CM Reiterates Commitment towards Odisha’s Growth [www.newindianexpress.com]

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reiterated the commitment of his Government for the development and progress of the State. However, he avoided the burning issue of migration, torture and exploitation of migrants in alien land in their search for greener pasture.
Addressing a public meeting at mini stadium in Nuapada after a spate of inauguration and foundation stone laying, Naveen said that ‘visible development’ has been seen in the fields of infrastructure, industry, education, health besides agriculture during the last 14 years of BJD rule. Reiterating his commitment for the development of agriculture and farmers, he said due thrust is being laid for the welfare of the farmers.
Highlighting Biju KBK Yojana, the Chief Minister said the Yojana is aimed at development of backward areas and the results are encouraging.
Earlier, the CM inaugurated the newly constructed District Collectorate besides dedicating a bridge connecting Sritol to Jhilmila under Nuapada Block and another connecting Komna-Baghamunda over river Sundar. He also laid the foundation stone for the bridge over Gurmajoar nullah connecting Rang to Tikrapada and bridge over Kusumtal nullah connecting Dhumabhata and Budhikomna, both in Komna Block.
This apart, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone for two Sub Stations at Saipalla in Nuapada Block and another at Barkot at the entry point of Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Komna Block. Once the Sub Station at Barkot is commissioned, for the first time 32 villages inside the Sanctuary will be electrified. In Michapali under Komna Block, Naveen laid foundation stone for 250 seated Boys Education Complex for tribal students besides office of Deputy Director Agriculture inside the premises of District Agriculture Office at Nuapada town. 
The Chief Minister was flanked by Minister Arun Sahu, Nuapada MLA Rajendra Dholokia while Rajya Sabha member AV Swamy accompanied him at the public meeting.
Bhawanipatna: The Chief minister also laid  foundation stones and inagurated several projects during his short visit to Kalahandi district on Tuesday. In the afternoon he arrived at Balisinga helipad after visiting Nuapada district. At Balisingha of Narla block he inaugurated bridge over Prencho Nala.
He also laid foundation stone for pipe water supply scheme to Balisingha Gram Panchayat, construction of bridge over Katki Nala and construction of high level bridge over river Ret on Dadpur- Rupra Road.

Odisha CM Patnaik accuses Cong, BJP of indulging in petty politics [PTI]

BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday accused the national parties - Congress and BJP - of indulging in petty politics instead of serving the poor and needy people.

"The two national parties all along have priority to protect their interests rather than working to help the poor and needy people," Patnaik said while addressing an impressive rally at the Telephone Bhawan Ground here, during his one-day whirlwind tour of Sundergarh district.

Appealing to the people to send more number of BJD MLAs and MPs to assembly and Parliament, Patnaik said his party was committed to fight for the interest of the state.
The Chief Minister said, "The central government may ignore us, but we have been developing." In his speech, Patnaik also spoke at length about various welfare schemes like, Mo Kudia, Madhu Babu Pension Yojamna, Laptop distribution for students, free cycles for girls, and also informed that no government had ever undertaken so much of public welfare schemes earlier.
Earlier in the day, Patnaik laid the foundation stones of various projects including NTPC's proposed Medical College at Sundergarh, Timjor-Lathikata road, high-level bridge over Brahmani river at a cost of Rs 21.55 crore, and inaugurated Junior SG Women's college's new building and also a 100-bed hostel specially marked for ST girl students.

Odisha Govt constituted State-Level Steering Committee on climate-resilient agriculture [www.orissadiary.com]

The State Government has constituted a 19-member State-Level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Agriculture on sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in view of the climate change. The committee comprises officials and experts in the Departments of Agriculture, Water Resources and Forest and Environment both in the State and Central Governments and representatives of the NGOs working on climate change. Basically, the committee would guide, monitor and supervise implementation of the project, Climate Change Knowledge Network in Indian Agriculture. It would also ensure convergence as well as quality of knowledge, information provided by the Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) network for climate-resilient agriculture. The committee members include the Additional Secretary, Water Resources; Director, CADPIM; Director, Water Management, ICAR, Bhubaneswar; Prof of Entomology, OUAT; Dean of Research, OUAT; Director, CRRI, Cuttack; Director of Horticulture; Director, OSAM Board; Director, Watershed Development Mission; Chief Conservator of Forests; NGOs Human Development Foundation, PRADAN, SVA and Centre for Socio Economic Development; IFFCO Kissan Sancharnet; Professor, Agronomy, OUAT; State Bio-Chemist in the Agriculture Department; Joint Director, Agriculture (SP&C) and Director of Agriculture and Food Production.

Odisha all set for Lokayukta law in Feb session [Odisha TV Bureau]

In its effort to establish greater transparency and accountability in delivery of public services, the Odisha government is most likely to pass the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013 in the ensuing Assembly session, beginning February 3.

 

Already pushed to the wall for not convening a special session to bring the much-hyped Bill and failing to keep its promises, the ruling BJD will try for a smooth passage of the Bill in the session, thus leaving little scope for the Opposition parties to criticize further, political analysts feel.

 

“Now, that the ten-day session will be the last sitting of the 14th State Assembly as the term of the present government completes in April, 2014, the Odisha government will gear up to continue its pioneering measures, and pass the Bill. Odisha is incidentally the first state to have a special Lokpal system since 1971,” said an analyst requesting anonymity.

 

In the past, the state government had drawn wrath of the Opposition parties for not “so serious” about passing the Bill.

 

“Since the ruling BJD had been claiming to be running a transparent government it should also convene a special session of the Assembly and pass a strong Lokayukta Bill as soon as possible,” India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteer Malay Tripathy had said in December last criticizing the BJD government for not keeping its promise on the formation of such a Bill.

 

Senior BJD leader and Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahatab on December 27, 2011 had said in Parliament that his party would bring a strong Lokayukta Bill in the ensuing budget session of the Assembly. But later he clarified that the Bill would be passed in the State Assembly within three months of it getting nod of Parliament.

 

Earlier, the Congress resurrecting the Bill issue had too denounced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not keeping his promises of passing a strong Lokayukta Bill in the State Assembly.

 

On January 3, Odisha became the first state to announce the establishment of a Lokaukta in the state two days after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013, which Parliament passed in December.

 

"In view of our government's commitment to fight corruption and bring in transparency in public life, the state government will get this legislation enacted within a period of one month, even though the central Act provides for a window period of one year for implementation," Naveen Patnaik had said after a meeting of the state cabinet.

 

"The chief minister and the council of ministers will also be under the purview of the proposed state act," he added.

Odisha all set for Lokayukta law in Feb session [ Odisha TV Bureau ]

In its effort to establish greater transparency and accountability in delivery of public services, the Odisha government is most likely to pass the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013 in the ensuing Assembly session, beginning February 3.

 

Already pushed to the wall for not convening a special session to bring the much-hyped Bill and failing to keep its promises, the ruling BJD will try for a smooth passage of the Bill in the session, thus leaving little scope for the Opposition parties to criticize further, political analysts feel.

 

“Now, that the ten-day session will be the last sitting of the 14th State Assembly as the term of the present government completes in April, 2014, the Odisha government will gear up to continue its pioneering measures, and pass the Bill. Odisha is incidentally the first state to have a special Lokpal system since 1971,” said an analyst requesting anonymity.

 

In the past, the state government had drawn wrath of the Opposition parties for not “so serious” about passing the Bill.

 

“Since the ruling BJD had been claiming to be running a transparent government it should also convene a special session of the Assembly and pass a strong Lokayukta Bill as soon as possible,” India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteer Malay Tripathy had said in December last criticizing the BJD government for not keeping its promise on the formation of such a Bill.

 

Senior BJD leader and Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahatab on December 27, 2011 had said in Parliament that his party would bring a strong Lokayukta Bill in the ensuing budget session of the Assembly. But later he clarified that the Bill would be passed in the State Assembly within three months of it getting nod of Parliament.

 

Earlier, the Congress resurrecting the Bill issue had too denounced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not keeping his promises of passing a strong Lokayukta Bill in the State Assembly.

 

On January 3, Odisha became the first state to announce the establishment of a Lokaukta in the state two days after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013, which Parliament passed in December.

 

"In view of our government's commitment to fight corruption and bring in transparency in public life, the state government will get this legislation enacted within a period of one month, even though the central Act provides for a window period of one year for implementation," Naveen Patnaik had said after a meeting of the state cabinet.

 

"The chief minister and the council of ministers will also be under the purview of the proposed state act," he added.

Odisha Government to run 1000 buses for rural areas in 12 districts by March [www.orissadiary.com]

With a view to strengthen rural connectivity the state government has decided to run busses in 108 scheduled blocks in 12 districts. Each scheduled block will be provided with 8 to 10 buses under the Rural Transport Connectivity Scheme, said G Mathivathanan, commissioner cum secretary, department of transport and commerce.

 

Speaking at the concluding day of the 25th Road Safety Week-2014, Mathivathanan said at the current stage of development in terms of economic growth we need to enhance the public transport facility in rural areas. So at the first phase the government has decided to run nearly 1000 buses in 108 scheduled blocks in 12 districts in the state.

 

“The bus service in rural areas will be implemented through public private partnership (PPP) mode. The private company will procure the buses with their own and the state government will bear 5 percent cost of the bank loan needed for this purpose. Theese buses will be free from paying road taxes and permit fees for five years,” said Mathivathanan.

 

Unlike the conventional buses these will have 15 to 20 seated. Within one or two months the private company will start the process of procurement, he added.

 

This bus service is expected to start before end of April this year and the buses will have , sources in transport department said.

 

Mathivathanan also said the government also chalked out plan to improve public transport system at the naxal affected districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani.

 

“Out target is to ply at least 100 buses in the naxal dominated districts, which is a long standing demand of the denizens there. For the procurement of buses, which would be large in structure the government has sanctioned Rs 21 crore to Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC),” said Mathivathanan.

 

OSRTC which is usually runs buses between long destinations this time it will provide the service for short distances. The naxal red affected districts will receive this service this year.

 

Speaking on this occasion chief minister Naveen Pattnaik said the state government is keen to curb the road accidents, which is highest in the country. In 2012 around 3700 people lost their lives to 9,285 road accident cases. About 10,700 people sustained injuries in this number of accidents. The government has suffered Rs 6.67 crores due to the loss of 3700 lives.

 

“We are taking every possible steps to curb the number of road accidents in the state. RTOs are expected to provide sketch carriage system for the easy availability of route permit before March 2014. People can pay the road tax for more than Rs 2000 through online. Also the transport department is initiated awareness camps at several districts,” said Pattnaik.

 

Odisha to build 61 food storage godowns [ Odisha TV Bureau]

In an effort to resolve issues relating to collection and distribution of food grains, the state government has decided to ink a pact with International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private arm of World Bank for the construction of 61 food storage godowns of 1.3 lakh mertic tonne capacity across the state.

 

This was informed by chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra at the secretariat today.

 

“The food godowns will help us tackle procurement issues. Besides, practical difficulties faced by the government during distribution of food grains will also be sorted out,” Mohapatra told media persons.

 

While the state government would avail technical expertise of the IFC for the project to be executed on private-public-partnership (PPP) mode, details about investment and selection of places would be worked out in a later stage, he stated.

 

This apart, the state government is also considering to go ahead with IFC to implement its projects including solar energy production, construction of affordable housing and tertiary hospitals in the state.

 

Official sources said, the state government has approved 37 projects on the PPP mode between April 2009 and March 2012. The approved projects are in sectors like ports, real estate, food processing and tourism.