Floating clouds over the paddy field;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Dark monsoon clouds over the mountain and forest ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Floating clouds and its reflection over the water ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir 27thAugust 2017

Dark clouds over the road indicating arrival of rainfall;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

The Dusk and mountain;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

NUANKHAI: COSTLY SARIAN PADDY CREATES HOLE IN POCKET Friday, 25 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

NUANKHAI: COSTLY SARIAN PADDY CREATES HOLE IN POCKET

Friday, 25 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Sarian paddy harvest has been very low this year due to inadequate rains and this is going to hit the mass festival of Nuankhai in western Odisha where the paddy variety is used to prepare Bhog to the deities and later consumed by the people as the first crop.

Due to paucity, the paddy which s sold in the market has become costly. A three bundles of Sarian paddy costs Rs 20 in the market these days. In earlier years, it used to be sold at twice less.

This has pinched the lower middle class people whose pockets have gone for big holes. The rise in price of vegetables and onions has also added to their woes.

The price of tomato per kilogram is Rs 60 and onion is Rs 40. It would go up further in forthcoming days, says a shopkeeper in the daily market here.

This year the Sarian paddy has not grown well. Rainfall has stopped. Hence, its availability has declined, told a paddy seller.

It may be note here that Sarian is a 60-day upland variety paddy which is broadcast by June and is ready by the end of August. Being the first crop, it is offered to the deities first.

 “We have our field located below a Muda (traditional water body). Last year, there was sufficient water and the harvest was good. This year, there is barely knee -deep water and it would of no use. Agriculture operations have been held up due to lack of rainfall,” said a farmer who had come to sell Sarian paddy.

Two beautiful flowers;Sudhir Mishra Bolangir.

JUMBO MOVEMENT SPREADS PANIC IN B’NGIR Wednesday, 23 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar 1

JUMBO MOVEMENT SPREADS PANIC IN B’NGIR

Wednesday, 23 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Two elephants have been spreading panic in Upparjhar, Kalijharan Maadchuan and Baidupali areas, 12 km from here.

“They came near our kendu leaf phadi at Baidipali. Seeing them our members tried to conceal them inside leafs,” a worker of the phadi told to a team of Balangir range forest officials, forestry students of OUAT Bhubaneswar and the Honorary Wildlife Warden while visiting the area.

Another farmer also showed the pugmarks of elephants damaging his paddy field. These two elephants are moving since last week and believed to moving for mating purpose.

“We have informed the Balangir railway authorities about the movement of the two jumbos to take necessary measures to avoid any mishap,” said a forest official here.

It is interesting to note that jumbo movement in Baidipali village area was not noticed in last 10 years. These two elephants are believed to be in the forest of Banda and the Kharsel Reserve Forest near the Gandhrel project.

The visiting team of forest officials told the villagers not to visit the forest either early in the morning or late in evening to avoid any unfortunate incident.

The villagers were also told to submit their claim of crop damage with all proper documents for quick disbursal of compensation. 

108 AMBULANCE SERVICE HIT IN FOUR DISTRICTS Tuesday, 22 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

108 AMBULANCE SERVICE HIT IN FOUR DISTRICTS

Tuesday, 22 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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The 108 Ambulance service members who include drivers, attendants and pharmacists on Monday staged a demonstration by parking ambulances before the Collectorate here and submitted their resignation to District Collector protesting against the arrest of their association president Manoj Kumar Sahu on Sunday by police.

According to sources a meeting between 108Ambulance staffs and the service provider organisation’s representatives had been held on August 8 and there was exchange of words between the ambulance staffs and the officials of the service provider organisation.

Later, Dhaneshwar Tirkey of the service provider organisation lodged a complaint with police for alleged misbehaviour, intimidation and casting aspersion on his cast. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Manoj Sahu.

Ambulance staffs have also lodged a complaint with the Balangir town police on Monday.

Ambulance service in Balangir district was disrupted due to the strike by the 108 Ambulance staffs.

The drivers resorted to the stir by parking 17 ambulances in front of the district Collector’s office.

Till last reports came in, the district administration was looking for alternatives to keep ambulance services intact.

Fruit bearing trees were given as an additional reward to sucessful competitors in Bolangir on I-Day ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Bolangir;Independent Day,(August15,2017) was observed at Bolangir with pomp and gaiety at Manoharpur reserve police parade ground. 

District Collector Ashis Thakre unfurled the national flag and took salute of the parade where in 36 contingents took part. 

Paying rich tributes to freedom fighters and recalling their sacrifice to get freedom, Sri Thakre called upon people to work to strengthen the unity and integrity of our county. 

Although our nation has made strides in different field, a lot needs to be done. He sought cooperation of all to make Bolangir district and  the nation a developed one.

In a remarkable departure from giving trophy and certificates for successful competitors in different competition, a fruit bearing tree was given to each successful competitors of different competition held on the occasion of Independent day so that they will fruit, it's economic benefits and help in restoring ecological balance of this region.

(District Collector Ashis Thakre giving a fruit bearing plant to one of  successful competitors of different competitions held on the occasion of Independence Day at Bolangir( Aug15,2017)

Let us pledge to save forest, mountains water and wildlife for a better future.;Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

‘WODC HAS FAILED IN ITS OBJECTIVE’ Monday, 21 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

‘WODC HAS FAILED IN ITS OBJECTIVE’

Monday, 21 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), formed as far back as on July 2, 1999 as per provisions of the Western Odisha Development Council Act 1998, has failed to bring the desired level of socioeconomic and education development in ten districts of western Odisha even though Rs 1,046.22 crore has been spent by it so far.

This was stated by RTI activist Hemanta Panda at a Press conference here on Saturday. He said Balangir district has been neglected by the WODC from the beginning. Although it was decided on December 21, 2013 to set up a Knowledge Resource Centre at Balangir and Rs 7.12 crore was sanctioned for it besides the annual WODC budgetary assistance yet even after four years no progress has been made in this regard. This reflects the apathy and neglect of the State Government towards Balangir district, alleged Panda.

He lamented that the Government is still dillydallying in the matter of shifting the headquarters of the WODC from Bhubaneswar to any place in western Odisha.  

RN SINGH DEO MEMORIAL TT TOURNEY FROM SEPT 22 Friday, 18 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

RN SINGH DEO MEMORIAL TT TOURNEY FROM SEPT 22

Friday, 18 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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The 2nd RN Singh Deo Memorial All Odisha ranking table tennis tournament will be held here from September 22 to 24, informed organising committee chairman Arkesh Narayan Singh Deo in a Press meet here on Wednesday. In the three day tournament ten events competition would be held and around two hundred players would participate. 

B’NGIR BCJD MEET OVER STUDENTS’ UNION POLLS Thursday, 17 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

News in English daily The Pioneer

B’NGIR BCJD MEET OVER STUDENTS’ UNION POLLS

Thursday, 17 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The district Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) held a preparatory meeting here on Sunday evening to prepare the strategy to fight the forthcoming college Students’ Union elections in the district.

BCJD State president Rana Pratap Patra called upon the student leaders to come out victorious in the forthcoming elections to the college unions.

Patra and the other leaders stressed the need for the propagation of welfare measures undertaken by the Naveen Patnaik Government and proper utilisation of social media.

“The students’ wing is the most powerful wing of a party. But we have not been able to strengthen it properly. We are also lagging behind in disseminating our Government welfare programmes and achievement through social media.

We need to organise the students’ wing systematically and propagate the message of the party,” said BJD state council member Arkesh Narayan Singh Deo. 

WORLD ELEPHANT DAY OBSERVED IN BALANGIR

Monday, 14 August 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The World Elephant Day was observed at village Purnapani in Makundpur panchyat in Deogaon block of Balangir district on Saturday evening. Among others, ACF Goutam Naik, NK Jaisingh, Honourary Wildlife Warden Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Balangir Range Officer BC Roul and advocate Maya Pradhani spoke stressin the need to save elephants from being further endangered.

The speakers also explained in details about the factors leading to destruction of habitats of elephants and stressed the need for preservation of forests in the interests of both animals and human beings and the recent simplified rules and procedures to get compensation for crop loss and loss of life due to wild animals’ attacks.

Explaining the significance of observation of the day, Honourary Wildlife Warden Sudhir Mishra called for preservation of forests so that animals could get a proper habitat. He also called upon people pay heed to the warning of the Forest Department not to go extremely near wild animals in a crisis situation to avoid any tragedy.

Villagers present informed that at least two elephants have visited their village in one month and have damaged the early paddy crop.

State council member ofBJD Arkesh singhdeo speaking at themeeting of student wingof BJD in Bolangir

By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir13thAugust

Bolangir ;The state council member of BijuJantaDal Sri ArkeshNarayan Singhdeo today addressed the students leaders belonging to Biju Chatra JantaDal , the student wing of Biju Janta Dal of different colleges of Bolangir district who had gathered here as part of their preparatory meeting to chalk out strategy to fight forthcoming elections to college unions and came out victorious.

The state president of Biju Chhatra Janta Dal SRI Rana Pratap Patra, was also present, besides the regional student leaders.

During his speech, Sri Arkesh Singh Deo called upon the student leaders to disseminate the pro poor and welfare scheme taken by the present BJD government in the state among the masses effectively.Emphasizing that it is the student wing which provides fuel and power to the other wing of the party in the district and entire state,  needs to strengthen properly.We need to harness the rural youth who has a great potential and energy and could play a decisive role in the election .observed

Sri Arkesh Singh Deo Moreover we should continue continuous exercise to strengthen the youth wing even after the election.There would be no dearth of criticism once we start something.When I took up the issue of sanctioning of new modern bus terminal at Bolangir there was a lot of apprehensions, criticism on our effort.in the first year, we couldn't achieve something.Again we pursued in the second year and finally, we got it sanctioned for Bbolangir.

Whatever BJD government schemes, programmes for people students should be highlighted properly and we need to strengthen our student wing observed Sri Singhdeo  further .

Political observer felt that it was Arkesh Singhdeo who played a key role and look after BJD election in Bolangir Assembly segment and won 3out of four seats in Zilla Parishad election inFEB2017
it would be interesting  to  watch  how the student wing is " strengthened" and perform in the forthcoming election to college in Next month.
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The beautiful landscape;BySudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Searching for food amidst rainfall;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Nature's beauty;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

World Elephant Day observed at Bolangir;Aug12,207

World Elephant Day observed at Bolangir

Bolangir ; World Elephant Day was observed at village Purnapani in Makundpur panchyat in Deogaon block on Saturday evening(12thAgust2017. Among others ACF Goutam Naik,NKJaiSingh,Honourary Wildlife Warden Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Bolangir Range officer,B.C.Roul, Advocate Maya Pradhani, and others spoke and stressed the need to save the elephant from being further endangered. 

Speakers also explained in detailed about the factors leading to the destruction of habitat of elephants and stressed the need for preservation of forest for both animals and human being and the recent simplified rules and procedure to get compensation for crop loss and loss of life, due to wild animals.

Explaining the significance of observation of International Day for Elephant Honourary Wildlife Warden Sri Sudhir Ku.Mishra called for preservation of Forest so that animals could get a proper habitat. Sri Mishra also called upon people pay heed to the warning of Forest Department not to go extreme near to wild animals in a crisis situation to avoid any tragedy. 
The incident of 2016-news published in  English daily "The Pioneer"

MAN KILLED IN JUMBO ATTACK IN BALANGIR

Friday, 14 October 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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While the Durga Puja celebrations were in full swing across the State, Mangalamunda villagers in Balangir district grappled with jumbo menace. A man was also killed by the elephants on Tuesday.

As the news of arrival of elephants came, the curious villagers made a beeline to see the jumbos. “We requested the villagers not to move outside the village to avoid direct contact with elephants, but they did not respond,” said a forest official. Result of which: A man was killed by the elephants, he added. The deceased was identified as Baishku Chhatria (30) of Pankelbahali village. He is survived by a son and three daughters.

Forest officials gave `5,000 to the father of the deceased for funeral rites expenses. “We are also taking steps to assess the crop damages caused by the elephants during last few days,” the official said.

Notably, a total of 24 jumbos from the Redhakhol forests surfaced at Mangalamunda village. Sources said the herd of the elephants has now moved to Subarnapur district.

Villagers’ present informed that at least two elephants have visited their village in one month and have damaged the early paddy crop.

 Even as the total forest cover of Bolangir district stands at 14.71.percentage of the total geographical area, the elephant population noticed in this district is gradually increasing.Elephants movement has been noticed mostly in Loisingha Bolangir , in some parts of Patnagarh ,Deogaon and Gudvella Block.However, in Titiligarh subdivision area there is hardly any reports of elephant movement thanks to the sharp deterioration of forest cover and consequent loss of their habitat.

According to official sources, the total number of elephant found in the district has been increasing from 22 in 2012 to 28 in 2015 to 32in 2017.

Among the total 32elephants noticed , which includes 3 calves,4Juevenile,20adult 4 Tuskar.
(news published in English daily The Pioneer)

32 ELEPHANTS FOUND DURING CENSUS IN B’NGIR

Saturday, 03 June 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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A total of 32 elephants were found in the Balangir Forest Division during the four-day Elephant Census-2017 which was carried out from May 9 to 12.

According to forest office sources, out of the 32 elephants, there are five adult males (tuskers), 20 females, four sub-adults and three calves.

While 31 elephants were sighted in the Salebhata section of the Loisingha Forest Range, only one was spotted in the Larambha section of the Patnagarh Forest Range.

The elephants were sighted at Gajar Munda (a big water body) near Nuniapali and Kesipali village under the Salebhata section and Larambha beat in the Patnagarh Forest Range.

A total of 25 Machans had been erected in the Balangir, Loisingha, Deogaon, Patnagarh and Lathore Forest Ranges for the elephant census.

DFO Rashmi Ranjan Nayak, ACF Goutam Naik, Honourary Wildlife Warden Sudhir Mishra; Loisingha Range Officer Nabin Nanda and Forester Sunil Mishra coordinated and monitored the census.

BJD WOMEN PROTEST LPG SUBSIDY WITHDRAWAL

BJD WOMEN PROTEST LPG SUBSIDY WITHDRAWAL

Wednesday, 09 August 2017 | PNS | BRAHMAPUR/BALANGIR/PARALAKHEMUNDI/JHARSUGUDA/ JAGATSINGHPUR/BARIPADA | in Bhubaneswar

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Hundreds of Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD) members held a demonstration in front of the RDC office in Brahmapur on Tuesday demanding that the Union Government withdraw the decision to hike LPG price by Rs 4 each month and end its subsidy.

The agitators came in a procession from the Ganesh Temple in Hilpatna and staged a protest meeting at the RDC office. Planning and Convergence, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Usha Devi, Gopalpur MLA Dr Pradeep Panigrahi, Sorada MLA Purna Chandra Swain, Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethi, BMC Mayor K Madhavi, Deputy Mayor Jyostna Nayak and Corporator Sanghamitra Dalai and Mamata Bisoyi were present.

Similarly, Balangir district BMJD members led by Titilagarh MLA Tukuni Sahu and Mahila Vikas Nigam Chairperson Shreemayee Mishra staged a demonstration before the Collectorate over the same issue.

Stating that the price of crude oil in the international market has been reduced by 52 per cent, Mishra said there is no justification in increasing LPG price in the county and it would hit the women most. Then a team submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the district administration.

In Paralakhemundi, about 500 BMJD members led by Mohana MLA Basanti Mallick and Morcha district president Sanghamitra Sabar took out a rally in protest against the LPG price hike decision.

Women holding LPG cylinders sat on a dharna at the Collector’s office and shouted slogans against the Union Government. They too sent a memorandum to the President thorough the district Collector.

Among others, Gajapati district BJD president Pradeep Nayak, district yuba president P Krishna, Laxmikant Parichha and town president Jamidar Patrnaik were present.

Biju Mahila Janata Dal members of Jagatsinghpur district also staged a demonstration before the Collector’s office against the decision to withdraw the LPG subsidy. BJD district Mahila wing president MLA Rajashree Mallick lambasted the Centre for the decision and demanded its immediate withdrawal, BJD women leaders submitted a memorandum to the Collector for onward dispatch to the President of India. Members of the Jharsuguda district Biju Mahila Janta Dal also held a demonstration at the Collectorate protesting the Central Government's decision to hike cooking fuel price. The members led by BMJD district president Jai Kumari Patel shouted slogans against the Central Government and later submitted a memorandum, addressed to the President, to the district Collector demanding withdrawal of the decision.

 Similarly, members of the BMJD Mayurbhanj district held a demonstration at Baripada in protest against the Centre’s subsidy withdrawal proposal.

The demonstration held in front of the district Collector’s office was led by Morada MLA Praveen Bhanjdeo. Among others, district working presidents Debasis Mohanty and Debashis Marandi and MLAs Sudam Marandi aand Bhadav Hansdah were present. They later handed over a memorandum, addressed to the President, to the Collector.

DROUGHT SPECTRE HAUNTS B’NGIR AS AGRI OPS HIT Tuesday, 08 August 2017 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

DROUGHT SPECTRE HAUNTS B’NGIR AS AGRI OPS HIT
Tuesday, 08 August 2017 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar
       

Due to the absence of adequate rainfall in Muribahal,  Tureikela,Titilagarh, Bongomunda, Saintla and parts of Agalpur and Loisingha block, crucial agricultural operations like transplanting and beushining have been affected. This has sparked off fear of drought, much to the dismay of the farmers.
The month of Shravan is known for its heavy rain. After Shravan , the rainfall virtually stops or gets reduced considerably. By this time, the crucial agricultural operations like transplanting and beushining should be over and ponds and water bodies should be filled with water. But that has not happened. On the contrary, crucial agricultural operations have come to a standstill in the migration prone blocks of the district.
“I visited some parts of Tureikela block on August 7 and found Kharif paddy field lying uncultivated due to scanty rainfall. The monsoon is in its last leg. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana implementation in Balangir district is zero,” said BJP Kissan Morcha State president Sibaji Mohanty. Moreover the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(FMFBY) could not be implemented properly in the district due to noncooperation of the officials. As the paddy crop condition in nine out of 14 blocks of the district is not good, the deadline for PMFBY should be extended up to August 15 so that it will provide some help to farmers, added Mohanty.
Agriculture Department should advise the farmers to go for other crops like Mung and Biri, Mohanty suggested further.
“This year we had planned to take paddy cultivation in 1,85,000 hectares and till today1,40,000 hectares have been covered. In July against the normal rainfall of 360mm, Balangir district received 244mm rainfall,” said Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) Sridhar Das. He admitted that in Muribhal, Tureikela Bongomunda, Kantabanji, Titilagarh, parts of Agalpur and Loisingha blocks, less than normal rainfall had occurred and agricultural operations had been badly affected.
Unless there is rain within seven days, the situation would worsen further, Das added.

‘EXTEND KRISHI BIMA YOJANA DEADLINE TO AUG 31’ Wednesday, 02 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

‘EXTEND KRISHI BIMA YOJANA DEADLINE TO AUG 31’

Wednesday, 02 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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The deadline of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Krishi Bima Yojana should be extended to August 31, demanded by Balangir District Central Cooperative Bank president Laxman Meher addressing mediapersons here.

The time limit for the Yojana was scheduled to end on July 31. 

This year Balangir district has received 40 per cent less rainfall and Subarnapur district has received 18 per cent less, which has affected agricultural operation. Many farmers have not been able to include themselves under the insurance cover.

The Bolangir District Central Cooperative Bank operates both in Balangir and Subanapur district. So far, the bank has given loans of Rs 211 crores to 42, 950 farmers.

 “I have written a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Radhe Mohan Singh to extend the deadline of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Krishi Bima Yojana to August 31 and copies have been submitted to Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Narsingh Mishra, besides Balangir MP Kalikesh Singh Deo,” said Meher.              

INADEQUATE RAINS HIT AGRI OPS IN B’NGIR Wednesday, 02 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

INADEQUATE RAINS HIT AGRI OPS IN B’NGIR

Wednesday, 02 August 2017 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

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Lack of adequate rain falls has increased the woes of farmers in Balangir district.

According to agriculture office sources, the shortfall in rains has affected agricultural operations in 60 gram panchayats in Muribahal, Bongomonda, parts of Saintala and Agalpur blocks.

The average rainfall of Balangir district for the month of July is 360 mm. So far 240mm rainfall has been recorded in the district this year. In Muribahal block, only 111mm rains, in Bongomonda block, 147mm rains, in Saintala 170 mm rains, and in Titilagarh 180 mm rains have been recorded. This has affected crucial agricultural operations in these areas. Unless there is rainfall within 5-7 days, the situation may worsen.