Odisha police writes govt for confiscation of Rs 200 crore property of AT Group

BYNalini Sahu

Bhubaneswar, May 9: The Odisha police on Friday wrote a letter to the state government recommending for confiscation of properties worth Rs 200 crore of Artha Tatwa (AT) Group, a chit fund company which is part of the 44 companies to be probed by the CBI.

“The police has written a letter to the state government for the confiscation of property of the AT Group in two phases. The properties recommended for confiscation include 106 acres of land and some independent duplex houses and flats owned by the company,” police commissioner Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma told the media here.

In November, the police had seized 13 vehicles and some plots of land belonging to the AT Group in the course of its investigation into the multi-crore chit fund scam. It had arrested Pradeep Sethi, managing director of AT Group, in May last year on charges of running illegal financial business and duping investors.

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BJP forecasts total rout of Congress in Odisha

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Bhubaneswar, April 14: The BJP on Monday said the Congress in Odisha would be wiped out in the ongoing elections and the party claimed that it would form the next government in the state by getting a clear majority.

“We are pretty sure that the NDA will form the government at the Centre under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Similarly, Odisha will witness unexpected results in the assembly elections. The Congress will be wiped out in the state and BJP will emerge as the number one party after the elections,” BJP central leader Arun Singh said at a press conference here.

He also said even if the BJD gets a few MP seats, the people of the state would not benefit as the regional party wants instability at the Centre.

Condemning the attack on the family members of the Congress candidate from Jeypore assembly seat, Taraprasad Bahinipati, - BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra who was also present at the press meet, - demanded the resignation and immediate arrest of senior BJD leader and school and mass education minister Rabinarayan Nanda for his alleged involvement in the attack.

DYNASTISM IN INDIAN POLITICS

Sahadev Meher    

Ours is a democratic form of government which is meant for the people, of the people and by the people. All the power of govt. originates from the public and ends with the public. Here the people are all in all – they can throne and dethrone any govt. they like. So in this form of govt. if the sovereign power runs down from a ruler to his offspring like monarchy, it may not be so successful, because all the sons and daughters of a same family are different in their mind, action, capability and thinking.

If we go into the history of India we can see that congress is the only political party  who has ruled over for more than fifty years after independence. After the first prime minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Lalbahadur Sastri and Indira Gandhi, the administration  is under the control of Gandhi family till now. Dr. Manmohan Singh, the toy Prime minister is ruling in the direction of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and even if Rahul Gandhi, who was only a MP beforehand.  Some of the most senior and efficient leaders also want to see Rahul Gandhi as the future Prime minister of India. What more can be seen as an example of flattery and undignified activity? Rahul Gandhi, who is quite inefficient and inexperience to face the varieties of problems of a vast country like India having various   diversities, cannot solve these problems. As he has no field knowledge about poverty and problems of the majority of people, which engulfs nearly sixty percent of people in remote areas. He has come from a well to do family where there is no poverty, no problems and no superstitions and no struggling for bread and butter. If he will be made the Prime minister of India he cannot really feel the pain and sufferings, problems and difficulties of common people.

Of course in a democratic from of govt. dynastism can be seen everywhere, not only in India but also in Asia and Europe. The famous journalist mark Tully has mentioned in his writing “ political dynastism ”that the system is also prevailing in some dignified families of some   developed  countries like – lee family of Singapore, Aungsan family of Mianmar, Ziaur rahaman and Sheikh Muzibur family of Bangladesh, Bhutto family of Pakistan and even if Kennedy and Bush family of USA. In dynastism the unity and integrity of the party is maintained intact though the leader is not so capable and experienced. For instance- in 1996 just after the demolition of Babri Masjid in the last part of Narasingh Rao govt. there was created a disruption in the congress party in which this party was on the verge of a division which would have led the fall of congress govt. At that time if the daughter -in-law   of Gandhi family, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi would not have taken the initiative to lead the congress party it was sure to face a division.

According to mark Tully, now in Indian parliament there are nearly 28% MPs belong to political parties run by their father and grandfathers. These MPs though not so efficient and capable are able to keep their political parties united and strong formed by their ancestors. For example –in  U.P- Mayabati after Kansiram of Samajbadi party, in Jammu Kashmir- Omar Abdula after his father Sheikh Abdula of National conference party, in Bihar- Rabdi Devi the most simple and innocent lady who took over the rein of RJD after Lalu yadav have  been able to keep their parties strong & united. Here although the parties are surviving but it is not fare & good for the democracy & for people. In those parties the old thinking & action prevails where as the changing times and  society requires new thinking and  new procedure to cope up with the changing world.

It we look in to the history we can  able to see that in Monarchy  system of administration also dynastism is not  so successful. For example in Moghul dynasty the thinking  capacity of Aurangzeb, and Shahajahan was not so same and powerful  as Akbar which resulted the decline of a so powerful Moghul Kingdom .So whatever form the government. maybe -democratic or monarchy if will not  changing with the time and  capacity it will not be fruitful.   If the new comers, new ideas and new procedures are not accepted, it cannot be everlasting because the administration completely rest on the capacity and ability of a ruler. The ideas and capacity of a person of a family may be strong, admirable and suitable but all his successors cannot be expected likewise as every individual is different in their ability, thinking and every other activity which is a natural law.

– The author is reputed State-level Columnist based at Patnagarh, Bolangir, Odisha.

Severe cyclonic storm looms large over Odisha, govt cancels puja holiday of employees

By Prasanna Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 9: The Odisha government on Wednesday cancelled puja holidays of its employees in 14 coast districts and ordered deployment of Disaster Rapid Force (ODRAF) in all vulnerable points as Met department forecasted a cyclone in Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast by Sunday.

“The state government has cancelled puja holidays of employees in coastal districts in view of possible cyclone. If any officials goes on holiday or remains absent office during this period, departmental action will be taken against them,” state revenue and disaster management minister Surya Narayan Patro told reporters after a high level preparedness meeting.

The minister said instructions were given revenue, food supplies, health and other related departments to remain alert to the situation.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), a specially raised calamity combating force, has already been deployed at different places.

Reports from Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Ganjam, Puri and Cuttack said the ODRAF team and fire personnel conducted mock drills.

The latest bulletin issued by the Met department suggested that a tropical storm brewing over the Andaman Sea would gather speed and destructive power when it crossed the Odisha-Andhra coast on Saturday.

“The wind speed of the system during the landfall will be between  175 to 185 km per hour. Fishermen have been asked not venture into sea during this period,” the bulletin said.

“The depression over the North Andaman Sea which moved northwestward with a speed of 13 km per hour during the past six hours, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 5.30 am today over north Andaman Sea, about 1100 km east-southeast of Paradip and 1200 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam,” it said.

All the districts authorities have also been asked to take required steps in villages located by the sea coast.

The 14 coastal districts where maximum alert has been issued are Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.

Odisha launches automated GPF service for govt employees

By Our Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6: Odisha has launched automated its General Provident Fund (GPF) service along with the Push SMS system for its government employees, thus becoming first state in the county to provide the beneficiaries latest updates on their accounts without any hassles.
According to officials, the automation service will benefit nearly two lakh state government employees whose GPF accounts are managed by the Accountant General (AG) of Odisha.
“The officials will now be able to check their GPF status online, just like they browse details of their bank accounts,” Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, state chief secretary, said while launching the GPF automation system with Push SMS here on Saturday.
 The software was planned by the AG Odisha with technical inputs from National Informatics Centre (NIC), NIC, Bhubaneswar.
The chief secretary said the new system was step forward in the mission to achieve paperless office and would help expedite GPF transactions and make the process accurate.
State Principal Accounts General Gargi Kaul said Odisha is the first State to have both the GPF e-statement and SMS push system.
“All the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) must take up the e-scheduling on time so that e-statement and Push SMS can serve the subscribers of GPF.  Till now, the office of the AG of Odisha was issuing the GPF account statement to subscribers annually through the respective DDOs. The employees had to wait till the end of the year to know the exact GPF position,” Mr Kaul said.
Now, employees can instantly check their balance position and all that they have to do is log on to the official website of AG, Odisha http://www.agodisha.gov.in. Besides, they can also point out any omission or mistake to the AG office for quick settlement, she added.
The system has also provision for registration of mobile numbers of subscribers through which they can get their monthly updates through SMS. Any subscription or withdrawal made from the GPF account will send an SMS alert to the subscriber. To avail the system, the employees, however, will have to get themselves registered through their respective drawing disbursal officers (DDOs).
Finance secretary Upendra Nath Behera said Odisha was ahead in different areas of e-governance and this is another significant step towards transparent GPF management.
Deputy Director General of NIC, Bhubaneswar SK Panda and Technical Director RN Behera spoke about technical details of the system. NIC has previously developed software for other administrative departments.

Three fishermen killed was battery goes off

By Sudhir Ranjan DashParadip, Oct. 6: Three fishermen were killed and seven others injured when their trawler named Jaya Durga caught fire in the Bay of Bengal near Astarang in Puri district late on Saturday night.The accident, according to the survivors, took place at around 2 am due to battery explosion.“After midnight, our pilot noticed blazing fire in the rear part of the trawler. He woke me up and we tried to douse the fire. Seven of our colleagues sustained burn injuries. Three persons who were received critical burns succumbed to their injuries on board the vessel,” said Babu Ray, the co-pilot.Sources said after the vessel caught fire, the pilot alerted the trawler owner over phone. The owner then informed the India Coast Guard about the mishap.“We traced vessel after two hours of voyage and rescued the injured fishermen. There was not delay whatsoever in the operation. Night factor accounted for a little delay in locating the ill-fated trawler,” said S.K. Nath, a senior Indian Coast Guard officer.Of the seven injured, the condition of three persons are stated to be serious. They have been sent to SCB Medical College.

ODISHA: BJD MLA abducted by Maoists

Bhubaneswar, March 24 (PTI): A tribal MLA of the ruling BJD in Odisha was abducted by Maoists in Koraput district, nearly 460 km from here, in the early hours of Saturday Jhina Hikaka, legislator from Laxmipur, was returning home from Koraput when more than 50 armed rebels stopped his vehicle near Toyaput, Koraput Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said. While the personal security officer (PSO) and driver of the MLA were allowed to leave, Hikaka was taken away into the nearby forest, about 40 km from here by the ultras at gunpoint, he said. The PSO and driver informed the Laxmipur police station about the incident, the Kumar said, adding steps have been initiated to ascertain the whereabouts of the legislator. The abduction came 10 days after the Maoists took two Italians hostage from Kandhamal district on March 14 and talks were in progress between rebel-nominated negotiators and government representatives to resolve the crisis. The incident happened hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the rebels to desist from violence. Meanwhile, Maoist negotiators engaged to end the Italian hostage crisis - B.D. Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty - have appealed to the Maoists to release the legislator without delay. Soon after the news broke out, chief minister Naveen Patnaik convened a meeting of senior officials in the state secretariat and discussed various ways to solve the crisis.

Raja wins battle, Supreme Court declares Athgarh election ultra vires

By Debadas Pradhan / www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, Dec.9: The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Odisha High Court decision and declared the election of Athgarh MLA Ramesh Rout as ultra vires.

The SC also ordered for fresh election for the Assembly seat.

On June 30, 2009, former minister and ex-Athagarh MLA Ranedra Pratap Swain had moved the Odisha High Court challenging rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer in 2009. He told the court that there had been a conspiracy to deprive him of fighting the elections.

After a protracted trial for nearly a year, the high court on June 23, 2010 observed that rejection of Ranendra’s nomination was illegal and directed for fresh polls in the constituency.

Ramesh filed a petition in the HC seeking a stay on its decision. The HC on June 29, 2010 rejected Rout’s petition.

On July 5, 2010, Ramesh went to Supreme Court seeking to quash the HC order. On July 9, 201 the SC asked the Election Commission of India not to conduct fresh election in Athagarh. Similarly on July 9, 2010, the apex court stayed the HC order quashing the membership of Athgarh MLA Ramesh Rout.

The SC had completed the hearing process on October 19, 2010 and reserved the verdict.

“I welcome the SC verdict. It’s victory of law…victory of Athgarh people, my political workers and my well-wishers. Finally, truth has prevailed and I got justice.” an elated Ranendra Pratap Swain said.

BJP president Jual Oram, while hailing the judgment, said the verdict was a slap in on the face ruling BJD leaders who conspired to keep Ranendra Pratap Swain out of the election fray.

Odisha by-poll:BJD wins Umerkote as embly by-poll

Prasant Rath (www.indusvalleytimes.com) Nowrangpur, Dec. 4: The ruling Biju Janata Dal on Sunday won the Umerkote assembly by-poll by defeating BJP by 21,061 votes. The victorious BJD candidate Subhas Ganda polled 54,713 votes, while the BJP nominee secured 33, 652 votes. The Congress representative Jatindra Ganda finished the poor third by securing 32,887 votes. “This is a victory of the BJD and its leadership Naveen Patnaik. I will try to live up to the expectation of people of my constituency,” Mr Ganda said in his immediate reaction after the results were declared. By-poll to the seat was held on November 30 following assassination of the sitting BJD legislator Jagabandhu Majhi on September 24. “I would like to thank the people of Umerkote for reposing their faith in BJD. It was vote for all the good work of the state government and trust in the chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s leaderdship,” senior BJD leader and revenue minister S. N. Patro, who was heading the campaign committee, said. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the BJD president, had campaigned in the constituency for a day despite having leg fracture problem. The BJP, on the other hand, said the ruling party rigged the results by misutilisation of government machinery and inducement. “From the day one when we were told that electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in Umerkote elections, we were sure that BJD will win the poll. You cannot expect neutral elections when EVMs placed under the government custody are used in the poll,” said BJP state vice president Ashok Sahu. Pradesh Congress President Niranjan Patnaik attributed the BJD’s victory to misuse of government machinery, manipulation and use of money and muscle power. “The BJD had deployed over a dozen of ministers and over 40 MLAs to canvass for its party candidate. It not only misutilised to government machinery to influence the votes, but also distributed blankets, money and household articles to voters,” said the PCC president.

Orissa is “Odisha,” Oriya is “Odia” now

By Nalini Sahu / www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 4: It’s official now. Finally, the name of Orissa has been altered to “Odisha” and the state’s language would henceforth will be called “Odia.”

The Government of India on Friday came out the gazette notification on the passing of the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010, and the Constitution (113th Amendment) Bill by the Parliament.

Expressing his happiness over the development, chief minister Naveen Patnaik declared that Saturay will be observed as holiday across the state. All government offices, schools and colleges and banks will remain closed, he ordered.

The chief minister thanked President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and members of the Parliament for supporting the name alteration bill.

The gazette notification implies completion of the name alteration process that was kick-started with the passing of a unanimous resolution by the Orissa Legislative Assembly in November, 2009.

On March 24, 2011 the Rajya Sabha had passed the bill to change the name of Orissa to “Odisha” and an amendment in the constitution to rename “Oriya” language as 'Odia'.

Both bills were passed by the Lok Sabha in November 2010.

The gazette notification mentioned that the change of names came into effect from November 1, 2011.

With the passing of the two bills in the Parliament, the name of the state specified as Orissa in the First Schedule of the Constitution would now be changed as Odisha.

The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010, and the Constitution (113th Amendment) Bill, 2010, for the change of the name of the language were moved by Union home minister P. Chidambaram early this year on the basis of resolutions passed by the Orissa Legislative Assembly.

Cultural organizations and employees of the state secretariat celebrated the gazette notification news by bursting crackers.

Panic grips Orissa’s mining belt as Dengue claims 2 lives

By Debadas Pradhan

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7: A 36-year-old man died of dengue at a private hospital here on Saturday, taking the total death toll in the infectious tropical disease to two in the last 36 hours.

Brunesh Mohant, a 36-year-old youth from Talcher who was admitted to Ayush Hospitals & Trauma Care here in the city on Friday evening, breathed his last at 1.50 p.m. The first dengue death of this season was reported from the Talcher colliery area on Friday. Narahari Behera, who was admitted to Cuttack-based Sun Hospital, died after battling for life for six days.

According reports, nearly 50 people are suffering from the disease in different parts of the state.

Of the 42 samples examined at the Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College, Cuttack, 27 tested positive. Angul reported the highest 21 cases while three each were received from Sudergarh and Cuttack districts.

In a quick response, the state government deputed health teams to the affected pockets.

“The government has promptly responded to the situation. We have sent separate health teams to Angul, Cuttack and Sundergarh districts,” health minister Prasanna Acharya told reporters here

Most of the dengue cases were reported from Talcher colliery areas near Angul as stagnant water was a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the minister said.

He added that authorities in all districts and the state capital had been asked to take immediate preventive steps and mosquito control measures.

Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Ollywood ropes in Kashmira Shah for item song

By Subrat Pati / www.indusvalleytimes.com
Famous Bollywood item queen, Kashmira Shah is now in Ollywood. She is appearing in an item number 'Kiese Dakuchhi Kouthi Mote' for an upcoming Oriya feature film produced by Manjari Movies of Eastern Media Limited. Kashmira will be seen in a rapchik getup dancing to the tune of front-ranking music director Malaya Mishra. She will be dancing with dashing Anubhab Mohanty. Famous Ollywood singer Ira Mohanty has lent her voice for the item number 'Kanta lagi chiri gala lo chunira ghagara'.

In 1993 Kashmira won the 'Miss World University India' and won 'Miss Talent Award' in a national contest in South Korea. In 1995, she won the 'Miss Globe India' and was ranked in the top 5 of the Best National Costume awards. She did theatres too. Except expertise in dance (especially item numbers) she has also played important role in Hindi movies like 'Yes Boss', 'Pyar to Hona Hi Tha', 'Aakhen', 'Vaastav' and 'Jungle'. Her performance in item songs like 'Dilpe mat le yaar', 'Jawani se jung ye choli meri ab tang' and many others has made her fans crazy. Hosting famous reality shows like Nach Baliye and Big Boss is one among her numerous achievements.
Odia cine lovers are waiting to enjoy her performance in the upcoming movie.

Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Brown sugar worth Rs 4 crore seized in pilgrim city Puri

By Debadas Pradhan/www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, May 27: The Orissa excise department officials on Friday arrested two persons and seized four kilograms of brown sugars from them in pilgrim city Puri, nearly 65 km from here.

The price of the seized contraband in international market is estimated to be Rs 4 crore, the excise department officials claimed.

The arrested persons were identified as Shyama Das of Puri and Tarachand Haripal of Madhya Pradesh.

According to police, acting on a tip off, - a special team of excise department officials stopped an Indica car which was coming from Bhubaneswar at Atharanala, the entry point to Puri, and recovered the banned item hidden under the seats of the vehicle.

“We were keeping a close watch on the movement of the two drug-peddlers for the past few days. We were informed that they were coming to Puri today with a huge haul of brown sugar. They were caught-red-handed,” the excise department officials said.

In yet another incident in the same city, miscreants seriously injured inspector Puri Town police station B. N. Mohanty by attacking him with the butt of a country-made pistol.

“While on duty, the injured inspector Mr Mohanty saw two criminals wanted in a number of cases were moving around in the city. When He tried to stop them, they attacked him. Despite the murderous assault on him, the inspector overpowered one of the criminals while the other one managed to escape. A manhunt is on to nab him,” informed deputy inspector general of police Sanjay Kumar.

The police officer Mr Mohanty – who sustained serious cut injuries on the left part of his head - was immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital. His condition is said to be stable and out of danger.

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BJP brings 10 serious charges against BJD

By Ratikant Mohanty/ www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, May 26: The BJP is now out to nail its erstwhile ally the BJD. The party on Thursday brought serious charges of corruption against the ruling BJD headed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
In a booklet titled “Bhrastacharinka Aparadh O Durnitira Kalankita Pharda (criminal acts of the crooks and black-pages of corrupts), the party mentioned about about 10 major corruptions that took place under the present regime in the last few years. The Rs 500-crore scam in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act finds place in the chapter one while dal and mining scams have been place in second and third chapters, respectively.
The booklet was prepared by the BJP chargesheet team headed by central executive body member r Bijoy Mohapatra. The book was released by BJP state president Jual Oram in presence of central leaders like Kiriti Somaya and Santosh Gangwar.
The other chapters deal with issues like diversion of river water for industrial use, farmer suicide, “undue” favour to Vedanta and Posco, water resources department scam, misappropriation of tribal development fund, “illegal” sale of Khandadhar mines and collapse of law and order situation.
Releasing the booklet in presence of Central BJP leaders Sontosh Gangwar and Kiriti Somaya, BJP state president Jual Oram said the party would go to the public to make them aware about the “real” face of Naveen Patnaik.
“After 10 years of drama, Naveen now stands exposed. People have started to see the real face of Naveen who is neck-deep involved in corruption,” Mr Oram said.
Charge-sheet committee chairman Mr Mohapatra, while throwing lights on various corruption charges, said the BJP would soon bring more serious charges of corruption against the BJD leadership.
“The only business of the BJD has to loot money. Almost all the corruption charges that we have placed in the booklet are bigger than the 2G spectrum scam. We will expose the BJD and its leader thoroughly,” he added.
The BJD spokesperson Baishnab Charan Parida rubbished the BJP’s chargesheet saying the BJP was making “baseless” allegations for its own political survival.
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Naveen reshuffles ministry, five new minister inducted, three dropped

Debi Mishra stripped off higher education, gets forest

By Debadas Pradhan/www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, May 10: In a reshuffle exercise, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday inducted five legislators as new ministers to his Cabinet and dropped three senior ministers. One of the state ministers – Ms Anjali Behera – was also elevated to Cabinet rank.

The legislators sworn-in as new Cabinet ministers at a function held at the Raj Bhawan here are Lal Bihari Himrika, Pradip Maharathy, Maheswar Mohanty, Usha Devi and Niranjan Pujari.

Mr Himrika was given scheduled caste and scheduled tribe development portfolio while Pradip Maharathy was given agriculture. Similarly Maheswar Mohanty was entrusted panchayati raj department while Usha Devi was given women and child development portfolio. Niranjan Pujari got food and civil supplies.

Slight readjustments were made into the portfolio of a few ministers. Sarada Nayak – who was holding food and civil supplies – was given urban development while higher education was taken away from Debi Prasad Mishra. Mr Mishra got forest department.

Earlier on Monday, the chief minister had sprung a surprise by dropping three ministers from his Cabinet. They included agriculture minister Dr Damodar Rout, sports and youth affairs minister Praveen Bhanjadeo and scheduled caste and scheduled tribe development minister Bijaya Ranjan Singh Bariha.

Later talking to the newspersons at the Raj Bhawan, the chief minister described the induction of new ministers into the council of ministers as a “routine” affair.

In fact, the chief minister effected a reshuffle in his council of ministers after completion of two years of his office in the third term. In his second term also, the chief minister had also gone for the reshuffle after two years.

Mr Patnaik said those inducted into the Ministry were experienced party leaders and hoped that they would work hard to the satisfaction of the people of Orissa. The new ministers, he said, would be allocated portfolios soon.

Sources said the newly sworn-in ministers will be distributed portfolios later in the evening.

The state politics have warmed up following dropping of the senior leader Dr Damodar Rout.

During Naveen’s second term, Dr Rout – who was then holding panchayati raj portfolio – was also shunted out from the council of ministers after two years. The veteran leader, while reacting to his exclusion, dropped hints that he was dropped as he did not bow to pressures from some influential circles in the party forum.

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Orissa signs MoU for three more IPP projects

By Debasmita Biswal/www.indusvalleytimes.com
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government on January 3 signed memoranda of understanding with three private companies to set up at least three 1320 MW each supercritical independent thermal power projects in the state with a total investment of Rs 20,469. 60 crore.
The MoUs were signed with KU Projects Private Limited (KPPL), SPI Ports Private Limited (SPIPL), NSNL Nagapatnam Power Company Private Limited (NNPCPL).
Commissioner cum secretary P.K. Jena and representatives of the three firms signed the MoUs in presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and a host of senior government officials.
While KPPL will set up coal fired supercritical thermal power project at Pitamahul in Sonepur district with a total investment of Rs 7260 crore, SPIPL power station would come up at Mahakalapara in Kendrapara district. KKPL will draw water from the Mahanadi river.
On the other hand, SPIPL would utilize the sea water through desalination process.
The NNPCPL coal-fired project would come up at Tentulipathar in Angul district with Rs 6600 crore. The company will also draw water from the Mahanadi river system.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Mr Patnaik said the state government would provide the required cooperation and support in shape of land, water, law and order to the proposed projects.
Energy minister Mr Nayak said the promoters have agreed to provide a certain quantum of power (12-14 per cent power at avariable cost) to the state as well as financial consideration which will be utilized for environment and general development of the state.
“All promoters shall submit concrete investment proposal in other sectors for creation of employment opportunities for local people along with additional revenue generation of the state government. They will also fly ash management plan duly approved by Orissa Pollution Control Board,” said the energy minister.
Orissa has so far signed 27 MoUs with independent power producers for setting up 34040 mw thermal power projects in the state. The share of the state out of these power plants will be around 6299 MW.

Orissa MLA throws pen-stand at Speaker’s podium, regrets

By Ratikant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 20: The Orissa Legislative Assembly, which is most often in news for wrong reasons, on Monday witnessed yet another unpleasant scene as Congress members – irked by “insulting” remarks by the state industry minister Raghuanth Mohanty trooped into the well of the House and one of them threw a pen-stand the Speaker’s podium.
Fortunately, the pen-stand did not hit the Speaker. It flew away a few yards right of the Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat and fell behind his chair after hitting the wall.
The noisy scene took place during the question hour when industry minister Raghunath Mohanty, during his reply to a query, observed that the Opposition Congress members were involved in tender fixing activity in water resources department.
Enraged at the minister’s statement, the Congress members rushed to well of the House and urged the Speaker to direct the minister to “withdraw” his remark.
As the Speaker did not pass on the any ruling on the Opposition’s demand, Congress members Santosh Singh Saluja threw a pen stand at the Speaker’s podium.
Seeing that the situation was turning violent, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes from 11.14 a.m. to 11.29 a.m.
After the House reassembled, Congress member Mr Saluja expressed regret for his act. The minister Mr Mohanty sounded apologetic and said he did not want to hurt the sentiment of the Opposition.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the behavior of Congress member Mr Saluja as “unfortunate” and said the Speaker would take appropriate action against the legislator.
“This is most unfortunate that a violent incident took place in the Orissa Legislative Assembly today. I hope the Speaker would take appropriate action against the member (Santosh Singh Saluja),” said Mr Patnaik.

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Orissa MLA throws pen-stand at Speaker’s podium, regrets

By Ratikant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 20: The Orissa Legislative Assembly, which is most often in news for wrong reasons, on Monday witnessed yet another unpleasant scene as Congress members – irked by “insulting” remarks by the state industry minister Raghuanth Mohanty trooped into the well of the House and one of them threw a pen-stand the Speaker’s podium.
Fortunately, the pen-stand did not hit the Speaker. It flew away a few yards right of the Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat and fell behind his chair after hitting the wall.
The noisy scene took place during the question hour when industry minister Raghunath Mohanty, during his reply to a query, observed that the Opposition Congress members were involved in tender fixing activity in water resources department.
Enraged at the minister’s statement, the Congress members rushed to well of the House and urged the Speaker to direct the minister to “withdraw” his remark.
As the Speaker did not pass on the any ruling on the Opposition’s demand, Congress members Santosh Singh Saluja threw a pen stand at the Speaker’s podium.
Seeing that the situation was turning violent, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes from 11.14 a.m. to 11.29 a.m.
After the House reassembled, Congress member Mr Saluja expressed regret for his act. The minister Mr Mohanty sounded apologetic and said he did not want to hurt the sentiment of the Opposition.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the behavior of Congress member Mr Saluja as “unfortunate” and said the Speaker would take appropriate action against the legislator.
“This is most unfortunate that a violent incident took place in the Orissa Legislative Assembly today. I hope the Speaker would take appropriate action against the member (Santosh Singh Saluja),” said Mr Patnaik.

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Pyari-Damodar war of wards warms BJD politics

By Our Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 10: The internal bickering in the ruling BJD, especially between the Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra and senior leader Dr Damodar Rout, has now come to the fore with both the leaders indulging in a fierce war or words. Hitting back at Dr Rout’s Tuesday’s remark there was no second person other than the chief minister Naveen Patnaik to assess his performance, Mr Mohapatra said the agriculture minister was apparently perceiving “some threat” to his position as the chief minister is set to start an evaluation exercise concerning functioning of his ministers. “You earn enemies when you work sincerely and whole heartedly for your party or for that matter any organisation. We are no exception to it,” Mr Mohapatra told in an interview with the local OTV channel. Dr Rout sought back: “There was time in the past when I used to evaluate performance of the people who are now boasting of shouldering the party responsibility and out to evaluate us.” Not to be left behind, the maverick BJD RS member, not be left behind, fought back saying “Dr Rout was a veterinary doctor when I was collector and later head of Dandakaranya project. Later, I was advisor to the then chief minister (Read Biju Patnaik) I never worked under him.” The war of words began recently after Mr Mohapatra, said to be the advisor chief minister Naveen Patnaik, indicated about a ministry reshuffle basing on the performance of the ministers.
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