ODISHA

In the hinterlands ofOdisha, wheretribalsdo not have exposure to information, community radios are trying to fill that void. They have been providing updates on Covid-19 and sensitising villagers about preventive methods to keep the virus at bay.

As many as 13community radio stationshave adopted nearby villages to keep them updated aboutCovidthrough their campaign Nua Sakalara Katha (story of a new dawn) and help villagers practice wearing mask, maintain social distancing and wash hands regularly.

The campaign has received support from the US Consulate General in Hyderabad andYoung India, an NGO.

The has a plethora of schemes, but the people of the State are not getting the benefits and are going outside the State for livelihood and returning as dead bodies, said BJP State general secretary Lekhashri Samantsinghar.

The is planning to increase power generation both from conventional Plants and RENEWABLE ENERGY sources by about 5,050 MW by 2030, energy ministerPratap Keshari Debhas informed the assembly.

According to an analysis conducted by Grid Corporation of Odisha (Gridco), the demand of energy will grow to 6,682 MW in the next 10 years. Gridco has already entered into agreement with different entities to increase the power production in the state, the minister stated.
As per data given by the minister, the state government through different projects is aiming to increase power production to 2,865 MW through conventional sources, while 2,185 MW will be generated from different renewable energy sources.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has warned the Odisha government of a possible threat to the structural safety of the Jagannath Temple inPuriowing to the ongoing heritage corridor work.

The ASI office in Bhubaneswar drew the attention of its director general,V Vidyavathi, to the issue. Vidyavathi, who visited Puri on February 21 to take stock of the ground situation, also reportedly expressed her concern over the matter.

Though the AMASR Act prohibits any kind of new construction within 100 metres of a temple, the National Monuments Authority (NMA) has, so far, given permission to the for the construction of a cloakroom, a shelter pavilion, three toilets, an electrical room and a pavement within the prohibited 75-metre zone.

The Bhubaneswar (BMC) on Monday made a total budgetary allocation of Rs 690 crore for the 2023-24 financial year with lion share of it being allocated for various construction works and new Infrastructure creation and maintenance.

The BMC has set aside Rs 235 crore for all kinds of civil construction, which is 34 per cent of the total allocation. Sanitation, another important component of the civic body has received an allocation of Rs 141 crore. Last year, the civic body had allocated Rs 110 crore for municipal solid Waste Management (sanitation). Its revenue receipt in 2022-23 financial year is Rs 708 crore.

From tax revenue, it has generated Rs 105.85 crore and from user charges, trade license, parking, it has received Rs 106.97 crore.

With an aim to facilitate air-connectivity to the northern parts of Odisha, the has sought early nod of DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for operation of the Amarda Roadairstripnear Rasagobindapur in Mayurbhanj district.

Chief secretarySuresh Chandra Mohapatrahas written toUniondefence secretary Ajay Kumar, requesting him to give necessary instruction to DRDO over issuance of no objection certificate (NOC) for the airstrip to be used by the state government. Flight operation from the airstrip is being proposed under the Centres Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN).

The state government has requested DRDO several times to provide the NOC for the airstrip so that it could be used by commercial flights. However, there has been no response from DRDO so far for which the flight operation faces a stalemate, said Mohapatra in his letter.

The Union ministry of civil aviation has included the Bhubaneswar-Amarda road as a special RCS route under UDAN 4.1 on request of the state government. Gsec Monarch has been selected as the airline operator for the route where seven flights would ply per week.

Odishatopped the charts with 51 medals, followed byMaharashtra(30) andKerala(25) at the IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals organised by theNational Skill development Corporation(NSDC) in New Delhi from January 7 to 9.

Odisha won 10 gold, 18 silver, nine bronze medals and 14 medallions of excellence in the countrys biggest skill competition that concluded on Sunday. The closed-door competition witnessed participation in 54 skills.

Under 5T initiatives, the Excise Department has switched over to the digital workplace eAbkari. It has developed and implemented more than 30 online modules like e-Lottery, Instant issue and renewal of excise licences, brand label registrations with 100% online payment, DPR, CCIS, SIR and mobile application development for tracking or raid spots and excise shops bringing transparent, hassle-free, real-time, seamless and timely service delivery eliminating physical touch points, reducing discretion and providing faceless service at doorsteps.

This has led to proper monitoring and strengthening of enforcement activities, curbing of illicit and spurious liquor, timely service delivery at different levels, proper with regulation of production and manufacture and above all, change of public perception and transformation in the department, an official release stated.

Last year, total 45,541 excise cases were detected till December against 29,038 till December 2021 with an increase of 56%. Further, 1,310 cases were detected under the NDPS Act till December 2022 against575 in 2021 during the same period with an increase of 127%. Similarly, till December, Rs 6,197.54 crore was collected including VAT against Rs 5,023.92 crore in 2021 with an increase of 23%.