PNS | Bhubaneswar
Another Rs 42,000 crore would be invested in the State to make oil from coal and German-based technology would be used for this purpose. The plant would be known as Coal to Liquid (CTL) project and be set up by Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL). “Besides Tata, JSPL would also produce oil and other ingredients from the coal,” said Secretary, Steel and Mines Ashok Dalwai.
After briefing about the project to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat about the proposed project on Monday, JSPL chief Naveen Jindal said the company would rope in German-based company Lurgee to provide the technical support. As per the plan, the project would come up near Durgapur in Angul in an area of 5,550 acre of lands. Out of it, 413 are forest lands, 1677 government lands, 3863 acre private lands. Only 300 families would be rehabilitated.
As per the plan out of the proposed Rs 42,000 crore, Rs 30,000 crore would be utilised in CTL project, Rs 2,000 crore in coal mining washing and Rs 10,000 crore would be utilised for 2,000 mw power plants. The plant would be of immense help to the country because of volatile oil prices in the market and imported oil prices. Nearly 32,000 people would get both direct and indirect employment because of this company.
The project would be completed in nine years. “It is a huge project,” said Naveen Jindal. Meanwhile, the State Government has allotted Ramachandi Coal Block near Talcher. The proposed plant would procure water from Mahanadi.
Besides the CTL project, Jindal also discussed about its ongoing steel project. They have a plan to expand it from the existing 6.5 MTP to 12 MTP. “The captive power plant would start producing power from September,” he said.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Health infrastructure in Orissa woefully lacking
New Indian Express,Bhubaneswar,23.03.2010
Even as Orissa continues to struggle with high infant and maternal mortality rates, the latest evaluation report of the National Rural Health Mission has revealed the failures of the State health apparatus.
Beset with a high MMR of 303, the State has to ensure earnest implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). But the report revealed that though the number of institutional deliveries under JSY has increased substantially to reach 3.09 lakh in 2008-09, the State is yet to gear up the facilities to meet the load. It has got only 39 primary health centres (PHCs) to work 24x7 so far against the target of 1282 PHCs by 2010.
Only 38 facilities have been operationalised as First Referral Units (FRUs) as against the target of 254 by the year 2010.
Unicef in its State of Children report - 2009 has blamed the lack of FRUs for high MMR in Orissa as haemorrhage after delivery has been identified as the major cause of high maternal mortality in Orissa. Blood storage units are woefully lacking, finds the report.
Skill-based training is moving at a snail’s pace as only 22 doctors have been trained in life saving anaesthesia skills (LSAS) and 24 in comprehensive emergency obstetric care (EmOC) so far against the target of 254. Only 856 Staff Nurses/ANMs/ LHVs have been trained while the target was 6388 by the year 2010.
The report has emphasised the need of ensuring proper supervision of the quality parameters like partograph, skills on delivery and newborn care along with availability of drugs, etc. Given that 68 percent pregnant women in Orissa are anaemic, the State Health department has been able to hold only 20 percent (1 lakh out of 5 lakh) of planned Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) in 2008-09.
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) - infant deaths within four weeks of life per 1000 live births - in Orissa is 49 and accounts for 69 per cent of the IMR and the early NMR (infant deaths within one week of life per 1000 live births) is 37 accounting for 76 percent of the NMR. The report lamented the fact that there was only one new born care unit in the State when it has the highest neo-natal mortality rate in the country.
The findings also indicate that care-seeking for children with acute respiratory infection here declined from 67.8 to 63.4 percent and only 22 percent of families are aware of the symptoms. Further, only 16 districts out of 30 have implemented the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) so far.
Even as Orissa continues to struggle with high infant and maternal mortality rates, the latest evaluation report of the National Rural Health Mission has revealed the failures of the State health apparatus.
Beset with a high MMR of 303, the State has to ensure earnest implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). But the report revealed that though the number of institutional deliveries under JSY has increased substantially to reach 3.09 lakh in 2008-09, the State is yet to gear up the facilities to meet the load. It has got only 39 primary health centres (PHCs) to work 24x7 so far against the target of 1282 PHCs by 2010.
Only 38 facilities have been operationalised as First Referral Units (FRUs) as against the target of 254 by the year 2010.
Unicef in its State of Children report - 2009 has blamed the lack of FRUs for high MMR in Orissa as haemorrhage after delivery has been identified as the major cause of high maternal mortality in Orissa. Blood storage units are woefully lacking, finds the report.
Skill-based training is moving at a snail’s pace as only 22 doctors have been trained in life saving anaesthesia skills (LSAS) and 24 in comprehensive emergency obstetric care (EmOC) so far against the target of 254. Only 856 Staff Nurses/ANMs/ LHVs have been trained while the target was 6388 by the year 2010.
The report has emphasised the need of ensuring proper supervision of the quality parameters like partograph, skills on delivery and newborn care along with availability of drugs, etc. Given that 68 percent pregnant women in Orissa are anaemic, the State Health department has been able to hold only 20 percent (1 lakh out of 5 lakh) of planned Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) in 2008-09.
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) - infant deaths within four weeks of life per 1000 live births - in Orissa is 49 and accounts for 69 per cent of the IMR and the early NMR (infant deaths within one week of life per 1000 live births) is 37 accounting for 76 percent of the NMR. The report lamented the fact that there was only one new born care unit in the State when it has the highest neo-natal mortality rate in the country.
The findings also indicate that care-seeking for children with acute respiratory infection here declined from 67.8 to 63.4 percent and only 22 percent of families are aware of the symptoms. Further, only 16 districts out of 30 have implemented the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) so far.
Friday, March 19, 2010
CFTRI,Mysore and MSSRF,Chennai, in initiative to reduce chronic hunger in KBK regions of Orissa by 2015.
Source: The Hindu,19.03.2010,Mysore:
The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) here, in association with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, and other organisations, have launched an initiative to end chronic hunger in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) regions of Orissa by 2015.
The initiative is part of an integrated approach to achieve Millennium Development Goal-1 in hunger hotspots and reducing hunger by at least 50 per cent by 2015. Other institutions that are part of the initiative include the National Institute of Nutrition, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Foundation for Agrarian Service , World Food Programme and the Government of Orissa. This was disclosed by eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan here on Thursday while delivering a special talk on “A Nutrition Secure India: Role of the Proposed Food Security Act” in the first of the CFTRI diamond jubilee lecture series.
Dr. Swaminathan said the objective of the initiative was to develop technologies for specific foods suitable for the people of the KBK region, and to provide them with food that is ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook and to meet both the macro and micro nutrients. He said the CFTRI, Mysore, would play a major role in the initiative.
Benchmark survey
Dr. Swaminathan said the FAS was currently doing a benchmark survey and the initiative is expected to reduce hunger by half in one of the chronic hunger hotspots of India. This method can also be replicated in other such areas, said Dr. Swaminathan.
The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) here, in association with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, and other organisations, have launched an initiative to end chronic hunger in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) regions of Orissa by 2015.
The initiative is part of an integrated approach to achieve Millennium Development Goal-1 in hunger hotspots and reducing hunger by at least 50 per cent by 2015. Other institutions that are part of the initiative include the National Institute of Nutrition, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Foundation for Agrarian Service , World Food Programme and the Government of Orissa. This was disclosed by eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan here on Thursday while delivering a special talk on “A Nutrition Secure India: Role of the Proposed Food Security Act” in the first of the CFTRI diamond jubilee lecture series.
Dr. Swaminathan said the objective of the initiative was to develop technologies for specific foods suitable for the people of the KBK region, and to provide them with food that is ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook and to meet both the macro and micro nutrients. He said the CFTRI, Mysore, would play a major role in the initiative.
Benchmark survey
Dr. Swaminathan said the FAS was currently doing a benchmark survey and the initiative is expected to reduce hunger by half in one of the chronic hunger hotspots of India. This method can also be replicated in other such areas, said Dr. Swaminathan.
IIT Bhubaneswar plans to set up Marine campus somewhere near the coastline of Orissa , may be known as Centre of Climate Change
Source: The Hindu, 19.03.2010 , Bhubaneswar
Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, has proposed to have a marine campus as part of its upcoming school of Earth, Ocean and Environment Science. “We propose to set up a school on Earth, Ocean and Environment science. As part of the school, we propose to set up a marine campus somewhere near the coastline of Orissa,” said IIT Bhubaneswar director Madhusudan Chakraborty here on Thursday.
Professor Chakraborty said, “we want this marine campus to focus on research and application-oriented technology development in key areas related to changed climate, sea level rise, extreme weather events, changing ecosystem, fishery development and wildlife, air quality and pollution, water shortage, human health and hydrological cycles.”
The marine campus could be known as centre of climate change, said IIT Bhubaneswar Director. University of Massachusetts, Dart Mouth and University of California, Santa Cruz are likely to be roped in for the proposed school.
The proposed school of IIT-Bhubaneswar might go for faculty and student exchange programmes with University of Massachusetts, Dart Mouth which is said to have such marine campus.
“We have just given a proposal to Orissa government. It is under consideration of the government. I have already constituted an academic advisory committee to work out details of the school,” Prof Chakraborty said.
IIT Bhubaneswar Director said the school assumed significance since Orissa had witnessed disasters like cyclone, flood, extreme weather events and rise in sea level for years now.
Pointing out the upcoming school would an inter-disciplinary one, he said subjects propose to be covered are geology, geophysics, oceanic sciences, atmospheric sciences, marine science, climate change, disaster mitigation and management. To begin with, the school will have 30 to 40 students.
Although the proposal was at very nascent stage, sources said students could shuttle between Bhubaneswar and marine campus.
IIT admissions
Main campus of IIT Bhubaneswar is coming up on land measuring around 1000 acres near Jatni, on the outskirts of capital city. IIT Bhubaneswar has established five schools, which encompass a number of disciplines. At present 234 students have taken admission in the IIT Bhubaneswar.
Prof. Chakraborty said besides Earth, Ocean and Environmental Science, IIT-Bhubaneswar would be having three new schools such as School of Mineral, Metallurgy and Material Engineering, School of Chemical Sciences and School of Designing and Creative Arts. The schools are likely to come up by 2011.
Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, has proposed to have a marine campus as part of its upcoming school of Earth, Ocean and Environment Science. “We propose to set up a school on Earth, Ocean and Environment science. As part of the school, we propose to set up a marine campus somewhere near the coastline of Orissa,” said IIT Bhubaneswar director Madhusudan Chakraborty here on Thursday.
Professor Chakraborty said, “we want this marine campus to focus on research and application-oriented technology development in key areas related to changed climate, sea level rise, extreme weather events, changing ecosystem, fishery development and wildlife, air quality and pollution, water shortage, human health and hydrological cycles.”
The marine campus could be known as centre of climate change, said IIT Bhubaneswar Director. University of Massachusetts, Dart Mouth and University of California, Santa Cruz are likely to be roped in for the proposed school.
The proposed school of IIT-Bhubaneswar might go for faculty and student exchange programmes with University of Massachusetts, Dart Mouth which is said to have such marine campus.
“We have just given a proposal to Orissa government. It is under consideration of the government. I have already constituted an academic advisory committee to work out details of the school,” Prof Chakraborty said.
IIT Bhubaneswar Director said the school assumed significance since Orissa had witnessed disasters like cyclone, flood, extreme weather events and rise in sea level for years now.
Pointing out the upcoming school would an inter-disciplinary one, he said subjects propose to be covered are geology, geophysics, oceanic sciences, atmospheric sciences, marine science, climate change, disaster mitigation and management. To begin with, the school will have 30 to 40 students.
Although the proposal was at very nascent stage, sources said students could shuttle between Bhubaneswar and marine campus.
IIT admissions
Main campus of IIT Bhubaneswar is coming up on land measuring around 1000 acres near Jatni, on the outskirts of capital city. IIT Bhubaneswar has established five schools, which encompass a number of disciplines. At present 234 students have taken admission in the IIT Bhubaneswar.
Prof. Chakraborty said besides Earth, Ocean and Environmental Science, IIT-Bhubaneswar would be having three new schools such as School of Mineral, Metallurgy and Material Engineering, School of Chemical Sciences and School of Designing and Creative Arts. The schools are likely to come up by 2011.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Orissa eyes Tidal Power ! First Tidal Power Plant in Orissa at Kendrapara !
Source : PTI
If things go the right way, Orissa's first attempt to harness tidal power for generating electricity would be in the form of a 1,236 MW plant along the creeks in Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district in the Mahanadi deltaic region.
SPI Ports Limited, a private limited company, has already carried out a feasibility study and documented a detailed project report for the proposed tidal power plant, Kendrapara district collector Sisirkanta Panda said.
The officials of SPI Ports Limited, which is in the race for an integrated port at Barunei in Rajnagar tehsil of the district, held talks with the district administration.
"The proposed power project will require 600 acre of land. There is availability of required government land in Mahakalpada tehsil. We are locating patches of land that will suit the requirements of the project", Panda said.
Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation.
Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power, according to experts.
If things go the right way, Orissa's first attempt to harness tidal power for generating electricity would be in the form of a 1,236 MW plant along the creeks in Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district in the Mahanadi deltaic region.
SPI Ports Limited, a private limited company, has already carried out a feasibility study and documented a detailed project report for the proposed tidal power plant, Kendrapara district collector Sisirkanta Panda said.
The officials of SPI Ports Limited, which is in the race for an integrated port at Barunei in Rajnagar tehsil of the district, held talks with the district administration.
"The proposed power project will require 600 acre of land. There is availability of required government land in Mahakalpada tehsil. We are locating patches of land that will suit the requirements of the project", Panda said.
Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation.
Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power, according to experts.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Solar Power Plants In Orissa !
Source : Alternative-Energy-News.INFO - Solar News (03 January 2010)
The renewable energy sector in the Indian state of Orissa is likely to get a boost with many private entrepreneurs showing interest to set up solar power units in the state. The state level technical committee (STC), headed by the secretary, science and technology (S&T) department of the Orissa government, has cleared three solar power projects with an aggregate generating capacity of 19 Mw. This will take the total solar power capacity in the state to 54 Mw. STC had earlier approved proposals with an aggregate production capacity of 35 Mw.
The proposals include 5 Mw power plant of RSB Energy Pvt Ltd in Sundergarh district and Enzen Global Solutionss 5 Mw solar power plant in Khurda district.
Similarly, Lanco Solars 5 Mw solar plant in Cuttack district, Sunark Solars 5 Mw power plant in Puri district and Kolkata based SREI Infrastructures 5 Mw solar power plant in Bolangir district were given the green signal.
The state government had approved Moserbaer Pvt Ltds 5 Mw grid interactive solar photo voltaic project and Sahara Indias 5 Mw solar power plant in the state in the first phase. The STC had also approved eight bio-mass based power projects earlier. It has recently cleared two more bio-mass projects with a combined generation capacity of 39 Mw. This will take the envisaged capacity in the bio-mass sector to 129 Mw.
The state government hopes to get 20 Mw of power from the first bio-mass based power plant in the state by June-July next year. The power is likely to be available from a rice husk based power plant being set up by Shali Vahana Green Energy Ltd at Nimidha village in Dhenkanal district.
The five bio-mass based power project developers, who have deposited the security money aggregating Rs 2.75 crore, are likely to sign the implementation agreement with the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) soon. They are Satya Bio-Power Industry Ltd planning to set up a 10 Mw plant in Ganjam, A V N Power Projects setting up a 10 Mw power plant in Kalahandi district and Prasad Bio-Energy planning a 10 Mw unit in Raygada.
While Jay Laxmi Bio-Energy Ltd intends to set up a 10 Mw unit in Nayagarh, another plant of similar capacity is proposed by Andhavarapu Bio-Energy in Nawarangpur. On the other hand, the department of bio-technology (DoBT) of the Union ministry of science and technology, has sanctioned Rs 10 crore in the first phase for the development of an incubator in the proposed bio-tech and pharma park at Andharua, sources added.
The renewable energy sector in the Indian state of Orissa is likely to get a boost with many private entrepreneurs showing interest to set up solar power units in the state. The state level technical committee (STC), headed by the secretary, science and technology (S&T) department of the Orissa government, has cleared three solar power projects with an aggregate generating capacity of 19 Mw. This will take the total solar power capacity in the state to 54 Mw. STC had earlier approved proposals with an aggregate production capacity of 35 Mw.
The proposals include 5 Mw power plant of RSB Energy Pvt Ltd in Sundergarh district and Enzen Global Solutionss 5 Mw solar power plant in Khurda district.
Similarly, Lanco Solars 5 Mw solar plant in Cuttack district, Sunark Solars 5 Mw power plant in Puri district and Kolkata based SREI Infrastructures 5 Mw solar power plant in Bolangir district were given the green signal.
The state government had approved Moserbaer Pvt Ltds 5 Mw grid interactive solar photo voltaic project and Sahara Indias 5 Mw solar power plant in the state in the first phase. The STC had also approved eight bio-mass based power projects earlier. It has recently cleared two more bio-mass projects with a combined generation capacity of 39 Mw. This will take the envisaged capacity in the bio-mass sector to 129 Mw.
The state government hopes to get 20 Mw of power from the first bio-mass based power plant in the state by June-July next year. The power is likely to be available from a rice husk based power plant being set up by Shali Vahana Green Energy Ltd at Nimidha village in Dhenkanal district.
The five bio-mass based power project developers, who have deposited the security money aggregating Rs 2.75 crore, are likely to sign the implementation agreement with the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) soon. They are Satya Bio-Power Industry Ltd planning to set up a 10 Mw plant in Ganjam, A V N Power Projects setting up a 10 Mw power plant in Kalahandi district and Prasad Bio-Energy planning a 10 Mw unit in Raygada.
While Jay Laxmi Bio-Energy Ltd intends to set up a 10 Mw unit in Nayagarh, another plant of similar capacity is proposed by Andhavarapu Bio-Energy in Nawarangpur. On the other hand, the department of bio-technology (DoBT) of the Union ministry of science and technology, has sanctioned Rs 10 crore in the first phase for the development of an incubator in the proposed bio-tech and pharma park at Andharua, sources added.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
MSSRF centre in Jeypore,Koraput to have training facilities for tribal youth
The Hindu,Koraput, 11th March 2010:
Launching of training facilities for tribal youth will be made in the human resource development centre at M.S. Swaminathan research foundation (MSSRF), Jeypore on March 13, according to Prashant Kumar Parida, scientist from MSSRF.
The building, which was supported by the Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, will have full-fledged facilities including residential facility for imparting training to the rural poor on various aspects.
Shining example
MSSRF at Jeypore has been engaged itself in the promotion of a non-basumati scented rice, Kalajeera, which is a shining example of how the traditional ones could be purified, made to yield more and fetch double the price of other varieties with proper market linkage.
Promoting cultivation and value addition and providing drudgery free machines to the villagers will go a long way to promote cultivation of nutritious but neglected millets.
The efforts made by the foundation in 25 villages on bio-village, livelihood, organic agriculture, micro enterprises, water management and promoting off -season vegetable cultivation through summer irrigation are all measures taken to improve the living standards of the people.
The community grain-seed bank is another initiative which helps the poor villagers to tide over the lean seasons and make sure that quality seeds are available during the sowing season.
While the research foundation is carrying out the novel ideas of Prof. Swaminathan to bridge the gap in knowledge by taking the ICT to villages through its village resource centre and village knowledge centres in Koraput district, this training facility will go a long way in linking the tribal youth with the development process, he says.
Launching of training facilities for tribal youth will be made in the human resource development centre at M.S. Swaminathan research foundation (MSSRF), Jeypore on March 13, according to Prashant Kumar Parida, scientist from MSSRF.
The building, which was supported by the Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, will have full-fledged facilities including residential facility for imparting training to the rural poor on various aspects.
Shining example
MSSRF at Jeypore has been engaged itself in the promotion of a non-basumati scented rice, Kalajeera, which is a shining example of how the traditional ones could be purified, made to yield more and fetch double the price of other varieties with proper market linkage.
Promoting cultivation and value addition and providing drudgery free machines to the villagers will go a long way to promote cultivation of nutritious but neglected millets.
The efforts made by the foundation in 25 villages on bio-village, livelihood, organic agriculture, micro enterprises, water management and promoting off -season vegetable cultivation through summer irrigation are all measures taken to improve the living standards of the people.
The community grain-seed bank is another initiative which helps the poor villagers to tide over the lean seasons and make sure that quality seeds are available during the sowing season.
While the research foundation is carrying out the novel ideas of Prof. Swaminathan to bridge the gap in knowledge by taking the ICT to villages through its village resource centre and village knowledge centres in Koraput district, this training facility will go a long way in linking the tribal youth with the development process, he says.
Koraput to have CSIR centre .
Indian Express,Bhubaneswar, 10th March 2010
Koraput will soon be connected to the nationwide network of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories as it is chosen as an extension centre to have a pool of master trainers to train grassroots-level people in applied technologies in various fields.
The extension centre would be presently promoted by the State Government with an initial investment or Rs 30-40 lakh on a 25-acre land. However, it would soon have a full-fledged CSIR centre of Rs 40-50 crore investment with master trainers in agriculture, food and rural technologies, environment, biodiversity and food processing and for this a detailed proposal had already been submitted to the central authorities.
It would have active support from Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Central Foodcraft Technology Research Institute, Mysore, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, and Central Salt and Marine Research Institute, Bhavnagar.
According to IMMT Director Prof. Barada Kanta Mishra, the centre, to be built under `CSIR-800 Programme’ would also help in creating employment opportunity for the backward region in the southern part of Orissa which has seen a series of extremist activities recently.
It would also work as an interface to transfer laboratory-based knowledge to the rural people.
Mishra was speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of `CSIR technology show for micro, small and medium enterprises’ here on IMMT campus during the sixth Entrepreneurs Week celebration.
On the occasion, Science and Technology Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi said though things are at a primary level, the proposed project would be ready within a year and would mainly help in promoting rural technologies for economic growth of the region famous for its rich biodiversity.
Industries Secretary Sourabh Garg said our scientists must try to develop patented technologies for economic self-reliance so that we would not go to the West paying hefty sum in getting their R&D knowledge. He also said that the CSIR Director- General had assured all help for the Koraput centre.
Regarding patents, the IMMT Director said till date the city-based institute has acquired 100 patents while another 100 are in the processing stage adding in a year scientists are applying for at least 15 patents on a regular basis.
A day-long workshop and an exhibition on various technologies were also organised. Scientist (G) and Head, Rural Technology Department of IMMT, S.Khuntia, spoke.
Koraput will soon be connected to the nationwide network of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories as it is chosen as an extension centre to have a pool of master trainers to train grassroots-level people in applied technologies in various fields.
The extension centre would be presently promoted by the State Government with an initial investment or Rs 30-40 lakh on a 25-acre land. However, it would soon have a full-fledged CSIR centre of Rs 40-50 crore investment with master trainers in agriculture, food and rural technologies, environment, biodiversity and food processing and for this a detailed proposal had already been submitted to the central authorities.
It would have active support from Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Central Foodcraft Technology Research Institute, Mysore, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, and Central Salt and Marine Research Institute, Bhavnagar.
According to IMMT Director Prof. Barada Kanta Mishra, the centre, to be built under `CSIR-800 Programme’ would also help in creating employment opportunity for the backward region in the southern part of Orissa which has seen a series of extremist activities recently.
It would also work as an interface to transfer laboratory-based knowledge to the rural people.
Mishra was speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of `CSIR technology show for micro, small and medium enterprises’ here on IMMT campus during the sixth Entrepreneurs Week celebration.
On the occasion, Science and Technology Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi said though things are at a primary level, the proposed project would be ready within a year and would mainly help in promoting rural technologies for economic growth of the region famous for its rich biodiversity.
Industries Secretary Sourabh Garg said our scientists must try to develop patented technologies for economic self-reliance so that we would not go to the West paying hefty sum in getting their R&D knowledge. He also said that the CSIR Director- General had assured all help for the Koraput centre.
Regarding patents, the IMMT Director said till date the city-based institute has acquired 100 patents while another 100 are in the processing stage adding in a year scientists are applying for at least 15 patents on a regular basis.
A day-long workshop and an exhibition on various technologies were also organised. Scientist (G) and Head, Rural Technology Department of IMMT, S.Khuntia, spoke.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Please sign the petition for the Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) at Kalahandi, Orissa
A PATIENT BEING CARRIED TO A FAR OFF HOSPITAL: THE SHAMEFUL POOR MEDICAL FACILITY IN ORISSA
Dear Sir/Madam,
Delhi Oriya Students' Association (DOSA) sincerely appeals you to sign the petition in the larger interest and forward it to as many of your friends possible.
To view and sign the petition please click on the link below.
http://www.petitiononline.com/PGMIK/petition.html
Post Graduate Medical Institute at Kalahandi, Orissa
To,
Hon’ble President of India,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa
Honorable Chairperson, UPA
Honorable Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
Sub: Request for opening Post Graduate Medical Institute at Kalahandi, Orissa
Respected Madam/Sir,
This is to draw your kind attention that there is an urgent need of opening a Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) with 1000 bed Super Speciality Hospital having Higher Medical programmes like MD/MS /DM/M.Ch/MDS/Ph.D at one of the most deserving regions of the country i.e. Kalahandi in the KBK area of Orissa. The following reasons must be taken into consideration.
1. Backwardness of the KBK region
2. Poor Health care facility in KBK
3. Nonexistence of Tertiary Medical Care in KBK
4. It is not possible at the part of the State Govt. to afford to neither build nor maintain an Institute of this grade.
Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) at Kalahandi, will bring a huge change in socio-economic and other areas, not only for Orissa but also to most of the naxal affected states of our country.
1. The Institute will certainly play a vital role in the development of Naxal affected areas of our country, not only in the Health sector but also in tackling the problem of Naxalism in the Red Corridor zone of our country permanently.
2. This PGMI will act as a national hub for Higher Medical Education and Research
3. It will act as a nodal center and referral hospital for Existing Govt. Medical Colleges of all the Naxal affected states.
Thanking You,
With Regards,
Tejeswar Parida,
President,Delhi Oriya Students' Association (DOSA)
Mob- 91-8010259065, 91-9350112768
http://www.contactdosa.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 5, 2010
DOSA writes letter to Orissa MP Mr. B.J.Panda congratulating him for his wonderful speech in Lok Sabha on 4th March 2010 raising many issues on Orissa
To,
Shri B.J. Panda
Hon'ble Member of Parliament ,
Lok Sabha.
Date: 4th March 2010
Dear Sir,
Hearty Congratulations to you for a very resourceful,relevant and Orissa specific speech in the Parliament few minutes back which we were watching on Lok Sabha TV. Delhi Oriya Students' Association (DOSA) welcomes your concerns in the Parliament regarding Orissa . Some of the issues raised by you are highly appreciated by DOSA.
You gave highest priority to the Regional Disparity which was directly indicated towards Orissa.
Unfair Policies of the Central Govt. which severely affects the state like Orissa.
Left Wing Extremism which has the root at the lack of Development at grass root level . A lot more is needed to be done for improving the Internal Security Situation.
Sir, your 3 suggestions to tackle Left Wing Extremism on permanent basis was appealing. A) Development in Backward Regions, B) Taking tough action against the violent extremists C) Initiating talk to those extremist groups who give up arms.
Sir, You went back to 25 yrs reminding the house what a former Prime Minister had told about Corruption that only 15% reaches to the common man.Here you emphasized on Social Spending and appealed the Central Govt. to start finding whether the situation has improved and how much ?
Again on BPL issue, the non-cooperation of the Central Govt. to the State Govt. e.g. Centre not accepting the BPL list by the Orisa Govt. is a very serious issue. This observation of you will be an eye opener to the respective Govt.s at the Centre who only shout Garibi Hatao and talk of the Aam Admi but never gives attention to the drawbacks i the systems like this, which you mentioned today in the Parliament.
That the BJD will support the Womens' Reservation Bill in the Parliament and Late Biju Patnaik was the Champion of this cause and Orissa is an example for other states in this regard by early implementation of Womens' Reservation in PRIs.
Sir, your seriousness about Education is very very genuine and the truth from the ground level. That the large no. of schools not having Building ,students siting outside,Teachers Absenteeism are very serious issues .You mentioned very rightly that It is not just the question of money , it is about Taking Steps and Implementation. So fundamental changes are required urgently.
Sir, you raised a very fundamental issue of Restructuring or Re engineering the pattern of funding of Education at national level. Sir, we request you to take up this issue with the HRD Ministry and the Prime Minister and serious discusions must be started on this soon.
Sir, on Railways your concerns are not only genuine but also according to the need of the people of Orisa. We congratulate you for raising this issue, particularly the Demand for Eastern India Railways Development Fund for Orisa and Jharkhand.
Sir,you mentioned rightly about the Railways Track Density being much lower in Orissa compared to national average and to our neighbouring states (Bengal and Bihar).It is again Regional Disparity and another reason for the rise of Left wing Extremism in Orissa and Railway Density in Orisa can be a solution to Maoism here.
Sir, we are thankful to you for raising the issue of connectivity to the most backward KBK region and mentioning that only 36KM has been built out of 289 KM for connecting KBK region with Coastal Orisa. The Railways and the Central Govt. must be ashamed of this fact listening from you today in the Parliament.
Sir, you raised very relevant point of IT enable Services in Rural areas for the rapid development and the poor people of villages to take advantage from the Industrialisation process and the E-Governance. It is a national urgent need and must be prioritised and raised again and again by young policy makers like you.
Sir, your concern that basic infrastructure not being emphasized much by the Central Govt. is true and as you mentioned that the farmers are the largest beneficiaries due to PMGSY roads due to improved access to the Market.
Sir, your observation is not only highly relevant but also reminds the country of the dream of Mahatma Gandhi "Gram Swaraj" and that "India lives in its villages". Also the fact that our target in developing the National Highways are very low when compared to China, but the Central Govt. feels proud of our NH development. They must introspect.
Sir, last but not the least your view that India should always compare it with China and the fact which you mentioned that within last 30 years though our population growth is same but China's achieved 4 times higher economic growth than us. Again you questioned the fundamental issue of our so called national development.
Sir, All the issues raised by you in the Lok Sabha today while discussing the Presidents' Address are of much higher importance both for Orisa and the nation. Delhi Oriya Students' Association(DOSA)congratulate you and at the same time feel proud to have a dynamic, visionary leader like you in Orissa.
Thanking You,
With Regards,
Tejeswar Parida
President, Delhi Oriya Students' Association.
Mob-8010259065, 9350112768
www.contactdosa.blogspot.com
Shri B.J. Panda
Hon'ble Member of Parliament ,
Lok Sabha.
Date: 4th March 2010
Dear Sir,
Hearty Congratulations to you for a very resourceful,relevant and Orissa specific speech in the Parliament few minutes back which we were watching on Lok Sabha TV. Delhi Oriya Students' Association (DOSA) welcomes your concerns in the Parliament regarding Orissa . Some of the issues raised by you are highly appreciated by DOSA.
You gave highest priority to the Regional Disparity which was directly indicated towards Orissa.
Unfair Policies of the Central Govt. which severely affects the state like Orissa.
Left Wing Extremism which has the root at the lack of Development at grass root level . A lot more is needed to be done for improving the Internal Security Situation.
Sir, your 3 suggestions to tackle Left Wing Extremism on permanent basis was appealing. A) Development in Backward Regions, B) Taking tough action against the violent extremists C) Initiating talk to those extremist groups who give up arms.
Sir, You went back to 25 yrs reminding the house what a former Prime Minister had told about Corruption that only 15% reaches to the common man.Here you emphasized on Social Spending and appealed the Central Govt. to start finding whether the situation has improved and how much ?
Again on BPL issue, the non-cooperation of the Central Govt. to the State Govt. e.g. Centre not accepting the BPL list by the Orisa Govt. is a very serious issue. This observation of you will be an eye opener to the respective Govt.s at the Centre who only shout Garibi Hatao and talk of the Aam Admi but never gives attention to the drawbacks i the systems like this, which you mentioned today in the Parliament.
That the BJD will support the Womens' Reservation Bill in the Parliament and Late Biju Patnaik was the Champion of this cause and Orissa is an example for other states in this regard by early implementation of Womens' Reservation in PRIs.
Sir, your seriousness about Education is very very genuine and the truth from the ground level. That the large no. of schools not having Building ,students siting outside,Teachers Absenteeism are very serious issues .You mentioned very rightly that It is not just the question of money , it is about Taking Steps and Implementation. So fundamental changes are required urgently.
Sir, you raised a very fundamental issue of Restructuring or Re engineering the pattern of funding of Education at national level. Sir, we request you to take up this issue with the HRD Ministry and the Prime Minister and serious discusions must be started on this soon.
Sir, on Railways your concerns are not only genuine but also according to the need of the people of Orisa. We congratulate you for raising this issue, particularly the Demand for Eastern India Railways Development Fund for Orisa and Jharkhand.
Sir,you mentioned rightly about the Railways Track Density being much lower in Orissa compared to national average and to our neighbouring states (Bengal and Bihar).It is again Regional Disparity and another reason for the rise of Left wing Extremism in Orissa and Railway Density in Orisa can be a solution to Maoism here.
Sir, we are thankful to you for raising the issue of connectivity to the most backward KBK region and mentioning that only 36KM has been built out of 289 KM for connecting KBK region with Coastal Orisa. The Railways and the Central Govt. must be ashamed of this fact listening from you today in the Parliament.
Sir, you raised very relevant point of IT enable Services in Rural areas for the rapid development and the poor people of villages to take advantage from the Industrialisation process and the E-Governance. It is a national urgent need and must be prioritised and raised again and again by young policy makers like you.
Sir, your concern that basic infrastructure not being emphasized much by the Central Govt. is true and as you mentioned that the farmers are the largest beneficiaries due to PMGSY roads due to improved access to the Market.
Sir, your observation is not only highly relevant but also reminds the country of the dream of Mahatma Gandhi "Gram Swaraj" and that "India lives in its villages". Also the fact that our target in developing the National Highways are very low when compared to China, but the Central Govt. feels proud of our NH development. They must introspect.
Sir, last but not the least your view that India should always compare it with China and the fact which you mentioned that within last 30 years though our population growth is same but China's achieved 4 times higher economic growth than us. Again you questioned the fundamental issue of our so called national development.
Sir, All the issues raised by you in the Lok Sabha today while discussing the Presidents' Address are of much higher importance both for Orisa and the nation. Delhi Oriya Students' Association(DOSA)congratulate you and at the same time feel proud to have a dynamic, visionary leader like you in Orissa.
Thanking You,
With Regards,
Tejeswar Parida
President, Delhi Oriya Students' Association.
Mob-8010259065, 9350112768
www.contactdosa.blogspot.com
Orissa State Task Force on Higher Education favours 13 more Universities in Orissa.
PNS | Bhubaneswar
People of Kalahandi will be happy to learn that the State's Task Force on Higher Education has accepted a proposal for establishment of a unitary university in their district. For the last several years, the people of Kalahandi, led by Non-Resident Odia (NRO) Dr Digambara Patra, were demanding a university at the district headquarters town of Bhawanipatna, which the Task Force chairman Prof Trilochan Pradhan has now obliged.
Pradhan, who recently presented the Task Force's Interim Report to the Government, has favoured establishment of 13 more affiliating and unitary universities in the State. Another NRO, Chitta Baral, has been batting for more universities in the State to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which the Task Force accepted in its proposal.
The State now has 12 Government Universities and two Deemed Universities. The Task Force has proposed three regional universities in the State's southern, western and central regions. The proposals include a South Odisha University at Parlakhemundi by upgrading the SKCG Autonomous College, a West Odisha University at Balangir by elevating the status of the Rajendra College and a Central Odisha University at Angul with up-gradation of the local Government College, said sources. Besides, a Metropolitan University at Rourkela, a Medical Education University at Cuttack by upgrading the SCB Medical College and a university of Management State and an Open University at Bhubaneswar have been outlined.
Every other State has an Open University while Odisha is lacking in this regard. The proposed Open University would cater to the needs of regional requirements, which the IGNOU is not able to address, feel experts.
Taking into consideration the infrastructure, student enrolment, academic ambience and qualitative growth of some of the leading autonomous colleges over the years, the Task Force felt the need of upgrading these institutions to the Unitary University status. Upgradation of GM College, Sambalpur, Khallikote College, Berhampur, Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna, Vikram Dev College, Jeypore, RD Women's College, Bhubaneswar, and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, to the level of Unitary University has been suggested.
In addition to these universities, more institutions of higher learning have been favoured in the Task Force's Interim Report. Setting up of five State Institutes of Technology (SITs) along the lines of National Institute of Technology (NIT) for postgraduate education and research has been favoured. Besides, an Institute for Tribal Art and Culture at Phulbani has been proposed.
People of Kalahandi will be happy to learn that the State's Task Force on Higher Education has accepted a proposal for establishment of a unitary university in their district. For the last several years, the people of Kalahandi, led by Non-Resident Odia (NRO) Dr Digambara Patra, were demanding a university at the district headquarters town of Bhawanipatna, which the Task Force chairman Prof Trilochan Pradhan has now obliged.
Pradhan, who recently presented the Task Force's Interim Report to the Government, has favoured establishment of 13 more affiliating and unitary universities in the State. Another NRO, Chitta Baral, has been batting for more universities in the State to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which the Task Force accepted in its proposal.
The State now has 12 Government Universities and two Deemed Universities. The Task Force has proposed three regional universities in the State's southern, western and central regions. The proposals include a South Odisha University at Parlakhemundi by upgrading the SKCG Autonomous College, a West Odisha University at Balangir by elevating the status of the Rajendra College and a Central Odisha University at Angul with up-gradation of the local Government College, said sources. Besides, a Metropolitan University at Rourkela, a Medical Education University at Cuttack by upgrading the SCB Medical College and a university of Management State and an Open University at Bhubaneswar have been outlined.
Every other State has an Open University while Odisha is lacking in this regard. The proposed Open University would cater to the needs of regional requirements, which the IGNOU is not able to address, feel experts.
Taking into consideration the infrastructure, student enrolment, academic ambience and qualitative growth of some of the leading autonomous colleges over the years, the Task Force felt the need of upgrading these institutions to the Unitary University status. Upgradation of GM College, Sambalpur, Khallikote College, Berhampur, Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna, Vikram Dev College, Jeypore, RD Women's College, Bhubaneswar, and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, to the level of Unitary University has been suggested.
In addition to these universities, more institutions of higher learning have been favoured in the Task Force's Interim Report. Setting up of five State Institutes of Technology (SITs) along the lines of National Institute of Technology (NIT) for postgraduate education and research has been favoured. Besides, an Institute for Tribal Art and Culture at Phulbani has been proposed.
Orissa State Health Dept. to go hi-tech !
PNS | Bhubaneswar
In a bid to percolate various decisions of the Health and Family Welfare Department at the highest level to the grassroots, and to get feedback from the grassroots, the department has commissioned close users group (CUG) through post-paid BSNL mobiles. CUG is a facility wherein a group of subscribers within an organisation can talk to each other, free of cost. The users are tied in a pre-specified loop where by users can send or receive messages at one turn. Around 18,315 users are connected under this programme.
The CUG plans for an effective supervision and implementation of various programmes aimed at enhancing healthcare system in the State. This would be implemented by the NRHM with monthly expenditure of Rs 52.57 lakh.
The provision would facilitate prompt and effective communication among field functionaries and programme officers of Health Department and strengthen management of information system, professional growth, important communication and monitoring tool for tracking various important documents. Starting from the field functionaries like ANM (assistant nursing maid) to Commissioner-cum-Secretary is now connected under one net work.
Inaugurating the launching of the programme on Thursday, Minister Health & Family Welfare Prasanna Acharya talked to an ANM Nalini Jena of Chitrokonda of Malkangiri district and ANM Tulashi Majhi of Chalakamba of Rayagada district. CGM BSNL AN Ray and Commi-ssioner-cum-Secretary Anu Garg were present. “The stocks at the sub-centre level can be easily known,” said Garg.
At Block level the programme Officers like the Medical Officer I/C, BEE, BPO and BADA, at district level CDMO, additional CDMO, ADMOs, DIO, DPM, DAM, DHIO, work consultant, hospital manager, ASHA Coordi-nator, PA, MEIO, DTO, Nucleus Leprosy Officer and similarly at State level Secretary, Mission Director, DHS, DFW, DPH, all addl/joint/dy directors, VS and consultants of SPUM are connected under this network.
In a bid to percolate various decisions of the Health and Family Welfare Department at the highest level to the grassroots, and to get feedback from the grassroots, the department has commissioned close users group (CUG) through post-paid BSNL mobiles. CUG is a facility wherein a group of subscribers within an organisation can talk to each other, free of cost. The users are tied in a pre-specified loop where by users can send or receive messages at one turn. Around 18,315 users are connected under this programme.
The CUG plans for an effective supervision and implementation of various programmes aimed at enhancing healthcare system in the State. This would be implemented by the NRHM with monthly expenditure of Rs 52.57 lakh.
The provision would facilitate prompt and effective communication among field functionaries and programme officers of Health Department and strengthen management of information system, professional growth, important communication and monitoring tool for tracking various important documents. Starting from the field functionaries like ANM (assistant nursing maid) to Commissioner-cum-Secretary is now connected under one net work.
Inaugurating the launching of the programme on Thursday, Minister Health & Family Welfare Prasanna Acharya talked to an ANM Nalini Jena of Chitrokonda of Malkangiri district and ANM Tulashi Majhi of Chalakamba of Rayagada district. CGM BSNL AN Ray and Commi-ssioner-cum-Secretary Anu Garg were present. “The stocks at the sub-centre level can be easily known,” said Garg.
At Block level the programme Officers like the Medical Officer I/C, BEE, BPO and BADA, at district level CDMO, additional CDMO, ADMOs, DIO, DPM, DAM, DHIO, work consultant, hospital manager, ASHA Coordi-nator, PA, MEIO, DTO, Nucleus Leprosy Officer and similarly at State level Secretary, Mission Director, DHS, DFW, DPH, all addl/joint/dy directors, VS and consultants of SPUM are connected under this network.
Extended School Health Scheme to start from July 5, 2010 in Orissa
PNS | Bhubaneswar
In a bid to provide healthcare cover to over 58 lakh students in 60,000 schools across the State, the State Health Department under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is going to extend the School Health Scheme to all the schools tentatively from July 5, as decided at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya flanked by Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena at the State Secretariat here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister had launched the programme in Kandhamal on October 1 last year.
Initially, the scheme had access to only the 1675 residential girls’ schools in 30 districts under the Tribal Welfare Department.
Both the day-scholars and boarders from classes 1-10 will be covered under the scheme following which a thorough health check-up of each student will be undertaken twice a year. Meanwhile, 325160 and 5157000 health cards meant for boarders and day-scholars respectively have been dispatched to the CDMOs.
Under the scheme, an allowance of Rs 100 will be given to a student travelling from the village to the hospital, Rs 50 per day if admitted and free medicine.
In a bid to provide healthcare cover to over 58 lakh students in 60,000 schools across the State, the State Health Department under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is going to extend the School Health Scheme to all the schools tentatively from July 5, as decided at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya flanked by Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena at the State Secretariat here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister had launched the programme in Kandhamal on October 1 last year.
Initially, the scheme had access to only the 1675 residential girls’ schools in 30 districts under the Tribal Welfare Department.
Both the day-scholars and boarders from classes 1-10 will be covered under the scheme following which a thorough health check-up of each student will be undertaken twice a year. Meanwhile, 325160 and 5157000 health cards meant for boarders and day-scholars respectively have been dispatched to the CDMOs.
Under the scheme, an allowance of Rs 100 will be given to a student travelling from the village to the hospital, Rs 50 per day if admitted and free medicine.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Orissa Health Department will introduce a Close Users Group (CUG) mobile network for better health services in the state.
Indian Express,Bhubaneswar
To facilitate better and effective communication between grassroots- level workers and the toplevel decision-makers, Health Department will introduce a close users group (CUG) mobile network system from tomorrow.
With the introduction of the CUG loop service under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the workers and officials of the Department can now talk free among themselves resulting in quality health-care delivery.
The CUG network will work under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and includes auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) to the Health Secretary covering 18,315 members at a cost of Rs 52.57 lakh.
The new system will help in better and quicker delivery of messages and monitoring activities and would immensely help blocklevel medical officers, additional district medical officers, chief district medical officers, NRHM mission director, directors of health, family welfare and public health and all deputy and assistant directors who would be included in the loop so that all programme implementation process would be expedited across the State.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Prasanna Acharya, in the presence of top Health and BSNL officials, will dedicate the service to the people tomorrow.
It can be recalled here that with better monitoring of activities of health workers and activists through the mobile network the Health administrators of Mayurbhanj district have reduced the incidence of malarial deaths in the recent past.
This new step would also help in controlling infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate as health service delivery would be easier through the free network
To facilitate better and effective communication between grassroots- level workers and the toplevel decision-makers, Health Department will introduce a close users group (CUG) mobile network system from tomorrow.
With the introduction of the CUG loop service under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the workers and officials of the Department can now talk free among themselves resulting in quality health-care delivery.
The CUG network will work under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and includes auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) to the Health Secretary covering 18,315 members at a cost of Rs 52.57 lakh.
The new system will help in better and quicker delivery of messages and monitoring activities and would immensely help blocklevel medical officers, additional district medical officers, chief district medical officers, NRHM mission director, directors of health, family welfare and public health and all deputy and assistant directors who would be included in the loop so that all programme implementation process would be expedited across the State.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Prasanna Acharya, in the presence of top Health and BSNL officials, will dedicate the service to the people tomorrow.
It can be recalled here that with better monitoring of activities of health workers and activists through the mobile network the Health administrators of Mayurbhanj district have reduced the incidence of malarial deaths in the recent past.
This new step would also help in controlling infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate as health service delivery would be easier through the free network
Right to Education Act will be implemented in Orissa from 1st April,2010
Indian Express,BBSR:
The Right to Education Act will be implemented in Orissa from 1st April,2010.
This was decided at a high level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Wednesday. As per the provisions of the Act, all children up to 14 years of age will have compulsory education. The State will require Rs 16,000 crore during the next five years for the implementation of the provisions of the legislation.
The student-teacher ratio will be 30:1 while there will be a minimum of two teachers per school. The appointment of new teachers, the need for separate lavatories for boys and girls in schools, construction of kitchens and boundary walls were discussed.
It was decided that the process for filling up vacancies in the posts of teachers in schools will be started within the next few days. It has been found that while some of the education districts have shortage of teachers, others have more than the required numbers.
A committee will be set up under the chairmanship of the district collectors to assess whether there is surplus or shortage of teachers in their districts.
The surplus teachers will be redeployed in districts, which has shortage.
The restriction on transfer of primary school teachers to other districts will be withdrawn. Earlier, only 10 per cent of the total primary school teachers in a district were transferred to other district. More para-teachers will be appointed to fill up the shortage. As the legislation has emphasised on appointment of trained teachers, training facilities for teachers will be created.
The training will be given through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Distance Education Programme of other universities. Inspection of schools by the higher authorities will become strict and regular.
Besides, steps will be taken for improving school infrastructure. Priority will be given to repair school buildings and hostels which are more than 50 years old.
It was decided that the textbook printing press in the State will be modernised and 50 lakh textbooks will be printed.
Books will also be published in Braille.
Increase of scholarship of primary, upper primary and secondary school students was discussed. Minister of State for School and Mass Education Pratap Jena, Development Commissioner S P Nanda, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik and senior officials were present.
The Right to Education Act will be implemented in Orissa from 1st April,2010.
This was decided at a high level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Wednesday. As per the provisions of the Act, all children up to 14 years of age will have compulsory education. The State will require Rs 16,000 crore during the next five years for the implementation of the provisions of the legislation.
The student-teacher ratio will be 30:1 while there will be a minimum of two teachers per school. The appointment of new teachers, the need for separate lavatories for boys and girls in schools, construction of kitchens and boundary walls were discussed.
It was decided that the process for filling up vacancies in the posts of teachers in schools will be started within the next few days. It has been found that while some of the education districts have shortage of teachers, others have more than the required numbers.
A committee will be set up under the chairmanship of the district collectors to assess whether there is surplus or shortage of teachers in their districts.
The surplus teachers will be redeployed in districts, which has shortage.
The restriction on transfer of primary school teachers to other districts will be withdrawn. Earlier, only 10 per cent of the total primary school teachers in a district were transferred to other district. More para-teachers will be appointed to fill up the shortage. As the legislation has emphasised on appointment of trained teachers, training facilities for teachers will be created.
The training will be given through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Distance Education Programme of other universities. Inspection of schools by the higher authorities will become strict and regular.
Besides, steps will be taken for improving school infrastructure. Priority will be given to repair school buildings and hostels which are more than 50 years old.
It was decided that the textbook printing press in the State will be modernised and 50 lakh textbooks will be printed.
Books will also be published in Braille.
Increase of scholarship of primary, upper primary and secondary school students was discussed. Minister of State for School and Mass Education Pratap Jena, Development Commissioner S P Nanda, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik and senior officials were present.
New Orissa Govt. Policy : 5% CSR expenditure
PNS | Bhubaneswar
The State Government seems to have developed a new policy for corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditures of the mega industries. It follows the model laid by the Supreme Court in the case of Lanjigarh-based alumina project of Vedanta Resources. The annual CSR expenditure will not be below 5 per cent of the profit or Rs 10 crore, whichever is more.
While clearing the lease of Potangi bauxite mines to Nalco, the Chief Minister has made the new policy applicable to this Nav Ratna PSU. So, by now, the new model has been applied to a private company and a Central PSU. However, there is no clear order issued to other mega industries receiving such favours as in the cases of Vedanta and Nalco. Economic analysts are of the view that the Chief Minister is bound to extend the CSR stipulations to all and sundry.
New mega projects, which are coming up in the State, should also earmark 5 per cent of their profits for CSR when in production, said a social activist, adding that to force their hands it should be incorporated as a condition while favouring them with mining leases.
“In fact, this should find a place in the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) of the State,” said a senior BJD MLA. Accordingly, an enactment might be made in the State Assembly to make it legally binding, he pointed out.
The State Government seems to have developed a new policy for corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditures of the mega industries. It follows the model laid by the Supreme Court in the case of Lanjigarh-based alumina project of Vedanta Resources. The annual CSR expenditure will not be below 5 per cent of the profit or Rs 10 crore, whichever is more.
While clearing the lease of Potangi bauxite mines to Nalco, the Chief Minister has made the new policy applicable to this Nav Ratna PSU. So, by now, the new model has been applied to a private company and a Central PSU. However, there is no clear order issued to other mega industries receiving such favours as in the cases of Vedanta and Nalco. Economic analysts are of the view that the Chief Minister is bound to extend the CSR stipulations to all and sundry.
New mega projects, which are coming up in the State, should also earmark 5 per cent of their profits for CSR when in production, said a social activist, adding that to force their hands it should be incorporated as a condition while favouring them with mining leases.
“In fact, this should find a place in the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) of the State,” said a senior BJD MLA. Accordingly, an enactment might be made in the State Assembly to make it legally binding, he pointed out.
Right to Education from April 1, 2010 in Orissa
PNS | Bhubaneswar
Under the intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena finally agreed to implement the Right to Education Act from April 1, 2010.
Earlier, Jena had made a statement that the State was not prepared to implement the law as it required huge resources to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore. He had even stated that additional 30,000 schools need to be opened for making RTE effective. These statements had invited the wrath of the Chief Minister.
Patnaik on Wednesday convened a meeting to this effect at the State Secretariat. Later, it was decided that the Right to Education Act would be implemented from April 1. Under this act, education would be made compulsory for all children below 14. A student teacher ratio of 30:1 would be created.
All the vacancies would be filled up on a war-footing. There would be a redeployment of teachers. If in one district more teachers have been found, they would be transferred to other districts.
More “Gana (Mass) Teachers” would be appointed. Teachers would be imparted training through Distance Education programme of universities and IGNOU. About 50 lakh books would be published and special care would be taken for visually-handicapped.
School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena, Development Commissioner SP Nanda and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijoy Patnaik and others attended the meeting.
Under the intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena finally agreed to implement the Right to Education Act from April 1, 2010.
Earlier, Jena had made a statement that the State was not prepared to implement the law as it required huge resources to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore. He had even stated that additional 30,000 schools need to be opened for making RTE effective. These statements had invited the wrath of the Chief Minister.
Patnaik on Wednesday convened a meeting to this effect at the State Secretariat. Later, it was decided that the Right to Education Act would be implemented from April 1. Under this act, education would be made compulsory for all children below 14. A student teacher ratio of 30:1 would be created.
All the vacancies would be filled up on a war-footing. There would be a redeployment of teachers. If in one district more teachers have been found, they would be transferred to other districts.
More “Gana (Mass) Teachers” would be appointed. Teachers would be imparted training through Distance Education programme of universities and IGNOU. About 50 lakh books would be published and special care would be taken for visually-handicapped.
School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena, Development Commissioner SP Nanda and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijoy Patnaik and others attended the meeting.
Anti-human trafficking units to be opened in Orissa
PNS,Bhubaneswar:
A decision has been taken for formation of integrated anti-human trafficking units at the office of the Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch), the Commissionerate of Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, IG office at Rourkela and DIG offices at Sambalpur and Berhampur to focus on specific places to combat trafficking in women and children in the State.
A decision has been taken for formation of integrated anti-human trafficking units at the office of the Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch), the Commissionerate of Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, IG office at Rourkela and DIG offices at Sambalpur and Berhampur to focus on specific places to combat trafficking in women and children in the State.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Higher education sector poised for quantum jump in Orissa
Source:Indian Express,Bhubaneswar, 01.03.2010,Report by-Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Orissa’s higher education sector is poised for a quantum jump in the Eleventh Plan going by the latest UGC forecast.
It has projected that enrolment would clock a compounded annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent to touch over 6.5 lakh of an over 50 lakh population in the 18-23 year age group by the year 2012. The overall gross enrolment rate (GER) - the ratio of total enrolment to the total population in the age group of 18-23 years - would be 13 per cent. Consequently, additional enrolment in the 11th Plan period would be over 2.6 lakh.
The forecast, however, has indicated that Orissa’s GER would remain well below the national average of 15 per cent.
One of the reasons would be as high as 18 districts are still educationally backward districts. In Orissa’s case, the EBDs have either a predominant tribal population or are forested regions. Fourteen of the EBDs have over 25 per cent rural tribal population with five of them having over 58-59 per cent forest cover. Another three districts have over 40 per cent forest cover.
Significantly, the State’s chief industrial centres like Angul, Jharsuguda, Keonjar, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur that, incidentally, have predominant tribal population are listed in the EBD category contrary to the national trend. This does not augur well for Government’s industrial drive.
Inequitable growth is further evidenced by the fact that the collegepopulation index (C-PI) (colleges per lakh population) in Orissa is 17.6 against 12.4 nationally. But, nine districts have the index much below the 12 colleges per lakh population.
Two districts have C-PI even below four and two others have below eight. Thus, lower GER is on account of unavailability of qualitatively affordable higher education opportunities.
If statistics are any indication, the inequity is set to get accentuated in the 11th Plan. Because, as per the population norm of a University per two lakh population, Orissa would require a whopping 25 universities for its 50 lakh student population in the age-group of 18-23 years by 2012.
There are nine at present.
Also, for the additional 2.6 lakh general enrolment by 2012, the State needs over 200more general colleges.
Thus, to supply the manpower requirement of the industries in the State, the Government has to seek holistic solutions for the EBDs here.
Orissa’s higher education sector is poised for a quantum jump in the Eleventh Plan going by the latest UGC forecast.
It has projected that enrolment would clock a compounded annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent to touch over 6.5 lakh of an over 50 lakh population in the 18-23 year age group by the year 2012. The overall gross enrolment rate (GER) - the ratio of total enrolment to the total population in the age group of 18-23 years - would be 13 per cent. Consequently, additional enrolment in the 11th Plan period would be over 2.6 lakh.
The forecast, however, has indicated that Orissa’s GER would remain well below the national average of 15 per cent.
One of the reasons would be as high as 18 districts are still educationally backward districts. In Orissa’s case, the EBDs have either a predominant tribal population or are forested regions. Fourteen of the EBDs have over 25 per cent rural tribal population with five of them having over 58-59 per cent forest cover. Another three districts have over 40 per cent forest cover.
Significantly, the State’s chief industrial centres like Angul, Jharsuguda, Keonjar, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur that, incidentally, have predominant tribal population are listed in the EBD category contrary to the national trend. This does not augur well for Government’s industrial drive.
Inequitable growth is further evidenced by the fact that the collegepopulation index (C-PI) (colleges per lakh population) in Orissa is 17.6 against 12.4 nationally. But, nine districts have the index much below the 12 colleges per lakh population.
Two districts have C-PI even below four and two others have below eight. Thus, lower GER is on account of unavailability of qualitatively affordable higher education opportunities.
If statistics are any indication, the inequity is set to get accentuated in the 11th Plan. Because, as per the population norm of a University per two lakh population, Orissa would require a whopping 25 universities for its 50 lakh student population in the age-group of 18-23 years by 2012.
There are nine at present.
Also, for the additional 2.6 lakh general enrolment by 2012, the State needs over 200more general colleges.
Thus, to supply the manpower requirement of the industries in the State, the Government has to seek holistic solutions for the EBDs here.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Orissa Government to construct 478 more hostels for students of Maoists prone districts
Source: OrissaDiary.com
Atleast 478 more hostels will be constructed for the students of the Maoists prone districts in the state. The Centre government has sanctioned Rs 198 crore special grant in aid for the same.
Atleast 478 more hostels will be constructed in five Maoist prone Debagarh, Sambalpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts . Out of total 478, construction of 190 hostels for boys and 288 hostels for girl students. This hostels will be constructed of 5 thousand squire feet and Rs 41 lakh 50 thousand will be invested for each hostels.
In every hostel at least 100 bed will be available. In every hostels 10 latriens, one entertainment room, ands one dining room will be provided. Pipe water supply, water heating facility with solar arrangements and system to collect rain water from the roof of the hostels will be provided. The construction of the hostels will be completed within two years. The district DRDAs will take the responsibilities of the construction, if necessary, it will be given to the Roads and Buildings department.
Atleast 478 more hostels will be constructed for the students of the Maoists prone districts in the state. The Centre government has sanctioned Rs 198 crore special grant in aid for the same.
Atleast 478 more hostels will be constructed in five Maoist prone Debagarh, Sambalpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts . Out of total 478, construction of 190 hostels for boys and 288 hostels for girl students. This hostels will be constructed of 5 thousand squire feet and Rs 41 lakh 50 thousand will be invested for each hostels.
In every hostel at least 100 bed will be available. In every hostels 10 latriens, one entertainment room, ands one dining room will be provided. Pipe water supply, water heating facility with solar arrangements and system to collect rain water from the roof of the hostels will be provided. The construction of the hostels will be completed within two years. The district DRDAs will take the responsibilities of the construction, if necessary, it will be given to the Roads and Buildings department.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Breaking News ! Three Maoists surrender in Orissa
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.
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.
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.
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