The Pioneer, July 29, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
KBK Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Administrator Rajalaxmi highlighted the major issues and progress in the implementation of the KBK development programmes at a seminar on KBK organised by the Orissa Branch of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) here.
She dwelt on various intervention programmes and narrated a few success stories like installation of non-conventional energy plants utilising biomass at the seminar held on Saturday.
She also pointed at the challenges posed by Left-wing extremism and by natural calamities in the region.
Information Commissioner-designate Jagadananda and CYSD member-secretary spoke on the structural causes of poverty and backwardness. He suggested for fast track courts for land records, ownership and development and implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006.
In his presidential address, IIPA branch chairman SC Misra analysed the pace of development in KBK districts and hinted at the economic cost of Left-wing extremism and corruption.
He also drew attention to the reluctance of the Government employees to work in those areas which caused a hindrance in their development. He urged for active involvement of the civil society in the successful implementation of the KBK programmes.
Initially, vice-chairman of the IIPA branch Prof GC Kar introduced the subject, and finally, secretary Dr JK Misra proposed a vote of thanks at the end.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Economic constraints of tribal development in KBK
Merinews, July 26, 2008
by Basant Rath
Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest regions of the country comprising mainly of tribals. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Still rooted in ancient beliefs the tribals do not make serious attempts to raise their wealth..
THE UNDIVIDED districts of Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi popularly known as KBK is one of the poorest region in the country. The KBK regions have been divided into eight districts, ie Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi and Nuapada. These eight districts comprise of 14 subdivisions, 37 tehsils, 80 CD blocks, 1437 gram panchayats and 12,104 villages, Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence.
The KBK districts account for 19.72 per cent population for over 30.59 per cent geographical area of the state. About 89.89 per cent people of these districts still live in village and remote areas. As per 1991 census about 38.72 per cent people of KBK districts belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 16.63 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Castes (SC) communities. Literacy rates are far below the state as well as national averages. Female literacy is only 24.72 per cent. As per the 1997 census of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families about 72 per cent families live below poverty line. Nuapada ranks as the district with highest number of BPL families of 85.70 per cent and Bolangir ranks as the lowest with 61.06 per cent of BPL families. As per an estimate based on 1999-2000 NSS data 87.14 per cent people in southern Orissa, are below poverty line.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Nearly 80 per cent of the tribal workers earn their living as cultivator and agricultural labourers only 10 per cent of the people work in construction trade and commerce, nine per cent of the people works in mining, quarrying and the rest of the population is engaged in house hold and manufacturing. The traditional occupation was agriculture, hunting and gathering forest products but now they depend on wage labourers. They work as agricultural and casual labours. A few of them have their own agricultural lands.
Basically the tribal people believe in eat, drink, and be merry principle. There is no place for economic competition, due to free availability of land and minor forest produce followed by low population pressure, the competition has not been felt by the tribals.
Tribal economy mainly comprises of subsistence farming, wage earning from forest works and government sponsored programmes. Subsistence farmers grow food crops barely enough to meet their own farm and family requirements. Diffusion of technological changes in agriculture does not take place properly as this is the main constraint.
More than 80 per cent of the total population depends on agriculture; most of the tribals are landless and work as wage earners. Owing to their illiteracy, superstitions and conservative practices, they are deceived and exploited by moneylenders and other non tribals. Tribals who do not have a permanent income live in perpetual poverty. No doubt that the government is implementing a number of projects for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of tribals, but due to illiteracy, they are unaware of several developments around them.
On the other hand poor irrigation, bad infrastructure has taken a huge toll on agriculture, the main source of livelihood. Unemployment has soared with even seasonal jobs under various schemes becoming scarce. Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence.
Most of them do not even get a single meal a day due to acute poverty. Also, per capita availability of land continues to plunge, coming down to 70 per cent. Due to the practice of slash and burn farming locally called Podu, denudation of forest and forcible occupation of their land, they are compelled to go to other places in search of employment.
Want of an organised marketing is a big bottleneck of tribal economy, weekly markets are held in big villages and small villages on roadside but remain defunct for six months in a year. Retail traders and hawkers visit these markets and purchase agricultural and forest produce. In return they sell manufactured items of daily requirements to the local tribals. There is complete absence of profit motivation in the tribals with the result the tribals cannot enter into commercial undertaking in any sale.
In a recent tour to different parts of KBK region revealed that in most of the villages there are several traders and businessman who have found their roots in the shops, also purchase of agricultural and forest products. But to ones surprise none of these are of tribal origin, all are new settlers who have come either from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, or other parts of Orissa. The landless agriculturist are either with zero ownership or ultra marginal ownership of land. Rural poverty of ST and SC population is rampant and 75 per cent were found to be land less and living below poverty line. The growth of tribal population and the rise in the burden of agricultural workers on land also made them landless workers. Social values of the tribals play an important obstacles for raising wealth capital and income.
The tribals of KBK region believe in ghosts, ancestors worship and also believe that the fortune of man is controlled by their super natural power. Hence they do not make serious attempts to raise wealth. What ever they produce on their lands 90 per cent of it is consumed as food and drink and seven per cent of the produce is utilised for meeting other expenses, three per cent on clothing. Food, shelter, sex and clothing are the only important wants of the tribal people. These wants are locally satiable without paying any substantial cost. Education, modern medicines and conveyance are still far cry, which could hardly catch the imagination of most of the tribal peoples of KBK region.
by Basant Rath
Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest regions of the country comprising mainly of tribals. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Still rooted in ancient beliefs the tribals do not make serious attempts to raise their wealth..
THE UNDIVIDED districts of Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi popularly known as KBK is one of the poorest region in the country. The KBK regions have been divided into eight districts, ie Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi and Nuapada. These eight districts comprise of 14 subdivisions, 37 tehsils, 80 CD blocks, 1437 gram panchayats and 12,104 villages, Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence.
The KBK districts account for 19.72 per cent population for over 30.59 per cent geographical area of the state. About 89.89 per cent people of these districts still live in village and remote areas. As per 1991 census about 38.72 per cent people of KBK districts belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 16.63 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Castes (SC) communities. Literacy rates are far below the state as well as national averages. Female literacy is only 24.72 per cent. As per the 1997 census of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families about 72 per cent families live below poverty line. Nuapada ranks as the district with highest number of BPL families of 85.70 per cent and Bolangir ranks as the lowest with 61.06 per cent of BPL families. As per an estimate based on 1999-2000 NSS data 87.14 per cent people in southern Orissa, are below poverty line.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Nearly 80 per cent of the tribal workers earn their living as cultivator and agricultural labourers only 10 per cent of the people work in construction trade and commerce, nine per cent of the people works in mining, quarrying and the rest of the population is engaged in house hold and manufacturing. The traditional occupation was agriculture, hunting and gathering forest products but now they depend on wage labourers. They work as agricultural and casual labours. A few of them have their own agricultural lands.
Basically the tribal people believe in eat, drink, and be merry principle. There is no place for economic competition, due to free availability of land and minor forest produce followed by low population pressure, the competition has not been felt by the tribals.
Tribal economy mainly comprises of subsistence farming, wage earning from forest works and government sponsored programmes. Subsistence farmers grow food crops barely enough to meet their own farm and family requirements. Diffusion of technological changes in agriculture does not take place properly as this is the main constraint.
More than 80 per cent of the total population depends on agriculture; most of the tribals are landless and work as wage earners. Owing to their illiteracy, superstitions and conservative practices, they are deceived and exploited by moneylenders and other non tribals. Tribals who do not have a permanent income live in perpetual poverty. No doubt that the government is implementing a number of projects for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of tribals, but due to illiteracy, they are unaware of several developments around them.
On the other hand poor irrigation, bad infrastructure has taken a huge toll on agriculture, the main source of livelihood. Unemployment has soared with even seasonal jobs under various schemes becoming scarce. Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence.
Most of them do not even get a single meal a day due to acute poverty. Also, per capita availability of land continues to plunge, coming down to 70 per cent. Due to the practice of slash and burn farming locally called Podu, denudation of forest and forcible occupation of their land, they are compelled to go to other places in search of employment.
Want of an organised marketing is a big bottleneck of tribal economy, weekly markets are held in big villages and small villages on roadside but remain defunct for six months in a year. Retail traders and hawkers visit these markets and purchase agricultural and forest produce. In return they sell manufactured items of daily requirements to the local tribals. There is complete absence of profit motivation in the tribals with the result the tribals cannot enter into commercial undertaking in any sale.
In a recent tour to different parts of KBK region revealed that in most of the villages there are several traders and businessman who have found their roots in the shops, also purchase of agricultural and forest products. But to ones surprise none of these are of tribal origin, all are new settlers who have come either from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, or other parts of Orissa. The landless agriculturist are either with zero ownership or ultra marginal ownership of land. Rural poverty of ST and SC population is rampant and 75 per cent were found to be land less and living below poverty line. The growth of tribal population and the rise in the burden of agricultural workers on land also made them landless workers. Social values of the tribals play an important obstacles for raising wealth capital and income.
The tribals of KBK region believe in ghosts, ancestors worship and also believe that the fortune of man is controlled by their super natural power. Hence they do not make serious attempts to raise wealth. What ever they produce on their lands 90 per cent of it is consumed as food and drink and seven per cent of the produce is utilised for meeting other expenses, three per cent on clothing. Food, shelter, sex and clothing are the only important wants of the tribal people. These wants are locally satiable without paying any substantial cost. Education, modern medicines and conveyance are still far cry, which could hardly catch the imagination of most of the tribal peoples of KBK region.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Non-resident Oriyas rue Railway Board chief's attitude towards Orissa projects
The Pioneer, July 16, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) are quite unhappy over the railway authorities' attitude towards the long-delayed projects in Orissa, including the Khurda Road -Balangir rail line.
Railway Board chairman Kalyan Coomar Jena, who hails from Orissa, was invited to the convention of the Orissa Society of Americas (OSA) recently held in Toronto in North America. Jena dismissed speeding up of the Khurda-Balangir project projects without significant contributions from the State Government on the plea that it is a social line.
The NROs repeatedly reminded Jena that the three zones operating in Orissa -- East Coast Railways (ECoR), South Eastern Railways (SER) and South Eastern Central Railways (SECR) -- are the highest profit-making zones, but Orissa and Chhattisgarh have the lowest railway densities.
The areas of concern are the connectivity to KBK districts and the other tribal districts of Orissa like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh, which are among the most backward areas in the country. The proposed rail lines include the Khurda Road -Nayagarh - Balangir, Talcher - Bimlagarh, Naupada-Gunupur- Theruvali, Lanjigarh Road -Bhawanipatna -Junagarh-Nabarangpur-Jeypore - Malkangiri - Bhadramchalam - Bhadrachalam Road, Buramara - Chakulia and Bangiriposi - Gurumahisani-Keonjhar.
The NROs pointed out that the minerals extracted and transported from those districts are the contributing factors in making these railway zones highly profitable. If only Indian Railways had listened to the plea of Orissa and completed the Khurda Road-Balangir line, which it started 15 years ago, and the line from Jeypore to Malkangiri and beyond, the Maoist mayhems in Nayagarh and Malkangiri would have been avoided.
Some participants at the meeting like Purna Mishra and Chitta Baral were armed with statistics from various IR publications and web sites to counter the arguments of Jena. They rubbished the contention that the Indian Railways was only going after profitable routes. Prof Baral pointed out that the IR priorities include gauge conversion of 12,000 km, most of which is not profitable.
What made some of the participants really sad that the Railway Board chairman did not even sympathise when pointed out that while huge profits are made by ECoR, SER and SECR, the big money of the 11th Plan is going to freight corridors, high-speed rail and metro rails, none of which benefits Orissa. The NROs were of the view that the Railway Board Chairman was pursuing a highly bureaucratic approach.
Jena repeated that he has Rs 1,000 crore for Orissa, and breaking that up to various projects leaves little for social projects like Khurda Road-Balangir.
It was pointed out to him that when ECoR is estimated to make Rs 3,600 crores of profit during 2008-09, he is talking about only Rs 1,000 crore.
In addition, the NROs demanded that the IR, the largest employer in the world, must make two production units in the backward and tribal areas of KBK so that it indeed gives a fair employment opportunity to the tribals.
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) are quite unhappy over the railway authorities' attitude towards the long-delayed projects in Orissa, including the Khurda Road -Balangir rail line.
Railway Board chairman Kalyan Coomar Jena, who hails from Orissa, was invited to the convention of the Orissa Society of Americas (OSA) recently held in Toronto in North America. Jena dismissed speeding up of the Khurda-Balangir project projects without significant contributions from the State Government on the plea that it is a social line.
The NROs repeatedly reminded Jena that the three zones operating in Orissa -- East Coast Railways (ECoR), South Eastern Railways (SER) and South Eastern Central Railways (SECR) -- are the highest profit-making zones, but Orissa and Chhattisgarh have the lowest railway densities.
The areas of concern are the connectivity to KBK districts and the other tribal districts of Orissa like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh, which are among the most backward areas in the country. The proposed rail lines include the Khurda Road -Nayagarh - Balangir, Talcher - Bimlagarh, Naupada-Gunupur- Theruvali, Lanjigarh Road -Bhawanipatna -Junagarh-Nabarangpur-Jeypore - Malkangiri - Bhadramchalam - Bhadrachalam Road, Buramara - Chakulia and Bangiriposi - Gurumahisani-Keonjhar.
The NROs pointed out that the minerals extracted and transported from those districts are the contributing factors in making these railway zones highly profitable. If only Indian Railways had listened to the plea of Orissa and completed the Khurda Road-Balangir line, which it started 15 years ago, and the line from Jeypore to Malkangiri and beyond, the Maoist mayhems in Nayagarh and Malkangiri would have been avoided.
Some participants at the meeting like Purna Mishra and Chitta Baral were armed with statistics from various IR publications and web sites to counter the arguments of Jena. They rubbished the contention that the Indian Railways was only going after profitable routes. Prof Baral pointed out that the IR priorities include gauge conversion of 12,000 km, most of which is not profitable.
What made some of the participants really sad that the Railway Board chairman did not even sympathise when pointed out that while huge profits are made by ECoR, SER and SECR, the big money of the 11th Plan is going to freight corridors, high-speed rail and metro rails, none of which benefits Orissa. The NROs were of the view that the Railway Board Chairman was pursuing a highly bureaucratic approach.
Jena repeated that he has Rs 1,000 crore for Orissa, and breaking that up to various projects leaves little for social projects like Khurda Road-Balangir.
It was pointed out to him that when ECoR is estimated to make Rs 3,600 crores of profit during 2008-09, he is talking about only Rs 1,000 crore.
In addition, the NROs demanded that the IR, the largest employer in the world, must make two production units in the backward and tribal areas of KBK so that it indeed gives a fair employment opportunity to the tribals.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Online move for rail network
Tathya.in, July 7, 2008
Bhawanipatna:7/July/2008
Poor communication links of rail and road has resulted in expansion of Red Corridor in the tribal districts of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.
While most of the Maoist activities are centered round the KBK Region of the State, the ultras are expanding their tentacles to the nearby underdeveloped areas.
While Prime Minister Dr.Man Mohan Singh is dubbing the Red Menace as the “ most dangerous virus”, in deciding the connectivity plans for the country, case of KBK has been ignored time and again.
So under the leadership of Digambara Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO), the intelligentsia of Orissa has taken up the cause of rail expansion in a big way.
An online signature campaign is underway to raise awareness on the issue of rail connectivity.
More than 60 have signed the online petition and many are joining the league.
Making a full fledged research on the subject, they have demanded for special treatment by the Indian Railway Board in declaring the Kalahandi-Balangir- Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa, other adjacent tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh as a national project.
KBK is the poorest and most backward region in India.
While other backward regions in India like North Eastern States, J&K and Himachal Pradesh have received special treatment by Railway Board, KBK region has been neglected since decades, lamented Dr.Patra.
Naxal activities are predominantly high in the border regions of Orissa, Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh due to poor communication and infrastructure, said he.
And recently it is spreading to other bordering and backward districts like Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts.
The railway infrastructure in Orissa and Chhatisgarh is substantially low compared to national average despite both the states are in the profit making zones, where as railway infrastructure in Bihar and West Bengal are remarkably high though they are the loss making zones.
East Coast zone and South Eastern zone covering Orissa state and South East Central zone covering Chhatisgarh are among top most profit making zones.
And large amount of profit made by Indian Railways comes from the transportation revenue from coal, ores and minerals for which both the states substantially contribute.
However, Indian railway has ignored KBK region of Orissa and Chhatisgarh since decades.
Indian Railway Board has always danced to the tune of the political bosses ignoring the genuine requirement of the states, lamented Madhusmita Panda, another online petitioner.
For example, Khordha Road – Balangir and Lanjigarh Road – Junagarh railway lines in Orissa which were approved much earlier than Muzaffarpur – Sitamari and Sultanganj-Deogarh lines in Bihar are still struggling to be completed, where as other two lines in Bihar are completed, said she.
Pratyusa Mandhata asked for uniformity in approving projects and said that during last 15 years, more railway lines were approved in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal than Orissa and Chhatisgarh.
In last 5 years Indian Railway has set up 3 factories in Bihar (loss making zone) and one in Kerala (another loss making zone), but none of the plants including the recently proposed power plant by Indian Railway, was being established in Orissa or Chhatisgarh, said Mr.Mandhata.
Sandip Dasvarma, leading NRO said that since decades less funds are allotted in the Railway Budgets to profit making zones like East Coast Railway (ECOR) and South East Central Railway (SECR), which is much lower than that of loss making zones.
The petitioners have requested the Orissa and Chhatisgarh Governments to provide land free of cost for railway development in the backward region.
And they have requested the Government of India is to declare all the railway projects in KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh as national projects in the line of North Eastern states of India immediately.
They have demanded to complete Khordha road – Balangir railway line to connect the KBK region with state capital
Approval of Junagarh – Ambaguda line proposed under extension of Lanjigarh Road – Junagarh is needed.
Approval is requested for Bargarh – Padampur - Nuapada road - Kantabanji – Khariar- Ampani-Navarangur- Jeypore – Makangiri – Kottagudem (Andhra Pradesh) new line in the backward region, which would help to control Maoist menace by bringing development in the region
The petitioners have demanded to carry out new survey and approve Rajim (Chhatisgarh) – Gariaband (Chhatisgarh) – Deobhog (Chhatisgahr) – Junagarh – Lanjigarh road – Simanbadi (Kandhamal) – Asika- Berhampur – Gopalpur line to directly connect Raipur with Gopalpur port passing through one of the most backward regions of India.
They have also demanded that new survey of Dhamtari (Chhatisgarh) – Umarkote (Orissa) – Nabrangpur (Orissa) line, an alternative direct access to Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam ports from Raipur and other mining region in Chhatisgarh is to be developed.
Carrying out of fresh survey of the Simanbadi -Phulbani-Angul line is needed to benefit NALCO by further reducing the distance between Damanjodiand Angul, said the online petitioners.
Bhawanipatna:7/July/2008
Poor communication links of rail and road has resulted in expansion of Red Corridor in the tribal districts of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.
While most of the Maoist activities are centered round the KBK Region of the State, the ultras are expanding their tentacles to the nearby underdeveloped areas.
While Prime Minister Dr.Man Mohan Singh is dubbing the Red Menace as the “ most dangerous virus”, in deciding the connectivity plans for the country, case of KBK has been ignored time and again.
So under the leadership of Digambara Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO), the intelligentsia of Orissa has taken up the cause of rail expansion in a big way.
An online signature campaign is underway to raise awareness on the issue of rail connectivity.
More than 60 have signed the online petition and many are joining the league.
Making a full fledged research on the subject, they have demanded for special treatment by the Indian Railway Board in declaring the Kalahandi-Balangir- Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa, other adjacent tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh as a national project.
KBK is the poorest and most backward region in India.
While other backward regions in India like North Eastern States, J&K and Himachal Pradesh have received special treatment by Railway Board, KBK region has been neglected since decades, lamented Dr.Patra.
Naxal activities are predominantly high in the border regions of Orissa, Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh due to poor communication and infrastructure, said he.
And recently it is spreading to other bordering and backward districts like Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts.
The railway infrastructure in Orissa and Chhatisgarh is substantially low compared to national average despite both the states are in the profit making zones, where as railway infrastructure in Bihar and West Bengal are remarkably high though they are the loss making zones.
East Coast zone and South Eastern zone covering Orissa state and South East Central zone covering Chhatisgarh are among top most profit making zones.
And large amount of profit made by Indian Railways comes from the transportation revenue from coal, ores and minerals for which both the states substantially contribute.
However, Indian railway has ignored KBK region of Orissa and Chhatisgarh since decades.
Indian Railway Board has always danced to the tune of the political bosses ignoring the genuine requirement of the states, lamented Madhusmita Panda, another online petitioner.
For example, Khordha Road – Balangir and Lanjigarh Road – Junagarh railway lines in Orissa which were approved much earlier than Muzaffarpur – Sitamari and Sultanganj-Deogarh lines in Bihar are still struggling to be completed, where as other two lines in Bihar are completed, said she.
Pratyusa Mandhata asked for uniformity in approving projects and said that during last 15 years, more railway lines were approved in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal than Orissa and Chhatisgarh.
In last 5 years Indian Railway has set up 3 factories in Bihar (loss making zone) and one in Kerala (another loss making zone), but none of the plants including the recently proposed power plant by Indian Railway, was being established in Orissa or Chhatisgarh, said Mr.Mandhata.
Sandip Dasvarma, leading NRO said that since decades less funds are allotted in the Railway Budgets to profit making zones like East Coast Railway (ECOR) and South East Central Railway (SECR), which is much lower than that of loss making zones.
The petitioners have requested the Orissa and Chhatisgarh Governments to provide land free of cost for railway development in the backward region.
And they have requested the Government of India is to declare all the railway projects in KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh as national projects in the line of North Eastern states of India immediately.
They have demanded to complete Khordha road – Balangir railway line to connect the KBK region with state capital
Approval of Junagarh – Ambaguda line proposed under extension of Lanjigarh Road – Junagarh is needed.
Approval is requested for Bargarh – Padampur - Nuapada road - Kantabanji – Khariar- Ampani-Navarangur- Jeypore – Makangiri – Kottagudem (Andhra Pradesh) new line in the backward region, which would help to control Maoist menace by bringing development in the region
The petitioners have demanded to carry out new survey and approve Rajim (Chhatisgarh) – Gariaband (Chhatisgarh) – Deobhog (Chhatisgahr) – Junagarh – Lanjigarh road – Simanbadi (Kandhamal) – Asika- Berhampur – Gopalpur line to directly connect Raipur with Gopalpur port passing through one of the most backward regions of India.
They have also demanded that new survey of Dhamtari (Chhatisgarh) – Umarkote (Orissa) – Nabrangpur (Orissa) line, an alternative direct access to Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam ports from Raipur and other mining region in Chhatisgarh is to be developed.
Carrying out of fresh survey of the Simanbadi -Phulbani-Angul line is needed to benefit NALCO by further reducing the distance between Damanjodiand Angul, said the online petitioners.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Reminiscing KBK Plan: Myth and Reality of Development in India
Reminiscing KBK Plan: Myth and Reality of Development in India
Rajat Kumar Kujur
Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict
Article No:87, September 27, 2006
Recently during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s maiden visit to Orissa, once again it was re-established that the most powerful word that drives the politicians and bureaucrats in contemporary Orissa is the infamous three-letter word KBK (Kalahandi–Bolangir–Koraput). It has been more then a decade that KBK area has been showered with specially designed programmes, grants and so many high profile visits. Unfortunately, the benefits of all these assistances are yet to reach the people of the region. While the state government is making no stone unturned to make the state a mining hub and a new destination for industrial investment, the ghost of KBK is still a force to reckon with the politics of Orissa.
In its recent report the New Delhi based Institute of Applied Manpower and Research, which is entrusted by the Union government to review the KBK programme revealed that despite of the Central aid of Rs.4544 Crore under the KBK head (1995-96 to 2005-06), it has not really changed the living condition of the people. Consequently, the Governor of Orissa, Rameswar Thakur recently observed that despite a huge chunk of money has been spent; it has not really changed the situation what it was in early 1990s.
The undivided districts of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput are universally known as the most backward regions in India. After the reorganizations of districts in Orissa, these three districts were divided into eight districts, i.e. Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, and Nabarangpur. Statistically speaking the total area of these districts are 47.646 thousand square kilometer; the total population is of 72,490,691; and among all the 80 revenue blocks, there is only one block which is developed, three blocks are developing, 28 blocks are backward and 49 blocks are declared as most backward.
It was during early nineties that Union government recognized that those areas being backward had been grossly neglected in the fields of agriculture, education, health, industrialization, irrigation, employment, social and economic development. To bring about rapid economic growth for minimizing the economic gap in this region, then Prime Minister of India, PV Narasimha Rao declared a special Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput or KBK Yojana in 1995 at Koraput. It was declared that from 1995-96 to 2001-02 a total sum of Rs. 6654.44 Crore would be spent through KBK Yojana under the Revised Long Term Action Plan.
Despite the much-hyped declaration, subsequent events suggest that no separate provision were made in the Union budget in the name of “KBK Yojana”. It was mentioned in the third Revised Long Term Action Plan that in the field of rural development other then the allotted money of central plan there would be an additional requirement of Rs. 715.15 Crore. Similarly, in the field of agriculture, health and family welfare, employment etc. there will be an additional requirement of Rs. 789.35 Crore. Going through such calculations the Union Ministry of Finance decided to provide an additional amount of Rs. 1503.85 Crore only. Subsequently, another Central delegation headed by Yugandhar, the then Secretary of PMO, after holding discussion with the state government observed that at both the stage the required amount is Rs. 4859 Crore. In addition, after deducting the already allotted central assistance of Rs. 4282.39 Crore in those areas, it calculated that another Rs. 576.61 Crore could be provided for these areas. Finally, the grant amount came down to only a sum of Rs. 389.21 Crore. In the subsequent years what was provided in the name of KBK Yojana or Revised Long Term Action Plan was far below from what was announced originally.
The undivided districts of K-B-K are predominantly tribal inhabited and majority of its population are deprived of the bare necessities of life, forget about the comforts. Taking account of the deplorable socio-economic condition of these districts, the KBK programme would have been a milestone had it focused on Primary Education, Higher Education (Medical College, Agriculture College, Mining school), Irrigation (small and medium), Livelihood, Health care and sanitation, Agro based industries, cooperatives etc. But this was not done. Instead the government took a short cut and marginally increased central aid to these districts; as a result the people of KBK did not get any major benefits from these programmes.
Arguably, KBK is a national issue, it’s a challenge on India’s concern for human development and the goal along with the whole implementing mechanism of KBK Yojana needs a strong revision. If this is not done then whatsoever amount may be sanctioned it will never reach to the hungry stomach of the poor and needy people of KBK.
[Rajat Kumar Kujur, Research Associate, SSPC, New Delhi.]
Rajat Kumar Kujur
Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict
Article No:87, September 27, 2006
Recently during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s maiden visit to Orissa, once again it was re-established that the most powerful word that drives the politicians and bureaucrats in contemporary Orissa is the infamous three-letter word KBK (Kalahandi–Bolangir–Koraput). It has been more then a decade that KBK area has been showered with specially designed programmes, grants and so many high profile visits. Unfortunately, the benefits of all these assistances are yet to reach the people of the region. While the state government is making no stone unturned to make the state a mining hub and a new destination for industrial investment, the ghost of KBK is still a force to reckon with the politics of Orissa.
In its recent report the New Delhi based Institute of Applied Manpower and Research, which is entrusted by the Union government to review the KBK programme revealed that despite of the Central aid of Rs.4544 Crore under the KBK head (1995-96 to 2005-06), it has not really changed the living condition of the people. Consequently, the Governor of Orissa, Rameswar Thakur recently observed that despite a huge chunk of money has been spent; it has not really changed the situation what it was in early 1990s.
The undivided districts of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput are universally known as the most backward regions in India. After the reorganizations of districts in Orissa, these three districts were divided into eight districts, i.e. Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, and Nabarangpur. Statistically speaking the total area of these districts are 47.646 thousand square kilometer; the total population is of 72,490,691; and among all the 80 revenue blocks, there is only one block which is developed, three blocks are developing, 28 blocks are backward and 49 blocks are declared as most backward.
It was during early nineties that Union government recognized that those areas being backward had been grossly neglected in the fields of agriculture, education, health, industrialization, irrigation, employment, social and economic development. To bring about rapid economic growth for minimizing the economic gap in this region, then Prime Minister of India, PV Narasimha Rao declared a special Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput or KBK Yojana in 1995 at Koraput. It was declared that from 1995-96 to 2001-02 a total sum of Rs. 6654.44 Crore would be spent through KBK Yojana under the Revised Long Term Action Plan.
Despite the much-hyped declaration, subsequent events suggest that no separate provision were made in the Union budget in the name of “KBK Yojana”. It was mentioned in the third Revised Long Term Action Plan that in the field of rural development other then the allotted money of central plan there would be an additional requirement of Rs. 715.15 Crore. Similarly, in the field of agriculture, health and family welfare, employment etc. there will be an additional requirement of Rs. 789.35 Crore. Going through such calculations the Union Ministry of Finance decided to provide an additional amount of Rs. 1503.85 Crore only. Subsequently, another Central delegation headed by Yugandhar, the then Secretary of PMO, after holding discussion with the state government observed that at both the stage the required amount is Rs. 4859 Crore. In addition, after deducting the already allotted central assistance of Rs. 4282.39 Crore in those areas, it calculated that another Rs. 576.61 Crore could be provided for these areas. Finally, the grant amount came down to only a sum of Rs. 389.21 Crore. In the subsequent years what was provided in the name of KBK Yojana or Revised Long Term Action Plan was far below from what was announced originally.
The undivided districts of K-B-K are predominantly tribal inhabited and majority of its population are deprived of the bare necessities of life, forget about the comforts. Taking account of the deplorable socio-economic condition of these districts, the KBK programme would have been a milestone had it focused on Primary Education, Higher Education (Medical College, Agriculture College, Mining school), Irrigation (small and medium), Livelihood, Health care and sanitation, Agro based industries, cooperatives etc. But this was not done. Instead the government took a short cut and marginally increased central aid to these districts; as a result the people of KBK did not get any major benefits from these programmes.
Arguably, KBK is a national issue, it’s a challenge on India’s concern for human development and the goal along with the whole implementing mechanism of KBK Yojana needs a strong revision. If this is not done then whatsoever amount may be sanctioned it will never reach to the hungry stomach of the poor and needy people of KBK.
[Rajat Kumar Kujur, Research Associate, SSPC, New Delhi.]
Saturday, July 5, 2008
State road in between Titlagarh and Raniguda via Jayapatna in KBK: A letter to Orissa CM
To
The Chief minister of Orissa
Copy to: The chief secretary of Orissa
Dear honorable Chief Minister Mr Patnaik,
I had the chance to go through the recent major state road proposed by
the state Government.
However, among them which was totally not addressed is a road
connectivity between Titlagarh and Raniguda via Jayapatna as per the
following route.
Titlagarh (Balangir dist) ? Ailabhatta (Balangir)- Kegaon (Kalahandi
dist)-Khaliakani-Dharamgarh (Kalahandi)? Moter ? Jayapatna
(Kalahandi)-Sunamal ? Tentulikhunti (Nabrangpur
dist)-Jagannathapur-Singpuru (Koraput dist)-Raniguda -Koraput
Following reasons made this road route urgent and important to be established.
(1) Kegaon region which is in the border to Kalahandi and Balangir
districts, is neither porperly linked with Kalahandi dist nor with
Balangir district. A bridge construction near Kegaon is required for
the proposed road route.
(2) Upper Indravati project in Mukhiguda/Jayapatna (being one of the
largest hydropower generating unit) needs a special road connectivity
with NH201 and with Nabarangpur and Koraput districts.
(3) Similalry Tentulikhunti region in Nabarangpur and Singpur region
in Koraput need better road connectivity due to cumbersome
infrastructure.
(4) KBK is a special region and improving infrastuture only will bring
development in the region.
(5) If the state Govt. take proper inititative, the proposed state
road project between Titlagarh and Raniguda could be easily
materialized through funding from WODC project, Biju KBK project,
national KBK project and NREG shceme and bring more development in
backward and tribal pocket of Odisha.
I urgue to immediately survey the above road route and declare this
route as a major state road through financial support from WODC, KBK &
Biju KBK projects and NREG scheme.
Thank you and kind regards
Digambara Patra
The Chief minister of Orissa
Copy to: The chief secretary of Orissa
Dear honorable Chief Minister Mr Patnaik,
I had the chance to go through the recent major state road proposed by
the state Government.
However, among them which was totally not addressed is a road
connectivity between Titlagarh and Raniguda via Jayapatna as per the
following route.
Titlagarh (Balangir dist) ? Ailabhatta (Balangir)- Kegaon (Kalahandi
dist)-Khaliakani-Dharamgarh (Kalahandi)? Moter ? Jayapatna
(Kalahandi)-Sunamal ? Tentulikhunti (Nabrangpur
dist)-Jagannathapur-Singpuru (Koraput dist)-Raniguda -Koraput
Following reasons made this road route urgent and important to be established.
(1) Kegaon region which is in the border to Kalahandi and Balangir
districts, is neither porperly linked with Kalahandi dist nor with
Balangir district. A bridge construction near Kegaon is required for
the proposed road route.
(2) Upper Indravati project in Mukhiguda/Jayapatna (being one of the
largest hydropower generating unit) needs a special road connectivity
with NH201 and with Nabarangpur and Koraput districts.
(3) Similalry Tentulikhunti region in Nabarangpur and Singpur region
in Koraput need better road connectivity due to cumbersome
infrastructure.
(4) KBK is a special region and improving infrastuture only will bring
development in the region.
(5) If the state Govt. take proper inititative, the proposed state
road project between Titlagarh and Raniguda could be easily
materialized through funding from WODC project, Biju KBK project,
national KBK project and NREG shceme and bring more development in
backward and tribal pocket of Odisha.
I urgue to immediately survey the above road route and declare this
route as a major state road through financial support from WODC, KBK &
Biju KBK projects and NREG scheme.
Thank you and kind regards
Digambara Patra
Letter to CM to speed up central university in KBK
Dear Chief Minister of Orissa,
Tamil Nadu Govt. has taken initiative on the second central university in the state, Tiruvarur Central University, to start functioning from this year.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062050140100.htm
It has also taken the initiative to allot land for another World Class Central University in Coimbatore.
However, Orissa Govt. has not taken any initiative for the other proposed central university in the state except for the world class central university at Bhubaneswar.
Instead recently state Government is establishing institutes like Engineering College, Medical colleges and universities solely funded by state Government in those regions which have already similar state Govt. funded institution.
Bhawanipatna is a right place to establish the other proposed central university as it has all necessary infrastructure.
(1) NH201 and NH217 pass through Bhawanipatna and connect all the major KBK towns and other major towns such as Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar in the state as well as with Raipur. In fact location of Bhawanipatna, one of the major towns in KBK, over NH201 is such that it equilibrates the distance between Malkangiri and Sonpur as well as between other two major towns Jeypore and Balangir.
http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/india_roadway_map.jpg
(2) Kesinga railway station is 25 kms from Bhawanipatna and is directly linked by railway to Bhawanipatna .
(3) Raipur airport is about 220 kms from Bhawanipatana and there is another aerodrome in Bhawanipatna which can be a regular airport in the future.
(4) KBK needs special attention for the solely government funded higher educational institute and Kalahandi is geographically the epicenter for all the KBK districts.
(5) Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna which was awarded as the Potential Center of Excellence among 3 colleges in the very first year from Orissa by UGC has all the infrastructure to start a central university temporarily.
Tirivarur in Tamil Nadu is smaller than Bhawanipatna in regards to the population and has the similar infrastructure like that of Bhawanipatna. However, the Tamil Nadu Govt. is working hard to establish the other central university in that place for which the Tirivarur Central University is going to function from this academic year. Where as our state Govt. has little towards establishing the other central university in Bhawanipatna.
A long standing demand of fully Govt. funded institution in KBK has not yet been fulfilled, Kalahandi and Nuapada regions have been demanding a university since 1989, but our state Govt. has fulfilled many other demands like National Law School, Capital Medical College, Ravensha University, Engineering College in Berhampur, etc. recently in other parts of the state except similar demand in KBK.
Even for central Govt. funded central university the state Govt. has not taken initiative to establish in KBK, whereas similar central university is going to function from this year in other states.
I request you to take your action in this regard
Thank you and regards
Digambara Patra
Tamil Nadu Govt. has taken initiative on the second central university in the state, Tiruvarur Central University, to start functioning from this year.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062050140100.htm
It has also taken the initiative to allot land for another World Class Central University in Coimbatore.
However, Orissa Govt. has not taken any initiative for the other proposed central university in the state except for the world class central university at Bhubaneswar.
Instead recently state Government is establishing institutes like Engineering College, Medical colleges and universities solely funded by state Government in those regions which have already similar state Govt. funded institution.
Bhawanipatna is a right place to establish the other proposed central university as it has all necessary infrastructure.
(1) NH201 and NH217 pass through Bhawanipatna and connect all the major KBK towns and other major towns such as Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar in the state as well as with Raipur. In fact location of Bhawanipatna, one of the major towns in KBK, over NH201 is such that it equilibrates the distance between Malkangiri and Sonpur as well as between other two major towns Jeypore and Balangir.
http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/india_roadway_map.jpg
(2) Kesinga railway station is 25 kms from Bhawanipatna and is directly linked by railway to Bhawanipatna .
(3) Raipur airport is about 220 kms from Bhawanipatana and there is another aerodrome in Bhawanipatna which can be a regular airport in the future.
(4) KBK needs special attention for the solely government funded higher educational institute and Kalahandi is geographically the epicenter for all the KBK districts.
(5) Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna which was awarded as the Potential Center of Excellence among 3 colleges in the very first year from Orissa by UGC has all the infrastructure to start a central university temporarily.
Tirivarur in Tamil Nadu is smaller than Bhawanipatna in regards to the population and has the similar infrastructure like that of Bhawanipatna. However, the Tamil Nadu Govt. is working hard to establish the other central university in that place for which the Tirivarur Central University is going to function from this academic year. Where as our state Govt. has little towards establishing the other central university in Bhawanipatna.
A long standing demand of fully Govt. funded institution in KBK has not yet been fulfilled, Kalahandi and Nuapada regions have been demanding a university since 1989, but our state Govt. has fulfilled many other demands like National Law School, Capital Medical College, Ravensha University, Engineering College in Berhampur, etc. recently in other parts of the state except similar demand in KBK.
Even for central Govt. funded central university the state Govt. has not taken initiative to establish in KBK, whereas similar central university is going to function from this year in other states.
I request you to take your action in this regard
Thank you and regards
Digambara Patra
Separate ministry demanded for KBK
The Statesman, June 24, 2008
Separate ministry demanded
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, June 23: Former law minister and Congress legislator Mr Narasingha Mishra strongly pleaded for a separate ministry at the central level for tribal dominated districts and the KBK area like the north eastern states’ ministry. He said that these areas were still in acute distress and were proving a fertile ground for Naxalite operations.
"Creation of such a ministry will help in ensuring speedy development of the KBK area and Baster district of Chhatisgarh," he said before insisting that the proposed Central University and IIT ought to be established in the KBK region.
KBK districts of Orissa and Bastar district of Chhatisgarh are amongst the most backward areas of the country. Of the eight districts of KBK region, four have more than 50 per cent tribal population. Ninety per cent of the population live below poverty line, in Bolangir.
In his letter to AICC president Mrs Sonia Gandhi, he mentioned that barely three per cent of the land is irrigated, health care services are non-existent and more than 50 per cent of the posts of teachers and doctors are vacant.
Every year a lot of people migrate from these regions to other states in search of livelihood.
“Inspite of efforts like the KBK long term action plan and implementation of NREGA, there has been no material change in the distressed situation,” he said.
Urging upon Mrs Sonia Gandhi to consider formation of a separate ministry which could include 10 districts of Orissa and Bastar district of Chhatisgarh, Mr Mishra said: “the central government should also consider establishing the proposed central varsity either at Bolangir or any other place within the KBK districts”.
Separate ministry demanded
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, June 23: Former law minister and Congress legislator Mr Narasingha Mishra strongly pleaded for a separate ministry at the central level for tribal dominated districts and the KBK area like the north eastern states’ ministry. He said that these areas were still in acute distress and were proving a fertile ground for Naxalite operations.
"Creation of such a ministry will help in ensuring speedy development of the KBK area and Baster district of Chhatisgarh," he said before insisting that the proposed Central University and IIT ought to be established in the KBK region.
KBK districts of Orissa and Bastar district of Chhatisgarh are amongst the most backward areas of the country. Of the eight districts of KBK region, four have more than 50 per cent tribal population. Ninety per cent of the population live below poverty line, in Bolangir.
In his letter to AICC president Mrs Sonia Gandhi, he mentioned that barely three per cent of the land is irrigated, health care services are non-existent and more than 50 per cent of the posts of teachers and doctors are vacant.
Every year a lot of people migrate from these regions to other states in search of livelihood.
“Inspite of efforts like the KBK long term action plan and implementation of NREGA, there has been no material change in the distressed situation,” he said.
Urging upon Mrs Sonia Gandhi to consider formation of a separate ministry which could include 10 districts of Orissa and Bastar district of Chhatisgarh, Mr Mishra said: “the central government should also consider establishing the proposed central varsity either at Bolangir or any other place within the KBK districts”.
Petition: Declare rail project in KBK as national project
Click here to sign the online petition
To: All
Sub:- Declare railway projects in multi-facet backward KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as National Project in the Line of North Eastern States of India
To
The President of India
The Prime Minister of India
Copy to:
The Union Railway Minister
The Chief Minister of Orissa
The Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh
Planning Commission of India
Chairman, Indian Railway Board
Media
Dear honorable President and Prime minister of India,
Kalahandi-Balangir- Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa is a multi-facet backward region due to hilly backwardness, tribal populated backwardness and backward due to natural calamities.
Similar backward regions in India like North Eastern States have received special treatment by railway board where as KBK region has been neglected since decades. Even hilly region like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand have received special package in railway by Govt. of India. Unfortunately, KBK region where backwardness is multi-facet has not yet received similar treatment.
Naxal activities are predominantly high in the border between Orissa and Chhatisgarh/ Andhra Pradesh due to poor communication and infrastructure and recently it is spreading to other bordering and backward districts like Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts.
The railway infrastructure in Orissa and Chhatisgarh is substantially low compared to national average despite both the states are in the profit making zones, where as railway infrastructure in Bihar and West Bengal are remarkably high though they are in the loss making zones.
Ref: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/maps/all_india.htm
East Coast zone and South Eastern zone (under which Orisss state comes) and South East Central zone (under which Chhatisgarh state comes) of Indian railways are among top most profit making zones and large amount profit made by Indian railway comes from the royalty by transporting coal, metals, ores, and minerals which Orissa and Chhatisgarh substantially contribute, however, Indian railway has ignored Orissa, specially KBK region, since decades.
Ref: http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/489
Politically, Indian railway was being always misused by railway ministry and development in the important backward but profit making states like Orissa and Chhatisgarh was being marginalized.
For example, Khordha road – Balangir and Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway lines in Orissa which were approved much earlier than Muzaffarpur – Sitamari and Sultangang-Deogarh railway lines in Bihar are still struggling to be accomplished, but other two lines in Bihar are completed by now.
Ref: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
During last 15 years, more railway lines were approved in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal (all of them comes under loss making zones) than Orissa and Chhatisgarh (both are in profit making zones). The lines accomplished in Orissa are solely due to mineral transportation for railway’s own interest unlike in those above states mentioned earlier.
In last 5 years Indian railway is establishing three railway plants in Bihar (loss making zone) and one in Kerala (another loss making zone), but none of the plants including the recently proposed power plant by Indian railway, was being established in Orissa or Chhatisgarh despite profit making zones and rich in coal. Such railway plant through Govt. initiative in multi-facet backward region like KBK is imminent for social development.
Since decades, funds allotted in the railway budgets to profit making zones like East Coast railway (ECOR) and South East Central railway (SECR) is lower/comparable as/to that of loss making zones like Eastern railway, North Eastern railway and Southern railway zones. The large amount of funds allotted to ECOR is towards mineral transportation and there was very little fund towards social need of the state.
We do not have any objection towards development of railway infrastructure in Bihar, West Bengal and any other states in India rather would like to see their well being, but we are totally against the marginalization of Indian railway towards backward state and region like Orissa, Chhatisgarh and KBK.
We propose Orissa and Chhatisgarh State Governments to give land free of cost for railway development in the backward region and Central Government of India to declare all the railway projects in KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as national projects in the line of North Eastern states of India as soon as possible, and
(i) Accomplish immediately Khordha road – Balangir railway line to connect the KBK region with state capital
(ii) Approve Junagarh – Ambagura line proposed under extension of Lanjigarh road – Junagarh line
(iii) Approve Bargarh – Padampur - Nuapada road - Kantabanji – Khariar- Ampani-Navarangur- Jeypore – Makangiri – Kottagudem (Andhra Pradesh) new line in the backward region, which would help to monitor naxal acitivities by bringing development in the region
(iv) Carry out new survey and approve Rajim (Chhatisgarh) – Gariaband (Chhatisgarh) – Deobhog (Chhatisgahr) – Junagarh – Lanjigarh road – Simanbadi (Kandhamal) – Asika- Berhampur – Gopalpur line to directly connect Raipur with Gopalpur port passing through one of the most backward regions of India.
(v) Carry out new survey and approve Dhamtari (Chhatisgarh) – Umarrkote (Orissa) – Nabrangpur (Orissa) line, an alternative direct access to Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam ports from Raipur and other mining region in Chhatisgarh.
(vi) Carry out new survey and approve Simanbadi -Phulbani-Angul line to benefit NALCO by further reducing the distance between Damanjodi (Asia’s largest Alumina plant) and Angul and passing through tribal backward region.
Thank you and best regards
Click here to sign the online petition
To: All
Sub:- Declare railway projects in multi-facet backward KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as National Project in the Line of North Eastern States of India
To
The President of India
The Prime Minister of India
Copy to:
The Union Railway Minister
The Chief Minister of Orissa
The Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh
Planning Commission of India
Chairman, Indian Railway Board
Media
Dear honorable President and Prime minister of India,
Kalahandi-Balangir- Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa is a multi-facet backward region due to hilly backwardness, tribal populated backwardness and backward due to natural calamities.
Similar backward regions in India like North Eastern States have received special treatment by railway board where as KBK region has been neglected since decades. Even hilly region like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand have received special package in railway by Govt. of India. Unfortunately, KBK region where backwardness is multi-facet has not yet received similar treatment.
Naxal activities are predominantly high in the border between Orissa and Chhatisgarh/ Andhra Pradesh due to poor communication and infrastructure and recently it is spreading to other bordering and backward districts like Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts.
The railway infrastructure in Orissa and Chhatisgarh is substantially low compared to national average despite both the states are in the profit making zones, where as railway infrastructure in Bihar and West Bengal are remarkably high though they are in the loss making zones.
Ref: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/maps/all_india.htm
East Coast zone and South Eastern zone (under which Orisss state comes) and South East Central zone (under which Chhatisgarh state comes) of Indian railways are among top most profit making zones and large amount profit made by Indian railway comes from the royalty by transporting coal, metals, ores, and minerals which Orissa and Chhatisgarh substantially contribute, however, Indian railway has ignored Orissa, specially KBK region, since decades.
Ref: http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/489
Politically, Indian railway was being always misused by railway ministry and development in the important backward but profit making states like Orissa and Chhatisgarh was being marginalized.
For example, Khordha road – Balangir and Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway lines in Orissa which were approved much earlier than Muzaffarpur – Sitamari and Sultangang-Deogarh railway lines in Bihar are still struggling to be accomplished, but other two lines in Bihar are completed by now.
Ref: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
During last 15 years, more railway lines were approved in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal (all of them comes under loss making zones) than Orissa and Chhatisgarh (both are in profit making zones). The lines accomplished in Orissa are solely due to mineral transportation for railway’s own interest unlike in those above states mentioned earlier.
In last 5 years Indian railway is establishing three railway plants in Bihar (loss making zone) and one in Kerala (another loss making zone), but none of the plants including the recently proposed power plant by Indian railway, was being established in Orissa or Chhatisgarh despite profit making zones and rich in coal. Such railway plant through Govt. initiative in multi-facet backward region like KBK is imminent for social development.
Since decades, funds allotted in the railway budgets to profit making zones like East Coast railway (ECOR) and South East Central railway (SECR) is lower/comparable as/to that of loss making zones like Eastern railway, North Eastern railway and Southern railway zones. The large amount of funds allotted to ECOR is towards mineral transportation and there was very little fund towards social need of the state.
We do not have any objection towards development of railway infrastructure in Bihar, West Bengal and any other states in India rather would like to see their well being, but we are totally against the marginalization of Indian railway towards backward state and region like Orissa, Chhatisgarh and KBK.
We propose Orissa and Chhatisgarh State Governments to give land free of cost for railway development in the backward region and Central Government of India to declare all the railway projects in KBK and bordering regions in Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as national projects in the line of North Eastern states of India as soon as possible, and
(i) Accomplish immediately Khordha road – Balangir railway line to connect the KBK region with state capital
(ii) Approve Junagarh – Ambagura line proposed under extension of Lanjigarh road – Junagarh line
(iii) Approve Bargarh – Padampur - Nuapada road - Kantabanji – Khariar- Ampani-Navarangur- Jeypore – Makangiri – Kottagudem (Andhra Pradesh) new line in the backward region, which would help to monitor naxal acitivities by bringing development in the region
(iv) Carry out new survey and approve Rajim (Chhatisgarh) – Gariaband (Chhatisgarh) – Deobhog (Chhatisgahr) – Junagarh – Lanjigarh road – Simanbadi (Kandhamal) – Asika- Berhampur – Gopalpur line to directly connect Raipur with Gopalpur port passing through one of the most backward regions of India.
(v) Carry out new survey and approve Dhamtari (Chhatisgarh) – Umarrkote (Orissa) – Nabrangpur (Orissa) line, an alternative direct access to Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam ports from Raipur and other mining region in Chhatisgarh.
(vi) Carry out new survey and approve Simanbadi -Phulbani-Angul line to benefit NALCO by further reducing the distance between Damanjodi (Asia’s largest Alumina plant) and Angul and passing through tribal backward region.
Thank you and best regards
Click here to sign the online petition
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