Economics Times reports on a recent survey. Following is an excerpt about Bhubaneswar.
In Bhubaneswar, for instance, a whopping 83% of the respondents feel that business conditions have improved.
Equitybulls.com reports on this. Following are some excerpts.
Hindustan Dorr Oliver Ltd has announced that the Company has got an order from Vedanta Alumina Ltd valuing Rs 300 millions for Complete In-plant water circulation and distribution piping system and compressed air piping with accessories for their 5 million ton per annum Aluminium Smelter Plant at Jharsuguda, Orissa. Execution of the said project shall be completed by December, 2007.
The Company is already working alongwith its Chinese partner Chaileco in the above Jharsuguda refinery for a Fume Extraction Plant valuing Rs 2100 million.
Kalingatimes reports that Posco is definitely interested in the Orissa project.
Excerpts of the Article below
… The latest statement from the authorities of POSCO-India makes it clear that they were here to stay – to pursue their 12 million tonne per annum capacity steel mill project in Jagatsinghpur district.
…, the company has said in a statement that it was `confident, determined and committed’ to make its Orissa steel project happen. …
But the company has said that as per its human resource plan, overseas staff deployment in POSCO-India project was purely need based.
“Staff deployment is in relation to specific assignments and the employee moves with the changes in assignment. Accordingly, when the construction phase begins, there would be reallocation of staff from overseas in large number,” a statement from the company said.
Although there had been undue delay in the implementation of the project due to non-acquisition of land for the proposed steel plant, the company has announced it was hopeful of starting ground leveling work by December this year.
“The company is further encouraged by the support extended by Government of Orissa as well as Government of India for expediting the project,’ the statement said.
“Going by the recent developments, the company is happy to note that there is a greater understanding and wider consensus in favor of the project building up at all levels, notably among people in the project site.” …
If official sources are to be believed, … POSCO authorities were ready to wait for several more years to implement the project.
“The main worry of POSCO-India authorities would be over the day they were granted prospecting licence for the Khandadhar iron ore mines by the Central government.
As regards the people’s opposition to displacement by the proposed steel plant in Jagatsinghpur as well as the move to grant of prospecting licence to the company for Khandadhar mines, sources said that POSCO was used to such resistance.
“They are hopeful that things will slowly start changing and the opposition will lose strength in due course,” a senior government official observed.
Rehabilitation process begins
Meanwhile, the company, in association with the district administration, has started the process for rehabilitating 48 families that had left Patna village under Dhinkia panchayat of Jagatsinghpur following their differences with those who were against the setting up of the steel plant in their locality.
The company was hopeful that a transit camp for the 48 families would come up within four weeks. Simultaneously, efforts were being made to select a site for constructing a full-fledged rehabilitation colony for these families.
A company official said that once the habilitation colony was set up it would attract people from the camp that was opposed to the project.
The families which had come out of their villages on their own and were supporting the project would be given rehabilitation benefits under the provisions of the existing Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy of the State.
Going by the company’s stand, it appears clear that they might start thinking in terms of packing their bags only if the both the Central Government and the State Government expressed their unwillingness to extend help. But going by the eagerness on the part of both the governments to help POSCO-India, such a situation was unlikely to emerge in the next few years. After all, POSCO-India’s steel project still continues to carry the tag of biggest ever foreign direct investment in the country.
This sounds like a good reinforcement of it’s commitment to the Orissa project.
Business standard reports on government of Orissa and POSCO’s plans regarding R & R and compensation. Following are some excerpts.
… The government is also working on improving the compensation package for the area’s beetle-vine workers, who are among the most vocal opponents of the project as they fear loss of livelihood.
A joint exercise will be started soon for implementing the rehabilitation package. We will sit with Posco executives to decide what best can be offered to the displaced, in excess of the entitlements prescribed by the government’s rehabilitation policy and the package prepared by the company, …
The proposals which are being examined include a pension scheme for the displaced persons and a job card for all the displaced who are less than 60 years in age.
Business standard reports on this. Following are some excerpts.
After low-cost airlines, it is the turn of no-frill and low-cost airports. In a bid to encourage regional airlines and provide air links to small cities and towns, nearly 25 greenfield or unutilised airport projects have been identified by various states, which will be up for bidding by the private sector. …
A no-frill airport is built at a minimum cost and allows operation of small jets as well as slightly bigger aircraft like Boeing’s B737 or Airbus’ A320. The investment in such an airport could range from Rs 40 crore to Rs 100 crore. …
The places identified for the purpose include Hassan, Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bidar, Mysore (all in Karnataka), Shirdi, Jalgaon, Solapur, Akola (all in Maharashtra), Kannur (Kerala), Madurai, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Rupsi (Assam), Ajmer, Mount Abu, Kailashar (Rajasthan), Behala, Cooch Behar, Malda (West Bengal), Jharsuguda(Orissa), Muzaffurpur (Bihar), Kamalpur (Tripura) and Passighat (Arunachal Pradesh). …
A budget airline executive said, “A low-cost airport can be constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore, including land cost. Such an airport can increase its revenue through retail outlets, entertainment sources and hospitality projects.” …
A government official said the airports could act as operational bases of regional airlines. “The identification of regional hubs could be made on the basis of origin-destination surveys, traffic demand and the requirements of airlines,” he added.
Business Standard reports on this. Following are some excerpts.
Canadian metal giant Alcan today announced an agreement to sell its 45 per cent stake in Utkal Alumina to the Aditya Birla group’s Hindalco Industries for an undisclosed sum.
The Utkal joint venture was established in 1992 between the Birlas and Alcan, with the Birlas owning the remaining 55 per cent of the equity. The venture involved the development of a new bauxite mine and alumina refinery in Orissa. …
“Alcan will have no surviving rights or obligations as Hindalco becomes the 100 per cent owner of the Utkal project,” it said. The Indian company expects the deal to be closed in the next 30 days. …
The project has been marred by controversy, with local residents opposing its construction on the plea that it will displace three villages and at least 200 families. Local critics have estimated that as many as 22,000 people could be affected. In December 2000, there was a clash between villagers and police in Maikanch over land acquisition. Three tribals were killed in the police firing that followed. Utkal was initially established as a joint venture between Hindalco, Alcan and Hydro Norsk. The shareholding was shared between Indal, now a part of Hindalco at 20 per cent; Alcan at 35 per cent and Norsk Hydro with 45 per cent. Norsk Hydro later sold its stake to the other two partners.
Economic Times reports that Tata Steel has put in an order of 4000 crores for its Kalinganagar steel plant. Following are some excerpts from that report.
Tata Steel’s ambitious 6-million-tonne-per-annum project in Orissa, central to its synergy plans with subsidiary Corus, has finally taken off with the company placing orders worth Rs 4,000 crore for the upcoming steel plant.
The company, the largest steel manufacturer in the country, had signed an MoU with the Orissa government in 2004 for setting up a Rs 15,000-crore complex that will produce slabs and hot rolled coils.
Opposition from locals and official apathy delayed the project which was to come up in the Kalinganagar Industrial Complex of Jajpur district. …
In two separate announcements earlier this week, L&T said it is supplying and installing sinter plant and blast furnace valued at Rs 1,070 crore and Rs 980 crore, respectively for Tata Steel’s project.
Apart from the sinter plant and blast furnace, the company has also placed orders for steel melting shop and slab caster. “The total value of orders placed is over Rs 4,000 crore. We expect to start construction by the year end or early next year,” said Tata Steel spokesperson.
He added that the first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned by 2010. “Tata Steel Parivar — the resettlement and rehabilitation scheme — is underway. Around 600 families have been rehabilitated under the scheme,” said the spokesperson. The company has been allotted 3,400 acres for the steel project .
New Indian Express reports on Rural development secretary Subas Pani’s visit and his suggestions to Orissa government on NREGS and PMGSY (Pradhan mantri gramsadak yojana). Following are some excerpts.
The Centre has advised the State Government to increase its spending capacity as allocation of funds is unlimited under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
Union Rural Development Secretary Subas Pani … said Orissa and Bihar were two focus states of the Centre.
Pani further informed the Chief Minister that the Centre had increased the fund for capacity building. Earlier, two percent of the total allocation was meant for capacity building. Now this has been increased to four percent.
This can be better utilised for online monitoring of the projects, he said. Pani reviewed the progress of the two programmes at an official meeting and strongly advised the State Government to put an effective mechanism in place for timely execution of a large number of projects and handling such huge funds.
The State Government has submitted proposals of nearly 4,000 crore to the Rural Development Ministry under PMGSY and NREGS.
While the Panchayati Raj Department has submitted proposal for Rs 2,500 crore to the Centre under NREGS and other wage employment programmes, project proposals worth Rs 1,500 crore by the Rural Development Department are pending for clearance.
The Union Secretary strongly felt the need for a dedicated team of officials at district and State-levels for monitoring in view of the large number of projects under execution.
Over one lakh projects have been taken up under the NREGS while hundreds of rural connectivity projects are under implementation.
The Union Secretary emphasised on computerisation of gram panchayats for online monitoring of the projects.
He also suggested to involve officials of other line departments to monitor the NREGS projects.
Pioneer reports on Orissa government’s plan to increase the number of beds in the Cuttack cancer center. Following are some excerpts.
The State Government on Tuesday decided to increase the number of beds in the Acharya Harihara Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack. This is the only Government institute in the State that offers medical treatment to a large number of cancer patient in and outside the State. The State Government has already accorded autonomous status to this institute.
… However, the State now, boasts of a few private medical institutions which offers treatment to the cancer patients. But, still it is beyond the reach of the common man.
… the State Government has decided to refurbish the medical institutions. …
As per the decision, another 70 beds will be added to the existing strength of 146. With this the number of beds will come to 216. Out of the 70 beds, 50 will be accommodated in the cabins and other in general wards.
Another 150 staff nurses will be given appointment. All the patients will be provided AC room facilities at least for a period of four months and provided with colour TV sets, having cable connection.
… the State Government had approached the Centre to provide at least Rs 7 crore to get modern equipment like the Linear Accelerator. “Once this hospital gets the machine, cancer treatment will be more scientific and the treatment will be made more focused one,” …
Telegraph has a nice article on organic turmeric from Kandhamala and its marketing. Following are some excerpts.
But finally the precious haldi was traced to a small shop at the back of Ekamra Haat, Bhubaneswar’s equivalent of Dilli Haat, showcasing handicrafts and products made by tribals. …
The golden yellow Kandhamal haldi, named after the district where it is produced, is creating ripples in the world of spices. The spice has made its way to shelves across the United States, several countries in Europe, including Germany and Netherlands, besides Japan because of its organic value. It smells just right, lasts longer and only a pinch adds the colour and the flavour to the food. And it is of course devoid of toxic elements and chemicals. …
In the district, about 12,000 hectare is diverted for turmeric cultivation and dry haldi weighing 10,000 metric tonne is produced every year. Kandhamal haldi is famous for its colour, texture, aroma, flavour and long shelf life.
The curcumic content in it is claimed to be the highest in the country, to be recognised soon by the Union Control of Holland, a certifying agency engaged to certify its purity.
The spices are being marketed by Omfed, Aryan International, New Delhi; Samiter India, Mumbai; ABC International, Bangalore and Aricha Trading, Calcutta. But as the experience in Bhubaneswar shows, most of it gets exported. Till 2003, however, traders from Berhampur continued to purchase dry turmeric from tribals for paltry sums.
However, the idea of organised turmeric farming on Kandhamal terrain stuck Omfed. It started a government-sponsored project called Kandhamal Women’s Organic Turmeric project (KWOTP) in 2003. …
But soon, we realised the potential for turmeric plantation. Each family in the district had at least a field where they grew turmeric. We knew that if we could channelise the whole thing, there would be no stopping. Soon, societies were formed, training imparted, improved varieties of seed were supplied and marketing of the product under the brand Kandhamal haldi started.”
Currently Omfed directly supervises 305 all-women societies that work for the project and the production has leaped form 250 quintal to 2,937 quintals in a span of four years. This apart the product is being processed and packaged to be sold though Omfed’s existing distribution channel (marketing outlets and booths) across the state.
This apart, two other units named Samanwita and Kasam, who have their processing plant where the Omfed turmeric is packed and independently marketed.
Samaja reports on this is as follows. Central government should, if they don’t have one yet, have a similar scheme for tribal districts.
Samaja has a the following article on farming that can be done after a flooding. 
Samaja has the following story on this.
As mentioned in this report, Orissa has more digital connections than Tamilnadu. Its probably because Orissa was way behind in telephone connections when the communication revolution happened in India. The new lines being digital (probably meaning that they are through digital exchanges) Orissa has more digital connections.
Following up on our earlier article on this, currently Bhubaneswar area has three FM stations: Radio Choklate 104 FM, Big 92.7 FM and 93.5 SFM. The first two plan to expand to Rourkela soon. Nationally, two other FM stations, Radiocity 91.1 FM and Radio Mirchi 98.3 plan to expand to all state capitals and business centers across the country. Hopefully they will soon be in Orissa. (Acknowledgment: The above is based on a news item in Sambada.)
Myiris and others report on this. Following is an excerpt.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) announced on Monday that the company led consortium bagged orders worth Rs 10.70 billion for supply & installation of Sinter plant and other packages from Tata Steel.
Tata Steel is setting up an integrated steel plant with capacity of 6 million tons per annum (MTPA) in Kalinganagar industrial complex at Duburi in Jajpur district of Orissa to be completed in two phases of 3 MTPA each. The orders are for the first phase of this greenfield project.
Sinter Plant
L&T in consortium with Outotec, Germany bagged EPC (engineering – procurement – construction) contract for 5.75 MTPA Sinter plant valued at Rs 8.36 billion. The company`s share of this order is Rs 6.23 billion. This would be the single largest Sinter plant to be built in India. This is scheduled for completion in 30 months.
Steel Melt Shop
L&T has also been awarded the contract for civil and structural steel works of steel melt shop valued at Rs 2.33 billion. This is scheduled for completion in 28 months.
Money control reports on this about Deepak Fertilisers And Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (DFPCL). Following is an excerpt.
Land acquisition process for the Company’s 300,000 MT Ammonium Nitrate project at Paradip in Orissa is in progress and, in the meanwhile, the Company has completed the process of acquiring key equipment and placed orders for long lead items in addition to commencing the detail engineering process for the new plant.
Market watch reports that POSCO expects to complete land acquisition by year end for it’s Orissa steel plant. Following is an excerpt.
‘Lee also said Posco expects to be able to secure all necessary land for its planned 12 million ton-a-year plant in Orissa, India, by the end of 2007, with construction projected to start in the first half of next year.
Posco is set to invest $12 billion to complete the plant by 2016. Orissa’s state government has so far allocated 1,135 acres of land to Posco, which has requested 4,000 acres. ‘
Other news to be seen is that it has had massive profits due to improved cost-savings from FINEX technology.
Financial express reports on this. Following are some excerpts.
‘We are planning to take up further exploration of mineral resources with a view to accessing the deposits of different ores’’, says … Padmanabha Behera. …
Geologists in the state believe that estimates of proven deposits are only the tip of the iceberg. …
As per the present estimation of the state directorate of geology, Orissa has 4,177 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore, 1,530 mt of bauxite, 60,983 mt of coal, 2,224 mt of limestone and 111 mt of chrome ore. …
The state government has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with 44 steel companies for an investment of Rs 1.97 lakh crore for built-up steel-making capacity of 74.66 mt. As many as 25 companies have gone in for production. Besides, 13 MoUs in the power sector, four in the aluminium sector have also been signed. …
Iron ore deposits have been explored up to 25 to 30 metre depth and the government is contemplating deeper exploration, he added.
J N Das, an expert on Orissa minerals, however, cautioned the state government that mining of iron ore below 25-30 metres would not be economically viable.
‘‘Oxidisation is the ultimate cause of the precipitation of iron oxides in the upper crust. Two rules which govern the fixation and mobilisation of iron in aqueous solution are: (1)oxidising conditions promote the precipitation of iron ore, reducing conditions promote the solution; (2)acid conditions generally promote the solution of iron, alkaline conditions and promote the precipitation of iron. Thus, iron ore is accumulated towards the surface. Iron ore is not expected below banded iron silica rocks (BHQ/BH)/Quartzite in a normal deposit cycle. Even if it occurs due to structural disturbances like folding etc., it can’t be mined economically for use in steel industries”, he says.
The government is also preparing a mining policy with emphasis on maximum value addition in the state, optimum use and conservation of minerals. The policy will also encourage further exploration of existing mines and ew deposits.
‘‘Once the Centre announces its mining policy on the basis of the Hoda Committee report, the state will put in place its first-ever mining policy’’, says the steel and mines minister.
The state is at present following the policy of value addition for recommending mining lease for companies. It is in favour of a ban on export of iron ore, which has touched 17 m.t out of the total production of 61 m.t in 2006-07.
While South Indian food types and Punjabi food types are commonly associated with Indian cuisine, various states of India have their own specialties. Orissa has its own cuisine, besides the world famous roshgollas. Following are some links.
Following are pictures of the menu of the Dalema restaurant near Master Canteen.
Following is a picture of a vegetarian plate of Oriya cuisine. Its very different from a similar plate of south Indian thali (plate) or north Indian thali.
Following is the exact address (with phone number of the two Dalema locations). The third one from where the above pictures were taken, is the one near KIIT.
(Postscript: I have no relation with Dalema, except that I am a satisfied customer,and next time I am in Bhubaneswar I will definitely visit one of their locations. I have also eaten at Odissa hotel in Saheed Nagar. They use copper utensils.)
Pioneer reports on this. Following are some excerpts:
Club City, a leading food court chain known for its unique food fusion concept, opened its 19th outlet at Swagat Palace at Bhouma Nagar on Sunday.
… he food chain successfully mixes Indian delicacies with that of American European, Chinese and Mexican food flavours. Initially, her outlet could manage to bring four food concept brands out of the total 15 — Dosa Plaza, Sanghai Post, Chillzzzz and Club Thai. Dosa Plaza is India’s largest menu of Dosa making and would cater to nearly 27 varieties of Dosas, while Shanghai Post would deal with delicate Chinese items. Chillzzz and Club Thai would offer varieties of Mocktails and shakes along with delicacies of Thailand .
Deepikaglobal has another report which talks about Club city’s further plans.
… about seven more outlets would be opened in Orissa to cater to the customers growing demand of ‘fun dining’ experience. The new outlets would be opened in Jharsuguda, Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar, he added. … The CEO also added that the traditional Oriya cuisine would soon be included in the menu.
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