13 December 2011

Nabarangpur district Health care in a shambles.

77 Out of 117 doctors posts vacant.
DHH is running with 4 doctors, without any specialists
BY: BASANT RATH, 
An acute shortage of doctors is plaguing the healthcare system at government-run hospitals in Nabarangpur district. Every day, thousands of poor patients in the district are left at the mercy of private practitioners and clinics and fall prey to their exploitation. Even people are dying because accessing any form of health care in these parts is difficult. And even if there is a health centre in the area, it is often of little use.

Resentment is brewing among the general public towards the state government because of its apathy towards the state of healthcare here has resulted in a number of demonstrations and protests by social organisations, but to no avail.

According to hospital authorities, a total of 77 posts of doctors are lying vacant at various primary health centres (PHCs) or community health centre (CHCs) across the district, including the district headquarters hospital at Nabarangpur.

While 25 out of a total of 50 PHCs in the district are being run by pharmacists and 4th class employees even the  11 CHCs in 10 block headquarters are functioning without a medical-in-charge, and any specialists. Key posts Medicine, peadiatrics, surgery, O&G, Asst surgen are lying vacant in all the CHCs.

 More than three lakh people are depend upon the District Headquarters Hospital, key posts in the CDMO post is lying vacant since October 1 and the two ADMO post (senior class-1) since long. The posts of medicine, paediatrics, surgery, O&G, anesthesia, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, radiology, skin&VD, TB&CD, anesthesia,  gynaecology specialist are also lying vacant. Things have come to such a pass that the people have lost faith in this referral hospital to which thousands of patients from peripheral health centres come for succour. The DHH has modern technique equipments like radiology, ultrasound and many more but are no use and the machines are gathering dust.

Ironically, it's not like there is no health infrastructure in place in the tribal-dominated and Maoist-violence affected Nabarangpur district. On paper at least, it has 50 PHCs and eleven community health centres (CHCs) covering 10 blocks. But what use is a mere building when there is no one in it to attend to the multitudes of the sick?

To add to the woes of patients, some doctors seldom come to hospital on time in the morning hours. Patients coming from interior pockets are falling prey to touts who are diverting them to private nursing homes or clinics reportedly run of hospital doctors. The elected representatives have virtually turned a blind eye to the plight of patients.

The only leprosy unit of the district, located in Nabarangpur, has been closed because there is no doctor to run it. The tuberculosis and malaria eradication schemes sponsored by the government have been severely affected due to the lack of district malaria and TB officers. Besides, the district HQ hospital, on which patients from parts of Kalahandi districts are also dependent, is having great trouble operating with the posts of the additional CDMO, ADMO (family welfare), ADMO (medical), DMO,DLO, all specialists posts including  five assistant surgeons, a radiologist and a paediatrician lying vacant. The DHH is running with two paediactric, and two asst surgeon. Said ADMO, Dr.Panda.
"I failed to fill up these vacancies despite repeated official reminders to the director of health and family welfare of the state govt; so I sought help from the local minister, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, for his intervention, but that is yet to yield any result," said Sibabrata Dash, the Collector of Nabarangpur.

"Large-scale vacancies in doctors' positions have seriously affected healthcare at the local level. Shortage of radiologists and other experts for maintaining and operating various testing machines is hampering work at hospitals and clinics, compelling the poor patients to opt for private clinics where they have to pay a lot of money. The entire healthcare system is in a complete shambles in the district," said Julu Mohanty, a Nabarangpur-based social activist.

Dr J.K. Behera, former Chief District Medical Officer of Nabarangpur district hospital, explains the reasons that have brought the entire system to its knees, "This is one of the most backward and underdeveloped tribal districts with a lack of proper connectivity and educational facilities. So most of the doctors who are posted here are not willing to stay on. Moreover, over last few years there has been an increase in Maoist activities in the district and the situation is only getting worse. Fearing for their life in places like Kundei, Raighr, Jharigram and Umerkot, doctors are not ready to work."
            Though Navin Patnaik government had claimed that by 2012, the healthcare service will reach the doorstep of people in Odisha need to be backed by some serious efforts.

Declare N’rangpur dist drought-hit: Farmers’ body

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar.     Dated: 12.December. 2011
Farmers of Nabarangpur district under the banner of Zilla Jai Kishan Krushak Mahasangh took out a march on Friday, demanding that Government should declare the district as drought-hit.
The farmers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Additional District Magistrate, stating that due to the scanty rainfall during the kharif season, over 60 per cent of standing crops were damaged.
They urged the Government to provide compensation with free seeds and fertilizer at more subsidised prices and waive farm loans while ordering sanction of fresh interest-free loan for rabi crop to the cultivators.
The memorandum also included demands for relaxation of crop quality of FAQ, raising of minimum support price of paddy to Rs 1,500 per quintal, restoration of irrigation facilities in the district, supply of Indravati water to Tentulikhunti, Nandahandi and Nabarangpur, making defunct bore-wells and LI points in the district functional, supply of fertilizers such as DAP, urea and MOP at gram panchayat level in time, issue of identity card to farmers in time, installation of Krushak Bazar for selling of vegetables by the farmers and establishment of a sugar factory at Churchanda.
The farmers said that though Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro reviewed the situation and promised to take steps to declare the district drought-hit, it is yet to be done even after the elapse of two months.
Mahasangh general secretary Durga Prasad Rath said farmers who earn their livelihood through cultivation lost everything in the drought and have no alternative to maintain their families. They are now leading a miserable life while many have moved to outside States in search of jobs.

12 December 2011

Umerkote Bypolls In the Aftermath: An Overview

Creates record in bribing voters with cash and gifts

tHE PIONEER,  BhuBANESWAR  :11 DECEMBER 2011 BASANT RATH | NABARANGPUR 
The role of big money factors in every calculation and discussion about the likely outcome of elections. With the Umarkote by-election results out, the BJP and the Congress have taken to the usual chores of blaming the ruling BJD for 'abuse' of official machinery and rampant use of money and muscle power. Both parties are certainly not feeling comfortable at the prospects of the panchayat polls, just months away.
Despite all the tall claims made about issues dominating the Umarkote Assembly segment electoral scene, the fact remains that Vitamin M (Money and Muscle power) played a crucial role in electioneering and was the key factor behind the electoral outcome.
But the art of buying votes with cash and gifts was fine-tuned in the Umarkote by-election. Not only was the distribution of cash widespread but ingenious were the ways of reaching it to the voters. One of the local voters said wondering that the unbelievable scale of money distribution by the parties in the last three days before the voting day is now the theme of local folklores.
In many cases, the recipients were asked by party hagglers to swear by their children or god and promise that they would vote for their party. According to a leader of the ruling party, not many people are so heartless to swear by their children or god and vote otherwise. The tribal population comes first in such electoral math. "Tribals are more reliable. They never lie and remain loyal. If they take money, they will vote for you," the leader said.
Most of the voters pray might each year such type of elections comes so that their financial condition could improve, said a voter of Anchala village under Raighar block.
The remote and inaccessible area voters were surprised after receiving cash and kind from the parties as never before. The Yubak Sanghs, clubs, SHGs and the rural and urban voters who had more than five votes got TV sets, dish TVs, generators, emergency lights, mobile phone hand sets, cooking utensils, mike sets, carpets and musical instruments, including cash.
The outsized voter turnout in the Maoist-infested Raighar areas bordering Chhattisgarh raised eyebrows as no one ever believed it to happen.
Interestingly, not admitting of the cracks in the party, the BJP leaders blamed their failure on the EVMs and demanded probe into the alleged manipulation.
The ruling BJD won, the Congress finished a poor third and the BJP made significant gains percentage-wise despite coming out number two.
Local Congress MP Pradeep Majhi alleged the BJD Government had misused official machinery to influence voters in Umerkote and Raighar. "Money and liquor had a free flow and even senior district administration officials, including police officers, were acting like BJD agents. Sarpanches, ASHAs, SHGs, teachers, SSAs and Anganwadi workers were pressurised and threatened to secure votes for the ruling party." Majhi said his party had lodged various complaints on violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJD with the Election Commission "but no action was initiated".
Though during the Umarkote by-poll panic gripped the area after Maoists pasted posters in several places asking people not to exercise their franchise in the election and also warning the ruling party leaders against entry into the Raighar area to canvas for their candidate, holding out threat of dire consequences, BJD candidate Subash Gond faced the challenge with the Election Commission providing adequate security to all three candidates to ward off any eventuality.
BJP candidate Dharmu Gond blamed the ruling party and said that owing to the Maoist threat his party leaders avoided going out to the interior pockets of Raighar block. The host of MLAs and MPs drafted by the BJD to campaign for their party candidate, Subas Gand, tried their best to avoid night halts at Raighar, one of the areas in the district worst-affected by the Maoist menace. By down, they returned to Umerkote, about 30 km from Raighar.
Till November 21 the BJD leaders were not able to campaign effectively in seven gram panchayats in the Raighar block. Even they were reluctant to visit the areas bordering Chhattisgarh. But none could decipher how could they so suddenly shed all fears and canvassed in those 'prohibited' areas in full swing after November 22.
Now while analysing the sequences, people wonder if the pre-nomination posters were actually pasted by the Maoists or they were the handiwork of some political party, employed as an electoral strategy to frighten and keep the rivals away.
Though there was rampant violation of the Code of Conduct by the Ministers and the MLAs, the administration allegedly preferred to turn a blind eye. More than 300 four-wheelers were pressed into service during the election campaign by party leaders. But will the Election Commission inquire into the violations?

07 December 2011

Sargiphool 2011 Organised at Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur:
To give exposure and to encouragement to talented students reading in Sevashram, Ashram, Residential Ashram, and Kanyashram, district level Sargiphool-2011, was organized by ST & SC development department at Shastri Bhawan Nabarangpur here on Wednesday.
Chief Guest Collector Sibabrata Dash, inaugurated the function and said that the festival will provide platform for the ST and SC students reading in the schools to showcase their skills, talents and help in up gradating their life skill activities though interaction with other students and learning through workshops.

Collector  Sibabrata Dash, dancing with tribal students
 Mr.Dash further said that Discipline is the key to success and for students it holds a great value. Learning is the most important aspect of child development which needs an open mind and generous heart, Teacher’s play a key role in the building of personality, character, and self-confidence among the students.  

            District welfare officer, Mukund Nihal, described about the programmes, there will be a work shop, competitions in debate, creative writing in Odia, mathematics quiz, cultural shows comprising solo song in Odia, group dance, drama, music.
              Among others, PA ITDA, Paul Eaaka, Deputy collector, Nihar Ranjan Dash, spoke on the occasion. Hundreds of students from the district participated in the programme. During the cultural programmes Collector, Mr.Dash danced with the tribal students. 

05 December 2011

BJD retains Umerkote seat by Larger Margin

Nabarangpur, Monday, 5th Dec.2011.
By: Basant Rath, Editor-In-Chief.
In the much-hyped by-election in the Umarkote Assembly constituency in the Maoist-affected Nabarangpur district held on November 30, the State's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Subhas Gond won the seat by an impressive margin of votes after the counting of votes on Sunday.

The BJD retained the seat, which was held by the party's Jagabandhu Majhi before he was killed by yet unknown assailants on September 24, necessitating the bypoll. 

The BJD's win assumes significance as the bypoll was held ahead of the panchayat elections slated for February next year.
Subhas Gond defeated his nearest BJP rival Dharmu Gond by 21,061 votes, officials said. While he polled 54,713 votes, Dharmu Gond bagged 33,652 votes. Jagabandhu Majhi had won by a margin of about 14,000 votes over Dharmu Gond in 2009.

Finishing a close third, Congress nominee Jitendra Gond secured 32,877 votes. "We tried to put our best efforts and improved upon our margin," said local Congress MP Pradeep Majhi, adding, "The Government machinery won the bypoll and this result will have no impact on the ensuing three-tier pachayat polls."
The local BJP leaders expressed surprise over the bypoll verdict. BJP candidate Dharmu Gond said that there was every likelihood of the EVMs being tampered. Besides, the ruling party engaged all Government employees, para teachers, Kendu leaf workers, SHGs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers in the election, he added.
On the other hand, the bypoll result brought joy and celebrations among BJD leaders and workers at many places in Nabarangpur town and Umarkote while opposition even as Congress and BJP leaders viewed it as an "outcome of money and muscle power."

03 December 2011

Four CRPF personnel arrested for allegedly assaulting trader


Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including an Assistant Commandant, were arrested on Friday by the police headed by Nabarangpur district SP Niti Kumar and Umarkote SDPO Ashok Sahu at Kundei on the charge of dacoity. The four were identified as assistant commandant Ramdas Meena, , Havildar Jagu Singh and two constables Basir Mohammad and Ajeet Das, all from 8th Battalion of CRPF.

According to sources, a team of CRPF personnel were deployed near the Khiloli check-post under Raighar block bordering the State of Chhattisgarh to prevent any infiltration of Maoists on the eve of the Umarkote Assembly bypoll.

As per an FIR lodged by one Sohan Golcha, a goldsmith of Nagri town in Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday that at about 12.30 pm while he was travelling to the weekly market of Hatabharandi under Raighar block by his car for business purposes the four jawans detained his vehicle near the Khiloli checkpost and asked him to show the papers of the vehicle. Finding the briefcase in the car which was containing gold amounting to Rs 30 lakh, the jawans forced him to come to their camp for further interrogation.

Thereafter, the jawans allegedly took away the briefcase and illegally detained him along with his driver and servant demanding cash of Rs 6 lakh. Finding no way out, the goldsmith telephoned one of his family members through the mobile phone of one of the jawans to bring the money. After the payment was made, the jawans handed over the briefcase and freed them with a threat not to inform about the incident to anybody. Finding the briefcase empty on the way, he lodged the FIR, before Kundi police satiation Golcha stated.

Police have recovered Rs 6.62 lakh cash and 22.63 gram of gold ornaments from the four which they had allegedly looted on Monday from the trader, identified as Sohel Gulcha of Chhattishgarh. The police arrested the alleged four culprits and forwarded to Umerkote Court charged under section 341/342/395/385 and 34 of IPC. Where Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Santunu Kumar Das rejected their bail petition and remanded them to judicial custody.


02 December 2011

Umerkote By-poll : Now all await results On Sunday.

speculations among political circles.
Nabarangpur By:Basant Rath, Journalist
The fate of the three candidates in the keenly-fought Assembly by-election in the Umarkote (ST) constituency on Wednesday will be known on Sunday after counting of ballots. The by-poll witnessed a voter turnout of 73.40 per cent. As many as 1,21,200 votes of which 63,647 male and 57,553 female exercised their franchises
The unusually heavy polling in the Maoist infested areas bordering Chhattisgarh  has led to speculations among political circles.
IT Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, however, asserted that the ruling BJD would retain the seat though by a reduced margin. He said the heavy polling in the areas adjacent to Chhattisgarh in Raighar block would go in favour of the BJD.On the other hand BJP and Congress camp hopeful of a victory.
Nabarangpur district SP Niti Sekhar said, "We have made all arrangements for counting of votes and the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being stored in the women's college under tight security with
deployment of one company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one platoon of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP), besides officers patrolling at regular intervals."
In the 2009 Assembly polls, the turnout was 70.17 per cent, and BJD candidate Jagabandhu Majhi was elected by defeating BJP candidate Dharmu Gond by over 14,000 votes while Congress candidate Parama Pujari was relegated to the third position.
            The high-voltage campaign had given rise to the impression that it was a fight between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. As many as 13 ministers, more than 30 MLAs,MPs and senior leaders campaigned from the BJD side for the party for Subash Gond.
            The BJP was not far behind Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh including  several ministers, MLAs and senior leaders from Chhatisgarh and Odisha campaigned for party candidate Dharmu Gond. On the other hand the Congress is not worried over the heavy polling witnessed in the bypoll. Support for the congress candidate Jatindra Gond was uniform in all pockets of the constituency, Nabarangpur MP, Pradeep Majhi said.


30 November 2011

Umerkote assembly bypoll concludes peacefully.

Nabarangpur:
Defying the poll boycott call given by Maoists, around 70.99  per cent voters exercised their franchise in the Umerkote assembly segment in Nabarangpur district, where the by-poll was held on Wednesday.
“The election was by and large peaceful. No untoward incident was reported anywhere in the constituency while the voters were seen to make long-queues to cast their vote,” said a senior government officer. The counting of vote will take place on December 4.

 “The polling was very peaceful and there was no untoward incident reported during polling,” said deputy inspector general of police (Sunabeda) Soumendra Priyadarshi.
The by-election was necessary in the constituency, as sitting BJD MLA Jagabandhu Majhi was gunned down by unidentified miscreants on September 24 at Gona village under Raighar police station.
As many as 165,133  voters of the constituency, consisting of 24 GPs in Raighar block, eight GPs in Umerkote block and Umerkote NAC were to elect the new MLA of the constituency.
Three candidates were in the fray for this constituency- Dharmu Gond (BJP), Jatindranath Gond (Congress) and Subash Gond (BJD).

Security was tightened with deployment of Central security forces in Maoist-hit assembly constituency in the wake of the call given by the ultras to boycott the election.

At least three companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), six units of Special Operation Group (SOG), 11 platoons of Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) were deployed for poll duty besides hundreds of police officers, constables and home guards.

The Orissa-Chhattisgarh border was sealed to prevent the entry of miscreants from the neighbouring state.
Official sources said as many as 750 polling personnel were deployed for poll duty. Out of the total 162 booths in the constituency, 67 booths were identified as hyper-sensitive while remaining 70 booths are considered to be sensitive.

Though the poll result would not impact the political parties, they have taken the by-poll as a challenge.Apart from several ministers of the ruling BJD, senior Congress and BJP leaders including BJP Chief Minister Raman Singh campaigned for their respective candidates.

24 November 2011

Now it’s the blame game over Maoist threat

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar. WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER
Even as the campaigning for the November 30 bypoll for the Umarkote Assembly constituency is approaching its climax with the contending parties going all-out to woo the electorate, pumping in money and manpower to bolster their prospects and villagers of this Maoist-affected zone responding more eagerly to the campaigns, not caring a fig for the ‘Maoist threat’, the ‘Maoist threat’ propaganda has ushered in a blame game overriding the campaigns.
On November 14, the Maoists pasted posters and banners in the villages under Raighar block, warning the voters to refrain from voting for the BJD candidate. The posters written in Odia language accused ex-MLA Jagabandhu Majhi of having indulged in anti-people activities. They also warned BJD leaders against campaigning in the Raighar area, threatening them of dire consequences.
Faced with threat from the ultras, BJD candidate for the ensuing bypoll Subhas Gond moved the Election Commission on November 16, seeking security. The Commission responded by asking the police to provide adequate security to all three candidates.
As the situation is quite normal, BJD raised suspicion over the genuineness of the posters, stating that the threat may have been the handy work of some political party intended to terrorise the people against the ruling party ahead of the election. BJD’s Nabarangpur district president Jayadev Parida echoed similarly and said some people wanted to disrupt the election campaign of his party in the area.
Senior BJD leader and MP Pyarimahan Mahapatra alleged that the BJP and the Congress are playing cheap politics by terrorising the voters in the name of Maoists in different areas of Raighar and Umarkote blocks. He further said Majhi was not killed by Maoist; he was the victim of conspiracy hatched by some of his opponents.
On the other hand, the BJP made counter allegations that the ‘Maoist threat’ is nothing but a ploy by the ruling party to restrict movement of the Opposition in the area so that they can easily influence the voters under police protection.
During the 2009 elections, Nabarangpur district including Umarkote was a Maoist-free zone. But Maoists activities in Raighar block bordering Chhattisgarh registered increase after the general elections.
The Umarkote Assembly segment has 1, 65, 133 voters. It consists of Raighar block (1, 04 496) and Umarkote block (30, 266), Umerkote NAC (21, 371). These include as many as 24, 412 Bengali voters and 60, 000 Gond voters. Sources said nine out of 24 panchayats of Raighar block bordering Chhattisgarh are considered a hotbed of the rebels. Areas like Haldia, Gona, Timanpur, Naktichanla, Kudai and Mundibeda are some of the worst Maoist-hit areas in the State. The Mainpur Divisonal Committee of the extremists is operating in these places.
Though BJD’s posters and banners are conspicuous by their absence in the Raighar block, stage is set for
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s proposed visit on November 25. The Chief Minister will address two public meetings, one at Umarkote and the other at Raighar on the same day.
The BJP is trying to ensure that the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh (Raman Singh) and Jharkhand (Arjun Munda) make trips to the battle zone within a week while the Congress party is depending on few Central leaders to lead them in the fight.
All political parties have fielded candidates from the Gond tribe. While the Congress and the BJD candidates are set from Raighar, the BJP has selected its candidate from Umerkote NAC. The Gond vote is waiting for a divide.
Political observers opine that the main battle will be between the BJP and the BJD. If Subash gains sympathy votes, he will win the elections by a huge margin. If people will vote for a better candidate, Dharmu Gond will emerge as the winner. The Congress may finish third yet again. But Raighar being the biggest area with 24
GPs and the highest number of voters, all parties have now preferred to concentrate in Raighar, trying to woo the voters door to door despite the sway of Maoists in the area.

19 November 2011

Umerkote bypoll campaigning In full swing.

BJP and congress terrorizing voters in the name of the Maoist: Pyarimahan Mahapatro
By: Monohar Mohanty & Basant Rath 
Nabarangpur:
Blame game and local issues dominate the campaigning of both BJD,BJP and congress for the bypoll in Umerkote constituency. 
Senior BJD leader and MP Pyarmahan Mahapatro alleged the BJP and Congress parties are playing a cheap politic by terrorizing the voters in the name of the Maoist. Today speaking in a BJD party workers meet held here at Dharmasal he said his party would win the Umerkote assembly by-election with a suitable  margin, the opposition parties are also well known about his party’s sure victory  as a result of which they are trying to terrorize  the voters and his party workers  by affixing posters in the name of Maoist in different areas of Raighar and Umerkote block. He further said the slain MLA Jagabandhu Majhi was not killed by the Maoist, he was the victim of conspiracy hatched by some of his opponents. His party has done lot of works for the betterment of tribals, number of programs has been lunched in the KBK district by his government specially for the downtrodden tribals, he added. Mahapatro said he has visited more than twenty villages of Raighar and Umerkote Block and the villagers  of these village are more eagerly responding to BJD without caring the Maoist threat spread by the opposition parties. He assured that his party would do more developmental works  for Umerkote constituency after retaining the seat once again. 

Ruling party Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro  reached Umerkote on Wednesday and joined with  IT Minister Ramesh Majhi, Jeypore MLA Rabi Naryan Nanda , Nabarangpur MLA Manohar Randhari and Muna Khan  who were camping in Umerkote for campaigning since 12th  November.  On Thursday senior BJD leader MP Pyarimohan Mohapatro, along with Jayadeb MLS Arabindo Dhali, reached Umerkote and visited several villages of Umerkote and Raighar block for campaigning, later  Ministers Dabi Prasad Mishra, Pratap Jena, Pradeep Moharathi, Moheswar Mohanty, Sarada Nayak, along with  BYJD state president, Sanjayadas Berhma, MP, Sashi bhusana Behera, MLAs, Gopalpur MLA, Pradip Panigrahi, Kendujhar MLA, Subarna Nayak, Korei MLA, Pretiranjan Ghodei, Angul MLA, Ranajikant Singh, Kamakhyanagar MLA, Prafulla Mallik, Cuttack MLA, Pravatranjan Biswal, campaigning  in hundreds of villages of Raighar and Umerkote blocks.

On the other hand from BJP top leaders like State President Jual Uram, General Secretary, Golak Mohapatro, former minister Surama Padhy, Former MP, Parshuram Majhi,  along with neighboring Chhattisghar state ministers and  MPs were campaigning for their candidate Dharmu Gand. Among the team Kankar MP Sahai Patai, Keskal MLA, Sebakram Netam, Ministers Lata Ushani, Kedar Kashyap,  conducting party meeting at the several villages.
 The congress leaders like PCC President Niranjan Patnaik, AICC youth Secretary Mirga Ersa Beg have visited Umerkote on 15th November for campaigning.  The local MP Pradeep Majhi, Nabarangpur congees president Narayan Patro,Muna Tripathy, Tapan Debnath, Rayagada Ex-MLA Ram Chandra Ulka, Jeypore Ex-MLA Jagaranath Patnaik, Nimai Sarkar, PCC secretary Romu Patro are seen  campaigning for congress candidate Jitendranath Gond. 

16 November 2011

UMERKOTE ASSEMBLY POLL.


By: BASANT RATH, Editor-in-Chief.
Published in The Pioneer/The statesman/orissabarta/orissadiary. Bhubaneswar, Dated: 15 Nov. 2011

Poised for BJD-BJP-Cong triangular contest
The by-election will be a test for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's popularity in the tribal heartland with the State Government launching a series of welfare programmes for the STs. 
The by-elections for the Umerkote Assembly seat would be a three-cornered contest among the major political parties, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the BJP and the Congress. After the scrutiny of nomination papers on Monday, out of the six candidates only three are left in the fray for the by-poll on November 30. Among the six candidates, two nominations of Dhanuram Gond (Independent) and Buti Bhatra belonging of of Kaling National Front were rejected, while Sunadhar Paklu, candidate of the Republican Party of India withdraw his papers.
The by-election will be a test for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s popularity in the tribal heartland with the State Government launching a series of welfare programmes for the STs. The BJD has deployed Ministers Surjya Narayan Patro, Ramesh Majhi and Bikram Keshari Arukh, Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi, MLAs Rabi Narayan Nanda and Arabinda Dhali for campaigning.
Besides, Nabarangpur Municipal Chairman Prahalad Tripathy, Umerkote NAC Chairman Jhadeswar Mohanty and district BJD president Jayadev Parida are among the leading campaigners for party nominee Subash Gond’s victory. BJD sources claimed that Chief Minister Patnaik would also come for campaigning so that different factions in the party’s district unit would be united.
The Congress is also not far behind. Senior leader Narasingha Mishra, Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi and MLAs Bhujabal Majhi and Ramachandra Kadam are camping in the area. Besides, former MLAs Sadan Naik and Tara Prasad Bahinipati are also campaigning for the party’s candidate Jitendra Gond.
While the BJD has fielded a close associate of the slain MLA Jagabandhu Majhi hoping to win the election on a sympathy wave as Majhi was a bachelor without any political heir, the Congress is expecting to win the seat by making the deteriorating law and order situation in the Assembly segment its prime election agenda.
On the other hand, BJP candidate Dharmu Gond, who was Umerkote’s MLA in 2004 and had occupied second position in the last election, is quite optimistic of victory this time.  Senior BJP leaders, including State president Jual Oram, vice-president Ashok Sahu and former MP Parshuram Majhi are aggressively campaigning for the party candidate.
The Umerkote Assembly segment, which has around 1,64,000 voters, consists of Raighar and Umerkote blocks and the Umerkote NAC. Nine out of 24 panchayats of Raighar block bordering Chhattisgarh are considered the Maoist hotbed. Areas like Haldia, Gona, Timanpur, Naktichanla, Kudai and Mundibeda are some of the worst Maoist-hit areas in the State. The Mainpur Divisional Committee of the extremists is operating in these places.
Political observers believe that the bypoll will again return the BJD nominee to the Assembly though with a reduced margin. The interesting thing in the bypoll is to watch which of the Opposition political parties, the Congress and the BJP, finishes second.
It is vibrant that the main battle will be between the BJP and the BJD. If Subash Gond gains sympathy votes, he will win the elections by a huge margin. If people vote for a better candidate, Dharmu Gond will emerge as the winner. The Congress may finish third yet again, observers feel.

04 November 2011

Annual tribal fest MONDEI kicks off in Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur
The inaugural function of Mondei organized with much fanfare.A congregation of local dance troupes kicked off the five day mega cultural festival of the district ‘Mondei – 2011’ in Nabarangpur on Tuesday with the traditional march from Sadashiva Tripathy, park to Mondei ground.
Hon’ble Minister tourism Prafulla Samal, along with Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology Ramesh Chandra Majhi, local MLAs Manohar Randhari, Bhujabala Majhi, Chairperson of Nabarangpur Municipality Prahallad Tripathy, District Collector Sibabrata Dash, at the temple before the colourful carnival procession took on Mahatma Gandhi Marg. Besides the traditional folk dance troupes, hundreds of townsmen along with the block level took part in the procession.
The procession saw tribal villagers with folk culture, a number of tribal musical parties and various tribal fancy shows performed along the way. The Mondei carnival reached the Mondei Rangamanch in the evening. The inauguration function was held at night. The festival was highly successful in showcasing unique cultural and traditional heritage of the district and its people; in identifying hidden talents in various fields; contributing to revamping the old traditions and bringing recognition to those; and above all in recasting socio-cultural integrity and amalgamation. At the inaugural function held at the Mondei ground,

Chief guest Mr.Samal, said that With a special emphasis on the district the tribal dances from the district will given chance to perform their dances at Rabindra Mandap. All steps will be taken to develop tourist places of the district. He further intimated to take advantage of the artist pension provision and apply more persons from the district.
Speaking to the occasion IT, Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, expressing his joyous feeling over the entire festival stated that Mondei has been able to showcase the culture and heritage of the district and has been able to bring out many hidden talents to light of the day. He maintained that through the occasion there has been exchange of good feelings among the States and the occasion has also provided platform for many artists to showcase their talents. Emotionally, he also stated that in the land of lord Jagannath and Late Biju Patnaik Nabarangpur district has been able to achieve milestones and is in the path of prosperity.
Among others Local MP,Pradeep Majhi, MLA Nabarangpur, Monahar Randhari, MLA Dabugam, Bhujabala Majhi, Zillaparisad President, Bhagirathi Nayak, Vice-chairperson, Mrs.Manjula Majhi, District Collector, Sibabrata Dash,Film development corporation chairman, Muna Khan, Chairman of Municipality, Prahalad Tripathy, Chairman of NAC, Jhadeswar Mohanty, spoke on the occasion.
Besides the traditional folk dance troupes hundreds of block and townsmen took part in the procession. The Procession saw tribal villagers folk dances a number of tribal musical parties and various tribal fancy shows performed along the way. The mondei carnival reached at the Mondei Rangamancha in the evening.
Explore Nabarangpur” published by NGPURNEWS was inaugurated by the chief guest and guests at the function. Troupes from Uttarakhand, West Bihar, Himanchal Pradesh, Sambalpur, Bhanjanagar, Kokshora, Chandahandi, Nabarangpur Municipality, performed folk dances.

Also Published in The Pioneer/The statesman/orissabarta/orissadiary.

23 October 2011

New District judge court inaugurated In Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur.
Chief justice of high court, Orissa V.Gopala Gowda, inaugurated district judge court in Nabarangpur on Saturday, which was a longstanding demand of the people of district since it was carved out from greater Koraput district in early nineties.
At the inaugural function held under the chairmanship of Bar association president Uma Sankar Tripathy, chief justice advocated the legal profession and said lawyers are pillar of the society who are fighting for the up-liftment of the of the underprivileged community since pre-independence. “The role of lawyers has been considered as vital in a democratic step up like India”,
Underline the profession as ‘Noble’ he appealed to the lawyers to work for the tribal poor people so that the opportunities for security justice are not denied to the needy persons by reason of economic or disabilities.
He further said that most of the population of the country belongs to farmer community, every one of us should think for their development. Country will not achieve its goal unless the larger section of the society gets equal justice in term of health, education and food and shelter”, he added.
Appreciating the members for their nice reception, he appealed the Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, to take necessary steps for establishment of new district court building with good furniture and library.
Justice B.N Mohapatro, said that establishment of district court is a diwali gift from the goddess maa Bhandara Gharani, and Nabarangpur bar association is considered as best bar of state.
IT Minister who is the guest of honour said that new district judge court which will benefit the poor tribals litigants.
Among others new district judge B.P Routroy, bar association secretary Raghunath Padhy, Collector, Sibabrata Dash, SP, Niti Sekhar, MP, Pradeep Majhi, Nabarangpur MLA, Monahar Randhari, Dabugam MLA, Bhujabala Majhi, ZP President, Bhagirathi Nayak present at the meeting.

21 October 2011

MLA Majhi’s murder mystery deepens

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar, dated: 17.10.2011
The mystery over the sensational murder of Umerkote MLA Jagabandhu Majhi has further deepened after the statement of Maoist ideologue Dandapani Mohanty said that the Maoists have no role in the killing of the MLA and his PSO.

The relatives of the late MLA alleged that the Crime Branch (CB) is trying to close the file by giving a shape of Maoist role, even after lapse of number of days, the CB has failed to identify the accused involved in the murder, they alleged.

Majhi was attacked twice before the incident and in every case the police had failed to identify the culprits. As the pressure is mounting on the CB, now the investigating agency is trying to give a Maoist involvement to cover up the incident, alleged Jyanti the sister of Jagabandhu. A close associate of the slain MLA, Subash Gond said the newspaper report is a self-directed drama by Majhi’s political rivals, who are trying to spread fictitious things against the erstwhile popular leader keeping in view the forthcoming by-election.

He further alleged that a local reporter of a vernacular newspaper is an active member of the Opposition party and three criminal cases of extortion and cheating are pending against him in the local court. It is beyond imagination that the reporter who is having such a bad reputation was called by the Maoist to take their interview, he said.

He further said they would file an FIR against the reporter, as the news report tarnished the image of their popular leader who always fought for the rights of the tribals.

The mother of the slain MLA Gouri Bai said “her son was the victim of political rivalry.Getting information from some reliable source my son was given a written report to the Inspector-in- Charge of Raighar police station specifying the names of some of political persons who were conspiring to kill him.However, to the utter dismay, the police have now refuted any such report made to them, she rued. She further said they have no faith on the investigation by the CB and Nabarangpur police.

17 October 2011

Tribal Festival Mondei-2011 Inaugurated

Nabarangpur:
The Tribal Festival Mondei 2011 is all set to kick off. The festival was inaugurated yesterday in a grand fashion at the origin place of Maa Bhandara Gharani the presiding deity of the district, at Raj-Jagannathpur, under Nandahandi block.

The Chief guest, IT Minister Mr.Ramesh Chandra Majhi inaugurated the festival, and described Mondei as a platform for tribals to showcase their hidden talents. Festivals like Mondei not only encourages tribal artists, but also contributes to increased tourist inflow into the district in particular. We should take advantage of information technology to take Mondei to all corners of the country, so that people elsewhere get attracted to this district.
Collector Sibabrata Dash presided over the meeting said that the district is the abode place of nature where one can see dense green forest coverage, Varity of flora and fauna and abundant natural resources. It has a rich traditional values and divergent culture symbolizing the glorious past and heroic days. All steps should be taken to develop contact with travel and tour operators at the district and state level so that tourists develop interest to witness the rich culture variety of the district.
Mr.dash appreciated the block officials and line departments, for developed the area in a short time. He assured to provide all facilities to the area as soon as possible.
The block level festival would continue till 28 October, events like sports,tribal dances, dramas and songs are a vital part of it. Various teams and dance troups will be selected from the block level to perform at the district level celebrations, which will commence from 1 November and continue till 5 November.

Nabarangpur MLA, Manohar Randhari, appreciated the efforts of collector, for selecting to start Mondei from the place of Rajjagannathpur and in short time developed the area.

Minister Mr.Majhi unveiled the festival posters, the colourful posters showing the rich tribal heritage of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The posters will be displayed at various places in and outside the district to highlight the festival. Dance troupes from the Nandahandi panchayat level performed folk dances. To attract the tribals nacha performed for whole night.

Among others, SP, Niti Sekhar, Former MP, Parshuram Majhi, Block Chairman, Hema Bhatra, Vice-Chairman, Dayanidhi Bissoi present at the meeting. ABDO, Nandahandi block, proposed vote of thanks.

Bandh opposing beauty contests in Mondei festival of Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur:
Some of the citizens of town organized a protest rally in the late night by blocking NH 201 on Sunday. Later on Monday witnessed a band in pretest against the proposed beauty contest during Mondei-2011. Some of the business establishments remained closed while vechicular movement was slender during the bandh. In the protest leaders of different political parties including Nabarangpur MP Pradip Majhi sat on dharna opposing the beauty contest. Majhi's dharna was supported by former MP Prasuram Majhi, Zilla Parisad President Bhagirathi Nayak and many others
.
The District Cultural Festival has landed in a controversy over a decision by the administration to conduct beauty contests separately for young girls and married women. Different organisations demanded halt to the competition. It was also echoed during a recent Zilla Parisad meeting in which Vice-president Manjula Majhi opposed the competition saying it was not the culture of tribal women. Cutting across party lines leaders of Congress, BJP and BJDÂ also sat on a dharna to in protest against the proposed beauty contest. Meanwhile, in a press conference held at Raj Jagannathpur, under Nandahandi block IT minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, said the contest is cancelled due to protests. Municipal Chairman, Prahalad Tripathy, demanded action agaist the agitators those who demolished the property of poor persons in the daily market. The district administration proposed to organize beauty contest for the first time during the Mondei festival but it was not final said Collector Mr.Sibabrata Dash. Most unfortunately the people some of them are also the members of the district council of culture without knowing the fact blocked the NH and called a band without discussing with the district administration added Mr.Dash. Municipal Chairman, Prahalad Tripathy, demanded stringent action against the agitators those who demolished the property of the poor persons in the daily market.