The New Indian Express, May 11, 2008
BALANGIR: Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest districts in India, where 87 percent people and nearly 12 lakh families live below poverty line. KBK is still the most backward region even though funds for development programmes continue to flow to these districts over the years.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said this quoting the 2007-08 CAG report. The CAG report clearly pointed out the erratic use of funds meant for agriculture, forest, irrigation, communication and drinking water facilities.
It specifically reported that as many as 1450 projects were either closed or remained incomplete. It said, ‘‘Participatory management was poor as contribution in respect of ‘pani panchayats and watershed development funds’ failed to take off creating apprehension about future maintenance of projects. Mainly, the Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana failed to generate employment days targeted under RLTAP, Indira Awas Yojana couldn’t provide dwelling to targeted group and short supply of rice and dal affected emergency feeding to the beneficiaries. And above all safe drinking water couldn’t be ensured in most of the habitations. More so, only 6 percent BPL families were covered under KBK schemes against the targeted 30 percent.
Mishra attributed this abysmally low economic progress to poor performance of developmental programmes undertaken in KBK. He said education is extremely dissatisfactory in KBK. ‘‘Proper education will clear bottlenecks in the way of development. State’s first priority should be education,’’Mishra said. He demanded that Central University should be established either in Balangir or any KBK district for socio-economic development.
Mishra warned that due to poor socio-economic growth and the failure of government to meet the development targets, Naxalite menace is growing. ‘‘To check the Naxal menace, a separate post of RDC should be created in KBK,’’ he added.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Rahul urged to correct Arjun steps
Tathya.in, May 11, 2008
Bhawanipatna:11/May/2008
Will Rahul Gandhi get back to Orissa the multi-campus tribal central university that Arjun stole from Orissa?
This billion dollar question is haunting the minds of the educated youth of the state on the eve of the visit of Rahul Gandhi.
Will the fourth generation icon of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which boasts as the savior of the poorest of the poor region of the country, Kalahandi take corrective steps in restoring the central university in the most deserving area.
Non Resident Odias (NRO) are asking this question to both Sonia Gandhi and heir apparent of the Congress party, Rahul.
It has been reported widely that Rahul will request the Central Government to establish a central university in the tribal inhabited KBK districts.
However, Does Rahul Gandhi knows that the original proposal for a multi-campus tribal university came from Orissa and was allegedly stolen by the Union Human Resources Development (HRD) minister Arjun Singh to his home state Madhya Pradesh.
With the visit of Mr.Gandhi to Orissa on 13 May, this question is being asked by Professor Chitta Baral, Professor Digambara Patra, Professor Digambar Mishra and Mr.Dhirendra Kar.
All of them are serious about the issue of setting up of a central university in Kalahandi.
The leading educationists are bemoaning over the matter as instead of supporting the Kalahandi with a Central University, Mr.Singh high jacked the idea and shamelessly decided to set up the institution at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
Now as it has been brought to the notice of Rahul, will he take steps to correct it?
The Orissa Government which submitted a detailed proposal of a multi-campus Central Tribal University for the KBK regions had paid no attention to this demand afterwards.
Orissa must get another multi-campus tribal central university that it proposed and that seems to have been stolen by Arjun Singh to his home state, said Professor Patra.
One may wonder why not we can just establish one of the already announced central universities in a KBK town and why we need to demand another tribal central university for KBK, said Professor Patra.
This is because the tribal population in these areas of the state is much more vis-à-vis other tribal populated areas.
Secondly Rahul must understand that being the Union HRD Minister steeling the idea of a Central Tribal University; he has done great damage to the aspiration of the young and educated masses of the region.
Till date the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, who has tom tom the KBK zone for their political benefits have never bothered about the real development of the area, alleged Mr.Kar.
So Rahul will have to take corrective steps in this regard, said he.
Is the babalog listening ?
Bhawanipatna:11/May/2008
Will Rahul Gandhi get back to Orissa the multi-campus tribal central university that Arjun stole from Orissa?
This billion dollar question is haunting the minds of the educated youth of the state on the eve of the visit of Rahul Gandhi.
Will the fourth generation icon of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which boasts as the savior of the poorest of the poor region of the country, Kalahandi take corrective steps in restoring the central university in the most deserving area.
Non Resident Odias (NRO) are asking this question to both Sonia Gandhi and heir apparent of the Congress party, Rahul.
It has been reported widely that Rahul will request the Central Government to establish a central university in the tribal inhabited KBK districts.
However, Does Rahul Gandhi knows that the original proposal for a multi-campus tribal university came from Orissa and was allegedly stolen by the Union Human Resources Development (HRD) minister Arjun Singh to his home state Madhya Pradesh.
With the visit of Mr.Gandhi to Orissa on 13 May, this question is being asked by Professor Chitta Baral, Professor Digambara Patra, Professor Digambar Mishra and Mr.Dhirendra Kar.
All of them are serious about the issue of setting up of a central university in Kalahandi.
The leading educationists are bemoaning over the matter as instead of supporting the Kalahandi with a Central University, Mr.Singh high jacked the idea and shamelessly decided to set up the institution at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
Now as it has been brought to the notice of Rahul, will he take steps to correct it?
The Orissa Government which submitted a detailed proposal of a multi-campus Central Tribal University for the KBK regions had paid no attention to this demand afterwards.
Orissa must get another multi-campus tribal central university that it proposed and that seems to have been stolen by Arjun Singh to his home state, said Professor Patra.
One may wonder why not we can just establish one of the already announced central universities in a KBK town and why we need to demand another tribal central university for KBK, said Professor Patra.
This is because the tribal population in these areas of the state is much more vis-à-vis other tribal populated areas.
Secondly Rahul must understand that being the Union HRD Minister steeling the idea of a Central Tribal University; he has done great damage to the aspiration of the young and educated masses of the region.
Till date the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, who has tom tom the KBK zone for their political benefits have never bothered about the real development of the area, alleged Mr.Kar.
So Rahul will have to take corrective steps in this regard, said he.
Is the babalog listening ?
Narasingha demands Central university at Balangir and IIT in KBK
The Pioneer, May 11, 2008
Narasingha demands Central university at Balangir
Pioneer News Service | Balangir
The Central Government should establish at least one model school in each of the 89 blocks of the KBK districts to provide excellent standard of education to students of the region, observed deputy leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra speaking to mediapersons here on Friday.
As education is vital for development, qualitative and standard educational institutions should be established in this backward region of India, he said.
It was a matter of regret that even after 60 years since Independence, 87 per cent of people in the KBK region were living below poverty line, as per the CAG report of 2007-08, he pointed out.
The proposed Central University for the State should be established at Balangir so that people of Balangir and nearby districts would get quality education.
Moreover, the proposed IIT should also be established anywhere in the KBK region, he said further.
He has written letters in this regard to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, Governor MC Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he said.
The vacant teachers' posts at the primary, upper primary and high school levels should be immediately filled up, he also demanded.
Narasingha demands Central university at Balangir
Pioneer News Service | Balangir
The Central Government should establish at least one model school in each of the 89 blocks of the KBK districts to provide excellent standard of education to students of the region, observed deputy leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra speaking to mediapersons here on Friday.
As education is vital for development, qualitative and standard educational institutions should be established in this backward region of India, he said.
It was a matter of regret that even after 60 years since Independence, 87 per cent of people in the KBK region were living below poverty line, as per the CAG report of 2007-08, he pointed out.
The proposed Central University for the State should be established at Balangir so that people of Balangir and nearby districts would get quality education.
Moreover, the proposed IIT should also be established anywhere in the KBK region, he said further.
He has written letters in this regard to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, Governor MC Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he said.
The vacant teachers' posts at the primary, upper primary and high school levels should be immediately filled up, he also demanded.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Does Gandhi-Nehru family more interested in using backwardness of Kalahandi and KBK for political purposes rather than on the actual development?
To
Ms. Sonia Gandhi
UPA, Chairman
President,
Indian National Congress
24, Akbar Road,
New Delhi - 110011
INDIA
Copy to: The President of India
The Prime minister of India
The Chief Minister of Orissa
The HRD minister, Govt. of India
The Chairperson and members, National Knowledge Commission (NKC)
The members of Parliaments
Deputy, Planning Commission
The media
Sub:- Does Gandhi-Nehru family more interested in using backwardness of Kalahandi and KBK for political purposes rather than on the actual development?
Ref:- Announce main roads, airport and railway projects in KBK region as national project similar to the North Eastern states and establish a Central University, a National Medical College and a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in this region
Dear Ms Gandhi,
With reference to the recent suggestion made by Mr Pitroda (NKC chairperson) to honorable Prime minister on “glaring regional imbalance in engineering education”, I fully agree with him and suggest that the central government should focus on some of the remote pocket (similar to north eastern states) like Kalahandi, in general KBK of Orissa, for such establishments.
Though places like Kalahandi has been long associated with Nehru-Gandhi dynasty since decades due to its acute poverty and backwardness, frustrations are running high in the region as during the leadership of Gandhi-Nehru dynasty Kalhandi, KBK in general, has received little in national developmental policy on railway, highway, infrastructure, industries, airport, higher education etc despite the fact that Gandhi family has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi and KBK region for their three generations.
Late PM Ms Indira Gandhi, late PM Mr Rajiv Gandhi, UPA chairperson yourself and recently 3rd generation youth leader icon, Mr Rahul Gandhi (who referred himself that his is the soldier of Kalahandi in Delhi), visited undivided Kalahandi district and showed their sympathy towards development.
Infrastructure is important for any kind of development. Problems in Kalahandi, KBK as a whole, are poverty and backwardness which actually are originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure.
Apart from agricultural development like irrigation, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place.
Gandhi family has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi and KBK region since their three generations however, statistics show 15 years of Gandhi leadership at the central government has done little for this region.
Examples of major projects in Kalahandi in post independence period are:
(1) Upper Indiravati Irrigation Project was proposed and foundation stone was laid by late Morajee Desai (a non-congress government)
(2) Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway line (though not yet completed) was proposed during late Mr Chandrasekhar government (non-congress government)
(3) Bargarh – Boriguma national highway (NH 201) which passes through Kalahandi and whole KBK (though it is still like a state road without any improvement) was initiated by Vajpayee government (a non congress government)
(4) Even the most publicized KBK project was initiated by Mr Rao government which was a congress government but Nehru-Gandhi family had least role in it.
None of the above was proposed during a Nehru-Gandhi leadership. Both you and your son, Mr Rahul Gandhi, have considerable influence in the present central government but have done little for development Kalahandi, in general KBK.
When a multi-campus university in KBK was proposed by Orissa government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the ministry hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home state of the concern minister and KBK region was ignored.
The central government announced 8 IITs, 7 IIMs and 30 central universities in major urban region in the country, unfortunately, not a single one in places like KALAHANDI (a central place to KBK region) to which Nehru-Gandhi family has routinely voiced as poor and backward region. A national institute will not only bring effectiveness in education in this lower literacy rate region but also bring new opportunities as business and infrastructure to the region.
Both the prime minister and HRD minister has proposed to establish more than 5 national institutes in their home states (IIT, IISER, 2 Central universities, Tribal University, SPA, NIB, NIN), but never proposed a single one in place like Kalahandi, KBK in general.
On the other hand railway link and a railway engine factory in KBK region will support other form of employments in these regions. The concern railway ministry is establishing the railway wheel factory in his political constituency where as need of that kind in a backward region such as KBK is being totally ignored.
Statistics is proving that Gandhi-Nheru dynasty is more interested to exploit backwardness of poor KBK region for political causes rather than the actual development of KBK region.
KBK region and specially Kalahandi has been a symbol of poverty and backwardness for the media and is it that impression the politicians and Nehru-Gandhi family want to play?
KBK region is as large as size of Punjab or Kerala, we request you to focus more on development of KBK region such as announcing main roads, airport and railway projects in the region as national project similar to the North Eastern states and propose to establish a Central University, a National Medical College and a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in this region, as promised by the congress party in past decades.
Thank you and kind regards
Sincerely
Digambara Patra
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
American University of Beirut
Bliss Street, Beirut
Lebanon
Ms. Sonia Gandhi
UPA, Chairman
President,
Indian National Congress
24, Akbar Road,
New Delhi - 110011
INDIA
Copy to: The President of India
The Prime minister of India
The Chief Minister of Orissa
The HRD minister, Govt. of India
The Chairperson and members, National Knowledge Commission (NKC)
The members of Parliaments
Deputy, Planning Commission
The media
Sub:- Does Gandhi-Nehru family more interested in using backwardness of Kalahandi and KBK for political purposes rather than on the actual development?
Ref:- Announce main roads, airport and railway projects in KBK region as national project similar to the North Eastern states and establish a Central University, a National Medical College and a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in this region
Dear Ms Gandhi,
With reference to the recent suggestion made by Mr Pitroda (NKC chairperson) to honorable Prime minister on “glaring regional imbalance in engineering education”, I fully agree with him and suggest that the central government should focus on some of the remote pocket (similar to north eastern states) like Kalahandi, in general KBK of Orissa, for such establishments.
Though places like Kalahandi has been long associated with Nehru-Gandhi dynasty since decades due to its acute poverty and backwardness, frustrations are running high in the region as during the leadership of Gandhi-Nehru dynasty Kalhandi, KBK in general, has received little in national developmental policy on railway, highway, infrastructure, industries, airport, higher education etc despite the fact that Gandhi family has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi and KBK region for their three generations.
Late PM Ms Indira Gandhi, late PM Mr Rajiv Gandhi, UPA chairperson yourself and recently 3rd generation youth leader icon, Mr Rahul Gandhi (who referred himself that his is the soldier of Kalahandi in Delhi), visited undivided Kalahandi district and showed their sympathy towards development.
Infrastructure is important for any kind of development. Problems in Kalahandi, KBK as a whole, are poverty and backwardness which actually are originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure.
Apart from agricultural development like irrigation, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place.
Gandhi family has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi and KBK region since their three generations however, statistics show 15 years of Gandhi leadership at the central government has done little for this region.
Examples of major projects in Kalahandi in post independence period are:
(1) Upper Indiravati Irrigation Project was proposed and foundation stone was laid by late Morajee Desai (a non-congress government)
(2) Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway line (though not yet completed) was proposed during late Mr Chandrasekhar government (non-congress government)
(3) Bargarh – Boriguma national highway (NH 201) which passes through Kalahandi and whole KBK (though it is still like a state road without any improvement) was initiated by Vajpayee government (a non congress government)
(4) Even the most publicized KBK project was initiated by Mr Rao government which was a congress government but Nehru-Gandhi family had least role in it.
None of the above was proposed during a Nehru-Gandhi leadership. Both you and your son, Mr Rahul Gandhi, have considerable influence in the present central government but have done little for development Kalahandi, in general KBK.
When a multi-campus university in KBK was proposed by Orissa government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the ministry hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home state of the concern minister and KBK region was ignored.
The central government announced 8 IITs, 7 IIMs and 30 central universities in major urban region in the country, unfortunately, not a single one in places like KALAHANDI (a central place to KBK region) to which Nehru-Gandhi family has routinely voiced as poor and backward region. A national institute will not only bring effectiveness in education in this lower literacy rate region but also bring new opportunities as business and infrastructure to the region.
Both the prime minister and HRD minister has proposed to establish more than 5 national institutes in their home states (IIT, IISER, 2 Central universities, Tribal University, SPA, NIB, NIN), but never proposed a single one in place like Kalahandi, KBK in general.
On the other hand railway link and a railway engine factory in KBK region will support other form of employments in these regions. The concern railway ministry is establishing the railway wheel factory in his political constituency where as need of that kind in a backward region such as KBK is being totally ignored.
Statistics is proving that Gandhi-Nheru dynasty is more interested to exploit backwardness of poor KBK region for political causes rather than the actual development of KBK region.
KBK region and specially Kalahandi has been a symbol of poverty and backwardness for the media and is it that impression the politicians and Nehru-Gandhi family want to play?
KBK region is as large as size of Punjab or Kerala, we request you to focus more on development of KBK region such as announcing main roads, airport and railway projects in the region as national project similar to the North Eastern states and propose to establish a Central University, a National Medical College and a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in this region, as promised by the congress party in past decades.
Thank you and kind regards
Sincerely
Digambara Patra
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
American University of Beirut
Bliss Street, Beirut
Lebanon
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
NROs urge Rahul Gandhi not to play politics with KBK
The Pioneer, May 6, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhawanipatna
The country's most backward region, KBK, till date has only received lip service from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Statistics reveal stunning truths.
Sample these: The Upper Indravati Irrigation Project was proposed and its foundation-stone was laid by late Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who headed a non-Congress Government at the Centre. The Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh railway line, though not yet completed, was proposed during the Chandra Sekhar Government (non-Congress). The Bargarh-Boriguma National Highway (NH-201), which passes through Kalahandi and the whole KBK region, was initiated by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government (also non-Congress).
Even the most-touted KBK project was initiated by the Narasimha Rao Government, which was a Congress regime, but the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty had played the least role in it.
All this is being debated amidst reports that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will pay his second visit to the region in two months.
A leading non-resident Oriya (NRO), Digambara Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut, has presented the hard facts to the Nehru-Gandhi family's fourth generation icon Rahul Gandhi to ponder over the matter and take corrective steps. Prof Patra, in a fact finding report, has said Kalahandi has long been associated with the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
Indira Gandhi, Rajiv, Sonia and, recently, Rahul visited the undivided Kalahandi district and evinced their interest in development of the region.
Though people of Kalahandi were offered lots of promise and development in the region, unfortunately, statistics show that Kalahandi has not received any major national developmental project under the leadership of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Infrastructure is important for any kind of development.
Problems in Kalahandi in particular and KBK in general are poverty and backwardness which actually have originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure. Apart from agricultural development, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place. The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has often publicly sympathised the people of Kalahandi but done precious little for the region, Prof Patra has pointed out.
During his recent Discovery of India journey from Nuapada (undivided Kalahandi district) Rahul referred himself as the "Soldier of Kalahandi in Delhi". However, the present Central Government, over which he has considerable influence, is yet to do anything for the starving region.
When a multi-campus university was proposed by the Orissa Government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the latter hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home State of the concerned Minister, ignoring the KBK region.
The Union Government announced eight IITs, seven IIMs and 30 Central universities in major urban centres in the country and, unfortunately, not a single one in places like Kalahandi, which is centrally located in the KBK region, Prof Patra has pointed out.
Another NRO, Chitta Baral, Professor at Arizona State University, has also echoed Prof Patra's feelings.
According to Prof Baral, statistics is proving that the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is more interested in exploiting backwardness of the poor KBK region and Orissa for political causes rather than working for the actual development of the region. The KBK region is as large as the size of Punjab or Kerala. As a youth and future leader of the country, Rahul should focus more on development of the region, he has pleaded.
Prof Baral has suggested that Rahul Gandhi impress upon the UPA Government to set up a railway engine factory, a Central university, a national medical college and a national institute of technology in the region.
Pioneer News Service | Bhawanipatna
The country's most backward region, KBK, till date has only received lip service from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Statistics reveal stunning truths.
Sample these: The Upper Indravati Irrigation Project was proposed and its foundation-stone was laid by late Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who headed a non-Congress Government at the Centre. The Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh railway line, though not yet completed, was proposed during the Chandra Sekhar Government (non-Congress). The Bargarh-Boriguma National Highway (NH-201), which passes through Kalahandi and the whole KBK region, was initiated by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government (also non-Congress).
Even the most-touted KBK project was initiated by the Narasimha Rao Government, which was a Congress regime, but the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty had played the least role in it.
All this is being debated amidst reports that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will pay his second visit to the region in two months.
A leading non-resident Oriya (NRO), Digambara Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut, has presented the hard facts to the Nehru-Gandhi family's fourth generation icon Rahul Gandhi to ponder over the matter and take corrective steps. Prof Patra, in a fact finding report, has said Kalahandi has long been associated with the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
Indira Gandhi, Rajiv, Sonia and, recently, Rahul visited the undivided Kalahandi district and evinced their interest in development of the region.
Though people of Kalahandi were offered lots of promise and development in the region, unfortunately, statistics show that Kalahandi has not received any major national developmental project under the leadership of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Infrastructure is important for any kind of development.
Problems in Kalahandi in particular and KBK in general are poverty and backwardness which actually have originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure. Apart from agricultural development, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place. The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has often publicly sympathised the people of Kalahandi but done precious little for the region, Prof Patra has pointed out.
During his recent Discovery of India journey from Nuapada (undivided Kalahandi district) Rahul referred himself as the "Soldier of Kalahandi in Delhi". However, the present Central Government, over which he has considerable influence, is yet to do anything for the starving region.
When a multi-campus university was proposed by the Orissa Government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the latter hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home State of the concerned Minister, ignoring the KBK region.
The Union Government announced eight IITs, seven IIMs and 30 Central universities in major urban centres in the country and, unfortunately, not a single one in places like Kalahandi, which is centrally located in the KBK region, Prof Patra has pointed out.
Another NRO, Chitta Baral, Professor at Arizona State University, has also echoed Prof Patra's feelings.
According to Prof Baral, statistics is proving that the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is more interested in exploiting backwardness of the poor KBK region and Orissa for political causes rather than working for the actual development of the region. The KBK region is as large as the size of Punjab or Kerala. As a youth and future leader of the country, Rahul should focus more on development of the region, he has pleaded.
Prof Baral has suggested that Rahul Gandhi impress upon the UPA Government to set up a railway engine factory, a Central university, a national medical college and a national institute of technology in the region.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Rahul, no politics plz
Tathya.in, May 5, 2008
Bhawanipatna:5/May/2008
The worst backward region of the country, KBK till date has received only lip service of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Statistics reveal stunning truths.
Sample the revelations.
Upper Indravati Irrigation Project was proposed and foundation stone was laid by late Morarjee Desai (a non-congress government)
Lanjigarh Road--Junagarh railway line (though not yet completed) was proposed during late Chandrasekhar government (non-congress government)
Bargarh--Boriguma national highway (NH 201) which passes through Kalahandi and whole KBK was initiated by Vajpayee government (a non congress government)
Even the most publicized KBK project was initiated by Narasimha Rao government which was though a congress government but Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty had played the least role in it.
Digambara Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO) teaching at the American University of Beirut has presented the hard facts to the fourth generation icon to ponder over the matter and take corrective steps.
Professor Patra in a fact finding report has said the Kalahandi has been a long associated with the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and recently yourself, visited undivided Kalahandi district and showed their sympathy towards development.
Though people of Kalahandi were offered lots of promise and development in the region, unfortunately, statistic shows Kalahandi has not received any major national developmental projects under the leadership of Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Infrastructure is important for any kind of development. Problems in Kalahandi, KBK as a whole, are poverty and backwardness which actually are originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure.
Apart from agricultural development like irrigation, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place.
Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi but has done little for this region.
During the recent India discovery journey from Nuapada (undivided Kalahandi district) Rahul referred himself as “Soldier of Kalahandi at Delhi”, however, the present central government where he has more influence Mr.Gandhi had done little to bring any sort of new project to this backward and starving region.
When a multi-campus university was proposed by Orissa government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the ministry hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home state of the concern minister and KBK region was ignored.
The central government announced 8 IITs, 7 IIMs and 30 central universities in major urban region in the country, unfortunately, not a single one in places like KALAHANDI (a central place to KBK region) to which Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty has routinely voiced as poor and backward region.
A national institute will not only bring effectiveness in education in these low literacy rate regions but also bring new opportunities as business and infrastructure to the region, said Professor Patra.
Chitta Baral, Professor at Arizona State University also echo the hard feelings of Professor Patra.
Professor Baral said statistics is proving that Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is more interested to exploit backwardness of poor KBK region and Orissa for political causes rather than the actual development of KBK region.
KBK region and specially Kalahandi has been a symbol of poverty and backwardness for the media and is it that impression the politicians want to play.
KBK region is as large as size of Punjab or Kerala, as a youth and future leader of this country we request you to focus more on development of KBK region.
KBK needs good roads, airport and railway projects as national project similar to the north eastern states.
Professor Baral suggested Mr.Gandhi to impress upon the UPA Government to set up a railway engine factory, to establish a central university, a National medical college and a national institute of technology in this region.
Bhawanipatna:5/May/2008
The worst backward region of the country, KBK till date has received only lip service of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Statistics reveal stunning truths.
Sample the revelations.
Upper Indravati Irrigation Project was proposed and foundation stone was laid by late Morarjee Desai (a non-congress government)
Lanjigarh Road--Junagarh railway line (though not yet completed) was proposed during late Chandrasekhar government (non-congress government)
Bargarh--Boriguma national highway (NH 201) which passes through Kalahandi and whole KBK was initiated by Vajpayee government (a non congress government)
Even the most publicized KBK project was initiated by Narasimha Rao government which was though a congress government but Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty had played the least role in it.
Digambara Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO) teaching at the American University of Beirut has presented the hard facts to the fourth generation icon to ponder over the matter and take corrective steps.
Professor Patra in a fact finding report has said the Kalahandi has been a long associated with the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and recently yourself, visited undivided Kalahandi district and showed their sympathy towards development.
Though people of Kalahandi were offered lots of promise and development in the region, unfortunately, statistic shows Kalahandi has not received any major national developmental projects under the leadership of Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty.
Infrastructure is important for any kind of development. Problems in Kalahandi, KBK as a whole, are poverty and backwardness which actually are originated from unemployment and poor infrastructure.
Apart from agricultural development like irrigation, infrastructure in road, national highway, railway, airport and industries bring developments to a remote and backward place.
Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty has often publicly sympathized backward Kalahandi but has done little for this region.
During the recent India discovery journey from Nuapada (undivided Kalahandi district) Rahul referred himself as “Soldier of Kalahandi at Delhi”, however, the present central government where he has more influence Mr.Gandhi had done little to bring any sort of new project to this backward and starving region.
When a multi-campus university was proposed by Orissa government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the ministry hijacked the idea and established a similar university in the home state of the concern minister and KBK region was ignored.
The central government announced 8 IITs, 7 IIMs and 30 central universities in major urban region in the country, unfortunately, not a single one in places like KALAHANDI (a central place to KBK region) to which Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty has routinely voiced as poor and backward region.
A national institute will not only bring effectiveness in education in these low literacy rate regions but also bring new opportunities as business and infrastructure to the region, said Professor Patra.
Chitta Baral, Professor at Arizona State University also echo the hard feelings of Professor Patra.
Professor Baral said statistics is proving that Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is more interested to exploit backwardness of poor KBK region and Orissa for political causes rather than the actual development of KBK region.
KBK region and specially Kalahandi has been a symbol of poverty and backwardness for the media and is it that impression the politicians want to play.
KBK region is as large as size of Punjab or Kerala, as a youth and future leader of this country we request you to focus more on development of KBK region.
KBK needs good roads, airport and railway projects as national project similar to the north eastern states.
Professor Baral suggested Mr.Gandhi to impress upon the UPA Government to set up a railway engine factory, to establish a central university, a National medical college and a national institute of technology in this region.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Desperate need for improved rail and road connectivity to the Tribal areas of Orissa: Prof Baral's letter to Mr Rahul Gandhi
Draft Letter (PDF file)
Subject: Desperate need for improved rail and road connectivity to the Tribal areas of Orissa: declaring unfinished lines to KBK and other tribal districts as National projects and completing them during the 11th plan
Dear Esteemed Rahulji:
Welcome back to Orissa! Your last visit to Orissa left deep impressions on the people of Orissa, in particular on the tribals of the backward KBK districts of Orissa.
Sir: I would like to convey a request from a lot of people from that area as well as from the concerned intelligentsia of Orissa.
We all are of the opinion that one of the most important factor in bringing KBK back from its bottom of the barrel status in all developmental measures is to improve its connectivity, both via road and rail.
Sir: KBK is a forgotten non-traditional frontier of India and it shares many of the characteristics of the traditional frontier of India in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states. Like J & K and the northeastern states, it is hard to access, covered with forests, and is infested with terror groups. Like the north eastern states it has large percentage of tribal population . In addition, KBK is the most backward area of not just Orissa but India with extremely low literacy rates , low scores in health parameters, and very high poverty rates .
Sir: Special programs both in terms of road and rail connectivity are in place for J & K and the northeastern states. In particular, several Railway lines under construction in J & K and the northeastern states are labeled as National projects and get funding from the central government for their completion. As a result they will be completed in a time bound manner within a few years.
Sir: The people of KBK and other tribal areas of Orissa would be ever grateful to you if you were to convey to and convince the central government to declare some of the proposed railway lines to these areas as national projects with a dedicated budget to complete them during the 11th plan. Parts of these lines have been approved for more than a decade and at the rate they are progressing they may never finish (annual budget allocation often less than the inflation) or if they do perhaps not in our life time. The lines connecting KBK are:
(i) Khurda Rd-Balangir
(ii) Lanjigarh Rd – Bhawanipatna - Junagarh – Nabrangpur – Jeypore – Malkangiri – Bhadrachalam Rd (Andhra Pradesh) – Will lead to an alternative Hyderabad-Ranchi route.
(iii) Gunupur – Therubali
The key missing line connecting the state capital to the Sundergarh district is: (iv) Talcher – Bimlagarh
The key missing line that will properly connect the Mayurbhanj district is: (v) Bangiriposi -Gurumahishasini and/or Buramara-Chakulia.
In regards to roads to these areas, the central government is considering the Ranchi-Vijaywada highway that passes through the KBK districts and has called for an RFP for consultancy services of this project. (http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/noticeimages/Ultimate_RFP4418252769.pdf) Your help in speeding up this process would be most appreciated by the people of Orissa, and again, especially the people of KBK.
Sincerely,
Prof Chitta Baral
Arizona State University
USA
Subject: Desperate need for improved rail and road connectivity to the Tribal areas of Orissa: declaring unfinished lines to KBK and other tribal districts as National projects and completing them during the 11th plan
Dear Esteemed Rahulji:
Welcome back to Orissa! Your last visit to Orissa left deep impressions on the people of Orissa, in particular on the tribals of the backward KBK districts of Orissa.
Sir: I would like to convey a request from a lot of people from that area as well as from the concerned intelligentsia of Orissa.
We all are of the opinion that one of the most important factor in bringing KBK back from its bottom of the barrel status in all developmental measures is to improve its connectivity, both via road and rail.
Sir: KBK is a forgotten non-traditional frontier of India and it shares many of the characteristics of the traditional frontier of India in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states. Like J & K and the northeastern states, it is hard to access, covered with forests, and is infested with terror groups. Like the north eastern states it has large percentage of tribal population . In addition, KBK is the most backward area of not just Orissa but India with extremely low literacy rates , low scores in health parameters, and very high poverty rates .
Sir: Special programs both in terms of road and rail connectivity are in place for J & K and the northeastern states. In particular, several Railway lines under construction in J & K and the northeastern states are labeled as National projects and get funding from the central government for their completion. As a result they will be completed in a time bound manner within a few years.
Sir: The people of KBK and other tribal areas of Orissa would be ever grateful to you if you were to convey to and convince the central government to declare some of the proposed railway lines to these areas as national projects with a dedicated budget to complete them during the 11th plan. Parts of these lines have been approved for more than a decade and at the rate they are progressing they may never finish (annual budget allocation often less than the inflation) or if they do perhaps not in our life time. The lines connecting KBK are:
(i) Khurda Rd-Balangir
(ii) Lanjigarh Rd – Bhawanipatna - Junagarh – Nabrangpur – Jeypore – Malkangiri – Bhadrachalam Rd (Andhra Pradesh) – Will lead to an alternative Hyderabad-Ranchi route.
(iii) Gunupur – Therubali
The key missing line connecting the state capital to the Sundergarh district is: (iv) Talcher – Bimlagarh
The key missing line that will properly connect the Mayurbhanj district is: (v) Bangiriposi -Gurumahishasini and/or Buramara-Chakulia.
In regards to roads to these areas, the central government is considering the Ranchi-Vijaywada highway that passes through the KBK districts and has called for an RFP for consultancy services of this project. (http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/noticeimages/Ultimate_RFP4418252769.pdf) Your help in speeding up this process would be most appreciated by the people of Orissa, and again, especially the people of KBK.
Sincerely,
Prof Chitta Baral
Arizona State University
USA
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Utkal alumina refinery project hanging fire
The New Indian Express, April 21, 2008
KASHIPUR: WITH both the displaced and company officials sticking to their guns, the construction work of Alumina Refinery of Utkal Alumina International (UAIL) has been delayed further.
The work of the Rs. 4,000-crore refinery project of UAIL at Duruguda in Kashipur block came to a halt since February last after those affected went on an agitation demanding benefits recently fixed for other projects.
The UAIL refinery was conceived in early 90s but from the beginning, it was targeted by the environmentalists and the project-affected persons.
The construction work started during 2005 and gathered momentum. The promoters wanted to commission the unit in 2010. However, the agitation by those displaced from February has hit the work, including the land acquisition process.
The affected families have been demanding increased compensation for land and permanent jobs. But the company has not obliged them and pointed out that the affected persons had been given ex gratia in early 2005 over and above the compensation paid in 1996 as per the guidelines.
On the demand for permanent jobs, the company claimed that all such persons had already been engaged through the contractors. Still the case can be taken up but only after the plant is commissioned.
According to Nabaghana Pani, a senior official of UAIL, the company has already spent over Rs. 530 crore and placed orders for about Rs. 1,800 crore worth equipment.
Besides, the company has decided to speed up the work by enhancing the workforce to 5,000. The company is also imparting vocational training to the affected persons to enhance their employability.
If all these are taken into account, the benefits given by the UAIL would be much more than those prescribed by the rehabilitation policy of the Government, he claimed. He also said that around 96 affected families had already been resettled in the rehabilitation colony constructed by the company.
Meanwhile, the Rayagada district administration is also making efforts to restore normalcy at the plant site and convince the agitators to withdraw their stir but in vain.
KASHIPUR: WITH both the displaced and company officials sticking to their guns, the construction work of Alumina Refinery of Utkal Alumina International (UAIL) has been delayed further.
The work of the Rs. 4,000-crore refinery project of UAIL at Duruguda in Kashipur block came to a halt since February last after those affected went on an agitation demanding benefits recently fixed for other projects.
The UAIL refinery was conceived in early 90s but from the beginning, it was targeted by the environmentalists and the project-affected persons.
The construction work started during 2005 and gathered momentum. The promoters wanted to commission the unit in 2010. However, the agitation by those displaced from February has hit the work, including the land acquisition process.
The affected families have been demanding increased compensation for land and permanent jobs. But the company has not obliged them and pointed out that the affected persons had been given ex gratia in early 2005 over and above the compensation paid in 1996 as per the guidelines.
On the demand for permanent jobs, the company claimed that all such persons had already been engaged through the contractors. Still the case can be taken up but only after the plant is commissioned.
According to Nabaghana Pani, a senior official of UAIL, the company has already spent over Rs. 530 crore and placed orders for about Rs. 1,800 crore worth equipment.
Besides, the company has decided to speed up the work by enhancing the workforce to 5,000. The company is also imparting vocational training to the affected persons to enhance their employability.
If all these are taken into account, the benefits given by the UAIL would be much more than those prescribed by the rehabilitation policy of the Government, he claimed. He also said that around 96 affected families had already been resettled in the rehabilitation colony constructed by the company.
Meanwhile, the Rayagada district administration is also making efforts to restore normalcy at the plant site and convince the agitators to withdraw their stir but in vain.
Special Porgramme to train KBK tribal for IIT, IIM and NISER entrance test
The Samaja, April 20, 2008
ASSISTANCE FOR KBK REGION UNDER AIBP
PIB, April 22, 2008
ASSISTANCE FOR BACKWARD STATES UNDER AIBP
RAJYA SABHA
Under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) central grant of 90 per cent is provided to the major/medium projects and surface water minor irrigation schemes of the special category states and Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi districts of Orissa. Major and medium projects of non special category States benefiting drought prone/tribal/flood prone area are eligible for upto 90 per cent grant under AIBP depending on the extent of such area benefited from project and included in AIBP.
Surface water minor irrigation schemes of non special category states (as per eligible criteria specified in AIBP guidelines) benefiting drought prone/tribal area are eligible for 90 per cent grant under AIBP. All other major/medium projects are eligible for 25 per cent grant of project cost included in AIBP.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal in the Rajya Sabha today.
ASSISTANCE FOR BACKWARD STATES UNDER AIBP
RAJYA SABHA
Under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) central grant of 90 per cent is provided to the major/medium projects and surface water minor irrigation schemes of the special category states and Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi districts of Orissa. Major and medium projects of non special category States benefiting drought prone/tribal/flood prone area are eligible for upto 90 per cent grant under AIBP depending on the extent of such area benefited from project and included in AIBP.
Surface water minor irrigation schemes of non special category states (as per eligible criteria specified in AIBP guidelines) benefiting drought prone/tribal area are eligible for 90 per cent grant under AIBP. All other major/medium projects are eligible for 25 per cent grant of project cost included in AIBP.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal in the Rajya Sabha today.
NROs battle for Central varsity at Bhawanipatna
The Pioneer, April 22, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
In an effort to provide better education facilities, the Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) from various parts of the world demanded a Central University at Bhawanipatna, the headquarters of Kalahandi district, which is the epicentre of Orissa's most backward KBK (undivided districts of Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput) zone.
After the Government of India announced to set up two Central Universities in the State, officials and planners are busy finding sites in the developed urban areas. But nobody is thinking about the rural and remote areas, lamented leading NRO Digambara Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut. He feels in the current scenario no importance is given to the rural and remote area in the matter of technical and higher education.
"Unfortunately, many in our political and administrative circles do not have a complete idea of a backward area like the KBK region in Orissa, which is reflected in their very poor judgment while establishing national institutes," echoed Madhusmita Panda, an NRO from Lebanon. She pointed out that the Central University in the North-Eastern States, which are inaccessible, hilly and extremist torn areas, have done quite fine. The NERIST in Arunachal Pradesh http://www.nerist.ac.in/ is doing quite well. When IIT Guwahati was established, many academicians were thinking nobody would go to teach there, but today it is one of the best technical institutes employing the best brains across the country as its faculties, she said.
Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo said that unless a chance is provided to the KBK area on the assumption that the Central University that they would not get the right kind of faculty, the people there would never get out of their backwardness. Two decades ago, Assam was inaccessible; today it is a destination for higher education because of its IIT and Central Universities.
Detailing out the facilities, Digambara Patra said that Kalahandi in fact has many advantages for location of a Central University. It is not only the epicentre of all the KBK districts having its borders with the other five KBK districts and additionally with other backward districts of Boudh and Kandhamal. It is well connected by road through NH-201 and links Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Berhampur and all the headquarters of KBK, Boudh and Phulbani districts. The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 km of Bhawanipatna, and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is almost complete.
Besides, Raipur airport is directly linked by road and located about 220 km from Bhawanipatna. Raipur has daily air connectivity to most of the major cities in India. Moreover, an aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 km away. To start with, the Government Autonomous College of Bhawanipatna is one of the best colleges in the KBK region imparting teaching up to PG classes, said Madhusmita Panda. The achievements of the college include the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the UGC. It is one of the three colleges in Orissa to have been honoured with this award in the first phase.
To start the university at present, the built-up area of the Government College campus at Bhawanipatna is 60 acres of land, and towards its north-east more than 100 acres of land is lying vacant, pointed out Patra.
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
In an effort to provide better education facilities, the Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) from various parts of the world demanded a Central University at Bhawanipatna, the headquarters of Kalahandi district, which is the epicentre of Orissa's most backward KBK (undivided districts of Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput) zone.
After the Government of India announced to set up two Central Universities in the State, officials and planners are busy finding sites in the developed urban areas. But nobody is thinking about the rural and remote areas, lamented leading NRO Digambara Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut. He feels in the current scenario no importance is given to the rural and remote area in the matter of technical and higher education.
"Unfortunately, many in our political and administrative circles do not have a complete idea of a backward area like the KBK region in Orissa, which is reflected in their very poor judgment while establishing national institutes," echoed Madhusmita Panda, an NRO from Lebanon. She pointed out that the Central University in the North-Eastern States, which are inaccessible, hilly and extremist torn areas, have done quite fine. The NERIST in Arunachal Pradesh http://www.nerist.ac.in/ is doing quite well. When IIT Guwahati was established, many academicians were thinking nobody would go to teach there, but today it is one of the best technical institutes employing the best brains across the country as its faculties, she said.
Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo said that unless a chance is provided to the KBK area on the assumption that the Central University that they would not get the right kind of faculty, the people there would never get out of their backwardness. Two decades ago, Assam was inaccessible; today it is a destination for higher education because of its IIT and Central Universities.
Detailing out the facilities, Digambara Patra said that Kalahandi in fact has many advantages for location of a Central University. It is not only the epicentre of all the KBK districts having its borders with the other five KBK districts and additionally with other backward districts of Boudh and Kandhamal. It is well connected by road through NH-201 and links Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Berhampur and all the headquarters of KBK, Boudh and Phulbani districts. The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 km of Bhawanipatna, and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is almost complete.
Besides, Raipur airport is directly linked by road and located about 220 km from Bhawanipatna. Raipur has daily air connectivity to most of the major cities in India. Moreover, an aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 km away. To start with, the Government Autonomous College of Bhawanipatna is one of the best colleges in the KBK region imparting teaching up to PG classes, said Madhusmita Panda. The achievements of the college include the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the UGC. It is one of the three colleges in Orissa to have been honoured with this award in the first phase.
To start the university at present, the built-up area of the Government College campus at Bhawanipatna is 60 acres of land, and towards its north-east more than 100 acres of land is lying vacant, pointed out Patra.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Complete Khurda-Balangir Project: Lenka
The New Indian Express, April 13, 2008
BHUBANESWAR: Former Union minister Kanhu Charan Lenka has said that the Railways should complete the Khurda-Balangir railway line project in the next five years.
Alleging that the delay in completion of the project has sparked off resentment among the people of the State, Lenka said that the work on the railway line has been going on for the last 14 years.
The proposal for the Khurda-Balangir railway line was given by the Bengal-Nagpur Rail (BNR) company in 1945. Survey work for the project was completed by 1993.
Besides giving a boost to the development of backward regions of the State, after completion of the railway line the distance between Bombay and Bhubaneswar will be reduced by 250 km, he said. Lenka said that he will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise them of the situation.
Singh was the Finance Minister when he approved the project in 1993 while Pranab Mukherjee was chairman of the Planning Commission, the former Union minister said.
BHUBANESWAR: Former Union minister Kanhu Charan Lenka has said that the Railways should complete the Khurda-Balangir railway line project in the next five years.
Alleging that the delay in completion of the project has sparked off resentment among the people of the State, Lenka said that the work on the railway line has been going on for the last 14 years.
The proposal for the Khurda-Balangir railway line was given by the Bengal-Nagpur Rail (BNR) company in 1945. Survey work for the project was completed by 1993.
Besides giving a boost to the development of backward regions of the State, after completion of the railway line the distance between Bombay and Bhubaneswar will be reduced by 250 km, he said. Lenka said that he will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise them of the situation.
Singh was the Finance Minister when he approved the project in 1993 while Pranab Mukherjee was chairman of the Planning Commission, the former Union minister said.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Infrastructure to be thrust area of Biju KBK plan
The New Indian Express, April 7, 2008
BHUBANESWAR: Development of power and road infrastructure and provision of drinking water will be the thrust areas of the Biju KBK plan which is being implemented with the State Government’s funds.
Official sources said that the slogan of ‘bijli, sadak, pani’ given by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the last Assembly polls is being translated into reality through the new scheme.
The Biju KBK plan had a budget of Rs 120 crore during 2007-08 financial year. Out of this, Rs 9.88 crore was earmarked for power, Rs 59.91 crore was for road sector and Rs 36.9 crore for drinking water. Besides, Rs 13.31 crore was provided for implementation of other programmes.
Power sector development will include village electrification including street lighting. The programme includes construction of concrete roads within the village or any other form of connectivity. Creation of irrigation and drinking water sources will also be taken up under the scheme. Funds will be made available for implementation of any other scheme having inadequate budgetary provisions.
Official sources said Rs 20 crore was provided for the implementation of the Biju KBK plan during 2006-07.
Out of this, Rs 3 crore each was allocated to Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi districts while Rs 2.5 crore each was earmarked for Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts.
About Rs 2 crore each was provided to Malkangiri, Subarnapur and Nuapada districts. Construction of 87 hostel buildings for girls, 247 buildings for women self help groups (SHGs), 165 buildings for anganwadi centres and 165 bridges/culverts have been taken up in all the KBK districts with the funds.
The Assembly Committee on Planning and Coordination Department has, however, taken strong exception to the failure of the poverty alleviation programmes in reducing poverty in a spectacular manner. It has asked the State Government to fix time limit for reduction of poverty.
BHUBANESWAR: Development of power and road infrastructure and provision of drinking water will be the thrust areas of the Biju KBK plan which is being implemented with the State Government’s funds.
Official sources said that the slogan of ‘bijli, sadak, pani’ given by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the last Assembly polls is being translated into reality through the new scheme.
The Biju KBK plan had a budget of Rs 120 crore during 2007-08 financial year. Out of this, Rs 9.88 crore was earmarked for power, Rs 59.91 crore was for road sector and Rs 36.9 crore for drinking water. Besides, Rs 13.31 crore was provided for implementation of other programmes.
Power sector development will include village electrification including street lighting. The programme includes construction of concrete roads within the village or any other form of connectivity. Creation of irrigation and drinking water sources will also be taken up under the scheme. Funds will be made available for implementation of any other scheme having inadequate budgetary provisions.
Official sources said Rs 20 crore was provided for the implementation of the Biju KBK plan during 2006-07.
Out of this, Rs 3 crore each was allocated to Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi districts while Rs 2.5 crore each was earmarked for Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts.
About Rs 2 crore each was provided to Malkangiri, Subarnapur and Nuapada districts. Construction of 87 hostel buildings for girls, 247 buildings for women self help groups (SHGs), 165 buildings for anganwadi centres and 165 bridges/culverts have been taken up in all the KBK districts with the funds.
The Assembly Committee on Planning and Coordination Department has, however, taken strong exception to the failure of the poverty alleviation programmes in reducing poverty in a spectacular manner. It has asked the State Government to fix time limit for reduction of poverty.
Pupil-teacher ratio poor
The New Indian Express, April 12, 2008
BHAWANIPATNA: Rationalisation of pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) and universalisation of education is one problem that has been haunting primary education in Kalahandi.There has long been a debate in maintaining an equilibilibrium in PTR ratio in the district but this hasn’t yielded any result so far. As a result, there is heavy concentration of teachers in urban pockets whereas schools in rural area have comparatively less number of teachers.For instance, in Bhawanipatna Municipality, the PTR is 19.16 whereas in rural pockets and interior blocks like Thuamul- Rampur, it is 51.90, Lanjigarh 44.08 and Golamunda 40.78.In Bhawanipatna Municipality, for 39 primary schools there are 222 lady teachers and 34 male teachers, a total of 256 as against the requirement of 148.In Dewan Shebpada School, for 54 students there are eight teachers as against the requirement of two. In Dhobapada, for 57 students there are three teachers, in Golap Manjari for 59 students there are six teachers.Similarly, in Shaktinagar for 47 students there are four teachers and in Police Children School for 85 students there are nine teachers. But in Belur Primary School in Madanpur-Rampur block for 126 students there is one teacher, in Ainlajore school of Dharamgarh block for 239 students, there are just two teachers, in Nichemask of Thuamul-Rampur block for 110 students there is only one teacher.The matter was raised in the ZP meeting held in January this year at Bhawanipatna. It had been resolved to weed out surplus teachers from urban areas to the schools in rural areas.Accordingly, it was decided to send surplus teachers from Bhawanipatna Municipality on deputation to the nearby rural schools having shortage of teachers. Basing on the decision, 79 women teachers from Bhawanipatna Municipality have been served with deputation order but this led to agitation.The women teachers who were picketing in front of the office of DI of Schools called off the strike after the Collector did not concede to the demand and the ZP meeting too did not show concern.
BHAWANIPATNA: Rationalisation of pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) and universalisation of education is one problem that has been haunting primary education in Kalahandi.There has long been a debate in maintaining an equilibilibrium in PTR ratio in the district but this hasn’t yielded any result so far. As a result, there is heavy concentration of teachers in urban pockets whereas schools in rural area have comparatively less number of teachers.For instance, in Bhawanipatna Municipality, the PTR is 19.16 whereas in rural pockets and interior blocks like Thuamul- Rampur, it is 51.90, Lanjigarh 44.08 and Golamunda 40.78.In Bhawanipatna Municipality, for 39 primary schools there are 222 lady teachers and 34 male teachers, a total of 256 as against the requirement of 148.In Dewan Shebpada School, for 54 students there are eight teachers as against the requirement of two. In Dhobapada, for 57 students there are three teachers, in Golap Manjari for 59 students there are six teachers.Similarly, in Shaktinagar for 47 students there are four teachers and in Police Children School for 85 students there are nine teachers. But in Belur Primary School in Madanpur-Rampur block for 126 students there is one teacher, in Ainlajore school of Dharamgarh block for 239 students, there are just two teachers, in Nichemask of Thuamul-Rampur block for 110 students there is only one teacher.The matter was raised in the ZP meeting held in January this year at Bhawanipatna. It had been resolved to weed out surplus teachers from urban areas to the schools in rural areas.Accordingly, it was decided to send surplus teachers from Bhawanipatna Municipality on deputation to the nearby rural schools having shortage of teachers. Basing on the decision, 79 women teachers from Bhawanipatna Municipality have been served with deputation order but this led to agitation.The women teachers who were picketing in front of the office of DI of Schools called off the strike after the Collector did not concede to the demand and the ZP meeting too did not show concern.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Kalahandi deserves central univ
Tathya.in, March 21, 2008
Bhawanipatna:21/March/2008
Digambara Patra sitting thousands of miles away from Kalahandi is worried for the most backward and poverty stricken zone of the country.
A leading educationist non resident Oriya (NRO) Dr.Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, has demanded the proposed KBK Central University to be established at Bhawanipatana, district headquarters of Kalahandi.
While politicians are maintaining eerie silence over the establishment of the demand of a Central University in Kalahandi, Dr.Patra has prepared the road map for the same and has demanded it with all sorts of justifications.
In a memorandum to the President of India, Dr.Patra has outlined the urgent need for a Central University in this part of the country.
While lauding the agenda of the Centre to establish KBK Central University during the Eleventh Plan, he demanded it with full justifications for placing it at Bhawanipatana.
To begin with he said that the concept KBK originated from Kalahandi, where Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and of late Rahul Gandhi visited the worst poverty stricken zone of the country.
Kalahandi is located at the epicenter of KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput), where due to political reasons economic and social development has taken a back seat.
For example recently the state Government of Orissa decided to establish its Headquarters of KBK at Koraput without considering other parts of KBK and rather bringing a regional/local confrontation among local people in KBK.
The central government has established IIT, IIM and central universities in northeastern states and a proposed tribal Central University in Amarkantak, but Kalahandi was never in considered for such opportunities.
This shows lack of seriousness of our great leaders and Gandhi dynasty for development of Kalahandi and KBK.
Geographically Kalahandi happens to be the Centre of the entire KBK districts and including some other backward districts like Gajapati, Kandhamal etc.
The headquarters of these districts are about 200 kms from Bhawanipatna.
Kalahandi, moreover, is a link between Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh and other parts of Orissa State through air, railway and road.
Historically, present day Kalahandi served as Political hub and cultural sanctuary of ancient Atavika [4th-3rd century B.C] and Mahakantara [4th –5th century A.D] to which modern KBK districts forms a part.
It is predominantly a tribal area, where primitive tribes like Khond, Gond, Brinjal, Saura and Godva etc live since time immemorial.
Their archaic tribal culture adds luster to the existing natural resources and cultural relics of Kalahandi in particular and Orissa in general.
Kalahandi has only one Government college situated at Bhawanipatna namely Government Autonomous College imparting teaching upto Post Graduation (PG) classes.
This institution has the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A high powered committee of the UGC visited recently and have expressed great satisfaction with the progress.
No other college of KBK districts has received such rare distinction by the UGC of India.
NACC team visited this college in 2005 and has conferred B++ grade.
The grade could have been higher if the staff position would have been 75% of the UGC norm.
It is the State Government which appoints people for teaching and non teaching activities.
This premier college has been catering to the academic need of the students of the neighboring areas such as Nowrangpur, Nuapada, Khariar, Saintala –Titilagarh, Muniguda-Gunpur, Rayagada etc of KBK districts.
The college is ideally situated on the side of NH that connects Visakhapattanam and Raipur [Andhra- Chhatisgarh State] on the one hand and Bhubaneswar–Sambalpur- Berhampur–Jaipur-Bolangir-Phulbani of Orissa on the other hand.
An aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 Km away from the college campus.
The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 Km of its reach and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is being established.
Available Infrastructure is enough for the proposed Central University, said Dr.Patra
The college is imparting teaching in 18 diverse disciplines of Arts, Commerce and Science including M.Phil courses in History and Culture, and Oriya [Regional language and Literature] besides technical [Job Oriented] subjects like PGDCA, ARCHAEOLOGY- MUSEOLOGY, BFC, PGDPLT, EPET, P.G Diploma in Pathology laboratory Technology and Opto-Electronics.
Keeping the above facilities in view, it will be eminently suitable for the proposed KBK Central University, said Dr.Patra.
Bhawanipatna:21/March/2008
Digambara Patra sitting thousands of miles away from Kalahandi is worried for the most backward and poverty stricken zone of the country.
A leading educationist non resident Oriya (NRO) Dr.Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, has demanded the proposed KBK Central University to be established at Bhawanipatana, district headquarters of Kalahandi.
While politicians are maintaining eerie silence over the establishment of the demand of a Central University in Kalahandi, Dr.Patra has prepared the road map for the same and has demanded it with all sorts of justifications.
In a memorandum to the President of India, Dr.Patra has outlined the urgent need for a Central University in this part of the country.
While lauding the agenda of the Centre to establish KBK Central University during the Eleventh Plan, he demanded it with full justifications for placing it at Bhawanipatana.
To begin with he said that the concept KBK originated from Kalahandi, where Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and of late Rahul Gandhi visited the worst poverty stricken zone of the country.
Kalahandi is located at the epicenter of KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput), where due to political reasons economic and social development has taken a back seat.
For example recently the state Government of Orissa decided to establish its Headquarters of KBK at Koraput without considering other parts of KBK and rather bringing a regional/local confrontation among local people in KBK.
The central government has established IIT, IIM and central universities in northeastern states and a proposed tribal Central University in Amarkantak, but Kalahandi was never in considered for such opportunities.
This shows lack of seriousness of our great leaders and Gandhi dynasty for development of Kalahandi and KBK.
Geographically Kalahandi happens to be the Centre of the entire KBK districts and including some other backward districts like Gajapati, Kandhamal etc.
The headquarters of these districts are about 200 kms from Bhawanipatna.
Kalahandi, moreover, is a link between Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh and other parts of Orissa State through air, railway and road.
Historically, present day Kalahandi served as Political hub and cultural sanctuary of ancient Atavika [4th-3rd century B.C] and Mahakantara [4th –5th century A.D] to which modern KBK districts forms a part.
It is predominantly a tribal area, where primitive tribes like Khond, Gond, Brinjal, Saura and Godva etc live since time immemorial.
Their archaic tribal culture adds luster to the existing natural resources and cultural relics of Kalahandi in particular and Orissa in general.
Kalahandi has only one Government college situated at Bhawanipatna namely Government Autonomous College imparting teaching upto Post Graduation (PG) classes.
This institution has the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A high powered committee of the UGC visited recently and have expressed great satisfaction with the progress.
No other college of KBK districts has received such rare distinction by the UGC of India.
NACC team visited this college in 2005 and has conferred B++ grade.
The grade could have been higher if the staff position would have been 75% of the UGC norm.
It is the State Government which appoints people for teaching and non teaching activities.
This premier college has been catering to the academic need of the students of the neighboring areas such as Nowrangpur, Nuapada, Khariar, Saintala –Titilagarh, Muniguda-Gunpur, Rayagada etc of KBK districts.
The college is ideally situated on the side of NH that connects Visakhapattanam and Raipur [Andhra- Chhatisgarh State] on the one hand and Bhubaneswar–Sambalpur- Berhampur–Jaipur-Bolangir-Phulbani of Orissa on the other hand.
An aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 Km away from the college campus.
The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 Km of its reach and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is being established.
Available Infrastructure is enough for the proposed Central University, said Dr.Patra
The college is imparting teaching in 18 diverse disciplines of Arts, Commerce and Science including M.Phil courses in History and Culture, and Oriya [Regional language and Literature] besides technical [Job Oriented] subjects like PGDCA, ARCHAEOLOGY- MUSEOLOGY, BFC, PGDPLT, EPET, P.G Diploma in Pathology laboratory Technology and Opto-Electronics.
Keeping the above facilities in view, it will be eminently suitable for the proposed KBK Central University, said Dr.Patra.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Protests over rail services in KBK
The Statesman, March 3, 2008
Statesman News Service
BHAWANIPATNA, March 3: Alleging continuous negligence by railways to KBK districts and Kalahandi in particular, “Kalahandi Rail Yatri Sangha” demonstrated at Kesinga railway station recently.
The general secretary of the Sangha, Mr Jatin Das sat on hunger strike before the station master’s office, which was later withdrawn following assurance of consideration of demands from the Sambalpur division office. Mr Das maintained that if their demands including running of Raipur- Bhubaneswar inter-city through Kesinga are not fulfilled, he will resort to indefinite hunger-strike.
The Sangha had seven demands in all, the main among them being direct connectivity to state capital. The other demands are stoppage of express trains at Kesinga station, extension of frequency of Samata express to five times a week from the present three times, direct train to Hyderabad from Sambalpur via Kesinga and express train between Puri and Allahabad via Vijayanagaram – Kesinga.
The Sangha alleged that the region has always been neglected by the railway authorities. They charged that despite local MP’s missive to chairman of railway board on 5 January 2008 and request of collector to railway east coast railway authorities on 2 November 2007, regarding direct train between Bhubaneswar and Kesinga, no steps were taken.
The divisional commerce Manager Mr J L Jena later assured that the grievances would be forwarded to railways authorities.
Statesman News Service
BHAWANIPATNA, March 3: Alleging continuous negligence by railways to KBK districts and Kalahandi in particular, “Kalahandi Rail Yatri Sangha” demonstrated at Kesinga railway station recently.
The general secretary of the Sangha, Mr Jatin Das sat on hunger strike before the station master’s office, which was later withdrawn following assurance of consideration of demands from the Sambalpur division office. Mr Das maintained that if their demands including running of Raipur- Bhubaneswar inter-city through Kesinga are not fulfilled, he will resort to indefinite hunger-strike.
The Sangha had seven demands in all, the main among them being direct connectivity to state capital. The other demands are stoppage of express trains at Kesinga station, extension of frequency of Samata express to five times a week from the present three times, direct train to Hyderabad from Sambalpur via Kesinga and express train between Puri and Allahabad via Vijayanagaram – Kesinga.
The Sangha alleged that the region has always been neglected by the railway authorities. They charged that despite local MP’s missive to chairman of railway board on 5 January 2008 and request of collector to railway east coast railway authorities on 2 November 2007, regarding direct train between Bhubaneswar and Kesinga, no steps were taken.
The divisional commerce Manager Mr J L Jena later assured that the grievances would be forwarded to railways authorities.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Un-aided college teachers from KBK rally for demands
The New Indian Express, Feb 23, 2008
BHUBANESWAR: Teachers of un-aided Plus Two and Plus Three colleges of KBK region on Friday took out a rally in the city demanding sanction of grant-in-aid.
Despite repeated representations and demands from the local MLAs, Government has been sitting on the issue, they said. There are 87 Plus Two and 46 Plus Three colleges which are operating in the KBK area since 1991. They are gathered under the banner of Un-aided College Teachers amd Employees KBK Forum.
In a memorandum, they said, a special discussion was held on their demands in the Assembly in 2005 and Higher Education Minister had assured action. After that, MLAs cutting across partylines have recommended, at least twice, their demands to the Government, but in vain.
BHUBANESWAR: Teachers of un-aided Plus Two and Plus Three colleges of KBK region on Friday took out a rally in the city demanding sanction of grant-in-aid.
Despite repeated representations and demands from the local MLAs, Government has been sitting on the issue, they said. There are 87 Plus Two and 46 Plus Three colleges which are operating in the KBK area since 1991. They are gathered under the banner of Un-aided College Teachers amd Employees KBK Forum.
In a memorandum, they said, a special discussion was held on their demands in the Assembly in 2005 and Higher Education Minister had assured action. After that, MLAs cutting across partylines have recommended, at least twice, their demands to the Government, but in vain.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Naveen repeats for central university in KBK with Arjun Singh
Decision on IIT & IIM soon, Arjun tells CM
The Statesman, Jan 24, 2007
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Jan. 23: A decision on setting up of an IIT/IIM in Orissa would be taken soon by the Union government, said the Union minister for HRD, Mr Arjun Singh, when the chief minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, called on him in New Delhi today.
Mr Patnaik had iterated the demand for the elite technical institute and the B-school and pointed out that since Orissa is on the verge of a rapid industrial movement, it would provide a big potential for research and development activities.
It may be noted that a sustained campaign by the state government and the ruling party MPs on this issue had failed to evoke a positive response till date. To assuage the feelings of the state government, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has promptly laid the foundation stone for an elite science institute in Bhubaneswar under the atomic energy department.
The establishment of an IIT, during the 11th five-year plan, will greatly facilitate in intensifying the process, Mr Patnaik observed, while repeating his plea to the HRD minister today. The IIT would become the hub for quality managerial professionals required for various sectors of the economy.
Given the current industrial boom in the state, it is necessary to bring in a professional culture and management, Mr Patnaik said and demanded the establishment of a Greenfield Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Orissa. Mr Patnaik also demanded the setting up of a Central university in the KBK region, which would educate youths in both traditional as well as modern disciplines.
Since the quality of human resource holds the key to the development of any region, there is an urgent need to set up a top-class multi-disciplinary Central university in the KBK region, covering disciplines like basic sciences, humanities, law, medicine, agriculture and horticulture.
The chief minister observed and hoped that the Central university in KBK will indirectly help in combating left-wing extremism in the region. Later, Mr Patnaik called on the urban development minister, Mr S Jaipal Reddy to voice certain demands of the state relating to his ministry. Mr Reddy is said to have assured Mr Patnaik to extend maximum assistance to improve urban infrastructure and environment in the small towns of the state.
He also stated that the centre will help the state in building housing complexes at a affordable rate for the economically weaker sections of the society.
Bhubaneswar and Puri will be developed as world-class cities, Mr Reddy said.
The chief minister requested Mr Reddy to increase the allocation of funds to the state to at least Rs 2,500 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rs 1,000 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for the Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).
So far, only Rs 504 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Governance (UIG) component of JNNURM and Rs 144 crore under UIDSSMT have been sanctioned, the chief minister informed.
The chief minister reiterated the state government's commitment to undertake various mandatory and basic reforms in order to strengthen the resource base and delivery system of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the state.
The Statesman, Jan 24, 2007
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Jan. 23: A decision on setting up of an IIT/IIM in Orissa would be taken soon by the Union government, said the Union minister for HRD, Mr Arjun Singh, when the chief minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, called on him in New Delhi today.
Mr Patnaik had iterated the demand for the elite technical institute and the B-school and pointed out that since Orissa is on the verge of a rapid industrial movement, it would provide a big potential for research and development activities.
It may be noted that a sustained campaign by the state government and the ruling party MPs on this issue had failed to evoke a positive response till date. To assuage the feelings of the state government, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has promptly laid the foundation stone for an elite science institute in Bhubaneswar under the atomic energy department.
The establishment of an IIT, during the 11th five-year plan, will greatly facilitate in intensifying the process, Mr Patnaik observed, while repeating his plea to the HRD minister today. The IIT would become the hub for quality managerial professionals required for various sectors of the economy.
Given the current industrial boom in the state, it is necessary to bring in a professional culture and management, Mr Patnaik said and demanded the establishment of a Greenfield Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Orissa. Mr Patnaik also demanded the setting up of a Central university in the KBK region, which would educate youths in both traditional as well as modern disciplines.
Since the quality of human resource holds the key to the development of any region, there is an urgent need to set up a top-class multi-disciplinary Central university in the KBK region, covering disciplines like basic sciences, humanities, law, medicine, agriculture and horticulture.
The chief minister observed and hoped that the Central university in KBK will indirectly help in combating left-wing extremism in the region. Later, Mr Patnaik called on the urban development minister, Mr S Jaipal Reddy to voice certain demands of the state relating to his ministry. Mr Reddy is said to have assured Mr Patnaik to extend maximum assistance to improve urban infrastructure and environment in the small towns of the state.
He also stated that the centre will help the state in building housing complexes at a affordable rate for the economically weaker sections of the society.
Bhubaneswar and Puri will be developed as world-class cities, Mr Reddy said.
The chief minister requested Mr Reddy to increase the allocation of funds to the state to at least Rs 2,500 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rs 1,000 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for the Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).
So far, only Rs 504 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Governance (UIG) component of JNNURM and Rs 144 crore under UIDSSMT have been sanctioned, the chief minister informed.
The chief minister reiterated the state government's commitment to undertake various mandatory and basic reforms in order to strengthen the resource base and delivery system of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the state.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Sickle cell research unit holds out hope in KBK
The New Indian Express, Jan 2, 2008
BHAWANIPATNA: To combat sickle cell disease, a Sickle Cell Disease Research Centre has started functioning in Sardar Raja Medical College in Jaring of Kalahandi district under the leadership of project director Dr. Gyana Ranjan Padhi.
Padhi, a medicine specialist, after retiring from health Department services joined the medical college recently. He hails from Dasigaon of Kalahandi.
In 1994, Padhi developed the DTN (Disease Trait Normal) formula of genetic counselling to save the next generation from the dreaded disease.
According to the formula, blood will be examined by Electrophoresis Card and marriage should be avoided between diseased and diseased, diseased and trait and trait and trait so that a chain is broken. A special counselling is part of the formula.
The project proposal of Padhi was approved by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.
The then Director of health Services, Orissa, on March 29, 2005, had approved and suggested the Government to implement the research project of Padhi in Western Orissa.
Ironically it could not be materialised despite Padhi approaching various quarters and running from pillar to post.
Sickle cell is a type of anaemia in which red blood cells become sickle in shape. The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in blood vessels that can cause severe pain, serious infection and organ damage.
It is also responsible for increased infant and maternal mortality rate and is found mostly among specific castes in Kalahandi, Koraput, Balangir, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Boudh, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and Ganjam districts.
It is prevalent mostly among various SC/ST groups, agria, kultha, chasha, paik, banka, goud, dumal, bholia, kurmi, mali and komar castes.
BHAWANIPATNA: To combat sickle cell disease, a Sickle Cell Disease Research Centre has started functioning in Sardar Raja Medical College in Jaring of Kalahandi district under the leadership of project director Dr. Gyana Ranjan Padhi.
Padhi, a medicine specialist, after retiring from health Department services joined the medical college recently. He hails from Dasigaon of Kalahandi.
In 1994, Padhi developed the DTN (Disease Trait Normal) formula of genetic counselling to save the next generation from the dreaded disease.
According to the formula, blood will be examined by Electrophoresis Card and marriage should be avoided between diseased and diseased, diseased and trait and trait and trait so that a chain is broken. A special counselling is part of the formula.
The project proposal of Padhi was approved by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.
The then Director of health Services, Orissa, on March 29, 2005, had approved and suggested the Government to implement the research project of Padhi in Western Orissa.
Ironically it could not be materialised despite Padhi approaching various quarters and running from pillar to post.
Sickle cell is a type of anaemia in which red blood cells become sickle in shape. The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in blood vessels that can cause severe pain, serious infection and organ damage.
It is also responsible for increased infant and maternal mortality rate and is found mostly among specific castes in Kalahandi, Koraput, Balangir, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Boudh, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and Ganjam districts.
It is prevalent mostly among various SC/ST groups, agria, kultha, chasha, paik, banka, goud, dumal, bholia, kurmi, mali and komar castes.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Govt taking steps to improve KBK healthcare
The New Indian Express, Dec 24, 2007
BHAWANIPATNA: Non-joining Of doctors posted in the KBK districts and inaccessible pockets is a matter of concern for the State Government.
Health Minister Duryodhan Majhi said this while inaugurating a three-day mega health camp on Bhawanipatna Government Hospital premises on Friday.
He said State Government is taking all possible steps to improve health services and staff position in KBK region.
To provide doctors suitable accommodation Rs 22 crore has been provided to KBK districts for construction of quarters, he said.
It is also contemplated to introduce two-year mandatory stint in KBK districts for doctors, the Minister informed.
Among others, MP Bikram Keshari Deo, MLA Pradip Kumar Naik and Kalahandi Collector Pramod Chandra Patnaik attended.
The health camp is being organised by National Rural Health Mission.
BHAWANIPATNA: Non-joining Of doctors posted in the KBK districts and inaccessible pockets is a matter of concern for the State Government.
Health Minister Duryodhan Majhi said this while inaugurating a three-day mega health camp on Bhawanipatna Government Hospital premises on Friday.
He said State Government is taking all possible steps to improve health services and staff position in KBK region.
To provide doctors suitable accommodation Rs 22 crore has been provided to KBK districts for construction of quarters, he said.
It is also contemplated to introduce two-year mandatory stint in KBK districts for doctors, the Minister informed.
Among others, MP Bikram Keshari Deo, MLA Pradip Kumar Naik and Kalahandi Collector Pramod Chandra Patnaik attended.
The health camp is being organised by National Rural Health Mission.
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