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. .

Healthcare in jeopardy as ANMs not paid salaries

Healthcare in jeopardy as ANMs not paid salaries PNS | Kalahandi The Central Government has implemented programmes like KBK Yojana in Orissa meant for uplifting the rural people of backward regions. However, lax attitude of the State Government has now put the programmes in doldrums. Recently, it has been observed that theState Government send the Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs) to remote areas and make them work without paying for a long period of time. While many people have died of diarrhoea in the district in the last couple of months, ANMs were reported to be absent in most of villages, including the interior areas of the district. According to the reports, the ANMs of Kalahandi have not been paid their salaries for the last eight months. Besides, willingness to serve in almost all the villages is also lacking among them. Immediate intervention of the State Government is required to resolve the issue.

INDRAVATI TODAY SMS NEWS

Dat: 21.Sept.2009 Preparatory meeting of MONDEI-2009 (The Tribal Cultural fiesta ) will be held at Mission Shakti Hall on 22.Sept.09 Central University of Orissa is becoming a victim of official apathy, The first Vice Chancellor Professor Surabhi Banerjee is not spending time at KORAPUT ORISSA GOVERNMENT DELAYS CRUCIAL POSTINGS DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE POST LIES VACANT IN ACTIVE KHARIF SEASON DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE DR.ARABINDA PADHEE LEAVES FOR FOREIGN TRAINING Basant Rath, Editor-in-chief Indravati Today.

Three New Tahasils Inaugurated.

Nabarangpur: Three New tahasils has been inaugurated today.Smt. Roopa Mishra, IAS,Collector< Nabarangpur, joined as the chief guest and inautgurated, with infrstctures and records which has sifted from Nabarangpur. New tahasils Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti and Papadahandi, functining from today.

Nabarangpur left high and dry

Express News Service First Published : 07 Sep 2009 NABARANGPUR:“The State and Central governments violated the riparian rights of people in downstream areas of Nabarangpur district during implementation of the Upper Indravati Project,” alleged former legislator and State Congress vice-president Sadan Naik. Addressing mediapersons today, he said the Indravati hydro-electricity project, which was started in 1978 and completed some years back, made the downstream tribal- dominated Nabarangpur district dry. He said the water of Indravati and its tributaries Padagad, Kapoor and Mooran was diverted to Hati valley to produce 600 MW of power and irrigate 1,01,000 hectares in Kalahandi District. As per the 1975 inter-State agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, out of 204 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water of Indravati dam, 91 TMC was to be used for Indravati project and 45 TMC to be supplied to Madhya Pradesh every year and the rest 68 TMC would be used by Orissa. But diversion of all the water stock to Hati Valley, Kalahandi, agitated the Nabarangpur people. “To cool off the frayed tempers, irrigation from the Indravati project was promised but 30 years have passed and nothing has been done in this regard,” Naik alleged. The total irrigation capacity of the Indravati project in Kalahandi is 1,01,000 hectares and now the government is planning to increase it to 1,28,000 hectares. “A Pune-based organisation has completed the project report for this and the Central Water Commission is examining it. This will require 20 MW of power which will be generated using water of Nabarangpur district. Under these circumstances, there would be no water left for people of the district,” Naik claimed. He threatened an agitation if the issue is not addressed at the earliest

LETTER TO THE WORLD BANK FROM ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH PRESIDENT

Letter to the World Bank from Orissa Krushak Mahasangh President, Banka Behary Das Expressing Great Discontent of Displace Persons of Indravati Project On March 15, 1992. To, Resident Dirictor, World Bank Mission 55, Lodi Estate, New Delhi, 110 003 Dear Sir, You have been funding the Indravati Multipurpose Project of Orissa, When thirty thousand tribals of Koraput district, the most backward tribal district of Orissa, are being displaced, it is every body’s concern and you cannot escape the responsibility. The Global Institutions including U.V.O. is committed to the problem of the displaced, who become refugee in their own homeland. But I am sorry to state that though cost of rehabilitation is a part of project expenditure, whether you are funding directly or not, no rehabilitation work has been done. After paying a paltry sum of compensation, the displaced tribals are being forced to vacate their hearth and home alongwith their agricultural land. No colony has been established for them, not has any facility been provided. A small are which was cle3aned for another project and the displaced persons there did not accept it is being shown as an area allotted for Indravati Project by them. It is far off and also does not suit to the living style and needs of the tribals. If rehabilitation programme is drawn up in comsultation with tribal leaders of the area and also the voluntary activists who are functioning with them. It may be possible to prepare such programme compensation is no substitute for rehabilitation. Alleviation of human misery should be the sine qua non of any rehabilitation programme. I am not going into details of matter as Government has not published their rehabilitation measurers for the informing of the public. People only know that when last year World Bank suspended payment of the loan, one of the reason stated was improper rehabilitation policy. Many villages which will be submerged in the reservoir have not been listed and many villages where agricultural land will be submerged rendering the inhabitants pauper are not being considered for rehabilitation. As President of the Orissa Krushak Mahasangh, I have toured a portion of that area and talked to thousands of displaced persons also. I feel the entire approach is faulty in human and smacks of heartlessness. I felt duty bound to inform you and am sending a copy of this letter to the state government also for their information. I am afraid the deteriorating situation may hamper the progress of the work, which is not desirable nor healthy. In fact since April, 3 last, progress of work has been greatly hampered due to intense agitation of displaced persons. I hope the World Bank officials and the State Government representatives will draw a proper rehabilitation programme, inform the displaced persons to get their cooperation and implement them faithfully before the dams are completed. Yours sincerely, BANKA BEHARY DAS PRESIDENT, ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH & FORMER REVENUE MINISTER. REPLY OF THE WORLD BANK TO ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH PRESIDENT SHRI BANKA BEHARY DAS. THE WORLD BANK,International Bank for Reconstruction & Devlopment. Resident Mission In India 55, Lodi Estat NEW DELHI – 110003. INDIA MAY 4th, 1992 Mr. B.B. Das President Orissa Krushak Mahasangh 14, Ashoknagar, Bhubaneswar – 9 Dear Mr. Das, Thank you for your letter and for sharing your concerns on the displacement of tribals in Orissa. Please be assured that this is an issue of which the Bank has been taking serious note and we share your concerns. The Bank is working closely with the Government of Orissa to ensure that the resettlement aspects of the project are properly taken care of. We are coping your letter to our specialists at headquarters to ensure that their views are considered by future supervision missions. We appreciate your interest in writing to the Bank, With best wishes. Yours sincerely MLA NANDA BISSELL Information Officer.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION ON UPPER INDRAVATI PROJECT

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST. LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.5179 of 11th August 1992. UPPER INDRAVATI MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT. 5179. SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI. MP Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state :- (a) Whether environmental clearance has been accorded to the Upper Indravati Multipurpose project of Orissa ; (b) If so, the conditions prescribed at the time of granting clearance and how far they have been implemented ; (c) Whether any environmental impact study has been concluded recently by the this government in this regard ; (d) If so, the out come thereof ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST. SHRI KAMAL NATH (a) & (b) Yes Sir, The Upper Indravati Multipurpose Project was accorded environmental clearence in January, 1979 subject to formulation and effective Implementation of such action plans as Rehabilitation Master Plan, Compensatory Afforestation Scheme, anti-Poaching Measures etc. (c) & (d) The Project authorities have taken up studies and surveys on various environmental aspects for evolving comprehensive environmental Management Plan.

WORLD BANK FUNDED UPPER INDRAVATI PROJECT IS A DEATH TRAP FOR THE TRIBALS

Upper Indravati Multi-Purpose Project A Curse to the Tribals of Nabarangpur. Project Violating Riparian right of Irrigation in down Stream area. Central Govt. & World Bank Must realise the Seriousness of the emerging situation in a cornor of India, the voice should go on record in the economic history of the state. BY: BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. CONTACT CELL NO: 9437338714 Human environmental and scientific considerations are sacrificed to suit engineering and construction demands. Man is for plan, not plan is for man. To get the benefit of electricity the whole engineering design of the Upper Indrivati Project, has been so made that four beautiful perennially flowing rivers of Nabarangpur and Koraput districts have huge down stream area of the project Kapur, and Podagada rivers are being closed completely removing them from the geography of the districts. World Bank funded Indravati Multi purpose project on the river Indravati on the border of Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur districts of Southern Orissa is a moving illustration of such a disastrous doctrine. The main consideration of the project is generation of hydro electricity with an installed capacity of 600 Megawatt of power and the tail race water of the power house will be diverted to Hati river, a tributary of Mahanadi river flowing through Kalahandi district to irrigate about one lakh hector as estimated. It is unique in that indravati and its three tributaries are being dammed to creat a deep reservoir of 110 sq. kilometers, covering both the districts major part in Nabarangpur district rendering homeless thirty thousand people, mostly tribals, displaced due to submergence and wiping out a vast tract of dense forest. Two tributaries rivers Podagada and Kapur of Indrivati river will be completely closed, and rendering them dead for ever. The concrete dam of Muran River is so high that one may expect small quantity of water flowing in the rainy season in the river when the reservoir is full. The fate of the Main Indravati rivers is also same as it is being closed by a high concrete dam to raise the water level of reservoir to create a head for fall the water at Mukhiguda Power House. Normally in hydro electrical projects, the water flowing through the power house is again diverted to the main river so that it remains to be alive as before. But in case of the Upper Indravati Project the vast and deep reservoir is being created to divert the entire water through a tunnel to the power house so that the tail race water is diverted to another river Hati for irrigation purpose in Kalahandi district. One can well imagine the condition of the entire region down stream of these four rivers closed for all practical purposes. The entire region through which these four rivers were flowing since time immemorial will go a sea change in all respects. They are all in the Nabarangpur and Koraput district and the affected persons were about three lakhs of people living in villages of both sides of these four dead rivers. The agricultural land will be no more inundated and deposit of silt in rainy season will be lost for ever. Because of lack of natural fertilizer and moisture, the cropping pattern changed and all high valued cash crops like tobacco, sugarcane, pulses and vegetables’ gone out of cultivation. What the plight of the people is now the water table gone down and the tube wells and lift irrigation points existing in the area for irrigation purposes become useless. Dwinding water problem which is always acute in the summer in this region, which cause concern in most of the years causing health hazards. The worst sufferers are the cattle population to whom these rivers were the main source for their drinking water and for bath. When in January 1979 the project received the clearance of the central government conditions were imposed that environmental aspect and resettlement aspect should be taken care of by the state government by preparing a management plan and setting up a monitoring group to implement the safeguards suggested by the centre since then both the central government and the state government forgot about their responsibility. Even while granting loan World Bank did not bother about rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons, nor did they enquire about the problems of environment that will surface in future. Former Member of Parliament, Shri Banka Behary Das wrote on 15th August1992 to the resident director World Bank complaining about gross violation of principles settled regarding environment protection and resettlement of displaced persons in the Upper Indravati Project. He wrote that In 1982 the World Bank laid its policy that it will not assist to development project that knowingly involved encroachment on traditional territories being used or occupied by tribal people unless adequate safeguards are provided specifically about the tribal population, but in the case of Upper Indravati Project, violated its own policy towards the tribals and provided no specific safeguard for them at any time during the negotiations nor at the time of agreement relating to Upper Indravati Project, was it not the duty of the World Bank to see whether the project report fulfilled this condition. There is no settled resettlement and rehabilitation policy, no attention was given to the environment aspect of the project, though huge area is going to be submerged and huge area is is going to be dry expediting the collapse of the economy of villages on both side of four rivers flowing in the districts Indravati, Podagada, Kapur and Muran of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput are not only dammed but virtually closed. Problem of water logging salinity causing damage to the existing crop area and creating health hazards in proposed irrigated area has not been studied or assessed up till now. The state government, the central government and the World Bank do not bother about the ecological change that will overtake the downstream region from last 10 years. It is high time that the Central and the state government should lay emphasis on the problems of environment and health which they should have done from the start. The negligence is unpardonable according to their own standard. Though the World Bank is funding the Indravati multipurpose project of Orissa, but the state government as well as the World Bank has not utterly apathetic to the plight of the tribals. Untold miseries have been heaped on the people for the project which is bound to be a disaster future. Without proper data base, and sufficient investigation, the project has been contemplated. As a result its economical benefit has been overstated, whereas social and environmental cost has not been assessed at all what to speak of it being understated. To satisfy engineering skill without bothering for human misery, the project has been designed to create a big and deep reservoir by killing four perennially flowing live rivers which sustained the economy of huge region. Indravati Project is a death trap for the poor and hungry people of the Nabarangpur, and Koraput districts, hundreds of villagers living on the downstream of these rivers will have emotional problems and also their livelihood become totally jeopardized. The people residing in those are apprehensive for their future. The project also become greatest disaster in India, which will hasten desertification of major part of Nabarangpur district up to Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, and Chitrakot of Chattisghar, also mounting miseries for more than five lakhs of people mostly tribals. Though the project bring some change in the agricultural sector of comparatively better-off plains region of Kalahandi district the famine stricken area does not fall in the command area of the project. Originally this project was conceived from the feudal and British days till the end of three decades after independence as an irrigation project. Subsequently it was changed to generate hydro-power too. For the entire engineering design was changed drastically without scant regard to the benefit of those for whom it was originally conceived. When the project was accorded environmental clearance in 1977 the Central government stipulated conditions such as formulation and effective implementation of such action plans as rehabilitation master plan. Compensatory afforestation scheme anti poaching measures, but after 33 years the state government did not formulate any action plan and the question of implementation did not arise. On August 1992 the Government of India replied on the floor of loka sabha that the Project authorities have taken up studies and survey on various environmental aspects for evolving comprehensive environmental management plan. Subsequently a foreign international consultancy studied the affects from various angles and strongly pleaded that to relase 7 cumecs water to mantain ecological balance and meet the consumptive and nonconsumptive needs of the people. The recommendation is not cared by the state government. The State and Central governments violated the riparian rights of people in downstream areas of Nabarangpur district during implementation of the Upper Indravati Project,” alleged former legislator and State Congress vice-president Sadan Naik. Addressing mediapersons today, he said the Indravati hydro-electricity project, which was started in 1978 and completed some years back, made the downstream tribal- dominated Nabarangpur district dry. He said the water of Indravati and its tributaries Padagad, Kapoor and Mooran was diverted to Hati valley to produce 600 MW of power and irrigate 1,01,000 hectares in Kalahandi District. As per the 1975 inter-State agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, out of 204 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water of Indravati dam, 91 TMC was to be used for Indravati project and 45 TMC to be supplied to Madhya Pradesh every year and the rest 68 TMC would be used by Orissa. But diversion of all the water stock to Hati Valley, Kalahandi, agitated the Nabarangpur people. “To cool off the frayed tempers, irrigation from the Indravati project was promised but 30 years have passed and nothing has been done in this regard,” Naik alleged. The total irrigation capacity of the Indravati project in Kalahandi is 1,01,000 hectares and now the government is planning to increase it to 1,28,000 hectares. “A Pune-based organisation has completed the project report for this and the Central Water Commission is examining it. This will require 20 MW of power which will be generated using water of Nabarangpur district. Under these circumstances, there would be no water left for people of the district,” Naik claimed.He threatened an agitation if the issue is not addressed at the earliest

MAA PENDRANI OF UMERKOTE

Maa Pendrani of Umerkote is born out of a legend. A small village Pendra (Pendrahandi) near Umerkote worship a pure soul Pendrani, a married girl who was a victim of secret jealousy of her own brothers . As the story goes , her husband was overtly pampered by her parents who made him stay in their household with no work to bother about. The four brothers out of sheer jealousy conspired and succeeded in killing her innocent husband ( Pendara ) and buried him in their field . Sensing a foul play , Pendrani could unfold the heinous crime and apparently jumped into her husband’s funeral pyre and perished in its flames. Days later her spirit was believed to roam about the villages helping those who trusted her supernatural transformation. People adore her scrifice and worship in a temple erected at Umerkote. That the local degree College is name after her is a tribute to the saga of supreme sacrifice.

HILL TEMPLES

HILL TEMPLES Bhairavi Temple is situated at a distance of 3 Kms. from the Malkangiri Town.The hill diety of Malkangiri is worshiped by the people coming from Jeypore and People leaving Malkangiri for their safe journey.A number of religious visitors are attracted to this temple to worship throughout the day. The deity is believed to be worshiped by the King of Malkangiri whose castle's remnants are still found on the Raja Rani Hill just infront of Bhairavi temple. A fomous Shiva Linga is found in the near by "Goi Hill" of Malkangiri Town. During the "Maha Shivaratri Festival" a large religious crowd is being grathered at this hill temple of Lord Shiva. Local people has put efforts in making a safe passage to the hill for the religious visitors.The height of the Shiva Linga is more that 6 feet.It has been observed that this Shiva Linga is gradually rising-up. The famous "Tarini Temple" is situated at a distance of 2 Kms. from Malkangiri town on the way to Jeypore. The scenic beauty as well as the religious importance of this temple attract people of the entire District.

MANYAMKONDA

MANYAMKONDA Manyamkonda is one of the GPs of Kalimela Block and it is situated at about a distance of 90 Kms. from the District Headquarter. This is an important religious place in Malkangiri District as the famous God of the Malkangiri District (Lord Mahaprabhu) is being worshiped at this place.Every year during the month of March/April a festival is being celeberated here.Every alternate year the famous festival known as "Bada Yatra" of Malkangiri starts from this place to Malkangiri "Mauli Maa Temple". Three Gods namely "Kanam Raju" relates to Lord Krishna,"Pota Raju" relates to Vima and "Bal Raju" relates to Arjun are being worshiped in this festival.This place is surrounded by number of small hills. Thel scenic beauty of this place and the temple of the Lord Mahaprabhu arrtacts a large number of religious visitors to this place.

SATIGUDA DAM.

SATIGUDA DAM. Satiguda Dam is situated at a distance of 8 Kms. from Malkangiri Town. The Reservoir provides irrigation facility to the near by cultivable land throughout the year. The natural beauty of the Dam can be enjoyed in the early morning and evening hours. Boating facility is also available inside the Reservoir, which attracts visitors as well as the local people. Lord Shiva is being worshiped inside a cave near the Dam. Being surrounded by a large number of small hills this place is considered to be the most favourite picnic spot of the people. A guest house of Irrigation Department of Government of Orissa is built which provides accommodation to the official VIPs.

MOTU OF MALKANGIRI DISTRICT

MOTU Motu is the southernmost point of the Malkangiri District situated at 150 feet from the see level at the confluence of the rivers Sabari and Sileru.Timbers and bamboos are transported in large quantity from this place down the Sabari and Godavari to Rajahmundary. This Tahasil Headquarter attracts the tourists for it's beautiful "Jagannath Temple" and "Moogi Point"- the extreme south point on the bank of the confluence of the river Savari and Sileru. Difference in colour of the water of these two rivers can be marked even after confluence. A statue of "Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das" is built inside the park near the confluence.

AMMAKUNDA.

AMMAKUNDA. Ammakunda is one of the tourist places in Malkangiri District. It is situated at Khoirput Block near about 70 Kms. from the District Headquarter.This cool place embraces a natural water fall and subsequent flow of water forming a narrow gorge. The fishes found in that gorge are quite friendly to the human being and are believed to be the form of Lord Vishnu in " Matsya Avatar". Fishing in that place is not practised according to this belief of the local people of Malkangiri as well as the visitors. Visitors can enjoy their stay at this place by feeding the fishes. This area is surrounded by dense forest and small hillocks.

BONDA HILL OF MALKANGIRI

BONDA HILL Bonda Hill comes under the Khoirputput Block of Malkangiri District. This is the living place of Bondas,the primitive tribal community in Malkangiri District. It is surrounded on all sides by dense hilly forest. The Bondas of the place even now remain nacked, and it is believed that they were cursed by Godess Sita, as they laughed at her while she was bathing in a kunda which is named as Sita Kunda at Bonda Hill. There is one specific festival called "Patkhanda Yatra" at Mudulipada which is celebrated by them in the month of January by the Bondas in which they worship a sword. They believe that this sword is belongs to Pandavas. Apart from these things many more to be seen on the Bonda Hill.

Malkangiri District

BALIMALA: Balimela is a block in Malkangiri District, which is 35 kms. from the east of Malkangiri. A Hydero-electric Project has been established near about the Town jointly by the Government of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. A dam is being constructed at Chitrakonda, 25 kms. from Balimela across the river Sileru and the reservoir would submerge a rich forest area of the District. The total inflow into the reservoir is shared equally by the two Governments. The share of the Andhara Pradesh Government is flow downstream the river while that of Orissa Government is diverted to a high-head power some 15 kms. south of Balimela. It is estimated that the power-house is generating 240,000 KW at 60% load factor. The tail water is subsequently utilised for irrigation about 2.4 lakh acres of land in Malkangiri and Motu plains.

Tourist Information

Where to stay: Name of the Establishment Reservation Authority Inspection Bunglow Executive engineer, (R&B), Rayagada- 06856-222149 Hotel Sai International Manager, - 06856 223396 Fax - 06856-225554, 225555 Hotel Swagat - Manager, - 06856- 222208) Hotel Kapilas - Manager, - 06856- 222280) Hotel Ashok - Manager, - 06856- 223246) Hotel Jyoti Mahal - Manager,- 06856 - 223015 Hotel Maruti - Manager, - 06856- 225333 Assistance : Tourist Information Counter, Rayagada Railway Station, - 06856Tel: 222248 Tourist Office,Koraput at Koraput Club, - 06852-250318, Gram: ORISSATOUR Tourist Counter, Vizianagaram Railway Station , - 08922 - 223582. Superintendent of Police, Rayagada, 06856 , 222304 District Information & Public Relations Officer, Rayagada, 06856, 222193 How to Reach Rayagada Getting to Rayagada is not difficult. Nearest air port is at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 200 KMs away which is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur by going flights. Rail: Well connected from other parts of India like Delhi, Chennai, Allepy, Bokaro, Raipur, Gujrat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hyderbad, Bilaspur and Bhubaneswar. Road : Convenient road transport facilities available as NH-43 is passing through Koraput,i.e. 109 KMs from Rayagada. Direct Express bus services are available from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagarm, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Jeypore, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, etc. Facilities: Taxies and Auto-Rickshaw are available here at Rayagada for visiting the places of attraction and excursion. Medical : District Head Quarters Hospitals Rayagada. Phone No.06856-222059, Ambulance - 06856-222059, 102 Postal : Available in almost all the places of the district. Banks : State Bank of India and other Nationalised Banks have their branches at Rayagada and other important places of the District. Shopping : Shopping complexes are available under the supervision of Municipality, Special Planning Authority and also private. There is no weekly special markets at Rayagada, but in surrounding villages weekly markets are held. All essential commodities are made available at those places to facilitate the remote tribal people.