ORISSA

The Odisha Government has shown interest in taking Japanese loans for its developmental projects as Japan is showing its inclination for development of the State. The Government of India is also eager to participate in the proposals for Japanese assistance.

Accordingly, the has asked all the departments to submit project proposals for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from the Government of Japan.

At least 50 per cent of this target i.e. JPY 2.5 trillion is expected to come as ODA in the next five years. Therefore, the role of JICA would be crucial with regard to public Investment and financing from Japan.

Odisharecorded grossGST collectionof Rs 4,136 crore in November, a 64% Growth from Rs 2,528 crore collected in the same period last year.

The collection is also the highest among major states as well as the highest ever gross collection of GST by the state ever since launching of the new tax regime, said an official statement.

Figures released by the state GST commissioner’s office said progressive collection till November of 2021-22 fiscal is pegged at Rs 28,032 crore compared to Rs 17,229 crore collected in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The collection was Rs 19,366 till November of 2019-20 fiscal.

TheSGST(State GST) collection in November is estimated at Rs 1,157 crore, a growth of nearly 70% over the Rs 681 crore collected in the same period last year.

According to the figures, the SGST collection till November of the current fiscal is pegged at Rs 7,977 crore compared to Rs 5,013 crore collected in the same period of the previous fiscal.
In the 2019-20 fiscal, the SGST collection till November was Rs 5,661 crore.

Besides SGST, collection from the state during November was Rs 1,001 crore under CGST (Central GST), Rs 1,223 crore under IGST (Integrated GST) and Rs 735 crore under cess.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik addressed the 12th foundation day function of the Odisha State Commission for Child Rights here.

Children are the future of our Society. They represent our collective hopes and aspirations. Smiling children paint our society in multitude of colours and depict its vitality. All our endeavour should be directed at one goal — bring smiles on the face of every child, Patnaik said.

The CM sanctioned an amount of Rs 3.82 crore for construction of an Utkal Balashram building in Cuttack.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday discovered the base of another temple on the premises ofSuka-Saritemple in Old Town area of the city. The ASI is planning to excavate towards the north-eastern side of the 10th century temple complex to unearth more of the partially exposed temple.

The ASI recently resumed the excavation and scientific cleaning of the temple complex spread across two acres after a gap of a few months.

Sources said, ancient scriptures mentioned existence of over 1,000 temples in Bhubaneswar during the 15th century for which the capital was named the “Temple City”. But over the years, most of the temples were destroyed due to lack of preservation. At present, only 200 temples are there in the city. Of the total monuments, 23 are being preserved by the ASI and 15 by the state archaeology wing, sources said.
The ASI had alleged serious violation of the conservation and preservation laws over “mindless demolition” on the premises of the ASI-protected sites by agencies for the Ekamra Kshetra project.

The commissionerate of Police assured senior citizens of Bhubaneswar that issuing of identity cards for them would be resumed soon. Through these ID cards, senior citizens can get police help at any time and extra attention from their local police station.

The SCSC scheme had been started in 2010 with an objective to build a sense of security and confidence among the senior citizens. A nodal officer has been engaged at every police station in the city to look after the safety and security of the elderly. At present, these officers visit them at regular intervals of two-three months. But, Sharma said the nodal officers would now visit the senior citizens every month to inquire about their physical security and problems.

Officials said the state-level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA), led by chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, which takes the calls on individual projects within Rs 1,000 crore cleared these projects.

Ethanol fuel is cost-effective and eco-friendly compared to other biofuels. It is also easily available and helps in reducing Global Warming. The ethanol fuel reduces dependence on fossil fuels. With the Centre setting a target of 10% blending of fuel-grade ethanol with petrol by 2022 and 20% blending by 2025, officials said the three approved units will surge to the existing capacity and help reduce the carbon footprint.

An experimental trial to utilise drones to provide superior healthcare Services to tribal and rural communities in the Kandhamal district was launched. Redwing, a leading startup, would provide Made in India electric hybrid Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) drones and run end-to-end operations for the pilot project.

The project in Kandhamal district is made possible by generous financial and technical support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)s healthcare blended financing facility SAMRIDH, implemented by IPE Global.

The drone Network is being set up on an experimental basis to pilot aerial healthcare deliveries in the State. The network would enable diagnostics, vaccine, and medicine deliveries in the primary and community Health centers in the remote blocks of the district. Kandhamal is the first district in Odisha and the first aspirational district in the country to have an integrated healthcare drone network.

The central allocation of Jal Jeevan mission to Orissa has been increased to Rs 3,323.42 crore for the year 2021-2020. The Centre is assisting Odisha in becoming a Har Ghar Jal’ state by March 2024, with a four-fold increase in allocation.

About Jal Jeevan Mission:

By 2024, it is hoped that all rural Indian households will have access to safe and sufficient drinking water via individual household tap connections.
It aims to provide 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household by 2024 via Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC).
It also includes a functional tap connection to schools, Anganwadi centres, Health centres, wellness centres, GP buildings and community buildings.
The programme will also include mandatory source sustainability measures such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, and Rain Water Harvesting.
At the local level, JJM focuses on integrated demand-side and supply-side water management.
The Mission is founded on a community-based approach to water. It intends to establish a jan andolan for water, making it a top priority for everyone.
It encourages and ensures voluntary ownership among the local community through contributions in cash, kind, and/or labour, as well as voluntary labour.
Parent Ministry:Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Ministry of Jal Shakti
Funding Pattern:The Centre and states split funds 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states, 50:50 for other states, and 100 percent for Union Territories.
Four-tiered scheme implementation and monitoring at the national, state, district, and village levels.