03 November 2012

Tribal fest Mondei kicks off in Nabarangpur

The annual tribal festival of Nabarangpur district Mondei was inaugurated by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi at historic Podagada here on Wednesday. As per the rituals, a puja was performed at a cluster of temples in Podagada from where a torch was also lit by the Minister.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the unique festival was aimed at bringing to the fore tribal talents in the fields of art and culture besides creating awareness on different Government-sponsored programmes.
Among others, zila parisad president Motiram Nayak, MLAs of Nabarangpur and Umerkote, Municipality chairman Prahalad Tripathy, Umerkote NAC chairman Prahalad Tripathy and ADM Suradev Sahu spoke. District Collector and District Council of Culture (DCC) chairperson Yamini Sarangi presided.
Earlier, the Minister and the other guests unveiled Mondei posters. Several dance troupes from Umerkote Panchayat Samiti and NAC performed folk dances.
The block level Mondei will continue till November 4. Various teams and dance troupes will be selected from the block level to perform at the
district level celebrations which will commence from November 6 and continue till November 10.
Mondei was first organised by the DCC, Nabarangpur in 2002 from Podagada by the then District Collector Dr Arabinda Padhee with an aim to tap the local talents in various cultural activities and sports, besides promoting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

07 September 2012

Vacancies Mar development in Nabarangpur:

PAITDA, RTO, CDMO,  3 posts of ADMO, 3 posts of Tahasildar, 2 BDO, posts including 3 ABDOs  & Deputy Collector posts lying vacant.
Nabarangpur was formed into a district in October 1992 being bifurcated from erstwhile Koraput district, since than the journey has been a bumpy ride for the people of Nabarangpur. Initially the district did not have the required infrastructure and now when infrastructure is being made available there is dearth of officials to man the office.

 However despite all the infrastructure the situation is not better with several important posts lying vacant.  After the death of PAITDA, on 15th August no one has been posted till today while CDMO retired on 31st August the post now vacant. Apart from the posts district does not have a RTO, Revenue Officer, District Register, two BDOs of Kosagumuda and Raighar, three  Tahasildars, of Nabarangpur, Raighar, and Chandahandi, three ABDOs, of Nandahandi, Nabarangpur, and Kosagumuda, three deputy collectors of collectrate are  vacant.

 While implementation of development programmes is bearing the brunt of these vacancies, The health sector in this tribal-dominated district is in a shambles due to the non-availability of doctors in the District Headquarters Hospital key posts of paediatrics, gynaecologists, surgery, O&G, orthopaedics, medicine, ophthalmology, ENT,  skin & VD, TB & CD, anaesthesia, pathology  are lying vacant since long.

Similarly three posts of Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) for Medical, Family welfare and Public Health, District Tuberculosis Officer, District Leprosy Officer and District Surveillance Medical Officer including 60 doctors post vacant which have thrown health services into disarray. The district administration and health department are now struggling to provide proper health services in the diarrhoea affected blocks.

04 September 2012

Heavy rains lash Nabarangpur, leave streets waterlogged

Nabarangpur:
Due to the heavy rains on Tuesday water got stagnated on the Nabarangpur-Jeypire NH road, College-Court road, District headquarters hospital road, affecting the vehicular movement. Traffic on the areas was also disrupted for more than an hour due to heavy water logging.  Sewage mixed with rainwater overflowed on the roads of Gouda street, Chaina Market, Daily Market area.
“The drains on both sides of road remain heavily silted near Sadasiva Park, Gouda street, Gadbaguda, and China Market,  as workers from Municipality do not clean them on a regular basis alleged the local residents.
Vast stretches of the residential localities were flooded and some low-lying areas witnessed over 3-5 feet water gushing into home. Rainwater entered several houses at Gouda Street, chaina market and daily market area and a few other residential areas in the town.
 Local MLA, Mohnohar Randhari, visited the areas discussed with the residents and distributed reliefs. Speaking to the media persons Mr. Randhari said that till today municipality Nabarangpur has no enduring efforts had been taken up so far to solve the water logging in the town. The absence of proper drainage system was the reason for waterlogging. We have been asking the Municipality to construct more drains in the area and clean the existing ones he added.
Siba Charana Majhi,  a resident in Gouda Street complained our pleas fell on deaf ears whenever the town witnesses heavy rain, our colony will be heavy water logging, though elected councilors and officials travel on road every day and they are well aware of the problems she added.
Apart from Nabarangpur town, a few other parts in the district also witnessed moderate to heavy showers.
In the meanwhile Executive officer of Municipality, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan directed the JEs, and sanitation officials to identify the waterlogging areas and take necessary steps.

02 September 2012

1015 Anganwadi centres has own building 1049 safe drinking facilities in district.

Nabarangpur:

As per the direction of the women & child welfare department to provide safe drinking water facilities to all the anganwadi centers, and conduct comprehensive verification of condition of the structures Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi,was prompted into inspecting centres and directed DSWO, BDOs, AE RWSS, JEs, GPTA, CDPOs and SI of Schools to inspection the drinking facilities available at the anganwadi centres. 

during inspection by various officers recently in the district there are 2038 anganwadi centres in the district, of which 1015 out of their own building, while 34 are functioning in school building, while others are functioning rented houses and community halls, said Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi in a press release. 

The report further mentioned that 870 centres has own tube well facilities and 179 anganwadi centres has water facilities within a radius of 250 miters.

31 August 2012

Health Camp to Creat awareness on Diarrhoea in Nabarangpur

To create awareness among public about diarrhoea and related problems, district administration organised health camp at Samelapada village under Chandahandi block here on today.

A team of doctors with para-medical staffs conducted health checkup and distributed free medicines. Speaking to the gathering Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi, said that the main objective of conducting these health camps was to create awareness of general health among the people, providing general health care services and counseling them, on basic health care and hygiene.

Ms. Sarangi, appreciated the efforts of the doctors in providing free medical aid to people, the health camp received overwhelming response from the people.

Health camps focus on preventing diarrhoea…

Nabarangpur:
In the last three weeks around 18 deaths, including four from diarrhoea in Chandahandi, Umerkote, and Kosagumuda blocks. In a crucial press meet at Ashok Meheta conference hall on Tuesday Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi, refuting the reports published in the media and said that on diarrhoea only three persons died in the district. Though some persons are died in food poisoning, and other diseases at their homes but the media erroneously reporting as diarrhoea she added.
To check diarrhoea in the district 41 management centers designed, and we have pressed a rapid task force in the blocks to quickly take steps at places where cases have been reported. Besides health camps are organizing at the rural pockets to menimise the incidence and impact of diarrhoea, also key messages are reinforced through local plays, hording, and miking she said

In the meanwhile Ms.Sarangi, Visited Chandahandi, today discussed with the officials, and villagers asked doctors and para-medical staff in the diarrhoea-hit areas to remain on vigilant eye for the prevention of diarrhoea.

The situation is not alarming anywhere, 15 doctor’s team assigned in the district to check the diarrhoea, we already sent the samples of water for testing there is no cause of worry she added

Preparatory meeting for Mondei-2012 at Nabarangpur.

The preparatory meeting for the celebration of the Annual Tribal Cultural festival Mondei-2012 was held at the Zilla Parisad Conference hall under the chairpersonship of District Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi ,here on Monday. 

It was decided that Mondei will kicks off from Podagada the historic place under Umerkote block. The block level Mondei will be kicks off from 28th October to 5 November and the district level festival will be from 6th to 10th November.

Like the previous years the festivals will have cultural programmes consisting of Drama, dance, songs, sports, traditional music, open quiz, drawing, recitation of Poem, healthy baby contest, Photo exhibition, sand arts, competitions will be held. 
Nabarangpur SP, Brijesh Kumar Rai, Zilla Parisad President, Motiram Nayak, Vice-Chairperson, Nibadita Mohanty, all the members of Mondei committee, district level officers, present at the Meeting.

Seven Fertilizers licenses’ cancelled in Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur:
In a bid to bring transparency and check the malpractice of black marketing in the distribution of fertilizers, the District Collector Yamini Sarangi, directed the officials to routine check upon the dealers and retailers. 
A press release said that Collector directed Tahasilder Pratap Kumar Mohanyty, and DAO, Bhubaneswar Jena of Umerkote, to conduct joint raids on the fertilizer shops and dealers. The team found irregularities in the shops of Bholanath Pradhan of Jodinga, Himadri Sekhar Kara, of Kacharapara, Suman Yadav of Raighar block, Gautam Traders of Chandahandi block, Subash Chandra Jain, of Jharigam block, Mahavir General Store of Mahavir Prasad Jain, Umerkote, and Babulal Sitaram’s licence has been cancelled after receiving the show cause replies from the above traders.
Even the licenses’ of Santi Mata fertilizers, Shyamlal Biswas, Manoj Kumar Bairagi, are suspended and asked for show cause.
The district administration conducting frequent Joint raids to check black marketing, and causing artificial scarcity through hoarding of fertilizers.

23 August 2012

Eight Diarrhoea Deaths reported from the district lacked credibility, Collector Yamini Sarangi.

Nabarangpur:
Diarrhoea deaths had been reported from Chandahandi and Umerkote block,  of the district at least eight persons including two children died in diarrhea   while  many others were affected and admitted to nearby hospitals.

In Chandahandi block alone, six persons, including two children, have died of diarrhea with in the last eight days. They have been identified as Syam Pangi (5) of Charaghati village, Eswar Goudo (30) of Semlapada, Suna Nag (55) and Parvati (15) of Belpati, Sesmal Pota (48) of Bhendia, and Kunti Nial (35) of Badamunda village. Hundreds were affected by the disease have been admitted at Chandahandi and Deabandh CHCs.
 Reacting to recent news of diarrhea cases reported in the district Collector Yamini Sarangi, said the news of 8 deaths published in newspapers lacked credibility.  On Wednesday she clarified that only two had died of diarrhoea while attributing four other deaths to food poising and other diseases. Steps are being taken to clear garbage in the affected area she added.
In the meanwhile Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi, visited Chandahandi, on Thursday discussed with the medical staffs and patients who were admitted in the hospital being given medical attention and those who have recovered from the illness.  Also visited Badamunda village under Mohara,  GP discussed with the family members of Kunti Nial, who died in the diarrhea.

Speaking to the media Ms.Sarangi, said two teams of doctors have been constituted at the district-level for proper monitoring and treatment,  and directed all the medical staffs, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers to keep a strict vigil on the situation and to create awareness about the disease , Further directed the RWSS officials to chlorinated drinking water sources and Two helpline phone numbers have been made operational and people can contact on 06858-222459 or 1077. Besides, arrangement has also been made to create awareness in the rural belt.

21 August 2012

Migrated Labour rescued at Nabarangpur

Nabarangpur:
Eleven migrated labour of Jharigam and Raighar block rescued at Nabrangpur here on Tuesday.
According to reliable source SP Nabarangpur, Brajesh Kumar Rai, directed town police to detained one Bolero vehicle vide no OR 24B 
7124, and during course of investigation 11 migrated labour including 4 child
labour who are being transported to Hydrabad rescued by the police. One mediator Nimai Sarkar, of Righar police limit sending them for labour works said the IIC, Surendra Dash. Later the Police seized the vehicle and registed a case. Meanwhile the DLO Niraj Kumar Mund, reached at the police station and lodge a labour case also.


20 August 2012

Rs.12 crore IAP outlay to strengthen basic infrastructure in rural areas naxal-hit blocks of dist. Collector Yamini Sarangi.

Nabarangpur:
In an important meeting on Friday, the district-level Integrated Action Plan (IAP) committee sanctioned Rs.12 crore to strengthen basic infrastructure in the rural areas of naxal-hit blocks of the district.
Collector Ms. Yamini Sarangi, provided priority in building of village market “Gramya Hat” with sheds, solar power systems in 15 health centres, water tankers, and  godowns in the blocks. She has further asked the departments concerned to implement the projects under IAP to make efforts to complete the works within scheduled time.

Official sources said  in order to promote skilled artisans and facilitate sale of their handicraft products, ‘Gramya Hat’ (Village Market) will be constructed in every block of the district and for this Rs 10 lakh has been earmarked for construction of each ‘hat’ will be carried out soon.

With an expenditure of Rs 1 crore, ten dry sheds will be constructed in all  the Maoist infested blocks of Raighar, Umerkote and Jharigam blocks to enable rural farmers to keep their produces safely. Similarly a project for construction of ten godowns in all ten blocks has also been approved for which Rs 1.20 crore will be spent.

For improvement in health sector, solar power systems will be installed in 15 rural health centres by spending around Rs 14 lakh for uninterrupted power supply. Besides, to provide better connectivity, concrete roads will be constructed linking the rural health centres.

Similarly, to solve drinking water problem five water tankers will be provided for people of five blocks for which Rs 40 lakhs will be spent during the current year.

As Maoist-hit areas experience frequent power disruptions, Rs 3.9 crore has been sanctioned under IAP for remedial measures.

The Collector while directing the Lift Irrigation department to assure uninterrupted water supply to farmers, also sectioned Rs.3.7 crore for renovating the 39 defunct lift point projects in the district.
Further to strengthen security in Maoist affected areas it has been decided to construct rural roads on priority basis to improve. Eight ‘common utility centres’ will also be constructed with an expenditure of Rs.40 lakh in Raighar, Umerkote and Jharigam blocks.

09 August 2012

Indravati project to help irrigate 15,000 hectares in Nabarangpur.


The State Government has prepared a plan of action to expedite the construction work of the Indravati project to provide irrigation to Nabarangpur district.

According to official sources, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who reviewed the implementation of various irrigation projects in Nabarangpur district, asked concerned officials to expedite the work to complete the projects in time.

According to sources, an estimated 15,000 hectares of agricultural land would be irrigated under the Indravati Irrigation Project. The survey works of the project is under process. Besides, steps have been taken to provide irrigation to 1,489 hectares of land by constructing check dams across river Indravati.

Sources said it was decided to construct four dams at Tokiguda, Bhitiribada, Miniguda and Bangalaguda. Besides, irrigation to 4,080 hectares would be provided by setting up four mega lift points at Nuagaan, Paraajaminiguda, Dahivat, and Ekamba.
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08 August 2012

Consumer awareness workshop held at Nabarangpur.

Basant Rath, Bureau Chief.
The consumer counseling center of district consumer court Nabarangpur  organised a consumer awareness workshoCp at court hall here on Wednesday.
District Consumer Court president, who is also chief guest Laxmi Narayan Padhy inaugurated the workshop, while  information officer Mr. Boolu Hota, hosted the meeting and said the rural consumers are not aware of their rights it is high time for the NGOs to create  greater awareness among the rural public of their rights as consumers.
Senior Advocate N.Ahmed, spoke about consumer protection law while DCDRF President Mr. Padhy elaborated consumer rights and duties, the consumer disputes and solutions during the awareness workshop. The participants for the workshop were being drawn from different sections of society such as representatives of NGOs, women organisations, media and government officials.
Among others DCDRF member Aswani Mohapatra, Pravati Mishra, DCPC members present at the meeting.

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World Breastfeeding Week Celebrated at Nabarangpur.

Nawrangpur: By Basant Rath,BUREAU CHIEF
District level celebration of World Breastfeeding Week at Nabarangpurheld today. Collector Ms.Yamini Sarangi, flagged off the really in front of Sub-Collector office, among other DSWO Kananbala Dash, Sub-collector Suman Behera, CDPOs, supervisors, and anganwadi workers present at the really.
Meeting was organised at the Nabarangpur block office conference hall. Chief Guest Sub-Collector, Mr.Behera said that “Maa KIra re Adika Dam” Bottle Kira re Ahika Kam “‘. It Is a high time to every Person along with To every Mother to ensure and promote breastfeeding within one hour of child birth, exclusive breastfeeding till six months and breastfeeding with supplementary nutrition till two years of age is extremely vital for a child to grow properly’ among others CDPOs, DSWO, BDO, Nabarangpur spoke on the occasion.
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01 August 2012

New Nabarangpur Collector assumes office.

Nabarangpur:
Ms.Yamini Sarangi, IAS assumed charge as the new Collector of Nabarangpur district here on Wednesday. The ADM Suradev Sahu, Sub-Collector, Suman Behera, PDDRDA, James Eaka, PAITDA, Paul Eaka, and officials received the new Collector at the Collectorate and Ms.Sarangi took over charge from ADM at 10.30 AM. Talking to media persons she urged all cooperation of people and officials.

Balasore based Ms.Yamini Sarangi  after schooling from Kendriya Vidyala and Sardar Patel Vidyala, New Delhi, did BE (civil) from the Delhi College of Engineering worked for 6 years in the IT sector 1 year at Infosys and 5 years at SAP Bangalore before joining the IAS in 2008.
She has trained and served as BDO at Mayurbhanj,  Tahasildar at Baliguda, Sub-collector, and PDDRDA at Gajpati district.

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31 July 2012

Sibabrata Dash, Collector Nabarangpur hand over charge to ADM

Today  Nabarangpur Collector Sibabrata Dash, IAS who transferred and posted as Additional Secretary Heath handed over the charges to the Additional District Magistrate Suradev Sahu, while Leaving Nabarangpur Sri.Dash Underwrote message....... 

The Love affection & respect I have got from all sections of people of Nabarangpur will remain with me as my treasure for the entire life...
Nabarangpur is & will remain as my first & last love

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU

With regards & love to all

SIBABRATA DASH, 
EX-COLLECTOR, NABARANGPUR

28 July 2012

MS.Yamini Sarangi IAS posted as New Collector Of Nabarangpur.

2008 batch IAS Ms.Yamini Sarangi, presently working as PDDRDA Gajpati district transferred  to Nabarangpur collector. Ms.Sarangi, after finishing schooling from Kendriya Vidyayalaya and Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi, did graduation in B.E.(Civil) from the Delhi College of Engineering. Worked for 6 years from 2002 to 2008 in the IT Sector 1 year at Infosys and 5 years at SAP Bangalore before joining the IAS in 2008. 
<Welcome to Nabarangpur district Madam>

08 July 2012

District seminar on RI theme Peace through service held at Nabarangpur.

The Rotary club Nabarangpur, Rising star and rotary club Umerkote jointly organized the district seminar on RI theme peace through service at mission Shakti hall here on Sunday. As many as 120 Rotarians of 35 Rotary clubs of Odisha, including two clubs of Jagdalpur, and Raipur of Chattisghar participated at the seminar.
District Governor Dr.Ashok Kumar Singh, said  this is first of the theme seminars for the year 2012-13 and the seminar at the beginning of the year will surely help the participants in their efforts to make the year eventful. Further delivered the message of president of RI  Sakuji Tanaka, about the peace amongst countries, communities and clubs.
The seminar focused on the theme of Peace through community services, speakers PDG Shashi Varvandkar, Rtn.Debashish Panda,Arun Das,Dilip Patnaik,Aswani Kar, Subhash Sahu, Benjamin Simon,Pushparani Mohapatra,Debasis Kumar delivered speeches on peace through international service, vocational service and service to new generation.
All Rotarians appreciated the Presidents of Rotary club Nabarangpur, Umerkote , and the dynamic leadership of  Collector Rtn.Sibabrata Dash, and Rtn. Nikarika Mishra. DG Dr.Singh unveiled Seminar souvenir on the occasion.

23 June 2012

Landmine blasted by Police at Jodinga-Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur. By: Basant Rath, Sr.Correspondent.
SP. Niti Sekhar, detecing Landmine.
A landmine planted by Maoists was blasted by security personnel near Shanti Nagar, 4km away from Raighar  naxal-hit-Nabarangpur district today.
At the Jodinga-Raighar jungle two boys found the wires and try to tug the wires in the meanwhile they found some villagers ran away. Villagers came to the spot saw the huge wires and intimated Righar police.
Following the information, Superintendent of Police Niti Sekhar SDPO, Umerkote Ashok Kumar Patnaik along with other police officials rushed to the spot near Jodenga, located the landmine which was more than 15 feet under the ground.
Police suspect landmines might be planted at the time of construction of the road without taking any risk of defuse Supt. of Police Mr. Sekhar directed the police personnel’s to blast the landmine. We suspect planting of more such landmines. Although search operation has been launched along the road from Raighar to district bordering, Said Sp. Mr.Sekhar


22 June 2012

Women pull chariot at Nabarangpur.

THE PIONEER  BHUBANESWAR  THURSDAY,  21 JUNE 2012  BASANT RATH
The Rath Yatra here concluded peacefully on Thursday with a ban on obscene utterances during the festival and for the first time women pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot.
Women devotees with Collector. Sibabrata Dash,MLA Manohar Randhari  Pulling Chariot.
Hundreds of women devotees along with their male counterparts pulled the chariot creating history in the district. Expressing pleasure over the event, District Collector Sibabrata Dash said that prior to this year women had found it difficult to even come near the ropes of the chariot, but after the ban on hurling of obscenities women could pull the chariot. This reflects the rich and distinct cultural heritage of Nabarangpur, he observed.
President of Durgabhaini Sussma Jain, along with the Rising Star Rotarians participated in chariot-pulling and cheered women devotees. They said they were thankful to the district administration for the new trend, which, they hoped, would be continued in future.
In particular, tribal women were thrilled to participate in the pulling of the chariot.The district administration deployed huge number police personnel of both genders for smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival.
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06 June 2012

NREGA Job card cover scam Vigilance raid on DRDA & RCMS

Nabarangpur:
The vigilance team on Thursday raided the houses and offices of Badri Bhagban Tripathy, RCMS Secretary Nabarangpur and Jugal Kishor Nayak, APD DRDA, also raided the residences of  Dhruba Charan Panchbhaya, CEO of Western Odisha Development Council.
Acting on the large-scale corruption and irregularities  of NREGA job card cover purchase scam for the year 2009-10 the vigilance sleuths raided the houses and offices said B K Nayak, Kalahandi DSP vigilance. Malkangiri DSP Vigilance Hanari Kulu, Inspector Harekrishna Majhi along with staff conducted raids.

05 June 2012

Maa Ghara with CRPF provides Free Computer Education.

Nabarangpur: By: Basant Rath,Bureau Chief.

In an effort to prevent trafficking of woman and girls from the district, believed to be especially rampant in tribal-dominated  Nabarangpur.  The CRPF with the help of Maa Ghara, Nabrangpur branch has started a new initiative to improve skills of the vulnerable section and find employment for them in the locality.
A meeting was held at the town hall here on Monday, inaugurated by Rutupurna Mohanty, Managing trustee Maa Ghara, among others freedom fighter Md.Bazi, Niranjan Sahu, Asst. Commandant CRPF, Mrs.Sunita Gupta, Dandapani Mohapatro, Southern Odisha Sahyitya General Secretary.
Local MLA, Monahar Randhari, who was the guest of honour said that we are thankful to CRPF and Maa Ghara for giving this opportunity and helping women’s and girls to stand in their feet.
"The idea of organizing this training is not only to address the crisis of women trafficking, which has been acute in various tribal areas, but also to prevent these vulnerable sections from becoming a target of Naxal forces," said D.S.Negi, Commandant CRPF Koraput.
As many as 30 women and girls of the district, were joined in the free computer education with free boarding facilities. Maa Ghara Nabarangpur branch President Kadambini Tripathy, Presided over the meeting. 

World environment day observed at Nabarangpur.


Nabarangpur:
World environment day is being celebrated at Central Nursery of Patramunda Nabarangpur.
Guests with the Prakruti Bandhu Award winners at the Meeting
Chief Guest Collector Sibabrata Dash  called for a concerted and collective effort for environment conservation. Every individual should make a significant contribution in safeguarding the environment," he said.
DFO, Solaram Marandi stressed on maintaining balance between development and conservation of the environment. Due to progressive climate change and other environmental concerns, there is continuous deterioration in the environment across the globe and is one of the primary concern of present world he added.
10 Prakruti Mitra awards  and 10 prakruti Bandhu awards with 5000 cheques were distributed at the meeting. Among others PDDRDA,James Eakka, ACF,Biswaraj Panda, Dr.Bijaya Mishra, were DIPRO, Bhujang Bhusan Rao, were spoke on the occasion. 

31 May 2012

Pyari misses Number Game

After almost nightlong confabulations with Lawmakers of BJD in Sahid Nagar, MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra was rather muted
 in his Press Meet this morning.
 According to him 33 MLAs including 3 Ministers met him on 29 May, while 13 others went back from outside his house due to intense Media glare.Thus Mr.Mohapatra demonstrated support of 46 MLAS in the BJD Legislative Party of 104.
 However 10 of them seems to have drifted away to Naveen Niwas, where a parallel meeting of Pro-Naveen Patnaik Lawmakers took place.Political observers feel that this reduced number game is perhaps the reason why the “Margadarshak” was not at his aggressive best in the Media Meet held today.
 
He scaled his “Revolt” to “Grievance Sharing”, while acknowledging Naveen Patnaik as the Boss of the Governing BJD.
 Pyari Mohan’s aggressive pitch did not elicit support from too many Lawmakers as rumored earlier in the political circle.
 “This time Pyari Babu failed in his number game”, said a close confidant of the BJD Supremo.
 However, Chief Minister former Principal Advisor’s sudden move to organize such meetings with Lawmakers in absence of the Chief Minister has shaken the BJD establishment.
 
An irked Naveen is rushing back to Bhubaneswar cutting short his 9 daylong UK visit due to the move of Mr.Mohapatra.
 What is going to happen now is a million dollar question.After the reported challenge of Pyari Mohan, the ball is now in the court of Naveen Patnaik.Will he ignore the show of defiance or will take action against the three Ministers, who were closeted with the senior MP.
 
Naveen’s close circle feel that if there will be no action against the people who openly defied the Big Boss of BJD, it will be a sign of weakness and will spell more defiance in future.
 
However political circle feel that if he takes action, Pyari Mohan has to defend his flock and confrontation will further escalate.At least one thing is clear that the much hypred speculation of fall of BJD Government is nowhere is in picture.
Mr.Mohapatra has made it abundantly clear that  he has no intention to destabilize the Government and does not nourish to be the Chief Minister. He continues as a “Worker” of BJD.“Thing will take final shape once Chief Minister returns Bhubaneswar by tomorrow,” said a senior Vice President of BJD.

29 May 2012

Two children die, 20 affected by diarrhoea in Nabarangpur

At least two children have died and more than 20 others are suffering from diarrhoea in Architaguda under Ravanaguda Gram Panchayat of Jharigaon block of the district.
The villagers informed that one Sangita Bhatra (4), daughter of Trilochan Bhatra died last Sunday while, after two days, daughter of Giridhar Bhatra also succumbed to the disease.
A medical team rushed to the village on Sunday and sifted one Manbodh Bharta (5) to the District Headquarters Hospital, Nabarangpur in serious condition. Urmila Bhatra (5), Anti Bhatra, Lata Bhatra, (35) and Kamana Gouda (6) have been sifted to the Zonal Hospital at Umerkote.
The medical team headed by Dr Bismaya Kumar Rout and Dr Himansu Mishra with staffs are treating other patients at the village. Dr Raut said, “We suspect polluted water is the cause of the diarrhea outbreak,” adding that most of the affected were children and women.
Interestingly, there are four hand-pumps for the entire village inhabited by 1,365 people. Out of the wells, only one is in working condition. Villagers depend on dug-wells and ponds for drinking water and bathing purposes which is said to be the cause of infection. Though Collector Sibabrata Dash had directed all officials including Asha and Anganwadi workers in all meetings to check diarrhoea to make the district diarrhoea free, it has gone in vain.

28 May 2012

Tribals call off move to plough 'Tibetan land'

The proposed move of tribals to forcefully acquire lands allegedly encroached by Tibetan refugees settled at Chandragiri in Gajapati district was postponed after a high-level discussion with officials on Sunday.

Adivasi Dalit Vikash Samiti (ADVS), a tribal organization backed by the CPM, had threatened on Saturday to forcibly plough the areas under Tibetan refugees. "We suspended our agitation after the district administration assured to solve the problem soon. Another round of talks will be held at the collectorate level soon on this issue," said L Ram Gopal Rao, Gajapati district secretary of the CPM. He alleged about 1,000 acre of land has been encroaching by the Tibetans.

Rao said till the matter is solved, neither the local tribals nor the Tibetans will cultivate the disputed land. The encroached land would be identified only after the ongoing demarcation process by officials is complete, sources said.

Tibetans in Chandragiri, however, denied they have encroached upon tribal lands. "We did not encroach upon any land of local tribals. We are ready to vacate the lands if any encroachment is found on our part," said local Tibetan assembly chairman Kenpo Pema Tenphel. "We don't want to confront local people. We are peace-loving and want to settle here in peace with the locals," Tenhel said.

About 2,500 people of Tibet, who had fled their country along with their spiritual leader the Dalia Lama, were settled at Chandragiri in 1966 by the central government. They settled in five camps at Chandragiri, Mahendragarh, Jiranga, Labarsing and Tekkilipadar villages. The land to settle them was given on lease by the government, sources said.

Naveen on UK visit: No second-in-command in State.

Who is now the number two in the ruling BJD as well as in its 12-year-old Government? The issue is being debated in political circles here in the backdrop of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s ongoing nine-day tour of the United Kingdom since May 23.

All the orders are coming from Patnaik, who is also the party supremo, from London, whether it is the decision of the BJD to join the all-India shutdown call given by the opposition parties at the national level on May 31 against the petrol price hike or that of transfer of officials.

With the differences between Patnaik and his principal strategist and senior party MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra having widened further, the latter is no more calling shots in the BJD. The differences between the two were confirmed by Mohapatra himself when he told the media a few days ago, “I accept both the arguments that there was a rise in my influence and (is) a fall of that.”

When Patnaik left on his foreign jaunt for the first time in the 12 years of his rule, everybody was eager to know who would look after the party and the Government as the second-in-command in his absence. Patnaik, however, left no hints about it.

A number of Ministers who met Patnaik on the eve of his foreign visit had expected he would give the number two assignment to either of them. They were frustrated when the boss talked something other than what they were expecting.

Political observers had expected that as the senior-most Minister, Prafulla Chandra Ghadai would be asked to shoulder the responsibility of the administration in the Chief Minister’s absence.

Senior party leader and former Minister Damodar Rout, who is most vocal against “the second power centre” in the party and the Government, Pyarimohan Mohapatra, was also frustrated as Patnaik did not ask him to handle party affairs in his absence.

The leadership crisis was felt when Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh shot off a letter to Patnaik asking his Government to free all the innocent tribals booked on charge of being Maoists. Minister of Forests and Environment Debi Prasad Mishra tried to save the situation saying the State Government has withdrawn cases against 9,110 tribals. But the reply was all about statistics sans a political slant in view of the Union Minister’s apparent intention to defuse the tribal card being played by Patnaik propping up “eminent tribal leader” PA Sangma as a candidate for the Presidential elections.

Patnaik seems to give a clear message that there is no number two in the BJD and the Government. As many observers feel, time will tell if he can really manage the affairs of the party and administration without an unofficial second-in-command like Mohapatra.

Govt to revise vehicle usage rate for babus.

BHUBANESWAR
It is the babus who rule the roost in the State as far as availing of financial benefits are concerned.
You will be astonished that the senior officials are paying only Rs 300 to Rs 400 a month towards using official vehicles for private use. And the Finance Department sources reveal that the officials are paying the vehicle charges in accordance with a 2003 circular when petrol price per litre was only Rs 32. At present the price of petrol has gone up to Rs 73.
With the steep hike in petrol price, the Finance Department is considering a revision and rationalisation of the vehicle usage rate, said Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai here on Saturday.

27 May 2012

Chandragiri tribals on warpath

Over 1,000 tribals of Tibetan refugees-dominated Chandragiri and Mahendragarh in Gajapati district on Saturday gathered at Hatapada.
They resolved to start cultivating ‘their ancestral lands’, occupied by the refugees, from Sunday. CPI(M) State Secretary Janardan Pati, party farmers’ front leader Jagannath Mishra and party leader in Gajapati L Ram Gopal Rao addressed the gathering and mounted a scathing attack on the district bureaucracy and police.
They alleged the authorities had helped Tibetan refugees illegally take possession of nearly 2,400 acres of forest land belonging to tribals.
The tribals brought along their traditional weapons and were led by leader Devraj Beher Dalai and Dalit Adivasi Bikash Samiti president Sambaru Sabar. It was resolved that they would start cultivating the lands to take them back into possession. A serious law and order situation is feared.

26 May 2012

Pyari ends speculations

By: Basant Rath, Sr.Journalist.
The ruling BJD MP and party’s senior leader Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has indirectly accepted his “hot and cold” relationship with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
 Mr.Mohapatra, in fact, ended a long standing speculation over his relationship with BJD Supremo as have been reported in media.
“I accept both, regarding rise of my influence in the state as well as fall in relationship with Naveen Babu,” Mr.Mohapatra told reporters replying a question on his reported sour relationship with the Chief Minister.
Mr.Mohapatra, who enjoyed the status of a “Chanakya” in Naveen’s Durbar for 12 long year, of late fell apart from the Chief Minister. The people, who were making beeline at his residence, now fear to enter into Saheed Nagar.


The reason: the fear of Naveen.


Since some days, Naveen had stopped taking advice from his chief strategist over some reason or other. While nobody knows about the cause of difference between the two, it is now evident that both are not pulling well as they used to do barely six months ago.
Becoming emotional, the bureaucrat turned politician said that romance between couple slows down when it becomes old.
“I have relationship with Naveen Babu for over 12 years which is a ‘Yug’,” Mr.Mohapatra said indicating that there was nothing unusual if their relationship slowed down.
Replying a question on the BJD supporting P A Sangma as the presidential candidate, Mohapatra said: “The party president has announced name of Sangma. Therefore it is decision of the entire party.”
Asked whether he would garner support for Sangma, Mr.Mohapatra said: “It is responsibility of the person who named him and not me. Besides, Sangma is there to seek support for him.”
On a question on the BJD not becoming member of the Rajya Sabha Select Committee, Mr.Mohapatra said that the regional party had not requisite number to make into the committee.
However, replying another question, he said: “Why you (media) people are worried. Jayalalithaa is now sister of Naveen Babu....There is nothing wrong if a brother gives dowry to his sister.”