Odisha gets its first branch of Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) [orissadiary]

Odisha women can now utilize their own ‘gender dominated bank’ with the first Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) of Odisha unveiled in the State capital on Wednesday. The branch was inaugurated by Dr. Prativa Satapathy in the presence of BMB Chairman and Managing Director (MD) Usha Ananthasubramanian and others at Saheed Nagar of Bhubaneswar.

BMB MD Usha Ananthasubramanian this branch is the 18th branch of Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) in the country. She said BMB will start internet banking and mobile banking from the month of June 20124. 

Owing an account is easy here as account opening can be done even on zero balance. In case of women customers, the bank is offering concessional rate of interest as applicable for various loan products. For working women, a special loan product is designed. Also, the bank provides educational loan, beauty parlour loan, loan and general insurance besides normal banking loans like vehicle loan and home loan.

At present, the bank is offering an interest of 5 percent on savings bank account with balance of Rs 1 Lakh and above. For amount less than Rs 1 Lakh, the interest rate is 4.5 percent. The interest for deposits upto Rs 1 crore is 9.15 percent and for deposits above this amount the interest is 9.25 percent.

Significantly, the first BMB branch was inaugurated at Mumbai on November 19 last year marking the birth anniversary of India’s first lady Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. By March 2014, the bank would have total 25 branches. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Indore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Raipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa and Jaipur branches have already been established. Branches at Patna, Hyderabad and Itanagar will be inaugurated on March 20, 22 and 31 respectively. Bhubaneswar is known to be the fourth BMB branch in Eastern India.

 

Odisha Govt asked all the district collectors to take adequate measures to tackle heat wave conditions [orissadiary]

Odisha Government asked all the district collectors to take adequate measures to tackle heat wave conditions in the state. According to reports, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradipta Mohapatra, in a belated directive on Wednesday.

The collectors have been asked to conduct review meetings everyday on the heat situation, the measures taken in this regard and submit a report to the state government.

It has been decided the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) would convene an emergency meeting at the district level very soon. A 24-hour control room would be opened in every district headquarters to monitor the situation.

The SRC has laid special emphasis on dissemination of awareness on the impending heat wave and the preventive steps that people need to take to escape heat stroke.

The collectors have been asked to open Jalachhatras in every gram panchayat, civic body locality, market, bus stops and polling booths and make special provisions  for the domestic animals.

The SRC has also asked the collectors to direct all passenger vehicles to stop plying between 11 AM to 3 PM and stock water and ORS packets for the passengers in case of any emergency.

Besides, strict instructions have been given not to engage any labourers in any outdoor work from 11 AM to 3 PM. The SRC has also directed the power distribution companies (Discoms) to ensure uninterrupted power supply. He has also directed the collectors to submit inquiry reports on any heat stroke related casualty within 36 hours.

While provisions for drinking water has been made mandatory in all educational institutions, all government and private hospitals have been asked to store adequate number of oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets for immediate treatment of heat stroke patients. Besides, the hospitals have also been asked to open a special ward for treatment of heat stroke patients.

 

Odisha BJD announces candidates name for 7 Lok Sabha, 41 Assembly seats , AU Singhdeo to contest from Bolangir Assembly [orissadiary]

Odisha BJD announces candidates name for 7  Lok Sabha, 41 Assembly seats . The list was announced by party chief Naveen Patnaik at Naven Niwas. 

Naveen announced that Rajya Sabha MP Anang Uday Singh Deo to resign from post, to contest from Bolangir Assembly constituency. In this list party denied tickets to nine sitting MLAs and one parliamentarian.

Lok Sabha Candidates: Bhartuhari Mahtab for Cuttack, Ramchandra Hansda for Mayurbhanj, Rabindra Jena for Balasore, Pinaki Mishra for Puri, Baijayant Panda for Kendrapada, Tathagat Satpathy for Dhenkanal, Arjun Sethy for Bhadrak.

Assembly Candidates: Maheswar Mohanty for Puri , Pipili-Pradip Maharathy, Bangiriposi-Sudam Marandi, Karanjia-Bijay Nayak,  Binjharpur-Pramila Mallik,Talcher-Braja Kishore Pradhan, Angul-Rajanikant Singh, Mahanga-Pratap Jena, Athgarh-Ranendra Pratap Swain, Chandbali-Byomokesh Ray, Bhograi-Anant Das, Nilagiri-Sukant Nayak, Basudevpur-Bijayshree Routray, Jaleswar-Aswini Patra, Badchana-Amar Satpathy, Choudwar Cuttack- Prabhat Biswal, Barabati Cuttack- Debasis Samantray, Mahakalpada-Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Kantamala-Mahidhar Rana, Parjang-Nrusingha Sahu, Baramba-Devi Mishra, Aul-Pratap Keshari Deb, Ranpur-Rabi Mohapatra, Bolangir-AU Singhdeo, Dharmasala-Pranab Balbantray, Udala-Golak Nayak, Banki-Prabhat Tripathy, Nayagarh-Arun Sahoo, Brahmagiri-Sanjay Dasburma, Jashipur-Mangal Singh Sodhi, Cuttack Sadar-Chandra Sarathi Behera, Bhandaripokhari-Prafulla Samal,Chilika-Raghunath Sahu, Hindol-Seema Nayak, Nimapada-Samir Ranjan Das, Bari-Debasis Nayak, Khandapada-Anubhav Patnaik, Bada Sahi-Jnaneswar Patra, Kamakhya Nagar-Prafulla Mallik, Saraskana-Bhadab Hansada.

 

JMM Odisha president Sudam Marandi joins BJD [ Odishadiary ]

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Odisha unit president Sudam Marandi today joins ruling BJD. Marandi joins party in the presence of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas. 

BJD will gain strength in Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Keonjhar as Sudam Marandi joined party said CM Naveen Patnaik to media. Along with Marandi five other senior leaders of JMM joined BJD.

It should be noted that earlier the much talked about BJD-JMM alliance has come to an end as the talks on seat sharing between ruling BJD and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for the Odisha Assembly elections have failed following the latter’s demand for more seats, a senior BJD leader claimed.

 

 “There will be no seat adjustment with JMM though we had announced for it. Now, BJD will field candidates in all the 147 Assembly segments,” BJD vice-president Kalpataru Das told reporters. With the news coming up Thurs ND FR of BJD president Naveen Patnaik and JMM state unit president Sudam Marandi announcing the possible seat adjustment in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh districts, Das said: “The attempt failed as the JMM demanded more seats.” Sources revealed that as Sibu Soren was against the agreement with BJD and not what BJD claims of the seat adjustment attempt could not be made due to demand of more seats by JMM.

Odisha: Senior leader and former Balasore MLA Arun Dey joined BJD [orissadiary]

Senior leader and former Balasore MLA Arun Dey today joined ruling BJD. Mr. Dey joined the BJD in the presence of BJD Supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik. 

 As today evening Mr. Arun Dey meets BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas .  Speculation rife that Dey will get BJD ticket to contest Balesore Lok Sabha or Assembly seat. It should be noted that in 2009 Mr.Dey contested Lok Sabha election from NCP ticket when BJD was alliance with NCP. In another development Music director Manmatha Mishra joins BJD. 

 

Odisha: Chhatrapur MLA Adikanda Sethi joins BJD [ PTI ]

A day after being suspended from CPI on disciplinacy grounds, MLA from Chhatrapur, Adikanda Sethi on Sunday joined the ruling BJD in Odisha.
“Adikanda Sethi has joined Biju Janata Dal and his entry will be of great help to our regional party,” Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik told reporters soon after Sethi joined his party.
Sethi said he took the step as he felt neglected in CPI which “ignored his proposals”.
Sethi was on Friday suspended from CPI on disciplinary grounds and for allegedly trying to get the BJD ticket for the ensuing Assembly elections.
“Sethi has been suspended for breach of discipline, lack of confidence in the party and objectionable relation with the ruling party,” CPI state unit secretary Dibakar Nayak had said here.
CPI has selected Krushna Chandra Nayak in place of Sethi to contest the Chattrapur assembly seat in the elections this time. Sethi was denied ticket because of unsatisfactory performance at the ground level, Nayak had said.

BJD releases second list for 3 Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats [ PTI ]

The ruling BJD on Friday denied tickets to two sitting MLAs from Malkangiri and Deogarh, while announcing the second list of candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies and 18 Assembly segments.

BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik fielded new faces for three Lok Sabha seats of Sambalpur, Bargargh and Nabarangpur. While former minister Nagendra Pradhan was named as the BJD candidate to contest from Sambalpur, Balabhadra Majhi has been named as the party candidate from the Nabarangpur seat.

Dr Pravas Singh was named as the BJD candidate from Bargargh Lok Sabha seat. Former Bajrang Dal national convenor Subhas Chouhan has already entered the contest as the BJP candidate from the same seat in western Odisha.

Nagendra Pradhan will face Congress's sitting MP Amar Pradhan and BJP's Suresh Pujari in Sambalpur, while BJD has pitted Balabhadra Majhi against sitting Congress MP Pradeep Majhi and BJP's Parsuram Majhi from Nabarangpur.

While denying ticket to Malkangiri MLA Mukund Sodi, BJD nominated Manas Madkami from the Assembly segment and Deogarh MLA Sanjeeb Kumar Pradhan was replaced by Anita Pradhan.
The ministers like Ramesh Majhi (Jharigaon), Prasanna Acharya (Bijepur), Bikram Keshari Arukh (Bhanjanagar) and former minister and speaker Kishore Kumar Mohanty were re-nominated by the BJD supremo.

Assembly Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat has been re-nominated from Boudh Assembly segment and Manohar Randhari from Nabarangpur. Anup Sai, who recently joined the BJD after quiting the Congress, was given ticket from the Brajrajnagar Assembly segment by Patnaik.
The MLAs, who have been retained by the party are Sushant Singh (Bhatli), Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha (Padmapur) and Subhas Gond (Umerkote).

Earlier in the first list, the party had named candidates for 30 Assembly and five Lok Sabha seats. With the second list, the BJD named candidates for the total of eight Lok Sabha seats and 48 Assembly segments.

The first phase of polling in the state will be held on April 10 in 70 Assembly and 10 Lok Sabha seats.

The BJD is yet to decide on the candidates for the rest 22 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha segments for the first phase.

Odisha: Odia film Super star Akash Das Nayak joins BJD [orissadiary]

Odia film Super star Akash Das Nayak today joins BJD. He joined the party in presence of BJD president Naveen Patnaik, Berhampur MP and his cine industry senior Siddhant Mohapatra, hockey icon and MP Dilip Tirkey. Known for his action role image among cine viewers, Akash is the son of trade union leader Mayadhar Nayak. It can be recalled that the BJD has the longest list of cine stars among the various political parties in state. The other actors in the regional outfit includes Prashant Nanda, Mihir Das, Siddhant Mohapatra, Anubhav Mohanty, Satykai Mishra and comedian Pappu Pom Pom.

Odisha: More Congress leaders joined ruling BJD [ PTI ]

More Congress leaders joined ruling BJD today. A dozen of new entrants into the party were greeted by party supremo Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas in his traditional style.

The list of new entrants into the party included Congress leaders Bharati Das and Ashok Samal, Swarupanand Patra of the OJM, his son Dr Sasmit Patra of the Congress, and music directors Prem Anand and Amarendra Mohanty.

On this occasion several senior BJD leaders including former finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai and Kalpataru Das met the party president. 

 

BJD's 1st list has 3 royals,1 cine-star, 1 sportsman [ PTI ]

First list of BJD candidates released on Wednesday for Lok Sabha and assembly polls includes name of three royal family members, a cinestar and a hockey player while Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would contest from his home turf Hinjili in Ganjam district.

Announcing the first list of candidates for five Lok Sabha and 30 assembly constituencies, BJD president Patnaik said the rest of nominees for the first phase of twin polls scheduled on April 10 in the state would be declared soon.

While international hockey player and Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Tirkey has been named as BJD's candidate from Sundergarh Parliamentary Constituency, the party renominated Bolangir MP Kalikesh Singh and fielded Arka Keshari Deo, son of former BJP MP and royal family member, in Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat. Kalikesh hails from Bolangir royal family.

Odia film star and sitting Barhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra has been renominated from the seat while Ladu Kishore Swain has been fielded for Aska Lok Sabha seat replacing sitting MP Nityananda Pradhan.

For the Assembly, the party retained five ministers - Revenue minister S N Patro in Digapahandi, Women and Child Development minister Usha Devi (royal family member) in Chikiti, Tribal Development minister Lal Behari Himirika in Rayagada, Industries minister Niranjan Pujari in Sonepur and Transport minister Subrat Tarai in Raghunathpalli seat.

Patnaik said Mangala Kissan, whose tenure ends in Rajya Sabha, will contest from Rajgangpur and former minister Padmanabh Behera was renominated from Biramaharajpur seat. Rourkela MLA Sarada Nayak, who was dropped from the ministry in 2012 after an failed coup bid, has also been renominated.

Similarly, Pushpendra Singhdeo, who was also dropped from the ministry, was renominated from Dharmagarh assembly seat in Kalahandi district.

Patnaik gave ticket to Geeta Sahu from Titlagarh assembly seat. Geeta is the wife of BJD youth wing leader Abhimanyu Sahu, who was killed by gunmen last year.

BJD's first list of 30 candidates for the April 10 elections included only five women while there has been no member from the fairer sex in the list of five candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

There are 21 lok sabha and 147 assembly seats in Odisha. While election would be held for 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly constituencies on April 10, the rest would go to polls on April 17.

Stating that the party had received more than 50,000 applications from aspirants for the twin polls, Patnaik said the candidates were selected after discussions with senior party leaders and workers.

The BJD chief expressed the hope that those who failed to get tickets this time would continue to support the party to serve the people of Odisha and create a self-reliant and prosperous Odisha.

Odisha BJD announces 30 candidates for MLA seats, 5 LS seats [orissadiary]

Ruling Biju Janata Dal today announced 30 candidates for assembly seats, 5 Lok Sabha seats. The list was announced by the party supremo Naveen Patnaik.

After announcing the list of candidates at his residence BJD president Naveen Patnaik stated that the candidates for the remaining seats where polls would be held in first phase in state would be made public soon.

The BJD candidates for the five Lok Sabha seats are – Kalikesh Singhdeo (Balangir), Sidhanta Mohapatra (Berhampur), Arkakeshari Deo (Kalahandi), Dillip Tirkey (Sundergarh) and Ladukishore Swain (Aska).

The candidates for the 30 MLA seats are – Naveen Patnaik (Hinjilikatu), Surya Naranan Patro (Digapahandi), Usha Devi (Chikiti), Lal Bihari Himirika (Rayagada), Pushpendra Singhdeo (Dharamgarh), Niranjan Pujari (Sonepur), Padmanav Behera (Birmaharajpur), Subrat Tarai (Raghunathpalli), Ramesh Chandra Chyaupatnaik (Brahampur), Sarada Nayak (Rourkela), Mangala Kissan (Rajganapur), Jagannath Sarka (Bissam Cuttack), Balabhadra Majhi (Lanjigarh), Rajendra Dholkia (Nuapada), Lambodar Nial(Khariar), Gita Sahu-(Titlagarh), Divyasingh Mishra (Junagarh), Anam Naik (Bhawanipatna), Dhaneswar Majhi (Narla), Binay Toppo (Talasara), Kusum Tete (Sundargarh), Dayanidhi Kissan (Bonai), Jogendra Behera (Loisingha), Hajji Mohd Ayub Khan (Kantabanji), Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi (Gopalpur), Latika Pradhan (Kabisuryanagar), Purna Chandra Sethi (Khallikote), Debaraj Mohanty (Aska), Purna Chandra Swain (Soroda) and  Nalini Devi (Sanakhemundi).

 

OJM’s Mishra, BJP’s Gamang join BJD [ OTV ]

The BJP ST Morcha chairman Antaryami Gamang and treasurer of Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) Sarat Mishra joined Biju Janata Dal in presence of party supremo Naveen Patnaik at his residence here on Tuesday.
Mishra, who was allotted ticket by OJM to contest from Bhubaneswar (North) constituency, was refused later to fight and his candidature was withdrawn. OJM on Monday issued a press release in this regard accusing him of ‘untrustworthy’. Being displeased over such activities, he took the step, sources said.
Similarly, Gamang, who was the chairman of BJP ST Morcha (Jana Jati Morcha) and a member of Gajapati Zilla Parishad resigned from the party on Monday citing opportunistic politics and cynicism in the party. He alleged that he had been sidelined from all party activities even being involved in all grassroot- level work.

Odisha's former BJP president joins BJD[ PTI ]

Former Odisha BJP president and ex-minister Bimbadhar Kuanr today joined the ruling BJD. Alleging negligence in BJP, Kuanr resigned from the BJP earlier in the day.

"I was ignored and neglected by the state BJP leadership," Kuanr told reporters here.

Kuanr alleged though he was in the core committee and member of the candidate selection committee, he was ignored by the state leadership.

Sources said Kuanr was interested to conest from the Bargarh Lok Sabha seat. However, his application was rejected and Bajrang Dal's former national convenor Subhas Chohan was named as the BJP candidate for the seat.

"I am delighted that Bimbadhar Kuanr has joined the BJD. I hope, he will prove to be a tremendous asset for the party. We will work together," BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik told reporters.

Kuanr was the state labour and employment minister in the first BJD-BJP coalition government headed by Naveen Patnaik in 2000.

Prior to Kuanr, another former minister and prominent tribal leader Golak Naik from the Mayurbhanj district had also joined the BJD after resigning from the BJP.

Meanwhile, BJP's sitting MLA from Khariar Hitesh Bagarti has refused to contest the ensuing Assembly elections even though he was been renominated by the party.

Bagarti, sources said, was interested to contest the Lok Sabha elections instead.

"We will discuss with Bagarti," BJP state president K V Singhdeo told reporters.

Amid the recent desertions, former minister Ramakrushna Patnaik along with his daughter, met BJP state president Singhdeo yesterday. Patnaik and his wife Kumudini Patnaik, who is an ex-MP, had last week resigned from the Congress.

"Ramakrushna Patnaik has met me. We had discussion on different issues. I am waiting for his reply," Singhdeo said.

CPI leader A B Bardhan says his party willing to make poll alliance with BJD [orissadiary]

CPI expresses its willing to make poll alliance with ruling BJD of Odisha. This was informed by the Veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan. Veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan, who arrived in the city on a two-day visit on Tuesday, stated he would be holding a possible seat sharing discussion with the BJD. Interestingly, the BJD has shown no interest so far to maintain its poll understanding with the Communist parties unlike in 2009. The ruling BJD so far has only held talks with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) for a poll pact in Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh districts. But baring that, there has been no hint from the Naveen Patnaik led regional outfit for any poll understanding with any party so far. The CPM had made its intentions clear that unlike in 2009, it would not wait for a poll pact with the BJD and recently announced its first list of candidates for the two Lok Sabha and 12 assembly constituencies; it plans to contest this time. But on the contrary, the CPI has preferred to play a waiting game and is still hopeful of a seat sharing deal with the BJD.

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Bhupinder Singh quits, joins BJD [PTI]

 Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Bhupinder Singh along with legislature party secretary Anup Sai resigned from the Congress on Saturday sending shockwaves in political circles in the state.

Shortly afterwards, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said in Delhi that three time MLA Surendra Singh Bhoi has been made Leader of Congress Legislature Party in Odisha.
His name was approved by party chief Sonia Gandhi and the appointment has been made with immediate effect, he said.

Singh in his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi said, "The state unit of the party is not functioning as it should. It should be above caste politics.

"The state leadership keeps Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in dark," he said.

Apparently referring to Union Minister Srikant Jena and OPCC President Jaydev Jena, Singh wrote, "Party cannot function at the whims of two or three individuals many of whom do not subscribe to party ideology."

Asked who he blamed for the prevailing situation in Congress, Singh said "One of them is Srikant Jena."

Singh revealed that he was told by the party's state leadership to resign from the post of Leader of Opposition after the end of the last session of the Assembly.

"I was told that a dalit has been OPCC president and the leader of opposition should be from tribal community. I asked them what is the point to make a tribal leader of opposition when there is no session of Assembly," Singh said.

Meanwhile, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed Singh and Sai into his party.

"I am delighted that Singh, leader of opposition, Sai, MLA from Brajrajnagar and young leader from Kalahandi Ranjit Singh have joined BJD," Patnaik said.

Asked how he could accept Naveen Patnaik as his leader after alleging he was corrupt and an autocrat some days ago in the Assembly, Singh said he was then performing his duty as a leader of Opposition in the House.

"Anyway, calling a man corrupt does not mean anything until allegations are proved," he said.

Anup Sai said, "I have joined BJD in order to ensure development of my constituency. There is no democracy in the state Congress."

OPCC president Jaydev Jena said Singh's resignation would have no impact on the electoral prospects of the party.

Union Minister Srikant Jena spoke in a similar vein. "Singh's resignation will not damage the party. Rather he will suffer damage."

The BJD has claimed that "mass exodus" of senior leaders from the state's main opposition party was likely to continue.

Congress is in the Opposition in Odisha for the last 15 years since BJD led by Naveen Patnaik ousted it from power.

Assembly polls in the state are being held along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Odisha Tourism gets intl award for best relaxation culture [ PTI ]

Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at a function held at Berlin, an official release said on Friday.
The award was received by M R Patnaik, Director Tourism Odisha in a glittering ceremony at Berlin. This is considered as a prestigious international award received by Odisha Tourism in ITB Berlin.
Secretary General, UNWTO, CEO PATA, Minister Tourism Egypt, Minister Tourism and Culture Seychelles, President, International Hotel and Restaurant Association and Secretary General, PATWA were present at the award giving ceremony.
Odisha Tourism is expected to receive more response in the events from the other countries in the coming days. The state delegation will remain present in Berlin till March 10, it said.
Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA).

Odisha Tourism Gets Patwa International Award at ITB, Berlin 2014 [orissadiary]

In ITB Berlin, Odisha Tourism has put up a beautiful stall, which was inaugurated by the Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India , Ministry of Tourism Mr. Girish Shankar and Mrs Roma Singh, Regional Director India Tourism, Frankfurt on 5th March morning. 

Mr. M.R Patnaik, Director, Tourism along with Mr. S.K Pati and Shri S.S Rath, Tourist Officer, Odisha Tourism were present at the time of inauguration of Odisha Tourism pavilion. Tour operators from Odisha like M/s Alternative Tours Pvt. ltd, M/s Toshali International and M/s Eastern Voyages also attended the event.

Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The award was received by Shri M.R Patnaik, Director Tourism Odisha in a glittering ceremony. This is a prestigious international award received by Odisha Tourism in ITB Berlin. 

The award was received in presence of the Secretary General, UNWTO, CEO PATA, Minister Tourism Egypt, Minister Tourism and Culture Seychelles, President, International Hotel and Restaurant Association and Secretary General, PATWA. Odisha Tourism is expected to receive more response in the events from the other countries in the coming days. The Odisha Tourism delegation will remain present till 10th March at ITB Berlin.

 

Playback singer Trupti Das, actor Mihir Das join BJD [ PTI ]

Three more Odia film personalities including renowned playback singer Trupti Das today joined the ruling BJD ahead of the general elections.

While actors Mihir Das and Satyaki Mishra announced their joining the BJD at Naveen Niwas, Trupti Das also become part of the ruling party.

"I am delighted that Mihir Das, Trupti Das and Sataki Mishra have joined the BJD. I hope they will be assets for the party," BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters.

Prior to this, veteran Odia film actors Prashant Nanda (now a BJD MLA), Siddhant Mohapatra (now a BJD MP), Anubhav Mohanty and Papu had joined BJD, while Bijay Mohanty and Aparajita Mohanty joined the Congress.

Two well known actors like Sritam Das and Pinky Pradhan have also joined the BJP. With all the three major political parties now armed with popular cine stars, political observers feel the ensuing elections will witness clashes among the stars.
"I do not know whether I will be a candidate in the ensuing elections. I will do what the party decides," Trupti Das said adding she wanted to do something for women.

Mihir Das claimed he joined the BJD as he hailed from a family associated with non-Congress politics.

Naveen Patnaik takes a dig at Narendra Modi, says people of Odisha never accept dual politics [orissadiary]

Taking a dig at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Odisha chief minister Naveen Pattnaik on Wednesday said people will not accept dual face politics. Not taking Modi’s name, he said now some top leaders from national politics visiting Odisha and seeking vote in the name of Lord Jagannath and Biju Pattnaik. Addressing a huge gathering congregated for the Biju Janata Dal Yuva Sanavesh, Pattnaik said where they were when people of Odisha were fighting against cyclonic storm ‘Phailin’. Now these political leaders are trying to woo the Odiya people by praising former chief minister of Odisha Biju Pattnaik. “Recently from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi, BJP national President Rajnath Singh visited flood ravaged Uttarakhand and Assam. But when Philin struck our state none seen here,” Pattnaik said. In his fifteen minutes speech Naveen slammed as well as counted his government’s successful schemes during his three time regime. “A prime ministerial candidate who visited Bhubaneswar recently tried to make a place in the heart of our people. He played tactfully by taking the name of Lord Jagannath and Biju Pattnaik,” he spoke. If he has love for the 4 crore people of the state then why did not he come to our help during the last natural calamity? The three time chief minister of Odisha asked. He said during last fifteen years BJD government took the state to a new high. Our way of dealing with ‘Phailin’ fetched international recognition. We have implemented number of developmental schemes which covers from infant to senior citizens. While Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported investment in Odisha is highest in the country, Planning Commission said we are ahead of others in agricultural production. “Development is not just a slogan for us, it’s a commitment,” Pattnaik concluded.

BJD president to address all 3 rallies to be held in Bbubaneswar, Berhampur and Sambalpur [orissadiary]

BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik to address all 3 rallies to be held in Bbubaneswar, Berhampur and Sambalpur on 'Biju Jayanti' today

The ruling BJD, which has swept all major elections since its inception in 1997, is gearing for three mass conventions at three different cities in the state on Wednesday. With elections round the corner and buoyed up by the recent clean sweep in the urban local body elections, the regional outfit is gearing up for a major show of strength, revealed party sources.

The three mass conventions in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Berhampur  would also mark the birth anniversary Biju Patnaik, after whom the party is named.  The party has announced that the youth convention would be held in Bhubaneswar, while the women and kendu leaf pluckers’ congregation would be held simultaneously in Berhampur and Sambalpur respectively.

 

Poll dates announced on Biju B'day, polling on leader's D'Day [PTI]

Odisha’s former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik has a strange relationship with this election in Odisha.
While the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s announcement of dates for the ensuing general elections today coincided with Biju’s 98 Birth Day, the second phase of polling in Odisha would be held on April, 17, the Death Anniversary of the legendary leader.
“This is a historic day for us as the ECI announced the poll dates today on Biju babu’s Birth Day. The second phase of polling in 11 Lok Sabha seats and 77 assembly seats will be held on April, 17, the death anniversary of the leader,” said Damodar Rout who is the BJD vice-president and a former cabinet colleague of Biju Patnaik.
Biju Patnaik had been chief minister of the state twice, once from June 3, 1961 to October 2, 1963 and from March 5, 1990 to March 15, 1995.
However, his younger son Naveen Patnaik has made a record in the state by becoming Chief Minister of Odisha thrice in a row in 2000, 2004 and 2009.
The regional party (Biju Janata Dal) which continued to remain in power in Odisha since 2000, had been named after Biju Patnaik.
 

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik lashed out at Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi [orissadiary]

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday lashed out at Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, saying the leaders visited Uttarakhand after the floods but not his state following the devastation caused by cyclone Phailin. Patnaik said this while addressing a women's rally in Berhampur. 

 

It should be noted that ruling BJD today organized three massive rallies in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Berhampur. The party organsied massive youth convention in Bhubaneswar, while the women and kendu leaf pluckers’ congregation e held simultaneously in Berhampur and Sambalpur respectively.

 

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader said leaders of both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) visited Uttarakhand after the floods but none of them visited Odisha during a similar crisis four months ago. 

Starting from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, BJP president Rajnath Singh and prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, all visited Uttarakhand. 

 

But during the Cyclone Phailin and the subsequent floods in October, none of them visited Odisha, Patnaik said. "Are we not citizens of India?" he asked.

 

Historic Day for Kalahandi; Junagarh Placed in Indian Railway Network [orissadiary]

The Union minister of state for Railways Mr. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury inaugurated the Railway station Building at Junagarh on a telephonic conversation. 

Mr.Bhakta Charan Dash M.P. Kalahandi , flag off  the green signal of the   Junagarh Rd--Bhubaneswar Link express 18438 Train at Junagarh Station. ,in presence of Junagarh MLA Mr.Gobardhan Dash,Bhawanipatna MLA Mr.Dushmanta Naik, Congress leader and veteran cine artist mr.Bijaya Mohanty ,Genaral manager of East coast Railways Mr.Rajiv Bishnoi, DRM Sambalpur Mr. Debraj Panda,  Prior to that Mr.Dash expressed  the difficulties  of years together for the successful completion of the Lanjigarh Rd -Junagarh Rd  railway projects.

During his speech to the  gathering  Mr.Dah said that during his incumbency as the  union minister of state for Railways in the year 1991-92 this projects was proposed  and it took more than 24 years for its completion. The UPA 2nd Govt has taken several developmental and welfare programmes for the Kalahandi people ,he added. 

Further he told that a new railway line is to be started from Junagarh to Bhadrachalam.  The Lajigarh Rd - Junagarh Rd Railway project was proposed in the year 1990-91 and in the year 1993-94  a sum of 142.98 crore rupees sanctioned for the 54.3 km length said Railway project after acquire of 396.657 hectors of land  the Project work was started and the Lanjigarh Rd-Junagarh Rd 30.25 kms up to Bhawanipatna Railway Station was completed  in the year 2011 and inaugurated  on 11th Aug. 2012 at Bhawanipatna by Mr.B.C.Dash M.P.Kalahandi and the Train 18437/18438 Bhubaneswar-Bhawanipatna Link express started from that date along with the Bhawanipatna -Raipur passenger Train.The rest 24.05 kms length railway line from Bhawanipatna to Junagarh Rd was not completed  at that time and though the project works were balance it was inaugurated at Bhawanipatna.

The said balance work is completed in the year 2014 after elapsed of more than 24 years  of its proposal and when the estimated cost of raised up to 227 crores  from 142.98crores the said projects is completed and the dream of the kalahandi people fulfilled after silver jubilee.Still then the Bhawanipatna-Raipur Passenger train is not yet extended upto Junagarh and the newly declared Sambalpur-Bhawanipatna Train  is to be extended upto Junagarh. People demands early extension of Junagarh-Titilagarh rail link for smooth journey of the people.Infact today is a historic day for Kalahandi after years of struggle and pursuit,Junagarh finds place in the Indian Rail Networks.

 

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik questions Centre on why Odisha not given special status [ PTI ]

 

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday questioned the Centre as to why Odisha was not being accorded special category status ignoring its long standin...g demand while the same was given to newly-created Seemandhra.

"We have been demanding for special category status to Odisha for a long time. The Centre ignored our demand on the plea that the state does not meet required criteria. In which criteria has Seemandhra been accorded the same status?"

CM appealed to the people to intensify their protest against Centre's "discriminatory and apathetic attitude" towards Odisha.

Despite the Centre's discrimination towards Odisha, CM said the state had got recognisation in national and International level for its works in different sectors.

Later, the CM laid foundation stone for the multi-purpose cyclone shelter and flood shelters at Chhatapur and Ganjam.

"The fishermen in Ganjam district have severely hit due to the cyclone Phailin in October last year. We are planning to construct around 2000 cyclone-prone houses for them this year," he said.See more

Odisha govt hikes DA by 10% for employees and pensioners.[ PTI ]

The Odisha government on Sunday declared 10 per cent hike in DA for its employees with retrospective effect from January 1, 2014, official sources said here.

The announcement of the hike would now raise the allowance to 100 per cent in line with central government employees and benefit about five lakh state government employees and pensioners.

BJD observe Black Day demanding special category status for Odisha [ Zee News ]

Youth activists of the ruling BJD on Sunday observed Black Day in protest against the Centre's alleged denial to allocate special category status for Odisha.

Hundreds of BJD activists including MLAs sat on a dharna covering their mouths with black ribbons near the Raj Bhavan here to vent their anger against the UPA government.

While his party colleagues went on protest across the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while addressing at least two public meetings, raised question on the Centre's decision to accord special category status to the newly formed Semandhra.

"We have been demanding special category status to Odisha for long. The Centre, however, ignored our pleas on the ground that the state does not meet the required criteria," Patnaik said while addressing a public meeting at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district.
The ruling BJD youth wing president and the government deputy chief whip Sanjay Dasburma, while leading the dharna near Raj Bhavan, said the state had been demanding the special category status since 1979.

A large number of party activists had courted arrest on February 24 while picketing near Rajbhavan, he pointed out.

Claiming that Odisha's demand was just and genuine, Dasburma said the maximum percentage of Dalits and Adivasis live in Odisha.
Barring only one criteria, that of an international boundary, Odisha fulfills all conditions to get special status, he said.

The ruling party leaders pointed out that the 10th, 11th and 14th Odisha Legislative Assembly have passed unanimous resolutions favouring the special category state status.

This apart, the Raghuram Rajan Committee in its report had also made it clear that more number of poor people live in Odisha than many other states, they said.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress ridiculed the BJD's demand and clarified that Semandhra was accorded the special category status as Andhra Pradesh had been divided.

"If the BJD wants to get the special category status, let it divide the state," Congress chief spokesman Narashningha Mishra told reporters.

Ruling BJD of Odisha to fight all Lok Sabha seats, 147 Assembly seats alone [orissadiary]

Ruling Biju Janata Dal  of Odisha to fight all Lok Sabha seats, 147 Assembly seats alone in coming elections. This was informed by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing a public meeting in Badamba, Cuttack on Friday.

During the meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked people to vote for BJD in all the 21 Lok Sabha, lifting BJD’s chances of creating a mandate at the centre. This reveals that the party is all set to jump into the fray without support from left parties, which has been the closest ally of the BJD , ever since it snapped ties with BJP. BJD had left one Lok Sabha seat for the CPI(M) and one for the Nationalist Congress Party in 2009.

Naveen was further quoted saying that the talks of joining third front is premature, rekindling the hope of a probable alliance with the NDA after the polls. It should be noted that BJD had sealed an alliance with CPM in 2009, leaving 1 lok sabha seat and 5 assembly seats for the latter. Similarly, it had shared 1 loksabha seat(Baleswar) and 8 assembly seats with Nationalist Congress Party.

 

Flyover on Cuttack-Paradeep NH inaugurated[PTI ]

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today dedicated a 460 metre long flyover to the state at the Nuabazar area over the Cuttack-Paradeep National Highway here.
The double-lane flyover built at a cost of nearly Rs 37 crore is aimed at easing traffic flow at the busy junction.
Patnaik had laid the foundation stone of the flyover in November 2008.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a bridge over Mahanadi river to connect Badamba with Baideswar at Banki in the Gopinathpur area of Cuttack district. The estimated cost of the bridge was pegged at Rs 180 crore.
Cuttack Lok Sabha member Bhartruhari Mahatab and state minister Debi Prasad Mishra were present at the ceremony.

Odisha Government to set up commissionerate police in Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela [ Odishadairy]

Odisha government examining creation of three more police commissionerate. These were set up in Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela. To make focused effort to address law and order challenges in the three major urban centres of the State, the proposal is being mooted and the final decision from Home Department is expected soon, sources said. Providing urban policing in these three cities is mulled over keeping in mind that Berhampur and Sambalpur have already been accorded status of Municipal Corporation while Rourkela’s case is under active consideration of the State government.