Nature's beauty;By SudhirMishra/Bolangir

OUJ STAGES DHARNA, PRESSES FOR DEMANDS Friday, 28 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

OUJ STAGES DHARNA, PRESSES FOR DEMANDS

Friday, 28 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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Members of the Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) from Balangir, Subarnapur nd Kalahandi and others districts led by its president Prasanna Mohanty, National Union of Journalist(NUJ) vice president Shankar Prasad Mishra and others on Thursday staged dharna before the collectorate here demanding fulfillment of a 12 -point charter of demands.

The demands include enactment of Journalist Protection Act, completion of identification of scribe within a stipulated time, insurance cover for scribe, medi claim, hike in corpus fund announced by the CM, pension facility after retirement, residential facility, decentralisation of accreditation process, formation of an Accreditation and Welfare Committee, Press Academy and travel facility for journalist.

The scribes were supported by local trade unions and citizens of Balangir. Later, they submitted a memorandum to CM Naveen Patnaik through the district administration.  

 

WEEKLY MARKET BOOSTS B’NGIR VILLAGES’ ECONOMY Thursday, 27 July 2017 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

WEEKLY MARKET BOOSTS B’NGIR VILLAGES’ ECONOMY

Thursday, 27 July 2017 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The Anchalik Saptahik Rabibar Bazar, the regional weekly market at Budelgumma in Mahalei panchayat in Deogaon block, is really a new type of weekly market with rooftop and sitting infrastructure.

Constructed with an assistance of Rs 26 lakh from Reliance Foundation and with villagers’ contribution, the weekly market has seating capacity for 126 sellers. The Reliance Foundation had started the nutrition garden concept in nine villages, namely, Haldipali, Rusuda, Debrimunda, Balarpali, Barla, Kuiabahal, Kukurkhai, ,Kundeimal, Sargipali, Babijore and Talbandh in 2012. In the Reliance Nutrition Garden (RNG), 14 varieties of vegetables were cultivated, which include tomato, brinjal, chili, ladies finger, radish, cauliflower and leaf vegetables, etc. After consumption, many villagers were left with huge surplus vegetables grown by them.

A meeting was called and all the nearby 40 villages were invited  attend to start a weekly market at Budelgumma. However, representatives of 20 villages turned up and it was decided to start a weekly market on Sunday. But, there was a weekly market already at Rusuda on Sunday.

“Initially, we faced opposition from the people there who were selling items. However, after much persuasion, the sellers there agreed and participated in our weekly market and the weekly market was started on  November 24, 2013 on an open space,” said Satya Budek of Budelgumma village.

“Earlier we used to go to weekly market at Tusura or at Upparjhar which was lying at a distance of 8km away from our village. The long distance discouraged women members from visiting the weekly market. Moreover, whatever amount is taken for purchase of vegetables and other needs, around 50 per cent of it was also spent on liquor or in other unproductive purposes. Also, we faced threats by anti social while returning from market,” he added.The total turnover of the market is around Rs 1.5lakh to Rs 2 lakh in the weekly market. While in the rainy season the turnover is less as it is more in festive occasion.

“Earlier I used to go a rural weekly market located in Boudh district crossing the river. It was tiring. However, after opening up the market I have opened my shop here and am selling around Rs 1,200- Rs Rs 2,500 per week. The sale goes up in the festive season. In the rainy season, the sale is low,” said a seller who deals in shoes and other items.

The opening of the market has increased vegetable cultivation in the area. Moreover, village youths who were migrating to far Tamil Nadu have stopped doing it. The economic conditions of the household have increased and the village boasts pucca house and 8- 10 vehicles. Earlier barely 8 to 10 households had a decent living. But after the land development, and Reliance Nutrition Garden and weekly market, the economic condition has improved and migration has reduced.

“Budelguma Haat has created space for local community to develop their entrepreneurship skill with respect and ownership.

The dependency level in buying daily needs of women has come down after the weekly haat . It has also saved their time and increased bonding among community,” said senior programme manager of Reliance Foundation Balangir Shudanshu Das.

The beautiful white clouds and mountain;By SudhirMishra/Bolangir

POLICE BUST MOIST CAMP, EXPLOSIVES SEIZED IN BALANGIR DISTRICT Sunday, 23 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

POLICE BUST MOIST CAMP, EXPLOSIVES SEIZED IN BALANGIR DISTRICT

Sunday, 23 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Acting on a tipoff, that a group of Maoist were camping in Chhatardandi reserve forest area near village Pakhanamunda, under Tureikela police station, a team comprising District Volunteer Force, Bomb Detection Squad and other police officials, searched the area and found an old Mao camp.

During the search, one big steel container with explosives, one small steel container with explosives, one empty steel container, 62 superdyne Gilatene sticks, plastic container with 5kgof urea, electric wire, Maoist literature and other items were recovered.

This was announced to mediamen at a Press conference by SP Balangir K Siva Subramani on July 21.

The incident has confirmed the fact that Maoists are using the Balangir route and moving in the area. Reports further said that Maoists under the leadership of Sudarshan are active in this area.

“Without the support of local militia, such a camp would not be possible. We would intensify the anti Naxal operation further,” said the Balangir SP. 

WESCO WORKERS PROTEST PRIVATISATION Sunday, 23 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

WESCO WORKERS PROTEST PRIVATISATION

Sunday, 23 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Protesting against “privatisation” of the Wesco in Balangir and Bargarh circle, HIRA GTD Workers Union  took out a rally and held a meeting before the Superintendent/Superintending Engineer office here on Friday.

HIRA GTD Workers Union president Lalit Nayak said, “We oppose the introduction of input based franchise (privatisation) in Balangir and Bargarh circle as it goes against the staffs of the Wesco Utility.

The introduction of ‘input based franchisee system’ would likely to jeopardise the careers of the employees who have worked here for more than 10 years and their possibility of getting regularised would be less as private company may engage other services, ignoring them, Nayak claimed.

The 33/11KV grid substation under Kalahandi Electrical Circle has been given to three different contractors outside the jurisdiction of Wesco utility which is likely to create problem regarding their payment of wages and deposit of provident fund. We apprehend that the contractor may appoint the existing worker afresh, for which the workers shall lose their seniority. Moreover, the vacant posts under technician and non-technician should be filled up immediately and the wage of meter readers engaged by “franchise in Wesco” should be fixed, Nayak demanded. 

A fire broke out in Arundhati Jewellers in Bolangir.

20th July2017 

Bolangir;

A fire broke out in Arundhati Jewellers in Bolangir.

Big Generator located outside shop  and reception counter cum-office damaged

The shop had no fire safety clearance certificate.

Poor maintenance of generator resulted in the breakout of fire.

Exact amount of loss would be known later

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Even as the monsoon clouds are hovering over the sky of Bolangir today morning indicating the arrival of rainfall, in an unexpected incident, the generator and a portion of office of Arundhati  Jewellers located near  Durga Mandir in Bolangir-Sambalpur road caught fire today morning.

The fire was contained after fighting for 25minutes quickly.The generator located outside the shop and the reception counter cum office of Jewellery shop was damaged.

We got a call that there was a fire incident at Arundhati Jewellers. We rushed to spot. The power supply was stopped and we started the operation.However, as the generator was in Auto mode it started fire.Again it was controlled. Preliminary investigation indicates the fire was started due to poor maintenance of generator located before the shop. The lack of proper maintenance of generator led to short-circuit and resulted in the outbreak of fire. The Jewellery shop had not obtained fire safety clearance Bolangir district fire office, says in charge District Fire officer Abani Kumar Swain.

Not a single shop/mall, business establishment has not obtained fire safety certificate from district fire office says Swain further.

The exact cause of fire and extent of damage could be known only after investigation Swain says further.

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Dark monsoon clouds at Bolangir today(18thJuly2017)Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

A bunch of floating white clouds in the mountain;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Dark monsoon clouds over Karngakata Pond in Bolangir;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Dark monsoon clouds;

Dark monsoon clouds over the Pond;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

MUSIC VIDEO DEPICTS MIGRANT KIDS’ PLIGHT IN KILNSSaturday, 15 July 2017 | PNS | Bhubaneswar

MUSIC VIDEO DEPICTS MIGRANT KIDS’ PLIGHT IN KILNS 

News in English dailyThe PioneerSaturday, 15 July 2017 | PNS | bhubaneswar 

Saturday, 15 July 2017 | PNS | bhubaneswar | in Bhubaneswar

MUSIC VIDEO DEPICTS MIGRANT KIDS’ PLIGHT IN KILNS Saturday, 15 July 2017 | PNS | bhubaneswar | in Bhubaneswar

MUSIC VIDEO DEPICTS MIGRANT KIDS’ PLIGHT IN KILNS

Saturday, 15 July 2017 | PNS | bhubaneswar | in Bhubaneswar

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Kids in Kilns,” a music video, produced by "Aide et Action International" depicting lives of kids living in the brick kilns was released by Odisha Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Kasturi Mohapatra on Friday at Bhubaneswar. Regional Head- Migration & Education, Aide et Action- International- South Asia Umi Daniel gave a brief introduction about the video.

The video has been shot in brick kilns on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar where Aide et Action is running Child Care and Learning Centres for migrant children. This song is written, composed and sung by Abhishek Bhatta, a budding talent of Odisha. And it has been directed by Chitta Ranjan Nanda, a noted social documentary film maker. Aide et Action has produced it.

The video is the story of seasonal migrant workers who come to the city to earn their livelihood in brick kilns. Seasonal migrants are excluded since they don’t belong to the city; they live an

invisible life.

A study conducted by Aide et Action-Unicef in the brick kilns located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar reveals that the city has close to 1,500 migrant children. These children live with their families in the brick kilns amid testing conditions. Most of the workers are natives of rural pockets of various parts of Odisha.

Brick kiln workers are an amalgamation of various tribes and ethnic groups. Children range from toddlers to adolescents’ age. Most of the children in brick kilns are school dropouts and don’t access Anganwadi, immunisation and other basic support which otherwise a child enjoys being at home. The study indicates 90.4 per cent children do not access schooling and 98.9 per cent children don’t get the Anganwadi and health services while living at the work sites. Some are here with their families to look after their siblings, some have been brought to work and some are here to assist in family work.

In a brick kiln, both father and mother have to work hard and have little time for parenting and childcare. The kids roam and play games within the work site, unaware of the work site hazards that are lurking at them. Working mothers don’t have space to keep the toddlers. The Government Anganwadi, school, health center are all meant for the local populations. These services don’t get extended to these unwanted guests.

Among others, eminent filmmaker Birendra Das, founder member of Humara Bachpan Campaign Dharitri Mohapatra, Unicef Child Protection Specialist Laxminarayan Nanda and State head, UNDP Abha Mishra attended the event.

NO GST ON DRUGS, MEDICAL SERVICES DEMANDED Thursday, 13 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswa

NO GST ON DRUGS, MEDICAL SERVICES DEMANDED

Thursday, 13 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswa

Responding to a call given by the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives’ Associations of India (FMARI), members of the Odisha Sales Representatives’ Union (OSRU), Balangir led by Suru Matari on Wednesday held street corner meetings at different places here and marched through the town demanding zero per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all medicines and medical devices.

The agitating sales representatives argued that there is no point in imposing 12 per cent GST on finished medicine formulations and medical services, five per cent on medicines for malaria, HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and diabetes and 18 per cent on bulk drugs while items like Gandhi Topi, kumkum, bindi, sindoor alata, bangles and betel leaves have been exempted from the GST.

They too lamented saying that while petroleum products, liquor, power, real estate sectors have been kept out of the GST purview, four slabs starting from 5 to 28 per cent fixed for medicines and equipments.

“The GST would increase price of medicines further and hit the common man the most,” said Matari at a meeting.

He demanded that all medicines and medical services be kept out of GST purview in the better interest of the common people.

A bird flying amidst dark clouds in the sky;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Dark clouds over the pond;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

A bunch of white clouds in the lap of mountain;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

FLOATING monsoon clouds over the mountain in Bolangir;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir 11thJuly 2017

BALANGIR FARMERS DENIED SUBSIDY FOR YEARS Tuesday, 11 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

BALANGIR FARMERS DENIED SUBSIDY FOR YEARS

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The farmers in Balangir, who have completed dug well, allegedly have not received subsidy for several years.

Several farmers of Nuniapali, Gandpali, Karkachia, Darlipali, Budula, Ingsa and other villages of Agalpur block complained of denial of subsidy amount under the Jalnidhi scheme.

“I had applied for dug well in 2015. After digging the dug well and spot visit by a Junior Engineer (JE) and other officials, I was told to give Rs 7,000 to an employee to clear my subsidy bill. I did not agree to pay the amount; hence my subsidy amount was not paid,” alleged Bhik Patra, a farmer.

“I am out of the station. I shall inquire in to the incident,” said DDA Balangir Sridhar Das when contacted.

It would be pertinent to mention here that a clerk in the District Agriculture Office was caught red-handed by the Vigilance authorities while accepting bribe from a farmer a few months ago.  The farmers later met Balangir Zilla Parishad Chairman Bharati Mahanand and apprised her of the problem, who assured them to take up the matter with the agriculture officials.

UTKAL GRAMEEN BANK STAFF HOLD RALLY AT BALANGIR Tuesday, 11 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

UTKAL GRAMEEN BANK STAFF HOLD RALLY AT BALANGIR

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Banking services in rural areas in Balangir and many western and southern districts were affected as employees and officers of the Utkal Grameen Bank (UGB) participated in a massive rally at the bank’s headquarters here on Monday.

Around 1,700 employees and officers from 400 UGB branches in 17 districts moved in the rally across the town. Among others, Pulin Mishra, Prakash Mahapatra, SN Mishra and Lalit Nayak led the rally.

The agitating employees demanded that the Utkal Grameen Bank Officers’ Association and the Utkal Grameen Bank Employees’  Association be recognised and promotion and recruitment rules be relaxed at par with the sponsor banks.

They too demanded stopping of move for privatisation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), resolving of pension parity for all RRB staffs, regularisation of daily wage and casual workers, representation of workmen and officers in the board of directors and compensation for RRBs for demonetisation at par with sponsor banks.

B’NGIR AAP TO HOLD DEMO IN BHUBANESWAR Monday, 10 July 2017 | PNS

The Aam Aadmi Party Balangir unit would hold a demonstration at PMG Square I Bhubaneswar on July 17 demanding immediate reopening of the closed sugar mill at Deogaon, waiving of agricultural loan of farmers, and declaration of Minimum Support price (MSP) of paddy at Rs 3,000 per quintal as part of the party’s State-wide Krushak Adhikar stir.

This was announced at a Press conference by party district coordinator Ajay Das on Sunday.

During the election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured to implement the MS Swaminathan Committee report, but the Centre has now increased the paddy MSP by only Rs 80 making it a total Rs 1,530, Das pointed out.

“We demand reopening of the Deogaon sugar mill. A few days ago, a notice to recover its due was pasted there. Another agency has gone to court to get its due. The administration has invited only big people and did not invite us to hold discussion. We demand immediate opening of the mill, on which at least 1,000 sugarcane farmers’ families depend,” Das said further.

CATERPILLAR ATTACK: PADDY LAND AFFECTED IN B’NGIR Monday, 10 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

CATERPILLAR ATTACK: PADDY LAND AFFECTED IN B’NGIR

Monday, 10 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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Even as the farmers of Budula, Nagaon and Dudukamunda villages in Agalpur block in Balangir district are happy with this year’s rainfall yet they are worried for a good harvest as their paddy crops are now affected by deadly swarming caterpillars.

Agricultural officials said the swarming caterpillars grow rapidly in the night in the forest area, and with the rainfall the pests flow down from the hilltops to paddy fields and damage the plants.

The insecticide Chlorpyrifos, which is used to tackle the menace, is in short supply; and unless the menace is tackled on war footing measures, it would spread further, the officials added.

Sources said the caterpillar attack, which was first noticed on July 7, is gradually increasing. According to preliminary reports, around 10 acre of paddy crop has been affected till now. Balangir Deputy Director of Agriculture Sridhar Das said, “We are arranging insecticide soon to tackle the menace.”  

ANTI-LIQUOR BODY GHERAOES B’NGIR DM OFFICE Sunday, 09 July 2017 | PNS |

Members of the Balangir Mada Birodhi Abhijan Committee and local residents led by Gopalji Panigrahi gheraoed the District Collectorate here on Friday demanding shifting of the liquor shops from the railway station road.

Agitators alleged that the procedure of “Objection invited from public before opening of liquor shop”, has not been followed and people have been misled with signatures taken from them on the plea of constructing a road there.

The protestors demanded that the shop should be closed forthwith as it was set up in violation of norms.Later, a representative team of the Abhiyan held a discussion with district Collector Ashis Thakre. They explained their ordeal to Thakre and urged him to close the shop before occurrence of untoward incidents.

However, the Collector informed that the district administration had already issued notice for closure of two liquor shops and shifting of two others. But the one of them has obtained a stay from the Orissa High Court. “I will take further steps only after consulting with the Advocate General” added the Collector.

Panigrahi said they have approached the High Court on this issue and would wait for the next 15 days to get a court order. If the shops are not closed by then, locals would intensify the agitation, he said. Bindo Kumar Kalsai, advocate Bhavani Satpathy and Dr Manjubala Panda were present.

BALANGIR ACTIVISTS HOLD TALK WITH ADMIN Saturday, 08 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

BALANGIR ACTIVISTS HOLD TALK WITH ADMIN
Saturday, 08 July 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

Members of the Balangir Action Committee led by Gopalji Panigrahi and others held a discussion with a team of officials led by ADM Laxmikant Pyrelal Pradhan and SDPO Narayan Naik, demanding shifting of a liquor shop and liquor Bhati in the Railway Station Road.
“The talk with the district administration failed. We would gherao the district Collector office and close the Excise Superintendent office,” he said.
Earlier, a team of officials constituted by the district Collector had inquired and submitted its reports against the opening of the liquor shop in that place. However, ignoring the team report, the ExciseSuperintendent had allowed the liquor shop there, said Balangir Action Committee president Gopalji Panigrahi.
Meanwhile, according to sources, the liquor shop owner has brought an interim stay from the High Court which is preventing the district administration to take any step.

Planted a Neem tree on the occasion of Vanamahostovat Kendriya Vidyalay Bolangir with school children

Bolangir 7thJuly 2017 Planted a Neem tree on the occasion of Vanamahostov at Kendriya Vidyalay Bolangir with school children today.Earlier the Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya planted a tree.School children also planted trees

UGB EMPLOYEES TO HOLD RALLY ON JULY 10 Friday, 07 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

UGB EMPLOYEES TO HOLD RALLY ON JULY 10

Friday, 07 July 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The Utkal Grameen Bank (UGB) Employees’ Association and Officers’ Association would hold a mass rally here on July 10 demanding fulfilment of their 17-point charter of demands, informed Employees’ Association general secretary Pulin Mishra here at a Press meet.

The demands include recognition of Utkal Grameen Bank Employees’ Association and Officers’ Association, to form a proper policy for transfer and posting, to extend compensation for demonetisation work as per the sponsor bank and regularisation of part-time and casual workers in the existing vacancies.

He said around 1,800 employees of the bank operating in 17 district of Odisha would participate in the rally.

Mishra alleged that steps taken by the bank management are helping promotion of interest of the sponsor bank rather than the UGB.

The bank management should provide more financial power to the rural area branches so that they can extend loan limits and attract the customers and transact more business, added Mishra.