Goddes Patneshwari-The-titular deity of Erstwhile Patna State/Bolangir

Nabarnna Lagna forBolangir(erstwhile Patna State) has beenfixed at 9.15am –to 11.24am,30thAugust 2014

Nabarnna Lagna forBolangir(erstwhile Patna State) has beenfixed at 9.15am –to 11.24am,30thAugust 2014

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Bolangir ;The Nabarnna Langa for Bolangir  people has been fixed from 9.15am to-11.24 am.30thAugust2014. This has been decided at a meeting of local pundits here. The Titular  deity of Bolangir is Goodess Patneshwari and according to the Rashi /Naxtras  the lagna(auspicious time) has been fixed at 9.15-to 11.24am informs Santos Das priest  of erstwhile Patna state. Goddes Patneshwari will be offered the grain first after necessary rituals and then it  will offered to titular Maharaja of erstwhile PATNA state Sri KV singhdeo ,informs Das further.

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SARIAAN PADDY TO BE SCARCE FOR NUANKHAI THIS YEARFriday, 29 August 2014 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

SARIAAN PADDY TO BE SCARCE FOR NUANKHAI THIS YEAR

Friday, 29 August 2014 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

This year Nuankhai or Nabarnna, which is a festival to celebrate consumption of newly-harvested paddy after due offering to the local deity by the people of western Odisha, could go scarce for Sariaan paddy which is yet be to ready due to late arrival of monsoon rainfall and subsequent late agricultural operation. Notably, the festival this year falls on August 30.

The Sariaan paddy is a local variety which grows in upland and takes 60-65 duration for its harvest. In normal monsoon rainfall in June and July, farmer sow Sariaan paddy in upland and harvest it by end of August. However, this year due to delayed rains by over a month and subsequent continuous rains hit the agricultural operations. As such, production is going to be delayed.

The crop has not reached its fruit stage and hence, the Sariaan paddy would be scarce, apprehended an individual.

Sources said the paddy variety is used massively during the festivities because of its early harvest. But during erratic monsoon, it creates a veritable problem for the people to get the paddy. While rural people can arrange it anyhow, the urban people would get it at exorbitant prices this time, said sources.

According to agriculture office sources, Sariaan paddy cultivation has been taken up in 1,600 hectares of land in the district. Besides this, the general paddy cultivation in other land in the district has been affected due to shortage of urea fertiliser. Against a requirement of 22,000 metric tonnes, Balangir district has received 7,550 MT. Urea fertiliser is required for top dressing agriculture operations.

Meanwhile, considering the high demand of the Sariaan paddy and its religious and cultural importance, a bundle of it costs Rs 2,000 these days. The price may go up further, said sources. Only a single paddy plant costs Rs 5.

Eight held in Balangir murder caseThursday, 28 August 2014 | Pioneer | in Bhubaneswar

INBRIEF

Thursday, 28 August 2014 | Pioneer | in Bhubaneswar

Eight held in Balangir murder case

Balangir: The Balangir police have arrested and court-forwarded eight persons in connection with the gruesome Giridhari Patra alias Hadu murder case. “We have seized three motor cycles, two swords, a lathi and rods used in the murder. The main reason behind Hadu’s killing was previous enmity. Hadu was involved in many cases earlier,” informed Balangir Town PS IIC PK Pattnaik. Notably, Hadu was killed in the Gandhinagarpada in broad daylight a few days ago.

Availability of Sariann paddy would be scarce this year. Sariann paddy bundles sells at rupees 10/-in Bolangir. NuanKhai is on 30thAugust2014

^5th August 2014

Balangir

Availability of Sariann paddy would be scarce this year.Sariann paddy bundles sells at rupees 10/-

The price would likely to go up with NuanKhai  comes closer 

===============================This bundle of Sariann paddy cost me rupees2000/- and I have brought it from rural area .People are searching for Sariaan Paddy and price would go up further.Only a single paddy plant would cost rupees 5/-he says further.On the Nuan Khai peopleofthisregionoffered newly sprouted paddy to goddes as amark ofthanks and  after offering it  to local deity they consumed it and the feast, celebration goes on---===============

This year Nuankhai or Nabarnna the festival of eating newly sprouted paddy  after  offering to local deity  by people of western Odisha could be a  scarce  as Sarrian paddy is yet to ready this year due to late arrival of monsoon rainfall and subsequent late agriculture operation.

This year NuanKhai is goingto be observed on 30thof this month(30thAugust2014)

Sariann paddy is a local variety paddy which grows in Att(upland  land and takes 60-65 duration for its harvest

In earlier year due to normal monsoon rainfall in June and July farmer sowed Sariian paddy in upland by then which is ready by the end of August. However this year due to arrival of monsoon rainfall delayed for more than a month and subsequent continuous rain delayed agriculture operation delayed it production further.

It might not have reached its fruit stage and hence availability of Sariann paddy would be less, points out an individual. Whatever grown it would be in interior area where rainfall and other condition would be conducive for its growth. While rural people would get it easily, the urban people would find it exorbitant in purchasing. According to agriculture office sources,   Sariann paddy cultivation has been taken up in 1600 hectares in the district.

Besides this the general paddy cultivation in other land in the district  has been affected due to shortage of Urea fertiliser .Against the requirement of 22000metric tonnes Bolangir district has received 7550metrictonees .Urea fertiliser is required for “top dressing agriculture operations” points an agriculture  official to The Pioneer.

According to sources, taking advantage of shortage of urea fertiliser its black marketing is going on more in rural area.

Moreover two to three days of  rain is required .Unless there is rainfall within seven days, the crop in the Att land would be affected badly, says the agriculture official further

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B’NGIR PRIVATE BUS-STAND GETS WI-FI SERVICE Tuesday, 26 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

B’NGIR PRIVATE BUS-STAND GETS WI-FI SERVICE

Tuesday, 26 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Four CCTV cameras to be installed soon

Commuters travelling through the Balangir private bus-stand can now access to internet free-of-cost with the Balangir Private Bus Owners’ Association in tune with modern technology launching free WI-Fi internet connectivity facility at the bus stand on Saturday. 

Inaugurating the facility, Balangir SP Ravi Prakash said that the Wi-Fi facility would provide additional advantage to commuters, who can carry on their necessary work through mobiles, laptops at the bus stand during their travels.

 This facility would benefit around 10,000 commuters travelling through this bus stand every day, said Association Secretary Hemanta Panda, adding that this is the first private bus stand in the State to have the Wi-Fi service.

 Besides, four CCTV cameras would be installed at the bus stand within a few months for better surveillance and to keep a tap on activities of anti-social elements at the place, informed Association President Praveen Mishra. Among others, Association Vice-President Prasant Satpathy was also present on the occasion.

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3 MTHS ON, NO RESPONSE FROM B’NGIR CSO TO RTI QUERY Monday, 25 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

3 MTHS ON, NO RESPONSE FROM B’NGIR CSO TO RTI QUERY

Monday, 25 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Lack of coordination among various departments seems to be a major hindrance in providing swift information to the people under the RTI Act.

A glowing example is a person here who sought information pertaining to functioning of PDS in Balangir town is still waiting for response though three months have elapsed since filing the petition.

According to reports, on June 5 last Shankarprasad Panigrahi applied to the Civil Supply Officer, Balangir, for information on distribution of PDS items like rice, sugar, wheat and kerosene in the Balangir Municipality, methods of distribution, any committee to monitor the functioning of PDS distribution, tour diary of supply inspector, tour expenditure and inspection report, details of names of dealers in all 21 wards and opening and closing time of the PDS dealer shops etc.

After getting the petition, the Civil Supply Office on June 17 forwarded it to the office of the Sub-Collector, Balangir to act upon it.

The Sub-Collector office then forwarded the same petition to the Balangir Municipality. The Municipality, after examining the petition, forwarded it back to Public Information Officer (PIO) of the District Civil Supply Office and asked it to provide the information asked for.

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PuraPhool- By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Nature's beauty; the Lush green grass By SudhirMishra/Bolangir

The beautiful nature by Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

YOUTH ASSAULTED AT B’NGIR POLICE OUTPOSTSunday, 24 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

YOUTH ASSAULTED AT B’NGIR POLICE OUTPOST

Sunday, 24 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Even as the incident of a youth’s custodial death is yet to be erased from memory, another allegation forcing the Balngir SP to order an inquiry against a police officer for beating a visitor has attracted public glare again.

 According to reports, Bedmat Pradhan of Nuniapali under Agalpur block lodged a complaint with the Salebhata police outpost that her two sons were not providing any monetary support to her and daughter Primati.

 Officer-in-Charge of the outpost LK Nanda intervened and asked the two sons to sign agreement papers to provide basic needs to Bedmat and Primati. Satyaban, one of the two brothers, gave thumb impressions at three wrong places on the agreement paper unknowingly.

Irked with this, Nanda beat him severely, a complaint lodged by Satyaban in the Loisingha police station alleged. When contacted, SP Ravi Prakash said he has asked the Sadar SDPO to conduct an inquiry into the alleged matter.

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Yei hai Zindagi-By SudhirMishra/Bolangir

Bolangir private bus stand goes Wi FI(internet connectivity) BolangirSPRavi Prakash inaugurates it. Commuters would get free internet connectivity

Bolangir private bus stand goes Wi FI(internet connectivity)

BolangirSPRavi Prakash  inaugurates it.

Commuters would get free internet connectivity

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23rAugust2014

Bolangir It is a common complaint from passengers to hear about the lack of basic amenities for them in Bus stand and waiting rooms. However, the PrivateBus Owner’s Association Bolangir, keeping in tunes with modern technology, has started providing WI Fi internet connectivity facility, free of cost at Bolangir Private Bus stand to commuters from today  which was inaugurated by BolangirSP Ravi Prakash.
Among others Sri PraveenMishra,President of Bolangir Private Busowner's Association,Secretary Sri Hemanta Panda spoke on this occasion and Vice president Sri Prasant Satpathy  proposed vote of thanks.

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BOOTH-LEVEL OFFICIALS TO BE APPOINTED FOR ERROR-FREE VOTER LIST

BOOTH-LEVEL OFFICIALS TO BE APPOINTED FOR ERROR-FREE VOTER LIST

Saturday, 23 August 2014 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

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Now, it is a great sigh of relief for the schoolteachers, who were taking an extra burden of preparing voter list as the State’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has decided to appoint booth-level facilitators to ensure error-free voter list.

An advertisement has been published inviting candidates for the jobs. The advertisement said the task of the facilitators would include enlistment of eligible citizens of the respective booths in the voter list, correction in the voter list and assistance to the voters in the transfer of booths. Besides, they would also collect photos from voters if they are not placed in the voter list and distribute voter I-cards to all eligible voters as per the Election Commission guidelines.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, CEO Mona Sharma said the officials, to be appointed in the booths, should be local residents as well as registered voters in their respective booths. They should not be members of any political party nor should have any links with any party.Besides, they must not hold any position in any social or voluntary organisation, she said, adding that these officials would be provided with a fixed remuneration of Rs 5,000 per annum.

The officials eligible for the posts are teachers, Anganwadi workers, Amins, Panchayat Secretaries, Gram Sevaks, power bill readers, Postmen, Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs), Health Workers, midday meal (MDM) workers, contractual teachers, NAC, municipal and corporation tax collectors and clerks and other Class-III employees working in urban areas.

Besides, Government, semi-Government, corporation and retired Government employees can also apply for the posts, the CEO said.Interested and eligible persons should apply to the District Election Officers and Sub-Collectors of their respective localities by September 9.

BABY SWAPPING ISSUE IN BALANGIR HOSPITAL RESOLVEDSaturday, 23 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

BABY SWAPPING ISSUE IN BALANGIR HOSPITAL RESOLVED

Saturday, 23 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Card system introduced for mothers, newborns

After some hours of confusion and doubt prevailed over the swapping of a newborn baby in the Balangir District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), the case was finally solved on Friday, said Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Vikrant Kindo.

Kindo said, after some hours of confusion, they investigated the case thoroughly and handed over the swapped baby to its real parent. Later, the staff and attendant of the hospital were shifted to another place after they were found guilty, he added.

Kindo regretted and said that the entire incident was unfortunate. He has devised a card system for both the newborns and mothers to prevent such misfortune incidents.

Notably, Sirina Bishi of Ainla Bahal was admitted in the hospital on August 21. After operation, she delivered a baby. As the baby was ill, the infant was kept in the bed 2 of the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU). When the condition of the infant deteriorated, the members of Bishi family took the child to Burla for further treatment.

While they were on the way to Burla, they got a phone call from hospital staff to return Balangir. When they reached the hospital the Bisi family was told that they were given the child of Laxmi Udurkulia whose baby was in bed no 5 of the SNCU wrongly. They were advised to take the baby at bed no 2 for treatment, which the Bishi family protested.

C J Venugopal(Kalyan Gram yojana) IAS is the new Principal Secretary Home, Odisha.CJVenugopal was collector of Bolangir 1994-96

 C J Venugopal IAS is the new  Principal Secretary Home, Odisha.CJVenugopal was collector of Bolangir 1994-96.During his tenure he initiated a lot of development schemes like Kalyangram yojana,to boost literacy, immunisation,family planning, forest preservation and another aspect which ensured holistic development of a village.
The Kalyan gram Yojana was basically a convergence of many schemes to ensure holistic development of that village 

And as the collector was directly monitoring the scheme and visited the far flung village of Bolangir district  , the subordinate officials also get involved. The felt need of rural people like a road connectivity ,pond to solve drinking water problem and others were get solved due to direct intervention by Collector.As the collector was monitoring  personally  there was less chance of corruption people. Even the then Governorof Odisha.B.SatyanaraynReddy inaugurated Kalyangram yojana at Ratanpur .His concept was appreciated by then visiting official of WorldBank and the various training institute.After his departure, his concept of Kalyan Gram was given a decent  burial.During his tenure ,the first army recruitment rally was held at Bolangir in 1995 and he took initiative to start  District Primary Education Programme(DPEP) in the district.While he was in Bolangir He was young ,amicable/affable and soft spoken.   

The flower buds by SudhirMishra/Bolangir

The flower buds by SudhirMishra/Bolangir 

CBI raid at Jagneshwar Babu House inBolangir

A three-member CBI team has continued its raids with searching the houses of Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) leader Jagneswar Babu in Bolangir and at Kuturla today in connection with the multi-crore chit-fund scam.SriJagneswar Babu welcomed the CBI inquiry intoATGroup

Balangir SP gets Police Medal Monday, 18 August 2014 | PNS | in Bhubaneswar.

News in the English daily the Pioneer

INBRIEF

Monday, 18 August 2014 | PNS | in Bhubaneswar 

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Balangir SP gets Police Medal

Balangir: Balangir SP Ravi Prakash received Police Medal of Gallantry category from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on the Independence Day on Friday. Prakash was given the medal for his successful conduct in the anti-Maoist operations in Rayagada in 2011.

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Police medal for BolangirSPRavi Prakash

Police medal for BolangirSP

Bolangir SP, Ravi Prakash received the  Police Medal,from NaveenPattnaik in Jayadev Bhavan inBhubneshwaron 15th August2014  for gallantry conduct of successful AntiNaxal operation in Rayagada district in2011. 
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2nd edition of Run for Inclusion2014 on 23rdNovember 2014-By SudhirMishra/Bolangir

2^nd edition of Run for Inclusion2014 on 23rdNovember 2014-

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Bolangir ;Buoyed with the last year response to the first edition of Run for Inclusion in December2013 in five district towns in Odisha and in 50 cities in India,Nepal, andSri lanka ,the second edition for Run for Inclusion 2014,by Aide et Action SouthAsia, is all set to take place on 23rdNovember2014(next).

The‘Run for Inclusion 2014 - An Effort to turn Dreams into Reality’  ,aims to promote  dignity, respect and inclusion of the poor and excluded sections of our society especially the – children (particularly girl child), persons with disability, populations forced to migrate under distress conditions, unemployed youth and women through access to quality education and better employment opportunities.

The run is being organized simultaneously in 25 cities across India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal on the 23^rd November 2014 .Around  5000 people in Odisha are expected  to participate in the second edition of “RUN FOR INCLUSION” organised by Aide et Action in Odisha at three district towns (Balangir, Berhampur & Rourkela) this year. The resources mobilised, through this mega event would be used for quality education of children and enabling better employment opportunities for youths from the poor and weaker sections of the society points out the press release issued by Sri SarojBarik, Programme officer of Aide et Action International  SouthAsia,Odisha Office Bhubneshwar .

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B’NGIR WOMEN TIE RAKHIS ON TREES, PROMISE PROTECTION Wednesday, 13 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

B’NGIR WOMEN TIE RAKHIS ON TREES, PROMISE PROTECTION

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Women and girl students of the Dumerjore area in Balangir district on Sunday launched a unique way of protecting forests by tying Rakhis on trees in the area.

 Villagers and members of food security committees of about six villages in Dumerjore observed the Raksha Bandhan festival together under the banners of the Zila Jungle Suraksha O’ Parichalalna Forum, RCDC and Kandulbudha Food Security Federation.

On this occasion, District Welfare Officer Babu Maharana and Sarpanch of Bandhapara gram panchayat Gopal Singh Nina were present and encouraged the villagers to protect forests. They expressed concerns that though the Forest Act prescribes that 37 per cent of the geographic area should be covered under forest, this is limited on pen and paper only. In actual practice, there is no dense forest available today in the country.

“There scarcity of agricultural and house equipment, fuel, food and fodder due to deforestation. The global warming is also caused due to it. We have vowed to respect trees as our brothers and plant saplings on every Raksha Bandhan day,” said a student after tying rakshis on some of trees.

The programme was managed by the zonal committee members of the Forest Forum and the Kandula Budha Khadya Suraksha Mahasangh, including Somanath Patel, Tekendra Jal, Kulamani Sahu, Pitambar Padhan, Sesadeb Bhoi and Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu.

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MAKE HARISHANKAR FORESTS POLYTHENE-FREE’Wednesday, 13 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

http://www.dailypioneer.com/STATE EDITIONS

‘MAKE HARISHANKAR FORESTS POLYTHENE-FREE’

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Use eco-friendly plates, cups

The Harishankar temple located in the Gandhmardan hills be made polythene-free to save its ecosystem from further degradation, demanded the locals as well as environmentalists here.

 Everyday hundreds of visitors visit the shrine, but they throw away many polythene bags, liquor bottles and other items here and there, polluting the atmosphere, pointed out Gandhmardarn Surakshya Action Committee president Tikendra Jal.

The outfit is committed to the safety of the ecology of the verdant hills, which have a lot of socio-cultural, economic and environmental significance. Everyday around 1,500 people are taking the Bhog (launch) at the Harishankar temple and plates (Khali) and cup made up of polythene are used for the purpose.

According to our conservative estimate, a total of 2,000 plates and 6,000 cup are used, which are just dumped hither and thither, posing a grave threat to the ecology of the hills, Jal said.

The use of the polythene coated plates and cup should be stopped to make Harishankar in Gandhmardan a polythene free zone, demanded Jal. He opined that rather than polythene coated plates, leaf plates prepared by local SHG groups from locally available Sial leaves should be used. “The Sial leaf plates are eco-friendly and their use would provide livelihood support to the rural SHG women and other members of surrounding villages,” Jal explained.

We have formed SHG in eight villages of Nandupala gram panchayat and the SHGs are ready to provide Sial leaf plates and cups to the Harishankar Mandir every day.

Moreover, we also urge the hotels/shops adjacent to the shrine to stop selling of items in polythene and use traditional items instead, Jal said adding that his outfit has submitted a petition to the district administration in this regard.

Declare Harishankar,Gandhmardarn forest range, a polythene free zone; Gandhmardarn Surakshya Action Committee.(GSAC)

Declare Harishankar,Gandhmardarn forest range, a  polythene free zone;  Gandhmardarn Surakshya Action Committee.(GSAC)

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Bolangir ;2ndAugust2014. The Harishankar temple located in the Gandhmardan hills be made polythene free, to save the ecosystem of Harashiankar andGandhmardarn forest from further deteoriation.

Every days hundreds of visitors’ are visiting Harishankar temple and after visiting they threw polythenebags, liquor bottles and other items here and there, polluting the atmosphere, points out President ofGandhmardarnSurakshyaAction Committee,Sri  TikendraJal

Everyday around 1500people are taking the Bhog(launch) atHarishankar temple and Leaf plates (Khali) with ploythene andCup (dana in odiya) are  used.According to our conservative estimate a total of 2000Khali(leaf plates coated with plastic ) and6000 dana(cup) are used ,Jal points out further

The use of the polythene coated leaf plates and Cup(Dana) should be stopped ,to make Harishankar inGandhmardan a polythene free Zone.Says president of  Gandhmardarn SurakshyaAction Committee(GSAC)  Tikendra Jal

Rather, than polythene coated leaf-plate   the Khali prepared by local SHG groups from locally available Siial leaves, should be used which is eco-friendly and would provide livelihood support to rural SHGwomen and other members of village area,  Jal  explains and opines further

We have formed SHG in eight villages of NandupalaGPs and the SHGs are ready to provide the total number of Siialil leaf  plate and cup to Harishankar Mandir(Temple)  very day .Moreover we also urge the Hotels/Shops adjacent to Harishankar to stop selling of items in  polythene and use traditional item, Jal says further.

We have submitted a petition to district administration in this regard Jal say further.

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Western Odisha Bandh callby Kosal state coordination committee on 26th August2014 demanding formation of separate Kosal State

Bolangir ;The Kosal state coordination committee has given western Odisha bandh call on 26thAugust2014 demanding for formation of separate Kosalstate Thiswas decided in a meeting of Kosal state coordination meeting held atBolangir on 3rdAugust2014.
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DEMANDS SURGE FOR INCLUSION IN SMART CITY LIST Monday, 04 August 2014 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

DEMANDS SURGE FOR INCLUSION IN SMART CITY LIST

Monday, 04 August 2014 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

After B’ngir MP, K’pada MP too seeks benefit

With Union Finance Minister  Arun Jaitley allocating Rs 7,040 crore in the Annual Budget for development of Smart Cities, demand by peoples’ representatives to setup such facilities in their respective areas has gone up in a big way.

Latest is the demand placed by Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, BJD MP from Balangir, who has written a letter to Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu requesting him to develop fourth largest city of western Odisha as a Smart City. 

Smart Cities would be ones with technology-based governance that enables efficient public service and has 24x7 water and power supply, cent per cent sewerage, drainage and solid waste management facilities, besides top class infrastructure.

Singh Deo said with a population of one lakh having been well connected with other zones of KBK and State Capital, Balangir has emerged as a leading player in sectors such as mining, MSME, handloom and textiles and is famous for excellent quality of tassar and cotton fabrics.

Having rich historical and cultural heritage, Balangir is also one of the major hubs of trade and commerce in the State, said Singh Deo. Balangir as a Smart City would spur development of its already existing mechanism and also facilitate increased investment and employment opportunities. It would provide impetus to the social status of the region and speed up economic development in this No-Industry Zone, leading to overall welfare of KBK Area.

Earlier Housing and Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singh Deo had already proposed names of 10 cities to the Central Government for the purpose.

At a recently concluded State Urban Ministers conclave, he had officially given the proposal to the Centre. The names of the cities which the State Government has proposed include Bhubaneswar and Puri, which are already covered under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). 

While Cuttack has been declared a heritage city, two more cities have been declared as new municipal corporations, Rourkela and Sambalpur. The rest are Bhadrak, Bolangir, Jajpur, Jeypore, and Bhawanipatna.

 However, Kendrapara municipality has not been enlisted in the proposal of the State given to the Centre. On the other hand, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda said recently that he has proposed inclusion of the city under ‘Smart City Plan’ and a proposal was given by him to the Central Government. He expressed hope that his proposal would be considered.