Western Odisha Development Council annual grant to be doubled, says Naveen

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the annual grant of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) will be doubled. He said this while reviewing the programmes of the council through videoconferencing.

Naveen also announced that offices of the council will be opened at 10 districts and at Athamallik sub division in Angul district. He also directed the officials to create more job opportunities for the youths of the western Odisha.

Annual grant of the council was Rs 3 crore in the year 1999-2000, but now it has increased to Rs 100 crore per annum. After this announcement, the council will get Rs 200 crore for the financial year 2021-22.

Odisha should take a leaf from Keralas book

It seems the inclusion of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in development of Odisha is not a priority of the Odisha Government as it is evident that, leave alone central schemes, there is not a single dedicated scheme solely out of State funds under the provision of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan focusing development of SCs.

Majority of SCs in Odisha are historically victims of the practices of untouchability. Besides, they are poor and landless. Many of them are distressed migrant workers. It has been widely understood that without the States intervention to change their socio-eco condition, it is difficult for them to stand on their own.

Though they constitute almost nearly one-fifth of the Population of the State but they have been deprived of funds in State Budget proportionate to their population for development. Leave aside job reservation in Government which covers only a very microscopic number of families among them, a vast majority of them, about 99 per cent of the families, are struggling to make a living against all odds.

In this context, lets discuss about schemes for SCs in Kerala which has achieved highest rank in social development indicators among the States. The SCs constitute about 9.1 per cent of the total population of the State and STs constitute almost 1.45 per cent. The total area of Kerala is 38,852 sqkm with about 590 km coast line and a majority of its population are in urban area. By contrast, the total area of Odisha is 1, 55,707 sqkm and the State has 480 km coast line.

Kerala has had a long HISTORY of progressive socio-political tradition that is rooted in ideology of social and social Justice promoted by social reformers such as Ayyankali (1863-1941), Narayana Guru(1856-1928), and powerful social movements such as Vaikom Satyagraha against untouchability (1924-25) with involvement of MK Gandhi and EV Ramaswami. Later the Left Front Government led by EMS Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala launched land reform, Literacy, universal primary Education, Panchayati Raj system and progressive literary and science education movements, which contributed immensely to building an inclusive social development.

The three major institutions evolved in Kerala laying focus on SCs development are the Scheduled Castes Development Department, Kerala State Development Corporation for SCs and STs and Kerala State Commission for SCs and STs.

The many unique initiatives of the State Government include a host of schemes covering from nursery education to EMPLOYMENT in abroad and business sector and radical social reform agenda such as employing Dalits as priests in temples and promoting inter caste marriage.

The State has developed a scheme to finance SC and ST families to purchase land both in rural and urban areas for housing and suitable agricultural activities with 6 per cent rate of interest and repayment within 8 years. In order to ensure basic amenities schemes for self-sufficient village, SC habitations having more than 50 families are being provided about Rs 1 crore grant under local MLA supervision. The scheme ensures all basic facilities, connecting roads, toilet, drinking water, electricity, drainage line, and Waste Management, renovation of house, bio gas Plants and IGP for the villagers.

Farm mechanisation in Odisha triggers 31% fall in bullock population in 7 years

With increasing use of agricultural machinery especially tractors, demand for bullocks for agricultural purposes has gone down over the years. Official data shows the number of bullocks has decreased by 31 per cent in the last seven years in the state.

and animal Resources development (FARD) ministerRanendra Pratap Swaintold the assembly on Wednesday that requirement of bullocks has declined due to reduction in usage of the animals in ploughing and bullock carts.

Odisha Milk Farmers Association (OMFA) chairmanRabi Beherasaid the situation has drastically changed after the introduction of farm mechanisation techniques and machines.

Bird Count boost at Hirakud, 10 new species spotted

The number of migratory birds flocking to Hirakud Dam Reservoir has increased significantly this year. A total of 3,16,676 migratory birds of 108 species were counted at Hirakud during the mid-winter waterfowl census conducted on January 8. While 2,08,634 birds were recorded in 2022, the figure was 1,24,864 in 2021 and 97,899 in 2020.

Besides, 10 new species were spotted in the reservoir bringing cheer among wildlife experts and bird watchers. These are bar-tailed godwit, pied harrier, curlew sandpiper, pygmy goose, caspian tern, blue tailed bee-eater, crested serpent eagle, wooly-necked stork, yellow-billed duck and painted stork.

DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Anshu Pragyan Das said the reservoir was divided into 15 sectors and a total of 30 teams were engaged for the bird census.

Odisha expects gains from investment in infrastructure growth

PM Gati Shakti-guided big public bid to create world-class Infrastructure and Logistics, which finance ministerNirmala Sitharamanmentioned in the Union Budget 2022-23 on Tuesday, is likely to benefitOdishafor its strategic locations.

Launched in October 2021, PM Gati Shakti national master plan is an initiative of the Narendra Modi government to ensure coordinated planning and execution of infrastructure projects like roads, railways, Airports, Ports, mass transport, waterways and logistics. The plan, which includes infrastructure developed by state governments, aims to reduce the logistics costs of projects.

As Odisha has several mining-based industrial houses, it offers long-term potential for cargo handling by leveraging its 480km coastline. While the state, at present, has three all-weather ports at Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur, three more ports at Astaranga,Subarnarekha Mouthand a riverine port near Mahakalapada are expected to be ready in a few years. The State Government has also identified nine more potential port locations.

Odisha is also looking at a big share as the Union finance minister announced expansion of national highways by 25,000 km in 2022-23 with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. The states strategic location connecting east with west would also ensure faster expansion of the highways.

MoEF panel gives green nod to JSWs steel plant project

An expert appraisal committee of the Union ministry of Environment and https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended grant of environment clearance (EC) for JSW Utkal Steel Ltds proposed steel plant near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. The committee that had deferred granting environment clearance to the company seeking more information, has set a series of conditions while giving its nod.

TheSajjan Jindal-ledgroup has planned a 13.2 MTPA crude steel plant along with 900 MW captive power and 10 MTPA cement grinding unit. It also plans to set up a captive jetty near the plant. While the State Government is in the process of handing over of land for the project, the project has been facing stiff resistance from some locals. At least three petitions relating to the project have also been pending in theOrissaHigh Court.

The expert appraisal committee, while recommending clearance for the project, has said that its proponent (JSW) should abide by all orders and judicial pronouncements, made from time to time by the Orissa high court.

Each dept of Utkal varsity to get smart class

One classroom of each department ofUtkal Universitywill be converted into a smart classroom, higher Education minister Arun KumarSahoosaid.

The has released Rs 60 crore over the past three years for varsitys development. Constructing a boundary wall around the campus and an auditorium, renovating four hostels and other works have been completed with the funds.

The new generation scholars should be guided and motivated for better research and publication of world-class articles. The state government has already taken steps in terms of development of research as per the provisions of the National Education Policy.

CM to lead team to Japan for investment

A high-level delegation led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will visit Japan from Tuesday to promote opportunities in Odisha.

The delegation includes the Minister of Industries, MSME and Energy Pratap Keshari Deb, Chief Secretary PK Jena, Industries Principal Secretary Hemant Sharma, E&IT Principal Secretary Manoj Mishra and IPICOL Managing Director Bhupendar Poonia.

Besides, the delegation will also hold a roundtable discussion in Kyoto on opportunities for collaboration between Japan and Odisha in the tourism sector focusing on Buddhist and ecotourism-related sites in Odisha. Moreover, in view of the significant strides made by Odisha in development of the Sports ecosystem, the delegation will also explore possible collaboration in Training and Development of sports talent in Odisha.

The state government on Wednesday announced plans to implement a scheme under which people will contribute land to government agency,OdishaIndustrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), to form a land pool for industrial use. Idco will develop the land pool into a modern industrial park.

The government will keep portions of the land for basic . Idco will have leasing rights on a part of the land and the individual landowner will have the leasing rights on the balanced developed land, according to the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2022, unveiled on the first day of the Make in Odisha investors meet.

Industries such as agro and Food Processing, automobiles and auto-components, manufacturing in aviation and maintenance handicraft, handloom, information technology, IT-enabled service, petroleum, chemicals pharmaceuticals, sea food processing, textile, tourism are among priority sectors.

The government will provide industrial land at concessional rates with 100% exemption from payment of stamp duty and land conversion charges to the thrust and priority industries. While thrust sectors will get exemption from paying electricity duty for 10 years, priority sectors will have exemption for seven years.

New industrial units in the priority and thrust sectors will be reimbursed power tariff of Rs 2 per unit for a period of seven and 10 years respectively. Eligible industrial units in thrust and priority sectors shall be provided 30% and 20% capital Investment subsidy respectively.

Odisha government completes phase one of 5T school transformation program, 3,300 more to be transformed by March 2022

With the inauguration of 239 transformed schools on Monday, theOdishagovernment has completed the first phase of its “5T school transformation program”. The aspires to transform as many as 3,300 more schools to reach its target of transforming 4,375 schools by BijuPatnaik’s birth anniversary in March 2022.

After inaugurating the last set of transformed schools in Koraput, Gajapati,Dhenkanal,Anugul, Bargarh and Jajpur districts at last day of the first phase, chief ministerNaveen Patnaiksaid, “It is the common responsibility of all of us to help the children realize their dreams and it is dreams that chart the way forward in student life.”