Thursday December 20 2007 11:59 IST
Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Private bus operators of the State have decided to go on the offensive protesting collection of toll by the National Highway Authority of India at Gangapada between Bhubaneswar and Khurda.
They will stop plying through the Gangapada toll gate along National Highway 5 starting December 23, the operators announced today.
The operators, who had earlier resolved not to deposit the toll met today and decided that a fresh toll gate would lead to heavy losses which they cannot bear.
“It is just not acceptable to us that every day each bus will have to pay Rs 205 more. We decline to ply on this route,” All Orissa Private Bus Owners’ Association convenor Debashis Nayak said.
The strike would mean all private buses heading out of Khurda along NH 5 are going to be off road from Sunday. The operators have conveyed their decision to the Transport Department.
As per NHAI guidelines, the bus operators said, there can be a toll gate in 80-km interval. By that standard, the distance between Gopalpur toll gate and the new Gangapada gate is barely 40 km.
Nayak said, imposition of the new toll would mean passenger buses travelling towards Nayagarh, Phulbani and Balangir would have to pay Rs 205 a day for using just 18 km of the NH from Bhubaneswar.
Moreover, what is proposed to be collected at Gangapada is seven times higher than what is collected at Gopalpur, the operators said.
One of the reasons why bus operators said they would not pay the toll was it would eventually burden the passengers.
The bus operators association’s opposition to a new toll gate is not new. In 2004, establishment of a gate at Chandikhole had triggered vehement protests and had to be abandoned following intervention by the State Government.
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Minister seeks probe into irregularities in RD division
Thursday December 20 2007 11:54 IST
Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Rural Development Minister B.B. Harichandan has directed chief engineer Prabir Kumar Pradhan to probe the alleged financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 10 crore in Kendrapara Rural Development division and submit a report within a week.
The Minister’s directive came in the wake of newspaper reports on the alleged bungling of funds by the RD division either doing substandard works or submitting false bills.
It was also reported that some of the works were executed without calling for tender while in some other cases payment had been made without execution of works.
The division was granted Rs 12 crore from the flood relief fund and another Rs 8 crore from the 12th Finance Commission for special repair of flood damaged roads.
The Minister also directed superintending engineer, Berhampur, B.N Mishra to inquire into poor quality of construction of roads at Kuanri village in Phulbani district under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Doordarshan reported that the PMGSY road constructed last year is in such a bad shape that communication is not possible.
The Minister reviewed the two issues at a meeting here today. Department secretary SN Tripathi and Director Vir Vikram Yadav were present.
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Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Rural Development Minister B.B. Harichandan has directed chief engineer Prabir Kumar Pradhan to probe the alleged financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 10 crore in Kendrapara Rural Development division and submit a report within a week.
The Minister’s directive came in the wake of newspaper reports on the alleged bungling of funds by the RD division either doing substandard works or submitting false bills.
It was also reported that some of the works were executed without calling for tender while in some other cases payment had been made without execution of works.
The division was granted Rs 12 crore from the flood relief fund and another Rs 8 crore from the 12th Finance Commission for special repair of flood damaged roads.
The Minister also directed superintending engineer, Berhampur, B.N Mishra to inquire into poor quality of construction of roads at Kuanri village in Phulbani district under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Doordarshan reported that the PMGSY road constructed last year is in such a bad shape that communication is not possible.
The Minister reviewed the two issues at a meeting here today. Department secretary SN Tripathi and Director Vir Vikram Yadav were present.
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Christian groups at loggerheads over church land sale
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Dec. 19: Kandhamal district collector Bhabagrahi Mohapatra at a peace meeting held here, has appealed all the members of Phulbani Oriya Church to maintain peace and harmony.
The collector also warned the warring members not to breach peace over the dispute of the sale of a plot of land and leadership of the management committee.
It was unanimously decided in the meeting that, the both groups will observe the forthcoming Christmas and the New Year festivals in a friendly atmosphere.
It may be noted that two groups have been at logger heads over the alleged sale of a plot of land of the Church at a throwaway price and also a proclamation of a marriage notice of a lady here.
Sunday services were disrupted due to unruly scenes and youths manhandled the head of the church management.
Four FIRs including two from the church management were lodged with the local police.
The Christian coordination committee, Phulbani, a section of senior members of the church and citizens have demanded the police authorities to bring the culprit immediately to book.
The incident sparked tension in local Christian community as a whole.
Original URL : http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=181346
PHULBANI, Dec. 19: Kandhamal district collector Bhabagrahi Mohapatra at a peace meeting held here, has appealed all the members of Phulbani Oriya Church to maintain peace and harmony.
The collector also warned the warring members not to breach peace over the dispute of the sale of a plot of land and leadership of the management committee.
It was unanimously decided in the meeting that, the both groups will observe the forthcoming Christmas and the New Year festivals in a friendly atmosphere.
It may be noted that two groups have been at logger heads over the alleged sale of a plot of land of the Church at a throwaway price and also a proclamation of a marriage notice of a lady here.
Sunday services were disrupted due to unruly scenes and youths manhandled the head of the church management.
Four FIRs including two from the church management were lodged with the local police.
The Christian coordination committee, Phulbani, a section of senior members of the church and citizens have demanded the police authorities to bring the culprit immediately to book.
The incident sparked tension in local Christian community as a whole.
Original URL : http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=181346
Chloroquine not working in Orissa, to be phased out
Original Article Link : http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/161215.html
Author : Prashant K. Nanda
Bhubaneswar, Dec 19 - Several districts of Orissa have developed over 90 percent resistance to the common malaria drug chloroquine and the health authorities here are getting ready to phase out the medicine from the state in 2008.
'While Phulbani and Kandhamal districts have developed 100 percent resistance, another tribal stronghold, Keonjhar, has over 90 percent resistance,' said Shantanu K. Kar, director of the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
'In Balasore, Kendrapada, Koraput, Malkangiri and even Cuttack, the situation is very bad. We can safely say that chloroquine is not working at all,' Kar told IANS.
RMRC is a major health research body working under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex health research organisation of the country.
'When there is 10 percent resistance to a drug, it is considered serious. And here nearly half of the 30 districts have developed over 90 percent resistance and the rest have developed over 50 percent resistance.
'We (both state and central governments) are getting ready to phase out chloroquine completely from the state and introduce a second line drug in the next three to four months,' Kar said.
Nearly 800,000 cases of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, surface every year in India and about 1,000 succumb to the illness every year.
Orissa accounts for 23 percent of the total malaria cases registered in the country every year and 27 percent of the malaria deaths. About 60 percent of the state's population, particularly in tribal belts, is at risk of infection.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria is still a major health problem in India.
'Northeastern states, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh contribute most of the malaria cases whereas Assam, Orissa and West Bengal contribute the most to malaria mortality,' a WHO report said.
Kar said the medicine is proving ineffective in all districts of Orissa.
'People in Orissa, especially those from the tribal belt, have a strong immune system, hence there aren't many fatalities. If I bring mosquitoes from Phulbani and Kandhamal and let them breed in Bhubaneswar, almost every family will be infected with malaria in the state capital,' he said.
Author : Prashant K. Nanda
Bhubaneswar, Dec 19 - Several districts of Orissa have developed over 90 percent resistance to the common malaria drug chloroquine and the health authorities here are getting ready to phase out the medicine from the state in 2008.
'While Phulbani and Kandhamal districts have developed 100 percent resistance, another tribal stronghold, Keonjhar, has over 90 percent resistance,' said Shantanu K. Kar, director of the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
'In Balasore, Kendrapada, Koraput, Malkangiri and even Cuttack, the situation is very bad. We can safely say that chloroquine is not working at all,' Kar told IANS.
RMRC is a major health research body working under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex health research organisation of the country.
'When there is 10 percent resistance to a drug, it is considered serious. And here nearly half of the 30 districts have developed over 90 percent resistance and the rest have developed over 50 percent resistance.
'We (both state and central governments) are getting ready to phase out chloroquine completely from the state and introduce a second line drug in the next three to four months,' Kar said.
Nearly 800,000 cases of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, surface every year in India and about 1,000 succumb to the illness every year.
Orissa accounts for 23 percent of the total malaria cases registered in the country every year and 27 percent of the malaria deaths. About 60 percent of the state's population, particularly in tribal belts, is at risk of infection.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria is still a major health problem in India.
'Northeastern states, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh contribute most of the malaria cases whereas Assam, Orissa and West Bengal contribute the most to malaria mortality,' a WHO report said.
Kar said the medicine is proving ineffective in all districts of Orissa.
'People in Orissa, especially those from the tribal belt, have a strong immune system, hence there aren't many fatalities. If I bring mosquitoes from Phulbani and Kandhamal and let them breed in Bhubaneswar, almost every family will be infected with malaria in the state capital,' he said.
Tourist Places - Kandhamal Phulbani
Sl.No. -- Name of the Tourist place -- Name of the Block --Name of the scenic spot --Distance from Dist.Hqrs
1. Ludu-- Kotagarh --Water fall --185 KMs
2. Katramala-- Phiringia --Water fall-- 45 KMs
3. Pokadajhar-- Khajuripada --Water fall-- 30 KMs
4. Putudi --Phulbani --Water fall --18 KMs
5. Daringbadi-- Daringbadi --Hill station-- 104 KMs
6. Rushimal --Daringbadi --Source of River Rushikulya --140 KMs
7. Chakapad --Chakapad --Birupakhya Temple-- 70KMs
8. Dungi --G.Udayagiri --Archaeological site --45KMs
9. Belghar-- Tumudibandh --Kutia Kandha villages with wood house--165KMs
10. Mandasore-- Raikia --Scenic beauty --80KMs
1. Ludu-- Kotagarh --Water fall --185 KMs
2. Katramala-- Phiringia --Water fall-- 45 KMs
3. Pokadajhar-- Khajuripada --Water fall-- 30 KMs
4. Putudi --Phulbani --Water fall --18 KMs
5. Daringbadi-- Daringbadi --Hill station-- 104 KMs
6. Rushimal --Daringbadi --Source of River Rushikulya --140 KMs
7. Chakapad --Chakapad --Birupakhya Temple-- 70KMs
8. Dungi --G.Udayagiri --Archaeological site --45KMs
9. Belghar-- Tumudibandh --Kutia Kandha villages with wood house--165KMs
10. Mandasore-- Raikia --Scenic beauty --80KMs
Cold conditions in Orissa districts
Phulbani (Orissa) (PTI): Cold conditions sweeping Orissa's Kandhamal district has paralysed normal life, particularly in forest blocks like Daringbadi, Kotagarh and Tumudibandh in Balliguda sub-division, official sources said on Friday.
The minimum temperature at Phulbani and Daringbadi plunged to as low as 7.8 and 4.3 degrees celsius respectively on November 24 due to bad weather. On Friday it was 11 and 8.2 degree celsius respectively.
The cold forced the tribals and other villagers to remain in their houses and attendance in educational institutions was thin due to the cold, while homeless people have become the worst victim, the sources said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200712142021.htm
The minimum temperature at Phulbani and Daringbadi plunged to as low as 7.8 and 4.3 degrees celsius respectively on November 24 due to bad weather. On Friday it was 11 and 8.2 degree celsius respectively.
The cold forced the tribals and other villagers to remain in their houses and attendance in educational institutions was thin due to the cold, while homeless people have become the worst victim, the sources said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200712142021.htm
Cold wave sweeps over Phulbani
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Dec. 14: The cold wave sweeping all over Kandhamal district since last week has
paralysed daily life particularly in the forest blocks like Daringbadi, Kotagarh and Tumudibandh in
Balliguda sub division.The temperature recorded at 5.30 today morning at Phulbani and Daringbadi is 11 and 8.2 degree celsius respectively. The lowest ever temperature of the day 7.8 degree celsius at 4.30 a.m. had been recorded on 24 November at Phulbani and Daringbadi. Last year the lowest temperature was 3.2 degree celsius. sns
PHULBANI, Dec. 14: The cold wave sweeping all over Kandhamal district since last week has
paralysed daily life particularly in the forest blocks like Daringbadi, Kotagarh and Tumudibandh in
Balliguda sub division.The temperature recorded at 5.30 today morning at Phulbani and Daringbadi is 11 and 8.2 degree celsius respectively. The lowest ever temperature of the day 7.8 degree celsius at 4.30 a.m. had been recorded on 24 November at Phulbani and Daringbadi. Last year the lowest temperature was 3.2 degree celsius. sns
Lok Sangram Manch holds protest rally
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Dec. 12: The Lok Sangram Manch staged a protest rally at Daringbadi in order to demand the upgradation of the local community health centre.
The members of the sangram manch later submitted their charter of demands to the sub divisional medical officer of Balliguda.
The procession was led by Mr Bhala Sadangi, leader of the Lok Sangram Manch, Kusa Pradhan and various other tribal leaders.
A platoon of police force has been deployed in Daringbadi town to maintain the law and order situation.
Trackback URL : http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=180323
PHULBANI, Dec. 12: The Lok Sangram Manch staged a protest rally at Daringbadi in order to demand the upgradation of the local community health centre.
The members of the sangram manch later submitted their charter of demands to the sub divisional medical officer of Balliguda.
The procession was led by Mr Bhala Sadangi, leader of the Lok Sangram Manch, Kusa Pradhan and various other tribal leaders.
A platoon of police force has been deployed in Daringbadi town to maintain the law and order situation.
Trackback URL : http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=180323
Appeal to help administration
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Dec. 10: The district collector, Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, has appealed to the senior elite citizens to extend their moral support and cooperation to the administrative machinery with a view to make it a dependable and a public welfare oriented organisation.
He was speaking at the fourth annual function of the Kandhamal district citizens’ forum here yesterday.
Due to illiteracy, lack of awareness and growing poverty, the district is lagging behind as far as progress is concerned. Time has come to do something about it.
The poor and the backward people of the district should be helped, Mr Mohapatra said.
The district SP, Mr Narasingha Bhol, warned about Naxalite activities in the district.
He categorically stated that the Naxalites are strengthening their base in Kothgarh, Daringbadi and Raikia blocks, especially in the tribal pockets.
All of us should come forward with a clear-cut strategy and try to combat the increasing Naxalite activity, Mr Mohapatra said.
Among the others, the president of southern Orissa development council, Mr Dayanidhi sahu, and advocate Mr Gouri shyam Panda also participated in the function.
On this occasion, two seminars were also organised.
Three eminent social workers, the Sarvoday activist, Mr Biswanath Patnaik, Mr Panchanan Sahu and Mr Sarat kumar Sahani were felicitated.
PHULBANI, Dec. 10: The district collector, Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, has appealed to the senior elite citizens to extend their moral support and cooperation to the administrative machinery with a view to make it a dependable and a public welfare oriented organisation.
He was speaking at the fourth annual function of the Kandhamal district citizens’ forum here yesterday.
Due to illiteracy, lack of awareness and growing poverty, the district is lagging behind as far as progress is concerned. Time has come to do something about it.
The poor and the backward people of the district should be helped, Mr Mohapatra said.
The district SP, Mr Narasingha Bhol, warned about Naxalite activities in the district.
He categorically stated that the Naxalites are strengthening their base in Kothgarh, Daringbadi and Raikia blocks, especially in the tribal pockets.
All of us should come forward with a clear-cut strategy and try to combat the increasing Naxalite activity, Mr Mohapatra said.
Among the others, the president of southern Orissa development council, Mr Dayanidhi sahu, and advocate Mr Gouri shyam Panda also participated in the function.
On this occasion, two seminars were also organised.
Three eminent social workers, the Sarvoday activist, Mr Biswanath Patnaik, Mr Panchanan Sahu and Mr Sarat kumar Sahani were felicitated.
Exhibition ends
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI, Dec. 7: The three-day circle level science exhibition, organised by Boudh-Kandhmal education circle concluded here today. In the function held today, Mrs Sakuntala Mallick, chairperson zilla parishad, who was the chief guest, said that teachers should try to inculcate a sense of scienctific temper in the students. One hundred and fifteen projects, belonging to various schools of 15 blocks in the education circle participated. Twelve projects were selected for the state level science exhibition which would be held soon. A section of the teachers and the students alleged that in the selection process of science projects, the guidelines laid down by NCERT is not followed and favouritism is being shown to some teachers. n sns
PHULBANI, Dec. 7: The three-day circle level science exhibition, organised by Boudh-Kandhmal education circle concluded here today. In the function held today, Mrs Sakuntala Mallick, chairperson zilla parishad, who was the chief guest, said that teachers should try to inculcate a sense of scienctific temper in the students. One hundred and fifteen projects, belonging to various schools of 15 blocks in the education circle participated. Twelve projects were selected for the state level science exhibition which would be held soon. A section of the teachers and the students alleged that in the selection process of science projects, the guidelines laid down by NCERT is not followed and favouritism is being shown to some teachers. n sns
Students gherao police station and stage demonstration
Statesman News Service
PHULBANI , Dec. 4: A large section of students of Kalinga Mahavidyalay, G. Udayagiri took out a procession yesterday and gheraod the police station there and staged demonstration in front of it for a pretty long time protesting the callousness and apathy of the police to nab the culprits.
It may be noted that, one Sekhar Nayak, final year plus 3 student of the said college, was physically assaulted by a section of non-students at G. Udayagiri on 1 December due to some personal rivalry which sparked tension among the students and non students.
Registering a case against 11 persons only five of them were arrested and forwarded to the court yesterday. Police said other six others are absconding.
Demanding immediate arrest of the rest sixs, the procession was brought by the students.
They had also demanded to close the nearby foreign liquor shop from the locality. A section of women belonging to the Kanbagiri village also gheraod the PS yesterday demanding judicious police action into the case.
The situation is tense but under control. Three platoons of police force have been deployed in the town, information received from dictrict, police, office here today said.
PHULBANI , Dec. 4: A large section of students of Kalinga Mahavidyalay, G. Udayagiri took out a procession yesterday and gheraod the police station there and staged demonstration in front of it for a pretty long time protesting the callousness and apathy of the police to nab the culprits.
It may be noted that, one Sekhar Nayak, final year plus 3 student of the said college, was physically assaulted by a section of non-students at G. Udayagiri on 1 December due to some personal rivalry which sparked tension among the students and non students.
Registering a case against 11 persons only five of them were arrested and forwarded to the court yesterday. Police said other six others are absconding.
Demanding immediate arrest of the rest sixs, the procession was brought by the students.
They had also demanded to close the nearby foreign liquor shop from the locality. A section of women belonging to the Kanbagiri village also gheraod the PS yesterday demanding judicious police action into the case.
The situation is tense but under control. Three platoons of police force have been deployed in the town, information received from dictrict, police, office here today said.
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