Central team admits huge crop loss in Nabarangpur

December 31, 2010. The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar. BASANT RATH | Nabarangpur The Central team visited several places in Nabarangpur district to assess the paddy and maize crops damage caused by untimely heavy rain. The team, which reached on Wednesday, held discussions with the officials of the Administration and Agriculture Department here. District Collector Sibabrta Dash said the unseasonal rain during October-December damaged more than 52 per cent of paddy and maize crops. Paddy crop in 55,000 hectares of land out of 1 lakh hectares under cultivation in the district and maize in 33,000 hectares out of 58,000 hectares were damaged, he said. Deputy Director of Agriculture Bimbadhar Sahu submitted a detailed report of the survey conducted by his department that said that in the gross cropped area in the district 2,30,791 hectares there are 58,860 marginal farmers, 98,100 small farmers, and 29,430 large farmers while there are 9,810 landless farmers. Later, hundreds of farmers headed by Municipal chairman Prahalad Tripathy, Jayadev Parida, and former Umerkote MLA Dharmu Gand submitted separate memorandums to the four-member Central team led by Director, Crop Division, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation MC Diwakar. The farmers demanded that the Government purchase all types of paddies from them at the minimum support price. Since whatever paddy that they have been able to harvest after the rains is not expected to fulfil the fair average quality (FAQ) norms fixed by the Government, they demanded that the paddy procurement norms be relaxed to prevent farmers’ suicide in the coming days. The Central team is making assessment to consider the demand of the State Government for Central assistance to provide relief to the peasants. The Centre has already released `400 crore and `600 crore for the farmers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively, who are also affected due to unseasonal rains. On Thursday, the team visited villages of Gela Dadbaguda, Turinjiaguda, Sindhiguda, Kangara under Nandahandi block, Farmers at many places waited for the team with decomposed harvested paddy and maize in hand. They urged the team to make arrangements so that they can get relief for their losses at the earliest. Speaking to reporters during the visit, Diwaker and other team members admitted that it is evident that there has been heavy crop loss. They said the team would apprise the Centre of the situation so that farmers could get proper relief. Though the State Government has announced a `900-crore package for the farmers, the farmers’ organisations across the State are not satisfied with it and no relief has been distributed to the farmers till date.

Tension in Nabarangpur over blasphemous Xmas greeting

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar December 27, 2010 Basant Rath | Nabarangpur Some controversial greeting cards on Christmas created a huge outrage in Nabarangpur. The greeting card was misinterpreted by the Christian community and they resorted to huge protest and blockade on Saturday. Local BJD MLA Manohar Randhari sent greeting cards to people of Christian community on Christmas. He had a noble intention indeed, but some vested interests played spoilsport and created trouble. The printing press that printed the greeting card goofed up. It downloaded a controversial picture from Internet in which Jesus Christ was holding cigarette in one hand and a beer can in the other hand. When people noticed the picture, they got upset and the news spread like wildfire. People from the minority community blocked the roads in the town. They were heavily armed and some of them were in inebriated condition. The police had a tough time to restore law and order in the town. Later, MLA Randhari expressed regret for the incident and said that he never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments. He also decided to visit the churches to tender an apology. But at 12 pm some of the protesters opposed his entry in the church, they further demanded the arrest of MLA. The aggrieved protesters shouted slogans in filthy languages and abused the police. ADM, Narendra Pradhan, directed for clamping of Section 144 of CrPC to maintain peace in the locality, and district Superintendent of Police, Nitin Sekhar deployed four platoon of force in the town and in front of the church. In the evening Jeypore MLA Rabi Narayan Nanda, district BJD president Bhudan Jagya Samiti chairman, Jayadev Parida, and other district party functionaries met at the Circuit House conference hall and said political parties should not be try to aggravate the issue. Meanwhile, local MP and State Youth Congress president Pradip Majhi after a meeting said the party would hold peaceful demonstrations before the 10 blocks in the district and submit memorandums addressed to the Governor through the BDOs demanding arrest of the MLA. Among others, Kodiganga former MLA Sadan Nayak and district Youth Congress president Bhima Harijan were present. In another citizen committee meeting presided over by ADM Narendra Pradhan, in which SP Sekhar was present the Bishop of the church said he has forgiven the concerned person.

Nabarangpur hosts five-day National Integration Camp

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar December 19, 2010 7:16:06 AM PNS | NABARANGPUR The five-day-long National Integration Camp, organised by the district administration for the first time in the district, was inaugurated at the Mondei Field here on Friday. District Collector Siba Brata Dash inaugurated it by lighting the ceremonial lamp flanked by SP Nitin Kumar, local MLA Monahor Randhari, Municipality Chairman Prahalad Tripathy, ADM Narendra Pradhan and DIPRO Bhujang Bhusan Rao. In his inaugural speech Dash said, such camps promote unity in diversity among the youth of our nation and the youth of different regions and religions are brought together for a cultural exchange. He also appealed the participants to contribute their mite to the nation building. MLA Randhari and Chairman Tripathy said, the camp will create opportunities for the young participants from different parts of the country to live, interact and learn together in an environment of mutual love and respect and also understand and appreciate people living in different parts of the country. BJD Umerkote rally against fuel price hike Umerkote: The BJD on Saturday staged a rally here to protest the hike in fuel prices. Party workers, led by local MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, pedalled to the Tehsil office from the old bus-stand and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor to the Tehsildar. Vehicular traffic was disrupted for an hour from 11 am as the agitators blocked the Umerkote-Nabarangpur main road. Effigies of Prime Minister Monmohoan Singh and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi were burnt. Among others, Umerkote NAC chairman Jhadeswar Mohanty and ex-chairman Rabana Rao, Kalu Panda, V Buji and Kurma Rao were present. Guv inaugurates girls’ hostel at Umerkote NABARANGPUR: Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare visited Bhamini under Umerkote block on Friday and inaugurated a100-bedded Government Girls’ Hostel. He then visited the SHG stalls and interacted with the SHGs and expressed satisfaction at their performance, prosperity and capacity building. He also interacted with the farmers and students. The students apprised the Governor of the requirement of a generator, computer and text books. Bhandare announced that in a short period, he would provide generator, computer and adequate books to the school. The Governor also distributed forest land pattas, old age and widow pensions. Among others, Collector Sibabrata Dash, SP Niti Sekhar, ADM Narendra Pradhan, Sub-Collector Nanda Kishor Sethi, DWO Mukund Nial, DSW Kanan Kumari Das and DIPRO Bhujang Bhusana Rao were present. Youths from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts are the participants along with the host district. The camp will conclude on December22. The participants from the States performed folk songs and dances. The dances in colourful and traditional attires enthralled the audience. Yoga, spiritual discourse, outdoor activities, group discussion and trekking are the main attractions of the camp.

Tribal fest Mondei kicks off at Nabarangpur

November 03, 2010 The Pioneer, BHUBANESWAR BASANT RATH | NABARANGPUR The three-day-long tribal fest Mondei kicked off with pomp and gaiety on Monday here with a ceremonial procession from the presiding deity Maa Bhandar Gharani Temple to the Mondei Rangamancha accompanied by the presiding deities of different villages represented through the respective lathi chairs and tribal priests in their traditional attires. Energy Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, IT, Science and Technology Minister Ramesh Majhi, local MLA Monahar Randhari, Collector Sibabrata Dash, SP Prafulla Barik, Odia cine idol Munna Khan, Umerkote NAC Chairman Jhadeswar Mohanty and Nabarangpur Municipality Chairman Prahalad Tripathy performed the puja at the temple before the carnival set out on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg. Besides the traditional folk dance troupes, hundreds of townsfolk took part in it. The carnival reached the field in the evening. At the inaugural function Energy Minister Nayak said that the State Government is establishing agro-based industries here to economically uplift the farmers of the tribal district. IT Minister Majhi said besides providing a platform for every hidden talent to bloom, Mondei also offers an opportunity for the poor in rural areas to freely mingle with the town-bred. Local MLA Manahar Randhari said the mega cultural event is definitely a bold step. Municipality Chairman Tripathy requested the Energy Minister to direct the Indravati Hydro Electrical project administration to look after the pothole-ridden road though it yields the highest revenue from the district, but no peripheral development. Umerkote NAC Chairman Mohanty dubbed Mondei as a milestone in the path of national cultural integration. Munna Khan said Nabarangpur is the jewel of culture having produced so many talented persons in the Odia film industry and Sriram Panda is one of the best. He further requested the local MLAs and Minister Majhi to invite Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to the next year’s Mondei. Collector Sibabrata Dash said the district which completes 18 years of its formation could proudly claim that it produced patriots, freedom fighters, eminent men of letters and harbingers of its rich culture. Mondei has succeeded in integrating the people as thousands of tribal men and women participate in the festival from the Panchayat to the district levels. Besides local tribal folk dances, troupes from other districts, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Andhara Pradesh performed. Odissi dance performed by Nityananda Das, the Kashmiris and West Bengal folk dance troupe mesmerised the audience. ORMAS-organised five-day-long Pallishree Mela coincided with the festival and was also inaugurated by the Energy Minister. On the other hand, protesting the recent arrest of Congress MLA Bhujabala Majhi, the party decided to boycott the festival this year. Local MP and State Youth Congress President Pradeep Majhi, ZP President Bhagirathi Nayak and other leaders did not participate in the carnival. However, a few dissident Congressmen were seen accompanying the carnival.

Leader of Opp flays Dabugaon MLA's arrest

October 27, 2010 4:15:07 AM PNS | NABARANGPUR After the arrest of Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi on Sunday for allegedly beating up Kosagumuda BDO and later admitted at the District Headquartres Hospital (DHH) after receiving complaints of chest pain, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh visited Nabarangpur on Monday and interacted with Majhi, State Youth Congress president and local MP Pradeep Majhi and Congress leaders of the district at the DHH here. After discussion, Singh said that it was most unfortunate that the Kosagumuda BDO ignored the MLA during the inauguration of SHG Conference Hall building at Taragaon. As per rules, the local MP, MLAs, ZP president and block chairman, who are the elected representatives, should be invited and their names should be mentioned in the plaques during the inauguration, Singh asserted. MP Majhi alleged that the officials of the district were acting like the office-bearers of the ruling BJD even though Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Koraput Collectors have already been requested on October 10 to issue instructions not to ignore the public representatives during government functions who play a key role in implementing the policies and programmes of the Government and overall development of the areas. Among others PCC vice-president Sadan Nayak, former Minister Parama Pujari, former Minister Habibulla Khan, Junagada MLA Dusmant Nayak, ZP president Bhagirathi Nayak, PCC secretary Muna Tripathy, district youth Congress president Bhima Harijan were present.

Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi held for ‘beating'

NABARANGPUR: Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi was arrested last night for allegedly beating up Kosagumuda BDO Dhanurjaya Hembram and ransacking the block office. According to reports, Information Technology Minister Ramesh Majhi inaugurated an SHG conference hall at Kotagaon village in the block yesterday. The plaque of the new building did not have the name of Congress legislator Majhi, although he represents the area. After the Minister’s departure, there was a conflict between irate Congressmen led by Majhi and BDO Hembram over the issue. In an FIR, Hembram claimed that some Congress activists had allegedly beaten him up and locked him in his office chamber. He was later rescued by his staff and admitted to a hospital. Receiving information, District Collector Sivabrata Dash and SP Prafulla Barik visited the spot and confirmed Majhi’s involvement in the incident. Following this, police arrested Majhi but had to admit him to the district headquarters hospital after he complained of chest pain. The SP said that other accused include the Chairperson of the block Dasami Randhari, block Congress president Dharmu Singh, former Zilla Parishad member Sanjib Bisoi, are all absconding. On the other hand, Majhi alleged that the BDO had misbehaved with him. Stating that the name of Majhi should not have been omitted, Congress MP and State Youth Congress president Pradeep Majhi said the officials were acting like the office-bearers of the ruling BJD. “The officer concerned is responsible for the incident,” he said. The Congress and the BJD in the district are now at loggerheads over the issue. Demanding immediate release of Majhi, Congress workers led by ZP president Bhagirathi Naik blocked NH-201 at Papadahandi disrupting communication to Umerkote and Bhawanipatna. Similarly, the BJD workers called for a bandh at Kosagumuda demanding resignation of block Chairperson Dasami Randhari and arrest of all the Congressmen involved in the incident.

Dabugaon MLA’s arrest unfortunate: Cong

October 26, 2010 9:49:44 AM PNS | Bhubaneswar Dabugaon Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi has represented the constituency repeatedly in the State Assembly. He is amiable and people-friendly leader. The officers and the Tribal Minister Ramesh Majhi are responsible for the BDO’s humiliation in the Kosagumuda block, the Congress alleged. In any inaugural ceremony, the local MLA’s presence is mandatory. If he is not present it is binding that his name should be there in the plaque. These were ignored by the district Collector, Superintendent of Police and the BDO. It is unfortunate that if the Minister had wanted he could have solved the problem. However, he ignored this and carried out the inauguration. Bhujabal Majhi was not present at the spot and he was no way involved in the vandalism at the block office. In spite of this, the police arrested him which is highly condemnable and the State is on the reverse mode before its doomsday, said PCC vice – president Shibananda Ray, chief spokeperson Arya Jnanendra, spokeperson Ashok Samal and State Mahila Congress president Asima Mahananda. Govt asks DM to submit report October 26, 2010 9:48:21 AM PNS | Bhubaneswar The State Government on Monday asked the Nabarangpur Collector to submit a report on BDO’s assault case of Koshagumuda Block. Speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat, Panchayati Raj Minister Prafulla Samal said appropriate action would be taken against the Government officials after a report on the BDO’s assult case from the Collector is received. The Minister said the Kosagumuda incident is highly deplorable. He informed that local MLAs should be invited during inauguration of projects as per provision. “Koshagumuda incident has allegedly happened as the name of the MLA was not engraved in the plaque. It could have been changed if the legislator had complained”, Samal observed. He said he would take serious view on the invitation issues and instruct BDOs to strictly adhere to the provisions for inviting local MLA in the Government programmes, like inauguration of Government projects. On the other hand the Congress has alleged that the State Government is implementing different laws for MLAs belonging to different parties. “Recently an BJD MLA slapped a doctor at Nabarngpur, but no action was taken. But Bhujabal Majhi, the Congress MLA, who was not present at Koshagumuda Block when the BDO was assaulted, was arrested,” the working president of OPCC Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra said.

Maoists shoot police ‘informer at Kundei.

October 27, 2010
Pioneer News service

Maoists on Monday night shot dead an assistant (supervisor) of a contractor after branding him as police 'informer' at village Sambalpur near Kundei under Raighar block.

Gadadhar Singh Rajput, (32) was working as an assistant for a contractor Gulcha under Kundei police station. According to sources, Gadadhar who was residing at Kundei was dragged out of his house for about a km on Monday at about 8.45 pm by four Maoists. His family members searched for him frantically in the night but could not find him.

In the morning Gadadhar's body was found in front of a primary school at village Sambalpur with bullet injuries on his chest.

A poster found on the body accused Gadadhar of informing the police about their movements. He is survived by his wife and two teenaged sons and daughter. The police could reach the spot only 12 hours after the incident. This is the third such incident in the district since June 2010. Earlier two persons were killed after they were branded as fake Maoists. Later the Maoists had also attacked a police station. The district police seem to be totally unprepared and ill-equipped to combat the Maoist attack even though the police claim that forces are being deployed at strategic locations.

After rain, insects damage paddy crop

Basant Rath | Nabarangpur Pest attacks on paddy crops have been reported from Kosagumuda, Nandahandi, Papadahandi, Nabarangpur, Umerkote, Raighar, Chandahandi, Jharigam and Tentulikhunti blocks. Nearly 30,000 hectares of the crop area have been affected by swarming caterpillars, leda pokas, stem borer pests and bacterial leaf blight disease. Meanwhile, heavy rains in the month of July and August in Nabarangpur had also destroyed crops in at least 10,000 hectares of land After the rains, it is the pest problem for the farmers of the district. The worms have damaged about 30,000 hectares of land in the 10 blocks of the district during the last one week. According to the farmers of the Nabarangpur, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Kosagumuda, Papadahandi, Dabugam and Umerkote blocks, the incessant rains and the resultant waterlogging have bred pests like stemborer, ceaseworm, blast, thrives and cut worms, which have spoiled the paddy saplings. Since the farmers had to spend huge amounts on draining out the floodwater, they are too broke to purchase pesticides. The farmers fear that if the pest attacks continue for another week, it would badly hit the kharif output. Sources said since the monsoon came on time, the farmers had sown paddy seeds in the first week of July after continuous rains, and now, at the middle stage of the crop the pests attacks have become widespread in the district. Especially, the appearance of the stemborer, ceaseworm, blast, thrives insects in the paddy fields is a new crisis for the farmers. The insects have debilitated the crops in thousands of acres of land. With the harvesting season approaching and water yet to recede completely, the cultivators are finding themselves in a piquant situation and fear heavy losses. Meanwhile, the farmers have urged the State Government to provide them assistance to overcome the inevitable problems they would be facing due to crop loss. As per the norms, the Government and the district administration should provide pesticides on subsidy through the Agriculture Department outlets, but no such step has been taken as yet. The District Agriculture Officer said the authorities had no funds to aid the farmers. The Pioneer Bhubaneswar, 6 Sept. 2010

Armed Maoists blow up Kundei Police station in Nabarangpur.

Armed Maoists blow up Kundei Police station in Nabarangpur. Nabarangpur: For the first time in the district Maoists blow up Kundai Police station under Raighar block in Nabarangpur on Thursday mid-night. According to reports, About 50 heavily armed rebels, including women, stormed into Kundei under Raighar block, around 100 km from here, and triggered a powerful explosion to blow up the police station, district Superintendent of Police Praful Barik said. The Naxals snapped electricity supply in the area before launching their attack, he said, adding telecom, including mobile network, was affected in the area and no casualties or injuries was, however, reported in the attack. Security forces are being sent to the spot, the SP said adding that they fear Maoists might have planted landmines while fleeing into the forests. Located near Chhattisgarh border, the police station was upgraded from an outpost about six months ago, officials said adding that the police station remains closed after sunset in view of its high vulnerability to Maoist attack. Earlier the Maoists have unleashed terror by killing two persons, On June 26 who allegedly involved in extorting money in the name of ultras from tribals in Nabarangpur district. The incident was took place at the Timanpur village in Raighar block bordering Chhattisgarh, where the locals found the bodies in the nearby forest. Maoists have called the duo and killed them by leaving a Hand-writing poster on the spot which mentioned the reason of their killings. They have also threatened to kill many others who are collecting money in the name of Maoist. A police station at Bisrampur in Chhattisgarh, barely a km from Kundei, was razed about six months ago by the Maoists. Earlier on Thursday, the Maoists had ruthlessly killed a 15 year old boy suspecting him to be a police informer and torched the residence of a home guard in Mayurbhanj. It is suspected that the Maoists blew up the police station in retribution to the death of Maoist Leader Azad.

Maoists kill two for ‘extortion’

Basant Rath | Nabarangpur Maoists on Saturday night shot dead two persons at Raighar, who were allegedly involved in extorting money in the name of ultras from tribals in Nabarangpur district, the police informed. The incident which took place at Timanpur village in Raighar block bordering Chhattisgarh is the first of its kind in the district. Locals found the bodies in the nearby forest on Saturday night. The two persons, identified as Pradeep Kumar Mukherjee of Jharigam and Baishakhu Bhotra of Umerkote, who were allegedly involved in collecting extorting money on the name of Maoists from tribal 'poddu' cultivators. Maoists had called the duo and killed them and then left a handwritten poster on the spot which mentioned the reason for their killings. They have also threatened to kill all those who were collecting money in the name of Maoists. Following the killings, security has been strengthened in the district, said district Superintendent of Police, Prafulla Chandra Barik. In another development a landmine, suspected to have been planted by Maoists, was recovered beneath a culvert on National Highway 215 near Kamarposh, about 120 km from Rourkela in Sundargarh district. The landmine weighing about 10 kg was recovered during patrolling by security personnel on Saturday evening and subsequently defused by a bomb disposal squad, said police sources. Vehicular traffic was halted for about six hours to avoid any mishap, the official said. Seven live bombs were also recovered on Saturday in Maoist-infested Malkangiri district. It was suspected that the ultras were planting landmines in different locations to target the security personnel ahead of the proposed bandh called by them from Monday. The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar date: 28.06.2010

Angry scribes protest inaction

Journalists are an angry lot in Odisha. A considerable number of members of Media Unity for Freedom of Press ( MUFP) representing the print, electronic (TV) and Web media are fuming over the increasing attack on the media by the police, anti-socials and the corporate-Government nexus. Despite repeated demands before the Chief Minister to put an end to the atrocities on the media and allow them to operate freely as usual Government is not taking any action in this regard. Led by Sampad Mahapatra, senior journalist and many other scribes demonstrated their protest here. The erring officials, politicians and the corporate goons who are threatening the media freedom in very many ways are having free time, feel members of MUFP. The Media persons of Bhubaneswar and elsewhere to assembled under the Freedom Tree, in front of " Soochana Bhavan " on 7 April to protest inaction and demanding exemplary action against the offenders. The meeting demanded that the Government should provide professional protection to all media persons and who will create any threat while exercising their duty should be immediately arrested and dealt with heavy punishment. Since media persons were allowed to freely cover the war, riot and other critical events for the interest of the State/nation and the people to feed them with correct information. Most importantly the State Government should not impose any restrictions on their movement to any area in the State to cover corporate conflict, demanded they.

Lack of awareness hinders Nabarangpur development

Development still eludes the tribal-dominated district following lack of awareness among the inhabitants while illiteracy and poverty rule the roost here. Carved out of the undivided Koraput district in 1992 during the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik’s regime, Biju Babu’s sole motive was to provide better administration, promote education, agriculture and social-economic development of the tribals. But, the dream of late Biju Patnaik is yet to be materialised. Though the Government sanctions funds through various programmes and schemes for the development of the tribals here, improper utilisation of funds and implemention of the programmes have resulted in no remarkable development despite being a separate district for over a decade-and-half. Frequent droughts and callous attitude of the Government mechanism here have rather failed to check migration to other States for eking out a living and falling prey to the inhuman labour contractors. It is well-established that a large number of Bangladeshis immigrated to this district and are illegally settled here posing a security threat. The State Government has identified a number of such families, but yet to initiate any positive actions for their deportation. They have been receiving political patronage due to the vote-bank politics following which they have been emboldened to grab the land of the poor tribals and even managed to get a Government job. The violence of 2001, between the tribals and the Bangladeshi immigrants in Raighar block, reflects complete failure of the administration in dealing with the problem. The tribals are still under the shadow of development, the basic needs like food, education, healthcare, water and electricity are yet to reach many a village. The Centre and the State have launched different welfare programmes and to educate the general public on the programmes, huge amount is being spent. Despite the fact, a majority of the people are not aware of the programmes launched in their own district. They think that the Government launched programmes are being properly implemented by the officials. The gullible lot even fail to find how the officials indulge themselves in corruptions and some of the works being made on pen and paper are just an eye wash. Initiative for awareness among the people is highly essential in the district and the administration should take steps in this regard. It is high time the people should come forward to use their rights to know about the programmes and its progress. Incidentally, the Right to Information Act is one such powerful weapon to bring transparency in this regard.

Birth centenary of Sadasiv Tripathy celebrated in Nabarangpur

PNS | Nabarangpur A district-level celebration of the birth centenary of eminent freedom fighter and former Chief Minister Sadasiv Tripathy was held here and Umerkote on Sunday and Monday. The celebration was organised by the Culture of Tourism and Information and Public Relations Departments and the district administration of Nabarangpur. District Collector Roopa Mishra garlanded the late leader’s statue at the Sadasiba Park near the Municipal Office here to mark the occasion. Earlier, rich tributes were paid to a decorated portrait of the leader at the Shastri Bhawan here. IT Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi was the chief guest, while MLA of Nabarangpur Monahor Randhari, MLA of Babugam Bhujabala Majhi, Zilla Parishad president Bhagirathi Nayak and former Minister Raghunath Patnaik were the other guests at the meeting that was presided over by the Collector. IT Minister Majhi said that his Government has taken several steps to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Sadasiv Tripathy. He thanked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra for their support to organise a State-level function. The illustrious son of this soil, Sadashiba Tripathy, who was born on April 21, 1910, served as a teacher and was associated with the National Congress. After the formation of Odisha as a separate State in 1936, the freedom struggle gained momentum in the undivided Koraput district. Tripathy played a pioneering role in leading the people of Koraput in the freedom movement and was responsible for the political awakening of the people of this tribals-dominated region. He was imprisoned for a year during the individual Satyagraha movement and was also under detention during Quit India movement. Tripathy was a Minister in the State for a period of 12 years, and throughout his Ministerial tenure his main portfolio was Revenue. He was also the Chief Minister for a short period in the late 1970s. As an expert in revenue administration, he piloted the Odisha Zamindary Abolition and Land Reforms Bill in the legislature. He was also the secretary of the Odisha Bhoodan Yajna Samiti.

Collector invokes statute, sacks headmaster

NABARANGPUR: In a rare case, Nabarangpur District Collector Roopa Mishra on Friday invoked Article 311(2)b of the Constitution and sacked the jailed headmaster, accused of sexual exploitation of girls in a Sevashram School. This comes a day after the Crime Branch began its probe here. Pradipta Kumar Sahu, headmaster of Sevashram School at Bada Aambda under Kosagumunda block of the district run by the ST and SC Development Department, allegedly exploited the tribal girl students and one of them became pregnant. As it came to light recently, a rattled State Government ordered a CB inquiry. Exercising this discretionary power before the probe is a rarity. On March 2, the allegation was made before the Collector. The administration rushed a squad to the school. One of the four abused girls was found pregnant during medical examination. Sahu was suspended and arrested while three others __ a temporary teacher and two cooks __ were disengaged. In her order, which was served to Sahu in jail here on Friday, Mishra charged that the headmaster, by way of taking advantage of his official position, has committed a heinous act on minor girls who were under his care and custody. The departmental proceeding usually takes time and there is every possibility of the accused intimidating the victim girls and their families, the order said. The Collector, while taking the action, relied on a Supreme Court judgment. Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team, led by a DSP, arrived here on Thursday and has started the probe.

BJP PRESIDENT BARED TO VISIT RIGHAR

Oram barred from visiting Raighar BHUBANESWAR: The bar on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Jual Oram’s visit to Raighar by the Nabarangpur district administration has evoked sharp criticism. Oram was to attend the funeral of Ghanashyam Gond, assistant teacher with Biripur UP School in Raighar. Gond was brutally murdered recently and a volatile situation prevails in the region after the incident. However, the BJP leader today said he would head to the area despite ban by the district administration. The government will be responsible for any kind of consequences if he is stopped from proceeding. The District Collector of Nabarangpur, in an order yesterday, imposed a ban on any kind of public meeting, rally and demonstration on Gond’s death since the matter may lead to serious law and order situation. The State BJP, however, criticised the orders and said Government is trying to snatch the democratic rights by disallowing him into the region. ‘’Since there are allegations that the ruling political party men are behind Gond’s murder, this is an attempt to suppress the incident by hook or crook,’’ a party spokesman said. However, Oram will travel to the district on March 21 and 22 as per schedule and any attempt to stop or arrest him will draw serious response. The party also lambasted the Government for not arresting the murderers of Gond yet.

Roopa Mishra has created a history by dismissing the alleged rapist headmaster of Badamada Sevashram.

With a lady Collector in the helm of the District Administration justice for women can be fast and firm. The latest example is reported from Nabarangpur district, where Roopa Mishra is the Collector. 2004 batch IAS Topper, Ms.Mishra has set an example on 2 March. She on 2 March received a complaint from a lady school teacher of Badamada Sevashram in Kosagumuda block of Nabarangpur district that girl inmates of the school are sexually harassed. The complainant alleged that the Headmaster of the residential school, Pradipta Kumar Sahu has been indulging in sexual activities with girl borders and has impregnated 4 innocent young girls. The Collector was prompt in taking action. She rushed a Team consisting of DWO, Program Officer along with the Staff Nurse of District Headquarters Hospital to the school for an on the spot inquiry to the sordid affairs. They found the complaint to be generally genuine and horrifying facts tumbled out. Headmaster along with a Gana Sikhyak and the husband of the Cook-cum-Attendant were involved in the sex racket. They made some innocent and hapless hostel inmates of Class VII and VIII, the victim of their lust. Ms.Mishra on receiving the report talked to the SP Nabarangpur Prafulla Chandra Barik, who is a sensitive top cop, who acted very fast. A case was registered and culprits were arrested immediately on the same day it self. Four girls have been sent for medical examination and one found to be pregnant. Another girl narrated a harrowing experience of an abortion in the Kosagumuda hospital. The issue rocked the Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) and cutting across party line lawmakers demanded exemplary punishment against the Head Master. While dismissal of Sahu was demanded by many, Dambarudhar Ulaka, senior MLA of Congress demanded exemplary punishment for the culprit. He blamed the junior officials in the district for their callous attitude towards the management of Residential Schools. Basudev Majhi, Congress echoed his views and demanded monitoring of the institutions regularly by senior officials. Karendra Majhi, BJP called for effective steps to curb such nasty incidents in future. Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Independent MLA asked for dismissal of the teacher. Pradeep Maharathy, BJD demanded slapping of NSA against the Head Master. Bishnu Das, BJD Lawmaker asked for tough action against the rapist teacher. Bhupinder Singh, Leader of Opposition asked the gauge the feeling of the House and take stringent action against the culprits.With a lady Collector in the helm of the District Administration justice for women can be fast and firm. The latest example is reported from Nabarangpur district. Bijaya Ranjan Singh Bariha, Minister ST & SC Development promised the Lawmakers to dismiss the headmaster, who has raped the tribal girls.in the floor of the House.Minister ST & SC Development tried to cool down the outraged MLAS, who cutting across party line demanded exemplary action against the rouge teacher. Mr.Bariha was replying to the adjournment motion on incidents of rape in Tribal Residential Schools. He promised the House that exemplary action in general and particularly dismissal of the teacher is on cards. Incidents of rapes in the Badaambada Residential School run by the Department of ST & SC Development in Nabarangpur district has hit the headlines in various newspapers and television channels. And the State Government has taken immediate steps to take the Head Master to task by throwing him behind the bars, said Minister. Four tribal girls were raped by the Head Master, Gana Sikhyak and a peon in the school, which came to light when an Assistant Teacher brought it to the notice of Roopa Mishra, Collector Nabarangpur. Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered a probe by the Crime Branch into alleged sexual abuse of tribal girls by staff members of a state-run residential school in Nabarangpur district He gave the direction on 17th March after Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently instructed a delegation led by AICC secretary Jaydev Jena to visit the "victims". Four minor girls of a school run by the Schedule caste and Schedule Tribe Department at Badaambada village were allegedly sexually abused by the staff of the school. So far four persons, including the headmaster, were arrested in the case. ST and SC development minister Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha admitted that one of victims was "found pregnant", while another girl claimed the headmaster forced her to terminate her pregnancy. "Both the girls were given Rs 50,000 each as compensation," the minister said. A four-member CB team, comprising two women officers, visited the school as part of the investigations and spoke to victims, Deputy Superintendent of police, CB, A Parija said. Collector Nabarangpur on 19 March issued marching order against Pradipta Kumar Sahu for his alleged inhuman action. Sahu the Head Sevak of Badaamda Sevashram in Kosagumuda block of Nabarangpur district was charged with sexual exploitation of minor girls. For the first time in State Administration, a government servant is dismissed with immediate effect without giving him opportunity to show cause and inquiry. Sahu along with Iswar Bhotra, Gana Sikhayk and Padman Bhotra, husband of cook has been sexually exploiting borders of the residential school. The Collector keeping in view the public interest, public order, tribal welfare, education of tribal girls, faith of the tribal community in the administrative machinery, local sentiments of the people, the grave and serious nature of offence has dismissed Sahu. Sahu has been dismissed under Article 311 (2) second provisioo (b) of the Constitution of India read with sub rule (ii) of Rule-18 of Orissa Civil Service (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962. Now the Lady Collector has done it and Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Principal Secretary of the ST & SC Development Department feel that this will give the right signal across the state. The sexual abuse episode of the Head Sevak of the Badamada Sevashram hit headlines on 3 March, when the episode came to light in view of immediate action taken by the Collector. When a Lady Assistant Teacher brought the sordid matter to the attention of Collector, Ms.Mishra constituted a fact finding team headed by District Welfare Officer and Program Officer of ICDS Cell of Nabarangpur. They visited the Sevasharm and investigated the whole affair and the credulous joint enquiry report revealed the involvement of Sahu along with 2 others. Criminal case was filed against the accused persons and they were sent to jail. Immediately Sahu was placed under suspension, while services of Gana Sikhyak Iswar Bhotra and peon Padman Bhotra were terminated with immediate effect.

MEGA HEALTH CAMP ORGANISED AT NABARANGPUR

Thousands attend Mega Health Camp at Nabarangpur. Nabarangpur. The three days Mega health camp being organized by the Orissa State Rural Health Mission at the Nabarangpur Mondei Ground witnessed huge patients from the District as many as 16,630 patients benefited in the Camp. All major pathological tests are being conducted free of charge. After diagnosis of disease, the registered patients are being provided free consultation of experts and free medicines. The Mega Health Camp Was Inaugurated by the Nabarangpur MP, Pradeep Majhi, on Sunday. On the Closing day District Collector, Smt. Roopa Mishra, said it was an attempt to provide free modern specialist health care to the poor living in the district. The patients, who have grave ailments, are being referred to the MKCG, Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Earlier she requested to make all sorts of preparations including wide publicity to make this maiden health camp successful. Banners, posters, loudspeakers are being used to inform the people about the camp, so that the rural peoples will be more benefited in this mela. Forty doctors, including specialists from the MKCG Medical College, SCB Medical College, Manipal Hospital from Visakhapatnam, took part in the health camp. Fifty paramedical staffs from Koraput and Nabarangpur district and over 50 volunteers are helped the physicians. Free Medicines had supplied to the patients free of cost. Around 40 stalls installed for this purpose. There was much enthusiasm for the health camp, as General Physicians, team of Orthopedic Surgeon, Gynecologist, ENT Specialist, Ophthalmologist, Cardiologist, Dermatologist, Dentist, Psychiatrist, Pediatrician, Oncologist & General Surgeon participated in this camp. Team of technicians that included Optometrist, Lab technicians & ECG technician along with GNM staffs worked hard to make this event a grand success. Speaking during the Closing ceremony of the Camp CDMO, Nabarangpur, Jugal Kishor Behera said, “I am thankful to the doctors and para medical staffs for their cooperation in the Mega health cam. A publicity drive was taken up in all slums of the district to attract people towards the camp. The camp was aimed at treating and providing medical attention to inhabitants of remote peripheral villages besides an open invitation to all residents of Nabarangpur district he added. The district administration, city police and Jeypore Pharmacy College, extended support for proper conduct of the mega health camp. .