indo-German Bilateral Programme.
Orissa gets half of what it demanded in Railway Budget 2010
PNS | Bhubaneswar, 25.02.2010
The State's demand for allocation of at least Rs 1,805 crore towards railway development in the 2010-11 Railway Budget has been ignored. It has got about Rs 836.64 crore as against Rs 715.22 crore for 2009-10. It would be spent for construction of new lines, gauge conversion, doubling and electrification. In addition, Rs 65.53 crore have been sanctioned for undertaking traffic facilities work at various stations located in the State. In total, the State has got Rs 902.17 crore.
This includes Rs 430 crore for completion of the ongoing new lines and Rs 399.73 crore for doubling of the major rail tracks. The good news is that Rs 120 crore has been sanctioned for the Khurda- Balangir railway project, Rs 101 crore for Haridaspur-Paradeep, Rs 75 crore for Daitari-Bansapani and Rs 50 crore for Talcher-Bimalagarh project.
In the Railway Budget for 2009-10 the State had asked for Rs 1,504 crore, but it was allocated only Rs 715 crore, of which only Rs 653.22 crore was released. The Budget has proposed to update the surveys for the Phulbari-Berhampur, Puri-Konark, Gunupur-Theruvali and Jeypore-Malkangiri rail routes. In addition, survey will be made for new train lines in the Talcher-Phulbani-Lanjigarh and Gunpur-Theruball-Junagarh-Jeypore routes. The only new line project that was included in the Budget is Digha-Jaleshwar.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has proposed to set up one of the State-of-the-art wagon factories in joint venture or public-private partnership (PPP) mode either at Bhubaneswar or Kalahandi. Similarly, for rail connectivity to the new minor ports coming up at Astranga, Chudamani and Gopalpur, the Railway Minister has proposed PPP mode. The following new lines are expected to be completed during the year 2009-10: Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna portion of Lanjigarh-Junagarh line. The following sections are expected to be completed in 2010-11: Bhawanipatna-Junagarh of Lanjigarh- Junargarh & Khurda-Begunia of Khurda-Bolangir.
The Budget had made provisions of 10 Duronto trains in the Railway Budget 2010 including five for West Bengal while there will be one Duronto Express between Howrah and Puri.
Out Patient Department (OPD) and diagnostic centres will be set up at Balugoan, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Bramhapur, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Kantabhanji, Kesinga, Khurda Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram stations. Secondary-level General Specialty Hospitals will be set at Bramhapur, Kantabanji, Koraput, Palasa, Rayagada & Visakhapatnam stations of the East Coast Railways.
The State's demand for allocation of at least Rs 1,805 crore towards railway development in the 2010-11 Railway Budget has been ignored. It has got about Rs 836.64 crore as against Rs 715.22 crore for 2009-10. It would be spent for construction of new lines, gauge conversion, doubling and electrification. In addition, Rs 65.53 crore have been sanctioned for undertaking traffic facilities work at various stations located in the State. In total, the State has got Rs 902.17 crore.
This includes Rs 430 crore for completion of the ongoing new lines and Rs 399.73 crore for doubling of the major rail tracks. The good news is that Rs 120 crore has been sanctioned for the Khurda- Balangir railway project, Rs 101 crore for Haridaspur-Paradeep, Rs 75 crore for Daitari-Bansapani and Rs 50 crore for Talcher-Bimalagarh project.
In the Railway Budget for 2009-10 the State had asked for Rs 1,504 crore, but it was allocated only Rs 715 crore, of which only Rs 653.22 crore was released. The Budget has proposed to update the surveys for the Phulbari-Berhampur, Puri-Konark, Gunupur-Theruvali and Jeypore-Malkangiri rail routes. In addition, survey will be made for new train lines in the Talcher-Phulbani-Lanjigarh and Gunpur-Theruball-Junagarh-Jeypore routes. The only new line project that was included in the Budget is Digha-Jaleshwar.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has proposed to set up one of the State-of-the-art wagon factories in joint venture or public-private partnership (PPP) mode either at Bhubaneswar or Kalahandi. Similarly, for rail connectivity to the new minor ports coming up at Astranga, Chudamani and Gopalpur, the Railway Minister has proposed PPP mode. The following new lines are expected to be completed during the year 2009-10: Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna portion of Lanjigarh-Junagarh line. The following sections are expected to be completed in 2010-11: Bhawanipatna-Junagarh of Lanjigarh- Junargarh & Khurda-Begunia of Khurda-Bolangir.
The Budget had made provisions of 10 Duronto trains in the Railway Budget 2010 including five for West Bengal while there will be one Duronto Express between Howrah and Puri.
Out Patient Department (OPD) and diagnostic centres will be set up at Balugoan, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Bramhapur, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Kantabhanji, Kesinga, Khurda Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram stations. Secondary-level General Specialty Hospitals will be set at Bramhapur, Kantabanji, Koraput, Palasa, Rayagada & Visakhapatnam stations of the East Coast Railways.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunil Kumar Bhargava new Resident Commissioner of Orissa in Delhi
Source: Pioneer News Service,Bhubaneswar:24/02/2010
http://dailypioneer.com/238262/Briefly.html
Sunil Kumar Bhargava, a 1984-batch IAS officer, has taken over as the new Resident Commissioner (RC) of Odisha in New Delhi. He is known for his networking and connections in the Central Government. After 1986 batch IAS officer LN Gupta left for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 6, 2008, the RC post was managed by a senior IFS officer, M Satyanarayana. The issue of filling up the RC post had even been raised in the State Assembly by Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh time and again. Bhargava has worked in several Ministries, including Women & Child Development and Finance for many years.
http://dailypioneer.com/238262/Briefly.html
Sunil Kumar Bhargava, a 1984-batch IAS officer, has taken over as the new Resident Commissioner (RC) of Odisha in New Delhi. He is known for his networking and connections in the Central Government. After 1986 batch IAS officer LN Gupta left for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 6, 2008, the RC post was managed by a senior IFS officer, M Satyanarayana. The issue of filling up the RC post had even been raised in the State Assembly by Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh time and again. Bhargava has worked in several Ministries, including Women & Child Development and Finance for many years.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Orissa CM announces 300 seated Women’s Polytechnic at Nabarangpur, 5,000 Hostels for 5,00,000 Tribal girls in next 5 yrs, ITI in each block of Orissa
21/02/2010
Orissa CM Mr. Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for a Women’s Polytechnic at Nabarangpur. The polytechnic institution will have a total of 300 seats, divided into 60 each for Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication and Mecatronics Engineering.
A sum of Rs 12.30 crore has been sanctioned by the Government of India, out of which Rs 8 crore is earmarked for civil construction and Rs 4.30 crore for machineries and equipment.
The Nabarangpur district administration has allotted 10 acres of land near Agnipur on the outskirts of the town for the college.
The CM announced that his government had come up with one thousand hostels for supporting the education of around one lakh tribal girls . This would be increased to five thousand hostels to accommodate five lakh tribal girls in the State in next five years.
Similarly, efforts would be initiated for the development of education, particularly for girls and ITIs would be established in each block in the State
A sum of Rs 12.30 crore has been sanctioned by the Government of India, out of which Rs 8 crore is earmarked for civil construction and Rs 4.30 crore for machineries and equipment.
The Nabarangpur district administration has allotted 10 acres of land near Agnipur on the outskirts of the town for the college.
The CM announced that his government had come up with one thousand hostels for supporting the education of around one lakh tribal girls . This would be increased to five thousand hostels to accommodate five lakh tribal girls in the State in next five years.
Similarly, efforts would be initiated for the development of education, particularly for girls and ITIs would be established in each block in the State
Orissa’s economic growth was higher than national growth rate.. He said that at least 5.6 lakh hectares of agricultural land would be irrigated in coming days to increase the agricultural output.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Centre seeks support from Orissa for Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petro-chemcials Investment Region (PCPIR) project, CIPET at Balasore
Source:The Financial Express,Bhubaneswar:
The Union chemical and petro-chemical secretary, Bijoy Chatterjee, on Firday met the Orissa chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, and discussed about the Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petro-chemcials Investment Region (PCPIR) project in the state.
The state-owned Industrial Infrastructrue Development Corporation (IDCO) chairman-cum-managing director, Priyabrata Patnaik, told reporters that the Union secretary urged the state government to provide land, water linkage and power supply besides other required infrastructrue for the project.
Patnaik said that the Union secretary also said the Centre is willing to set up a branch of the CIPET (Cental Institute of Plastic Engineering Tehncology) at Balasore in the state. For the institute, the state government has agreed to provide 15 acres of land, he disclosed.
The PCPIR project, which is going to spread over an area of 250 square kilometers at Paradip with the Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) oil refinery as anchor tenant, is expected to attract investment to the tune of Rs 2,75,000 crore.
The major chunk of investment, about Rs 23,000 crore, will come in petroleum and petro-chemical sector.
The project will generate employment opportunity for more than 2 lakh people when it is fully commissioned.
The Union chemical and petro-chemical secretary, Bijoy Chatterjee, on Firday met the Orissa chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, and discussed about the Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petro-chemcials Investment Region (PCPIR) project in the state.
The state-owned Industrial Infrastructrue Development Corporation (IDCO) chairman-cum-managing director, Priyabrata Patnaik, told reporters that the Union secretary urged the state government to provide land, water linkage and power supply besides other required infrastructrue for the project.
Patnaik said that the Union secretary also said the Centre is willing to set up a branch of the CIPET (Cental Institute of Plastic Engineering Tehncology) at Balasore in the state. For the institute, the state government has agreed to provide 15 acres of land, he disclosed.
The PCPIR project, which is going to spread over an area of 250 square kilometers at Paradip with the Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) oil refinery as anchor tenant, is expected to attract investment to the tune of Rs 2,75,000 crore.
The major chunk of investment, about Rs 23,000 crore, will come in petroleum and petro-chemical sector.
The project will generate employment opportunity for more than 2 lakh people when it is fully commissioned.
Friday, February 19, 2010
IIPH to set up Rs 140-crore campus in Orissa
Business Standard:
Public Heath Foundation of India (PHFI), a registered society set up on the public private partnership mode and engaged in the training of public health professionals, will invest Rs 140 crore in setting up the Indian Institute of Public Heath (IIPH) in Orissa.
The IIPH in the state will come up on 40 acres of land to be provided free of cost by the Orissa government at Kumarabasta village near the city in Khurda district.
Initially, the IIPH will operate from a temporary campus in the city and the short-term training programmes will kick off from July this year.
The state government today inked an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with PHFI for setting up the institute which is set to be fully operational by the end of 2012.
The MoU was signed between Anu Garg, secretary, health and family welfare, Orissa government and K Srinath Reddy, president, PHFI at the state secretariat in the presence of state chief minister Naveen Patnaik, state minister for health and family welfare Prasanna Acharya and chief secretary T K Mishra.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “PHFI shall work with the Orissa government to strengthen the overall public health system in the state. This will involve education, training and research on prioritized health problems of the state.”
“IIPH, in consultation with the state government, will impart training programmes for enhancing the capacity of the public health functionaries across all levels. The institute will offer Post-Graduate diploma programmes in Public Health Management, Health Economics, Health Care Financing, Health Policy, Biostatistics and Data Management. In addition, IIPH will conduct two-year diploma course in Public Health and Masters in Public Health”, he added.
“The vital health indicators like IMR and MMR (Maternal Mortality rate) have improved appreciably over the past few years. I am sure that the partnership between the state government and PHFI will go a long way in realizing the desired subjectives”, said Acharya. Reddy, the PHFI president, said, “Once the IIPH campus is fully operational, it will offer training short-term training programmes to 500 people and long-term training to 300 others.
Public Heath Foundation of India (PHFI), a registered society set up on the public private partnership mode and engaged in the training of public health professionals, will invest Rs 140 crore in setting up the Indian Institute of Public Heath (IIPH) in Orissa.
The IIPH in the state will come up on 40 acres of land to be provided free of cost by the Orissa government at Kumarabasta village near the city in Khurda district.
Initially, the IIPH will operate from a temporary campus in the city and the short-term training programmes will kick off from July this year.
The state government today inked an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with PHFI for setting up the institute which is set to be fully operational by the end of 2012.
The MoU was signed between Anu Garg, secretary, health and family welfare, Orissa government and K Srinath Reddy, president, PHFI at the state secretariat in the presence of state chief minister Naveen Patnaik, state minister for health and family welfare Prasanna Acharya and chief secretary T K Mishra.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “PHFI shall work with the Orissa government to strengthen the overall public health system in the state. This will involve education, training and research on prioritized health problems of the state.”
“IIPH, in consultation with the state government, will impart training programmes for enhancing the capacity of the public health functionaries across all levels. The institute will offer Post-Graduate diploma programmes in Public Health Management, Health Economics, Health Care Financing, Health Policy, Biostatistics and Data Management. In addition, IIPH will conduct two-year diploma course in Public Health and Masters in Public Health”, he added.
“The vital health indicators like IMR and MMR (Maternal Mortality rate) have improved appreciably over the past few years. I am sure that the partnership between the state government and PHFI will go a long way in realizing the desired subjectives”, said Acharya. Reddy, the PHFI president, said, “Once the IIPH campus is fully operational, it will offer training short-term training programmes to 500 people and long-term training to 300 others.
Orissa inks MoU with British Council to implement student interaction scheme in state-run schools
Source : PTI News
Bhubaneswar: Orissa government today signed an MoU with the British Council for implementation of a programme in state-run schools to enable students interact with their counterparts in the UK.
The MoU was inked between the secretary of school and mass education Bandana Jena and director of British Council, East India Sujata Sen here.
Orissa is the second state in east besides Chhatishgarh where the Council's 'connecting classrooms programme' would be implemented.
"The children of state-run schools can interact with their counterparts in UK over internet under the programme," Sen said adding a total of 370 schools across the country would be covered in first phase.
At least 21 schools located here and Cuttack would be covered under the first phase of programme, Sen said.
The British Council would sign MoUs with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
"The schools having computer and internet facilities will be covered under the programme", Jena said adding of about 60,000 primary and elimentary schools in the state, only 1500 have been provided with computers.
The Council would help in equipping trainers in schools and the trained teachers would help students in learning how to interact over net with their counterparts in UK, Sen said.
Bhubaneswar: Orissa government today signed an MoU with the British Council for implementation of a programme in state-run schools to enable students interact with their counterparts in the UK.
The MoU was inked between the secretary of school and mass education Bandana Jena and director of British Council, East India Sujata Sen here.
Orissa is the second state in east besides Chhatishgarh where the Council's 'connecting classrooms programme' would be implemented.
"The children of state-run schools can interact with their counterparts in UK over internet under the programme," Sen said adding a total of 370 schools across the country would be covered in first phase.
At least 21 schools located here and Cuttack would be covered under the first phase of programme, Sen said.
The British Council would sign MoUs with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
"The schools having computer and internet facilities will be covered under the programme", Jena said adding of about 60,000 primary and elimentary schools in the state, only 1500 have been provided with computers.
The Council would help in equipping trainers in schools and the trained teachers would help students in learning how to interact over net with their counterparts in UK, Sen said.
Railway Mininister has no time for Orissa !
Indian Express, Bhubaneswar, 19/02/2010
Mamata Banerjee, known so far for her Bengal-centric railway budget has probably little time for Orissa. An appointment, sought a month ago by the House Committee under Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat, is still waiting for a green signal from her Ministry and the PMO. The committee members were expected to put across Orissa’s needs and demands before the railway budget is presented.
The Assembly secretariat is trying to fix an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Railway Minister for over a month now. This has given rise to apprehension in the ruling dispensation as to whether Orissa will get justice in Mamata’s scheme of things.
This has evoked sharp reaction from the State Government with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty describing it as yet another instance of Central neglect.
The House Committee had sought time from the Minister to argue its case for more funding to complete the ongoing projects in time so vital for upgrading the State’s infrastructure, Mohanty said. So far there has been no word on it. If the appointment is not given by February 20, the committee cannot meet her, Mohanty pointed out.
The committee, headed by the Speaker, meets at least the Railway Minister almost every year to argue for more funds in the Budget for the State’s projects. However, Speaker Amat is still hopeful of a meeting with at least Mamata.
“I am expecting that the Railway Minister will meet the committee in time,’’ he said, adding that the panel can meet Mamata if appointment is given within the next couple of days.
The State Government had submitted a memorandum to the Minister with a demand of Rs 1,805 crore to be provided to Orissa in this year’s Budget. Many of the demands were for enhanced funding for ongoing projects and introduction of several new trains.
Mamata Banerjee, known so far for her Bengal-centric railway budget has probably little time for Orissa. An appointment, sought a month ago by the House Committee under Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat, is still waiting for a green signal from her Ministry and the PMO. The committee members were expected to put across Orissa’s needs and demands before the railway budget is presented.
The Assembly secretariat is trying to fix an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Railway Minister for over a month now. This has given rise to apprehension in the ruling dispensation as to whether Orissa will get justice in Mamata’s scheme of things.
This has evoked sharp reaction from the State Government with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty describing it as yet another instance of Central neglect.
The House Committee had sought time from the Minister to argue its case for more funding to complete the ongoing projects in time so vital for upgrading the State’s infrastructure, Mohanty said. So far there has been no word on it. If the appointment is not given by February 20, the committee cannot meet her, Mohanty pointed out.
The committee, headed by the Speaker, meets at least the Railway Minister almost every year to argue for more funds in the Budget for the State’s projects. However, Speaker Amat is still hopeful of a meeting with at least Mamata.
“I am expecting that the Railway Minister will meet the committee in time,’’ he said, adding that the panel can meet Mamata if appointment is given within the next couple of days.
The State Government had submitted a memorandum to the Minister with a demand of Rs 1,805 crore to be provided to Orissa in this year’s Budget. Many of the demands were for enhanced funding for ongoing projects and introduction of several new trains.
VSS University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla to get facelift , to be named as 'Siddhi Vihar'
PNS Sambalpur, 19/02/2010
The Burla-based University College of Engineering (UCE) is all set to get a facelift before its first ever convocation after being re-christened as VSS University of Technology (VSSUT) bestowed with a unitary status. “As a university, it has completed one year and the achievements in this short span are no less,” said its first vice-chancellor Prof Deba Kumar Tripathy exuding confidence that it will see more bright days ahead with remarkable achievements in science and technology.
Since both large and medium scale industries are coming in good numbers all over the State and particularly surrounding this technical university, more job-oriented courses will be opened soon to create employment avenues for the students. The new courses will be water resources management, industrial power control and electric drives, material technology, manufacturing system engineering etc, informed Tripathy.
He also informed that all the vacancies in teaching and non-teaching posts would be filled up soon to convert this age-old institution to a full-fledged university. Simultaneously, advertisement has already been made in different newspapers and after the Board meeting, the process of recruitment would be initiated, Tripathy informed further. 146 students have already been selected for various companies through campus selection and more industries were to land here soon, he added.
On the forthcoming convocation on February 25 slated to be graced by the Chancellor cum Governor MC Bhandare, Tripathy informed that efforts are being made to give the entire campus a total new look by naming the campus as ‘Siddhi Vihar’ and the hostels after the Saptarshi Mandal.
Talking about the achievement of the students, Prof Prakash Chandra Swain said that the students of the university have stood first in the Robotic event at IIT Kharagpur recently. At the same time, it had successfully organised Samavesh-2010 with 2500 engineering students belonging to different engineering colleges all over the State. “There is possibility of getting Rs.10-20 crore aid from the World Bank for research activities,” Swain informed.
The Burla-based University College of Engineering (UCE) is all set to get a facelift before its first ever convocation after being re-christened as VSS University of Technology (VSSUT) bestowed with a unitary status. “As a university, it has completed one year and the achievements in this short span are no less,” said its first vice-chancellor Prof Deba Kumar Tripathy exuding confidence that it will see more bright days ahead with remarkable achievements in science and technology.
Since both large and medium scale industries are coming in good numbers all over the State and particularly surrounding this technical university, more job-oriented courses will be opened soon to create employment avenues for the students. The new courses will be water resources management, industrial power control and electric drives, material technology, manufacturing system engineering etc, informed Tripathy.
He also informed that all the vacancies in teaching and non-teaching posts would be filled up soon to convert this age-old institution to a full-fledged university. Simultaneously, advertisement has already been made in different newspapers and after the Board meeting, the process of recruitment would be initiated, Tripathy informed further. 146 students have already been selected for various companies through campus selection and more industries were to land here soon, he added.
On the forthcoming convocation on February 25 slated to be graced by the Chancellor cum Governor MC Bhandare, Tripathy informed that efforts are being made to give the entire campus a total new look by naming the campus as ‘Siddhi Vihar’ and the hostels after the Saptarshi Mandal.
Talking about the achievement of the students, Prof Prakash Chandra Swain said that the students of the university have stood first in the Robotic event at IIT Kharagpur recently. At the same time, it had successfully organised Samavesh-2010 with 2500 engineering students belonging to different engineering colleges all over the State. “There is possibility of getting Rs.10-20 crore aid from the World Bank for research activities,” Swain informed.
Adani Group evinces interest to set up a port
PNS Bhubaneswar, 19/02/2010
The Adani Group has evinced keen interest to set up an all-weather port in the State and Rs 10,000 crore to be invested in this project. A proposal to this effect was presented by the Managing Director of the company, Rajesh Adani.
The port would be known as Adani-Kalinga. It would come up near the Posco project in Jagatsinghpur district. As per the proposal, Rs 5,000 crore each would be invested phase wise. This would be a 100 million-tonne capacity and 12 berths would come up in the port.
The Adani Group has also assured the State Government to develop infrastructures like railway line, roads and peripheral development near the port.
Chief Secretary TK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik, Commerce and Transport Secretary Satyabrata Sahu were present in the meeting.
The Adani Group has evinced keen interest to set up an all-weather port in the State and Rs 10,000 crore to be invested in this project. A proposal to this effect was presented by the Managing Director of the company, Rajesh Adani.
The port would be known as Adani-Kalinga. It would come up near the Posco project in Jagatsinghpur district. As per the proposal, Rs 5,000 crore each would be invested phase wise. This would be a 100 million-tonne capacity and 12 berths would come up in the port.
The Adani Group has also assured the State Government to develop infrastructures like railway line, roads and peripheral development near the port.
Chief Secretary TK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik, Commerce and Transport Secretary Satyabrata Sahu were present in the meeting.
250 MW power can be generated from rice husk in State
PNS | Bhubaneswar, 19/02/2010
Odisha is producing enough biomass, including rice husk in its rice mills, which can be used to generate up to 250 megawatt of power, but not much has been done to harness it.
Inviting rice mill owners at a seminar on Promotion of Biomass Gassifiers/Co-Generation Projects in Rice Mills here on Thursday to seize the opportunity organised by the Cogeneration Association of India (CAI) along with the All Odisha Rice Mills Association and the Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd (IPICOL), Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) Deepak Gupta pointed out that the move would help save the environment, improve the standard of living in rural areas and bring in more profit to rice mills because investments are recovered within a year.
He cited the example of a couple of cases in Bihar to buttress his argument that the traditionally poverty-ridden areas of the country, which are also the paddy producing regions, can benefit from the projects in providing electricity to the rural areas.
The seminar was part of a nationwide promotional plan sponsored by the MNRE and implemented by CAI. Such seminars have already been organised in UP, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Biomass Advisor to MNRE Dr DK Khare provided a lot of statistics to highlight the potential that Odsha has in this area and said adoption of the gassifier /cogeneration methods can save millions of litres of diesel in the State. He pointed out that the State Bank of India is so convinced about the scheme that it has made a precondition for installation of such systems, without which it is not willing to finance rice mills in Bihar.
State Director of Industries Hemant Sharma spoke about the steps taken by the State on the subject and mentioned the five paddy-producing clusters that have been identified in the State. He announced that the land for the project would be given free by the Government if a group of users approach with a joint project in a cluster. State Science and Technology Secretary Sudarshan Pal Thakur invited the prospective entrepreneurs to come forward with their projects and assured speedy approvals within a few days.
Secretary of the All Odisha Rice Mills Association Santosh Kumar Agarwal sought a model plant to be set up where potential entrepreneurs can gain confidence. He listed out some basic information required to arrive at a decision for investment. President of the Odisha State Cooperative Bank Jagneswar assured finance to all those who would approach the bank with a feasible proposal.
Odisha is producing enough biomass, including rice husk in its rice mills, which can be used to generate up to 250 megawatt of power, but not much has been done to harness it.
Inviting rice mill owners at a seminar on Promotion of Biomass Gassifiers/Co-Generation Projects in Rice Mills here on Thursday to seize the opportunity organised by the Cogeneration Association of India (CAI) along with the All Odisha Rice Mills Association and the Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd (IPICOL), Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) Deepak Gupta pointed out that the move would help save the environment, improve the standard of living in rural areas and bring in more profit to rice mills because investments are recovered within a year.
He cited the example of a couple of cases in Bihar to buttress his argument that the traditionally poverty-ridden areas of the country, which are also the paddy producing regions, can benefit from the projects in providing electricity to the rural areas.
The seminar was part of a nationwide promotional plan sponsored by the MNRE and implemented by CAI. Such seminars have already been organised in UP, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Biomass Advisor to MNRE Dr DK Khare provided a lot of statistics to highlight the potential that Odsha has in this area and said adoption of the gassifier /cogeneration methods can save millions of litres of diesel in the State. He pointed out that the State Bank of India is so convinced about the scheme that it has made a precondition for installation of such systems, without which it is not willing to finance rice mills in Bihar.
State Director of Industries Hemant Sharma spoke about the steps taken by the State on the subject and mentioned the five paddy-producing clusters that have been identified in the State. He announced that the land for the project would be given free by the Government if a group of users approach with a joint project in a cluster. State Science and Technology Secretary Sudarshan Pal Thakur invited the prospective entrepreneurs to come forward with their projects and assured speedy approvals within a few days.
Secretary of the All Odisha Rice Mills Association Santosh Kumar Agarwal sought a model plant to be set up where potential entrepreneurs can gain confidence. He listed out some basic information required to arrive at a decision for investment. President of the Odisha State Cooperative Bank Jagneswar assured finance to all those who would approach the bank with a feasible proposal.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Rise in Dolphin population in Chilika lake
THE HINDU, Bhubaneswar, 18th Feb 2010
BHUBANESWAR: Contrary to the public perception that the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Chilika lake was on the decline, the latest survey has recorded a nine percent increase in their number than last year.
The lake now has a total of 158 Irrawaddy dolphins, as per the findings of the annual census of the Irrawaddy dolphin population that was carried out in the lake on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The survey was carried out by 20 teams involving 80 persons, according to an official release issued by the Chilika Development Authority.
Of the 158 dolphins counted during the survey, 129 were adult and 29 were juveniles, including the neonates. Out of this 86 were counted in the outer channel of the lake, while 72 were spotted in the central and the southern sectors of the lake.
Last year 146 number of dolphin were counted in the lake, out of which 76 were spotted in the outer channel and 70 from the lake proper.
The rise in the population of Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika lake was a healthy sign, according to A.K. Pattnaik, Chief Executive of CDA.
The increase in the number can be attributed to the conservation initiative taken by the CDA and the wildlife department for protection and conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphin in the Lake, said Pattnaik.
BHUBANESWAR: Contrary to the public perception that the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Chilika lake was on the decline, the latest survey has recorded a nine percent increase in their number than last year.
The lake now has a total of 158 Irrawaddy dolphins, as per the findings of the annual census of the Irrawaddy dolphin population that was carried out in the lake on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The survey was carried out by 20 teams involving 80 persons, according to an official release issued by the Chilika Development Authority.
Of the 158 dolphins counted during the survey, 129 were adult and 29 were juveniles, including the neonates. Out of this 86 were counted in the outer channel of the lake, while 72 were spotted in the central and the southern sectors of the lake.
Last year 146 number of dolphin were counted in the lake, out of which 76 were spotted in the outer channel and 70 from the lake proper.
The rise in the population of Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika lake was a healthy sign, according to A.K. Pattnaik, Chief Executive of CDA.
The increase in the number can be attributed to the conservation initiative taken by the CDA and the wildlife department for protection and conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphin in the Lake, said Pattnaik.
Health indicators are positive in Orissa
PNS Bhubaneswar, 18th Feb 2010
Most of the trends and health indicators in Odisha are very positive. MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) has decreased to 303 witnessing 55 point decline, said Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Anu Garg while delivering her speech on the concluding day of the “Regional Conference on Population, Health and Social Development in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal”, organised by Population Foundation of India.
She further said that the full immunization coverage in the State reached to 74 per cent and above all institutional delivery has reached 76 per cent. “The RCH programme has adopted the continuum of care model. Odisha is also planning to introduce Voucher scheme to cover transportation cost. She also talked in detail about various child health and family welfare initiatives taken by the State Government,’’ she said.
Dr Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to the US, currently member of the Governing Board of PFI, said Odisha is now showing signs of speedy development. He also stressed upon three important issues-3Ms for Odisha; Malnutrition, Malaria and Maternal health.
Speaking on the occasion, J M. Chaki, Dy Director MOHFW WB said that for MMR to decline 48 hrs stay for mothers is need to be ensured. “Twenty per cent of delivery is still to be institutionalised due to lack of infrastructure. Though we reached replacement level of fertility but desired level of MMR and IMR is yet to be reached. Therefore focus need to be directed to reduce neonatal mortality,” Chaki said.
At the end of the two-day conference, summing up the sessions Dr Arundhati Mishra, Additional Director of PFI observed that, to deal with IMR, there should be increased infrastructure facilities, provides quality health services, increased manpower and improved mobility.
Earlier, Bharti Ghosh , Joint Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal, Prof. SK Guha of IIT Kharagpur, Ranjan Panda of CINI and Pritha Biswas of CBCI., Prof. Bhagaban Prakash, Sociologist, Dr. Prafulla Kumar Sahoo, Chairman, Civil Society Initiatives in Odisha and Deepak Ranjan Mishra, PFI-Global Fund, Lucknow also spoke on the occasion.
Most of the trends and health indicators in Odisha are very positive. MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) has decreased to 303 witnessing 55 point decline, said Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Anu Garg while delivering her speech on the concluding day of the “Regional Conference on Population, Health and Social Development in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal”, organised by Population Foundation of India.
She further said that the full immunization coverage in the State reached to 74 per cent and above all institutional delivery has reached 76 per cent. “The RCH programme has adopted the continuum of care model. Odisha is also planning to introduce Voucher scheme to cover transportation cost. She also talked in detail about various child health and family welfare initiatives taken by the State Government,’’ she said.
Dr Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to the US, currently member of the Governing Board of PFI, said Odisha is now showing signs of speedy development. He also stressed upon three important issues-3Ms for Odisha; Malnutrition, Malaria and Maternal health.
Speaking on the occasion, J M. Chaki, Dy Director MOHFW WB said that for MMR to decline 48 hrs stay for mothers is need to be ensured. “Twenty per cent of delivery is still to be institutionalised due to lack of infrastructure. Though we reached replacement level of fertility but desired level of MMR and IMR is yet to be reached. Therefore focus need to be directed to reduce neonatal mortality,” Chaki said.
At the end of the two-day conference, summing up the sessions Dr Arundhati Mishra, Additional Director of PFI observed that, to deal with IMR, there should be increased infrastructure facilities, provides quality health services, increased manpower and improved mobility.
Earlier, Bharti Ghosh , Joint Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal, Prof. SK Guha of IIT Kharagpur, Ranjan Panda of CINI and Pritha Biswas of CBCI., Prof. Bhagaban Prakash, Sociologist, Dr. Prafulla Kumar Sahoo, Chairman, Civil Society Initiatives in Odisha and Deepak Ranjan Mishra, PFI-Global Fund, Lucknow also spoke on the occasion.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Develop Railways in Odisha on national basis: KP to Mamata
PNS | Bhubaneswar, 17/02/10
Prior to the ensuing Rail Budget, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President KP Singh Deo has urged Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in his letter to pay special attention to Odisha, a Press release stated. Reminding the Minister of his discussions held earlier during the Winter Session of the Parliament accompanied by Union Minister Srikant Jena and MP Bhakta Charan Das, Singh Deo has pointed out that while the national average of railway developments is 19 km per 1,000 km, it is 15.3 in Odisha.
He has observed that the Railway Ministry can play a pivotal role in the development of the State rich in mines and industries.
He has also observed that it will simultaneously contribute to the economic development and alleviation of poverty and unemployment.
Prior to the ensuing Rail Budget, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President KP Singh Deo has urged Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in his letter to pay special attention to Odisha, a Press release stated. Reminding the Minister of his discussions held earlier during the Winter Session of the Parliament accompanied by Union Minister Srikant Jena and MP Bhakta Charan Das, Singh Deo has pointed out that while the national average of railway developments is 19 km per 1,000 km, it is 15.3 in Odisha.
He has observed that the Railway Ministry can play a pivotal role in the development of the State rich in mines and industries.
He has also observed that it will simultaneously contribute to the economic development and alleviation of poverty and unemployment.
Barabati to host two IPL matches
PNS Bhubaneswar, 17/02/10
Indian Premier League ( IPL) authorities on Tuesday allotted two of Deccan Chargers' home matches to the Cuttack-based Barabati Stadium on March 19 and 21.
This was decided after a series of discussions between the IPL and Deccan Chargers franchise to host matches in their catchment area. The IPL authorities have shifted the Chargers home matches from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam to Cuttack due to the present political chaos in Andhra Pradesh. The defending champion Deccan Chargers will play Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils on March 19 and two days later respectively.
The IPL team will reach Cuttack on Saturday for the inspection, said OCA honorary secretary Asirbad Behera.
He expressed his happiness and enthusiasm to make the IPL matches a grand success. For the first time the State cricket lovers will witness the high voltage IPL 20-20 matches, he added.
Indian Premier League ( IPL) authorities on Tuesday allotted two of Deccan Chargers' home matches to the Cuttack-based Barabati Stadium on March 19 and 21.
This was decided after a series of discussions between the IPL and Deccan Chargers franchise to host matches in their catchment area. The IPL authorities have shifted the Chargers home matches from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam to Cuttack due to the present political chaos in Andhra Pradesh. The defending champion Deccan Chargers will play Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils on March 19 and two days later respectively.
The IPL team will reach Cuttack on Saturday for the inspection, said OCA honorary secretary Asirbad Behera.
He expressed his happiness and enthusiasm to make the IPL matches a grand success. For the first time the State cricket lovers will witness the high voltage IPL 20-20 matches, he added.
Odisha will be mother of all investments: Kumar Mangalam Birla
PNS Bhubaneswar, 17/02/10
Odisha would be the mother State of all investments, said Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Tuesday after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
Talking to mediapersons, Birla said, “We appraised the development of our projects to the State Government. We also informed about the large investment happenings in Odisha and assured to carry forward the project and further investment in the State.” However, he did not make any announcement about the starting of a new project.
He said the group’s top priority would be to complete its two projects in the State, Utkal Alumina and Hindalco. “We are also planning to open another unit near Hirakud,” he said. Birla expressed satisfaction over the State Government’s help to the company in executing various schemes.
Odisha would be the mother State of all investments, said Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Tuesday after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
Talking to mediapersons, Birla said, “We appraised the development of our projects to the State Government. We also informed about the large investment happenings in Odisha and assured to carry forward the project and further investment in the State.” However, he did not make any announcement about the starting of a new project.
He said the group’s top priority would be to complete its two projects in the State, Utkal Alumina and Hindalco. “We are also planning to open another unit near Hirakud,” he said. Birla expressed satisfaction over the State Government’s help to the company in executing various schemes.
High mortality rate worries govt in Orissa
Source :Times of India,Bhubaneswar,16 Feb 2010
The state has witnessed a fall in birth rate between 2002 and 2008. At the same time, the infant mortality rate (IMR) has gone up. According to the Population Foundation of India (PFI), crude birth rate has come down from 23.2 in 2002 to 21.4 in 2008, while the state has second highest IMR in the country with 69 per 1,000 live births.
"This is an unusual demographic situation that may lead to many problems. Orissa needs to urgently bring down its IMR and Maternal Mortality rate (MMR)," executive director of PFI A R Nanda said at the regional conference on population, health and social development here on Tuesday.
"The state government should emphasize on primary health care by strengthening community and village-level planning and strict implementation of the programmes launched so far," he said.
Nanda said Orissa also suffers from "double burden syndrome", ie, the state is equally at risk from diseases of poverty and affluence. "While people living in poverty experience diseases that result from lack of resources, affluent individuals suffer from diseases resulting from an abundance of resources," he said.
Health minister Prasanna Acharya said, "The state government has been trying hard to reduce IMR from 90 to 69 per 1,000 child births and MMR from 365 to 303 per one lakh child births in the last few years. Besides, launching programmes, we have to create awareness on social issues like not to marry off girls at an early age, which leads to death of both mother and child."
Senior advisor of PFI Dr Almas Ali said, "In Orissa we have to give importance on three Ms, malnutrition, malaria and mortality rate, to improve the general health. Despite so many constraints, Orissa is among the few states to achieve replacement level of fertility, while the situation is quite grim in Bihar and Jharkhand."
The state has witnessed a fall in birth rate between 2002 and 2008. At the same time, the infant mortality rate (IMR) has gone up. According to the Population Foundation of India (PFI), crude birth rate has come down from 23.2 in 2002 to 21.4 in 2008, while the state has second highest IMR in the country with 69 per 1,000 live births.
"This is an unusual demographic situation that may lead to many problems. Orissa needs to urgently bring down its IMR and Maternal Mortality rate (MMR)," executive director of PFI A R Nanda said at the regional conference on population, health and social development here on Tuesday.
"The state government should emphasize on primary health care by strengthening community and village-level planning and strict implementation of the programmes launched so far," he said.
Nanda said Orissa also suffers from "double burden syndrome", ie, the state is equally at risk from diseases of poverty and affluence. "While people living in poverty experience diseases that result from lack of resources, affluent individuals suffer from diseases resulting from an abundance of resources," he said.
Health minister Prasanna Acharya said, "The state government has been trying hard to reduce IMR from 90 to 69 per 1,000 child births and MMR from 365 to 303 per one lakh child births in the last few years. Besides, launching programmes, we have to create awareness on social issues like not to marry off girls at an early age, which leads to death of both mother and child."
Senior advisor of PFI Dr Almas Ali said, "In Orissa we have to give importance on three Ms, malnutrition, malaria and mortality rate, to improve the general health. Despite so many constraints, Orissa is among the few states to achieve replacement level of fertility, while the situation is quite grim in Bihar and Jharkhand."
Monday, February 15, 2010
Art students body urges CM to provide employment opportunity
Source:Pragativadi, 15 Feb 2010
Bhubaneswar: The students of Nikhila Utkal Charu O Karukala Chhatra Sangha on Sunday said that they will continue their agitation until their demands are fulfilled.
In a release, the Sangh said that the existence of art teachers in government high schools in the state and art education has become a regular course in the school curriculum.
However, in 1982, recruitment of such teachers was held up at the government level due to reasons best known to the authorities.
The Sangh leaders also said that as art is declared as the third language in High School syllabus and more particularly the Sarba Sikshya Abhijan is stressing upon the slogan 'Teaching through Art' it a paradox to notice that such education is being imparted by unidentified subject teachers which is a sheer breach of sanctity.
Besides, the seven art colleges functioning in the State are churning out 225 graduates who are helplessly wandering in the street without any meaningful engagement. Presently, 55 art teachers are in service and after they retire the posts of art teachers will vanish from the school and the faulty method of teaching art by untrained people will lead to complete funeral of the subject.
They urged the chief minister to release art teacher posts for giving bread to the unemployed art graduates.
Bhubaneswar: The students of Nikhila Utkal Charu O Karukala Chhatra Sangha on Sunday said that they will continue their agitation until their demands are fulfilled.
In a release, the Sangh said that the existence of art teachers in government high schools in the state and art education has become a regular course in the school curriculum.
However, in 1982, recruitment of such teachers was held up at the government level due to reasons best known to the authorities.
The Sangh leaders also said that as art is declared as the third language in High School syllabus and more particularly the Sarba Sikshya Abhijan is stressing upon the slogan 'Teaching through Art' it a paradox to notice that such education is being imparted by unidentified subject teachers which is a sheer breach of sanctity.
Besides, the seven art colleges functioning in the State are churning out 225 graduates who are helplessly wandering in the street without any meaningful engagement. Presently, 55 art teachers are in service and after they retire the posts of art teachers will vanish from the school and the faulty method of teaching art by untrained people will lead to complete funeral of the subject.
They urged the chief minister to release art teacher posts for giving bread to the unemployed art graduates.
ESIC to set up medical college in Orissa with an investment of Rs 600 crore
Source:Orissadiary.com, Saturday, February 13, 2010
Bhubaneswar: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) plans to set up medical college in Orissa with an investment of Rs 600 crore. This was stated at a Press meet here on Saturday by ESIC Insurance Commissioner BK Sahu in the presence of the Regional Director of Orissa AS Meeran. He said the plan is to have one such medical college in each State where the ESIC has its operation and the college in Orisa is likely to be the first one. He highlighted a series of initiatives to make the ESIC friendly to the insured persons (IPs).
Sahu said ESIC-operated hospital at Rourkela is being modernised at a cost of Rs 30 crore, while Rs 65 crore each has been earmarked for the State-run hospitals at Bhubaneswar and Choudwar. ESIC already submitted its plans to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) for approval. It should be noted that ESIC has been allotted 25 acres of land by the State Government in the Chandaka area near the city for its proposed medical college.
The initiatives included roping in private nursing homes as treatment centres wherever the State Government is not in a position to provide the required medical facilities. This is likely to come into effect from April 1, 2011.
Bhubaneswar: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) plans to set up medical college in Orissa with an investment of Rs 600 crore. This was stated at a Press meet here on Saturday by ESIC Insurance Commissioner BK Sahu in the presence of the Regional Director of Orissa AS Meeran. He said the plan is to have one such medical college in each State where the ESIC has its operation and the college in Orisa is likely to be the first one. He highlighted a series of initiatives to make the ESIC friendly to the insured persons (IPs).
Sahu said ESIC-operated hospital at Rourkela is being modernised at a cost of Rs 30 crore, while Rs 65 crore each has been earmarked for the State-run hospitals at Bhubaneswar and Choudwar. ESIC already submitted its plans to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) for approval. It should be noted that ESIC has been allotted 25 acres of land by the State Government in the Chandaka area near the city for its proposed medical college.
The initiatives included roping in private nursing homes as treatment centres wherever the State Government is not in a position to provide the required medical facilities. This is likely to come into effect from April 1, 2011.
Protest against Mamata Banerjee in Orissa for insulting Oriya language
Source:Orissadiary.com,Saturday, February 13, 2010
Rourkela: The long-awaited Intercity Express train between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar chugged out from Rourkela Railway Station at 3.21 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm amid political drama on Saturday. Protests marked the launch of Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express here on Saturday as a number of culture enthusiasts cast aspersions at Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee for 'insulting' the Oriya language.
Taking umbrage at an invitation card which was printed in English and Bangla, the protestors rushed to the station and shouted slogans demanding an apology from Mamata Banerjee.
"The regional language should always find place beside Hindi and English languages. But shockingly, the invitation card was printed sans Oriya despite knowing the fact that the function was held in Orissa," said Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, president of Utkal Sammilani that spearheaded the protest in the Rourkela railway station. Even names of local MP Hemananda Biswal and local MLAs Sharada Nayak and Subrat Tarai were also missing from the invitation cards.
After much dilly-dallying, it had initially been decided that the train would be flagged off on February 13 by the Railway Minister from Midnapur which would be displayed on TV monitor at Rourkela station and the Chakradharpur DRM would follow the suit. But, on February 12 it was decided that instead of the DRM, the Sundargarh MP Hemanand Biswal and Civil Supply Minister Sarada Nayak would jointly flag off the train. Rourkela: The long-awaited Intercity Express train between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar chugged out from Rourkela Railway Station at 3.21 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm amid political drama on Saturday. Protests marked the launch of Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express here on Saturday as a number of culture enthusiasts cast aspersions at Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee for 'insulting' the Oriya language.
Taking umbrage at an invitation card which was printed in English and Bangla, the protestors rushed to the station and shouted slogans demanding an apology from Mamata Banerjee.
"The regional language should always find place beside Hindi and English languages. But shockingly, the invitation card was printed sans Oriya despite knowing the fact that the function was held in Orissa," said Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, president of Utkal Sammilani that spearheaded the protest in the Rourkela railway station. Even names of local MP Hemananda Biswal and local MLAs Sharada Nayak and Subrat Tarai were also missing from the invitation cards.
After much dilly-dallying, it had initially been decided that the train would be flagged off on February 13 by the Railway Minister from Midnapur which would be displayed on TV monitor at Rourkela station and the Chakradharpur DRM would follow the suit. But, on February 12 it was decided that instead of the DRM, the Sundargarh MP Hemanand Biswal and Civil Supply Minister Sarada Nayak would jointly flag off the train.
Rourkela: The long-awaited Intercity Express train between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar chugged out from Rourkela Railway Station at 3.21 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm amid political drama on Saturday. Protests marked the launch of Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express here on Saturday as a number of culture enthusiasts cast aspersions at Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee for 'insulting' the Oriya language.
Taking umbrage at an invitation card which was printed in English and Bangla, the protestors rushed to the station and shouted slogans demanding an apology from Mamata Banerjee.
"The regional language should always find place beside Hindi and English languages. But shockingly, the invitation card was printed sans Oriya despite knowing the fact that the function was held in Orissa," said Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, president of Utkal Sammilani that spearheaded the protest in the Rourkela railway station. Even names of local MP Hemananda Biswal and local MLAs Sharada Nayak and Subrat Tarai were also missing from the invitation cards.
After much dilly-dallying, it had initially been decided that the train would be flagged off on February 13 by the Railway Minister from Midnapur which would be displayed on TV monitor at Rourkela station and the Chakradharpur DRM would follow the suit. But, on February 12 it was decided that instead of the DRM, the Sundargarh MP Hemanand Biswal and Civil Supply Minister Sarada Nayak would jointly flag off the train. Rourkela: The long-awaited Intercity Express train between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar chugged out from Rourkela Railway Station at 3.21 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm amid political drama on Saturday. Protests marked the launch of Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express here on Saturday as a number of culture enthusiasts cast aspersions at Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee for 'insulting' the Oriya language.
Taking umbrage at an invitation card which was printed in English and Bangla, the protestors rushed to the station and shouted slogans demanding an apology from Mamata Banerjee.
"The regional language should always find place beside Hindi and English languages. But shockingly, the invitation card was printed sans Oriya despite knowing the fact that the function was held in Orissa," said Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, president of Utkal Sammilani that spearheaded the protest in the Rourkela railway station. Even names of local MP Hemananda Biswal and local MLAs Sharada Nayak and Subrat Tarai were also missing from the invitation cards.
After much dilly-dallying, it had initially been decided that the train would be flagged off on February 13 by the Railway Minister from Midnapur which would be displayed on TV monitor at Rourkela station and the Chakradharpur DRM would follow the suit. But, on February 12 it was decided that instead of the DRM, the Sundargarh MP Hemanand Biswal and Civil Supply Minister Sarada Nayak would jointly flag off the train.
Balangir Varsity finds place on Task Force agenda
Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar, 15th Feb 2010
Balangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo is happy with the Task Force on Higher Education’s decision to set up a university in his constituency. He had recently met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to plead for a university in Balangir.
Singh Deo also discussed the issue of low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in this backward district with Task Force chairman Prof Trilochan Pradhan. Balangir is one of the most backward areas of the State, where poverty and illiteracy is acute.
When Singh Deo recently met Advisor of Prime Minister on Infrastructure, Innovation and Broadband Connectivity Sam Pitroda, both agreed over the need of a university at Balangir. Pitroda, who is the former Chairman of the Knowledge Commission, had also favoured such universities during his visit to Odisha.
The interim report of the Task Force on Higher Education, presented to the State Government recently, has recommended a Western Odisha University at Balangir. It is favouring the idea of region-based universities, and in the process, Balangir takes the lead.
Balangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo is happy with the Task Force on Higher Education’s decision to set up a university in his constituency. He had recently met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to plead for a university in Balangir.
Singh Deo also discussed the issue of low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in this backward district with Task Force chairman Prof Trilochan Pradhan. Balangir is one of the most backward areas of the State, where poverty and illiteracy is acute.
When Singh Deo recently met Advisor of Prime Minister on Infrastructure, Innovation and Broadband Connectivity Sam Pitroda, both agreed over the need of a university at Balangir. Pitroda, who is the former Chairman of the Knowledge Commission, had also favoured such universities during his visit to Odisha.
The interim report of the Task Force on Higher Education, presented to the State Government recently, has recommended a Western Odisha University at Balangir. It is favouring the idea of region-based universities, and in the process, Balangir takes the lead.
Rourkela favoured for Metropolitan Varsity
Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar, 15th Feb 2010
Cheers for citizens of Rourkela! The steel city has been favoured as the location for the First Metropolitan University of Odisha.
The State Task Force on Higher Education, which has presented its interim report to the State Government, has made the recommendation in favour of Rourkela.
One of the major recommendations of the Task Force is establishment of more universities as with the existing number of universities, experts feel, the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) cannot be scaled up to the national level.
People of Rourkela were aggrieved over the attitude of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in not establishing its proposed medical college and hospital for the State in the steel city. However, the Task Force, headed by Professor Trilochan Pradhan, thought it prudent to allow an innovative institution at Rourkela.
A Metropolitan University like London, which has more than 30,000 students, is a top class university. Educationists feel such a university at Rourkela can be developed in a big way.
Cheers for citizens of Rourkela! The steel city has been favoured as the location for the First Metropolitan University of Odisha.
The State Task Force on Higher Education, which has presented its interim report to the State Government, has made the recommendation in favour of Rourkela.
One of the major recommendations of the Task Force is establishment of more universities as with the existing number of universities, experts feel, the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) cannot be scaled up to the national level.
People of Rourkela were aggrieved over the attitude of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in not establishing its proposed medical college and hospital for the State in the steel city. However, the Task Force, headed by Professor Trilochan Pradhan, thought it prudent to allow an innovative institution at Rourkela.
A Metropolitan University like London, which has more than 30,000 students, is a top class university. Educationists feel such a university at Rourkela can be developed in a big way.
Odisha set to become major Defence base
PNS | Bhubaneswar
The State will soon emerge as a major defence base with the Army, Air Force and Navy evincing keen interest to set up their bases to counter any possible attack by China in the coming days.
The Air Force and the Navy have gone ahead and started taking initiatives in this direction. Odisha is considered a soft target for China as it has the base tasting centre for India’s prestigious inter-continental ballistic missile Agni at Wheeler Island in Bhadrak, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at Balasore, MiG factory at Koraput and ordnance factory at Saintala in Balangir.
In order to bring Odisha under a safe net and to counter a possible attack by China on Indian soil from the Myanmar site, the Defence Ministry has decided to go ahead and has started executing one plan after another. Sources said the eastern sector doesn’t have a major fighter air base and is still considered as a vulnerable area. IAF officials maintain that with the change of foreign policy, China’s growing influence and more thrust being given on South-East Asia in the current world scenario, India also wants to play its role in the area and Odisha can provide the best platform for this purpose.
After Kalaikunda in West Bengal, there is no an air force base in the eastern sector. Almost all the air force bases like Bagdogra, Kalaikunda, Guwahati, Hashimara, Jorhat and Tezpur are in the north-east with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Pangarh and Shillong. Out of these, Bagdogra, Kalaikunda and Hashimara are air force bases for fighter squadrons.
A “blind zone” exists between the Kalaikunda and Visakhapatnam naval bases. To overcome these difficulties and to provide solid back up system to the forwarding bases to thwart any Chinese threat, IAF wants to set up a major fighter air base at Charbatia, the aerial reconnaissance post of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), near Cuttack.
Charbatia, with 2,000 acres of land, is now under the Union Home Ministry from where RAW operates. The airstrip came up in the 1960s with the help of CIA to keep a watch on then East Pakistan and China. But it lost its significance after Bangladesh came up and the Indo-China war came to an end. With the growing influence of the Chinese, the air-strip has become important for the IAF.
Air Marshal JN Burma has already held discussions with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this connection and urged him to recommend to the Home Ministry to hand over the land and nearly 400 dilapidated quarters to the IAF. “Unless the State recommends the Centre to transfer lands to the IAF, it would not be able to set up its base. The State’s logistic support is essential to set up a base,” admit IAF officials, adding that if one draws a straight line, it would be a straight line between Charbatia and Myanmar. “The Chinese can then know that someone deep inside is watching it,” said IAF officials.
Secretary, Information and Public Relations Pradeep Kumar Mohapatra said the IAF has already given a proposal to this effect and wants to invest Rs 5,000 crore in the base. “The Government is looking into this proposal seriously,” said Mohapatra.
As the eastern sector does not have a single radar station, it wants to set up a radar station. “It has chosen Hirakud in Sambalpur as it is situated on a higher altitude. The purpose of setting up the radar deep inside at a higher place is that that you can look at all and no one can watch you,” said a senior defence official, adding that the main purpose was not to give protection to Hirakud dam rather than to look into the growing Chinese activities. In order to avoid any major attention, IAF just wants to downplay it by stating that the radar was meant for the dam, said defence officials. Other security agencies are there to give protection to the dam, he said over phone from Delhi. It has already installed a major radar on the Puri- Konark coast.
Similarly, the Indian Navy has intensified its activities on the Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast. The Indian Army has already given its signal that it is going to start its major activities at Amarda in Balasore.
The State will soon emerge as a major defence base with the Army, Air Force and Navy evincing keen interest to set up their bases to counter any possible attack by China in the coming days.
The Air Force and the Navy have gone ahead and started taking initiatives in this direction. Odisha is considered a soft target for China as it has the base tasting centre for India’s prestigious inter-continental ballistic missile Agni at Wheeler Island in Bhadrak, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at Balasore, MiG factory at Koraput and ordnance factory at Saintala in Balangir.
In order to bring Odisha under a safe net and to counter a possible attack by China on Indian soil from the Myanmar site, the Defence Ministry has decided to go ahead and has started executing one plan after another. Sources said the eastern sector doesn’t have a major fighter air base and is still considered as a vulnerable area. IAF officials maintain that with the change of foreign policy, China’s growing influence and more thrust being given on South-East Asia in the current world scenario, India also wants to play its role in the area and Odisha can provide the best platform for this purpose.
After Kalaikunda in West Bengal, there is no an air force base in the eastern sector. Almost all the air force bases like Bagdogra, Kalaikunda, Guwahati, Hashimara, Jorhat and Tezpur are in the north-east with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Pangarh and Shillong. Out of these, Bagdogra, Kalaikunda and Hashimara are air force bases for fighter squadrons.
A “blind zone” exists between the Kalaikunda and Visakhapatnam naval bases. To overcome these difficulties and to provide solid back up system to the forwarding bases to thwart any Chinese threat, IAF wants to set up a major fighter air base at Charbatia, the aerial reconnaissance post of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), near Cuttack.
Charbatia, with 2,000 acres of land, is now under the Union Home Ministry from where RAW operates. The airstrip came up in the 1960s with the help of CIA to keep a watch on then East Pakistan and China. But it lost its significance after Bangladesh came up and the Indo-China war came to an end. With the growing influence of the Chinese, the air-strip has become important for the IAF.
Air Marshal JN Burma has already held discussions with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this connection and urged him to recommend to the Home Ministry to hand over the land and nearly 400 dilapidated quarters to the IAF. “Unless the State recommends the Centre to transfer lands to the IAF, it would not be able to set up its base. The State’s logistic support is essential to set up a base,” admit IAF officials, adding that if one draws a straight line, it would be a straight line between Charbatia and Myanmar. “The Chinese can then know that someone deep inside is watching it,” said IAF officials.
Secretary, Information and Public Relations Pradeep Kumar Mohapatra said the IAF has already given a proposal to this effect and wants to invest Rs 5,000 crore in the base. “The Government is looking into this proposal seriously,” said Mohapatra.
As the eastern sector does not have a single radar station, it wants to set up a radar station. “It has chosen Hirakud in Sambalpur as it is situated on a higher altitude. The purpose of setting up the radar deep inside at a higher place is that that you can look at all and no one can watch you,” said a senior defence official, adding that the main purpose was not to give protection to Hirakud dam rather than to look into the growing Chinese activities. In order to avoid any major attention, IAF just wants to downplay it by stating that the radar was meant for the dam, said defence officials. Other security agencies are there to give protection to the dam, he said over phone from Delhi. It has already installed a major radar on the Puri- Konark coast.
Similarly, the Indian Navy has intensified its activities on the Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast. The Indian Army has already given its signal that it is going to start its major activities at Amarda in Balasore.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Orissa Govt to help ST, SC students’ admission in Sainik School
Pragativadi,Bhubaneswar,14th Feb 2010
In an attempt to give opportunity to meritorious students belonging to the backward communities, the ST and SC development department has decided to bear the entire tuition fees of these students who will get admission at the Sainik School.
Students of these categories would be given tool kits and baggage so that they should not feel inferior to their affluent counterparts.
Financial hardship comes as a stumbling block for meritorious ST and SC students who are aspiring for education at the Sainik Schools.
Statistics reveal that in 2009-10 only five tribal students were enrolled at the Sainik School, Bubaneswar, out of a total intake of 92 in Class VI.
This was despite the fact that there is provision of 7.5 per cent reservation of seats for the ST students in the school.
Similarly, only 13 SC students received admission at the Sainik School, though there is a 15 per cent reservation of seats for their category.
The reason for this poor intake of ST and SC students in one of the topmost schools is poverty, said a senior faculty in the school.
The Sainik School charges Rs 68,000 per annum towards fee.
In an attempt to give opportunity to meritorious students belonging to the backward communities, the ST and SC development department has decided to bear the entire tuition fees of these students who will get admission at the Sainik School.
Students of these categories would be given tool kits and baggage so that they should not feel inferior to their affluent counterparts.
Financial hardship comes as a stumbling block for meritorious ST and SC students who are aspiring for education at the Sainik Schools.
Statistics reveal that in 2009-10 only five tribal students were enrolled at the Sainik School, Bubaneswar, out of a total intake of 92 in Class VI.
This was despite the fact that there is provision of 7.5 per cent reservation of seats for the ST students in the school.
Similarly, only 13 SC students received admission at the Sainik School, though there is a 15 per cent reservation of seats for their category.
The reason for this poor intake of ST and SC students in one of the topmost schools is poverty, said a senior faculty in the school.
The Sainik School charges Rs 68,000 per annum towards fee.
Orissa stands 2nd in India Inc investment plans
Indian Express,BBSR: Orissa has secured second spot as far as the India Inc.’s investment plans in 2009 are concerned. Despite poor implementation record and the economic slowdown, the State has garnered a total private domestic investments worth Rs 2,00,846 crore in the year.
Only Gujarat with a total of Rs 2,45,352 crore investment plans surpassed it. This has been revealed by a recent ASSOCHAM study titled ‘Corporate Investments across States and Sectors in 2009’.
The study has noted that the domestic investment announcements of India Inc. registered a growth of 16 per cent in 2009 with Gujarat, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh emerging frontrunners. The total investment plans of India Inc. increased significantly from Rs 13,80,099 crore in 2008 to Rs 15,94,203 crore in 2009. Out of which Gujarat, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh cornered a share of 15.4 per cent, 12.6 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively.The report, however, points out that the implementation of these investment projects has been hampered by a slew of hurdles.
These include land acquisition problems, bureaucratic inertia, ongoing economic slowdown and depressed export market conditions. It urged the governments to address these issues on priority basis.
Orissa has attracted massive investments primarily because of availability of rich mineral resources such as coal and iron ore along with cheap manpower. Steel and power were among the sectors which attracted maximum investments in 2009. But, it has clearly pointed out that Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra lead in possessing a convincing investor-friendly image.
A glance at the sector wise investments nationally reveal that power sector has bagged the maximum investments totalling Rs 4,14,327 crore or 26 per cent of the overall investment plans.Real estate at Rs 2,57,314 crore, energy Rs. 1,98,565 crore, metals & mining at Rs 1,59,534 crore, infrastructure at Rs.74,210 crore, hospitality at Rs 43,746 crore, auto components Rs. 38,150 crore and telecom at Rs 34,461 crore follow. States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have received major investments in energy, real estate, infrastructure, hospitality and telecom etc.The moot point in this context is with environmental clearances post-Copenhagen going to shroud many of the steel and coal-based power projects in Orissa, and with the US and EU’s insistence on the World Bank not providing loans for coal-based power projects in developing countries, may hamper investments in these sectors in 2010.
Thus, the Government here has to urgently diversify the investment portfolio with appropriate incentives to the sectors like solar/clean energy generation, infrastructure, telecom and real estate to stay in the race.
COMMENTS
Investments in Orissa comprises Mining and metallurgical projects. Such projects create Billionaires like Mittal,Jiandal,Bhusan,Agarwals, POSCO, etc These projects have more downsides than than the benefits which will percolate to the local people. Mining causes wide spread deforestation, degradation of Soil, pollution affecting water sources, agriculture, human living etc. making the local people poorer. Mining provides very little employment to the locals. The State gets pea nuts as Royalty. Thus even after producing 100 million tons of thermal coal and 100 million tons of iron Ore per annum, Orissa remains the poorest State in the Country. Remedy: Stop mindless mining and conserve forest & land. raise royalty on Minerals & Coal to at least 50% of the International Market Price, FOB-Indian Port.
By J.N.Mahanty
Only Gujarat with a total of Rs 2,45,352 crore investment plans surpassed it. This has been revealed by a recent ASSOCHAM study titled ‘Corporate Investments across States and Sectors in 2009’.
The study has noted that the domestic investment announcements of India Inc. registered a growth of 16 per cent in 2009 with Gujarat, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh emerging frontrunners. The total investment plans of India Inc. increased significantly from Rs 13,80,099 crore in 2008 to Rs 15,94,203 crore in 2009. Out of which Gujarat, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh cornered a share of 15.4 per cent, 12.6 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively.The report, however, points out that the implementation of these investment projects has been hampered by a slew of hurdles.
These include land acquisition problems, bureaucratic inertia, ongoing economic slowdown and depressed export market conditions. It urged the governments to address these issues on priority basis.
Orissa has attracted massive investments primarily because of availability of rich mineral resources such as coal and iron ore along with cheap manpower. Steel and power were among the sectors which attracted maximum investments in 2009. But, it has clearly pointed out that Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra lead in possessing a convincing investor-friendly image.
A glance at the sector wise investments nationally reveal that power sector has bagged the maximum investments totalling Rs 4,14,327 crore or 26 per cent of the overall investment plans.Real estate at Rs 2,57,314 crore, energy Rs. 1,98,565 crore, metals & mining at Rs 1,59,534 crore, infrastructure at Rs.74,210 crore, hospitality at Rs 43,746 crore, auto components Rs. 38,150 crore and telecom at Rs 34,461 crore follow. States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have received major investments in energy, real estate, infrastructure, hospitality and telecom etc.The moot point in this context is with environmental clearances post-Copenhagen going to shroud many of the steel and coal-based power projects in Orissa, and with the US and EU’s insistence on the World Bank not providing loans for coal-based power projects in developing countries, may hamper investments in these sectors in 2010.
Thus, the Government here has to urgently diversify the investment portfolio with appropriate incentives to the sectors like solar/clean energy generation, infrastructure, telecom and real estate to stay in the race.
COMMENTS
Investments in Orissa comprises Mining and metallurgical projects. Such projects create Billionaires like Mittal,Jiandal,Bhusan,Agarwals, POSCO, etc These projects have more downsides than than the benefits which will percolate to the local people. Mining causes wide spread deforestation, degradation of Soil, pollution affecting water sources, agriculture, human living etc. making the local people poorer. Mining provides very little employment to the locals. The State gets pea nuts as Royalty. Thus even after producing 100 million tons of thermal coal and 100 million tons of iron Ore per annum, Orissa remains the poorest State in the Country. Remedy: Stop mindless mining and conserve forest & land. raise royalty on Minerals & Coal to at least 50% of the International Market Price, FOB-Indian Port.
By J.N.Mahanty
Two Kendrapara girls bend it like Beckham
Express News Service, 11 Feb 2010
KENDRAPARA: Two village girls of Kendrapara district kept the Indian flag flying in the recently-held South Asian Games in Dhaka. Sasmita Mallick (20) of Goudapatana and Alochana Senapati (20) of Mulasahi under Aul block represented India in women’s football and won the gold medal for the country. India defeated Nepal in the final on February 8.
It was a dream come true for the duo who got a chance to represent the country in their chosen sport. There was much celebration in their villages when the news trickled in.
Today many villagers came to the three-room mudwalled thatched house of Alochana to congratulate her after she returned from Dhaka.
‘’Before going to Dhaka, I had a burning desire to stand on the victory podium and sing the National Anthem. Now I am happy that I realised my dream by winning gold for India,’’ said Sasmita.
In the games, Sasmita scored eight goals in five matches. ‘’I took to football at the age of 10 when I was in Class V. Since 2006 I had been working hard to represent the country. Every day I practise for three to four hours apart from doing other types of exercises under the watchful eyes of Bijaya Kumar Kanungo in the SAI sports hostel in Bhubaneswar,’’ said Sasmita.
Three other girls - Supriya Routray of Cuttack, Gitanjali Khuntia of Bhubaneswar and Pinki Dampal Magar of Jharsuguda also represented India in the Games, said Mohammed Jabar, chief coach of the Indian team.
‘’Sasmita and Alochana are talented and their dedication has been proved in the district and State levels.
I had high expectations from them in the South Asian Games, ’ ’ said Jabar. Aul is the cradle of women’s football in Orissa.Five girls from Aul areas had already represented India, said Debendra Sharma, vice-president of Women’s Football Association of Orissa.
Yudhistir Mallick (47), father of Sasmita, is a plumber and earns Rs 3,000 a month. ‘’It was difficult for me to look after five members of my family, so I allowed my daughter to stay in the sports hostel,’’ Yudhistir said.Alochana’s father Dhruba Charana Senapati works as a clerk in the sub-registrar office at Aul.‘’I am feeling proud for the achievement of my daughter,’’ said Dhruba.
KENDRAPARA: Two village girls of Kendrapara district kept the Indian flag flying in the recently-held South Asian Games in Dhaka. Sasmita Mallick (20) of Goudapatana and Alochana Senapati (20) of Mulasahi under Aul block represented India in women’s football and won the gold medal for the country. India defeated Nepal in the final on February 8.
It was a dream come true for the duo who got a chance to represent the country in their chosen sport. There was much celebration in their villages when the news trickled in.
Today many villagers came to the three-room mudwalled thatched house of Alochana to congratulate her after she returned from Dhaka.
‘’Before going to Dhaka, I had a burning desire to stand on the victory podium and sing the National Anthem. Now I am happy that I realised my dream by winning gold for India,’’ said Sasmita.
In the games, Sasmita scored eight goals in five matches. ‘’I took to football at the age of 10 when I was in Class V. Since 2006 I had been working hard to represent the country. Every day I practise for three to four hours apart from doing other types of exercises under the watchful eyes of Bijaya Kumar Kanungo in the SAI sports hostel in Bhubaneswar,’’ said Sasmita.
Three other girls - Supriya Routray of Cuttack, Gitanjali Khuntia of Bhubaneswar and Pinki Dampal Magar of Jharsuguda also represented India in the Games, said Mohammed Jabar, chief coach of the Indian team.
‘’Sasmita and Alochana are talented and their dedication has been proved in the district and State levels.
I had high expectations from them in the South Asian Games, ’ ’ said Jabar. Aul is the cradle of women’s football in Orissa.Five girls from Aul areas had already represented India, said Debendra Sharma, vice-president of Women’s Football Association of Orissa.
Yudhistir Mallick (47), father of Sasmita, is a plumber and earns Rs 3,000 a month. ‘’It was difficult for me to look after five members of my family, so I allowed my daughter to stay in the sports hostel,’’ Yudhistir said.Alochana’s father Dhruba Charana Senapati works as a clerk in the sub-registrar office at Aul.‘’I am feeling proud for the achievement of my daughter,’’ said Dhruba.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Demand for Innovation University at Berhampur
PNS | Bhubaneswar,February 11, 2010
Lauding the efforts to set up an Innovation University in Odisha, the intelligentsia said it is a matter of great satisfaction as the State is at the bottom in gross enrollment ratio (GER). But the university should be set up in a backward region rather than the State capital, they demanded.
Anirvan Mishra said in States like Odisha the Government thinks that the capital city has the first claim over all other places for locating national institutes. If not stopped, this capital centric approach will also coma to the fore when Innovation Universities are established. The HRD Ministry should constitute teams that will minutely inspect the alternative places before arriving at the exact locations of these universities, said Mishra.
The Central Government would do the right thing to include Tampara bay considered as Odisha’s Goa, near Berhampur city as one of the locations that deserve an honest inspection for examining its feasibility to house an Innovation University.
Berhampur city in south Odisha being close enough to the State capital and KBK regions which till now doesn’t have a centrally funded institute may prove to be the ideal location for such a University. The idea of Innovation University should not be allowed to fail by handpicking the places which already have a cluster of centrally funded institutes, he said.
Lauding the efforts to set up an Innovation University in Odisha, the intelligentsia said it is a matter of great satisfaction as the State is at the bottom in gross enrollment ratio (GER). But the university should be set up in a backward region rather than the State capital, they demanded.
Anirvan Mishra said in States like Odisha the Government thinks that the capital city has the first claim over all other places for locating national institutes. If not stopped, this capital centric approach will also coma to the fore when Innovation Universities are established. The HRD Ministry should constitute teams that will minutely inspect the alternative places before arriving at the exact locations of these universities, said Mishra.
The Central Government would do the right thing to include Tampara bay considered as Odisha’s Goa, near Berhampur city as one of the locations that deserve an honest inspection for examining its feasibility to house an Innovation University.
Berhampur city in south Odisha being close enough to the State capital and KBK regions which till now doesn’t have a centrally funded institute may prove to be the ideal location for such a University. The idea of Innovation University should not be allowed to fail by handpicking the places which already have a cluster of centrally funded institutes, he said.
Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology to come up
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar, February 11, 2010
The State Government has decided to set up a technical university in Sambalpur. This university would be christened as Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology. The State Government has provided Rs 10 crore for this institute.
The State Government has decided to set up a technical university in Sambalpur. This university would be christened as Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology. The State Government has provided Rs 10 crore for this institute.
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