40 MLAs gather at Naveen Niwas to support CM

By Nalini Sahu / www.indusvalleytimes.com Bhubaneswar, May 30: Over half a dozen ministers, 40 legislators and five MPs on Wednesday evening gathered at Naveen Niwas expressing their solidarity with the chief minister Naveen Patnaik. They leaders deplored the revolt bid by the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra. “All the MLAs, MPs and party workers are with Naveen Patnaik. Pyarimohan Mohapatra would not succeed in his mission to divide the party,” BJD vice president Dr Damodar Rout said. Finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei said all the leaders of the party stood by the chief minister’s leadership and the present crisis would be over after arrival of Mr Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, the BJD MP Mr Mohapatra, while replying to a query as to what would be his reaction if the chief minister took disciplinary action against him and his loyalists, Mr Mohapatra retorted, “It’s like you are asking me if I would be using umbrella if it rains.” To another question, he replied, “If the BJD legislators meet and decide to change the leadership, I cannot say anything on that. But such a possibility is far ahead.” BJD vice president Dr Damodar Rout Mr Mohapatra was trying to destabilize the ruling BJD by holding an “unwarranted” meeting. Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik survives coup bid

Ratikant Mohanty / source: www.indusvalleytimes.com Bhubaneswar, May 30: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday he survived a vertical split bid by the party dissidents led by party’s Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra. The dissidents put on hold their plan to stage a “possible coup” for the time being. The dissidents, who on Tuesday had held separate meetings at the Sahid Nagar residence of Mr Mohapatra and in a star hotel to finalise the split process desisted from their bid as they failed to manage the required number. The BJD has 104 legislators in the 147-member state Assembly. The dissident camp had also calculated to get support of some Congress, NCP and BJP legislators. Of the 33 MLAs and three ministers, who on Tuesday evening pledged support to Mr Mohapatra, changed their allegiance on Wednesday. Some of them showed off at Naveen Niwas at the chief minister’s residence to escape disciplinary action, thus upsetting the dissident camp’s plan. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, meanwhile, cut-short his nine-day trip to foreign countries, and is returning to Bhubaneswar to handle the crisis. The dissident leader Mr Mohapatra, while addressing a crowded press conference at the Swosti Premium Hotel here, said he had not plan to split the party. Mr Mohapatra admitted that the party president Mr Patnaik had come under the “evil” influence of a “group of conspirators” in the party forum. “The party chief has come under the evil influence of a group of conspirators who want to finish the party. I just wanted tell these conspirators they cannot kill the party for their vested interests,” he said. Ruling out any “threat” perception from his side to the chief minister, Mr Mohapatra clarified that the Tuesday’s meeting of legislators at his residence should not be construed as a revolt against the party leadership. “I don’t have any plan to dislodge Naveen Patnaik. The legislators do come to my residence regularly for consultation on different issues. On Tuesday, they came to me to discuss some issues. Many of the legislators complained about neglect by bureaucrats to legislators. They even alleged about not getting adequate attention in the party forum,” he said. Asked if he wanted to be chief minister, Mr Mohapatra said, “At this moment, I do not have any ambition to become the CM. Had I any ambition to become CM, I would have been so long before in 2009 when the party came to power in the state for the third term. Of the 130 BJD who contested elections, more than 90 per cent got tickets on my recommendations,” he claimed. ------ source: www.indusvalleytimes.com source: www.indusvalleytimes.com source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Members of SUCI holding demonstration in Bhubaneswar on Thursday protesting petrol price hike. (Photo-Piusha)

Source: www.indusvallytimes.com

Suzuki Motorcycles aims 5 per cent market share in current fiscal

By Priyanka Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar, May 23: Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL) on Tuesday said it aimed at achieving a five per cent market share in by the end of the current fiscal in the mass segment (100-110 cc) bikes with the launch of its latest two-wheeler, –Hayate.

Announcing the Odisha launch of the 112-cc engine powered Hayate here; SMIPL National Head (Sales and Planning) Rakesh Kumar said the overall market size of this segment is approximately 4.5 lakh units per month,

On the company's future plans, Mr Kumar said while the present manufacturing capacity stood at 3.6 lakh units per annum, it would be expanded to 4.5 lakh by this fiscal and eventually cross the five lakh mark by 2013-14.

A new plant would come up at Rohtak in Haryana, he added.

“The total investment till date is Rs 500 crore. Another Rs 500 crore will be invested in setting up the new plant; research and development,” he said in response to a question.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Prashant Aggarwal, Dealer Development Manager of SMIPL, said the 100-110 cc motorcycle segment was a promising market with tremendous growth potential.

“With Hayate’s entry, we intend to explore new opportunities and look at larger market share in the two-wheeler segment. Hayate is great option for customers looking for both uncompromising technology and value for money,” he said.

The 4-stroke, air-cooled, 112 cc engine Hayate is available in five colours – Pearl Mirage White, Metallic Lush Green, Pearl Mira Red.,

“The bike makes for a peppy ride. Its 8 liter fuel tank and unbeatable mileage cuts down trips to the petrol bunk even for daily commuters,” said Mr Aggarwal.

The bike comes with aluminum cast wheels and front and rear drum brakes.  It is priced at Rs 43,293 (auto-start) and Rs 41,293 (kick-start).

Source:www.indusvalleytimes.com/ www.indusvalleytimes.com /(Odisha)/ www.indusvalleytimes.com/(Odisha) www.indusvalleytimes.com / (Odisha)

Naveen to visit UK on Wednesday, reiterates support for Sangma

By Ratikant Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, May 23: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik will leave for the United Kingdom on Wednesday. This will be his maiden foreign trip after 12 years.

The chief minister, who was a frequent flyer to Western countries prior to making his political debut in 1997, had refrained from going overseas ever since assuming the office of chief minister on March 5, 2000.

During his nine-day visit, Naveen is scheduled to hold discussions with the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK government on different issues, including anti-poverty programmes in the state.

However, no minister was given the charge to handle the responsibilities of the Chief Minister’s Office in his absence.

“I will discuss on girls’ education projects and anti-poverty programmes with the officials of DFID,” the chief minister said on Tuesday.

The chief minister also said he would hold discussions with experts at Sussex University, on several issues. Besides, in an apparent bid to promote the Odisha’s handloom and handicraft, he will inaugurate an exhibition of the state’s handloom products in London.

A delegation of Odia students would meet the chief minister during his visit.

Odisha’s textiles minister Usha Devi, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe development minister Ramesh Majhi and a group of senior officials will accompany the chief minister in his trip.

“The chief minister’s visit would strengthen the relations between Odisha and the United Kingdom, particularly with the DFID,” ruling BJD youth wing president Sanjaya Das Burma said here on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the chief minister on Tuesday reiterated his support to NCP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma as the Presidential candidate.

Mr Sangma met the chief minister at his residence in Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi, in the morning and thanked him for his support to him.

Praising the NCP leader, Mr Patnaiik said that he was by far the best Presidential candidate.

“Without doubt, he is by far the best candidate for the highest post of the land. He is a leader for crores and crores of tribal people. A distinguished tribal leader should be the Rashtrapti of the country,” Mr Patnaik said.

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Source:www.indusvalleytimes.com/ www.indusvalleytimes.com /(Odisha)/ www.indusvalleytimes.com/(Odisha) www.indusvalleytimes.com / (Odisha)

5 killed, 30 injured in train accident

New Delhi, May 22 (PTI): Atleast five persons were killed and around 30 injured when Bengaluru-bound Hampi Express collided with a stationary goods train at Penneconda station of Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district early on Tuesday morning.

"Five persons have been killed and 30 others are injured when the train, travelling from Hubli to Bengaluru, collided with a goods train at Penneconda station at around 3.15 AM," a Railway Spokesperson said.

The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Three bogies, one SLR and two ordinary second class coaches, were derailed due to the collision.

One of the coaches also caught fire. The fire has been brought under control and rescue and relief operations were going on, he said.

"The reason of the accident is yet to be ascertained but prima facie it seems that the driver of Hampi Express overshot the signal," the spokesperson said, adding senior railway officials have rushed to the spot.

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Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com  www.indusvalleytimes.com  www.indusvalleytimes.com

Odisha to get NIPER if land is made available

By Bandita Das

Bhubaneswar: The Central Government is ready to set up a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Odisha if the state government would provide land and other necessary infrastructure, according to Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena.

“If the state Government agrees to provide land and other infrastructure to set up NIPER in the State, I will take up the matter with the Planning Commission in this regard for the development of pharmacy sector in the State,” he added saying that he has already discussed the matter with the state government and the Planning Commission”,

"Eastern India is lagging behind other states in pharma sector. The proposed Niper will go a long way to address the human resources issue. At the same time, the state governments in this region must come up with attractive policy framework to boost up pharma sector by wooing investment from across the world", Mr Jena said.

The minister said the state government had done precious little to boost up the pharma sector.

“The state government seems not interested to give a boost the Orissa Drugs and Chemicals Ltd.[ODCL] which has been making cash profit for last couple of years. If you [the state government] cannot develop the only big pharmaceutical company in joint venture, you must handover to us. That also they are not prepared”, he lamented. 

This is a profit making Joint Sector Undertaking promoted by Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa (IPICOL). IDPL holds 51% of the equity shares and the rest is with IPICOL.  The company was incorporated in 1979 and commissioned fully for production from September, 1983. It manufactures pharmaceutical products and offers pharmaceutical formulations in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, and ointments.

Earlier on May 20 speaking at the Pharma Convention 2012 on “Empowerment of Pharmaceutical Sector,” Mr Jena underscored the need for promoting generic medicines and doctors have an important role to play.”The Central Government has launched Jan Ausadhi campaign by setting up Jan Ausadhi stores for providing medicines at affordable prices. Generic medicines should be available to common man at affordable prices”, he said.

In Odisha only 16 such counters are operational out of 25,000 retail shops, Mr Jena said adding that there should be at least 600 generic medicine units in the state.

Asserting that Pharmaceutical sector in India has a global presence with its share in the total pie of approvals for generic drugsr issing steadily, Mr Jena said, formulation exports from India, essentially generic drugs, have grown at 21% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2005-06 and 2010-11.

Organized by the Odisha Pharmacy Intellectual Forum and attended by over 550 delegates from the pharmaceutical sector from across the State, the Pharma Convention called for setting up a Task Force to look into various aspects to facilitate the development of this sector. Experts were unanimous that the state with a vast stretch of coast line dotted with ports can easily emerge as the investment destination for medium and mega pharmaceutical industries.

Maoist-hit Odisha sees forest growth

By Our Correspondent

Bhubaneswar: After the harsh note from the Centre about untamed Maoist activities in Odisha, here is something heartening for the State Government. Despite a general trend of decline in forest cover, Odisha is among the few States that showed increase, marginal though, in forest cover.

There has been notable increase in forest cover in Odisha, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the past three years. The period also saw a massive decline in forest cover in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. These were revealed in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha.

According to Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan, Odisha has seen a decent increase in spread of forest cover. Since 2009, the State has added 48 sq km of forest cover. It is spread over a geographical area of 1.55 lakh sq km and has a forest area of 48,903 sq km. Of this, 7,060 sq km is very dense, 21,366 is moderately dense and 20,477 sq km open forest.

According to the Minister, Andhra Pradesh has lost 281 sq km forest cover.

The State has a geographical area of 2.75 lakh sq km and a forest cover of 46,389 sq km, out of which 850 sq km is under very dense forest, 26,242 sq km under moderate dense forest and 19,297 sq km under open forest.

This has been attributed to forest clearance in some encroached areas and harvesting of short rotation crops followed by new regeneration and plantation.

Kerala is the next State in South India to see a marginal loss in forest cover totalling 24 sq km.

The State has a geographical area of 38,863 sq km and a forest cover of 17,300 sq km, of which 1,442 sq km is under very dense forest, 9,394 sq km under moderate dense forest and 6,464 sq km under open forest.

The reply given by Natarajan states that the decrease in forest cover in the State can be attributed to rotational felling of eucalyptus, teak, acacia, mangium, rubber and share-bearing trees in gardens.

Odisha to undertake massive plantation before monsoon

By Baishnab Jena

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to undertake massive plantation drive before the onset of the coming monsoon. Plantation will be taken up in at least two lakh hectares with an estimated cost of Rs 183 crore, official sources said.

In 2011-12, plantation was undertaken in 1.82 lakh hectares with an expenditure of Rs 160 crore.

The target for avenue plantation during the current fiscal was fixed at 1600 km as against 769 km done during 2011-2012, the sources added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who chaired a high level meeting on afforestation programme on May 20, asked forest officials to ensure adequate supervision of the programme so that saplings were properly nourished.

Senior forest officers, who attended the meeting, explained the plans relating to afforestation, avenue plantation, raising of saplings and utilisation of funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Plantation Authority (CAMPA).

The meeting also discussed urban plantation and beautification activities. It decided that plantation would be taken up in 28 towns this fiscal, as against 12 towns where it was taken up during last financial year.

Around three lakh saplings would be planted in different educational institutions and other places.

Odisha has seen a decent increase in spread of forest cover in recent times. Since 2009, the state has added 48 sq km of forest cover. It is spread over a geographical area of 1.55 lakh sq km and has a forest area of 48,903 sq km. Of this, 7,060 sq km is very dense, 21,366 is moderately dense and 20,477 sq km open forest.

Interlocutors complain “coercive” action, urge government to execute agreement

By Ratikant Mohanty/ www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Dr B.D. Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, the two interlocutors who had facilitated release of two Italian nationals taken hostage in March, on May 21 wrote a letter to the Odisha home secretary U.N. Behera complaining “coercive action” by the state government against the rebels.

In the letter, the interlocutors said the state government had not followed the “references of future action plans” it had signed with them.

Stating that the state government on the concluding meeting on April 7, 2012 had promised to work towards promoting mutual trust, finalise the frame for release of prisoners, discuss the basic issues such as command over resources and their use; and examine the aspects of governance in scheduled areas, the interlocutors alleged that no tangible efforts were made on those regards.

“After abduction of Italian tourists, the Odisha State Committee of CPI (Maoists) had declared cease fire. The state government, on its part, also declared that there shall be no coercive action by security forces. The basic objective of an episode like this is to move gradually towards normalcy in all spheres of life, including use of force at one end to assertion of natural rights by the people on the other. But this unstated premise has not been materialized. While Maoists in this area are maintaining cease-fire, the state forces has ravaged their forest abodes twice,” the interlocutors alleged.  

Observing that the high expectations of the people or return of had once again been endangered, the negotiators said the prevailing situation was just “the other way round.”

“The simple tribals are panicky with the onset of combing operations. The word ‘Green Hunt’ has a dreaded signal for the worst eventuality of ‘horror scenes’ in Village India. This scenario can change to the core if the colonial aberrations of the system are erased and people-centric systems with community at the top are adopted,” they argued in the letter. 

They pleaded for early release of prisoners who the state government agreed to set free during the negotiation process and stop exploitation of the tribals.

Replying to the letter, the home secretary said the government was following its commitments in litter and spirit. He, however, reiterated that the Maoists had broken the peace process by resuming violence in certain areas.