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 Samaja has the following report on it.

New Indian Express has a report that mentions other places in Orissa where similar projects are being taken up.

Mahishiakada and Jamuganda – two villages in Dhenkanal and Nayagarh districts respectively – never had the experience of electricity.

Drawing supply lines and installing poles would almost have been unthinkable but for a non-conventional strategy. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which included these remote villages under its Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) has electrified these two habitations of about 200 households.

A 10 kilo watt genset that uses just small wood chips has been able to give the villages – each has one – uninterrupted power for seven to 10 days at one go. The villagers, besides using it for illumination purposes in evening, are able to run water pumps too. Both projects were inaugurated earlier this week.

The VESP projects look beyond mere electrification of remote un-electrified villages for they aim to provide a holistic energy service package to people inhabiting in such pockets, Chief Executive of Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) Ajit Bhartuar said.

In fact, the two projects which have been taken up on test basis are second and third such projects taken up by MNRE in India, the first being in Madhya Pradesh.

The projects are being implemented by the Village Energy Committee members who have been trained on operational details. The committees are helped either by local NGOs or Divisional Forest Officers. While the Ministry comes up with 90 per cent assistance, balance is contributed by villagers. In cases, local development funds are also accessed.

While the Mahishiakada project has been set up at a cost of Rs 15.96 lakh, the other was established with an estimated Rs 19.56 lakh. In the State, test projects are being implemented in 13 remote villages of Koraput, Nowrangpur, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal and Cuttack.

Odisha.com reports that South Eastern Railway will start passenger carrying train between Keonjhar and Tata from August 15th. Some of the stations between Keonjhar and Tata are Keonjhargarh(98)- Goaldih(109)- Porjanpur(116)- Nayagarh(130)- Jaroli(146)- Bansapani (155)-Murg Mahadev Rd(164)-Deojhar(167)-Padapahar (183)- Dangoaposi(188) – Maluka(198)- Kendposi(208)- Talaburu(217)-Jhinkpani(226)-Singhpokharia(235) –Chaibasa (242)-Pandrasali(250)-Rajkharswan(262) (between Chakradharpur and Tata) … Tata (304). Currently a Janshatabdi runs from Howrha to Tata to Barbil via Padapahar. So the proposed new train will newly connect people with access to stations in between Keonjhar and Padapahar to Tata and the rest of the world.

Following is Dharitri’s report on it.

Statesman reports that the central government is planing to establish one of three animal rescue centers in Orissa. Following are excerpts of that report.

Kapilas is chosen only to house the wild lives rescued from different places for protection of wild animals. …

Kapilas is chosen for various reasons such as suitable infrastructure, water flows, habitable environment for wild animals, natural forest growth, an existing deer park and communication for proper management and other facilities. Divisional forest division has already communicated to government about existing facilities and amenities available in Kapilas.

The purpose of the centre is to bring those wild animals being wounded or troubling villagers in human habitation to be brought to the rescue centre from different places. Thus animals including elephants will be protected and villagers be tension free. After primary care they will be sent back to forest. Union ministry will take a decision in the last week of this month to approach the Supreme Court for final approval. If approved, Kapilas will be first rescue centre in Orissa.

Kapilas is 16 kms from Dhenkanal and considered a tourist spot.

Business Standard in a report mentions the following numbers in regards to IOC’s plan in Paradip.

IOC is also planning around Rs 6,000 crore petrochemical complex at its upcoming 15 mtpa refinery in Paradip, Orissa.

Following is Sambada’s report on this.

Telegraph, UK has a travel article on Orissa, with a focus on Puri.

Business Standard reports on this. Following are some excerpts.

The central government has offered Orissa Rs 10,000 crore for various power sector initiatives. The amount will be invested over a period of five years in rural, semi-urban and urban areas.

“The funds will be utilised for improving generation, distribution and transmission of power in Orissa,” A K Lakhina, chairman and managing director, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), said.

Orissa has been facing difficulties in privatisation of the sector as private enterprises are unable to pursue rural electrification with vigour, he said.

He said, the Centre has utilised the services of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) and National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) for taking up rural electrification in Orissa.

While four projects have already been sanctioned for Nayagarh, Anugul ,Ganjam and Gajapati, projects in three more districts have received the Centre’s in principle approval. All the remaining districts of the state will be covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), he said.

There was a feeling that villages and hamlets with sub-300 populations would not be covered under RGGVY. Orissa, having many such hamlets, was apprehensive of the success of the programme in the state. Lakhina said, the Union government is aware of the issue and the limit may be reduced to cover villages and hamlets with population of 100.

It may be noted, the Orissa government had announced launching of ‘Biju Gramjyoti Yojana’ to provide electricity to the villages and rural hamlets having less than 300 population. It also made a budget allocation of Rs.50 crore during 2007-08 for this programme.

Interestingly, the Orissa government has sought assistance of about Rs. 600 crore from REC for improving transmission. REC will examine the proposal, Lakhina said.

On reducing the transmission and distribution losses, the REC chairman said he has requested Patnaik to undertake underground wiring in the state’s premier cities which could be expanded to other areas.

Pragativadi reports on this. Following are some excerpts.

… fisheries and animal resources development minister Golakh Nayak said …, the state would be in a position to export marine products in a large scale to foreign countries.

… he said that the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) will provide the technological assistance to the state government.

The technology would be used by way of implanting satellite radio receivers and Internet facilities in fishing boats and installing electronic display boards at fishing harbours for constant monitoring of vessel movement and fish counting.

The INCOIS is being provided with necessary support by the Space Application Centre, National Remote Sensing Agency, ISRO’s Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre (RSSC) and the Central Fishery Research Institute.

The technology would substantially reduce the search time and human effort in high seas by almost 70 percent, Nayak pointed out.

He said that with the ICT know-how, the marine fishery would use satellite images to identify the prospective areas of fish aggregation.

Later, the information would be given in local language of the respective area thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays during the fishing season.

At the same time, the information would be communicated to about 225 nodes along the entire coastline through telephone and fax, the minister informed.

It may be mentioned here that the maximum sustainable yield of marine fish in the state stands at 1.61 lakh tonne per annum.

Giving further plan details, the minister said that 20 electronic display boards would be set up at fishing harbours in the first phase for which the state government would bear 20 percent of the cost.

This apart, 10 Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) Boards would be installed while the ICT kiosks in these centres would be set up by the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP), Nayak said.

It may be mentioned here that there are two PFZ boards installed at Nuagolabandha ICT Centre in Ganjam district and Balaramgadi ICT centre in Balasore district.

There have been various news reports on this. Following are excerpts from a news report on this in Pioneer.

The Public Health and Engineering Department decided to supply water round the clock in the city soon, but every home having piped water supply would get a meter installed to determine the quantum of water used. The consumer would have to pay bills regularly according to the meter reading. In the first phase, the scheme would be implemented at Sahid Nagar on a pilot basis from August, according to PHED sources. The Japan Bank of International Cooperation would provide technical assistance for the scheme, which is expected to determine the quantity of water being wasted.

Earlier, the department used to supply water intermittently at fixed hours. PHED is supplying water to 60 per cent areas of the city. According to a survey, the water consumption per person in the city is nearly 135 litres. The city’s water requirement is 120 million litres, but the quantity of water supplied is quite higher at 212 million litres. …

Deepika Global reports on Paradeep Phosphates’ record production this year. Following are some excerpts.

The Paradeep Phosphate Limited (PPL) has registered a record of 13.18 lakh tonnes production in last fiscal and earned a net profit of Rs 109 crores while raising its income to Rs 2067.2 crore. … of the total production the DAP alone accounted for 8.2 lakh tonnes.

Among the intermediary products, Phosphoric Acid, he said was 2,80,300 tonnes, registering an increase of 8.6 per cent over the previous year.

Similarly, Sulphuric Acid registered an increase of 3.4 per cent in comparison to last year with 7,60,610 tonnes.

He said in addition to 13.10 lakh tonnes production, the PPL also sold 1,42,152 tonnes of imported Mauriate of Potash (MOP), 3,13,470 tonne of Gypsum and exported 31,000 tonne of fertiliser to Nepal.

Mr Nandrudikar claimed that the Navaratna Krushi Vikas Yojana implemented in Orissa and Chhatishgarh had been very successful in increasing the yield with the use of improve techniques of agriculture.

Besides improving the agricultural productivity, the PPL had also undertaken mushroom cultivation and tissue culture of bananas in four districts, two each in Orissa and Chhatisgarh, he added. …

He said the company had already invested Rs 140 crores in first year and another Rs 142 crores last year further adding that it had decided to invest another Rs 140 crore during the current fiscal.

Following is Samaja’s report on this.

Following is Samaja’s article on this.

New Indian Express has a report on this. Following are some excerpts.

The Centre will invite global tender through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the preservation of the 13th century heritage Sun temple at Konark.
…
The Centre would release Rs 13 crore for the project as well as periphery development around the Sun temple.
…
the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the renovation and development of the State museum at Bhubaneswar. Besides, Rs 92 lakh has also been earmarked for construction of the open theatre, Kalamandal, here.
…
The ASI, NCF, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Indian Oil Foundation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for five important monuments of India – Sun temple, Konark, Kanheri caves, Mumbai, Group of temples at Khajuraho, monuments at Hampi and Warangal Fort. The IOC has contributed Rs 25 crore for the project.

The coastal highway is proposed to run along the coast from Gopalpur to Digha. Tathya.in reports on attempts to revive the proposal.

July 22 2007 Update: Thanks to the readers for the correction and the extra information connecting Aricent and Hughes.

Kalinga Times reports that Aricent, a global communication software company, will open a development center in Bhubaneswar. Following are some excerpts.

Global communications software company Aricent on Friday announced its decision to open a Development Centre in Bhubaneswar.

The company will also set up a Global Training Centre in the State.

Manoranjan Mohanty Mohapatra, president and chief operating officer of Aricent, made the announcements at a meeting with Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

According to an official release issued by the Chief Minister’s Officer, the Development Centre of the company will have 1200 employees.

The Global Training Centre will have provision to impart training to 1000 students. Subsequently, the student strength in the centre will be increased to 3000 . …

A more detailed report on this is here.

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 .

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,” …