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Low literacy: Girls’ high schools for each block
Friday November 30 2007 09:33 IST EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
BHUBANESWAR: Considering the low literacy rate among tribal women, the State Government has decided to open one residential girl’s High School in each block of the scheduled areas.
The State has 54 blocks in scheduled areas and an equal number of residential girl’s high schools will be opened within a period of three years. In the first phase, 22 residential schools will be opened in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Gajapati in 2008-09.Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy reviewed the progress made for implementation of the programme at a meeting here on Thursday.
The remaining 32 such residential high schools will be opened in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Kandhamal in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. Of the 22 residential high schools to be opened in the first phase, the Government has accorded approval for 20 schools and this has been communicated to collectors of the five district. The meeting was informed that steps are being taken for infrastructure development.
For the remaining two schools, the Government is yet to receive clear-cut proposal from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department.
The Government has also approved the proposals of Sundargarh, Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj districts to be implemented in the second and third phases.
The Chief Secretary was also informed that the ST and SC Development Department has already made 1003 girl’s hostels operational by October and nearly one lakh girl students have been enrolled in these hostels.
Construction of 833 hostel buildings have been completed while the remaining buildings are at different stages of construction.
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BHUBANESWAR: Considering the low literacy rate among tribal women, the State Government has decided to open one residential girl’s High School in each block of the scheduled areas.
The State has 54 blocks in scheduled areas and an equal number of residential girl’s high schools will be opened within a period of three years. In the first phase, 22 residential schools will be opened in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Gajapati in 2008-09.Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy reviewed the progress made for implementation of the programme at a meeting here on Thursday.
The remaining 32 such residential high schools will be opened in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Kandhamal in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. Of the 22 residential high schools to be opened in the first phase, the Government has accorded approval for 20 schools and this has been communicated to collectors of the five district. The meeting was informed that steps are being taken for infrastructure development.
For the remaining two schools, the Government is yet to receive clear-cut proposal from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department.
The Government has also approved the proposals of Sundargarh, Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj districts to be implemented in the second and third phases.
The Chief Secretary was also informed that the ST and SC Development Department has already made 1003 girl’s hostels operational by October and nearly one lakh girl students have been enrolled in these hostels.
Construction of 833 hostel buildings have been completed while the remaining buildings are at different stages of construction.
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Tribals stage rally against Kui community
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Nov. 28: Thousands of tribals staged a rally demanding stern action against an outfit named Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Samaj and a CBI probe to the financial assistance availed by the said organisation.The demonstration here was organised by the Kendriya Kui Samaj Seva Samiti, and led by Mr. Janmenjay Mallick, president of the Samiti. Ms Sakuntala Mallick, chairperson, Kandhamal Zilla Parishad and several other prominent leaders were seen in the procession.
They submitted a five-point charter of demand to the district collector Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra. The demands include immediate cancellation of registration of the Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Samaj and action against the political leaders involved in the organisation.It may be noted here that, some tribal organisations have been holding meetings in the district, alleging that, there is a move to provide benefits and facilities of the ST to the Kui speaking community.
The Samaj had taken the lead in voicing such a demand and had also moved the High Court in this regard.Since then tribals of the district are up in arms against the Samaj and leaders who are supporting ST status to Kui speaking people. Apprehensions of a ethnic clash loomed in the district and the administration had issued an appeal to both sections to maintain peace and harmony.
The administration had also assured agitated tribals that there was no move to alter or amend the ST list.Now the tribals are out on the streets demanding action against the Samaj. They have, in the recent past, alleged that local BJD minister Padmanab Behera and Congress MP R K Nayak were behind the move to grant ST facilities to kui speaking people of the district.
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PHULBANI, Nov. 28: Thousands of tribals staged a rally demanding stern action against an outfit named Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Samaj and a CBI probe to the financial assistance availed by the said organisation.The demonstration here was organised by the Kendriya Kui Samaj Seva Samiti, and led by Mr. Janmenjay Mallick, president of the Samiti. Ms Sakuntala Mallick, chairperson, Kandhamal Zilla Parishad and several other prominent leaders were seen in the procession.
They submitted a five-point charter of demand to the district collector Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra. The demands include immediate cancellation of registration of the Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Samaj and action against the political leaders involved in the organisation.It may be noted here that, some tribal organisations have been holding meetings in the district, alleging that, there is a move to provide benefits and facilities of the ST to the Kui speaking community.
The Samaj had taken the lead in voicing such a demand and had also moved the High Court in this regard.Since then tribals of the district are up in arms against the Samaj and leaders who are supporting ST status to Kui speaking people. Apprehensions of a ethnic clash loomed in the district and the administration had issued an appeal to both sections to maintain peace and harmony.
The administration had also assured agitated tribals that there was no move to alter or amend the ST list.Now the tribals are out on the streets demanding action against the Samaj. They have, in the recent past, alleged that local BJD minister Padmanab Behera and Congress MP R K Nayak were behind the move to grant ST facilities to kui speaking people of the district.
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Focus on corporate role in value addition
Monday November 26 2007 09:39
IST EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
BHUBANESWAR: Agriculture experts have sought greater corporate participation for value addition to major spices varieties and aromatic items for benefit of both the farmers as well as consumers.
‘‘Orissa may be home to a number of varieties of both these crops but is unable to capitalise on them properly due to lack of value addition and market linkages.
The shortcomings can be addressed through the PPP mode, involving more companies in the process,’’ said OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof. D P Ray. Such an initiative will not only reduce the bother of storing perishable items but give farmers good returns.
He singled out Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing in Phulbani for popularising organic turmeric by marketing it as ‘Kandhamal turmeric.’
Addressing a national symposium on spices and aromatic crops, organised by Indian Society for Spices, Calicut, and the varsity here on Sunday, he emphasised post-harvest management and seed multiplication of the crops.
Besides, he advocated organic farming of both the crops in low chemical fertilizer consuming tribal districts of the State. Orissa, one of the major spices producing States in India, ranks next to Andhra Pradesh only in turmeric production.
Besides, ginger, coriander, fennel and black pepper, the climate also supports cultivation of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, ajwain in Koraput and Kandhamal districts.
At present, the State produces 2.17 lakh tonne of spices from about 2.37 lakh hectare of land. India, which earned Rs 3,576 crore by exporting 3.74 lakh tonne of spices during the last fiscal, plans to raise the earnings substantially in the coming years.
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology has already released spices varieties like Roma, Surama, Ranga and Rashmi in turmeric, Amba in Mango Ginger, Suprava, Suruchi and Surabhi in Ginger etc.
Inaugurating the seminar, Governor M C Bhandare said, scientists should focus on development of varieties with high yield potential and quality to meet growing demands.
The market for organic spices has seen tremendous growth over the years as more and more people are becoming conscious of their health. Lauding the achievements of the High Altitude
Research Station on Spices at Pattangi in Koraput district for developing several varieties of the crop, he expressed his desire to visit the place soon.
Deputy director-general (horticulture) of Indian Council of Agriculture Research Dr H P Singh stressed bringing down cost of production in cultivation of spices without compromising on quality.
President of the Indian Society of Spices Dr V A Parthasarathy, dean of research, OUAT, Dr Dibakar Naik and others spoke.
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IST EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
BHUBANESWAR: Agriculture experts have sought greater corporate participation for value addition to major spices varieties and aromatic items for benefit of both the farmers as well as consumers.
‘‘Orissa may be home to a number of varieties of both these crops but is unable to capitalise on them properly due to lack of value addition and market linkages.
The shortcomings can be addressed through the PPP mode, involving more companies in the process,’’ said OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof. D P Ray. Such an initiative will not only reduce the bother of storing perishable items but give farmers good returns.
He singled out Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing in Phulbani for popularising organic turmeric by marketing it as ‘Kandhamal turmeric.’
Addressing a national symposium on spices and aromatic crops, organised by Indian Society for Spices, Calicut, and the varsity here on Sunday, he emphasised post-harvest management and seed multiplication of the crops.
Besides, he advocated organic farming of both the crops in low chemical fertilizer consuming tribal districts of the State. Orissa, one of the major spices producing States in India, ranks next to Andhra Pradesh only in turmeric production.
Besides, ginger, coriander, fennel and black pepper, the climate also supports cultivation of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, ajwain in Koraput and Kandhamal districts.
At present, the State produces 2.17 lakh tonne of spices from about 2.37 lakh hectare of land. India, which earned Rs 3,576 crore by exporting 3.74 lakh tonne of spices during the last fiscal, plans to raise the earnings substantially in the coming years.
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology has already released spices varieties like Roma, Surama, Ranga and Rashmi in turmeric, Amba in Mango Ginger, Suprava, Suruchi and Surabhi in Ginger etc.
Inaugurating the seminar, Governor M C Bhandare said, scientists should focus on development of varieties with high yield potential and quality to meet growing demands.
The market for organic spices has seen tremendous growth over the years as more and more people are becoming conscious of their health. Lauding the achievements of the High Altitude
Research Station on Spices at Pattangi in Koraput district for developing several varieties of the crop, he expressed his desire to visit the place soon.
Deputy director-general (horticulture) of Indian Council of Agriculture Research Dr H P Singh stressed bringing down cost of production in cultivation of spices without compromising on quality.
President of the Indian Society of Spices Dr V A Parthasarathy, dean of research, OUAT, Dr Dibakar Naik and others spoke.
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Naxals’ double-edged sword: Opium & robbery
Sunday November 25 2007 09:01 IST RATAN K PANI
SAMBALPUR: Over the years, cultivation of hemp or ganja or its like in the interior areas never visited by any official has become a major source of money for the Left wing ultras.
The Maoists are repeating the time-tested method already used by their cadre in neighbouring Jharkhand to fund the banned group’s activities.
The police have also linked the illicit trade to the spate of bank robberies. The robberised, they feel, could have a Naxal link with the cash being channelled to them either in the form of protection money or extortion from bigger groups who operate from their ‘liberated zones’. Police personnel, Excise and Revenue officials had to trudge 12 km of inhospitable terrain to Kudanali and a neighbouring village in Naktideul block on Monday last before they could lay their hands on the hemp cultivation spread over 20 acres of land. Police destroyed the hemp valued at Rs 16 cr.
Similar detection in Kandhamal in November last year was claimed to be the biggest haul in the country worth a whopping Rs 116 cr.
And more recently on Thursday, 6,000 hemp plants valued at Rs 2.5 cr were destroyed in the forests of Khajuripada and Sunajhari of Boudh district which of late has become the meeting ground of the Naxals for their onward journey down south for the formation of ‘Red Corridor’.
Maintaining that he has received similar reports of hemp cultivation from farflung areas of Malkangiri district, SP Satish Gajbhaiye said the police would come down heavily on the illicit trade. Even Sambalpur SP Sanjay Kumar had expressed apprehension that money from hemp cultivation is being channelled to the ultras. There has also been a report of the Naxals being involved in bank robbery in Sundargarh.
While involvement of Left wing ultras in such cases in Orissa is yet to be established, going by available data, bank robbery has been reported from Rourkela, Barbil and Baripada which are located close to Maoist-infested areas on Jharkhand border.
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SAMBALPUR: Over the years, cultivation of hemp or ganja or its like in the interior areas never visited by any official has become a major source of money for the Left wing ultras.
The Maoists are repeating the time-tested method already used by their cadre in neighbouring Jharkhand to fund the banned group’s activities.
The police have also linked the illicit trade to the spate of bank robberies. The robberised, they feel, could have a Naxal link with the cash being channelled to them either in the form of protection money or extortion from bigger groups who operate from their ‘liberated zones’. Police personnel, Excise and Revenue officials had to trudge 12 km of inhospitable terrain to Kudanali and a neighbouring village in Naktideul block on Monday last before they could lay their hands on the hemp cultivation spread over 20 acres of land. Police destroyed the hemp valued at Rs 16 cr.
Similar detection in Kandhamal in November last year was claimed to be the biggest haul in the country worth a whopping Rs 116 cr.
And more recently on Thursday, 6,000 hemp plants valued at Rs 2.5 cr were destroyed in the forests of Khajuripada and Sunajhari of Boudh district which of late has become the meeting ground of the Naxals for their onward journey down south for the formation of ‘Red Corridor’.
Maintaining that he has received similar reports of hemp cultivation from farflung areas of Malkangiri district, SP Satish Gajbhaiye said the police would come down heavily on the illicit trade. Even Sambalpur SP Sanjay Kumar had expressed apprehension that money from hemp cultivation is being channelled to the ultras. There has also been a report of the Naxals being involved in bank robbery in Sundargarh.
While involvement of Left wing ultras in such cases in Orissa is yet to be established, going by available data, bank robbery has been reported from Rourkela, Barbil and Baripada which are located close to Maoist-infested areas on Jharkhand border.
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Hunger strike over GIA: 2 college teachers hospitalised
Tuesday November 20 2007 10:50 IST Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: With the hunger strike of the 630 un-aided college teachers and employees entering the third day over the demand of extension of grant-in-aid (GIA) to them, the condition of two deteriorated on Monday.
Darasingh Digal of Anchalika Mahavidyalaya in Kandhamal district and Sanjay Kumar Pradhan of Jagannath Mahavidyalaya in Balasore were admitted to the hospital.
The staff lamented that even though the State Government had duly sanctioned recognition, permission and affiliation to these 630 un-aided colleges since 1990, it has not extended any grant to these institutions.
As a result, the teachers and staff of these colleges had been maintaining their livelihood in extremely miserable conditions for the last over 17 years with only around Rs 300 to Rs 500 salary a month.
The subcommittee on education had recently recommended for according 370 un-aided colleges but the rest would be left out permanently, they stated.
Meanwhile, expressing disappointment over the move to regularise their services through block grant, teachers of 255 degree aided colleges who were appointed in 1992 have decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike here from Tuesday.
After sustained agitation, the Cabinet Sub- Committee empowered to deal with issues of Higher Education recently recommended for regularisation of the teachers’ services through block grant.
The recommendation has been rejected by the teachers as under block grant the normal service conditions applicable to them under Validation Act, 1998, would be restricted, president of the GIA Deprived Teachers Association Pradipta Sahu complained.
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Hemp plants seized in raids
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Nov. 15: The Phulbani excise department and the police under the direct supervision of Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, collector, Kandhmal, have seized 41,810 hemp plants worth Rs 4 crore. These plants were illegally cultivated in reserved forests.
The operation was completed after two separate raids were carried out near Kakenderi and Pakdei villages under the Khajuripada block last week, according to official sources. On a tip off, a joint squad of the excise department and the police yesterday raided the dense forest near Kakenderi village and destroyed 22,000 hemp plants worth Rs 2 crore. In this operation, 45 people, including 27 excise department officials led by Mr Laxmidhar Behera, superintendent, excise department were engaged.
In another incident, the squad also raided and seized 19,810 hemp plants on 6 November in the reserved forest near Pakdei village. The plants were destroyed them by setting them on fire. The approximate cost of the seized property is about Rs 2 crore in the open market. Surprisingly, no one was arrested in this connection so far.
The tribals of these areas have openly adopted hemp cultivation in the dense forests, through podu cultivation is being done in an organised way, allegedly in connivance with the police and the excise officials under the patronage of local politicians.
Last year, in a joint week-long operation by the excise department and the police, hemp cultivation over an area of 100 acres in Phiringia block was destroyed. Fourteen people were arrested in this connection, but they were acquitted by the court. The worth of the seized plants was estimated to be over Rs 15 crore. n sns
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PHULBANI, Nov. 15: The Phulbani excise department and the police under the direct supervision of Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, collector, Kandhmal, have seized 41,810 hemp plants worth Rs 4 crore. These plants were illegally cultivated in reserved forests.
The operation was completed after two separate raids were carried out near Kakenderi and Pakdei villages under the Khajuripada block last week, according to official sources. On a tip off, a joint squad of the excise department and the police yesterday raided the dense forest near Kakenderi village and destroyed 22,000 hemp plants worth Rs 2 crore. In this operation, 45 people, including 27 excise department officials led by Mr Laxmidhar Behera, superintendent, excise department were engaged.
In another incident, the squad also raided and seized 19,810 hemp plants on 6 November in the reserved forest near Pakdei village. The plants were destroyed them by setting them on fire. The approximate cost of the seized property is about Rs 2 crore in the open market. Surprisingly, no one was arrested in this connection so far.
The tribals of these areas have openly adopted hemp cultivation in the dense forests, through podu cultivation is being done in an organised way, allegedly in connivance with the police and the excise officials under the patronage of local politicians.
Last year, in a joint week-long operation by the excise department and the police, hemp cultivation over an area of 100 acres in Phiringia block was destroyed. Fourteen people were arrested in this connection, but they were acquitted by the court. The worth of the seized plants was estimated to be over Rs 15 crore. n sns
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Minister’s nod for district development
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Nov 12:
Ms. Pramila Mallick, minister of Women and Child Development and chairperson of Kandhmal District Planning Com-mittee today cautioned the District authorities to be more sincere and duty bound while implementing projects under the Backward Region Grant Fund. Presiding over the Planning Committee meeting at the DRDA, she stressed the need of development in the field of agriculture and horticulture, and instructed to acquire comparatively more fund in these fields under BRGF assistance.
The Planning Commit-tee meeting has also approved a budget of rupees 25 crore, and 72 lakh for the year 2006-07 and 2007-08. The committee also decided to construct a Mini stadium at Daringbadi, a community toilet at Raikia bus stand and an Anganwadi building at villages with a population within 3300 to 8000.
Earlier, the minister also visited the local District Disability Rehabilitation Centre run by the Women and Child Development Department and reviewing its activities expressed her deep satisfaction over its activities, sources said.
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PNB begins core banking across State
Saturday November 10 2007 10:54 IST ENS
BHUBANESWAR: Punjab National Bank has achieved total core banking solution (CBS) operations in Orissa with implementation of the facility at the branch office at Saralapadar in Gajapati district.
The achievement comes in the wake of its ongoing expansion exercise by adding six new branches to its existing 56 branches and one extension counter in the State. The new branches would be at Balangir, Rayagada, Bhawanipatna, Berhampur, Phulbani and Daringbadi. The ATM network would be raised to 23 with opening of five more at Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bhubaneswar, Baripada and Barbil by November-end. By December-end, 30 more ATMs would be added to the list, according to Zonal Manager BP Sharma.
Emphasising greater focus on the backward and interior regions of the State, Sharma outlined that PNB was set to start financial inclusion initiatives in the tribal-dominate Mayurbhanj district on a pilot basis.
It is also taking initiative to open two specialised Agriculture Finance branches in the State while it has received inprinciple approval from RBI to open Currency Chest/small coin depot at Jharsuguda to exclusively meet the cash requirement of Western Orissa.
The chest would be operational in the first half of next year.
The bank has been posting a significant business growth in the State. Business has risen by 48 percent to Rs 1,835 crore as on September 30 this year from November 24 last year. The CD ratio which was 54.27 percent has improved to 58.37 percent.
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State seeks Rs 1,000 cr in Railway Budget
Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar
House Commitee to visit Delhi
The House Committee of the State Legislative Assembly would soon submit a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Railways demanding Rs 1,000 crore in the Railway Budget for 2008-09. In this connection, a delegation lead by Assembly Speaker Maheswar Mohanty would visit New Delhi on a possible date between November 10 to 17.
During their visit they would meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and submit the memorandum. The House Committee in its meeting on Monday approved the final draft of the memorandum. It may be noted that during 2006-07, the State demanded Rs 785 crore.
In its memorandum, the committee also recommends increase in allotment for ongoing projects, sanction of new railway lines, survey, and introduction of new trains, completion of sanctioned projects, electrification and doubling of lines.
For the expansion of Haridaspur-Paradeep (82 km) line, the committee demands Rs 150 crore to ensure expeditious completion of works. The Ministry of Railways has also been requested to allot Rs 100 crore for the Lanjigarh Road-Junagarha (56 km) line and ensure commissioning of the section between Lanjigarh to Bhawanipatna by December, 2008.
The Committee in its memorandum also demanded an allotment of Rs 100 crore for the Khurda Road-Bolangir (289 km) line and also of commissioning the section from 0-36 km.
On the Angul-Duburi-Sukinda road (90 km) project, the land acquisition process is yet to commence. The Ministry of Railways has been requested to allot Rs 50 crore for the project, the Committee said in its memorandum.
For the Talcher-Bimalagarh (154 km), the Committee demanded an allotment of Rs 50 crore for 2008-09. On the Daitari- Banspani Rail Link Project (155 km), the committee in its memorandum says the BG (Broad Gauge) rail link was commissioned in February,2007. However, residual works will have to be completed. The Ministry of Railways has been requested to allocate Rs 50 crore for this project. It also urged the Railway Ministry to take up gauge conversion works for Rupsa-Bangiriposi and Nuapada-Gunpur railway link.
In its memorandum, the committee also urged the Rail Ministry to start new lines connecting Jeypor-Malknagiri, Bargarha-Nuapda via Padamapur, conversion and extension of Nuapada-Gunupur BG raillink to Theruvali, Jaleswar-Digha, Puri-Konark, Talcher-Gopalpur, Rupsa-Bangiriposi to Gorumahisani, Badampahar to Keonjhar, Berhampur to Phulbani.
The Committee in its memorandum also urged the Ministry to take up survey works in Gopalpur-Rayagada, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road-Jajpur, Sambalpur-Berhampur, Bolangir-Nawapara, Bansapani to Bimalgarh, Lanjhigarha to Boudha via Charichhaka.
It also urged the Railway Ministry to take steps for doubling of the Sambalpur-Talcher BG Rail link, Daitari-Bansapani. The Ministry has also been requested to sanction electrification for Daitari-Banspani BG rail link, Haridaspur-Paradeep BG Rail link, Talcher- Sambalpur BG rail link and Sambalpur, Jharsuguda BG rail link.
It also demanded introduction of Super fast express from Sambalpur to Allahabad, Superfast from Puri to Kanyakumari, Express train from Titlagarh to Puri ( Via Sambalpur), Inter City Express between Koraput and Rourkela via Rayagada, Express train from Vishakhapatnam to Howrah via Titlagarh, Raipur and Bilaspur, Express train between Baripada and Visakhapatnam, Express between Gandhidham ( Kutch) to Puri, Express train from Puri to Allahabad, Express train from Baripada to Howrah, Intercity between Jharsuguda and Bhuabenswar. It also demanded a new express train between Howrah and Bhubaneswar, Superfast Express between Rourkela to New Delhi ( Daily), Intercity Express between Sambalpur and Rourkela, direct train between Bhubaneswar-Ambala-Chandigarh, Intercity /Shatabdi Express between Paradeep and Puri.
It also demanded an increase in frequency of Rajdhani train and make it daily. Similarly, frequency of Bhubaneswar- Kurla Express may be increased to three days in a week. The train is popular for passengers traveling from Western Orissa. "Frequency of Vishakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Express train may be increased to daily from 3 days in a week," the committee mentions in its report.
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House Commitee to visit Delhi
The House Committee of the State Legislative Assembly would soon submit a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Railways demanding Rs 1,000 crore in the Railway Budget for 2008-09. In this connection, a delegation lead by Assembly Speaker Maheswar Mohanty would visit New Delhi on a possible date between November 10 to 17.
During their visit they would meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and submit the memorandum. The House Committee in its meeting on Monday approved the final draft of the memorandum. It may be noted that during 2006-07, the State demanded Rs 785 crore.
In its memorandum, the committee also recommends increase in allotment for ongoing projects, sanction of new railway lines, survey, and introduction of new trains, completion of sanctioned projects, electrification and doubling of lines.
For the expansion of Haridaspur-Paradeep (82 km) line, the committee demands Rs 150 crore to ensure expeditious completion of works. The Ministry of Railways has also been requested to allot Rs 100 crore for the Lanjigarh Road-Junagarha (56 km) line and ensure commissioning of the section between Lanjigarh to Bhawanipatna by December, 2008.
The Committee in its memorandum also demanded an allotment of Rs 100 crore for the Khurda Road-Bolangir (289 km) line and also of commissioning the section from 0-36 km.
On the Angul-Duburi-Sukinda road (90 km) project, the land acquisition process is yet to commence. The Ministry of Railways has been requested to allot Rs 50 crore for the project, the Committee said in its memorandum.
For the Talcher-Bimalagarh (154 km), the Committee demanded an allotment of Rs 50 crore for 2008-09. On the Daitari- Banspani Rail Link Project (155 km), the committee in its memorandum says the BG (Broad Gauge) rail link was commissioned in February,2007. However, residual works will have to be completed. The Ministry of Railways has been requested to allocate Rs 50 crore for this project. It also urged the Railway Ministry to take up gauge conversion works for Rupsa-Bangiriposi and Nuapada-Gunpur railway link.
In its memorandum, the committee also urged the Rail Ministry to start new lines connecting Jeypor-Malknagiri, Bargarha-Nuapda via Padamapur, conversion and extension of Nuapada-Gunupur BG raillink to Theruvali, Jaleswar-Digha, Puri-Konark, Talcher-Gopalpur, Rupsa-Bangiriposi to Gorumahisani, Badampahar to Keonjhar, Berhampur to Phulbani.
The Committee in its memorandum also urged the Ministry to take up survey works in Gopalpur-Rayagada, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road-Jajpur, Sambalpur-Berhampur, Bolangir-Nawapara, Bansapani to Bimalgarh, Lanjhigarha to Boudha via Charichhaka.
It also urged the Railway Ministry to take steps for doubling of the Sambalpur-Talcher BG Rail link, Daitari-Bansapani. The Ministry has also been requested to sanction electrification for Daitari-Banspani BG rail link, Haridaspur-Paradeep BG Rail link, Talcher- Sambalpur BG rail link and Sambalpur, Jharsuguda BG rail link.
It also demanded introduction of Super fast express from Sambalpur to Allahabad, Superfast from Puri to Kanyakumari, Express train from Titlagarh to Puri ( Via Sambalpur), Inter City Express between Koraput and Rourkela via Rayagada, Express train from Vishakhapatnam to Howrah via Titlagarh, Raipur and Bilaspur, Express train between Baripada and Visakhapatnam, Express between Gandhidham ( Kutch) to Puri, Express train from Puri to Allahabad, Express train from Baripada to Howrah, Intercity between Jharsuguda and Bhuabenswar. It also demanded a new express train between Howrah and Bhubaneswar, Superfast Express between Rourkela to New Delhi ( Daily), Intercity Express between Sambalpur and Rourkela, direct train between Bhubaneswar-Ambala-Chandigarh, Intercity /Shatabdi Express between Paradeep and Puri.
It also demanded an increase in frequency of Rajdhani train and make it daily. Similarly, frequency of Bhubaneswar- Kurla Express may be increased to three days in a week. The train is popular for passengers traveling from Western Orissa. "Frequency of Vishakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Express train may be increased to daily from 3 days in a week," the committee mentions in its report.
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Micro-plan aims to immunise all kids
Saturday November 3 2007 09:59 IST
Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to prepare a micro-plan for immunisation of all children.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister reviewed the success of the immunisation programme at the meeting. A joint survey report by the Centre and Unicef has established that Orissa is number the two state in the country in the implementation of the programme.
While the success rate of BCG and DPT-3 at the national level has been 79.1 and 60.6 percent
respectively, in Orissa the two schemes have achieved 95 and 80.2 percent success.
Centre has not achieved much breakthrough in OPV-3 and measles containment programme but these schemes have succeeded in Orissa with 60.7 and 82 percent coverage. The success rate of Centre in the above programme is 54.4 and 61.8 percent. Success in vitamin-A administration and pulse polio programmes has also been spectacular in Orissa.
While the State has achieved 82.1 percent coverage in administration of vitamin-A among the children, in the pulse polio programme the coverage is 96.7 percent.
The success rate of the two schemes in the Centre has been 51.4 and 94.8 percent respectively. The national family health survey has also come out with similar findings.
The awareness and knowledge of the mothers on immunisation programme is more in Orissa compared to other states. While the all India average is 30.4 percent, it is 54.8 percent in the State. It has also come to the fore that the general caste and Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste people have shown equal interest in the implementation of the immunisation programme.
Welcoming the role played by the health workers for the success of the immunisation programme, the Chief Minister asked the departmental authorities to make provision of incentives for them. He underscored the need for strengthening the monitoring system for continuing the success rate. He said that special attention should be given to districts in which the success rate is low.
It was decided that persons having practical knowledge about immunisation will be appointed in KBK, Gajapati, Kandhmal, Boudh and Keonjhar districts. The immunisation programme will be extended to all the districts in the next phase.
Among others, Minister of State for Health Duryodhan Majhi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Kumar Patnaik, Health Secretary Chinmoy Basu, director of the National Rural Health Mission Sushil Kumar Lohani and senior officials attended the meeting.
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Doctor posts lying vacant
Monday November 5 2007 09:28 IST ENS
BALIGUDA: Healthcare service is ailing in predominantly tribal Kandhamala district due to shortage of medics and paramedics. According to a survey report of Kandhamala Health Department, there 150 sanctioned doctor posts for the chief district medical at Phulabani, one sub-divisional hospital at Baliguda, 13 primary health centres, 34 new primary health centres and five government hospitals in different locations. But right now only 101 doctors are working in these hospitals.
Absent of doctors are noticed irrespective of hierarchy. Out of six class-I medical officer posts, three posts are lying vacant, in senior class specialist category two posts are lying vacant out of four. Out of nine junior class-I posts, four posts are lying vacant.
In junior class-I specialist category only five posts have been filled against 11 posts. Similarly in class-II specialist category, out of 29 posts, 13 posts are lying vacant and in assistant surgeon category out of 91 posts, 25 are remaining vacant. In chief district medical a number of senior medical officer and specialist posts are lying vacant.
Even certain departments like eye, anaesthesia, surgery, radiology are having no specialist. Condition of health centres in remote places is deploring. In certain places hospitals are run by pharmacists only. Patients are forced to depend on quacks and black magicians for treatments which sometimes proves fatal.
Health centres in Badagada, Mardipanga, Nuapadara, Bilabadi, Panga, Lankagada and Judabadi are run by pharmacists.
Even the doctors present are not reportedly regular in their duties and more interested in private practices, alleged the locals. Shortage of assisting staff like staff nurse, health assistant, junior radiographer, laboratory technician has added to the woes.
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BALIGUDA: Healthcare service is ailing in predominantly tribal Kandhamala district due to shortage of medics and paramedics. According to a survey report of Kandhamala Health Department, there 150 sanctioned doctor posts for the chief district medical at Phulabani, one sub-divisional hospital at Baliguda, 13 primary health centres, 34 new primary health centres and five government hospitals in different locations. But right now only 101 doctors are working in these hospitals.
Absent of doctors are noticed irrespective of hierarchy. Out of six class-I medical officer posts, three posts are lying vacant, in senior class specialist category two posts are lying vacant out of four. Out of nine junior class-I posts, four posts are lying vacant.
In junior class-I specialist category only five posts have been filled against 11 posts. Similarly in class-II specialist category, out of 29 posts, 13 posts are lying vacant and in assistant surgeon category out of 91 posts, 25 are remaining vacant. In chief district medical a number of senior medical officer and specialist posts are lying vacant.
Even certain departments like eye, anaesthesia, surgery, radiology are having no specialist. Condition of health centres in remote places is deploring. In certain places hospitals are run by pharmacists only. Patients are forced to depend on quacks and black magicians for treatments which sometimes proves fatal.
Health centres in Badagada, Mardipanga, Nuapadara, Bilabadi, Panga, Lankagada and Judabadi are run by pharmacists.
Even the doctors present are not reportedly regular in their duties and more interested in private practices, alleged the locals. Shortage of assisting staff like staff nurse, health assistant, junior radiographer, laboratory technician has added to the woes.
Trackback URL: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20071104230637&Page=Q&Headline=Doctor+posts+lying+vacant&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0
BRO to lay roads in Naxalite areas
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 31: The Border Road Organisation (BRO), will be entrusted with the task of laying roads in Naxalite areas of Malkangiri and Rayagada district where contractors are reluctant to take up such work fearing threat from the ultras.
In fact the same organisation has been asked to lay roads in 8 districts of the four Naxalite states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh revealed home ministry sources today. Orissa will also develop a holistic plan involving socio-economic measures, filling up of critical gaps and security related steps for Rayagada and Malkangiri districts within a fortnight said state home secretary Mr TK Mishra.
Decisions relating to the ultras affected areas were taken at a meeting attended by state home department officials, union joint secretary Mr Dinesh Singh and joint director Intelligence Bureau Mr DP Sinha today.
The holistic plan and approach for such areas was discussed in a threadbare manner with all the developmental department secretaries of the state. Critical gaps in road connectivity, education, health, social security and food security were deliberated upon.
It was suggested that norms relating to old age pension, appointments of anganwadi workers, police constables and all other schemes should be made for candidates of these tribal dominated districts. Population norms linked to various schemes will also be relaxed since most of the Naxalite pockets are scattered over small hamlets. So be it PMGSY roads or digging of tube-wells or for that matter providing electricity connection the population norm needs to be dispensed with.
Officials of the state government iterated their demands for additional CRPF battalions and funds from the centre. They also wanted five more districts ~ Sambalpur, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Kandhamal to be included in the security related district funding programme. As far as the implementation of the holistic plan which is to begin on an experimental basis in Rayagada and Malkangiri, the state will fund it from its own resources. But if, required it can seek additional funds from the centre, said home department sources here today.
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BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 31: The Border Road Organisation (BRO), will be entrusted with the task of laying roads in Naxalite areas of Malkangiri and Rayagada district where contractors are reluctant to take up such work fearing threat from the ultras.
In fact the same organisation has been asked to lay roads in 8 districts of the four Naxalite states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh revealed home ministry sources today. Orissa will also develop a holistic plan involving socio-economic measures, filling up of critical gaps and security related steps for Rayagada and Malkangiri districts within a fortnight said state home secretary Mr TK Mishra.
Decisions relating to the ultras affected areas were taken at a meeting attended by state home department officials, union joint secretary Mr Dinesh Singh and joint director Intelligence Bureau Mr DP Sinha today.
The holistic plan and approach for such areas was discussed in a threadbare manner with all the developmental department secretaries of the state. Critical gaps in road connectivity, education, health, social security and food security were deliberated upon.
It was suggested that norms relating to old age pension, appointments of anganwadi workers, police constables and all other schemes should be made for candidates of these tribal dominated districts. Population norms linked to various schemes will also be relaxed since most of the Naxalite pockets are scattered over small hamlets. So be it PMGSY roads or digging of tube-wells or for that matter providing electricity connection the population norm needs to be dispensed with.
Officials of the state government iterated their demands for additional CRPF battalions and funds from the centre. They also wanted five more districts ~ Sambalpur, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Kandhamal to be included in the security related district funding programme. As far as the implementation of the holistic plan which is to begin on an experimental basis in Rayagada and Malkangiri, the state will fund it from its own resources. But if, required it can seek additional funds from the centre, said home department sources here today.
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