Future Berhampur

Nine private agencies submit EoI for IIIT in Odisha; locating it at Berhampur rests on State Govt’s honesty

2012-02-08T17:13:00.000+05:30

STPI- Berhampur

The State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik including several of his Ministerial colleagues have expressed their keenness for having the proposed IIIT at Berhampur on multiple occasions. This is mainly because of two reasons. First, Berhampur is still the only measure city in the state without a centrally funded higher education Institution and IIIT can fill the void. Second, other cities of the state like Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur have state funded IIITs and Rourkela has a centrally funded NIT. So, that leaves Berhampur as the only other prominent city which is the most deserving to have this Institute. As the much awaited Institution is on the verge of fruition, now is the test of sincerity of the Government led by Patnaik on whether they keep their promise for a centrally funded Institute at Berhampur or betray the people like their predecessors over the past several decades. Further, the public of Odisha, and Ganjam/Berhampur in particular can’t take the establishment of the Institute for granted. It is also the test of public activism and role of civil society in moulding public opinion and force the Government to implement its promise.

I earnestly appeal all those readers and concerned individuals who feel that the issue is worth fighting for; to voice their demand before the state government for early establishment of IIIT at Berhampur. Following are the emails of the people which you may consider writing to: cmo@ori.nic.in, cmorissa@ori.nic.in, cmo-ps@ori.nic.in, hrm@nic.in, ksibal@sansad.nic.in, kapilsibal@hotmail.com, kapil@kapilsibal.com, d.puran@nic.in, secy.dhe@nic.in, athakur.edu@nic.in, nksinha.edu@nic.in, rpsisodia.edu@nic.in, csori@ori.nic.in ranjan.khanna@gmail.com, mdeoraoffice@gmail.com, pilotoffice@gmail.com, secretary@mit.gov.in, shankar.aggarwal@mit.gov.in, ajay@mit.gov.in, vbt@mit.gov.in, tsarkar@mit.gov.in, , dstsec@ori.nic.in, itsec@ori.nic.in

SOSA demands Police Commissionerate system in Greater Berhampur

2012-02-07T23:26:00.002+05:30

Dear Chief Minister Sir,

The present state of lawlessness in Berhampur city and its adjoining areas has become a cause for concern. Owing to total lack of alacrity in the police administration here; violence, loot, extortion, murder and gang war have become the order of the day. The Greater Berhampur Region comprising of Berhampur city and its nearby areas of Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut have turned out to be the safe havens for criminals and anti-social elements. As an upshot of this people here are under panic for the last several months, but the state administration is treating this matter with utter callousness. The rising crime graph in the City in the last few years under your dispensation not only shows the insensitivity and inability of the State Government in maintaining law and order in this major commercial city but points to the virtual collapse of the state machinery in the entire region of South Odisha. As the Home Minister of the State the buck stops with you and we demand concrete measures as silence is certainly not the solution.

To deal with the law and order situation in the capital city region, comprising Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, your government created the Commissionerate Police system there. But in case of Berhampur city, where law and order has completely collapsed the State Government has shown little interest in restoring the rule of law. Berhmapur, being a bordering city of Andhra Pradesh and hence the transit point for the anti-social elements and being surrounded by Maoist infested districts, the need for Commissionerate Police system here cannot be overemphasized. In contrast, the discrimination shown towards the city and the entire region of South Odisha is glaring. To mention just one, the state government has created an IG police range for central Odisha at Cuttack, IG police for Northern range at Sambalpur and IG police for Western range at Rourkela while there is no IG range for the entire region of South Odisha even though the law and order situation here is worse compared to the rest of the state.

the pioneer

SOSA demanded establishment of a police commissionerate system at Brahmapur

The South Odisha Students’ Association (SOSA) demanded establishment of a police commissionerate system at Brahmapur.

In a letter to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the SOSA president Ram Prasad Tripathy said the Greater Brahmapur Region comprising of Brahmapur city and its nearby areas of Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut have turned out to be the safe havens for criminals and anti-social elements. People are in panic for the last several months with a steep rise in the crime graph, but the State administration is treating this matter with utter callousness.
Justifying the reasons for the establishment of the police commissionerate system, the association said Brahmapur is a bordering city of Andhra Pradesh and hence the transit point for the anti-social elements. It is surrounded by Maoist infested districts and so there is a need for restructuring the existing system of policing......................

Ram Prasad Tripathy, president of the South Odisha Students’ Association, has demanded a police commissionerate system for the city and nearby areas of Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut.
“The present lawlessness in Berhampur city and its adjoining areas has become a cause for concern. The region has turned out to be a safe haven for criminals and the state administration is treating this matter with utter callousness,” wrote Tripathy in a letter to chief minister Naveen Patnaik on February 6.
“The state government has created an IG police range for central Odisha at Cuttack, IG police for northern range in Sambalpur and IG police for western range in Rourkela. However, there is no IG range for the entire region of south Odisha even though the law and order situation here is worse compared to the rest of the state,” he said.

Notwithstanding this discriminatory approach of the past we want stern measures from your government to contain the rising criminal activities and deteriorating law and order situation in Greater Berhampur. The blame can’t be entirely laid at the local police administration as the existing police infrastructure and man-power is proving to be grossly inadequate for a fast growing city like Berhampur. The existing system of policing therefore needs to be restructured in keeping with the gravity of the present problem and the future growth of the City. In light of the above, Police Commissionerate system for Greater Berhampur has become inevitable and any delay in this regard will prove costly for the safety and security of the citizens.

To overcome the present situation of lawlessness in Greater Berhampur Region and to clamp down the perpetrators of crime we seek your immediate intervention. The people of the region have seen enough of underdevelopment and deprivation and they can ill-afford such a deteriorating environment arising out of complete lawlessness. We do hope that the State Government will take concrete steps for bringing the situation under control by protecting life and property of the people and ensure lasting peace in this major city of the state. Being the Home Minister of the state and for being in the know of the law and order situation of the region, we request you to consider the genuine demand of the people for Police Commissionerate system in Greater Berhampur comprising Berhampur city, Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut, with all seriousness that it deserves.

Warm Regards,

R.P.Tripathy

President, SOSA

High Court Bench demand galvanizes masses in Berhampur

2012-02-04T15:34:00.000+05:30

Source: The Sambad

International Finance Corporation team visit waste management project site in Berhampur

2012-02-02T17:15:00.000+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Gopalpur-Rayagada railway line project getting delayed for want of funds: ECoR GM

2012-01-30T21:09:00.003+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Odisha History Congress held at Berhampur University

2012-01-29T22:23:00.001+05:30

Endangered crocodile population increases in Ghodahada near Berhampur

2012-01-29T22:07:00.002+05:30

Population of mugger, an endangered species of crocodiles in Ghodahada irrigation reservoir, near Digapahandi located about 50 km from Berhampur city in Ganjam district, increased by 7 in the last two years. The population of mugger which had counted in the 5-sq km water bodies at 41 in 2010, their number went up to 48 at present. The two-day enumeration of the crocodile ended yesterday, where at least 25 forest officials were engaged in the exercise held after two years.

While the enumerators sighted 41 adult (above 4-ft-long) muggers inside the reservoir area, other seven were sighted outside the reservoir, said divisional forest officer, Berhampur A K Jena. With a major chunk of the mugger living in the reservoir, Ghodahada can be considered as another potential habitat for the mugger, the wildlife experts said. Similipal, Satakosia, Ramtirth and Baisipalli in the states have been identified as the habitats of the muggers.

The wildlife lovers however were excited when they found a number of muggers housed in Ghodahada, the reservoir is meant for the irrigation purpose. "Improvement of habitat, including the conservation measures and constant monitoring of their behaviours are some of the reasons for the increase of the population of muggers in the reservoirs," DFO said.

The muggers in the reservoir swim safely as the local fishermen did not harm them, even though they use the water body for the fishing purpose. This despite frequent reports of destruction of the fishing nets by the animal. The forest officials in the area are also creating awareness among the local people for co-existence of men and animals.

A pilot project on "Biodiversity conservation through community based natural resources management" is being implemented in the area with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for providing alternative livelihood support to the people of the area and to protect the biodiversity in the area. The Rs 70 lakh project which started in 2008-09 will end in the month of March next.

Source: Zeenews.com, The Sambad

Players from Andhra Pradesh excel in AITA tennis championship in Berhampur

2012-01-27T20:01:00.000+05:30

Players from Andhra Pradesh ruled in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Talent Series 2011 tournament for ‘under 16 years' boys and girls that concluded in the city January 26,2012.

In the girls' singles final Sai Keerhi Behara of Andhra Pradesh beat her compatriot from Andhra Pradesh Likhita Landa in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 to win the championship. In the boys' singles it was again N. Bhupal Raju of Andhra Pradesh was the winner of the final match. He beat M.M.K. Ramineni of Andhra Pradesh in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. The Andhra boys also excelled in the boys' doubles section. The pair from Andhra Pradesh comprising N.Bhupal Raju and Sajid Ur Rehman won the tournament. They beat the doubles team from Odisha of Adarsh Sahoo and Abhilash Ch. Sahoo in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.

Participants of this tournament gathered up valuable points for their AITA ranking. Winner of the tournament would get 25 points, runners-up 20 points, semi-finalists are to get 15 points, quarter finalists would have 10 points, pre-quarter finalists will get eight points and the participants who all won first round got four points for their AITA ranking. The closing ceremony was held at Union Club tennis courting the city.

SOSA meets Rlys Minister for Brahmapur station expansion

2012-01-23T17:43:00.001+05:30

Demanding better railway infrastructure and connectivity for Brahmapur and South Odisha in the upcoming Railway Budget, South Odisha Students’ Association (SOSA) has submitted a memorandum to Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi in New Delhi. The students’ body has urged the Railway Minister to consider the long standing demand for a railway coaching terminal complex at Brahmapur, provision of adequate funds for the modernisation of century-old Brahmapur railway station with additional platforms, widening of the existing platforms, new entry points in place of the goods-shed which was shifted in 2005, adequate passenger amenities besides new long distance trains and expansion of inter-city trains. The association also demanded the early establishment of the proposed wagon manufacturing unit at Sitalapalli near the city and sought approval for new railway lines connecting Brahmapur and Sambalpur via Phulbani and Gopalpur to Rayagada as these railway lines are both economically viable and socially desirable. In their memorandum SOSA said that Brahmapur railway station handles the second highest number of passengers per day after the Bhubaneswar railway station in the State. “However, this railway station has been facing repeated negligence from the East Coast Railway zone authorities and not a single demand of the people has been addressed in the last decade,” said SOSA president RP Tripathy.

Source: The Pioneer

Photo: www.berhampurphoto.blogspot.com

Gana Samaj protests at Berhampur

2012-01-23T17:39:00.000+05:30

Source: Orissa Sambad

Tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 115th birth anniversary today

2012-01-23T17:25:00.000+05:30

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose visited Berhampur in 1935 during the freedom Movement and addressed a gathering at the historic Barracks ground in the city

SOSA demands better railway infrastructure and connectivity for Berhampur and South Odisha

2012-01-20T18:31:00.002+05:30

The South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) submitted a Memorandum to Central Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi demanding better railway infrastructure and connectivity for south Odisha and improvement of amenities at Brahmapur railway station. The Students’ body urged the Railway Minister to consider the long standing demand for a railway coaching terminal complex at Brahmapur, provision of adequate funds for the modernization of century old Brahmapur railway station with additional platforms, widening of the existing platforms, new entry points in place of the goods-shed which was shifted in 2005, adequate passenger amenities besides new long distance trains to New Delhi, Ahmadabad, Allahabad, Jamshedpur, Jaipur and Inter-city trains to Rourkela, Baripada, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Koraput etc. The Association also demanded the early establishment of the proposed Wagon manufacturing unit at Sitalapalli near Brahmapur and sought approval for new railway lines connecting Brahmapur and Sambalpur via Phulbani and Gopalpur to Rayagada for these railway lines being both economically viable and socially desirable. In their memorandum the SOSA members alleged that Berhampur station has till date not received proper attention of railway authorities. Members of this students' organisation urged the Railway Minister to visit Berhampur to take stock of situation and to assess the need of development. It may be noted that Berhampur is third largest city of Odisha and its railway station is more than a century old. According to reports this railway station handles second highest number of passengers in the State.

Full text of the memorandum:

To,

Shri Dinesh Trivedi

Hon’ble Union Railway Minister

Rail Bhawan

New Delhi-110001

Subject: Demand for better railway infrastructure and connectivity for Brahmapur and South Odisha

Hon’ble Railway Minister Sir,

We write to seek your attention towards the pathetic state of railway infrastructure and poor passenger amenities at Brahmapur Railway station under the East Coast Railway zone in Odisha.

Sir, as you are aware, Brahmapur is the 3rd largest city in Odisha and the century old railway station here caters to the need of more than 5 million people of South Odisha. Being a major rail-head in the Howrah-Chennai rail route, this railway station also serves as the gateway for huge number of tourists coming from various parts of India and the world to the famous Gopalpur sea beach, Chilka Lake, famous hill temple of Maa Tara Tarini and the vast hinterland of South Odisha. As per reports, this Railway station handles the second highest number of passengers per day after the Bhubaneswar Railway Station in the state of Odisha. However, this railway station has been facing repeated negligence from the East Coast Railway zonal authorities and not a single demand of the people has been addressed in the last decade. There are only 3 narrow platforms in functioning condition in the station resulting in huge inconveniences for the passengers. The decades old proposal of the Railway Department to add 2 more platforms to accommodate more passengers and trains is yet to materialize. Though the goods-shed was shifted from this railway station in 2005 to facilitate the construction of new platforms for passenger use, this project is yet to start. While more than 70% of the existing platforms are roof-less, demand for platform-sheds and widening of these platforms have been ignored causing difficulties for the passengers. There is not even proper drinking water and lighting facility in the Railway station. While less crowded Railway stations in the State and elsewhere are getting due attention and modern facilities, the Brahmapur Station is being denied the basic and essential facilities even after announcements to this effect made by the Railway Ministry from time to time. Sir, needless to mention that the Divisional Railway authorities in Khurda Road and East Coast Zonal authorities at Bhubaneswar are squarely responsible for the pathetic state of this century old Railway station.

Sir, your recent visits to various states and announcements in the Parliament have brought a new sense of hope among the people. We request you to pay a visit to Brahmapur Railway station in your next visit to Odisha to see the pitiable state of affairs existing here. But, before that let me bring to your notice some key issues that the people of Brahmapur city and south Odisha have been demanding for long and they have got nothing but disappointment in return.

First, long standing demand for establishment of a coaching terminal to ensure the starting, termination and extension of long distance trains from Brahmapur, the southernmost city in the state of Odisha.

Brahmapur Railway station is infamous for large-scale migrations of people of the backward south Odisha to different parts of India in search of livelihood. Added to this the growth of Brahmapur city has resulted in Railway passengers rising exponentially and existing number of trains turning out to be inadequate. Infact, there is not even a regular train from Brahmapur to New Delhi and other major North Indian cities like Allahabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur etc. Sighting the absence of a coaching terminal the Railway authorities for decades have denied the extension of trains to Brahmapur, now terminating either at Bhubaneswar or at Puri, which are in north Odisha, and so denying the entire south Odisha from adequate number of long-distance trains. Therefore, we request you to consider sympathetically the longstanding demand for a Railway-coaching terminal in Brahmapur especially because this is an absolute necessity for better Railway connectivity for Brahmapur and south Odisha.

Second, improving infrastructure of the railway station building, surrounding area and railway platforms etc.

The present infrastructure of Brahmapur Railway station is not even comparable with smaller stations in other states. The frequent demand for modernization of this Railway station with better amenities for passengers, expansion of the Railway station building with two additional platforms (completion of ongoing work on platform no 4, besides addition of platform nos. 5 and 6), widening of existing platform no. 1, new entrance points on both front and back side of the railway station, completion of the second foot over-bridge connecting all the 4 platforms (the construction of which started in 2005), adequate water and lighting facility in the station, etc., are all being demanded for years to the utter apathetic response from the Zonal and Divisional Railway authorities. Sir, all these need your kind attention and we request you to sanction adequate funds for the completion of the above.

Third, there has been a long-standing demand from the people for a Railway-manufacturing unit and establishment of a Railway staff training institute at Brahmapur.

Former Railway Minster Ms. Mamata Banerjee was kind enough to concede the demand for a Railway wagon factory at Brahmapur in view of the large-scale migrations from this backward region with no semblance of industry and employment opportunities. Subsequently, the State government identified a patch of land at Sitalapalli near Brahmapur city for the purpose. But, despite repeated requests and agitations, the work for the Wagon factory is yet to commence and therefore we request you to instruct the concerned Railway authorities to start the long awaited project in an expeditious manner.

Further, there is an urgent need to introduce new trains from Brahmapur city to meet the needs of the commuters of this region.

• Requests for new trains from Brahmapur to Ahmedabad, Surat, Allahabad, Jamshedpur, Rourkela; besides extension of New Delhi bound Odisha Sampark Kranti Express, Howarh-Bhubaneswar Jan shatabdi Express and Ranchi-Bhubaneswar Garib Rath Express to Brahmapur remains to be addressed.

• There is also an urgent need to raise the frequency of Amritsar-Visakhapatnam (Hirakund Express) from thrice a week to all days of the week.

• There is need for new DMU and Inter-city services between Brahmapur to other towns of the State like Koraput, Rourkela, Gunupur, Balangir, Keonjhar, Sambalpur and Baripada.

• Similarly, demand for new train lines such as Brahmapur-Sambalpur (via Phulbani), Gopalpur-Rayagada, Gopalpur-Talcher and Gunupur-Therubali need your special attention for these can ensure backward region connectivity and also connect some of the hitherto unconnected Districts by rail.

Sir, you will agree that Brahmapur and South-Odisha deserve better attention and augmentation in resources from the Indian Railways to come out of the vicious circle of underdevelopment especially in the Railway infrastructure front. We count on your commitment for developing the perennially neglected regions of the country like South Odisha by correcting the uneven distribution of railway network and infrastructure. We do hope that you will pay a visit to Brahmapur in your upcoming visit to Odisha to take stock of the situation and will address our concerns in the upcoming Railway Budget.

With Regards,

R.P.Tripathy

President, SOSA

New Delhi

Mahanagar mahotsav gets under way

2012-01-20T18:16:00.001+05:30

Dance ballets of Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam became highlight of ‘Mahanagar Mahotsav' a cultural festival continuing at Ganjam Kala Parishad in the city. This five-day cultural festival to promote talents of the city would conclude on Friday. Students of ‘Sanskruti Bhavanam', an organisation involved in teaching of Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam enthralled the audience during the festival on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The performers were students of Guru Laxman Das, a major exponent of these two south Indian classical dance formats in south Odisha. “It is my great satisfaction that youngsters of this land of Odishi are also capable of high rated performances of Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam, which hints that traditional dance forms have no boundaries,” Mr. Das said. His students had performed a dance ballet ‘Sita Swayamvaram' in Kuchipudi format on Wednesday evening. Thirteen of his students were part of this performance. The character of Ram was played by A.Silpita while Sita's role was played by S.Nilima. The dancers performed the story from Ramayana to the rhythm and tune of chants in honour of Lord Ram sung by Lata Mangeshkar. This Kuchipuda ballet was more ‘abhinaya'-based. The same troupe performed another ballet based on ‘Draupadi Vastraharan' on Thursday evening. This time they used Bharatnatyam for their recital. The performance started with ‘alaripu' and ‘tillana' and during abhinaya the performers enacted the scene of ‘vastraharan' of Mahabharat.

Sources: The Hindu, The Telegraph, Orissa Sambad, OrissaBarta

Berhampur Nagarika Manch demands resumption of Industrial Estate railway passenger halt

2012-01-19T16:20:00.000+05:30

A citizens' delegation met the General Manager of East Coast Railway in Bhubnaeswar with the demand to reopen the passenger halt in industrial estate area of Berhampur. This delegation was led former Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Ramchandra Panda and included leaders of Silpanchal Passenger Halt Sangarm Samity (SPHSS), an organisation fighting for the demand and Berhampur Nagarika Manch (BNM). During discussion they pointed out that this was a demand of people of Berhampur since last three decades. There have been protest demonstrations and rail-roko for the demand in the past. According to general secretary of SPHSS, Abani Kumar Gaya, passenger halt with the name Lanjipalli Passenger Halt was recorded in the railway timetable in 1946. But for some reason this passenger halt which was near present industrial estate was closed down. With the expansion of the city and rise of population in the area a passenger halt in the area has become an extreme need, Mr Panda said. In November 1998 at a meeting of the railway coordination committee recommendation was made for establishment of a passenger halt in industrial estate area. In 2010, East Coast Railway authorities had agreed in principle to establishment of this halt near industrial estate. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division had also in the past recommended the establishment of this passenger halt. A delegation of railway engineers had also made a spot visit in the past to prepare a feasibility report. But the passenger halt has not materialized yet. During discussion this delegation also demanded better amenities in the DMUs connecting Berhampur with Bhubaneswar. They also wanted the Gunupur-Puri passenger to be made an express train and a new passenger to be started between Palasa and Puri.

Source: The Hindu

Dolphin census conducted at Chilika lake

2012-01-18T18:21:00.001+05:30

Berhampur: Annual dolphin census was conducted in Chilika Lake by Chilika Development Authority (CDA) on January 17, 2012. It may be noted that the Chilika Lake in Odisha, which spreads in three districts, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri and covers 1,100 square km is one of the largest salt-water lakes in the country and Asia.

It is home to numerous species of fishes, birds including the Siberian Duck and Ibis and endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. These friendly Oceanic Dolphins who get their name from Myanmar's most important river, are found mainly in and around the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia. The local fisherman in Ganjam and Puri consider them lucky and it was believed that they drive fish towards their nets.

The Executive director of CDA, Ajit Patnaik said 18 teams were involved in this census. According to last year's dolphin census there were 156 Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika Lake.

Source: The Hindu

Telugus bring Pongal flavour to Silk city Berhampur

2012-01-17T17:15:00.000+05:30

The sizeable Telugu population in the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border city of Berhampur commenced their own brand of Sankranti celebrations from January 14 with spectacular rangolis, crackling bonfires and colorful cultural shows.

The first day of the festival was celebrated as 'Bhogi', while the second day was celebrated as Pongal, known as Makar Sankranti in most other parts of the state and the country.

At several places of the city, Odia people joined their Telugu counterparts in the celebrations. "It is the biggest annual festival of the Telugu people and they celebrate it across the country," said S Ram Kumar, president of Andhra Bhashabhivardhani Samajam (ABS).

Telugu dominated villages in and around the silk city Berhampur like Goplapur, Chhatrapur and Chikiti in Ganjam district also celebrated the harvest festival as Pongal.

Girls from the community in Berhampur decorated their houses with colourful rangolis and staged cultural shows in the evening at the Sankranti Sambaraalu (Pongal celebration) event organized by the ABS. "We celebrated this festival in an organized way for the first time here," said P Satyanarayana, convener of the festival. People donned new attire and greeted each other on the occasion. The delicious 'Pongali', prepared with newly harvested rice, dal, jaggery, dry fruits, sugar and milk, capped Pongal on a sweet note.

The next day was celebrated as 'Kanuma', the last day of the festivities, especially marked by washing cattle and cleaning cattle sheds. "Since very few Telugu people have cattle, Kanuma is rather low key here," said A Srinibash Rao, a youth from the community

Source: The Hindu

Air Defence firepower on display at Gopalpur

2012-01-14T16:23:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: A firepower demonstration was conducted by the Army Air Defence College at Golabandha recently. It was a show of air defence capabilities of the Indian Army for dignitaries. Many from the Army Air Defence fraternity were present. Air Vice Marshal Ramesh Rai, Vayu Medal Chief Instructor (Air), Commodore Lalit Bhatnagar besides 250 student officers of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and 10 officers from friendly foreign countries, witnessed the exercise on the Golabandha shore. The missile systems that were fired included the OSA-AK weapon system on pilotless Target Aircraft (Lakshya), Strela 10M missile Igla-IM shoulder fired missile. The visiting officers were also taken around the military station and shown various state-of-the-art training facilities and infrastructure available at Army Air Defence College. They were accompanied by Lt General Vijay Kumar Saxena, Vishisht Seva Medal, Commandant of Army Air Defence College. The complex is spread over 2,700 acres.

Source: The Telegraph, IBN Live

Berhampur News

2012-01-14T16:17:00.000+05:30

Source: Pragativadi

Union Govt approves creation of National Land Records Centre at Berhampur

2012-01-12T16:14:00.001+05:30

The government of India has approved creation of three National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) centres at Salboni in West Bengal, union territory of Puducherry and at Berhampur, Odisha.

The government has sanctioned 196 lakh rupees for each of the centres during the financial year 2011-12. The centres shall be made operational within a period of one year from the date of sanction.

NLRMP has been conceptualized as a major system and reform initiative which is not just concerned with computerization, updating and maintenance of land records and validation of titles, but also as a programme that will add value and provide a comprehensive database for planning developmental, regulatory and disaster management activities by providing location-specific information, while providing citizen services based on land records data.

The activities to be supported under the programme includes- survey/resurvey using modern technology including aerial photogrammetry, updating of land records including mutation records, completion of computerization of the records of rights (RoRs), computerization of registration, automatic generation of mutation notices, digitization of maps , integration of the entire system digitization of maps and training and capacity building of the concerned officials and functionaries.

In 2008, the cabinet had approved the proposal of the Department of Land Resources , Ministry of Rural Development to merge the two existing centrally-sponsored schemes of Computerization of Land Records (CLR) and Strengthening of Revenue Administration & Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) and to replace them with a modified centrally-sponsored scheme in the shape of the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), with the goal of ushering in the system of conclusive titles with title guarantee in the country.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Paradip Port plans to develop cargo-handling facility at Bahuda near Berhampur city

2012-01-12T16:06:00.001+05:30

KOLKATA: The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) is planning to develop an additional cargo-handling facility at a location far away from Paradip. “We would like to have a satellite port at Bahuda near Berhampur city in Ganjam district of Odisha,” Mr G. J. Rao, Chairman, PPT, told Business Line. “We've approached the State government for land and waterfront” About 2,500 acres belonging to the State government is already available in the area and PPT has asked for that land. The Government response is awaited.

DETAILED REPORT SOON

Source: Dharitri

When ready for operation, the proposed satellite port, with a capacity of 20 million tonnes (mt), would handle mainly bulk cargoes, Mr Rao said, adding “we will start work on preparation of a detailed project report as soon as the State government gives the clearance”. The cost of the project would be clear once the detailed report is ready.

“By current estimates, the initial investment for constructing two to three berths should be around Rs 2,500 crore, but then it is too early to comment firmly in this regard,” he added.

GOLDEN JUBILEE

Meanwhile, PPT is getting ready for the golden jubilee celebration to be held at Paradip.

The foundation stone for the port was laid by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on January 3, 1962. The first berth, an iron ore berth, was commissioned in 1966. Currently, the port has 14 berths and a single point mooring with the total capacity of 70 mt and the traffic throughput is around 55/56 mt annually.

MAJOR PLANS

The port authorities, according to the Chairman, have ambitious expansion plans to augment the capacity to 250 mt with 28 berths by 2020. The estimated investment could be around Rs 10,000 crore or so.

The Union Shipping Minister, Mr G. K. Vasan, the Minister of State for Programme Implementation and Statistics, Mr Sri Kant Jena, the Odisha Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, the Shipping Secretary, Mr K. Mohandas, the chairmen of all major ports (except Kochi port) and half a dozen former Chairmen of Paradip port, among others, will attend the celebration.

Source: The Business Line

National seminar on ‘Ecotoxicology and Human Health' held in Berhampur University

2012-01-09T17:49:00.000+05:30

Toxins have become a major threat to human health, say experts

Toxins also affect reproductive, nervous and cardiovascular systems of humans

Toxins also affect seed germination and growth in plants

200 delegates from different universities participated in this seminar

Rising toxicity in environment has started to become a major threat to human health, opined experts at a national seminar on ‘Ecotoxicology and human health' being held in the Berhampur University, Odisha. This two-day seminar being organised by the Department of Zoology of the university in collaboration with its Botany Department was inaugurated on Sunday. Inaugural session of the seminar was presided by Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University, Jayant Kumar Mohapatra. The VC of Bikrama Singhapuri University, Nellore G.Rami Reddy was the chief guest.

The Indian Society of Biotechnology & Pharmacy conferred a Fellowship to Prof. N.K. Tripathy for his contributions to Science during this seminar. Around 200 delegates from different universities of the country are participating in this seminar.

Ecotoxicology is a multidisciplinary discipline that studies effect of toxic chemicals in the environment on flora and fauna including human populace. It can be said to be integration of ecology and toxicology.

During the seminar there was discussion on different types of toxic materials whose stresses are on the rise in the environment. These toxic materials include polycholorinated biphenyls found mostly in coolants, pesticides, volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, asbestos, heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium as well as commonly found chlorine.

Experts said these toxins have become part of food chain and through it they are affecting the human populace.

People who are in continuous contact with these environmental toxins are also at risk of genetic abnormalities. These toxins also affect reproductive, nervous and cardiovascular systems of humans. These toxins also affect seed germination and growth in plants. As plants are the primary producers in any food chain in this world these changes have their long term effect on the human race.

They advocated for regular ecotoxicity tests in all areas and strict measures to check the rise of this menace which would prove lethal for the human life in long run.

Source: The Hindu

Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL) to develop Gopalpur port with 60% stake in SPV

2012-01-07T16:52:00.001+05:30

The Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL) has replaced the New Delhi-based Sara International Limited (SIL) after its withdrawal from the consortium constituted to set up an all-weather private port at Gopalpur near Berhampur city in Odisha’s Ganjam district. SIL held 50 percent stake in Gopalpur Port Ltd (GPL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) developing the port project, with rest 50 per cent vested with Orissa Stevedores Ltd (OSL).In the restructured SPV, Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL) will hold 60 percent stake with OSL’s holding coming down to 40 per cent. JSPL, which is setting up a six million tonne steel plant near Angul, had earlier proposed to set up a captive port at Bahuda Muhan, also in Ganjam district, on its own at a capital cost of Rs 1424.4 crore. The operational cost of running the port would be to the tune of Rs 152 crore per annum. With this development, two of the original promoters of Gopalpur port have quit the consortium in last one and half years. Earlier, Hong Kong-based Noble group had withdrawn from the SPV in May, 2010. The Orissa government had awarded the job of developing the existing minor port at Gopalpur into an all-weather non-major port to GPL, a consortium of three companies- OSL, SIL and Noble group on BOOST basis in 2008.

“We have already apprised the Orissa government about the new Development (exit of SIL)", said Manmohan Moharana one of the directors of GPL. “With the entry of JSPL, we expected the work on the port project would be expedited", he added. JSPL which has several steel and power projects in Orissa, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and other states has captive cargo of around 20 million tonnes per annum. “The captive cargo of JSPL will be the guaranteed cargo for the Gopalpur port to handle, when it is developed as an all-weather port", he added. The operation of the existing minor port at Gopalpur has been stalled for last two years to facilitate construction work.

However, construction work could take off only last month due to delay in obtaining environment clearance from the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF). The company authorities expect to start handling cargo in the next year, Moharana said. GPL, the second biggest non-major port investor in the state after Dhamara Ports Company Ltd (DPCL), has invested Rs 421.09 crore during 2007-08 to September-end of 2011-12. GPL has invested Rs 51.09 crore in 2007-08, Rs 30 crore in 2008-09, Rs 50 crore in 2009-10, Rs 40 crore in 2010-11 and Rs 250 crore in this fiscal (till September-end).

Source: Business Standard

Berhampur University holds 46th foundation day

2012-01-07T16:38:00.000+05:30

The Berhampur University held its 46th foundation day on 2^nd January 2012 in its Bhanja Bihar campus near Berhampur city. The university’s focus for the next academic year would be provision of required infrastructure such as classrooms and hostel facilities along with inclusion of new subjects into the curriculum, said the speakers on the occasion. Social worker Padmashree Tulasi Munda and distinguished orator professor Rajat Kumar Kar were honoured for their contribution to education and development. Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi felicitated Munda and Kar. A new website buodisha.bu.co.in was launched by the Vice-Chancellor of the university professor Jayanta Kumar Mahapatra. Presiding over the function Mahapatra said, “Although the university has been facilitating teaching, research and extension for years, new subjects that can generate a source of income will be included in the study curriculum from the current year.” Students and scholars from the university and various affiliating colleges were presented with medals and certificates for their performances in various examinations. Besides this, a laboratory journal ‘Bhanja Bihar Reporter’ of the Postgraduation department of Journalism and Mass Communication was released on the occasion.

Source: The Pioneer

'Winterfest-2012' kicks off at Berhampur University

2012-01-07T16:29:00.002+05:30

The Berhampur University campus was abuzz with activities on the occasion of the 3-day winter festival ‘Winterfest 2012’ that began last week. Participants from colleges of different parts of the State have reached the Berhampur University campus to participate in the cultural fest. More than 500 students from six universities and 200 colleges participated in various activities held at the university campus. A colourful musical rally by the participants and students on Thursday marked the beginning of the ‘Winterfest' on the Berhampur University campus. The festival brought to the fore a large number of young talents in events such as quiz competition, debate, dance and music. A colourful cultural rally by the participants on Thursday marked the beginning of the festival. At Bhanja Mandap, an open air stage, the cultural fest was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of the university professor Jayanta Kumar Mahapatra. The festival is being organised by the students’ union of the university with the support of the district administration.

Source: The Pioneer, The Hindu

Central ICU for MKCG Medical College at Berhampur

2012-01-07T16:03:00.002+05:30

A central intensive care unit (ICU) will be set up in MKCG Hospital in Berhampur which was announced by the health minister Prasanna Acharya in the recently concluded Assembly Session in December. Responding to MLAs' concern over lack of critical care facilities in state-run hospitals, the minister said the government will also upgrade the ICU at Capital Hospital in city. Raising the issue of poor critical care facilities, some lawmakers had pointed out that even the medical colleges lacked ICUs. The members also said that ventilators and other life saving equipment were lying defunct in government hospitals. The minister said since ICU in private sector is far costlier compared to the government facilities, people were dependent more on the government facilities. Keeping this in mind, the government is trying to create more ICUs, he added.

MKCG ailing on many fronts

It is the premier medical in south Odisha. People of 10 districts depend on this as their referral hospital. One of the oldest and well-known in the State, the Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital (MKCG) itself is gasping for breath.

Forget about treatment, the institution which produces doctors has not enough teaching staff and looks for periodic deputations. This has defeated the very mission of institution to cater to the needs of patients in rural areas.

MKCG-MCH, it is said, has not yet been able to meet the criteria fixed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) that includes new rooms and faculties.

Sources said, every year during the MCI team visit, some window-dressing is done. The Health Directorate has initiated some construction work and also ensures presence of doctors on deputation during the visit. Once the visit is over, everything is back to square one. Many important machines and equipment have been kept unused for months together. Some machines gather dust just because there are no adequate staff.

Teaching in the college has remained anything but encouraging. MKCG has 33 departments __ 11 super speciality departments with sanctioned 36 professor, 75 Associate Professor, 111 Assistant Professor and 117 tutor posts. According to official records, the vacancy list includes 10 professor, 24 Associate Professor, 50 Assistant Professor and 61 Tutor posts.

Even two of the super speciality departments like Nephrology, CT and Surgery have contractual faculties. The irony is that Prof Sonamali Bag wears many hats. He is the dean and principal, hospital superintendent as well as head of the Nephrology Department.

The Health Directorate turned a blind eye on the vacancies __ a must for treatment and medical education __ but it has created new posts for the hospital.

Earlier, the hospital was managed by the superintendent with an administrative officer, finance officer and nodal officer. Now, while the superintendent charge has been entrusted to the principal, it does not have an administrative officer. Only recently, two persons were appointed as senior hospital administrator and hospital manager.

Sources: Times of India, IBN Live

3 yrs on, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) still to achieve development targets

2012-01-06T16:44:00.001+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Though the Berhamapur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed three years on December 31 last, the civic body is still to achieve its development objectives. Lack of adequate space and fund has been emerging as the prime obstacle for the city’s development. The BMC is spread over an area of 80 sq km and its total population stands at around 5 lakh while the population of Greater Berhampur has touched the 7 lakh mark. The city also has got its mayor, deputy mayor and corporators. However, as the council meetings are held irregularly, no new proposal has been taken up for discussion in recent times. Further, with the Panchayat elections slated to be held in February, it is certain the council meetings are not going to be held at least for next two months. An improved sewage is proposed in the city development plan for implementation. But due to lack of adequate Governmental fund, the project has not been finished, informed Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) officials. Due to lack of space, the sewage and drainage system inside the city cannot be built. There is also a proposal to take it up on the outskirts of the city with the help of an international organisation. Although 26 villages are supposed to be added with the corporation for its extension, yet the fact is not officially declared. Earlier, Ganjam Bikas Mancha had demanded before the local administration and the BDA for the inclusion of the 26 villages in the corporation prior to the Panchayat elections.

Source: The Pioneer

Old bus-stand at Barracks in Berhampur shifted to decongest city

2012-01-06T16:21:00.001+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus stand in the heart of the city at Barracks was shifted to new bus stand. Earlier the OSRTC buses were using the old bus stand in the city. Administration and police had taken this decision of shifting of OSRTC bus stand to ease the traffic in the city. Initially the OSRTC authorities were not ready to accept the proposal with the plea that it would hamper their market due to unholy competition from private bus operators. But the OSRTC had to bow down to the directive of the administration. Administration has decided to use the old bus stand as city bus stand. This city bus stand would be used by the passenger vehicles plying between Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chatrapur. The Divisional Transport Manager (DTM) of OSRTC Amiya Kumar Mishra said they have accepted to abide by the order of the administration despite the fear that it may affect their passenger service and income. The OSRTC authorities had no other go but to accept the directive of the administration for shifting of bus stand as this order had the backing of a court order. The old bus stand area had been leased to the OSRTC around 50 years ago. The OSRTC was not ready to vacate it after the end of lease period due to which the legal tussle had started.

This decision to shift the bus stand was opposed by some organisations including some staff of the OSRTC. On Saturday Ganjam district Collector, Berhampur SP and Berhampur sub-collector visited the new bus stand to enquire about the state of amenities and to streamline operation of the OSRTC buses from the spot. They also held meeting with the private bus owners association regarding it. Six berths of the old bus stand have been provided for parking of OSRTC buses. A special booking of OSRTC has been opened up at new bus stand. At present 13 OSRTC buses start from Berhampur and 20 other long route buses of the corporation to different destinations in south Odisha travel via the Berhampur. From wee hours of Sunday these buses started reaching the new bus stand. passing through Gate Bazar, Tata Benz square and Kamapalli.

Source: The Hindu, OrissaDiary

Solar fencing to curb human-elephant conflict in Ganjam

2012-01-06T16:12:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Odisha government has decided to use solar fencing in Ganjam district to curb incidents arising out of a conflict between humans and elephants. In the first phase, a five-km stretch would be fenced near Narayani jungle under Khallikote forest range to prevent entry of jumbos into human habitats by using a permissible amount of electric shock. "The work for solar fencing will start after the elephant herds are driven away from Ganjam block," divisional forest officer, Berhampur, AK Jena, said. At least 22 elephants divided into three to four herds are now camping in Damanagiri forest in the block, he said.The affected areas are the four blocks of Chhatrapur, Khallikote, Beguniapada and Ganjam. The government has already sanctioned Rs five lakh and has assured the rest of the amount for the fence which will cost a total of around Rs 10 lakh, he said. Solar fencing at other entry areas used by the animals would be made after assessment of this project, he added. A meeting was held by the Sub-Collector, Chhatrapur, Jena and members of the coordination committee over the weekend to review the loss caused due to elephants who stray into human habitat. While at least seven persons have died, four pachyderms have been killed in the last three years in the area due to such conflicts.

Source: TimesofIndia

2012-01-02T01:59:00.002+05:30

Berhampur woman weightlifter Tikina Gopal wins three golds in National Weightlifting Championship

2011-12-22T18:50:00.004+05:30

It was joyous moment for Odisha and Berhampur as city bred woman weightlifter Tikina Gopal won three gold medals on the second day of the 64th men and 27th women Senior Weightlifting Championship in Silk city Berhampur.

Tikina won the gold medals in the 56 kg women's category. With a total lift of 172 kg she bagged the gold medal in overall lifting. Silver medal was bagged by M.Santoshi of Andhra Pradesh with total lift of 169 kg, while Swati Singh of Railways got the bronze medal. Gold medals in snatch and clean and jerk were also in the bag of Tikina who lifted 77 kg and 95 kg respectively. In snatch silver medal was won by Swati and Santoshi got the bronze. In clean and jerk the Andhra girl Santoshi got the silver medal while Swati was in third position.

In 58 kilogram category for women Minati Sethi of Railways won the gold medal in snatch with 81 kg lift, another gold medal in clean and jerk with 107 kg lift and gold for over all lift of 188 kg. Meena Kumar of Chandigarh won silver medal in all the three categories. M. Sunibala Devi of Manipur won bronze medals in snatch and overall lift, while her compatriot from Manipur N. Sumanbala won bronze medal in clean and jerk.

In the 48 kg women event over all gold medal was won by Ng. Soniya Chan of Uttara Pradesh with a total lift of 169 kg. She won gold medal in clean and jerk with 97 kg lift and another gold in snatch with 72 kg. Kh. Sanjita Chanu of Manipur won silver medal in all the three events of this weight category. Deepa Mahara of Uttarakhand received bronze medals because of her overall lift and in clean and jerk. N. T. Devi of Meghalaya won the bronze medal in snatch.

In men's 62 kg event Rustam Sarang of Chhattisgarh won gold medal with a total lift 263 kg. He won silver medals in clean and jerk and snatch. K. Ramesh Kumar of services won gold medal in clean and jerk and silver medal for overall total lift. D. Senthamizh Selvan of Railways got bronze medals as per his total lift and in clean and jerk.

Preparation underway for National weightlifting championship in Berhampur

The 64th men’s and 27th women’s Senior National Weightlifting Championship, 2011, will be held at Berhampur Stadium (Barracks) from December 24 to 28. Preparations for the five-day event are on in full swing in the city. A mascot rally to create awareness among the public about the championship was taken out on Tuesday. A huge cut-out of a black buck, the mascot for the event, was displayed during the rally. Revenue divisional commissioner (southern division), Laxmi Narayan Nayak, the chairman of the organising committee, said: “All necessary work to organise the event here is almost complete. The main concrete dais of 96sqmt is ready. Construction of the wooden platform to be placed on the dais is in the final stage. We have arranged accommodation, transport and food for the participants.” The sub-committees of the organising committee have also taken steps to make the event a grand success, Nayak said. State revenue minister Surya Narayan Patro will inaugurate the event. The weightlifting coach of Sports Authority of India, Sita Prasad Patnaik, is also supervising the ongoing work. “Both the main dais and the wooden platform are being constructed according to international norms. The platform is being made with dhau wood. It will be fitted with leather at the bottom and plywood on top. But the space where the participants would lift weights would be fitted with a special rubber mat,” said Patnaik. Narayan Sahu, organising secretary of Odisha Weightlifting Association, Purna Chandra Patnaik and others are in the technical sub-committee of the organising committee. Participants from 29 states and different sporting boards, including FCI, Services Sports Control Board and Railway Sports Control Board, would participate in 15 categories. There are eight categories for men — 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg and plus 105kg. Similarly, there would be seven categories for women — 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg and plus 75kg,” Sahu said. “Arjuna award winner from Berhampur, Ravi Kumar, who had sprained his shoulder during the qualifying round for the next Olympic Games a few days ago in Paris, will not participate in the championship. However, he will be present in the city to watch the event.

Source: The Telegraph

Demand for Greater Berhampur Municipal Corporation grows louder

2011-12-21T17:53:00.004+05:30

The Ganjam Zilla Bikash Manch (GZBM) has asked the State government to merge the villages on the periphery of Berhampur with the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) before the panchayat elections scheduled to be held next year. Activists of the philanthropic organisation have threatened to launch a peaceful agitation in front of the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division in the city, from January 20, if the State government failed to take up any decision by the time. The GZBM has sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister regarding their demand. March president Siba Prasad Mishra has said it is quite regrettable that even after almost three years after upgradation of city municipality into a corporation, the BMC is yet to have the complete proposed area under it. On January 1, 2009, the State government declared Berhampur the third municipal corporation of Orissa. It was termed a new year's gift for the inhabitants of the city. The government gazette notification for the purpose had proposed that the area of the BMC was to be increased. As per the proposal, 26 villages of 14 panchayats on suburbs of the city were to be included under the BMC. Inclusion of these villages in the BMC was thought to become a major catalyst in the planned development of this major urban centre of south Orissa.

But till now no concrete steps have been initiated for inclusion of these village in the BMC. Meanwhile, groundwork for the panchayat polls in these villages is under way as they are still part of different revenue blocks around the city. The local elected bodies of these panchayats have not received any communiqué regarding their proposed inclusion in the BMC. It may be noted that in 1971, Gosaninuagaon village was included in the city limits. In 1984 Ambapua village became its part. But, for past 27 years the municipal limits of Berhampur has not been raised while its population has risen four-fold during this period.

Sources: The Hindu, The Sambad

Following is the notification of the State Government on merger of 26 villages with Berhampur Municipal Corporation, which remains to be implemented

Source: Government of Odisha Gazette

Lankan wildlife officials praise Chilika conservation efforts

2011-12-17T00:08:00.000+05:30

Berhampur (Odisha): Sri Lankan wildlife officials have praised India's conservation efforts for flora and fauna of Chilika Lake in the state of Odisha, with the active participation of locals. "We are really impressed by the efforts of India to conserve the wildlife with community participation and also protect their livelihood," said H D Ratnayake, Director General, Wildlife Conservation Department of Sri Lanka government. Led by Ratnayake, 25 Wildlife department officials are on a two-week India visit from November 29, to gain knowledge of the wildlife conservation as well as how to tackle the men-animal conflict. Officials of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is coordinating their tour. The team is slated to wind up the tour tomorrow. In Chilika, the biggest wetland of the country, the team has visited Satapada, Managalajodi and the Nalabana bird sanctuary. "We are really excited to see the dolphin and number of bird species who visited the wetland from far off places in every winter," he said. Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika B P Acharya told them about the importance of wetland and the conservation effort taken by his government to protect the millions of birds in the lake. "The lake is known as the paradise for the migratory birds. The winged guests come to the wetland every year as we provide them suitable habitat including the food and nesting ground," DFO told the team. Source: IBN Live

Old Bus-Stand at Barracks to be shifted to City Bus Stand in Berhampur

2011-12-14T16:41:00.000+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Urban pockets of Ganjam District ignored in the formation of new NACs

2011-12-14T16:27:00.000+05:30

Source: Dharitri

Berhampur Airport project delayed owing to State Govt's inaction

2011-12-13T18:33:00.001+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Government turns a blind eye to Berhampur-Paralakhemundi road conectivity

2011-12-13T18:27:00.000+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Khallikote college faces acute staff shortage problem

2011-12-12T17:41:00.004+05:30

Large-scale vacancies of both teaching and non-teaching posts are a major obstacle in the development of more than 125-year-old Khallikote Autonomous College in the city. At present more than 50 per cent of the sanctioned posts of teachers are vacant in the major educational institution of the State which is also considered a heritage institution. There is also a proposal to convert it into a unitary university. At present it has classes from +2 level to post-graduate and M. Phil level. College principal Surendranath Behera says the large-scale vacancies are putting extreme pressure on the existing staff. Around 40 per cent of the posts of non-teaching staff are also vacant. The institution has several students who take up Telugu as their compulsory language paper in undergraduate classes but it is not having any Telugu teacher. Member of the governing body of the institution have blamed the apathy of the State government for this dismal state of affairs. According to them, if the real student strength of the institute is to be taken into consideration, then it should have teaching staff strength of around 200. They have alleged that during nineties, the teaching staff strength of the institute was deliberately reduced while there was no reduction in teaching staff strength of government colleges in Bhubanswar and Cuttack. Apart from lack of teaching staff, paucity of infrastructure is also a major stumbling block. “From February, examinations of various self- financing courses and +2 courses start in the college which affects the studies of other classes drastically due to lack of staff strength and dearth of ample number of rooms,” says Mr. Ali Patnaik, a member of the governing body. He recently advised construction of a multi-storied building at the spot of a dilapidated old building adjacent to the stadium of the institute to house all self-financing courses. It is felt that two acres of land of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation that has been handed over to the college recently will help in enhancing its infrastructure leading to its upgradation into a full fledged Unitary University, the matter which is now under the active consideration of the state government.

Source: The Hindu

State Drama festival ends in Berhampur

2011-12-12T17:32:00.000+05:30

A colourful procession to promote traditional folk theatre among the young generation marked the concluding evening of the State-level drama festival being held in the historic Town hall of Berhampur city. The non-competitive drama festival was organised by the Odisha Natak Samaroh Samity. The colourful precession showcasing folk theatre forms of south Odisha started from the venue of the drama festival and passed through different areas of the city. Children and youth artistes of various folk theatre and folk dance forms such as Chadheya Nacha, Dhuduki Nacha, and Jodi Sankha took part in the procession. Several veteran theatre artistes added glamour to the procession. Many senior artistes despite their advanced age marched along with children to promote amateur theatre in the city. The play on the concluding evening of the drama festival was aimed at providing hints to the audience how qualitative amateur theatre has survived in the State since past many decades. The play ‘Ravan Chhaya' was enacted by ‘Kalinga Kala Parishad' of Rourkela. The play was written by Sankar Tripathy around three decades ago. Even after such a long time, the play still seems contemporary in its story and presentation, said veteran theatre artiste Raju Padhi.

Source: The Hindu

OSRTC land transferred to Khallikote Autonomous College

2011-12-10T17:18:00.000+05:30

Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra handing over
the Record of Rights of the land to the principal of
Khallikote Autonomous College for its expansion in Berhampur

Around two acres of land of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) was officially handed over to more than 125-year-old Khallikote Autonomous College in the city at a function held on the college campus on Friday. It was almost a five-decade-old demand fulfilled. Revenue officials handed over the patta of these two acres of OSRTC land to the principal of the Khallikote Autonomous College, Surendranath Behera. State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra, Sub-Collector Ajit Mishra, Mayor Siba Shankar Das, Berhampur teshildar Satrughna Kar, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy, and Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik, State secretariat member of the CPI (M) and member of governing body of the autonomous college Ali Kishore Patnaik, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) secretary Bikram Panda were present.

Students and dignitaries of the city present at the function cheered when the formal land transfer was announced. Speakers at the function thanked the Chief Minister for the transfer.

It may be noted that since past several decades demand for transfer of land of the OSRTC adjacent to the college was taken up by students and citizens of the city, irrespective of their party affiliation.

But they were not satisfied with transfer of the land. During the function there was a demand for transfer of total 4.029 acres of the OSRTC to the college. At present a portion of the land has been handed over to the college. Mr. Patnaik, whose memorandum to the Chief Minister in 2008 regarding the matter had played major catalyst in the process of transfer of the land, said now the State government should take steps so that the rest 2.029 acres of land of the OSRTC gets transferred to the college as soon as possible. He also demanded immediate release of funds for construction of buildings on the land that was handed over the college. Mr. Panda termed the transfer of land as a victory of longstanding united effort for which people of the city got together forgetting their differences. The State Revenue Minister reiterated that the State government was making efforts to transform the autonomous college into a deemed university.

Source: The Hindu

Turtle Research centre to come up at Rushikulya in Ganjam

2011-12-08T13:34:00.000+05:30

The Odisha Government has decided to set up Olive Ridley Research and Conservation Centre (ORRCC) in the state with a cost of Rs.52 crore. This will be located at Rusikulya in Ganjam with two satellite Centers at Gahirmatha and Devi River Estuary. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle population in Odisha represents about fifty per cent of the world population of Ridley and about ninety percent of total Indian population of Sea Turtles. Odisha has the singular distinction of being the only maritime state of the Indian Peninsula, which holds three mass nesting beaches of Olive Ridley located at Dhamra, Devi and Rusikulay river Mouths. The near shore and offshore coastal waters of Odisha in front of above three river mouths provide ideal mating and breeding ground where the migratory Sea Turtles almost spend more than half a year during breeding migration. The need for a full-fledged and centralized National Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Centers in the State was being felt for a long time and therefore the announcement for establishment of ORRCC at Rushikulya has received appreciation from environmentalists and researchers.

Sources: Tathya.in, The Hindu,The Samaja

Barracks stadium at Berhampur to get a facelift

2011-12-07T16:34:00.000+05:30

Source: The Sambad

Black buck is the mascot for the national weight lifting championship at Berhampur

2011-12-07T16:23:00.001+05:30

Source: The Sambad

*****************************************************************

Black buck was chosen as the mascot for the 64th Men and 27th Women Senior National Weight Lifting Championship scheduled to be held in Berhampur city from December 24 to 28. Mascot for the National Weight Lifting Championships was released at a function held on Tuesday. The function held at Berhampur stadium was attended by working president of the organising committee of the championships Bikram Panda, Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik, secretary of Odisha Weight Lifting Association Narayan Sahu, Berhampur Sub-Collector Ajit Mishra, Arjun award winning veteran weight lifter Bijay Kumar Satpathy, sports lovers and weight lifting enthusiasts of the city.Senior coach and member of the organising committee Ramesh Padhi said black buck was chosen as the mascot as this animal happens to be the identity of rich natural heritage of Ganjam district. Black bucks are protected with religious fervour in Ganjam district as they are considered harbingers of rain. K. Dharma Rao, an artist of Chatrapur, has designed the mascot.Venue of these two major weight lifting championships would be the Berhampur stadium.Odisha Weight Lifting Association under authorisation of Indian Weight Lifting Federation is organising them. Around 400 Weight Lifters both men and women from all States and Union Territories as well as Services, Sports Control Board, and Railways would participate in the two National Weight Lifting events. Around 100 officials will also take part.

Source: The Hindu

Berhampur city showed off at BRICs conclave in China; to have international tie-ups

2011-12-07T15:57:00.005+05:30

After the recent 'sister city' tie-up between Bhubaneswar and Cupertino City of California, there are chances of more cities of Odisha joining hands with their counterparts in Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa. Mayors of the three municipal corporations (Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur) of Odisha participated in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum conclave in China on December 2. A number of foreign diplomats, politicians and entrepreneurs discussed issues like food safety, eco-friendly urban development, financial crisis and energy strategies, besides steps to foster communication and exchange programmes between the five countries at the BRICS Forum.

An independent international organization, BRICS Forum encourages commercial, political and cultural cooperation between the BRICS nations.

The mayors, who returned from the event on Monday, said they described the art, culture, festivals and business potentials of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur and appealed to the foreign delegates to start "exchange" programmes in different areas to boost local-level cooperation.

Berhampur mayor Siba Sankar Dash said he earned a pat from the foreign delegates for taking a pro-poor step for cycle, rickshaw and bullock-cart drivers in the town. "Recently we stopped collecting tax from the drivers. The delegates praised the corporation as the step helps save fuel," Dash said. The tourism potential of Berhampur, which is close to the seaside tourist spot of Gopalpur, TaraTarini, Taptapani and Chilka lake was also highlighted in the meet, Dash said. "The forum offered a good platform to share our experiences and skills in tackling problems that our cities were facing. We learnt from each other to prepare ourselves better to face the challenges," he said.
Sources: Times of India, The Sambad, Dsoftsolution.org

Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for Greater Berhampur getting delayed

2011-12-06T17:17:00.001+05:30

Source: Dharitri

Odisha's Ganjam best Indian district in empowering disabled

2011-12-04T18:07:00.001+05:30

Odisha's Ganjam has been adjudged as the best district in the country for empowering disabled by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Ganjam District Administration was awarded at a function in New Delhi, on the occasion of World Disabled Day yesterday. District collector Krishan Kumar and other senior officials attended the function. "The credit goes to the people of the district, especially persons with disabilities along with officials working for them," the collector said. The disabled in the district have been covered under different welfare schemes after being identified through single window camps. During the year as many as 27,443 persons were provided medical certificates while 24,718 persons benefited through the state-sponsored Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and Central government's Indira Gandhi National Disable Pension Yojana (IGNDPY). Similarly, 19,015 persons had been provided with aids and appliances while 430 and 69 persons benefited under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and state government's 'Mo Kudia' scheme with houses respectively, said district social welfare officer (DSWO) Sabita Beura.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the Ganjam district administration, particularly the personnel of Ganjam District Disability Rehabilitation Centre for their national-level achievement.

According to the Chief Minister, the rehabilitation projects could not have been successful in Ganjam district without ample cooperation of physically challenged persons of the area. He thanked the physically challenged persons of Ganjam district for participating in all rehabilitation programmes being taken up in the district.

Experimental ground

Ganjam was experimental ground for implementation of a pilot project of the State government for rehabilitation of physically challenged persons. Success in Ganjam district prompted the State government to replicate the success model of rehabilitation of physically challenged persons in Ganjam district through launching of a new initiative named ‘Bhima Bhoi Bhinnakhyama Samarthya Abhiyan'. The project has been named after great saint and poet of Odisha Bhima Bhoi, who was blind.

Under the new project the process of identification, certification and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities has been decentralized through single window system. The system which has been successful in Ganjam, the home district of the Chief Minister, is now aimed at empowerment of over two-and-half lakh physically challenged persons of the State.

Source: PTI & The Hindu

Research scheme launched on climate change impact on Chilika

2011-12-03T16:12:00.000+05:30

The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and the Wetlands International-South Asia (WISA) have launched a three-year research initiative on climate change at Chilika. This was declared at a three-day inception workshop being held from Thursday at the Wetland Research and Training Centre, Barkul (Chilika) around 65 km from silk city Berhampur. The three-year initiative titled 'Strengthening livelihood resilience to changing climate in Chilika lagoon, India' aims to enhance climate preparedness of wetland management through developing response options and strategies for reducing climate-related risks as well as increasing community preparedness for changes in the wetland ecosystem services.

The project is supported under the Climate Change and Water Programme of the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC). Its implementation will be led by the WISA and the CDA with expert support from the Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Stuart University, Australia. The implementation will build on climate scenarios modelling, participatory risk assessments with the Chilika communities, stakeholder consultations, capacity-building and communication and outreach. The initiative is first of its kind to be implemented for a wetland system and expected to be of immense use to wetland managers in the country.

The research would focus on the following elements: Developing scenarios of change in ecosystem components, processes and services of the Chilika lake due to climate change; assessing current coping and adaptation mechanisms within wetland communities in the context of climate change; demonstrating options for enhancing livelihood resilience in changing climate through pilot interventions; formulating a "climate smart" plan for wetland management identifying adaptation options, intervention strategies, priority actions and investment required; and building capacity of wetland managers to develop a response strategy to climate change, particularly addressing livelihood resilience.

The outcomes of the research would be used to guide investment planning for climate change mitigation and adaptation for Odisha in general and Chilika in particular. The project would provide a platform for knowledge-sharing amongst wetland managers placed in similar development and ecological contexts as well as advancing research on building livelihood resilience in socio-environmental systems within the context of changing climate. The research outcomes would be available as technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, datasets and policy briefs.

Stephen McGurk of the Regional Director (South Asia and China) of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) joined as the chief guest at the workshop. He is a noted development economist with experience in leading a wide range of projects in the region ranging from helping Afghanistan rebuild its health and agriculture sectors to supporting India's rollout of mobile communication technology to 600,000 villages. WISA president Ashok Kundra WISA delivered the inaugural address.

CDA Chief Executive Ajit Patnaik outlined the importance of the initiative to management of Chilika. WISA Conservation Programme Manager Ritesh Kumar presented the project outline. Source: The Hindu

Preparations apace for fourth State-level drama fest in Berhampur City

2011-12-03T15:46:00.000+05:30

As an attempt to showcase major talents in the field of amateur theatre in Odisha, the non-competitive drama festival is being organised every year in the silk city Berhampur by the ‘Odisha Natak Samaroh Samity'. “At a time when young generation is getting detached from live performing art due to influx of electronic media of entertainment and drama lovers are not getting chance to witness the best quality productions on stage, we are getting together active amateur theatre groups of the State for the audience of Berhampur,” says president of the organisation, Anil Kumar Patra. The eight-day drama festival will conclude on December 11. This year, the venue of the drama festival will be the Historic Diamond Jubilee Town Hall.

During the drama festival, the audience will also get a chance to interact with prominent stage and cine personalities of the State. On December 02 a special decorated vehicle ‘Sanskriti Rath' was flagged off by the organisers of the drama festival. The vehicle will move around the city and its periphery to create awareness about new generation theatre movement in the State as well as the drama festival.

Major amateur theatre groups from different parts of the State are taking part in the drama festival. The participants include ‘Dharmatma Cultural Association' of Sambalpur, ‘Shatabdira Kalakar' of Bhubaneswar, ‘Yuva Natya Sansad' of Paralakhemundi, ‘Pancham Veda' of Bhubaneswar, ‘Rupantar' of Baripada and ‘Kalinga Kala Parishad' of Rourkela. The play on the inaugural evening will be enacted by the host ‘Odisha Natak Samaroh Samity', says secretary of the organisation Mihir Tripathy.

According to him, all of them will enact plays in which they have brought in some new experiments which will surely provide the audience a plethora of theatrics during the festival. On the last day of the festival a colourful rally will be taken out. Source: The Hindu

Olive Ridley carcasses found on Rushikulya Coast near Silk City

2011-12-03T15:39:00.000+05:30

Rushikulya rookery, around 30 km from Berhampur city in south Odisha, the most preferred nesting ground of the Olive Ridley sea turtles, was on December 02 littered with the carcasses of around 100 turtles. The carcasses were found scattered over an area of around four km from Nolianuagaon to Agastinuagaon.

Forest officials, who rushed to the spot, suspect that the turtles may have died after being injured by the propellers of mechanised boats during their journey to the rookery. The carcasses are later washed ashore by the waves, said Berhampur DFO, AK Jena. While in the sea the carcasses are protected by the salt water and once on the shore they start stinking, he added.

Usually the turtles arrive for mating from the beginning of December. A few pairs have nested in a seven km stretch in the deep sea. Mating of Olive Ridleys picks up in the last week of December and early January. Measures have been initiated to protect Olive Ridleys in the sea.

While fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating, illegal entry of fishing trawlers to this region is being checked through regular sea patrolling, said Jena. Source :The New Indian Express

Paralakhemundi to have tool room, training centre

2011-12-01T15:29:00.002+05:30

In another step to enhance employability and gainful livelihood options in tribals-dominated districts, the State Government has decided to set up a Mini Tool Room & Training Centre (MTRTC) at Paralakhemundi. The MTRTC would be established in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode among the Central and State Governments and a private partner through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The initial capital of the SPV has been estimated at Rs21 crore. Chief Secretary Bijoy Kumar Patnaik, who held a high-level meeting here on Tuesday for establishment of the Mini Tool Room & Training Centre in the backward Gajapati district, advised the Industry Department to expedite the process of formulation of detailed guidelines for financial and administrative management of the SPV. The MTRTC would be set up in accordance with the broad guidelines prescribed by the Union Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises. Source: The Pioneer, Panoramio (by devadattarath)

Over four thousand youths get employment at Ganjam job fair

2011-11-30T16:00:00.000+05:30

Berhampur/Bhanjanagar: Altogether 4127 unemployed youth have get jobs at a mega employment fair held at Bhanjanagar in Odisha's Ganjam district. Similarly, 1969 persons were selected for training by different companies in the fair, sources said. Around 45,000 job-seekers thronged the Nijukti Mela held yesterday and the selected candidates were given the appointment letters on the spot, district collector Krishan Kumar said. Altogether 38 different companies from across the country opened their stalls to recruit unemployed youths in the one-day job fair, jointly conducted by the district administration and state employment mission for the first time in the district.

The prominent companies which came to recruit the youths included Wipro, Genpact, L&T and several textile and security services. The jobs ranged from security guards to BPO and IT professionals. The qualified ITI pass outs also got scope to get job in different companies. The mela, conducted for the first time in the district, gave an opportunity to job seekers to get employment on the spot, said state’s rural development minister Bikram Keshari Arukh who inaugurated the fair. Bhanjanagar, the sub-divisional headquarter town was made venue of the Nijukti Mela to attract candidates from nearby interior tribal villages, the collector said. Assistant director, employment, Berhampur RM Khillana said while free food was arranged for the job seekers, several of them were provided transport facilities to reach to the venue.

Source: Indian Express

SUCI seeks better amenities at Brahmapur railway station

2011-11-28T16:46:00.001+05:30

Local committee of Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), Communist Party, staged a dharna in front of the Brahmapur railway station demanding furnishing the station with necessary services for the common passengers by the Railways. Even though Brahmapur has become an important place from trade and economic point of view and a lot of people depend on the railway as a major mode of travelling and transportation, absence of prime services creates problems for the passengers, said SUCI State committee member Bisnu Das. The Railways authorities are neglecting developmental activities, he added. The SUCI demands included morning passenger train services to Brahmapur via Bhubaneswar, a waiting lounge at the station, a passenger halt at Ankuli and free provision of toilets and parking space. A member of the committee, Somanath Behera, said railway accidents have become common in the area. Many passengers have been injured or killed in the accidents. But the Railways Department does not have ambulance facility at the main station. Therefore, we demand 24-hour ambulance facility at the railway station and 24-hour doctor and nursing facilities, he said. Meanwhile, in his one-day visit to Brahmapur, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) verified the situation of city railway station. He was given a six-point charter of demands through the Chief Commercial Manager (CCM). Source: The Pioneer, OTV

Century-old Hanuman temple demolished in Berhampur

2011-11-28T02:35:00.000+05:30

Nearly a century-old Hanuman temple was demolished in Hanuman Bazar in an eviction drive in Berhampur city after shifting the deities to a temporary place. The administration had given around one-month time to Hanuman temple authorities to shift the deities before carrying out demolition. "We demolished the temple because it was constructed on government land," sub-collector (Berhampur) Ajit Mishra said. The anti-encroachment drive jointly launched by the revenue department, Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) and police was postponed to give sufficient time to the encroachers and temple authorities to move away before November 23. "Since the temple has enough land to construct another place of worship, we will take steps to construct a new Hanuman temple in the area and install the deities", mayor of the city corporation S.S.Das said. The new temple would be constructed by raising fund through collection of donations from the public. The anti-encroachment drive would continue for some more days in Bada Bazar. The people fully cooperated with the administration and there was no protest, police said. Police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Several multi-stored buildings have also been demolished during the drive. Earlier the administration had issued notices to the building owners to evict. The busy commercial area, considered the nerve centre of the city, is choking with encroachments that have become a nightmare for the commuters. Source: PTI

Ganjam apparel training centre gets country's first ISO certification

2011-11-24T16:08:00.000+05:30

Vikash Apparel Training Centre (VATC) of Hinjli in Ganjam district got ISO 9001:2008 certification. Present trainees of the centre met the Chief Minister at his residence in Bhubaneswar. According to a release from the Chief Minister's office, VATC is the first centre out of 7 apparel training centres in Odisha and 543 training centres across the country that has achieved this feat of accreditation through the International Organisation for Standardisation certification. This certification is Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand who are the leaders in quality management. Vikash Apparel Training Centre located in Hinjilicut, Ganjam set up with the support of State Employment Mission and ministry of rural development by IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Limited has pioneered employment linked training program since July 2008. This training centre has trained and placed over 2000 BPL youth from Ganjam and Malkangiri in large garment manufacturing export houses like Roverco Apparel (Chennai), Arvind Limited (Bangalore), Shahi Exports (Bangalore), K. Mohan (Cochin) and many others. The training centre simulates the exact industry shop floor with industrial sewing machines and the training is conducted in two shifts. Apart from technical training, the trainees are provided with soft skills, life skills, yoga, English & Hindi, motivation, leadership, HIV AIDS, company law, etc. IL&FS Clusters with the support of State Employment Mission has been able to train and place over 7000 rural BPL youth in its seven training centres across the state and has presence in almost all the left wing extremist affected districts in Odisha with the latest addition at Malkangiri.

Sources: The Hindu & OrissaDiary

Another weightlifter from Berhampur wins gold in national weightlifting championship

2011-11-24T15:59:00.000+05:30

Source: Anupam Bharat

Berhampur to get 6 lane Highway connecting Ichhapuram and Bhubaneswar

2011-11-19T16:28:00.000+05:30

The 180km four-lane highway between Andhra Pradesh’s Ichhapuram and Bhubaneswar via Berhampur will be made into a six-lane road.“A feasibility study is in progress,” said National Highways Authority of India deputy general manager Prabhat Ranjan Behruia. “The task of feasibility study has been entrusted to AECOM, a Gurgaon-based agency. We expect to launch the six-lane highway soon,” he said. “Our norms say if the passenger car unit (PCU) is more than 23,000 a day, we can opt for a six-lane highway. During a recent study at Kespur in Ganjam and the portion of the highway that passes through Berhampur, we found that the PCU was 28,000 a day. A six-lane highway could accommodate more vehicles on the road and ensure passengers’ safety,” he said, adding that construction of the six-lane highway had already begun from Chennai.Behruia said of the 158km road from Icchapur to Ganjam (50.80km), Ganjam to Sunakhala (56km) and Sunakhala to Khurda (51km), construction of 141km has been completed. “A road under bridge at Chhatrapur is to be constructed by the NHAI, for which the Indian Rare Earths Limited has to hand over the site.

Source: The Telegraph

Gopalpur beach festival from January 11 to 15

2011-11-16T20:06:00.001+05:30

Gopalpur beach festival would be held in January this time rather than in December like earlier years. This five-day beach festival would be held from January 11 to 15. Earlier date of this beach festival used to coincide with Christmas. This decision was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the beach festival held in Berhampur city. This beach festival is organised every year jointly by the Ganjam district administration and Ganjam District Hoteliers' Association (GDHA) to promote tourism at this beach resort and to show case cultural heritage of South Odisha. The preparatory meeting was chaired by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) southern division, Laxmi Narayan Nayak. It was attended by Ganjam Collector Kishan Kumar, MLAs of Gopalpur and Berhampur and many office bearers.

Decision to shift dates of the beach festival was taken at the request of the GDHA. The GDHA felt holding of beach festival during festive tourist season was putting extra pressure on the small beach resort. Added to it large crowd that gathers up for the beach festival and clogged traffic was also causing problems for the tourists who check in hotels of the beach resort during that time. Holding of this beach festival during January would add up another tourist season for the beach resort, felt GDHA. This famous beach festival had been started during 90s by the GDHA and this famous beach is just 9km away from Berhampur city. Source: The Hindu

Dividers to come up on NH 59 passing through Berhampur city

2011-11-14T16:00:00.003+05:30

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Berhampur Ajit Mishra has directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to put dividers on the stretch of NH 59 that passes through the city to curb rising accidents. Mr. Ajit Mishra has passed the order while dealing with a case filed under Section 133 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in his court by former secretary of Ganjam Bar Association (GBA) Manoj Patnaik. According to the directive, dividers will come up in the middle of the highway to bifurcate the incoming and outgoing traffic to check accidents. Dividers will be put up on a stretch of 15 km of NH 59 from Ambapua to Budhighara temple on the outskirts of the city. The highway authorities have also been directed to put extra watch on most accident-prone stretch of the highway between Engineering School square and Budhighara temple. Mr. Patnaik filed the case on January 20. The NH 59 was formerly NH 217. The road connecting Gopalpur Port with Raipur in Chhattisgarh has become NH 217 through gazette notification made in 2001. Stretch of this highway that passes through the city also became most accident prone zone. As per the data provided by city police, between April 2001 and April 2010, 104 persons died and 269 persons were injured due to accidents on this stretch of road. So, there was a demand for measures to check incidences of frequent accidents on this stretch of highway. Another reason for the accidents on this stretch of highway is unauthorized parking of passenger vehicles including buses. In March, the SDM also ordered against unauthorized passenger bus stoppages from the stretch of the highway that passes through the city. But till date unauthorized parking of passenger buses has not been checked. It is alleged that although the city has two bus stands, yet passenger buses and mini buses block the road at different places for long periods.

Source: The Hindu

Stone laid for 'Break Water Wall' at Gopalpur Port

2011-11-12T14:48:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Commerce and Transport Minister Sanjib Sahu laid the foundation stone for a ‘break water wall’ at Gopalpur Port, 18 km from Berhampur city on Thursday. The wall - mandatory for an all-weather port - would be 3 km in length and will cost ` 240 crore. The fair-weather port of Gopalpur was handed over to Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL Group) by the Odisha Government. And the port is being developed into an all-weather one by Gopalpur Port Ltd (GPL), a consortium led by OSL Group. It will be the second all-weather port in the State after Paradip. The existing fair-weather port was handed over to GPL in October 2006. According to the CA, GPL will develop the port on BOOST (build, own, operate, share and transfer) basis. After completion, the Port targets to handle 10 million tonne of cargo in the first year of its operation. The consortium is to invest about ` 1,700 crore in the port. Though the construction was scheduled to start last October, it was delayed for various reasons. The port officials informed the Minister that construction works would be completed by 2012-end. Transport Secretary Gagan Dhal accompanied the Minister.

Source: New Indian Express

OTDC comes out with package tour to Tara Tarini hill shrine

2011-11-10T15:18:00.000+05:30

The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has come up with a package tour to promote Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district. This tour would be taken up around five times in a month to enable devotees and tourists from other parts of the State to have a comfortable luxurious trip to this famous hill shrine. As Bhubaneswar would be starting pint of this tour it would enable tourists coming to visit golden triangle, Puri-Bhubaneswar-Konark, to opt for a visit to another chunk of Odisha.

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to provide all possible assistance for this project of OTDC, said secretary of TTDB, Pramod Panda. According to him this package tour would be on Tuesdays along with the day of Sankranti. These are most preferred days for devotees to visit this hill shrine. Mr Panda said this package tour for Tara Tarini was being provided at affordable price of around Rs 640 per passenger. Tourists would start from Bhubaneswar in air-conditioned luxury buses and reach Tara Tarini hill shrine just before noon.

The TTDB authorities would welcome the passengers and provide them all possible hospitality. These tourists would be provided ‘prasad' of the temple as lunch which is part of the package. Along with accompanying guide the troupe of tourists would get a chance to move around scenic spots around the hill shrine during their stay there. Ropeway between the hill top and the foot hill was also part of the tour package, Mr Panda said. According to him this project of OTDC would help in promotion of this hill shrine as a major tourist destination.

Mr Panda said the second hill top road to the shrine was almost completed and it would be ready for use by public by the end of the year. This new road starts from Keshpur junction. Work was also under way for construction of a ring road around the Tara Tarini hill. The ghat road to the hill top is being widened further for easy driving. In some places gradient of steep slopes have been reduced.

To beautify adjoining areas embankment of Rushikulya river that flows around the Tara Tarini hill is being beautified. “We are planning to increase parking space on the hill top by cutting down and leveling some more portions on the hill top,” Mr Panda added. During past few years the TTDB has made a complete face lift of this hill shrine that includes erection of a complete new temple in place of the old temple. This new temple is based on ancient Rekha style temple architecture of Odisha. It was constructed under the supervision of noted sculptor, Padma Bhusan Raghunath Mohapatra.

Source: The Hindu

Much awaited Berhampur Book Fair kicks off

2011-11-10T14:49:00.000+05:30

The much-awaited 12-day annual Berhampur Book Fair was opened in this Silk City on Saturday. The fair was inaugurated by Revenue Divisional Commissioner L. N. Nayak in the presence of a number of litterateurs of the State at the St Stephens Church Ground near the Telephone Bhavan road. There are 80 stalls of various books that include fiction and non-fiction, entertainment and leisure, business and finance, hobbies, special interest, general interest and health and living. Many stalls have also been opened up by organisations related to Shirdi Sai Baba, Gayatri Shaktipeeth, Pragyan Mission, Geeta Press etc to sell their own publications. Some book traders like one from Puri Jagannath temple premises, who specialise in spiritual and religious books, have also come out to open their stalls in this book fair. Most of these stalls are drawing huge crowds. The crowd includes youth as well as the aged. The Book Fair Committee has chalked out different activities, including quiz competitions by Chanda Bijoyee Mishra and literary discussions by different literature academies of Ganjam district. The inaugural function was attended by eminent writer Das Benhur, Secretary of State Sahitya Academy Bijay Patnaik and Dainik Asha editor Pramod Kumar Panda.

Source: The Pioneer, The Hindu

Berhampur University conducts indirect election

2011-11-10T14:41:00.000+05:30

An indirect election for the students’ union of Berhampur University has been conducted peacefully. Earlier, the direct election process had to be cancelled following clash between two groups of students on September 28. “The students first voted their class representatives who, in turn, elected the office-bearers of the students’ union. President, vice-president, secretary, and joint secretary of the students’ union, 10 members of the executive body, and secretary and joint secretary of the dramatic association and athletic association were chosen in the indirect election today,” said the university’s administrative officer, Ganapati Chowdhury, who conducted the election. Forty class representatives were elected from the university’s 20 postgraduate departments to take part in the union’s election. Besides, three representatives were sent from computer application, tourism and Russian studies courses. Jayadev Pandit has become the newly-elected president, Kapilendra Nahak the vice-president, while Ajaya Kumar Sahu and Balaram Behera have been elected assistant secretaries of the union. Sidhartha Arawal and Minaketan Behera have been elected the secretary and joint secretary of the athletic association. P. Swarup Kisan and Satyajit Singh have been elected as the secretary and assistant secretary of dramatic association. “Indirect election process is one of the election methods recommended by the Lyngdoh Commission. We opted for it as it would not disrupt our classes and help maintain law and order on the campus,” said N.R. Chowdhury, chairman of the varsity’s postgraduate council.

Source: The Telegraph

Small town India makes it big – via reality TV (Indiatalkies.com)

2011-11-08T16:57:00.001+05:30

Blurring the lines between reel and real, Sushil Kumar lived a billion dreams when he went from being a computer operator earning Rs.6,000 a month to a millionaire many times over by winning Rs.5 crore on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. The fairytale ‘slumdog millionaire’ come to life on that new harbinger of change – reality television. The 27-year-old from Motihari in Bihar, who went from oblivion to fame and wealth in a matter of 13 questions on the fifth season of the quiz show, is the latest in the many talents from far flung corners of the country who have come to the national centrestage thanks to reality shows. When the show was going on air, KBC host, superstar Amitabh Bachchan, had said he wanted to reach out to people in the interiors so that viewers could get to see some of the best brains from small towns. After Sushil Kumar’s spectacular win, aired Wednesday night, Big B said: ‘This is what the common man is all about. This is what KBC is all about – given an opportunity, the common man has the strength, the ability and the acumen to prove to the world that he is the best and second to none.’

Last month, The Suresh & Vernon Group won ‘India’s Got Talent 3′. The group of 30 youngsters from Mumbai suburbs like Vasai, Virar and Nala Sopara were from lower middle class backgrounds and danced their way to the TRPs.

Another rags to riches story was of the Prince Dance Troupe from the backlanes of Berhampur, Orissa. The unlikely stars, including daily wage labourers and two polio-stricken children, won an earlier season of ‘India’s Got Talent’ and even got to perform at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The trend began in the late 1990s with shows such as ‘Meri Awaz Suno’ on Doordarshan and Zee TV’s ‘Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma’. Singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghosal first showcased their talent on these shows before going on to make it big in Bollywood, the ultimate dream of every artist. Thanks to their success stories, reality shows became a rage in small towns. More aspirational than just an entertainment show. Many talents found their spot in the sun – Sony’s ‘Indian Idol’ turned Abhijeet Sawant into a celebrity post his win while the second season winner Sandeep Acharya from Bikaner in Rajasthan too became well-known. There was also Prashant Tamang from Darjeeling, Amit Paul from Shillong, Emon Chatterjee from Kolkata and Antara Mitra from Maslandapur in West Bengal. Debojit Saha, a struggling singer from Silchar, Assam, got a new lease of life after winning Zee’s ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’, as did Raja Hassan, Tochi Raina and Harshit Saxena.

Sources: Indiatalkies, The Hindu

OTDC announces special bus service from State capital to Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

2011-11-05T16:34:00.000+05:30

In a bid to attract more tourists to famous religious destination of the state the OTDC has launched two special weekly bus services to Tara Tarini in Ganjam district and Tarini temple in Keonjhar district, OTDC Marketing Manager Alok Mishra said. Every Tuesday, a bus would leave Bhubaneswar at 8 a.m. for Tara Tarini and the trip (to and fro) costs Rs.660 per person. The bus would start its journey from the Panth Nivas and would pick up tourists at Kalpana Square,

railway station, Vani Vihar, and Rasulgarh Square in the Capital en route Tara Tarini. Similarly, the bus for Ghatagoan will leave Bhubaneswar at 7 a.m. every Tuesday and it would cost Rs.610 per person (to and fro). However, pilgrims can also avail themselves of one-way service on payment of Rs.300 per person, Mr. Mishra said.

For further information, OTDC officials can be contacted on mobile phone number 99383-74772.

Source: The Hindu

MGCHRI to set up cancer hospital in south Odisha

2011-11-04T18:59:00.000+05:30

Oncologists feel rural and ignorant women of the State are prone to threat of cervical cancer. Addressing a press meet in Berhampur city oncologists from Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (MGCHRI) of Visakhapatnam said lifestyle-related cancer threat also looms over people of Odisha.

Surgical oncologist and managing director of the cancer institute Murali Krishna Voona said with education and better lifestyle incidence of cervical cancer was going down among women. Radiation oncologist of the institute Kanhu Charan Patro described how change in lifestyle has started to increase occurrence of breast cancer in traditional states like Odisha. According to him one of the major reasons is the blind adaptation of cosmopolitan lifestyle in the educated women in the upper economic strata. “But the silver lining is that due to increased consciousness women with developing breast cancer are being identified early for timely medical intervention”, said Dr Murali Krishna..

The MGCHRI is planning to establish a cancer hospital in south Odisha. “We have started viability survey of the project in the area”, said Dr Murali Krishna. On October 31 a clinic of the institute was opened in Berhampur city which would be visited by oncologists from the Visakhapatnam based cancer hospital every month. The MGCHRI declared to extend its subsidised treatment for BPL families of Andhra Pradesh to the poor patients of Odisha also. Source: The Hindu

SBI launches ‘Bank on Wheels' in Ganjam

2011-11-04T18:52:00.000+05:30

State Bank of India (SBI) introduced ‘Bank on Wheels' in Ganjam district to increase financial literacy among rural mass who are till date not acquainted with banking facilities. Regional office of the SBI in Berhampur city has introduced this awareness building project. Under this project a decorated vehicle would move around remote villages distributing awareness building literature regarding concept of banking process and to take banking process to their door steps. This project will also provide thrust to the Financial Inclusion Plan (FIP).

The SBI authorities have identified 60 villages in the district. As per the plans 300 new accounts would be opened up in each of these villages. A.V. Brahma Rao, Deputy General Manager of the Bank flagged off the ‘Bank on Wheels' vehicle at a function which was attended by Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Regional Manager.

Source: The Hindu

Anti-encroachment drive speeds up in Silk City

2011-11-04T16:37:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Anti-encroachment drive in the Silk City started on Monday from the Sanno Bazaar in the city to widen roads encroached by business establishments in Sanno Bazaar, Bada Bazaar and Hanuman Bazaar. With the help of police force, bulldozers entered the three areas to demolish encroachments. Hundreds of shops were razed. Even the Hanuman Temple was not spared. Some portions of the temple were demolished. During demolition at the Hanuman Temple, Bajrang Dal, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), BJP Krushak Morcha and inhabitants of the area gathered and opposed the move. Following intervention by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) with a suggestion to shift the deity to the nearby Raghunath temple after necessary rituals, the protesters left the place. During the demolition drive on the first day, Sub-Collector Ajit Mishra, tehsildar Satrughna Kar, BMC Mayor Shiv Shankar Das, Berhampur Dedelopment Authority (BMC) commissioner Bhim Manseth, Berhampur SP Safeen Ahmed, SDPO Sarat Mahapatra, one magistrate along with the police force were present. The administration has given seven days to the shopkeepers in Bada Bazaar to move elsewhere. On expiry of the deadline, the bulldozers will again swing into action, the administration has warned.

Source: The Pioneer

Ganjam migrants send remittance worth Rs 800 crore back home

2011-11-04T16:28:00.003+05:30

Source: Dharitri

Ganjam wetland at Tampara to be made ecotourism centre soon

2011-11-04T16:05:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Tampara, a wetland near Chhatrapur in Ganjam district, will get a facelift soon, following the state government's decision to develop the mini-lake into a major ecotourism centre. The wetland will be developed under the ongoing Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, (ICZMP) funded by the World Bank. The project authorities have already sanctioned Rs 6.90 crore to the state owned Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) for the purpose, official sources said. District collector Krishan Kumar recently discussed the project with concerned officers. Presently, the 5.8 km-long and 670-meter wide wetland is used for water-sports and boating. At least four fiber boats and two scooter boats are stationed in the site for the purpose, said district tourist officer Surendra Lima. Facilities like parking, public conveniences, eco-parks, jetties, tents and cottages will be developed as part of the project. Besides, floating restaurants and cottages will also be set up, sources said. The Tampara lake, designated as a tourist spot by the state government in 2008, attracted 27,425 tourists last year as against 26,755 in 2009 and 26,230 in 2008, official sources said.

Source: Times of India

Union Minister promises to expedite Berhampur bypass project

2011-10-22T20:19:00.001+05:30

Naveen Patnaik urges Union Minister to approve Berhampur-Koraput National Highway

Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik met the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Dr. C.P. Joshi, at New Delhi. He urged the Union Minister to approve five State Roads -Berhampur-Koraput; Madhapur-Rayagada; Phulnakhara-Konark;Kuakhia-Aradi-Bhadrak and Palasa-Khariar as National Highways. Union Minister was also requested to expedite sanction of estimates for land acquisition for enabling construction of 7 new Bypasses in Bolangir on NH-26; Titlagarh on NH-59; Berhampur on NH-59 (earlier NH 217); Nawarangpur on NH-26; Boriguma on NH-26; Jeypore on NH-26 and Koraput on NH-26 and to urgently allocate funds to the State for 2011-12 under the Central Road Fund.

Union Minister appreciated the concerns of Orissa and assured that his Ministry would extend necessary financial help for carrying out repair and restoration work on National Highways. He informed the Chief Minister that he will depute Chairman, NHAI to the State to assess the difficulties associated with National Highways and take appropriate action towards ensuring up-gradation of National Highways to 4 lane standards. On declaration of new National Highways in Orissa, Union Minister informed that the proposed State Roads forming part of the National Grid would be upgraded to National Highways.

Union Minister shared that his Ministry is committed to provide roads in Naxal affected districts and the proposal for 45 new roads forming part of the second phase will be approved during the current financial year. On construction of Bypasses, he assured that Berhampur Bypass on NH-59 (earlier NH 217) will be taken up immediately and the proposal of the State for other bypasses will be considered in due course.

Source: Orissa Diary

Ganjam District included under Integrated Action Plan (IAP)

2011-10-22T20:04:00.000+05:30

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and raised the issue of growing Maoist menace and sought strategic Central assistance to deal with the problem. Appreciating the issue raised by Patnaik, the Union Home Minister assured all possible assistance to combat the Maoists and said the Central Government had approved Odisha's proposal for inclusion of four Maoist-prone districts under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme as well as decided to include three more districts under the Integrated Action Plan including Ganjam. The Chief Minister also sought from Chidambaram for waiver of charges amounting to `567.55 crore towards deployment of CPMF covering the period up to July 30, 2011 and reiterated his request to include five more districts — Bargarh, Ganjam, Nayagarh,Dhenkanal and Jajpur —, under the Integrated Action Plan (lAP) Scheme. Inclusion of Ganjam under IAP was being demanded by various sections since the Plan was unveiled last year.

Source: Daily Pioneer

Berhampur Silk City, Slideshow

2011-10-22T00:59:00.003+05:30

Berhampur Silk City, Odisha Slideshow

Background paper on Berhampur City

2011-10-21T00:21:00.001+05:30

Excerpts from the Background Paper on Berhampur city by the School of Habitat Studies, TISS for UIRF.........

(Click here to download the full text of the Paper)

Berhampur city is the fourth most populous urban area in the state of Orissa and 113th overall in India. It is mainly a trading centre for Southern Orissa having its influence over eight districts. It is the oldest city of Ganjam District. The purpose of this TLBN is to present sector-specific and broader development issues in the city of Berhampur. This is specifically in the context of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), the current status and possible impact of reforms on the overall functioning of the municipal corporation. The focus of interventions is to improve governance in towns and cities in the growing urbanization era. The extent of provision of public services by a government system has gained importance in the twenty first century. During the Keynesian days, the supremacy of the government in providing public services was not a matter of debate at all. Government was thought to be the omniscient provider of all public welfare activities. The turn of the century witnessed a sharp rise in critically examining the role of the government and a limit was placed on the governmental activities. With this backdrop the next paragraphs describe the background and history of the district as well as the town.

Old bus stand at Barracks to be shifted to the outskirts of Berhampur

2011-10-14T01:43:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation has decided to shift the bus stand of the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), popularly known as old bus stand, from its existing location of Barracks in the heart of Berhampur city to the city outskirts. But the status-quo will be maintained for the time being till suitable location is found. It was decided at a meeting held on Wednesday that was chaired by Berhampur Sub-Collector Ajit Kumar Mishra. The meeting was attended by Berhampur Mayor S. Shankar Dash, local MLA RCC Patnaik, city sub-divisional police officer, authorities of the OSRTC and Berhampur Development Authority (BDA). Earlier administration and police wanted the OSRTC bus stand to be shifted to the new bus stand from where private buses operate. But OSRTC authorities were not ready for the proposal. The administration had decided to shift the old bus stand and use the space for public amenities. The OSRTC authorities were not ready to operate from new bus stand as they felt it would be hard for them to manage from there due to unholy rivalry of private bus operators. After the meeting, the Sub-Collector said they had decided to identify a new location for the OSRTC bus stand and after that the old bus stand would be shifted. As per him two locations have been thought of which would be surveyed for feasibility to let OSRTC operate with its separate identity. It may be noted that a legal tussle was also there regarding the continuation of lease of the old bus stand area to the OSRTC. It was leased to the OSRTC around 50 years ago.

Source: The Hindu

Berhampur girl grabs gold in Commonwealth Youth championship at Cape Town

2011-10-12T19:44:00.001+05:30

Following the footsteps of K Ravi Kumar, another weightlifter of Berhampur city, Minati Das, brought fame to the state. She won gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Youth Girls championship at Cape Town. Ravi, who had won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games-2010, had also won the medal in the Commonwealth (youth) championships earlier.

Fifteen-year-old Minati of Old Berhampur area won in the 44-kg category of Weightlifting, said vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation and general secretary of Berhampur-based Veer Hanuman Club Narayan Sahu. Seven girls from the country, including Das, were participating in the youth (girl) category. Though Minati has participated in many national events, the commonwealth (youth) championship is her first international participation. She had a rigorous practice session in Bangalore before this. We are proud that another youth from our club won the prestigious medal in the international event, Sahu said.

Minati is the second daughter of Pramod Das, a farmer and leader of Ganjam District Scheduled Caste Federation. Out of his four children, Minati was the one very keen on sports. At present, she is a Class X student of Government Girlsa High School, Berhampur.

Source: The Times of India

2011-10-06T19:18:00.000+05:30

Tara Tarini Development Board takes great pleasure in wishing you happiness and prosperity on the divine occasion of Dusshera,
the festival that symbolizes the Triumph of Good over Evil.

May the divine blessings of

Maa Tara Tarini be with you always!

Berhampur Book fair from November 05

2011-10-03T20:00:00.002+05:30

The Fifteenth Berhampur Book Fair, one of the biggest Book fairs in Eastern India would be held in the city from November 05 to 14. It was decided at a meeting of the Book Fair Committee that was chaired by Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Southern Division, Laxminarayan Nayak. Several competitions would be held among students during the book fair. Five students from rural schools of the district would be honoured during the book fair.

Source: The Hindu

Berhampur Municipal Corporation signs MoU for setting up solid waste management plant

2011-10-01T21:39:00.001+05:30

Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to establish a solid waste processing plant on the outskirts of the city.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) an affiliate body of World Bank would be the transaction adviser of the project, said Sanjiv Mishra, Joint Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department of the State government. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purpose was signed between the BMC and the IFC in the city on Friday afternoon in the conference hall of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division.

Commissioner of the BMC Bhim Manseth and adviser of the IFC Indramani Sen signed the MoU papers. Mayor of the BMC Sibashankar Dash, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, Rajya Sabha MP Renubala Pradhan, corporators of the BMC and Mr. Msihra were present .

Mr. Manseth said the service fee of advisory services of the IFC for the solid waste management project would be around 75,000 dollars. Thirty per cent of it would be borne by the BMC while the rest would be contributed by the State government.

The Mayor said signing of this MoU with the IFC is only the first step towards establishment of the solid waste processing plant project.

Ganjam Bar Association lawyers seek interim report on HC Benches

2011-10-01T21:24:00.001+05:30

Through a protest rally in Berhampur city lawyers of Ganjam Bar Association (GBA) demanded that the State government impress upon the Justice C.R.Pal Commission the need to file an interim report. This motor cycle rally was led by president of the GBA Sisir Padhi and its secretary Jyoti Chhotray. Members of the Ganjam Bar Association also started boycott of court during last four days of a month for the demand of establishment of a permanent Bench of Orissa High Court in the city.

It may be noted that in February 2008 Orissa government had set up this single-member judicial commission to go into the demands for permanent benches of Orissa High Court in South and Western Orissa. For long lawyers in Berhampur and Sambalpur have been demanding setting up of permanent benches of the High Court in their areas.

Large-scale agitation by the lawyers at these places compelled the State government to set up this commission. Lawyers of the Ganjam Bar Association, Berhampur were critical of the delay in filing of report by the commission. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a statement in the Orissa Assembly had announced that the duration of the Justice Pal Commission would be six months. But it is yet to furnish its report although its tenure has got extended several times.

The GBA wanted the State government not to extend the tenure of the commission any more. ‘It is high time the Commission came up with an interim report,” Mr Chhotray said. Delay in filing of report was reducing faith of public in the real intention behind the setting of this Commission, the agitating lawyers said. This Commission had to collect information and data from Orissa High Court, different district offices, Bar Associations and different forums to come up with a report regarding the feasibility of demands for establishment of High Court Benches in Berhampur and Sambalpur.

Mr Chhotray alleged that delay in furnishing of report by the Justice pal Commission was leading to frustration among lawyers and general public. It also hints at lack of commitment of the Chief Minister, he added. A single-member commission was constituted in February 2008 to go into the demands for High Court Benches

City bus service mooted for Greater Berhampur region

2011-09-23T17:11:00.000+05:30

The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) is planning to start city bus service in Greater Berhampur region that will cover Berhampur, Gopalpur-on-sea and Chhatrapur. A team for the special purpose vehicle (SPV), involving the Berhampur Development Authority, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and some other agencies are likely to be formed for this. "We have agreed to be a partner in the SPV for the city bus services," BDA chairman Kailash Rana said. The proposal was discussed at the BDA's governing body meeting held here on Wednesday. The city bus service from Berhampur to Chhatrapur and Berhampur to Gopalpur-on-Sea was the long-standing demand of the people of the town as there was no passenger bus service to these towns from Berhampur. Only small vehicles, including matadors and trekkers run from Berhampur to these two towns. While Chhatrapur is the district headquarters of Ganjam, Gopalpur-on-Sea, on the outskirts of Berhampur city is a tourist resort and famous for its beach. "We have asked the officers concerned to prepare a detailed project report, district collector Krishan Kumar said. Besides, the BDA has also decided to construct new apartments in around 10 acres of land at Gopalpur and Ambapua. The apartments would be constructed in the PPP mode, Rana said. Similarly, a truck terminal would be set up at Haladiapadar.

Sources: Times of India & The Anupam Bharat

Greater Berhampur draft CDP to be ready by October

2011-09-22T15:43:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Speaking to newsmen after the general body meeting of Berhampur Development Authority (BDA), its chairman Kailash Rana said that the draft of the CDP was expected to be ready by October. And the BDA was expected to make it public in December. The present CDP was being prepared keeping in view the development of greater Berhampur for future.

The area under greater Berhampur would include the urban centres of Berhampur, Gopalpur, and Chatrapur and 139 villages between them. The CDP would comprise a total area of more than 317 square km having a population of around 12 lakh, he said. The Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO), which happens to be technical advisory body of Central Ministry of Urban Development, is preparing the CDP for greater Berhampur. Lack of CDP has been a major obstacle in the development of the major urban and trading centre of the south Orissa.

The BDA has tried to have a master plan for the city in 1998 and 2004. But due to various reasons it could not materialise. The new CDP is based on Geographical Information System (GIS). It depends on both remote sensing data from satellites as well as the ground level data collected by surveys. The Orissa government has borne the cost of the CDP preparation.

Cultural auditorium

At the meeting it was decided to construct Biju Patnaik Cultural Auditorium near Ganesh temple, for which the State government has sanctioned Rs. 2 crore. The rest would be borne by the BDA. The BDA authorities proposed to take up several projects in Private Public Participation (PPP) mode. The projects include apartments on ten acres of land at Gopalpur beach resort and Ambapua area of the city. A truck terminus near Haldiapadar was also proposed in PPP mode.

Source: The Hindu

Tata Steel commits Rs 40 cr for CSR at Gopalpur park

2011-09-22T15:33:00.001+05:30

Tata Steel proposed to invest about Rs 33.50 crore on environment protection and Rs 40 crore towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities for its industrial park coming up at Gopalpur. The company is the anchor investor for the industrial park which is being set up on around 3000 acres. The steel maker had originally acquired this land in mid 90s to set up a steel plant, but later shelved the project.

The steel firm plans to set up a 400,000 tonne per annum (tpa) rebar mill, 55000 tpa capacity high carbon ferro-chrome plant and a sea water desalination plant with a capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day on around 450 acres of land at a cost of about Rs 800 crore.

During the public hearing conducted today at Chamakhandi, about 25 km from here, the company said, it has already conducted the Environment Impact Assessment and prepared the Environment Management Plan for the projects.

The company proposed to devote 34 per cent (155 acres) of its total plant area (450 area) to green cover.

The proposed project would provide employment to about 1000 persons during construction stage and about 430 persons during operation stage.

Source: Business Standard

Oberoi heritage hotel and resort at Gopalpur acquired by Mayfair Group

2011-09-13T18:07:00.002+05:30

"The wheel had turned a full circle. I began to think of building my own hotels, and the first attempt was a small hotel in Gopalpur-on-Sea, in Orissa": India's greatest hotelier M S Oberoi

According to a report of the news agency Tathya.in, the Mayfair Group, a leading hospitality chain in the country has acquired the prestigious heritage hotel of Oberoi group at Gopalpur- “The Oberai Palm Beach”. A century old heritage hotel and resort at Gopalpur On Sea, promoted by Rai Bahadur M S Oberai has been taken over by the Mayfair Hotels and Resorts Limited on 9 September. It was one of the initial heritage hotels established by the Oberoi group in Orissa in the British era, but due to various reasons it was closed down in December 2002.This is the eighth property of Mayfair Group, which is strongly positioned to build a significant Pan India footprint with growing presence in various parts of the country said a senior executive of the Group. Being the property of the prestigious Oberai Group, Palm Beach- Gopalpur On Sea featured in the World Tourism Map way back in 1947, when Rai Bahadur took it over. This destination was very popular amongst Russians throughout the year and of course the local tourists during winters. Mayfair Hotels & Resorts with its reputation of building Five Star resorts with low rise structure and emphasizing on greenery will take full advantage of 10 acres land and intend to offer a world class product with SPA, Villas along with private dip pools and other Five Star Deluxe amenities. With the resumption of a Star Hotel & Resort at Gopalpur On Sea, it will certainly bring in International tourists and open a new destination for domestic tourists as well. It is now the responsibility of the State Government to upgrade the tourist spots and ensure aggressive marketing of Gopalpur in Travel Fairs, thus bringing it back to the World’s Tourist Map, feel Industry Observers.

Source (News & Photo): www.Tathya.in

Source: The Samaja

Suggestions invited on plan to merge 15 villages with BDA

2011-09-07T18:21:00.000+05:30

The State government has proposed to include 15 revenue villages in the jurisdiction of Berhampur Development Area. In a notification issued here on Monday, Housing and Urban Development Authority invited suggestions and objections to the proposal within 30 days. These villages have been drawn from three tehesils such as Berhampur, Kanisi and Chhatrapur. These villages include Shitalapalli and Luhajhar under Luhajhar gram panchayat, Badakusasthtali and Badagumula under Badakusasthtali GP, Jadankoli and Satakutani under Satakutani GP, Phulta under Phulta GP, Ralaba and Rangipur under Rangipur GP, Madanmohanpur under Baghalati GP, Kanisi under Kanisi GP, Ankusapur under Ankusapur GP, Golabandha under Golabandha GP, Baxipalli under Baxipalli GP and Srirampur under Bhikaripalli GP.

Berhampur Development Area was declared in 1993. Berhampur, which is considered gateway to South Orissa, has been a major trade centre. Of late the State government is trying to infuse planning into the old city by putting Comprehensive Development Plan in place. The city has also been identified to be developed into regional centre for IT-enabled modern activities. The city is currently growing in the northeast direction along the NH-217 and NH 5 and set to become greater Berhampur with inclusion of Gopalpur and Chatrapur area. The HUD department asked citizens to register their objections and suggestions with regard to the proposal for inclusion of additional areas in the development area of Berhampur Development Authority with full name and address.

Source: The Hindu

E-district project set to be launched in Ganjam

2011-09-07T18:08:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Ganjam is all set to launch an e-district project to provide quick delivery of services and ensure transparency. The project will be implemented in the district under the Central government's National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). Issuances of certificates, social security schemes like pensions, public grievances, RTI, PDS and some other services are to be provided under the project. Ganjam is the 18th District in the country and the second in the state to start the project on a pilot basis. Mayurbhanj is the other district in the state to be selected for the project.

Ganjam district administration decided to implement the issuance of certificates in the first phase of the e project. The revenue circle of Gopalpur in Berhampur tehsil has been identified for implementation of the project in the district on an experimental basis."We will formally launch the project at the revenue circle at Gopalpur very soon for issuance of various certificates," said district collector Krishan Kumar. In the first phase, caste, residence, solvency, income and legal heir certificates would be processed online.

Other services like pensions, PDS, RTI and revenue court cases would be dispensed in a phased manner. All the revenue circles in 22 tehsils in the district would be expected to be covered by the year end, the collector said. Under the scheme, revenue circles of the district will be connected to the tehsil office and common service centers (CSC) set up by private entrepreneurs. People can apply for certificates from any CSC in their neighbourhood. The online system will ensure that certificates become available within three days of application. People, however, will have to pay a nominal service charge to avail of the benefit.

The district administration has decided to set up 510 CSCs, covering all 475 gram panchayats in the district, said district nodal officer of the e-district project, Siba Narayan Sahu. While 430 CSCs have already been set up, others will be established very soon, he said. Computer giant Wipro was providing consultancy for the project, while the application software is being installed by SRIT, a Bangalore-based software company, Sahu informed.

Source: Times of India

Five new PG courses at Berhampur University yet to start

2011-09-07T18:01:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Hopes of starting five new post graduate courses in Berhampur University, sanctioned by the University Grants Commission(UGC) in the eleventh plan period, appear to be bleak as the plan period will come to an end in the next six months. The UGC had sanctioned post graduate courses in geophysics, pharmacy, microbiology, Hindi and education for the university during its eleventh plan period, which will come to an end on March 2012. The courses are yet to start as the state government is yet to give its consent on the matter even though over three years have passed since the correspondence between university authorities and state higher education department. "We are trying to pursue the matter with the state government to start the subjects before the end of the plan period," said Berhampur University vice chancellor, J K Mohapatra. "Not only are aspirants of higher studies in these subjects deprived, but the university also lost the UGC funds given for starting these subjects," a student leader said. Due to the absence of regular courses in these subjects, students are forced to take up self-financing courses in some of these subjects by paying huge fees, said ABVP Ganjam district unit president, Siba Prasad Tripathy. "Due to the apathetic attitude of the state government, not a single new department has been opened in Berhampur University in the last two decades," he added."The government should immediately give their nod to open the new subjects for the benefit of students of southern Orissa districts, otherwise they would go for an agitation," said National Students Union of India (NSUI) Ganjam district unit president, Biswajit Patra.

Source: Times of India

Over 550 take pledge for eye donation in Berhampur city

2011-09-05T16:43:00.000+05:30

Members of Friends Helping Club
taking out a rally in Berhampur city Photo: Lingaraj Panda

A rally was organised jointly by different organizations of Berhampur city to promote eye donation which is picking up in a big way in the city. Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Suryakiran Patnaik, Head of the Department, ophthalmology, MKCG Medical College R.C. Mohapatra, associate professor of the department B.N.R. Subudhi, S.N. Raut of district blindness control society, students of MKCG Medical College, and members of different social organizations took part in the rally.

Through placards and slogans, they tried to motivate people towards eye donation. Around 550 persons took pledge for eye donation. Most of them were senior citizens. They promised to submit these forms after getting it filled with the consent of their family members.

Berhampur city has the reputation of excelling in voluntary eye donation in the State. Friends Helping Club (FRC), a philanthropic organisation of the city, takes the pride to be the organisation to have motivated largest number of voluntary eye donations in the State. Till date, it motivated 92 eye donations in the city.

H. Suresh, director of eye donation motivation campaign of FRC, said in recent times, eye donation picked up in a big way among the families of trading community in the city and it is spreading to other families. Dr. Subudhi, who played a major role in the eye donation campaign in the city during past decade, said it was a welcome change that people have started to realise that corneas from a dead relative can gift vision to two persons.

Source: The Hindu

Tata Steel reserves berth at Gopalpur Port near Berhampur

2011-09-03T20:00:00.000+05:30

Jindal Company also visited Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth
Tata Steel would construct a hospital at Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli, Berhampur

At a time when the demand for returning the lands acquired for industries in Ganjam district is growing shriller, The Tata Steel Managing Director’s visit to Ganjam district seems to have settled things for now.

Tata Steel MD HM Nerurkar along with vice-president for Orissa Projects of the Company Hrideyshwar Jha visited Ganjam district on Tuesday to take stock of the progress of the proposed projects. They had an informal meeting with Ganjam District Collector Kishen Kumar and Managing Director of Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL) Mahimanandan Mishra.

Gopalpur Industrial Park project is planned on 3,300 acres of land taken over by the company in 1995 for its now shelved mega steel plant project near Gopalpur port.

Tata Steel, being the anchor investor, has announced a ferrochrome industry with a capacity of around 55,000 tonne a year besides four million tonne capacity rubber industry and a desalination plant. The three units are scheduled to go for production from 2013.

However, as no progress was made even after seven months of the foundation, the displaced families whose lands were acquired started agitation demanding return of their lands.

According to the discussion between Tata Steel, GPL and district administration, Tata Steel would have its own berth and a jetty at Gopalpur Port at Rs. 60 crore for transportation of its proposed production.

However, till the construction of the berth, the port would provide a rebate of around 50 per cent to Tata Steel for transportation.

Tata Steel would construct a hospital in the vacant land at the Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli for the convenience of port and Tata employees and the GPL authorities would establish a school in the port’s vicinity, in order to reduce dependence on Berhampur.

Meanwhile, a team of officials of Jindal Company also visited the Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth.

Source: IBN Live

Devotees throng Panchama near Berhampur on Ganesh Chaturthi

2011-09-02T18:29:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Panchama, a sleepy village on the outskirts of Berhampur city has been agog with the influx of thousands of devotees from other places in the state, including the neighboring Andhra Pradesh, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Defying continuous rains, mostly children and womenfolk made a beeline in front of a historic Ganesh temple in the village from the wee hours of the morning. The crowd kept surging right through the afternoon, with people from far flung places thronging the site to appease the elephant god. While the temple itself is the stuff of legend, a 500-year-old tree at the temple site is an added attraction, with devotees offering prayers to the tree in the belief that the elephant god appears in the tree. According to historians, the temple was built by king Purushottam Dev during his Kanchi Abhijan to marry princess Padmabati, daughter of King of Kanchi. While the king was sleeping, he heard a celestial voice instructing him to appease Lord Ganesh before leaving the place. He was told if the elephant god was pleased, the princess would surely be his. Thereupon the king and his troops set about looking for an idol of Lord Ganesh. After a long search, they discovered the idol in the tree. The kind worshipped the god and after returning from Kanchi, built a small temple at the site. Five 'Raula' families in the village were engaged to perform rituals for the deity. According to locals, since then devotees from Ganjam and other districts of the state, as well as neighboring Andhra Pradesh, have been visiting the temple to appease the god. "We have given a proposal to the tourism department to declare the place as a tourist place and to develop its infrastructure," said Goplalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi.

Source: Times of India

Stir for permanent Bench of Orissa High Court at Berhampur

2011-08-30T12:24:00.002+05:30

Members of Ganjam Bar Association decide to intensify

their peaceful stir demanding establishment of a permanent

Bench of Orissa High Court in Berhampur.

Source: The Hindu

Ravi Kumar's Arjuna Award lifts Berhampur's spirits

2011-08-30T12:03:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Silk City was agog with joy on Monday when local boy and Commonwealth gold medalist K. Ravi Kumar was conferred the Arjuna Award at New Delhi. Ravi Kumar received the award from President Prativa Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. "I am very happy receiving the award," he told TOI from New Delhi.

At present, Ravi is busy practicing at the India camp in Patiala for the next world championships in Paris in November. He said, "The award is a big confidence booster and I will make all efforts to bring pride to mycountry," he said.

Crediting his success to his parents, coaches and well-wishers, Ravi who is now working in the Army said the award was a result of years of hard work. "It is a dream come true and I wish he beings more fame to the country," said his mother K. Suryakanta, who was present at the award-giving ceremony. Ravi Kumar is the seventh Oriya and second person from Berhampur to get this prestigious award. In 1982, another weightlifter Bijay Kumar Satapathy of Berhampur had received the Arjuna Award.

"It is a very proud moment us. His award will motivate many talented young people to scale heights," secretary of the Orissa Weightlifting Association Narayan Sahu said. "We wish he participates in the 2012 London Olympics," said Sahu, also the vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Ravi's former coach Ramesh Chandra Padhy said, "We were expecting this award for him since long going by his talent".

The Veer Hanuman Club, from where Ravi started his career, will felicitate him when he returns. Ravi started his career about seven years ago and has established a brilliant track record of winning several gold medals in national and International events. He has also set a record in the men's 69-kg category by lifting 321 kg in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last October and won the gold.

He has represented the country in the Asian Weightlifting Championships to be in China in April. He has also won three gold medals in the senior National weightlifting championships at Bangalore recently. Representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Ravi won in the clean, jerk and overall weight category in the men's 77-kg event. The state has honoured him with the Ekalabya Award.

Sources: Times of India, First Post

Berhampur to have first waste-to-energy plant in state

2011-08-29T17:15:00.001+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned to generate renewable energy from solid wastes. Around 200 tonnes of solid wastes are generated in the town every day. “We have decided to set up a processing plant to utilize the municipal solid waste (MSW) on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode very soon”, said Bhim Manseth, commissioner, Berhampur Municipal Corporation. Generation of energy is one of the options for utilizing municipal solid waste. The other products which can be generated from solid waste include manure and industrial oil, he said. BMC has roped in International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, as a consultant for the project. “We have requested the government to bear 90 per cent of the consultant's fees. The rest 10 per cent will be borne by the BMC. The BMC would sign MoU with the IFC for this purpose”, he said. The consultant would conduct the feasibility study and adopt the technology that suits the conditions of the town. Thereafter, it would float a tender inviting the firms for preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the project. The cost of the project would be known after the preparation of the DPR, but the project cost would not be less than Rs 100-crore, he added.

Siba Shankar Das, mayor of BMC said it would become the first MSW processing plant in the state. The BMC was constructing the boundary wall in around 20 acres of land at Chandania hill on the outskirts of the town to establish the plant. Meanwhile, BMC had dispatched a truck load of used polythene to the ACC cement factory at Bargarh after the company entered into a tripartite agreement with the BMC and the state government to receive these waste materials for use in its cement plant. BMC in its recent meeting has decided to campaign against the circulation of polythene having thickness below 20 microns in the town from September 1.

Source: Business Standard

Lawyers renew demand for High Court Bench at Berhampur

2011-08-29T16:43:00.002+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Members of Ganjam Bar Association put forward their various demands before the Chief Justice of Orissa Justice V.Gopala Gowda through a memorandum. They handed over this memorandum to the Chief Justice during his visit to the city. A delegation of the bar association led by its president Sisir Padhi and secretary Jyoti Chhotray met justice Gowda and handed him the memorandum. Through the memorandum the bar association reiterated its demand for establishment of a permanent Bench of the High Court in Berhampur for the benefit of people of south Orissa.

Expressing concern over the ongoing agitations by lawyers for permanent high court benches in several places in Orissa, chief justice V Gopal Gowda urged the agitators to initiate talks to end the impasse. "Come to the talks table to try and solve your grievances amicably," Gowda told lawyers.The members of the Ganjam Bar Association here have been boycotting the courts in the last four days of the month for the past three years, demanding the establishment of the permanent bench of the state high court in Berhampur.

It may be noted that the members of the Ganjam Bar Association had taken up a long cease-work agitation for the same demand from December 4, 2007. The agitation had continued for 139 days. It had also led to lathi charge by the police on agitating lawyers on April 22, 2008 and more than 29 lawyers had been arrested. The lawyers had called off their strike in May 2008. Since then members of this bar association are continuing to press upon their demand through peaceful means.

They also wanted all vacant land near Berhampur court under the State Revenue department to be handed over to the Judicial Department. On this extra land new buildings could be built up to house other courts that are running in different areas of the city. They also demanded upgradation of furniture and amenities in the old court building of Berhampur. Members of Ganjam Bar Association also urged the Chief Justice to help them in upgrading their library. They wanted the existing library building of British era to be demolished and two-storied building to be built at the spot to house the new library.

Source: The Hindu, Times of India, OdishaToday

Berhampur celebrates Anna's success

2011-08-29T16:32:00.000+05:30

Several organizations and common public came out on to the streets in Berhampur city to celebrate the victory of social activist Anna Hazare who succeeded in persuading the government for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill, a demand which saw huge support and spontaneous participation of the people across India. Celebrations replaced days of protests as the Gandhian broke his fast on Sunday with his supporters thronging the streets with loud slogans, dancing, waving of tri-colour and handing out of sweets. The festivities, which began last night after Parliament passed a resolution agreeing in-principle on Hazare's three demands on Lokpal issue, reached a crescendo, when the Gandhian accepted a glass of coconut water to break his 288 hours of fast that began on 16th August. Hazare supporters took out processions, burst crackers, danced to drums and took out motor cycle rallies in different parts of the City.

All roads in Berhampur lead to Anna Hazare

2011-08-19T17:36:00.001+05:30

As the wave of support for Anna Hazare spread further, evoking anti-Centre protests for the second consecutive day, people of Berhampur, mostly youth, students and members of civil society, came out on to the streets and denounced the oppressive measures unleashed by the central government against the anti-corruption crusader. The city witnessed several rallies, dharnas and candlelight processions supporting Anna Hazare. Students, lawyers and people from different walks of life joined the protests condemning the UPA government's action against Team Anna. Lawyers boycotted courts in protest against Anna's arrest, while school and college students took out protest rallies. Hundreds of lawyers wore black badges and masks and took out a rally in the city. Students at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital took out a candle march on the college premises to express solidarity with Anna's fight against corruption. They carried placards and shouted slogans like 'Fight against corruption' and 'Save Anna Hazare'. Students staged a dharna outside the Khallikote autonomous college. Members of Berhampur Intellectual Forum held a demonstration in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Berhampur. Jagrat Bharat, a Berhampur based youth organization, took out a cycle rally in support of Hazare. Similar protests were held in different parts of Ganjam district. Dharnas, protest rallies and demonstrations continued unabated in various parts of Ganjam District and interior areas across the state.

Source: Times of India, The Hindu

Tata Steel's Gopalpur SEZ attracts investors in gems & jewellery, apparel, mineral processing

2011-08-19T17:32:00.001+05:30

BERHAMPUR: Tata Steel's multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gopalpur has attracted downstream investments in sectors like auto components, gems & jewellery, apparel, speciality chemicals, ores and minerals processing, logistics and warehousing and marine food processing. This was informed by minister for industries, steel & mines and parliamentary affairs Raghunath Mohanty in response to a query in the state assembly. "The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for Tata Steel's multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur. Presently, boundary wall construction and road construction at the project site is going on. Tata Steel is developing an industrial park at Gopalpur wherein they will be building a 0.4 million tonne per annum steel rebar mill, 55,000 tonne per annum ferro chrome plant and 1,2 million gallons per day desalination plant at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore”, Mohanty said. The industrial park has the potential to attract investments of around Rs 15,000 crore.

While the ferroalloys plant will cost about Rs 200 to 250 crore, the bar mill will be set up at an investment of Rs 750 to Rs 800 crore. This will be the third ferroalloys plant of Tata Steel in Orissa. The company is operating two ferroalloys plants at Bamanipal and Athgarh (through its subsidiary Rawmet) with capacities of 50,000 tonnes per annum each. For the bar mill, the company intends to get the ingots from Jamshedpur by rail and road. Similarly, the company will source raw material for the ferroalloys plant, which will be a backward integration project for the company's proposed six million tonne plant at Kalinganagar, from its chromite mines in Sukinda valley.

Source: Business Standard, Orissa-Tourism

Berhampur to use solid waste for energy

2011-08-19T17:18:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation plans to generate renewable energy from solid wastes. "We will set up a processing plant in PPP mode to utilize the municipal solid waste (MSW)," commissioner of the municipality Bhim Manseth said. Manure will be one of the remnants of the process.

The corporation has selected International Finance Corporation (IFC) as consultant for the project. It will conduct a feasibility study and adopt the technology that suits the town. Only then a tender will be floated inviting firms for preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) and the project cost would be known then. Around 200 metric tonnes of solid wastes is generated in the town everyday. The civic body has constructed boundary wall around 20 acre land at Chandania hill, on the outskirts of the town, for the plant. tnn

The corporation has also decided to campaign against use of polythene below 20 microns in thickness in the town from September 1. Instead, we will encourage people to use paper, cloth or jute bags, which are not harmful for the environment and are biodegradable, the commissioner

said.

Source: Times of India

Students protest at Berhampur University supporting Anna Hazare

2011-08-18T19:30:00.004+05:30

BERHAMPUR: The country wide support for Anna Hazare’s anti corruption movement has also found massive support at the Berhampur University campus. A rally was taken out by the students' Union of Berhampur University at the Bhanjabihar campus. Students from all the departments participated in the protest march and marched on the rally by holding placards on hands and making slogans against Anna Hazare’s detention. The students were seen raising slogans opposing the UPA Government’s decision of disallowing the peaceful protest of the common people led by Anna. On a huge gathering at the University bus stand the protest march was started by members of the students union which later joined by maximum number of students from various departments. According to the Student’s union president R. Santosh reddy “The ruling Government has started a dictatorial form of governance by not giving the right for a peaceful protest to its own citizens. Being the youth of the country we support the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Anna Hazare to end the huge scandals made by our politicians and Bureaucrats and we demand to free Anna ji by allowing him to protest for the jan Lokpal Bill.”

Source: OrissaDiary

Centre clears multi-product Tisco SEZ at Gopalpur

2011-08-18T18:12:00.000+05:30

Berhampur: The Centre has cleared Tisco’s proposal for establishment of a multi-product special economic zone (SEZ) at Gopalpur, Orissa steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty told the Assembly today. A number of industries will come up in the proposed SEZ, said the minister, adding that land allotted to Tisco earlier to set up a steel plant would be utilised for the purpose. Mohanty said the civil construction work for the project was currently in progress at the proposed site. The work for the boundary wall and road project has already begun. At the proposed SEZ site, Tisco will set up an industrial park. The company will invest Rs 1,000 crore in the park and set up a 4-lakh tonne per annum steel rebar mill, a 55,000 tonne ferro chrome plant and a 1.2-million gallon per day water desalination plant. For the infrastructure development, Rs 5,000 crore will be invested. Once the park is developed, Rs 15,000 crore will be invested for the development of downstream industries. Mohanty said: “The park will invite investment in steel, accessories of motor vehicles, apparel, gems, jewellery, speciality chemicals and other technical areas.” Last month, Tata Steel managing director H.M. Nerukar met chief minister Naveen Patnaik and said they were waiting for the environmental clearance for the project which is likely to be obtained by October. In December 1995, former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao laid the foundation stone for the steel plant project.

Source: The Telegraph

‘Rail roko' staged demanding passenger halt at Industrial Estate in BAMP

2011-08-18T18:04:00.000+05:30

BERHAMPUR: ‘Rail roko' was staged in Berhampur demanding a passenger halt near industrial estate of the city. The agitators were led by Umacharan Nayak and corporator Jyotsanarani Nayak. Residents of Lanjipalli, Industrial Estate, Ankuli, and Gajapati Nagar took part in the agitation. The agitators gathered under the banner of ‘Ward number 34 Unnayan Committee'. They blocked the railway tracks near industrial estate for around two hours from 7a.m. The Berhampur-Cuttack DMU and the Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti express were delayed due to the agitation. There has been a demand for a passenger halt near industrial estate for the past two decades.A special citizens' committee, named ‘Shilpanchal Passenger Halt Sangram Samiti' has also been formed to pursue the issue with the railway authorities. Several trade unions have also extended their support to the demand. It is felt that as the size and population of the city have increased manifold, there is a need for a passenger halt. The establishment of the passenger halt would end overcrowding of Berhampur railway station during the timings of DMUs in the morning and evening. Last year, East Coast Railway authorities agreed on principle for establishment of the passenger halt near industrial estate. But the provision of the halt has not yet materialised.

Source: The Hindu