Archive for July, 2007

Efforts on for operating Air Deecan flights to/from Rourkela

Airports and air connectivity, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sundergarh 4 Comments »

Tathya.in reports on this. It seems initial steps have been taken, Air Deecan is very much interested, and just some snags need to be sorted out before scheduled flights can commence. One major snag is that the airstrip in Rourkela, is labeled as “private”. It must be labeled as “public” before scheduled flights can commence. To expedite the removal of the snags, one may do the following:

  • Send mail to Rourkela Steel Plant MD Mr. B. N. Singh at rkl_mdsecrsp@sancharnet.com (or call him at 2510018) requesting him to request the Director General Civil aviation (DGCA) to change the status of the SAIL built Rourkela airstrip from “private” to “public”.
  • Send mail to CMO office (cmo@ori.nic.in) requesting him to make all out efforts for bringing Rourkela under air connectivity at the earliest.
  • Thank the DM of Sundergarh (Mr. Krishan Kumar), who was ADM Rourkela before, for his efforts on this and request him to keep pushing until it is done. He can be reached by email at dmsng@ori.nic.in.
  • Tell  like minded friends about this and request them to do the above.

Latest HRD roundup from Orissawatch.org

Balasore, Balasore- Chandipur, Berhampur- Gopalpur- Chhatrapur, Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Cuttack, Engineering and MCA Colleges, Ganjam, HRD-n-EDUCATION (details at orissalinks.com), K-12, KBK Plus district cluster, Khordha, Koraput- Jeypore- Sunabedha- Damanjodi, Management institutions, Marquee Institutions: existing and upcoming, Medical, nursing and pharmacy colleges, Odisha and Center, Research institutions, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sambaplur- Burla- Bargarh- Chipilima, Sundergarh, Universities: existing and upcoming Comments Off on Latest HRD roundup from Orissawatch.org

Orissa Police has a website

E-governance, Websites of Interest Comments Off on Orissa Police has a website

Orissa Police has a website. It is http://orissapolice.nic.in/.

World class railway station in Bhubaneswar area will be in Barang

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Cuttack, ECOR, Khordha, Railways Comments Off on World class railway station in Bhubaneswar area will be in Barang

Earlier it was reported that 20 stations (its started with 16 then became 17, tehn 19 and now 20) in India will be made world class. The 20 stations as reported here are: Agra, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Anand Vihar (Delhi), Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bijwasan (Delhi), Chandigarh, Chennai, Mumbai CST, Howrah, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mathura, Patna, Pune, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Varanasi.

In case of Bhubaneswar, due to lack of land adjacent to the existing Bhubaneswar station, there was speculation and bits of news regarding a new world class station being built in Barang. The following news report from Sambada confirms it.

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Orissa growth rate greater than National average in 10th 5 year plan.

AGRICULTURE & FARMING, INDUSTRY and INFRASTRUCTURE, INVESTMENTS and INVESTMENT PLANS, MINES and MINERALS, RESOURCE MOBILIZATION & BUDGETS, THINGS ODISHA N ODIA 5 Comments »

Financial express reports that Orissa growth rate for the current year is better than national growth rate. National Industrial growth rate increased at 6.93% for the 11th plan period while in Orissa the growth rate was 11.34%. Simultaneously, while agricultural growth rate in the National context was 1.03% , in Orissa the growth rate was 3% across the 10th 5 year plan period. The overall growth rate was 7.3% for orissa as opposed to National growth rate of 6.5%. Excerpts from the article are as follows:

‘‘The growth rate of Orissa ws 7.3 % during the 10th plan period against the national average of 6.5%,’’ state finance minister Prafulla Ghadei said while replying to the discussion on Appropriation Bill in the state assembly.

Ghadei said the state was on growth path due to the strict fiscal discipline maintained by the government after Patnaik took over the reigns. ‘‘While the growth rate during the previous Congress regime was below the national average in 9th plan period, it increased in the 10th plan period,’’ he said.

Seeking to justify his argument, the finance minister pointed out that while national growth rate in agriculture was 1.03% during the 10th plan period, it was 3% in Orissa which was higher than many other states in the country.

While the national growth rate in industrial sector was confined to 6.96% in the 10th plan period, it was 11.34 % in Orissa, he said quoting what he claimed data obtained from the national sample survey. ‘‘Isn’t it an achievement of the Orissa government,’’ Ghadei asked the opposition, which earlier described the government as ‘non-performing’’. Referring to poverty, Ghadei said Orissa was ahead of neighbouring states like Jharkhand and Bihar in controlling poverty.”

The above reports prove a point that the state has gone beyond signing MOUs and creation of fruitful economic activity in the state, since that is reflected in the survey results.

We just need fruition of the big ticket investments which will result in even greater growth in the next 5 year plan. A note of caution though, current agricultural productivity is still below National average. A plan needs to be formulated to change the per hectare output in the state.

Pointers to coal block allocation in Orissa

Coal Comments Off on Pointers to coal block allocation in Orissa

Following are some pointers:

List of Power MOUs as listed in May 1-15 issue of Pratisruti Plus

Coal, POWER: generation, distribution, and management, Thermal Comments Off on List of Power MOUs as listed in May 1-15 issue of Pratisruti Plus

Following are some tables from the May 1-15th issue of Pratisruti Plus. (The Sept 2006 Hindu report also lists various power related MOUs.)

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List of Steel MOUs as listed in May 1-15 issue of Pratisruti Plus

Iron Ore, Steel Comments Off on List of Steel MOUs as listed in May 1-15 issue of Pratisruti Plus

Following are some tables from the May 1-15th issue of Pratisruti Plus. The Government of Orissa Steel and Mines department website on MOUs also lists the current MOUs, but does not tell there exact up-to-date status.

mou-steel1-1.JPGmou-steel1-2.JPG

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An article on ECOR from Pratisruti Plus

ECOR Comments Off on An article on ECOR from Pratisruti Plus

Following is an article written by B. K. Mishra, Chief Public Relation Officer of ECOR. It appeared in the May 1-15 issue of Pratisruti Plus.

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Orissa Finance Minister Claims Orissa is doing better than national average

Odisha Statistics Comments Off on Orissa Finance Minister Claims Orissa is doing better than national average

Financial express reports on this. Following are some excerpts:

  • ‘‘The growth rate of Orissa ws 7.3 % during the 10th plan period against the national average of 6.5%,’’
  • ‘‘While the growth rate during the previous Congress regime was below the national average in 9th plan period, it increased in the 10th plan period,’’
  • while national growth rate in agriculture was 1.03% during the 10th plan period, it was 3% in Orissa which was higher than many other states in the country.
  • While the national growth rate in industrial sector was confined to 6.96% in the 10th plan period, it was 11.34 % in Orissa.

Mineral Concessions: approval, rejection and in process (as of 13th June 2007)

MINES and MINERALS, Mining royalty Comments Off on Mineral Concessions: approval, rejection and in process (as of 13th June 2007)

From the Ministry of Mines mineral concession web page we have the following data:

  • Currently under process
    • Shri Prabhu Dayal Agarwal ML

      Manganese Ore

      106.133 Hect.

      Query to State Govt. on 24.6.2005. Reminders issued on 3.10.2005, 27.2.2006 and 14.7.2006.

    • M/s. O.M.C. Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore and Manganese Ore

      416.835 Hect.

      Query to State Govt. on 11.9.2006.

    • M/s. Sita Cement Ltd. ML

      Lime Stone and Dolomite

      26.265 Hect.

      Query to State Govt. on 18.4.2006. Reminder on 14.7.2006.

    • M/s. SMC Power Generation Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore

      246.039 Hect.

      Query to State Govt. on 11.5.2007.

    • M/s. POSCO-India Pvt. Ltd. PL

      Iron Ore

      6204.352 Hect.

      Under consideration in Ministry of Mines.

    • M/s. Orissa Mining Corpn. Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore

      1011.5 Hect.

      Under process in MoM.

    • M/s. Action Ispat & Power Pvt. Ltd. PL

      Iron Ore

      235 Hect.

      Under process in MoM.

  • Approvals after 1st April 2007 (3 out of 125 are in Orissa)
    • 19.

      M/s Rungta Mines Ltd. RP

      Gold,Silver and Platinum

      1941 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      13/4/2007

    • 20.

      M/s. Sree Metalliks Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore

      35.774 Hect.

      ORISSA

      13/4/2

    • 21.

      M/s. Deepak Steel and Power Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore

      38.687 Hect.

      ORISSA

      13/4/2007

  • Approvals in 2006-07 (6 out of 142 are in Orissa)
    • 14.

      M/s. Neepaz Metalliks Pvt.Ltd. ML

      Iron Ore

      109.791 Hect.

      ORISSA

      1/6/2006

    • 23.

      M/s. Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd. PL

      Iron Ore and Manganese Ore

      57 Hect.

      ORISSA

      14/6/2006

    • 24.

      M/s. Balasore Alloys Ltd. PL

      Iron Ore and Manganese Ore

      284 Hect.

      ORISSA

      14/6/2006

    • 56.

      Shri Pratap Kumar Mishra PL

      Manganese Ore

      30.44 Hect.

      ORISSA

      22/8/2006

    • 119.

      M/s. Rungta Mines Ltd. RP

      Gold

      1007.612 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      2/2/2007

    • 121.

      M/s. Rungta Mines Ltd. RP

      Gold and Platinum

      1818.627 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      8/2/2007

  • Approvals in 2005-06 (6 out of 128 are in Orissa)
    • 2.

      M/s. HINDALCO Industries Ltd. ML

      Bauxite

      268.11 Hect.

      ORISSA

      20/4/2005

    • 5.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP

      Precious Stones

      2000 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      25/5/200

    • 9.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP

      Precious Stones

      1870 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      6/6/2005

    • 10.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP

      Precious Stones

      631.8 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      6/6/2005

    • 11.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP

      Precious Stones

      1930 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      6/6/2005

    • 12.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. RP

      Precious Stones

      550 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      6/6/2005

    • 82.

      Shri Saligram Khirwal PL

      Iron Ore and Manganese Ore

      93.741 Hect.

      ORISSA

      26/9/2005

  • Approvals in 2004-05 ( 4 out of 119 in Orissa)
    • 11.

      M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP

      Base Metals,Precious Stones and Associated Minerals

      2600 Sq.Km.

      ORISSA

      19/7/2004

    • 40.

      M/s. N.M.D.C. Ltd. PL

      Heavy Mineral Sand,Rutile,Siliminite and Garnet

      665.883 Hect.

      ORISSA

      3/9/2004

    • 44.

      M/s. Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. ML

      Bauxite

      1073.389 Hect.

      ORISSA

      13/9/2004

    • 47.

      M/s. FAC0R Ltd. ML

      Platinum

      187.03 Hect.

      ORISSA

      28/9/2004

  • Approvals in 2003-04 ( 17 out of 121 in Orissa)
    • 14. M/s. Phelps Dodge Exploration India Pvt. Ltd. RP Copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, cobalt nickel and associated minerals 3409.80 Sq. Kms. Orissa 30.5.2003
    • 15. M/s. A.C.C. Rio Tinto Exploration Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 1760 Sq. Kms. Orissa 30.5.2003
    • 16. M/s. BHP Minerals India Pvt. Ltd. RP Nickel, copper, lead, zinc, gold & associated minerals 2605 Sq. Kms. Orissa 30.5.2003
    • 17. M/s. BHP Minerals India Pvt. Ltd. RP Nickel, copper, lead, zinc, gold & associated minerals 2435 Sq. Kms. Orissa 30.5.2003
    • 52. M/s. ACC Rio Tinto Exploration Ltd. RP Diamond and associated minerals 798 Sq. Kms. Orissa 30.7.2003
    • 68. M/s. Mangalam Carbide Ltd. PL Bauxite 93.767 hects. Orissa 27.8.2003
    • 71. M/s. ACC Rio Tinto Exploration Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 1360 Sq. Kms. Orissa 28.8.2003
    • 72. M/s. ACC Rio Tinto Exploration Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 265 Sq. Kms. Orissa 28.8.2003
    • 77. Shri Dhiranirod Paida PL Iron and manganese 7.31 hects. Orissa 10.9.2003
    • 85. Sri Santi Bardhan Mishra PL Iron & manganese ore 18.240 hects. Orissa 24.10.2003
    • 86. Shri Jitendranath Patnaik ML Iron Ore 57.50 hects. Orissa 24.10.2003
    • 104. Shri K.C. Pradhan ML Iron ore 27.794 hects. Orissa 5.12.2003
    • 105. Shri Miter Sen ML Manganese ore 21.347 hects. Orissa 5.12.2003
    • 106. M/s. Saraf Aencies Ltd. of Chariat Cement Co. ML/relaxation Limestone and dolomite 33.104 hects. Orissa 5.12.2003
    • 119. M/s. Hindalco Industries Ltd. PL Bauxite 239.053 hects. Orissa 6.1.2004
    • 120. M/s. BHP Minerals India Pvt. Ltd. RP Nickel, copper, lead, zinc, gold & associated minerals 2249.071 Sq. Kms. Orissa 6.1.2004
    • 121 M/s. BHP Minerals India Pvt. Ltd. RP Nickel, copper, lead, zinc, gold & associated minerals 1278.160 Sq. Kms. Orissa 6.1.2004
  • Approvals during 2002-03 ( 24 out of 135 are in Orissa)
    • 2. Shri Bimal Prasad Patnaik PL Iron and manganese ore 68.00 hects. Oissa 3.4.2002
    • 3. M/s. Usha (India) Ltd. PL Iron and manganese ore 60.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 4. Shri Prabodh Mohanty PL Iron and manganese ore 61.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 5. Shri Jitendranah Patnaik PL Iron and manganese ore 52.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 6. M/s. Utkal Mining & Sales (P) Ltd. PL Iron and manganese ore 65.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 7. M/s. Sun Alloys & Mining Ltd. PL Iron ore 77.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 8. M/s. Sun Alloys & Mining Ltd. PL Iron Ore 25.00 hects. Orissa 3.4.2002
    • 17. M/s. De Beers India Minerals Pvt. Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 2000 Sq. Kms. Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 18. M/s. De Beers India Pospecting Pvt. Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 2000 Sq. Kms. Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 19. M/s. De Bees India Minerals Pvt. Ltd. RP Diamond & associated minerals 2000 Sq. Kms. Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 20. M/s. De Beers India Prospecting Pvt. Ltd. RP Diamond & associated mineals 1880 Sq. Kms Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 21. M/s. De Beers India Prospecting Pvt. Ltd RP Diamond & associated mineals 1733 Sq. Kms. Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 22. M/s. Prakash Industries Ltd. PL Iron & manganese ore 95.00 hects. Orissa 19.4.2002
    • 29. M/s. Indian Rare Earths Ltd. RML/condition Ilmenite & associated minerals 2618.49 hects. Orissa 20.5.2002
    • 38. Shri Naresh Kumar Agrawal PL Iron & manganese ore 32.045 hects. Orissa 12.6.2002
    • 42. Smt. Meenati Mohanty PL Iron ore 38.22 hects. Orissa 26.6.2002
    • 48. M/s. Orissa Sponge Iron Ltd. ML Iron ore 459.00 hects. Orissa 17.7.2002
    • 74. M/s. Mangilal Rungta ML/inclusion Iron Ore 715.637 hects. Orissa 13.9.2002
    • 85. M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. RP Copper, lead, zinc (basemetals), precious stones & associated minerals 128.06 Sq. Kms. Orissa 1.10.2002
    • 87 Shri Tarini Prasad Mohanty ML Iron & manganese ore 48.117 hects. Orissa 9.10.2002
    • 102. Shri Vijaya Kumar Ojha PL Iron & manganese ore 14.00 hects. Orissa 3.12.2002
    • 103. Shri Banwari Lal Newatia PL Iron & manganese ore 20.00 hects. Orissa 3.12.2002
    • 104. M/s. Mayur Electro Cermics Pvt. Ltd. PL Iron & manganese ore 46.00 hects. Orissa 3.12.2002
    • 112. Shri K.C. Pradhan ML Manganese Ore 16.791 hects. Orissa 8.1.2003
  • Approvals during 2001-02 (8 out of 114 are in Orissa)
    • 26. M/s. Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd. ML Chromite 84.881 hects. Orissa 9.7.2001
    • 40. M/s. M.G. Mohanty ML Iron Ore 14.00 hects. Orissa 26.9.01
    • 41. M/s. M.G.M. Mohanty ML Iron Ore 28.397 hects. Orissa 26.9.01
    • 62 M/s. OMDC Ltd. 2nd RML/ relaxation Iron and manganese ore 1276.79 hects. Orissa 26.11.2001
    • 64. Shri Jitendranath Patnaik ML Iron Ore 4.916 hects. Orissa 19.12.2001
    • 111. M/s. Neelachal Minerals Ltd. PL Iron & Manganese Ore 27.98 hects. Orissa 27.3.2002
    • 112. Shri K.B. Pahi PL Iron, Manganese & Bauxite 205.50 hects. Orissa 27.3.2002
    • 113. Shri K.B. Pahi PL Iron, Manganese & Bauxite 226.26 hects. Orissa 27.3.2002
  • Approvals during 2000-01 (19 out of 176 are in Orissa)
  • Approvals during 1999-2000 ( 19 out of 219 are in Orissa)
  • Approvals during 1998-99 ( 35 out of 339 are in Orissa)
  • Rejections
  • Approval for aerial prospection of large areas

Orissa’s objections to the Hoda committee recommendations on national mines policy

Mining royalty, RESOURCE MOBILIZATION & BUDGETS Comments Off on Orissa’s objections to the Hoda committee recommendations on national mines policy

Following are some of the objections raised by CM Naveen Patnaik on the Hoda committee recommendations on national mines policy. These are excerpts from a Statesman article.

  • The recommendations of the committee treat the nation as a unit instead of the state, as far as value-addition is concerned. This means that ore from Orissa can go to any other part of the country to feed the industries of that particular state.
    If this is the case, what would happen to the jobs and the revenue that ought to have developed in Orissa, and why would a Posco or a Mittal come to Orissa to set up industries, the CM remarked.
  • The Hoda Committee has also recommended that the export of ore should be freely allowed, at least for the next 10 years. This is again contrary to the principle that the export of ore should be phased out. Moreover, the export duty goes to the coffers of the centre and the royalty earned by the state is a pittance, Mr Patnaik observed.
  • It seeks to abolish the provision, which empowers the state to recommend the cases of applicants who want to set up industries, without sticking to the first come first serve principle. The Centre has to be vested with powers to allot the mines to anybody, without value additional within the state as is the policy in Orissa now. The state governments are the custodians of the minerals located within their boundary and therefore any attempt to take away this right by the centre is unconstitutional, the CM charged.
  • Another objectionable recommendation is that there should be seamless transition from reconnaissance permit to prospecting licence and further to the grant of mining lease.

Panchayati Raj and Rural Development

Annapurna Scheme, ARWSP, Credit cum subisdy Scheme, DDP, DPAP, IWDP, PMGSY, PMGY, RURAL & SPECIAL PROGRAMS, Samagra Awaas Yojana, SGRY, SGSY, Swajaldhara scheme, Total sanitation campaign - CRSP, Watersheds Comments Off on Panchayati Raj and Rural Development

Following are the various rural development schemes channeled through Panchayati Raj obtained from the central government web page.

  • SAMPOORNA GRAMEEN ROZGAR YOJANA(SGRY)The objectives of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana is to provide additional employment in the rural areas as also food security, alongside the creation of durable community, social and economic intrastrucutre in the rural areas. The programme is self-targeting in nature with special emphasis to provide Wage Employment to women, SCs, STs and parents of children withdrawn from hazardous occupations. This Programme is being implemented into two streams :-
    • The First Stream of the Programme will be implemented at the District and Intermediate level Panchayats. 50% of the funds are earmarked out of the total funds available under the SGRY and distributed between the District Panchayat and the Intermediate Panchayats in the ratio of 40:60.
    • The Second Stream of the Programme will be implemented at the Village Panchayat level. 50% of the SGRY funds are earmarked for this Stream. The entire funds are released to the Village Panchayats through the DRDAs/District Pachayats.
  • SWARNJAYANIT GRAM SWAROZGAR YOJANA(SGSY)
    The objective of SGSY is to bring the assisted poor families above the poverty line by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. The families of below poverty line (BPL) including artisans, identified through the BPL Census are eligible for assistance under the Scheme. While selecting the new activities priority may be given to those having inherent skill which is primarily constituted by the rural artisans. The role of PRIs in the implementation of this Scheme are as under:-

    • The Gram Sabha will approve the list of BPL families.
    • The list of key activities and the list of villages identified under the scheme in the Block should be approved by the Intermediate Panchayat.
    • The list of swarozgaris finally selected should be made available to the Gram Panchayat for placing it before the next Gram Sabha.
    • The Gram Panchayat would actively monitor the performance of the Swarozgaris particularly repayment of loan.
    • The District Panchayat will review the performance under this scheme in its General Body Meetings.
  • PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA(PMGSY)This is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme. This Scheme seeks to provide connectivity to all unconnected habitations in the rural areas with a population of more than 500 persons through good All-weather roads by the end of the Tenth Plan. In Hill States and Desert Areas, the objective would be to connect habitations with a population of 250 persons and above. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are as under:
    • The District Panchayats (or DRDAs where the District Panchayats do not exist) shall be the competent authority to select the variable best suited for the District, categories them and accord relative weightage to them and shall communicate it to all concerned.
    • The Plan should be finalized by the Intermediate Panchayat. Any changes made by the Intermediate Panchayat should be separately mentioned and reasons, thereof, should be indicated.
    • The Draft District Rural Roads Plan would be presented to the District Panchayat by the Chief Executive of the District Planning Committee. It should be discussed and adopted by the District Panchayat, with such changes, as may be considered appropriate, but strictly within the framework of the Manual.
    • The Rural Raods constructed/upgraded under this Programe will be maintained by the concerned District/Intermediate Panchayat. Efforts will be made to involve local peoples’ participation in the maintenance of Rural Roads.
    • All the Road Works will be subjected to Social Audit by way of discussion in the Gram Sabha and the relevant information in this regard will be made available to the Gram Sabha.
  • INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA (IAY) This scheme provides assistance primarily to the BPL rural households belonging primarily to SCs/STs and freed bonded labour categories. Benefits of the scheme have also been extended to families of servicemen of the armed and paramilitary forces killed in action. 3% of the houses are also reserved for BPL physically and mentally challenged persons living in rural areas. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • The Zilla Parishads or DRDAs on the basis of allocations made and targets fixed shall decide the number of houses to be constructed/upgraded Panchayat wise under IAY, during a particular financial year.
    • The Zila Parishads/ DRDAs shall intimate the same to the Gram Panchayat. Thereafter, the Gram Sabha will select the beneficiaries from the list of eligible households, according to IAY Guidelines as per priorities fixed, restricting this number to the target allotted.
    • Panchayat Samiti’s approval is not required. The Panchayat Samiti should however, be sent a list of selected beneficiaries for their information.
  • PRADHAN MANTRI GRAMODAYA YOJANA(PMGY) This scheme envisages allocation of Additional Central Assistance to the States/UTs for providing /improving the outlay of Basic Minimum Services including “Rural Shelter” in the rural areas. The funds under this Scheme are released by the Ministry of Finance/Ministry of Home Affairs on the basis of recommendations made by the Ministry of Rural Development, being the nodal Ministry for implementation and monitoring of the scheme. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • The Zilla Parishads/DRDAs will decide the number of houses to be constructed, Panchayat-wise, and the same will immediately be intimated to the Gram Panchayat.
    • The Gram Sabha will select the beneficiaries from the list of eligible households, restricting this number to the target allotted.
    • The Intermediate-level Panchayat (Panchayat Samiti) will invariably be sent a list of selected beneficiaries.
  • CREDIT CUM SUBSIDY SCHEME This Scheme targets rural families having annual income upto Rs.32,000/-. While subsidy is restricted to Rs.10,000/-, the maximum loan amount can be availed upto Rs.40,000/- under this scheme. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :-
    • One of the Agencies for implementing the scheme is Zilla Panchayat. The identification of the most appropriate implementing agency under the Credit-cum Subsidy Scheme shall be left to the State Government.
  • SAMAGRA AWAAS YOJANA This is a comprehensive Housing Scheme with a view to ensuring integrated provision of shelter, sanitation and drinking water. This is being implemented in one block each off 25 districts of 24 States and one UT. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • The Zila Parishad, the Block Samiti and the Gram Panchayat will be fully involved in the implementation of this Scheme.
    • The special IEC funds of Rs. 5 lakh per district and habitat development funds of Rs. 20 lakh will be routed through DRDAs. DRDAs/ZPs and Public Health Department will be the main implementing agencies.
  • INNOVATIVE SCHEME FOR HOUSING AND HABITAT DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL BUILDING CENTRES The innovative scheme for housing and habitat development has been designed for standardizing and popularizing/ replicating/propagating cost-effective, environment-friendly housing construction technologies, designs and materials and evolving ideal types of sustainable rural human settlements consistent with agro-climatic variations and natural disaster proneness. The Rural Building Centres Scheme is inter alia designed with the purpose of technology transfer and information dissemination, skill up gradation through training and production of cost effective and environment friendly material components.
    • Panchayati Raj Institutions are one of the Implementing Agencies under these schemes.
  • ANNAPURNA The Annapurna Scheme aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who though eligible have remained uncovered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • The Panchayats identifies the Beneficiaries and communicate the same to Collector/CEO.
    • The Gram Sabhas are required to select the Beneficiaries for the Scheme and the lists of beneficiaries so selected by Gram Sabha will be displayed by the Gram Panchayats.
    • The Gram Panchayats distribute the Entitlement Cards to the Beneficiaries in Gram Sabha Meetings.
    • The Gram Panchayats will give wide publicity to the Scheme and will also be responsible for dissemination of information in regard to the procedure for securing benefits under the Scheme.
  • WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES UNDER DPAP AND DDP: The Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Prograamme (DDP) and Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP) are being implemented on watershed basis and aim at drought proofing and controlling desertification by regeneration of depleted natural resource base. All these three programmes were brought under the Guidelines for Watershed Development with effect from 1.4.1995. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • The District Panchayats and other Panchayati Raj Institutions shall have very important role to play in Watershed Development Programmes.
    • The PRIs shall have the right to monitor and review the implementation of the programme and provide guidance for improvements in the administrative arrangements and procedures with a view to ensure convergence of other programmes of Ministry of Rural Development such as SGRY, SGSY, IAY, CRSP, Rural Drinking Water Supply, etc.
    • At the Village level, the Gram Panchayat shall be fully involved in the implementation of the programme, specially community organization, formation of SHGs and training programmes.
    • Gram Panchayat will be responsible for operatio and meaintenance of assets created during the project.
    • The Watershed Action Plan should have the approval of Gram Sabha and it should be a part of annual action plan of Gram Sabha.
    • The District Panchayat/DRDA in whose favour the project has been sanctioned will be entitled to affect recovery of funds from any institutions/ organization/ individuals and take appropriate action under law if the project is not properly implemented for funds are misutilised or not spent as per Guidelines.
    • The Panchayats at any level are also entitled to take on the responsibility of implementing a cluster of watershed projects in the capacity of Project Implementation Agencies(PIAs), if they so desire.
    • PIAs will motivate the Gram Panchayats to pass necessary resolutions to make public contribution, conduct Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises, prepare the development plans for the watershed, undertake community organization and training for the village communities, provide technical guidance and supervision of watershed Development activities, inspect and authenticate project accounts, undertake action research to adapt low-cost technologies and /or validate and build upon indigenous technical knowledge, monitor and review the overall project maintenance and further development of the assets created during the project period.
    • Under the new initiate ‘Haryali’, the watershed programmes are to be executed by the Gram Panchayats by facilitating project funds to them. The District and Intermediate Panchayars are to act as PIAs
  • ACCELERATED RURAL WATER SUPPLY PROGRAMME (ARWSP) Under ARWSP, the Central Government is to supplement the efforts of the State Governments in providing access to safe drinking water to all rural habitations of the country. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • Panchayati Raj Institutions should be involved in the implementation of schemes particularly in selecting the location of standpost, spot sources, operation and maintenance, fixing of cess/water tariff, etc.
    • The implementation of the Sector Reform Projects in the identified pilot districts, are also to be carried out either by the District Panchayats or through the District Water and Sanitation Missions (DWSM), which are to be registered societies under the supervision, control and guidance of District Panchayat.
    • Wherever PRIs are themselves firmly in place and willing to take up the responsibility and are strong enough to do so, they implement the projects themselves instead of DWSM.
    • At the village level, the individual Rural Water Supply Schemes are to be implemented through Village Water and Sanitation Committees which should be committees of Gram Panchayats.
    • Drinking water supply assets are transferred to the appropriate level of Panchayats and such Panchayats are to be empowered to undertake operation and maintenance of drinking water systems.
  • CENTRAL RURAL SANITATION PROGRAMME(CRSP) This programme aims at improving the general quality of life in rural areas; accelerating coverage in rural areas; generating demand through awareness creation and health education; and controlling incidence of water sanitation related diseases. The role of PRIs in implementation if this scheme are :
    • Total Sanitation Campain (TSC) is a community based programme where Panchayati Raj Institutons are in the forefront.
    • As per TSC Guidelines, the implementation at the district level is to be done by the District Panchayats. Panchayats at block and village level are to be fully involved for implementation of the programme.
    • Where District Panchayat is not in a position to implement the programme, it is being implemented by District Water & Sanitation Mission which is chaired by Chairperson of District Panchayat and the Village Committees are chaired by the Chairpersons of Gram Panchayats. In the later case, the Village Water & Sanitation Mission are part of the Gram Panchayat.
  • SWAJALDHARA This programme aims at providing Community-based Rural Drinking Water Supply. The key elements of this programmes are namely, (i) demand-driven and community participation approach, (ii) panchayats / communities to plan, implement, operate, maintain and manage all drinking water schemes, (iii) partial capital cost sharing by the communities upfront in cash, (iv) full ownership of drinking water assets with Gram Panchayats and (v) full Operation and Maintenance by the users/ Panchayats. The role of PRIs in implementation of this scheme are :
    • Gram Panchayat shall convene a Gram Sabha Meeting where the Drinking Water Supply Scheme of People’s choice including design and cost etc. must be finalized. Gram Panchayats are to undertake procurement of materials/services for execution of schemes and supervise the scheme execution.
    • A resolution must be passed in the Gram Panchayat meeting calling for users/beneficiaries to contribute 10% of the capital expenditure. However, GP can remit towards community contribution from its tax revinue (Not from Government Grants) with the approval of Gram Sabha.
    • Gram Panchayat will decide whether the Panchayat wants to execute Scheme on its own or wants the State Government Agency to undertake the execution.
    • After completion of such schemes, the Gram Panchayat will take over the Schemes for Operation & Maintenance(O&M).
    • Panchayat must decide on the user charges from the community so that adequate funds available with Panchayat to undertake O&M.

Social Security and national old age pension in India: Ad in Samaja

NFBS, NMBS, NOAPS, NSAP: NOAPS, NFBS, NMBS Comments Off on Social Security and national old age pension in India: Ad in Samaja

The Panchayati Raj department has a National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) which presently consists of three separate schemes: NOAPS (National Old age pension scheme), NFBS (National Family Benefeit Scheme) and NMBS (National Maternity Benefit Scheme). Following are some details about these programs from the NSAP web page.

  • National Old Age Pension Scheme(NOAPS):
    • Age of the applicant (male or female) should be 65 years or above.
    • The applicant must be a destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his /her own sources of income or through financial support from family members or other sources.
    • The amount of pension is Rs.75/- Rs 200 per month per beneficiary. The State Government may add to this amount from their own sources.
    • Upper ceiling on the number of beneficiaries for a State/UT is prescribed by the Central Government.
  • National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
    • Central assistance for a lumpsum family benefit is available for the households below the poverty line on the death of the primary breadwinner in the bereaved family.
    • The amount of assistance is Rs. 10000/-.
    • The primary breadwinner is a member of the family whose earnings contribute substantially to the total household income.
    • The death of the primary breadwinner due to natural or accidental causes should have occurred while he or she is in the age group of 18 to 6″2″ i.e. more than 18 years of age but less than 65 years of age.
    • The maximum limit of the total number of beneficiaries of a State/UT is prescribed by the Central Government.
    • The family benefit is paid to such surviving members of the households of the deceased who, after local enquiry, is determined to be the head of the household.
  • National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
    • A lumpsum cash assistance of Rs. 500 to the pregnant woman of the household living below the poverty line is given provided she is 19 years of age or above.
    • The benefit is available upto the first two live births.
    • The benefit is disbursed several weeks prior to the delivery. In case of delay, the benefit may be given even after the birth of the child.

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Cement and auto MOUs: from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15 issue

Auto, Cement Comments Off on Cement and auto MOUs: from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15 issue

Following are tables from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15th issue on cement and auto MOUs and their status.

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Mine reserves; mining leases; revenue from mines: from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15 issue

Coal, Duties, Export duties, Iron Ore, MINES and MINERALS, Mining royalty, Taxes Comments Off on Mine reserves; mining leases; revenue from mines: from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15 issue

Following are some tables from Pratisruti Plus May 1-15th issue.

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Pratisruti Plus: May 1-15 special Orissa industry issue

INDUSTRY and INFRASTRUCTURE Comments Off on Pratisruti Plus: May 1-15 special Orissa industry issue

Pratisruti Plus is a bimonthly newspaper/magazine published in Orissa. Its May 1-15th issue has a lot of data on Orissa industries. I disagree with a lot of the articles in that edition, but the data compilation there is very handy.

Balaji Sugar to start sugar refining unit

Cuttack, Hydro, Solar and other renewable, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Sugar, Sugarcane Comments Off on Balaji Sugar to start sugar refining unit

Statesman reports on this. Following are some excerpts.

Badamba-based Balaji Sugar is all set to start its sugar refinery unit by November this year with an investment of Rs 40 crore. The company has also planned to set up an ethanol plant with a capacity of 40000 litre.

… he said that the company through a special programme would lend soft loans at six per cent interest through banks to farmers as well as fertilizers and supply seeds at subsidized rates to more than 10,000 sugarcane farmers in all command areas of Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and undivided Cuttack district.

The company has announced a special plan for the farmers named Swarna Varsha in which farmers can get fabulous prizes against the number of sugarcane trucks they supply.

The new refinery will be of 2000 TCD with 100 per cent EOU (export-oriented unit) which will be manufactured from imported raw sugar from Brazil and Malaysia and will be exported to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Besides this, the company is also installing 40,000 litres per day extra neutral alcohol to be used as base product for all the distillery units in Orissa as well as neighbouring states. They are also having the plan to manufacture ethanol keeping in mind the global warming, which is an environment-friendly substitute of petrol, which is 5–10 per cent as per government directives.

On the other hand, the company has decided to set up a 20 MW power plant using crushed cane instead of coal. The factory at Badamba was sold by the state co-operative department with zero liability as well as to select the co-operative staff as per choice and head of the company without any compulsion to recruit them in the management by Balaji Sugar.

Terms of reference set for environmental impact assesment about 2 power projects in Orissa

Thermal Comments Off on Terms of reference set for environmental impact assesment about 2 power projects in Orissa

Financial Express reports on this. Following are some excerpts.

The ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has prescribed the terms of reference (ToR) for preparation of the draft environment impact assessment (EIA) report pertaining to five power projects with the total generation capacity of 2,685 mw.

The project list includes Tata Power Company’s (TPC) Jojobera project in Jharkhand (120-mw), MahaGenco’s Bhusawal thermal project in Maharashtra (300-mw), KvK Nilachal’s 600-mw project in Orissa, CESC’s 660-mw project in Purba Medinipur (West Bengal) and Monnet Ispat’s project in Orissa.

Puri gets 186 crores under the JNNRUM

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, CENTER & ODISHA, NURM, JNNURM, Puri, Puri, URBAN DEV. & RENEWAL Comments Off on Puri gets 186 crores under the JNNRUM

Pioneer reports on this grant to Puri under JNNRUM. (Additional site 1, site 2, site 3) Following are some excerpts from that report.

… sanctions were accorded to 10 new development projects in Puri under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission entailing an estimated expenditure of Rs 186 crore. … The project includes construction of a new lodging house for tourists at a cost of Rs 20 crore, a renovation project for old mutts costing Rs 100 crore, construction of a new multistoreyed parking place for vehicles worth Rs10 crore, a new conference hall specially for holy discourses valuing Rs10 crore, a cultural heritage site for the Jagannath Temple pegged at Rs10 crore, renovation and maintenance of old ponds in Puri for Rs 20 crore, establishment of a new heritage museum inside SriMandir at a cost of Rs 5 crore, construction of a heritage garden inside Sri Jagannath Ballava Math at a cost of Rs10 crore, construction of concrete road around the Meghanad Prachir (compound wall) with steel barricades costing Rs 50 lakh and construction of drains and other sanitary works valuing Rs 50 lakh in Puri town.

Biotech and Pharma park in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, BioTech, Pharma, Khordha 1 Comment »

Telegraph reports the information on this given by the Science and Technology minister in the assembly. Following are some excerpts:

… Science and technology minister Sanjeev Sahoo today told the Assembly that the proposed Biotech-Pharma-IT park would be developed in an area of approximately 260 acre in two phases on a public-private partnership mode.

In the first phase, a park would be constructed over 63acre of land in Andharua Mouza on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The Biotech park at Andharua will have a BT corridor, an IT corridor and a commercial infrastructure. A biotech incubator would be set up there over 10 acre, he added.

Sahoo said the companies, which have expressed their interest for participating in the global bid process, are Akruti Nirman Ltd, Ambience Developers and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Bhubaneswar Entertainment World Developers Pvt Ltd, Eldeco Infrastructure and Properties Ltd, Ramkay Infrastructure Ltd, TCG Urban Infrastructure Holding Ltd and Unitech Ltd.

The private partner would play the role of the lead developer and would be responsible of the plan, design, construct, finance, market and operate the proposed park.

Once a private partner is selected, a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) company in the form of a Joint Venture between the private partner and the State government will be created for the development and maintenance of the Park, Sahoo said.

For the biotech park at Andharua, IDCO has been given Rs 2 crore for construction of wall, land development, digging of borewells and setting up transformers.

The state-of-the-art Biotech Pharma-IT park will have modular R&D labs, a biotech incubator, and administration support infrastructure. The Park will stimulate and manage the knowledge flow and create linkages between universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets.

(Thanks to Deba Nayak for the pointer to this report.)

AMRI hospital plans to set up a state of the art hospital in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, HEALTHCARE and HOSPITALS, Khordha 78 Comments »

Telegraph reports that AMRI hospital plans to set up a state of the art hospital in Bhubaneswar. Following are excerpts of that report.

AMRI Hospitals today unveiled its ambitious expansion plan to set up four state-of-the-art hospitals in four state capitals — Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Raipur and Patna.

Each of the four hospitals will be set up with an initial investment of over Rs 110 crore, with room for future expansion. …

AMRI Hospitals, a joint venture between Emami and Shrachi group of industries, is venturing out of Calcutta for the first time.

… Aditya Agarwal, director, told The Telegraph that the first of the four hospitals will come up at Bhubaneswar.

The hospital will come up at Khandagiri Square, a prime location in Bhubaneswar and will have 300 beds initially.

“It will come up on 5 acres. Initially, it will be a five storey affair, but we have plans and enough room for further expansion,” Agarwal said and added that the hospital at Bhubaneswar is expected to start operation by 2009.

It will have, apart from facilities available at any multi-speciality hospital of international standard, super-speciality thrust on cardiology, orthopaedics and neurology, Agarwal claimed.

“Our hospital in Bhubaneswar will have emergency and outdoor facilities. We will deploy most sophisticated equipment and staff, including doctors, there. It will also have state-of-the-art ICCU, ITU and NITU and life-support systems,” the director informed.

Apart from giving people access to ‘healthcare facilities of international standard’, the hospital will also generate a lot of job opportunities, he claimed.

“The hospital in Bhubaneswar will initially have some 1,000 employees, including medical, para-medical and non-medical staff. The first preference will obviously be to recruit local people. …

Among other facilities, the hospital will have a parking bay, cafeterias and playground to mention only a few standard facilities available in any major hospital, he said.

“We have earmarked an estimated Rs 120 crore on this hospital. However, more investment will be made according to the requirement for future expansion.”

“The foundation laying ceremony at Bhubaneswar will be held on July 14. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai, industry minister Biswabhusan Harichandan, minister of works and housing A.U. Singh Deo and health minister Duryodhan Majhi will be present on the occasion,” Agarwal informed. …

Agarwal added that AMRI Hospitals, a joint venture between Emami and Sharachi groups, has plans to establish at least one medical college in one of the four state capitals.

“Talks in that direction are on. We also plan to have some specialised medical and nursing training facilities. A decision on this matter will be taken soon,” he declared.

(Thanks to Jibanendra babu and Orissa Today google group for pointer to this report.)

Samaja: Jai Jagannath releases in 15 languages

Odisha Culture Comments Off on Samaja: Jai Jagannath releases in 15 languages

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