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Following is from Team Orissa‘s September 2007 newsletter.

Following is an article and a photo from Dharitri on this.

Kalinga times reports that a new squad has been formed to check the theft of minerals from rich regions in Orissa. Excerpts:

… Orissa government has finally decided to constitute a special enforcement squad to conduct frequent raids to check theft and illegal transportation of various minerals in different parts of the State.

The decision about formation of the special squad was taken at a review meeting organised by the Steel and Mines Department of the State government here on Wednesday.

The squad, to be named State Mining Enforcement Squad, will be headed by a Mining Department official. It will also have an official of the Forest Department and 12 security personnel.

The squad will be put in place within a month, the meeting decided.

Steel and Mines Minister Padmanabha Behera who presided over the meeting has requested the Forest and Homes Departments to depute their staff for the squad.

In fact, it took the Steel and Mines Department seven months to take a formal decision on the formation of the special squad.

In a statement issued after a similar review meeting held in February this year, the Department had announced that it would constitute a squad to check smuggling of minerals.

Smuggling of minerals has been growing in the State in the recent years.

A total of 322 persons were booked by the Mines Department from April 1, 2006 to January 31 this year and fine amount of Rs 3.25 crore was collected from them.

Besides, 191 vehicles used in illegal transportation of different minerals were also seized during the period.”

I hope this does not get lost in bureaucratic hassles.

Following is an excerpt from a ndtvprofit.com report.

… According to sources the company is sitting on iron ore reserves of over 500-600 mt and that could be a reason why the state may not be keen to hand over more reserves to Tata Steel.

While this could trigger a fresh round of battle between Tata Steel and the Orissa government, the later is clear that it wants investments in the state for the reserves it will hand out.

Orissa wants Tata Steel to set up the promised greenfield project of six mt steel plant in Kalinganagar in order to reach Orissa’s target of 75 mt of steel capacity by 2020.

Tata Steel in return wants iron ore mines for plans not just in Orissa but also for expansion in Jharkhand aimed at 12 mt steel plant and Jamshedpur to be expanded to 10 mt from 5 mt currently. …

Following are excerpts from a New Indian Express report by Samiran Sarangi. I talked to him on phone. He says that if everything goes well the expectation is that the flight from BBSR would start around mid-November or early December.

Is Orissa set to have its first international flight – and that too to Singapore? Air India has reportedly agreed to oblige, provided travel and tour operators here ensure a good number of passengers. Travel agents, on their part, are confident of making it possible. More so because the flight that Air India wants to operate via the city is its low cost carrier Air India Express. It would operate on the Kolkata-Singapore route from October 7. A round trip would cost a traveller just about Rs 14,500, as against the normal fare of Rs 24,000. A team from Air India, which visited the city sometime back to study the market here, has asked for at least 40 to 50 passengers on each flight. The 185-seater Boeing 737-800 would be operating thrice a week. "We firmly believe that with the present flow of travellers from the State to Singapore, we can achieve the target," said a confident Benjamin Simon, head of the city-based tour firm Travellink. According to him, roughly 30 to 40 persons head for the island country from Orissa every week as business and leisure travellers. A considerable number of them are from the Western belt of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Rourkela. … A section of the operators are designing packages that would also include board and lodging at the existing fare at Rs 24,000. It would basically be a three-night-two-day affair and include sightseeing.

I initially read about it in a New Indian Express report, whose excerpts we give below. I could not believe it. But then I googled the net and found some links which make the above mentioned New Indian Express report believable.

The public sector telecom major rolled out evolution data optimised (EVDO) card to provide wireless broadband Internet with speeds up to 2.4 Mbps along with the network interface card (NIC) with 144 Kbps speed. Built in the plug to surf form, the cards can be attached to the USB port or PCIMCI slot of the desktops or laptops to access Internet.

The cards would provide unlimited Internet access with fixed charges of Rs 250 a month and can be purchased outright or acquired on a monthly rental basis.

Based on CDMA-2000 technology platform, the EVDO card would be immediately available in Bhubaneswar and its outskirts like Khurda but the NIC card can be used anywhere. Three EVDO base transmission system (BTS) systems have been commissioned and 10 more are underway. Thirty more are to be added this financial year enabling expansion to other cities, Chief General Manager, Orissa, SM Talwar said.

… Speaking to media persons, Talwar said BSNL had gone on an overdrive to increase its presence in mobile and Internet, particularly broadband, sector in Orissa. … Broadband penetration, which has been a sore point for the company, is set to look up too. Launched in 2005, the broadband capacity in the State is a mere 15,500 and connections given are around 14,350. But, infrastructure is being spruced up on a war-footing with around 70,000 ports installed across the State. Broadband facilities would be made available in all telecom districts and sub-divisional headquarters, Talwar added.

Business Standard has some more details on this. Following is a short excerpt.

The customers can have unlimited internet access through NIC/EVDO cards at additional fixed monthly charges of Rs 250 only. The consumers have the option of direct purchase or monthly fixed charge basis.

While the monthly fixed charge for NIC card has been fixed at Rs 150 per month it is Rs 200 for EVDO card. The direct purchase of NIC card costs about Rs 4,500 and EVDO card costs about Rs 6,500.

Following is a big excerpt from a Telegraph report.

Naveen Patnaik today insisted on the correction of regional imbalance in the country.

“National integration cannot be complete unless there is equitable growth,” he said, while participating in the deliberations of the sub-committee of National Integration Council at New Delhi today.

Historically, the eastern region has not been able to develop as fast as some of the other regions of the country. Enormous resources are required to improve the infrastructure of this region in the form of roads, railways, ports and power.

Without such infrastructure this region cannot attract the kind of investment that would be required for a holistic growth of the national economy, argued Patnaik.

“This may ultimately lead to marginalisation of these regions which would be detrimental to national integration,” he said.

The committee accepted his suggestion and agreed to include this as an agenda of the meeting of the National Integration Council that is going to take place shortly. Naveen also observed that it is equally important to develop human resource of the backward region for the people of those areas to reap the benefits of economic growth. He stressed the need for enrichment of the social capital of the states.

“The country should be prepared to invest in education, including technical education, health, sanitation and governance with special emphasis on the eastern region of the country,” he said.

Patnaik further offered to host the meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council at Bhubaneswar, which was accepted by Union home minister Shivraj Patil, who chaired the meeting today.

The following is from a PIB release.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for the following:

(i)         Peripheral towns of Panchkula and SAS Nagar (Mohali) urban agglomeration will be included in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) city of Chandigarh as these towns are entirely in continuum to Chandigarh and in fact, are spill over of the growth of Chandigarh.

(ii)                 Naya Raipur, a satellite city, will be included in the urban agglomeration of Chhatisgarh State Capital, Raipur, so that simultaneous cohesive development of Naya Raipur, alongwith existing city of Raipur, is possible.  Presently, total area of Naya Raipur comprises 41 villages.

            With the inclusion of the above two in JNNURM, the following benefits will be reaped:

(i)                  Infrastructure development of both Panchkula and Mohali, that are spillovers of Chandigarh would be possible through JNNURM funds along with JNNURM City of Chandigarh.

(ii)                 Maya Raipur, a satellite city of Raipur, will also have access to JNNURM funds for its infrastructure development.

            JNNURM was launched by the government of India in December, 2005 to implement reforms driven planned development of identified cities in a Mission mode, with focus on efficiency in urban infrastructure / service delivery mechanism and basic services to the urban poor with community participation and accountability of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) / Parastatals towards the citizens.

Why is not the Orissa government making a similar case for Cuttack to be included in the Bhubaneswar JNNURM project?

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.

Following are excerpts from an Indian Express article.

Aam Admi Bima Yojana (Launch Date: October 2)

Announced in this year’s Budget, the scheme will be launched on Gandhi Jayanti . It provides for insurance to the head of the family or an earning member of the family of a rural landless household who is aged between 18 and 59 years against natural as well as accidental death and against partial/permanent disability.

The family is entitled to Rs 75,000 as insurance in case of accidental death or permanent disability of the head or earning member of the household. In case of natural death and partial disability, the benefits would amount to Rs 37,500. The annual premium per member is Rs 200, to be equally shared by the Centre and the state Government.

Health Insurance Scheme for BPL Workers (Launch: October 2)

After the Social Security Bill for the unorganised sector came under severe criticism from Left parties, which said it had no specific schemes for the sector, the UPA Government decided to announce a specific health insurance scheme for such workers. The Health Insurance Scheme for Workers in the Unorganised Sector would be launched in a phased manner for BPL workers/families from October 2. All the beneficiaries will be issued smart cards for identification.

National Old Age Pension (Launch: November 19)

The UPA Government has said it will provide old age pension to all citizens above the age of 65 years and living below the poverty line. This marks an expansion of the existing Old Age Pension Scheme, from covering only “persons of 65 years or higher and a destitute” under pension to one “who is 65 years or higher and belonging to a household below the poverty line (BPL)”. The launch is to coincide with Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary on November 19.

Scholarship for Minority Students (Already launched)

Keeping in view the Sachar Committee report, the UPA Government announced a Centrally sponsored scheme of Merit Cum Means Based Scholarship to students from Minority Communities pursuing professional/technical courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The scheme, which will provide scholarship to 20,000 students every year, will cover a large chunk of the tuition fees as well as provide maintenance allowance to selected beneficiaries from the minority community throughout their professional course. In case of 50 identified institutes, which include IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS and others, the Government has announced that the tuition fees would be paid in full.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Announced on August 15)

With suicides by farmers still a political hot potato and the agrarian crisis showing no signs of abating, the UPA Government announced a Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) on Independence Day. With an allocation of Rs 25,000 crore over the next five years, the scheme is meant to push up investment in agriculture substantially.

It aims to encourage state Governments to raise their agricultural expenditure, hoping this would boost agriculture and allied sector production as well as productivity and farm incomes, and reduce yield gaps across the country.

National Food Security Mission (Announced on August 15)

Concerned over food security and mindful of the fact that it had to resort to wheat imports for the second consecutive year in a row, the Government launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), which is aimed at increasing the production of rice by 10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 2 million tonnes by 2011-12. It also hopes to create additional employment opportunities. The Government has identified 305 districts in 16 states where Rs 4,900 crore would be invested over the next 5 years.

National Policy for Farmers (Likely launch: October 2)

Having already announced two major schemes for the agriculture sector, the UPA Government has also decided to act on the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers, which it had constituted when it came to power in 2004. One of these recommendations was a National Policy for Farmers. The policy, to be announced soon, will replace the existing National Agricultural Policy, 2000.

Education Mission (Announced on August 15)

Taking a step forward from the 54 per cent expansion of the higher education infrastructure, the Government has announced setting up of eight new IITs, seven new IIMs, three new IISERs and 30 new Central universities. In the secondary education sector, a massive expansion plan is on the table involving upgradation of over 1 lakh schools. Another 6,000 new schools of good quality are being planned. And the PM has given a stiff deadline of two months for finalising the infrastructure, including their locations.

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.

As per newkerala.com:

The 2843/2844 Puri-Ahmedabad-Puri Express (via Khurda Rd-Vijainagaram- Rayagada) will now run four days in a week from October five next. According to East Coast Railways (ECoR), the train would leave from Puri every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from October 5.

The Hindu reported today that the chief representative of PRI(Posco Research Institute) has made some adverse comments on the progress of MOUs in Orissa.

Taking excerpts mentioned in the report:

“Chief Representative of PRI Chang-ho Kwag said the social infrastructure of the State was not proper to absorb mega projects. “Attitude and mindset of State Government and people towards projects need to be changed. Education of people to understand the real cost benefit of industrial project was necessary in which the state government has a big role,” Mr. Kwag said.“West Bengal can be a good example. Why is every good project taking shape in West Bengal? I think the State Government played a key role there,” he said.

Despite being a State governed by Left parties, the State adopted itself in post-liberalisation era, the PRI Director said.

All the coastal states of India showed healthy GDP growth while Orissa lagged with 3.5 per cent rate growth compared to West Bengal’s nearly 6 per cent, he said.

“The Government needs to set up service mechanism for expediting mega projects,” Mr. Kwag said. The Posco Research Institute said Chinese government had engaged two to three of its personnel for one big project so that they could take care of different processes and ensure project getting converted into reality.“

The Head of PRI must understand that Orissa is not a communist country like China. Where if requirements are provided by companies, local protests are crushed using an Iron hand and value propositions are ignored completely. Rehabilitation is a complicated process.

It is surprising to note, that , the head of PRI has mentioned that most projects are coming up in West Bengal. Do they actually think, that they would get a captive port in West bengal and also land at such cheap rates which is being provided to them in Orissa.

Also, they might actually mention which big projects are coming to West Bengal. In West Bengal land acquisition is easier since, the writ of the local communist runs in every block. Even then a Nandigram has happenned there.

Perhaps, he should see the amount if strikes that happen in West bengal. A bandh(strike) is a regular feature of life in the state. If this is considered business friendly then we have some new rules for business.

The truth of the matter is that, Orissa has been second fastest in implementation of MOUs in the country.

Let it be noted ,that , it is a combination of land and accesibility to a sea-port which makes Orissa an attractive destination.

Perhaps, the head of PRI is not aware that according to a World Bank report, Orissa is supposed to be the fastest place to start a Business among all states in India.

Perhaps, some of the statements can be reconsidered.

Following is an excerpt on this from a report in The Times of India.

Over the next couple of months, low-cost carrier IndiGo will base two aircraft in Kolkata to connect more stations out of the city and increase frequency in metro sectors.

Apart from flights to India’s dream holiday destination, Goa, the carrier will also connect Kolkata to Imphal and Bhubaneswar by November.

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.

This is reported in many papers, such as Telegraph. Thus, the Bhubaneswar Trident Hilton will become simply Trident.