___________

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

In Padmapur its largely unorganised labour which manufactures fire crackers. Though called the Sivakasi of Orissa, this cottage industry is yet to get recognition here as this year only four to five families were issued fireworks making permit. This despite the fact that almost every household in the village has been into the business for several years.

The dedication to manufacture reflects in the fact that every member of the family, including children contribute their mite.

About 2500 unorganised labourers of more than 500 families belonging to both Hindu and Muslim communities of Padmapur and its adjacent Trilochanpur, Mahajanpur, Purbakachha, Madhyakachha, Campati, Hatikana, Bahadalpatana and Jagannathpatana manufactured crackers to earn their share of profits.

Being a seasonal occupation most of the children of these village bunk classes from Ganesh puja to help their family members and add to the family income.

The table of consumer price index for agricultural and rural laborers in 20 states (including Orissa) is given in http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=32108.

Following is an excerpt from a Pragativadi report.

The Centre has decided to implement its new scheme Nutan Deep Yojana for the poor people of three states including Orissa from Deepavali in November this year.
Under the scheme, all poor families of the state would be provided with an electric lantern.

In the first phase, the Centre has decided to distribute 10 lakh electric lanterns in these three states.

While the scheme would be implemented under Aam Admi Yojana formulated by the UPA government, a total of five districts of Orissa would be included in the scheme.
A total of one crore electric lantern would be distributed under the scheme.

The following is from a Orissa government press release:

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met the Union Power Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde and pressed for inclusion of all the 30 districts of the State in the Village Electrification Programme this year. The Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has so far included only 4 districts of the State for Village Electrification. The CM, Orissa claimed that since DPRs have been prepared for all the 30 districts of the State, in-principle sanction should be communicated by Government of India for all of them. The Union Power Minister informed the CM, Orissa that the matter will be placed before the Union Cabinet and that it may be possible to sanction projects for the entire State within the next 2 to 3 months.

It may be recalled that the State has launched the Biju Gram Jyoti Programme of Village Electrification from its own funds because of the inordinate delay in sanctioning projects under RGGVY by Government of India. The State Cabinet has cleared the proposal and it will be extended to those villages and habitations which cannot be covered by the RGGVY under their norms.

Discussions were also held regarding setting up of an Ultra Mega Power Plant within the State of Orissa by Government of India. The Union Power Minister requested the CM, Orissa to facilitate all clearances so that the project can be launched in the State of Orissa. The CM, Orissa assured the Union Power Minister that all facilities will be provided to the project soon. He further impressed upon the Government of India that the project should adopt the R&R Policy which has been announced by the Government of Orissa for the various industrial projects coming up within the State. The Union Power Minister agreed to adopt the State?s R&R Policy which is one of the best in the country.

Following are excerpts from a report in New Indian Express.

The State Government has prepared a Rs 850-crore draft project proposal under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for placing before the Centre for funding. The objective of the mission is to increase production and productivity of rice and pulses in 21 of 30 districts of the State in a sustainable manner.

The other objectives are to enhance farm level economy, restore confidence among farmers and create employment opportunities.

While 15 districts will be covered under NFSM for rice, 10 districts have been chosen for increased production of pulses. While Balangir, Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Nayagarh will be covered under the mission both in rice and pulses, the districts covered under NFSM in pulses include Bargarh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Rayagada.

The project, to be implemented during the 11th Plan period , is expected to cover 20 lakh hectares for rice cultivation and 13.57 lakh hectares for pulses. The State has planned to increase yield of rice from 1,690 kg per hectare in 2007-08 to 2,095 kg per hectare by 2011-12 in the mission districts.

The estimated production of rice in the mission districts will increase from 33 lakh tonnes to 42 lakh tonnes. It has projected to enhance the productivity of pulses from 478 kg per hectare in 2007-08 to 594 kg per hectare in 2011-12. The low yield of rice in the State is due to several factors.

While more cultivable areas are under rainfed conditions, the kharif and rabi crops are totally dependent on monsoon rains. Lack of farm mechanisation, improved technology, training of farmers, soil management, pest management and non-availability of quality seeds are the other factors for low productivity.

The Centre will provide full financial assistance and the fund will be utilised for introduction of hybrid seeds, scientific management of problematic soil, pest management, farm mechanisation, training of farmers, Agriculture Director Arabinda Padhee said. The Government has projected to spend Rs 650 crore for rice production and Rs 200 crore for improved farming of pulses.

The following ad in Samaja gives highlights of two recently launched schemes in agriculture:

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
  • The 15 districts in Orissa covered under the NFSM-Rice scheme (as given in page 40 of the above document) are Angul, Balangir, Boudha, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Nawapara, Nawarangpur, Nayagarh, Phulbani, and Sundargarh.
  • The 10 districts in Orissa covered under the NFSM-Pulse scheme (as given in page 43 of the above document) are Balangir, Baragarh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Khurda, Nayagarh, Puri, Rayagada.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY)

Following is from a PIB release.

The Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme(BRGF) was approved in the financial year 2006-07.  The Programme has three components, namely, Special Plan for Bihar, Special Plan for the KBK districts of Orissa and the district component covered by the Backward Districts Initiative of the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana(RSVY) subsumed into the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme from 2006-07. Special plans for Bihar and the KBK districts of Orissa are handled by the Planning Commission. The allocation under the district component of BRGF consists of two funding windows (a) funds for capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions and (b) an untied developmental grant.  According to the extant policy, the districts covered under the Rashtriya Vikas Yojana must complete their allocation of Rs. 45 crore per district under the earlier programme before these shift to the BRGF mode of funding. A statement showing the funds released under these three components, State wise from 2005-06 onwards is annexed.

Release of Funds under BRGF Programme

A.        Special Plans for Bihar and KBK districts of Orissa.

                                                 (Rs. in crore)

B.      Backward Districts Initiative- Release of Funds to RSVY districts

…This information was given by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs & Sports and DoNER in the Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Arjun Sethi.

Following are excerpts from the Kalinga Times report.

… The Chief Minister said his government was focussing on growth of agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure development, rural roads, drinking water, and growth in the IT sector, education and healthcare. Improvement in the people’s quality of life was the main objective of his government, Patnaik observed.He said that a special package, comprising a series of schemes, had been finalised by the State government for ensuring development of agriculture.

While a target had been fixed to bring 35 per cent of cultivable area in all the 314 blocks under irrigation cover, contract farming had been introduced in several areas for the benefit of the farmers, Patnaik said.

Stating that rural development was also a priority area for his government, Patnaik said efforts were on to improve rural road connectivity and ensure availability of safe drinking water in villages. The Jaldhara scheme was being implemented to provide piped water facility to 1000 villages in the first phase.

The government had also launched new schemes such as the Biju KBK Yojana, Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana and Biju Gramjyoti Yojana for rural development.

Mentioning about the excellent performance of tribal schools in this year’s High School Certificate examination, Patnaik said that priority was being accorded to education of tribal children. A total of 1000 hostels for tribal girls were being established in the State, he added.

As regards growth in the information technology sector, the Chief Minister said Bhubaneswar was fast growing as a major IT hub in the country. Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Genpact and Satyam had already started their operation and very soon many companies were going to begin BPO business, he said.

The State’s software export was likely to cross Rs 700 crore during the current financial year, the Chief Minister said.

Patnaik said the government was also taking measures for proper utilisation of the rich mineral resources for the development of the State and its people. A total of 25 steel industries had already started production, he added. …

Following are excerpts from a New Kerala report on this.

Three power distribution companies have made a project outlay of Rs 50 crore to upgrade their infrastructure to supply quality power … to their customers.

The companies– Wesco, Nesco and Southco had submitted a detail plan of expenditure to the Electricity Regulatory Commission in this regard.

According to sources, the companies have geared up their machinery to supply uninterrupted power to high tension and extra high tension consumers.

A team comprising members from Grid Corporation of Orissa, the three distribution companies and OPTCL had been chalking out plans to provide power to upcoming industries and new consumers on demand.

A plan to reduce the transmission and distribution loss by 15 per cent was being finalised and would soon be submitted to the GRIDCO, sources said.

The companies also urged the power ministry to complete the existing projects under the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme.

A Statesman report, gives additional context to this. Following are some excerpts.

… three private distribution companies run by Reliance Energy has finally detailed its proposed funding and achievements.

In a situation where tariff has remained stagnant over 7 years , the company has maintained the system infrastructure with minimum spending. It has provided uninterrupted power and electricity to 1500 villages. The three distribution companies- Wesco, Southco and Nesco have also been regular in paying bulk supply bills to Gridco, salaries to employees etc noted Reliance Energy.

It is important to note that the energy minister, … had expressed his dissatisfaction with the company due to their lack of investment and the litigation over payment of dues. The chief minister had directed the energy department to prepare a detailed note and call the top brass of Reliance Energy for discussions.

Apparently jolted to action, the Reliance Energy has circulated a release stating that it has taken up up-rating and upgradation of the distribution infrastructure with an immediate outlay of Rs 50 crore.

It also claimed that in view of the growing ancillary, medium and large industries that were coming up in the state, a multidisciplinary team with members from Gridco, the three distribution companies and the power trading corporation has been formed to work out a strategy for quality power supply to such units. The distribution companies are also persuading the Ministry of Power to complete the existing APDRP works while the state government has also initiated a process to obtain a sanction of Rs 800 crore for the second phase, under APDRP, for the companies.

The distribution companies are also implementing the Biju Gramin Jyoti Yojana , while also finalizing their performance targets and Action Plan that will help reduce the transmission and distribution loss to the extent of 15 per cent as envisaged earlier.