Experts call for better agri management for development of Orissa

The New Indian Express, BBSR :

With Orissa earning the dubious distinction of having the highest percentage of poor in the country, experts have called for better agriculture management to generate more income for rural poor.

With more than 85 percent of the population depending on agriculture, most of them being marginal farmers, ‘hidden calamity’ like soil acidity must be addressed first. Studies have found that 70 percent of our cultivable soils is acidic causing plant nutritional problems, fungal diseases and poor utilisation of bio-fertilisers.

According to soil scientist and Chairman of Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) Prof. Niranjan Panda, there would be no change in productivity if nature of soil remains acidic. Cost-effective liming materials rich with calcium can be used in the uplands to benefit the farmers, he said.

Irrigation needs to be strengthened, he said adding the highly water deficient western and northern Orissa can also benefit from rainwater harvesting as the land is sloppy there. Sustainable rainwater management practices with the help of villagers would ensure absorption of 40-50 percent of the surface run off into the soil, he said adding it would help partly manage flood, drought and ensure improved cropping intensity.

With per capita availability of land pegged at 0.14 hectare, many lands still remain fallow. Also with poor use of mechanised practices and rising labour costs, there is a loss of interest among small farmers. So at panchayat level agricultural implants can be made available in public-private partnership mode to help the poor, he added.

Noted economist Prof Baidyanath Mishra said with varying poverty indices from World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Human Development Report by UN agencies the definition of poor is changing and there is no more a fixed parameter. “However, with rising cost of living if we put our the limit at $2 per day then more than 80 per cent of Indians will come below poverty line,’’ he said.

There are huge variations, he pointed out. While 20 percent of the rich have more than 42 percent of the national income, 20 percent of the poor have only 9 percent, he added.

Land reforms, mechanised agriculture practices and irrigation facilities can augment productivity, he pointed out.

JB Patnaik takes oath as Assam Governor

PNS | Bhubaneswar

Veteran Congress leader and former Odisha Chief Minister JB Patnaik was sworn in as the Governor of Assam on Friday. Patnaik replaced Syed Sibtey Razi. On Friday morning, Patnaik left for Guwahati.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Guwahati High Court Chief Justice J Chelameswar at a function held at the Raj Bhavan in Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi and his Cabinet colleagues were present.

“I would execute my constitutional duties and whenever required I am ready to extend my services,” Patnaik said. Patnaik’s wife, former MP Jayanti Patnaik and other close relatives were also present at the swearing-in-ceremony.

After taking over Governor, Patnaik urged the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to shun violence and come for unconditional peace talks with the Government.

International NGOs seek to play spoilsport for industrialisation in Orissa

PNS | Bhubaneswar

They are coming to enjoy tourism marvels of tribal Odisha. But in many instances, the inside story seems to be something different. All on a sudden, the influx of International NGOs has raised eyebrows in Kalahandi district. Civil and police officials and industry proponents are in a quandary over the unexpected spurt in the movement of foreigners and foreign NGOs to Lanjigarh and adjacent areas of the district.

According to police officials, these foreigners are visiting the State on tourist visa on the plea of enjoying tourism spots. However, the aim of most of them is different as they are playing spoilsport for the State’s massive industrialisation, revealed an activist. Their principal target is Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL), which is setting up a project at Lanjigarh, he said.

Minister of Steel and Mines Raghunath Mohanty recently revealed that not a single tribal family would be displaced due to VAL’s mining project. He stressed that no Dongria Kondha tribe lives in the proposed mining area, located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.

However, the stories of the international NGO’s are different as they are circulating false and fabricated information about the industry here, alleged an official. The NGOs, with the support of some local NGOs, have been interacting with the tribals and disturbing their peace, alleged villagers.

The State-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), which has got the Niyamgiri mining lease, has taken Sterlite Industries India Limited (SIIL) as its partner. The State Government has constituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the name of the Lanjigarh Project Area Development Foundation (LDADF) with the Government’s contribution as 25 per cent, OMC’s 26 per cent and Sterlite‘s 49 per cent, as directed by the Supreme Court.

The Revenue Divisional Commissioner is the chairman of the LDADF, which, at its first meeting itself, decided to undertake development projects worth Rs 17.70 crore in the areas of health, education, road, infrastructure development, the Minister Mohanty said.

Since mining is an important source of revenue generation, such projects should be encouraged along with principle of sustainable development so that these areas can be brought into the mainline, the Supreme Court had observed.

Masterplan for Greater Berhampur

Source : Press Trust of India
published on : 8/12/2009

Berhampur: The Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) under Union Urban Development Ministry is preparing a comprehensive development plan (CDP) for the proposed 'Greater Berhampur' mooted by Orissa government. The proposed Greater Berhampur comprises existing Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), NAC areas of Gopalpur and Chhatrapur and as many as 139 adjoining villages. The population of these areas, which was 5,13,760 as per the 2001 census, is expected to exceed 15 lakh in the next 20 years, official sources said. The total area of the proposed town would be around 317 sq km as against 85 sq km, 47 sq km and 17 sq respectively of BMC, Chatrapur and Gopalpur NACs, they said. "We will prepare the CDP for Berhampur keeping in view all aspects and for better living condition of the people of the town as well as for its future development, Chief Planner of the TCPO J B Kshirsagar said at a workshop on the CDP in Berhampur. Kshirsagar said the CDP would be prepared within a year with the help of the Orissa Remote Sensing Application Center (ORSAC), Town Planning Department of the state government and BDA. Preparation of the CDP is necessary for development of the proposed greater Berhampur in planned manner. Due to lack of comprehensive master plan, colonies in the town are mushrooming haphazardly causing problems in traffic, water supply and construction works.

Proposal to include Khandayats, Mahalayaks in OBC list rejected

PNS | Bhubaneswar

The Government of India has rejected the proposal of the State Government to include Khandayat and Mahalayak castes in the Central list of OBCs. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had received a proposal from Odisha for including the two castes in the Central list of OBCs, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D Napoleon informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Thursday.

Napoleon was replying to a question whether the Odisha Government has sent any proposal for including Khardayat and Mohalayak castes in the Central OBC list. The Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that NCBC, after considering all the materials and evidences produced, had advised not to include the two castes in the list. “The proposal of the NCBC has been accepted by the Centre,” he said.

Food security in Odisha at stake, thanks to poor irrigation system

Bikash Kumar Pati

Odisha’s agrarian economy is facing two challenges: disasters like drought, flood and cyclone and lack of input intensive farming practice for poor farmers. In the State’s western region, drought occurs every alternate year. People can no more rely on agriculture for their subsistence.

Costs of inputs like seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and wages have registered a substantial hike, whereas the market has failed to provide a competitive price to the farmers. The State’s agriculture policy considers agriculture as an industry and the benefits of the policy skews in favour of rich farmers. There is a growing consideration for commercialisation of agriculture.

Since there is no ceiling on land holding, this would promote land alienation. The poor farmers would sell away their land and prefer to remain as wage earners.

The current approaches of agriculture give emphasis on promotion of hybrid seeds, water-intensive crops like sugarcane, which would surely increase the frequency of drought, especially in western Odisha, where the monsoon is always erratic. Farmers belonging to all economic strata are after paddy and cash crops, where investment is high and the return is not guaranteed.

Farming of short-duration paddy, minor millets and the like, which was really providing food security, are on the decline because of the faulty policy and programmes. While rain-fed agriculture is the reality of this region, irrigation has been shown as the only panacea for this problem. But whatever irrigation potential has been created, the actual irrigation is much less than practised. Irrigation efficiency is abysmally low here because of predominance of paddy.

In coastal Odisha, though yield and production are high, flood and cyclone have been crucial in sustainability of agriculture.

Rising prices of inputs are another threat. The shift from foodgrains to cash crops is rapid, which is a threat to food security. The fluctuations in the market, poor functioning of the existing irrigation systems, water-logging and drainage, erratic behaviour of monsoon and mono cropping are the significant factors in the sustainability of agriculture in coastal Odisha.

The Government approaches both flood and drought as two different sets of problems. For flood control, the present thinking is to come out with a second dam on the Mahanadi. And for drought, the approach is for developing irrigation infrastructure. But over these years, crores of rupees have been spent on developing irrigation wells, bore wells, minor irrigation projects, etc, with very little impact on agriculture. In most of the cases, these infrastructures are not in use because of structural problems, improper management, inappropriate cropping pattern and poor linkage between the farmers and the agriculture and irrigation departments.

The water resources department holds the view that it has offered the best possible system design, which needs no change. It is the people who must change their habits and use the system as per the design provisions. The department is, however, not prepared to accept the fact that the design provisions and the system performance to support the desired crops are incompatible. Thus, the issue of improving irrigation efficiency has come to a dead end due to non-congruence of the stands taken by each stakeholder. What is being done in this regard is simply for the sake of doing something. Key issues are not being touched.

Still worse is that many of the current programmes are a mere repetition of ideas which already had failed in the past. Shifting incumbency in the Government makes it difficult for the newcomers to recognise the old wine presented in a new bottle. Well, things will continue with whatever is considered appropriate by the reigning authority at a given point of time, but the desired result will not definitely come unless the key issues are addressed.

Nothing is sacrosanct in this world; much less is a design methodology of an irrigation system. To the onlookers, it is already obsolete. Only the authors are sticking to it as their all-time best. If the present system has defied improvement for about half a century now, logically there is a case for reviewing it by a group of high powered onlookers. Unfortunately, the irrigation fraternity is so deeply entrenched and their lobby with any Government is so strong that it has been ordinarily impossible to make any dent on their fortress. It will need an extraordinary effort of the kind of public demonstration to shake the immobile.

-- The writer is a researcher with the Regional Centre for Development Cooperation, Bhubaneswar

How effective is education in Oriya Schools on border areas of Orissa ?

Express News Service.

Bhubaneswar : About 40,000 students are studying in 385 Oriya schools on the border areas of the neighbouring states. Over 500 teachers have been appointed in these schools.While the highest number of 186 schools are in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal has only one school to impart education in Oriya. While Jharkhand has 113 such schools, Andhra Pradesh has 85 schools.

Most of these institutions are one-teacher schools which lack even basic infrastructure to impart education. While most of these function from dilapidated buildings or do not have buildings at all, in many instances it has been found that the schools do not have Oriya teachers. Delay in supply of textbooks to these schools often affects teaching.

Official sources, however, maintained that these schools are running well and there is no basis to the charges that Oriya language is being neglected in these regions. The State Government has taken several initiatives through the Utkal Sammilani for promotion of the language among the Oriya- speaking people.

Besides claiming that books are being supplied to these schools in time, sources claimed that scholarships are given to students of Class III, V, VII and X. Scholarships are given according to three criteria: Students who get the highest marks in the class in Oriya, scholarship considering merit and income of their parents and highest marks in Oriya by tribal students.

The State Government also provides financial assistance through the School and Mass Education Department to the Utkal Sammilani for purchase of books for libraries, equipment for science laboratories and furniture for classrooms. Besides, teaching aids are also supplied by the State Government regularly.

However, there is an allegation that these announcements are confined to files and little materialises at the field level. It is being demanded that the State Government should increase its assistance to these schools and effectively monitor the quality of education.

Berhampur-Rourkela rail link demanded

PNS | Bhubaneswar

Unfortunately there is no rail link between the main urban centre of the State’s southern region (Berhampur) and the steel city (Rourkela),” laments Siba Prasad, a resident of Berhampur.

He points out that Berhampur and Rourkela are two primary rail heads in the southern and western Odisha. Till 2002, the Hirakhand Express used to connect the two cities, but of late it has been withdrawn too, causing inconvenience to the commuters.

Prasad observes that if the two cities are linked by a train, it would not only bring the two important zones of the State closer but would also lead to development of both regions. Besides, the train link would be connecting 10 districts and four major urban centres, he points out.

Per capita availability of cultivable land on decline in Orissa

Bikash Kumar Pati

The geographical area of Odisha is 1,55,707 sqkm, with cultivable area of about 65.59 lakh hectares. It has been assessed that about 49.90 lakh hectares can be brought under irrigation. But by the end of 2005-06 about 27.31 lakh hectares (44.29 per cent) of land was brought under irrigation, out of which 45.4per cent was covered through major and medium irrigation, 18.8 per cent through minor, 14.3 per cent by minor irrigation and the balance 21.5 per cent were irrigated through other sources. Odisha is the tenth largest State in India as per the 2001 census. Its population is 368.05 lakh, which is about 3.58 per cent of the population of the country.

The agriculture sector plays an important role in the State’s economy. According to the 2001 census, out of 142.76 lakh workers, 9,589 lakh are main workers and 4,687 lakh are marginal workers. Out of 46.87 per cent lakh marginal workers, 8.12 lakh (17.3 per cent) were cultivators, 29.01 lakh (61.9 per cent) were agricultural labourers, 2.9 lakh (6.3 per cent) workers were engaged in household industries and 6.76 lakh (14.4 per cent) were other workers of which cultivator and agricultural labourers together were 37.13 per cent. It shows that majority of the population has been dependent on agriculture and allied activities. Therefore, agriculture and allied activities play an important role in the State’s economy. However, the share of agriculture and animal husbandry in the Gross State Domestic Product has remained comparatively low, around 23.43 per cent. It is therefore necessary to increase the agriculture production and productivity of the crops, which form the major basis of the rural development.

Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fodder, fibre and other goods by the systematic raising of plants and animals. The history of agriculture is closely linked with human history and agricultural developments have been crucial factors in social change including the specialisation of human activity. Forty-two percent of the world’s labourers are employed in agriculture, making it by far the most common occupation. Agricultural production accounts for less than 5 per cent of the gross world product.

Agriculture and animal husbandry contributed 23.43 per cent of the Net Domestic Product of Odisha in 2005-06 (A) at the 1993-94 prices and provided employment directly or indirectly to around 65 per cent of the total workforce as per the 2001 census. The per capita availability of cultivated land was 0.39 hectares in 1950-51 and has declined to 0.14 hectares during 2004-05. Development of agriculture in the State has lagged due to several constraints.

The percentage of cultivators to main workers has decreased from 57 per cent in 1960 to 44 per cent in 1990. By contrast, the percentage of agricultural labourers to main workers has increased from 17 per cent in 1960 to 29 per cent in 1990. Thus, in a span of three decades the ratio of agricultural labourers to cultivators has increased substantially from about 3:7 in 1960 to 6.5:3.5 in 1990. This is primarily due to increase in landlessness or near landlessness on account of population growth and subdivision of land holdings among legal heirs. As the pace of industrialisation in the State is still slow, agriculture continues to provide sources of livelihood to a significant segment of population. Therefore, agricultural growth holds the key to the overall development of the State by way of creating employment, generating income, providing raw materials to the industrial sector and, last but not the least, ensuring self-reliance in food production and food security to the deprived sections.

On the water front, the State claims that it has got perennial river systems, but most of the rivers are unable to provide water for domestic consumption during the dry season. The ayacut of most of the irrigation structures is shrinking.

Although the groundwater potential has not been exploited beyond 15 per cent, there are no adequate studies on the recharging of groundwater and its real potential; we have been referring to studies done before 10 years. Of course, the State is rich in minerals, extraction of which is dearer to the environmental stability and livelihood of millions.

Pollution of air and water and degradation of land because of mines and industries is on the rise; the best example lies with the Talcher-Angul industrial area, which is rated among the country’s 14 hot spots for environmental pollution.

The long coastline of more than 400 km provides ample opportunities for fishing and other maritime activities. Erosion of beaches because of excessive human-sea interactions, poor drainage, heavy siltation, intensive fishing using mechanised boats and gears, etc, are some of the characteristics of resource use.

Pollution of seawater and fluctuations in the fish catch has added worries to the livelihood of the fisherman folk. The present trend in resource use is very much in favour of the industrial/corporate interests and acts detrimental to the subsistence of the poor.

Although the share of agriculture to State income has fallen badly and it is no more a prime factor for the State’s economy when compared to the growth of service sector, the rural population still predominantly depends on agriculture and allied activities. Failure in agriculture, which has become a common phenomenon, adds to their misery and vulnerability.

Since 1991-92, the year that had a bumper food grain production of 72 lakh tonnes, the production of food grains is gradually on the decline. During 1998-99 the food grain production remained as low as 58 lakh tonnes. Currently, the State is facing a severe drought and crop production will fall further.

The writer is a researcher with the Regional Centre for Development Cooperation, Bhubaneswar.

Nalco-NPCIL Nuclear-Power plant proposed in Ganjam

PNS | Bhubaneswar

As part of its proposed diversification activities, National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has decided to enter into an (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to produce nuclear power.

Signing of a nuclear deal with USA by India has ended isolation of the country from sources of nuclear fuel and paved the way for large-scale generation of nuclear power in the country. The Government of India has reportedly decided to produce nuclear power with the support of Central PSUs. Accordingly, the NPCIL, which is eyeing setting up of a nuclear power plant in Odisha, has roped in Nalco, the first Navratna company in the State, revealed sources.

An MoU would be signed soon between NPCIL and Nalco for a joint venture (JV), official sources said. The JV company would set up a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant with an investment of Rs 8,500 crore. A site has been identified near Berhampur in Ganjam district for the plant, said an official in the Department of Energy.

JB Patnaik appointed Governor of Assam

Daily Pioneer, Bhubaneswar

President of India Pratibha Patil on Saturday appointed former Chief Minister of Odisha JB Patnaik as Governor of Assam. He will assume charge of his gubernatorial responsibilities after Syed Sibtey Razi's tenure comes to an end on December 9.

The appointment will take effect from the date JB Patnaik assumes charge of his new office. On being contacted, the veteran politician and Congress leader said he had not yet decided when he would go to Assam to take charge.

After passing from Khurda High School, he graduated in Sanskrit from Utkal University in 1947 and secured his his MA in Political Science from BHU in 1949. In 1950, he became the president of the State unit of the youth wing of the Congress. In 1980, he became the Union Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Labour. Later, he served as Chief Minister for a record number of years. He is also an eminent writer.

New Executive Team for DOSA

A General Body Meeting of Delhi Oriya Students’ Association was held on Sunday on 15^th November , 2009, in the VC office Lawns of Delhi University . The following were present.

1. Tejeswar Parida

2. Ambarish Dinda

3. Subash Chandra Mahapatra

4. Gobinda Chandra Hansdah

5. Dwibendu Sekhar

6. Santosh kumar Jena

7. Madhusmita Sahoo

8. Abhipsa Samantray

9. Mahesh kumar Panda

10. Sailesh Kumar Bhoi

11. Tapas kumar Bishi

12. Byomkesh Meher

13. Debasish Behera

14. Swagatam Das

15. Sugriba Khillo

16. Amrit Chandan Patra

17. Himanshu Sekhar Sahu

18. Sushant kumar Pal

19. Sudhir kumar Behera

20. Irasish Acharya

21. Nihar Ranjan Parida

22. Jitendra kumar Behera

23. Bibudha Garnaik

24. Jeet Sankalp

25. Priya ranjan Parida

26. Pradyumna kumar Sethy

27. Sishir kumar Rath

Nityananda Agasti

28. Ramakrisna Biswal

29. Biswabasu Swain

30. Kamalakanta Roul

31. Parsuram Parida

The following Office bearers were selected for two (2) years w.e.f. 15.11.2009 for the day to day work.

1. Tejeswar Parida, President

2. Nihar Ranjan Parida, Vie-Presidet

3. Sushata kumar Pal, Secretary

4. Abhipsa Samantray, Jt. Secretary

5. Neha Swain, Jt. Secretary

6. Parsuram Parida, Treasurer

It was also decided that the Bank Account will be jointly operated by the President and Treasurer.

To have a better coordination it was decided unanimously agreed that at least a meeting of the executive body should be held once in every month.

(Sishir kumar Rath)

Convenor

Despite campaigns, Orissa fails to attract Tourists

Express News Service
27 Sep 2009

Bhubaneswar :

The landscape of Orissa is abound with natural beauty both flora and fauna, towering temples, rich cultural heritage but the State is yet to exploit its strength in terms of generating tourist inflow or revenue. Despite high decibel promo-campaigns, “Incredible Orissa” is still waiting to happen.

As per the latest data released by Union Ministry of Tourism, the State does not figure in the country’s top-10 states. In 2008, of a total of 568 million tourists visiting India, only 6.246 million tourists have chosen destination Orissa. Orissa had a measly share of around 1 percent in the aggregate tourist arrivals to India in 2008. It had a share of 0.92 per cent of the aggregate tourist arrivals in 2003 and has even failed to double the figure in five years.
The road ahead looks bumpy for Orissa as it dreams to receive its 10 millionth tourist by 2012. To achieve the target, the State needs a year-on-year growth rate of over 15 percent. But in 2007 the annual growth rate had been only around 9.5 per cent and in 2008 slid to around 8.5 per cent.

In case of foreign tourist arrivals too, the rate of growth slipped to 12.5 per cent from 14 per cent in 2007. So, to clock a double-digit growth rate the State needs some `incredible’ effort.
Pilgrimage tourists to Orissa account for a very nominal share of 1.7 per cent of its total arrivals. The Planning Commission has attributed the factors like lack of proper infrastructure, tourist circuit strategy and adequate public investment behind such stunted growth.

This assertion stands vindicated when it is noticed that as of March 31, 2008, as high as 26 projects in the tourism sector have been kept pending for lack of timely capital inflow. The United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation has emphasised on the need of a professional, well-funded travel and tourism research and information organisation that could draw strategies and contingencies taking into account emerging trends.

The inference is the State has to get a right mix of investment and proactive strategies to grab a significant share in the national tourism market.

Lack of teachers bane of Primary Education in Orissa

Express News Service
27 Sep 2009

Bhubaneswar : While the objective of the universalisation of primary education is to provide access to education to all children by 2010, the State has miles to go before achieving the target.

As per the Government estimate, total enrolment of children at primary level was 67.15 lakh in 2008-09. There are 43,109 primary schools (class-I to V) and about 14,000 upper primary schools (class IV to VII & class V to VII).
If a single teacher is appointed for each class at the elementary level, the minimum requirement of teachers is 2,15,545. On the same standard, about 40,000 teachers will be required for the upper primary schools.

While the total requirement of teachers for the primary schools is about 2.55 lakh, the sanctioned strength till last year was 1,66,378. Teachers numbering 35,890 took retirement during the last 10 years when there was a freeze on recruitment. Another 2,000 teachers might have retired by this time this year. On an average three per cent Government employees retire every year.
Though the Government opened 2,550 new schools in the primary and upper primary level last year, no new teacher post has been created. The minimum requirement of teachers for the new schools will be over 15,500.
Shikshyak Mahasangha general secretary Abani Boral said 12,918 schools were functioning under the District Primary Education Programme without creation of new teacher posts.

Though the Government claims to have posted more than 50,000 shikshya sahayaks, in reality there are only 37,043 such contractual teachers. As per the national yardstick, the student-teacher ratio should be ideally 40:1. On the same yardstick, the State is having a shortage of 76,000 teachers. From this one can well imagine the quality of education being imparted at the primary school level, Boral remarked.
After inclusion of Class-VIII under Sarva Shikshya Abhijan, posting of additional teachers is required for subjects like Sanskrit, Hindi and Science. The Government is yet to take initiative to provide specialised teachers for these subjects, he said.

Orissa demanded Tribal University in Kandhamal

PRESS RELEASE (CHIEF MINISTER MEETS UNION MINISTER FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS) DT.24.09.2009
GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi
September 24, 2009
Chief Minister meets Union Minister for Tribal Affairs

Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa met Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs at New Delhi today and discussed about issues relating to tribal welfare in Orissa. He asked for an early release of Central assistance for undertaking various tribal welfare activities for which a proposal was submitted by Govt. of Orissa and the Union Minister acceded to the request of the Chief Minister for grant of Rs 64.26 crore.

The Chief Minister highlighted the action being taken by the State Govt. for issue of land rights (pattas) to tribal community in Orissa and informed that it will be concluded in a time bound manner.The Chief Minister further emphasized for inclusion of more eligible communities from Orissa in the SC/ST List so that the deserving people could benefit from government programmes. He informed that 167 such proposals have been sent by the State to the Centre for inclusion in the list.

The Chief Minister also asked for release of Rs.140 crores during 2009-2010 for construction of 400 new 100 bedded ST Girls Hostels in the State. The Chief Minister requested that a Tribal University be set up in the Kandhamal district in Orissa. The Chief Minister requested for grant of Rs 5 crores for modernisation of the existing small Tribal Museum at Bhubaneswar and separate fund for opening of Tribal Museums in all the 17 Micro Project Areas in the State. He highlighted the need for increase in the amount of Post Matric Scholarship for ST/SC Students.

Recalling his recent letter written to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister asked for sanction of more Ekalabya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in the 4 uncovered KBK districts i.e., Nuapada, Malkangiri, Sonepur & Bolangir in the current academic session.The Chief Minister informed that the DFID assisted Orissa Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Project has been well accepted by the Tribal Communities in the State and requested the Union Tribal Affairs Minister for augmentation of the DFID assistance to the tune of US $ 40 Million.

The Union Minister assured full cooperation of the Government of India for tribal development in Orissa.

New Vice-Chancellor of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla.

The Hindu,10th Sept 09,BBSR:

Governor and Chancellor of universities Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare has appointed Deba Kumar Tripathy as the new Vice-Chancellor of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla.

Dr. Tripathy is at present serving as professor of Rubber Technology Department in the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

More PG seats in VSS Medical College,Burla sought

Express News Service: 10 Sep 2009
SAMBALPUR:

After the Medical Council of India rolled back its decision to reduce 43 MBBS seats in VSS Medical College, demands are being made to reinstate the abolished post graduate seats in various departments for better medical services.

Reduction of seats coupled with vacancies and absenteeism have badly affected medical services. Locals said if the PG seats are reinstated, more doctors will be available in times of emergency.

There were four post graduation seats in Anesthesia Department which manages and operates the four-bedded ICU at VSS Medical College but two have been withdrawn reflecting on the services at the ICU.

Demand is also being made to reinstate the two post graduate seats each in Department of Skin and VD and Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology which has been withdrawn since 2006.
Likewise, to ensure steady flow of quality teachers there is a need to hike the existing PG seats in the departments of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Social Preventive Medicine and Microbiology.

Moreover, VSS Medical has four super specialty departments comprising Cardiology, Urology and Nephrology besides Haematology which are non-functional in absence of doctors.

While doctors and authorities concerned refused to speak over the issue, president of Junior Doctors Association, S K Sabat agreed that reduction of post graduation seats has been reflecting on medical services.
“The State Government should initiate steps not only to reinstate the withdrawn post graduate seats but also increase it for long term gain,” he added.

World Bank aided road projects in Orissa jinxed?

Express News Service
09 Sep 2009,BBSR:

Three World Bank-assisted infrastructure projects worth over Rs 400 crore have remained a non-starter even after a year of awarding of contracts due to lack of cooperation from the Government.The World Bank sanctioned loan for widening and strengthening of three roads under the Orissa State Road Project. Tenders were invited for the three projects in January 2008.

While contract for the 41-km stretch of road from Berhampur to Taptapani was awarded in May last year, the other two packages - 95-km long Chandabali-Bhadrak-Anandapur and 68-km Bhawanipatna-Khariar road were awarded in September 2008.As per the agreement, the Berhampur-Taptapani project with an estimated cost of Rs 81.97 crore was scheduled to start on November 22, 2008 and the date of completion was November 24, 2010. The work progress is nil.

Similar is the fate of the other two projects. The contract of the Chandabali-Bhadrak-Anandapur road project with an agreement value of Rs 216.23 crore was awarded in September last year and the project was scheduled to start in February. The expenditure on the project so far is Rs 2.8 crore.

Although the scheduled date of commencement of the Bhawanipatna-Khariar road was February 20, work on the project is yet to start. Contract of the Rs 105.51-crore project was awarded in September last year.

This came to the notice of the World Bank team on Orissa State Road Project (OSRP) during a review of the infrastructure projects here today.Country head of SNEC (India) Pvt Ltd, the consultancy firm for the road projects, Ian Alderson reportedly told the meeting that his firm is not getting desired support from the chief engineer of the World Bank project. While complaining of unwanted interference from the government officers connected with the project, he said frequent transfer of engineers had severely hampered the progress.The World Bank team headed by Rajesh Rohatgi will visit the three project sites for an on-the-spot assessment. The team is scheduled to visit Bhawanipatna tomorrow.

Orissa missed chances to lessen impact of drought ?

The Hindu,Bhubaneswar,27th August:

Even as Orissa is staring at possible drought in some districts due to uneven distribution of rain, it appears to have missed a chance to overcome this critical situation.According to latest progress report on implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Orissa, the State performed miserably in creating assets such as drought proofing, micro irrigation works, water conservation and water harvesting, renovation of traditional water bodies and land development.

Only 1.22 per cent of total works taken up for creation of these kinds of physical assets have been completed. Only Mizoram and Karnataka are the other States which have dismal records in the area.During 2009-10 Orissa undertook 6,990 drought proofing works of which only 18 have been completed. Gajapati district is leading the table where 12 drought proof works were done. However, those districts that received scanty rainfall (up to 90 per cent of shortfall in the month of August) had very little or no drought proofing work.

Similarly, renovation of traditional water bodies, which is said to be an important step in making farmers independent in irrigation, have not been done up to satisfactory level. Out of 43,528 renovation works, only 623 have been completed under NREGS.

While Ganjam, Sundargarh and Jajpur district have more than 100 each of water bodies renovated, such work has not been initiated in other drought prone districts like Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Malkanagiri and Sonepur.“NREGS was precisely meant for creating physical assets for dealing with calamities like drought. However, during implementation this aspect was not given due attention.

Had they created such assets, the State government would have been in much comfortable position to deal with possible drought,” said Richard Mahapatra, a New Delhi-based researcher.In 2009-10, about Rs. 491 crore was made available under NREGS to Orissa. But, the State could spend only Rs 111.76 crore, which was only 22.76 per cent.

‘Orissa’s climate is deteriorating rapidly’

The Pioneer,Bhubaneswar,30th May 2009:

What the Water Initiatives Orissa (WIO) had found out three years ago have been substantiated now by a World Bank report, titled Climate Change Impacts in Drought and Flood Affected Areas: Case Studies in India.The World Bank report, which took Orissa as a case study of flooding in the scenario of climate change, has referred to projections that ‘temperatures, precipitation, and flooding are likely to increase, with adverse impacts on crop yields and farm incomes, and among the more substantial effects, is a spatial shift in the pattern of rainfall towards the already flood-prone coastal areas’.

Three years ago, the WIO had found out significant increase in average annual rainfall in coastal districts like Balasore and Puri. Now, the World Bank report has projected 23 per cent increase in annual mean rainfall in that region.
This shift in rainfall will result in ‘dramatic increase in the incidence of flooding’, says the report. Elaborating further, the report cautions that the probability of discharge exceeding 25,000 cubic metres per second (about 9 lakh cusec) at Naraj may grow from the present 2 per cent to 10 per cent due to climate change.

The World Bank report has also mentioned that average annual maximum temperature will increase between 2.3 to 3.7 degree Celsius. This is also one trend that the WIO has already established very clearly with startling figures that average annual highest recorded temperature has increased everywhere in Orissa and up to 6.6 degree Celsius in centres like Sambalpur in just a decade. Even cities with moderate climates like Puri and Gopalpur centres have shown an increase of 2 degree Celsius or more.Following on that finding, the WIO had pursued a State-wide public perception study of climate change. The study clearly indicated such distinct geographical phenomenon within the State including extraordinarily high changes in temperature in some places, especially in the coal/mining and industrial belts, the temperature rise has surpassed by several degrees from the average increase that has been found out by the WB.

“We are continuously alerting people about serious climate degradation in Orissa since we have found unnatural trends. But required seriousness has not been shown. Now, we cannot escape without serious intervention by the Government. So far as organisations like World Bank are concerned they often release such reports as a prelude to more loans. But till now the World Bank or any other such organisation have not laid out any major climate change mitigation plans, except the coastal livelihood project,” said Convener, Water Initiatives Orissa, Ranjan K Panda.

“We demand serious action and strategic intervention to include environment conservation in real earnest. For that we need to have a clear and well laid out ‘Orissa Climate Change Action Plan.’ Without waiting for big loans from World Bank-like institutions we can utilize the NREGS to create climate combating resources. We must act now to stop disasters from happening and not wait for eternity when we are left bereft of any option to reverse the damage,” he further urged.

Orissa among top in tobacco consumption

New Indian Express, Bhubaneswar,30th May 2009:

Despite anti-tobacco campaigns gaining momentum through high profile Government initiatives and other social awareness campaigns, tobacco consumption in the country continues to be very high. And, Orissa features among the top in the ladder of tobacco consumption.Almost half of the State’s population is addicted to tobacco in one form or the other in contrast to one-third nationally.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) study on tobacco use during pregnancy as well as exposure of pregnant women and their young children to second-hand smoke has also pressed the alarm bells. It reveals that one-third of all pregnant women in Orissa consume smokeless tobacco and most are often exposed to secondhand smoke. Smokeless tobacco use can lead to oral and pancreatic cancers and incidentally these are on rapid rise in the State.Besides, Orissa has gained the dubious distinction of being second in tobacco consumption among women after Mizoram. The percentage of girls (15 years and above) chewing some form of tobacco is at a high of 50 percent plus the increase in the percentage of women smokers from mere 0.9 per cent to 6 per cent within five to six years, as per the latest NFHS-3 survey, portrays the ominous future.

The Union Health Ministry’s monograph has categorised Orissa in the intermediary low bracket (prevalence range between 1.1 - 2.9 percent) with regard to bidi consuming population but the danger lies in the high usage of Gudakhu made up of tobacco and molasses in Orissa. Chewing tobacco in the form of betel, gutkha, khani and snuff is also at a very high incidence level. In addition to the above facts, the pointers like three-fourth of illiterates use tobacco along with 40 percent in the highest and lowest quintile and more women in the ST population sum up the enormity of the situation.

The facts seem out of place when the Union Government is spending Rs 2.5 cr on tobacco control per year as per WHO’s Global Tobacco Epidemic Report-2008 released recently. The inference is much more endeavour is required from the State agencies to launch a massive anti-tobacco programme in the rural areas to make the State ‘tobacco free’. The World No Tobacco Day to be observed on Sunday could be a start.

Calamities eating into Orissa’s development

New Indian Express,Bhubaneswar,30th May 2009

Natural calamities are not just a drain on the exchequer of the State, they also are eating into the development pie of Orissa. What’s more, the spending on drought and flood mitigation is exceeding expenditure on sectoral development programmes and it could be bad news for a deficit-ridden State.

Between 1965 and 2006, the State had faced at least 17 droughts, 20 floods, eight cyclones and a super cyclone.There are half a dozen depressions taking place off Orissa coast battering its life and property every year.With climate change threatening to increase the incidence of flooding in the State - the latest World Bank report warns this - Orissa may just have to cough up more in the days to come.

Sample this: During the Tenth Plan Period, State’s spending on mitigation of drought and flood was actually more than its expenditure on development sectors.The total estimated expenditure on sectoral programmes during 2002-2007 stood at Rs 53.87 bn as against the outlay of Rs 73.79 bn whereas the spending on the mitigation of natural calamities was a whopping Rs 66.77 bn.It meant, Orissa spent 25 per cent more on fighting calamities than on development programmes.

The report acknowledges it saying natural disasters being high on frequency, Orissa has to pay a heavy price and that in a span of four years between 2002 and 2006, the cost of relief far exceeded the development expenditure.During the Tenth Plan period, spending on agriculture and allied activities was Rs 2.69 bn while the expenditure on rural development was Rs 7.96 bn.The expenditure on special area programmes was Rs 18.80 bn. The biggest spending of Rs 24.42 bn was on irrigation and flood control.In fact, the Plan outlay during the period was Rs 73.79 bn. Against it, the total allocation for calamities mitigation was Rs 105.96 bn and expenditure stood at Rs 66.77 bn.‘‘The fiscal strain is substantial since the Central reimbursements against flood reliefs are usually lower than the requests for assistance,’’ the World Bank report said.

‘Orissa still one of the poorest states’

Express News Service , 12 Feb 2009

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD-BJP Government's claim of making rapid strides in industrialisation notwithstanding, the State continued to have the dubious distinction of being one of the poorest in the country.

As per the poverty estimate of the Planning Commission, the State topped the list with high incidence of poverty. While 39.90 per cent of the population of the State was living below the poverty line in 2004-05, Bihar is placed second with 32.50 per cent BPL families.

Although, the latest estimate of the Planning Commission said that 34 per cent of the State’s population is BPL, the economic survey for 2008-09 released by the Government today has BPL figures till 2004-05. The reasons attributed to the large scale poverty in the State are recurring natural calamities, uneven economic growth leading to regional imbalance, lack of irrigation facilities and quality infrastructure.

Although the State Government has been pursuing various strategies to eradicate poverty, the results of the poverty alleviation programmes are not satisfactory, the economic survey said.

A disproportionately large proportion of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes population in western and southern Orissa are still living precariously with very low economic base.

Rural poverty in the State is the highest in the country. Though the State recorded significant growth in food grains production during the last couple of years, agriculture growth is much lower than the national average. While majority of the population depends on agriculture, lack of assured irrigation has failed the farmers.

A large number of rural communities particularly in hilly terrains of western and southern regions of the State are physically excluded for want of connectivity and other infrastructure, the survey said.

Increasing unemployment is another main reason for poverty. The growing joblessness among the educated youth is a matter of serious concern for the Government and this calls for high level of investment to create gainful employment, the survey suggested.

Poverty, unemployment still major concerns of Orissa

PNS | Bhubaneswar , Thursday, February 12, 2009

Despite all the industrial growth, poverty has been the most intractable problem of the State. The State exhibits large scale of poverty both in terms of intensity and extent of spread. 39.9 per cent of people come under Below Poverty Line. It still continues to be one of the poorest States. This was stated in the Economic Survey 2008-09 which was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday.

However, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at a constant (1990-2000) price of Orissa has increased from Rs 42,909.62 crore in 1999-2000 to Rs 73,542.26 crore in 2007-08 registering an annual compound growth rate of 6.97 per cent over the period. However, the natural calamities adversely affect the GSDP. While the GDSP was 9.35 per cent in 2006-07, it was 8.67 per cent in 2007-08. Negative or low economic growth rates during some years are due to adverse impact of natural calamities including the severe drought.

The per capita income of the State has also increased during this period from Rs 13,096 in 2006-07 to Rs 16,195 in 2007-08 at constant 1999-2000 prices. However, the gap between per capita income of Orissa and the National level widened from Rs 5,314 in 1999-2000 to Rs 6,366 in 2003-04 to Rs 8,061 in 2007-08.

Growing unemployment, particularly the phenomenon of educated unemployment, is one of the burning problems of the State. The backlog of unemployed persons has been estimated at 14.13 lakh persons in the State at the beginning of the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-08) and it has been projected that about 10.53 lakh additional labour forces are likely to join the labour market while employment for 10.73 lakh persons is likely to be generated during the 11th Plan. By this end of the financial year, the number of unemployment persons will stand at 14.07 lakh and it will gradually reduce and by the end of the 11th Plan period, the number of unemployed persons will stand at 13.93 lakh. Though infant mortality rate has reduced, the number of child labourers over the years has compounded.

Agriculture and allied sectors continue to be the mainstay of the State’s economy with contribution of about 20.09 per cent to NSDP (at 1999-200 prices) as per advance estimates for 2007-08. Paddy is the major cereal crop and accounts for 95 per cent of the total foodgrain. However, Industrial growth is taking an upsurge. 71 MoUs have been signed. The investment comes to around Rs 3,05,752 crore.

‘Global meltdown won’t hit projects’ - Vedanta Chief Anil Agarwal

PNS | Bhubaneswar , 4th January 2009

The ongoing financial recession in the global market would not affect the projects in Orissa, said Vedanta Chief Anil Agarwal on Saturday. "I am coming to Orissa to reassure Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that the global meltdown will not hamper the growth of any ongoing project," he said.Talking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat, Agarwal said the company has already earmarked Rs 50,000 crore for the projects in the State, including the aluminium smelter plant at Jharsuguda and alumina plant at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi. "I came here to invite Naveen to inaugurate the smelter plant," he said.He further said the company has so far not made any loss due to the global economic crisis. "We will not divert our resources from the Orissa projects," he said.He also said Vedanta would soon go for mining. However, he did not mention any deadline. On the Vedanta's proposed world-class university project at Puri, he said the company has so far acquired half of the land required for the purpose.

On the issue of sustained opposition to the university project, Agarwal said India is a democratic country and each person has the right to raise his voice. "However, Oisssa has to come up," he said, adding that the company would address the local problems and give the best rehabilitation package. He further announced that a modern hospital with a capacity of 1,000 beds would soon be established at Puri.

Water tourism planned in Mahanadi, Birupa.

The Pioneer,November 8, 2008

Bhubaneswar: The State Government is planning to develop water sports and water tourism in Mahanadi and Birupa rivers. A detailed plan has already been prepared to this effect and would be implemented in the end week of the current month. Mumbai based Swgatika Impex would be roped in to develop water tourism in these two rivers. "It would be developed on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode," said Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, adding that tourist places like Dhabaleswar and Sidheswar would be connected with the water tourism.

Another Defence unit in the offing in Balasore

The Pioneer, BHUBANESWAR ,November 8, 2008

Balasore district is likely to see another defence unit in the near future near Amarda (Basta) as the Army is seeking a patch of land for the purpose. A requisition for identification of 1,000 acres of land has come to the district administration from the State Government’s concerned department for setting up the Army unit.The Government’s letter said that the unit’s location should be at Amarda at the British-time airfield at Rasgobindapur, which has been lying unused since several years. The unit is supposed to have facilities of road and rail links but not to be too close to the township.

A delegate of the Army has already met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with the proposal and apprised him of the requirements, which has been approved. It is, however, not clear as to what type of Army institution is being planned. The patch of land is required at Amarda because of the existing airstrip and land of over 100 acres belonging to the DRDO.The Army desires to set up the unit here since Orissa has only a few defence establishments. The Army would develop the area as well the periphery as per requirements, it is mentioned in the letter. This unit would be another one in Balasore district, where several key defence establishments and installations, including the century-old PXE and missile testing range of DRDO are located.

The letter has been further sent to the tehsildar of Basta for compliance. “As per the need of the Army and instruction from the State Government, the letter has been forwarded to the Basta tehsildar,” said reliable sources.The British constructed the Amarda airfield of nearly 2,000 yards at Rasgobindapur around 1940 during the Second World War to meet the threat of Japanese attack from their Myanmar base.

POWER PLANT, ‘Prioritise socio-economic survey’

Express News Service , 08 Nov 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy today directed the companies who have signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the State Government to set up mega power plants in Orissa to make a socio-economic survey around the location of their projects. The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of seven mega power plant projects. ‘‘The companies should involve themselves in social activities including organising eye and health camps. The requirements of local people should be assessed and training should be imparted,’’ he said. Some of the companies maintained that the projects have been delayed because of opposition to land acquisition and water problem. Besides, several companies are yet to get coal blocks. The Chief Secretary directed the engineer-in-chief of the Water Resources Department to solve the water problems of the mega power plants. While some of the proposed plants would draw water from Mahanadi river, others will meet their demand from the Bramhani river. Besides opposition to land acquisition, delay in conversion of forest land also came as a major hurdle, they said. Tripathy directed the Collector, Angul, who attended the meeting, to solve problems relating to land acquisition faced by the companies. The Mahanadi Aban Power Company Limited will set up 1,030 MW plant at Talcher in Angul district. The land requirement for the project is 1,035 acres. The location of the plant to be set up by GMR Limited will be at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district. The land requirement of the plant is 1,100 acres which includes 78 acres forest land. The Jindal India Thermal Power Limited will set up its 1,200 MW plant at Jerang in Angul district on 1,100 acres of land. The first and second units of the plant will be completed by December, 2011 and March, 2012 respectively. The 2,000 MW plant of Tata Power Company Limited will be located at Marthapur near Naraj in Cuttack district on 990 acres. The Essar Power Limited has proposed to set up its 1,000 MW plant on 1,070 acres of land at Karang in Angul district. The plant is expected to start production in March, 2012. The CESC Limited will establish its 1,000 MW plant on 1,094 acres of land at Neulapur in Dhenkanal district. The first unit of the plant will be competed by March, 2013 while the second unit be completed in September, 2013. The KVK Nilachal Power Limited will set up its 1,200 MW plant at Kandarei near Athgarh in Cuttack district. The project will be over by March, 2011.

Ship building, oil rig project for Dhamra.

Express News Service,08 Nov 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Apeejay Surendra Group and Bharti Shipyard have evinced interest to set up a ship building factory while an oil rig is being proposed by the Oceanic Shipyard Ltd near Dhamra. Both the projects are estimated at Rs 900 crore each. The chief executives of the companies met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here today to discuss the issues of land acquisition, employment other project details. The ship building unit is proposed to start from January 2009 and its first phase will be complete in 2011. The project is expected to be over by 2013. About 7,000 persons will get direct employment in the project, while over 40,000 people will indirectly benefit. The State will get Rs 20 crore a year as revenue. The oil rig, proposed in collaboration with Oceanic Shipyard Ltd, will be of an equal cost. It will be taken up in three phases and help ancillarisation as well as downstream industries in the area.

Ravenshaw forges MoU with Chinese varsity.

Express News Service ,08 Nov 2008

CUTTACK: Step by step Ravenshaw University has begun setting new milestones in the academic course in Orissa. Even as it has been making conscious efforts towards developing as a Centre of Excellence, with distinction in culture studies, today it made a move beyond the boundaries of India to forge a relationship with China. An MoU was signed between Vice-Chancellor of Ravenshaw University Devdas Chhotray and Chief of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics Prof. Yao Chaocheng to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries through academic and cultural exchanges. This is the first time in the State for an educational institution to establish relationship with a counterpart in China. Orissa and China have strong links since ancient times. The common thread between the two regions has been Lord Buddha. Buddhism being the corner-stone of the culture, heritage, economic structure and resources, the liaison would be natural. Besides educational exchanges between the two universities, the agreement would involve furthering cultural assimilation through Buddhist studies. It has also been suggested to jointly hold an International Buddhist Academic Forum on an annual basis. The forum would be organised in Shanxi and Orissa alternately year after year. The modalities of the MoU would be finalised after Prof.Yao Chaocheng submits a detailed report on the relationship to the management of the Shanxi University of Finance and Economics. Prof Chaocheng had led a delegation from the prestigious university of China on a two-day visit to Ravenshaw University from yesterday.

Historic Coast Canal to be renovated.

The historic Coast Canal, abandoned for years, is likely to be operational soon with clearance from the Ministry of Surface Transport for renovation after discussions in Parliament. The Union Government has approved a budget outlay of Rs 1,526 crore with a recurring expenditure Rs 59 crore annually.

BJP MP Kharabela Swain following approval of this mega project, besides expressing his thanks to the Ministry has also made certain observations. Seeking speedy implementation of project he observed that encroachments should be cleared since by shrimp farming and other activities at several places the canal has been filled due to dormancy and non-dredging. “There is no sign of any canal after a long unused period. The canal land at several places have been encroached by shrimp farming and other activities,” Swain pointed to the Ministry in Parliament, demanding the land which has been encroached by the mafia in the shrimp farming sector should be recovered and State Government should take stringent action.

He further stated that the dredging would enhance drainage and urged for development of embankment, adequate numbers of small bridges over the canal to ferry cattle for farming and grazing activities and sluice gates to check saline water ingress from sea towards land. He urged for a meticulous planning before undertaking work with regards to the bridge and observed “in future whosoever wanted to cross in front of his village will raise some sort of embankment if all these are not made in a planned manner.”

“The embankment on either side could be developed as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana road,” he suggested. “The region was full of jungles when it was made which provided an alternate safe passage for trade and transport. The renovation of canal issue although it affects my constituency yet is in fact an issue of the State as well as country. It is one which has been in my priority agenda ever since I found opportunity to represent people of this constituency. I had always raised the issue in different occasions. Since the issue is has been cleared it is certainly a matter of happiness for me as well as my constituency people,” reacted Swain.He too urged the Ministry for speedy implementation of the project with a time frame.“You should fix a time frame by which the project should be implemented else it will remain in paper for eternity and won’t be implemented at all,” he appealed on the Parliament floor.
At a cost of Rs 45 lakh the canal was dug connecting Guakhali to Matei at Charbatia under food for work programme between 1880 and 1885 when region was hit by a severe famine. Although purpose was to provide relief to starving populace of the region immediately yet the water passage had opened ample of opportunities including irrigation besides communication. After opening of railway links between Howrah and Cuttack the water passage lost significance considerably.

State GDP gets 28% from Horticulture.

PNS | Bhubaneswar

The horticulture sector has got a tremendous boost in the State and it contributes around 28 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from about 13.08 percent of the area and 37 per cent of the total exports of agricultural commodities, said Governor MC Bhandare, while inaugurating the four-day-long Third Indian Horticulture Congress at the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) on Thursday, in a galaxy of eminent horticulture scientists.

Though horticulture is a sustainable and viable sector for small and marginal farmers in the State, poor harvest management often affects the farmers, he said, adding that diversification of crops through horticulture is very much necessary.

He, however, expressed his pleasure over Union Government for increasing over Rs 25 crore in the 7th Plan to over Rs 15,000 crore in the 10th plan for horticulture sector.Recollecting the havoc wrought by the recent flood, which has affected around 16 districts in the State, he said the agriculture scientists are required to develop appropriate technologies for post-flood farming so as to meet the loss of crops in flood.
The horticulture scientists should show the path to the future generation. But this is not enough.Each of them should go to villages, stay there for two years, and give practical training and guidelines to the farmers about the modern technologies and scientific methods of horticulture, which can be adopted for a better output, viewed Madhya Pradesh Governor Balaram Jakhar in his presidential address.

Number of Cancer patients in Orissa is increasing.

The burden of cancer has spiralled with new cancer incidence in Orissa being about 100 per 100,000 population.
There are about 30,000 new cancer cases every year and about 1,20,000 cancer patients in Orissa at any point of time in various stages of their disease.
Patients usually report at advanced stage, thus making cure impossible. Early detection is key to cancer control and people have to be made aware of this.

Natural calamities: Orissa lost Rs 20,000 cr in 16 yrs

PNS | Bhubaneswar

The country's poorest State, Orissa, is getting poorer, owing to the natural calamities striking it's zone almost every year. The State's geographical location and geo-climatic conditions make it one of the most vulnerable zones for frequent natural disasters, pointed Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Nikunja Kishore Sundaray.

He said more than 80 per cent of the geographical area and 90 per cent of the people are vulnerable to one or more types of disasters. Over 60 per cent people living below the poverty line (BPL) face the brunt of calamities and their economic conditions have been deteriorating rapidly.

During the last 16 years, the State has suffered a staggering financial loss of Rs 20,000 crore. Since 1995-96 to 2007-08, the loss was Rs 17,385 crore, Sundaray said.

Due to the Super Cyclone of 1999, the State became poorer by Rs 6,243 crore, he revealed. This year's devastating floods have cost the State Rs 2,500 crore, according to a preliminary survey. And after the final assessment, the loss would rise further, said an analyst of flood damage.

Cyclonic disturbances are also relatively high on the Orissa coast in comparison to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that this coast is twice more vulnerable compared to other eastern States. Orissa is one of the States worst affected by flood, he said, adding that Orissa's 3.34 million hectares of land is flood-prone.

Apart from storms and severe cyclones, the Orissa coast is also prone to tsunami, while the reservoirs of the Hirakud and Rengali dams are in the Earthquake Zone-III.

In this backdrop, the SRC has raised the issue of reviewing the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) kitty and lowering the ratio of the State's share of 25 per cent to the CRF. It may be mentioned that the State Government is now preparing to present a memorandum to the Thirteenth Finance Commission

Malnutrition prevention centres to be opened

The Hindu.

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to raise awareness level in public about health of mothers and children, the State government has decided to organise Health and Nutrition Day at every anganwadi centre of the State once a month.At a high level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Anu Garg, it was resolved that the health and nutrition day will be observed either on every Tuesday or Friday.Anganwadi workers, Asha karmies, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and general people would have to remain present on those days for the success of this initiative, a Health Department statement said here on Monday.

According to sources, the programme would be launched at an anganwadi centre in Koraput district on November 14, which is observed as Children’s Day.Similarly, three child malnutrition prevention and rehabilitation centres would come up in Koraput, Kalahandi and Mayurbhanj district. A budgetary allocation of Rs. 8 lakh has been made for each centre.

'Kandhamal violence due to SC-ST rift'.

PTI

NEW DELHI: Seeking to deflect attention from Bajrang Dal which has been accused for attacks on Christians, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest" between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.Speaking at the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here, he sought to project a rosy picture of Orissa in terms of communal harmony even while acknowledging the "disturbances in some pockets" of the state from "time to time", for which he blamed "ethnic strains, particularly among ST and SC communities".

Referring to two incidents of communal violence in Kandhamal, he said there were clashes between members of SC and ST communities in the past "on account of conflict of interest in the matter of land rights, employment opportunities and religion"."The recent incidents of violence in Kandhamal are a manifestation of such discord," he said about the district where STs constitute 53 per cent of the population and SCs constitute 22 per cent.This comment assumes significance as the violence against Christians and churches has been blamed on Bajrang Dal, prompting demands for banning the Sangh Parivar outfit.

Patnaik insisted that the situation in Kandhamal has been brought under control and a "gamut" of measures initiated to facilitate "harmonious and speedier" socio-economic development of different communities living in the district.He said a Special Administrator of the rank of a Commissioner has been appointed in the district to oversee the development of the area. The administrator has been given powers to settle long-standing issues over land rights.

Finally Orissa Govt starts looking into false certificate cases in Kandhamal

Bijoy Pradhan IENS
BHUBANESWAR: After decades of neglect, the State Government in an initiative similar to the ‘wiser after the event syndrome’ has started looking into the false caste certificate issue in Kandhamal district.
It took more than a decade for the Government to prepare a resolution as per the Supreme Court ruling on issues of caste certificate in Madhuri Patil verses Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development, Thane, case. The apex court ruling was pronounced on April 28, 1997.
The Supreme Court has laid down a detailed procedure for identification of false caste certificates with the ruling that such cases should be handled by a police officer of the rank of inspector of police.
Notwithstanding the claim of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal after the December 2007 attack on Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati that tehsildars of Kandhamal district are on the job of verifying cases relating to false caste certificates, the Government resolution as per the apex court ruling only issued to the district collectors on June 28, official sources said.
The Government deputed 10 inspectors of police to investigate the false caste certificate complaints only recently following request from the Kandhamal district administration.
The district administration has also provided two-day training to the 10 cops. While officers of ST and SC Development Department and anthropologists from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, provided basic knowledge on how to distinguish non-tribals from tribals, senior district officers guided them on administrative issues involved in dealing with false caste certificate cases, Kandhamal District Collector Krishen Kumar told this paper.

The police inspectors will be deputed in those blocks having maximum such complaints, Kumar said adding, the district administration has received about 540 registered complaints so far.Apprehending slow progress on the investigation front in the current month, Kumar exuded confidence that the process will speed up from November. Efforts will be made to complete the investigation as quickly as possible as a series of procedures need to be followed, he added.The specially deputed police officers have a final round of discussion today with senior district officials at the Phulbani collectorate. Special administrator, Kandhamal, Madhusudan Padhi was present.

Most of the complainants alleged that ‘Panas’ and Christian ‘Panas’ have entered into Government services by producing false caste (ST) certificates. Although ‘Panas’ ceased to enjoy the status of Scheduled Caste after conversion to Christianity, Christian ‘Panas’ are still getting both the benefits.a

Ravenshaw signs MoU to start unique facility.

Express News Service

CUTTACK: Continuing to tread the uncharted path to redefine the academic milieu in the State, Ravenshaw University on Saturday announced plans for setting up a unique facility in contemporary music.

The initiative envisages establishment of not only one of the richest repository of contemporary music in the country but also offer educational programmes in niche areas relating to it. And, what better way of starting it than by naming it as Akshaya Mohanty Centre for Contemporary Music, after the legendary singer of Orissa.
The project, in fact, would come up in association with the Akshay Mohanty Foundation (AMF) and entails an investment of Rs 1 crore. Both Ravenshaw University and the foundation would be pooling Rs 50 lakh each.
A provisional MoU was signed between the university and foundation here today. As per the agreement, the foundation would prepare a detailed project report on the basis of which work would commence. The music library would be up and running within a year, Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray said.

The library would not only store and archive Oriya contemporary music but also other Indian languages like Hindi along with English, Japanese, African, French, Latin, Deutsch etc. ‘‘It would have listening boxes where students can listen to the music without disturbing each other. We also have proposals to enable community access to one of its kind facility in Orissa,’’ the Vice-Chancellor informed.

The centre also plans to start Department of Sound and Department of Presentation to offer courses in the areas that are now considered integral parts of music and performance. The Department of Sound would train students in the best studio management and recording practices using the latest technology, while the Department of Presentation would arm the musical performers from singers to musicians to instrumentalists with a riveting stage presence.

‘‘Today stage presence like proper posture and positioning along with placement of instruments and accessories is deemed a prerequisite at the international-level. The course which would be run by expert faculty drawn from across the country aims at preparing our artistes for the international audience. Further, both the departments would be used by students for in-house productions for Ravenshaw Radio and other performances,’’ he added.

Naveen picks holes in Centre’s claim.

PNS | New Delhi

The Chief Ministers of Orissa and Karnataka, the two States where violence prompted the Central Government to call the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting, have shot back at their critics for trying to 'frame' the State Governments "without any reason'.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the recent incidents of violence were a manifestation of the "conflict of interest' between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Patnaik explained that the long history of ill-feeling and suspicion between the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) on a variety of issues such as forcible occupation of land of the tribals and jobs secured on the basis of false caste certificates are the main reasons for the ongoing violence in Kandhamal district.
Kandhas and Panas are the original inhabitants of the Kandhamal. While majority of the Kandhas are Hindus, most of the Panas are converted to Christianity. The problem cropped up after Panas started demanding rights as enjoyed by the Kandha tribe. Kandhas alleged that Panas have grabbed their land.

At the meeting, Patnaik also mentioned that a Special Administrator had been appointed to address the long standing problems of the people of Kandhamal as well as to oversee implementation of a special package for the district."Kandhamal has practically not had any violent incident for the last 10 days due to the presence of police forces," he said, adding that the entire nation must fight hatred, fanaticism and recrimination.

"Orissa has an excellent track record of peace and harmony and is remarkably free of considerations of casteism and communalism," he said, adding that in its more than eight years of incumbency, his Government had not had any violence in the entire State except for the two unfortunate incidents in one of the State's 30 districts namely, Kandhamal in December, 2007 and in August, 2008.Condemning the violence, he said more than 1,000 persons have been arrested out of which more than 500 were from the district of Kandhamal alone. "The Crime branch is investigating these incidents. It has made significant progress and arrested three persons involved in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati," he said.

Describing the rape of a nun as a "shameful and barbaric incident", he stated that eight persons have been arrested in connection with this case and prompt action has been taken against police officials who have neglected their duty. "A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the incidents," he said.Mentioning that the incidents in Kandhamal were happening in the backdrop of the worst floods in the post-Independence history of Orissa, Patnaik urged the Government of India for Central assistance for more than four million people who have been affected by the floods.

Responding to the discussion on extremism, he mentioned that over 15,000 posts have been created in the Orissa police during the last three years which was an increase of 30 per cent.He requested the Government of India to accept the long standing demand of the State Government for deployment of four more battalions of CRPF for at least two years in order to assist the State Governments efforts to fight extremism.

State earmarks over Rs 600 cr to protect seashore villages from cyclone threat

PNS | Bhubaneswar

The State Government has decided to include all villages within five km radius of the seashore under the disaster mitigation plan. Special plan would be chalked out to protect the villages from the possible onslaught of the cyclone. Rs 609.40 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.It would be implemented under the aegis of the National Cyclone Disaster Mitigation Project (NCDMP) plan. The villages near the Chilka lake will also be included in the programme.
A total of 311 villages of Puri district, 194 villages of Kendrapara, 76 villages in Jagatsingpur, 217 villages in Balasore and 18 villages in Ganjam district would be included in the plan.While the Centre would bear nearly 75 per cent of the total expenses, the rest would be borne by the State Government.

Rs 190 crore will be spent on the repair of the saline embankment which has been created by the rising sea tide, Rs 130 crore to be spent on building cyclone centres, Rs 195 crore for connecting roads to the village having less than 500 population, Rs 23.03 crore to be spent of protection of mangrove forest, Rs 17.68 crore on creating awareness on super cyclone and Rs 53.69 crore to be spent on implementation of the project.Water proof high frequency mobile would be given to fishermen.In each village, one VHF would be installed. All the VHF would be run by battery. Special cyclone centres would be built for the fishermen. Fishermen would be provided 10,000 boats and life-jackets.

In this connection, OSDMA sent a proposal of Rs 400.67 crore to the NDMA which was later approved by it. A World Bank team has already visited the cyclone prone areas.Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy on Monday held a high-level meeting to chalk out plan to meet any possible cyclone in the coming days.Indian Metrological Department (IMD) presented a documentation on how can people be saved during super cyclone and how can it be predicted.Orissa generally witnesses cyclone from March to May and October to first week of December.