Development news of orissa and India

By Akhand in Bhubaneswar:

Union government should include Kosli language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and Odisha government should make Kosli the second official language of the state. The school children should be given education in Kosli language for the overall development of the Western region, the leaders and academicians of Western Odisha said.
A grass root level regimentation is called for to uphold the cultural dignity of Kosal region, said Dr. Arjun Purohit, former Prof. of Psychology and Clinical Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Canada. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at a state level celebration Kosli Matrubhasa Divas observed by Kosli Ekta Manch at Bhubaneswar on the occasion of World Mother Language Day on February 21.
Kosal, he said, was historically a prosperous region with greater autonomy and independence before it merged with Odisha along with Kalinga and Odra. Today, there is a deliberate attempt to demolish its language. But as negative thoughts give negative results, these attempts to malign a thieving culture and language have become futile. But the threat to overshadow the Kosli culture and language continues and we have to restore the old values by creating a sound literary base, he said and called upon the audience to persistently fight against injustice. The cultural genocide perpetrated on a thriving society called Kosal must not be left unchallenged, he asserted.
Baidyanath Mishra, working president, Kosal Kranti Dal in his concept note presented on this occasion said Kosli as an independent language has survived the test of time and hegemony of a larger community over the minor.
Presided over by Chairman of Kosli Ekta Manch (KEM) Gorekhnath Sahu, the meeting was unanimous in its demand justifying inclusion of Kosli Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. KEM also urged the state Government to recognize the language as the second official language of the state. The speakers also stressed on the need to impart basic education in Kosli language which will help in checking the dropout rates in schools. And, the spread of education will lead to the development of the Kosal region.
Pramod Mishra President of Kosal Kranti Dal said Kosli Language has acclaimed international recognition through ‘Rangabati’ song and ‘Bhukha’ film. Cultural aggrandizement is one of the colonial tricks played by the government on Kosalanchal, but they will be short lived because an imported culture never thrived long.
Haldhar Nag was conferred ‘Kosal Ratna’ award and four others namely Atal Bihari Panda, Natyasri Panchanan Mishra, Srinibas Mishra and Narasimha Prasad Guru were felicitated for their contribution to Kosli Litereature. TV Channels like Naxatra, MBC, Kanak, OTV and Kamyab were felicitated for introducing Kosli News Bulletins in their Channels.
Haldhar Nag rendered Kosal Bandana and Surama Mishra read out a story from her latest book ‘Kalia Garda’. Dr Arjun Purohit released the quarterly publication, Jai Kosal, of Kosli Ekta Manch.
Speakers were unanimous in their view that the Odisha government is not only neglecting the human and the natural resources, it has also no contribution towards protection of Kosli Culture and Language. That is the reason why discontentment is mounting, regional imbalance is widening and in the absence of mutual trust, demand for separate Kosal statehood is rising.

Governor M C Bhandare taking guard of honour inside the State Assembly premises on the first day of the budget session, in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Bhubaneswar: The opening day of the budget session of the State Assembly on Tuesday witnessed the boycott of the governor’s inaugural address by the Congress and the concern expressed by NCP, ally of the ruling BJD, over lack of security of members of the House.

This was followed by a walkout by BJP members.

Raising the issue of murderous attack on party MLA Naveen Nanda on Monday near a polling booth in his constituency, NCP demanded a statement from the government, particularly from the chief minister, who holds the home portfolio.

Raising the issue before the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address was moved by government chief whip Rabi Pani, Nanda gave a detailed account of the incident and sought protection from the Speaker.

Nanda alleged that while he had been to the booth to review the situation, he was attacked physically by some armed BJD workers who also damaged his vehicle.

The ruling party goons allegedly did not spare his son and the PSO who were seriously injured, Nanda said.

Though I went to the Gondia police station to Lodge an FIR, I was attacked in the police station by the same goons who gheraoed me for four hours in the police station and completely wrecked my vehicle, Nanda said.

He lamented that instead of taking action against the culprits, the Dhenkanal SP had threatened to arrest him and send him to jail.

Stating that this was a peculiar situation, Nanda urged the Speaker to give him protection as his life was under threat.

Besides, he asked the Speaker to allow him to bring a privilege motion against the SP, Dhenkanal, for his high-handedness and misbehaviour over telephone and giving him threat despite his status as a people’s representative.

He also urged the chief minister to take exemplary action against the SP.

Nanda was supported by NCP floor leader Amar Prasad Satpathy who urged the Speaker to give Nanda protection and demanded that the chief minister make a statement on the incident and take action against the SP.

The Opposition BJP members led by Jayanaryan Mohanty expressed concern over the incident involving the NCP Member and said when MLAs of a party which was a BJD ally were not safe, the law and order situation can well be imagined.

The attack on Nanda exposed how it was for the Opposition MLAs during the panchayat elections, he said, and urged the Speaker to discuss the issue immediately.

As the Speaker ruled that he would examine the matter and take necessary action later, the BJP members boycotted the motion of thanks on the governor’s address in protest.

Earlier during the governor’s address, the Congress members led by leader of the Opposition boycotted the governor’s address alleging ruling BJD’s misuse of official machinery and brazen use of money and muscle power during the panchayat polls.

Bhubaneswar: Amid boycott by the Opposition Congress of governor’s address to Odisha Assembly alleging assault on democracy and Constitution during Panchayat polls, the state government on Tuesday projected an outlay of Rs one lakh crore for the 12th five-year-plan for 2012-17.

As soon as governor M C Bhandare began his address to the House on the opening day of the budget session, leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh was on his feet alleging misuse of government machinery, use of money power and flow of liquor by ruling BJD during panchayat polls.

The way the just concluded three-tier panchayat polls was held was a matter of concern not only for opposition parties but also for the people as it mounted an assault on the Constitution and democratic system due to unfair means adopted by BJD, the Congress leader claimed.

As Singh led a walkout by Congress leaders opposing Bhandare’s address, the governor outlined the policies and performances of the government highlighting achievements.

My government has initiated action to prepare the 12th five-year plan for 1212-17, with a projected outlay of Rs 100,000 crore, Bhandare said, adding that an outlay of Rs 17,000 crore has been proposed for the Annual Plan of 2012-13.

Stating that government has made substantial strides on management of public debt, he said it has been able to reduce net debt stock from 55.92 per cent of GSDP in 2001-02 to 21 per cent of GSDP in 2010-11, thereby saving the desired level of 25 per cent recommended by 13th Finance Commission.

As agriculture remained the backbone of state’s economy, several pro-active measures are taken in the sector with plans to cover about 40,760 hectare area under seed production programme in 2012-13, Bhandare said.

To boost horticultural crops, it has been targeted to cover about 17,000 hectare under fruit crops plantation in 2012-13, he said adding due importance was also given to commercial cultivation of flowers.

For 2012-13, it was proposed to create additional irrigation potential of 102.28 thousand hectares and to construct 3,000 check dams, 7000 deep bore wells and 1190 lift irrigation points, he said.

Turning to industry, the Governor said the state has signed MoUs with 93 reputed investors across various sectors like steel (50), Aluminium (3), Power (29), Cement (4), Auto Component (1), oil refinery (1), Titanium Dioxide (1) and four ancillary and downstream industries with an investment of Rs 4,62,768.74 crore.

Similarly, Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) with an investment of Rs 2,77,734 crore within an area of 284.15 sq km is going to be set up at Paradip for which central government has already accorded approval, Bhandare said

In power sector, the government has signed 29 MoUs for setting up of independent power projects with total installed capacity of 37,440 MW out of which the state’s share would be 6,141 MW, he said, adding that the two plants with installed capacity of 1250 mw have started generating energy.

Seven power plants are likely to be completed by the end of 2013 with a total capacity of 8100 MW from which the state is likely to get 1200 mw share to become power surplus by the end of 2013, Bhandare said, adding that steps have also been taken for expansion of transmission network.

Describing royalty from minerals as the highest source of state’s own non tax revenue, he said target for collection of mining revenue this fiscal has been fixed at Rs 4000 crore as against Rs 3,330.46 crore collected in 2010-11.

As many as 12,421 illegal mineral activities have been detected during the year up to November, 2011 which has resulted in seizure of 1235370 MT of minerals/ ores and realisation of Rs 5.92 crore towards penalty, the governor said.

Stating that strong steps have been taken to intensify anti-naxal operations, he said that 1066 more posts are added in the Special Protection Group (SPG), the elite force in anti-naxal operations.

In order to facilitate smooth movement and deployment of security forces in inaccessible areas and evacuation of the injured, air services have been provided through a helicopter.

Union Minister of Rural Development Shri Jairam Ramesh said that new version of MGNREGA will lead to better farm output as more than 25 agriculture and allied activities have been included in it. Talking to media here after receiving a Report on revised Operational Guidelines for MNREGA 2.0, the Minister said that the quantum of works provided in whole year indicates seasonal fluctuation with a huge share of works being done during the off season in agriculture. The Report was prepared by a committee headed by Planning Commission Member Mihir Shah. Rebutting the claims that MGNREGA is leading to fall in agricultural productivity, Shri Ramesh said, on the contrary the studies done by independent bodies suggest the rural job scheme has led to better farm output. He said, the new guidelines will also respond to demands of the states for location specific flexibility in permissible works as valuable suggestions from the states were incorporated in the guidelines. The recommendation will be implemented from the 1st of April this year and the Minister added that institutional mechanisms are being strengthened to check the leakages. He said, the rural job scheme should be utilised to improve the ecological balance in rural India and for rural regeneration.