Posted online: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 at 0024 hours IST
BHUBANESWAR, APR 3:Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), has surpassed its 2-million tonne capacity in 2006-07. The plant set a new record by producing 2.12 mt of hot metal during the fiscal.
RSP's crude steel output stood at 1.99 mt during the fiscal, an all-time best figure. It produced 1.94 mt of saleable steel.
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www.TimesJobs.com"It is noteworthy that for the first time, capacity utilisation crossed 100% with hot metal achieving 106%, crude steel 105% and saleable steel an outstanding 116% of the rated capacity," said a plant spokesperson. At the same time, these units registered the highest ever growth of around 20% compared with the levels achieved in 2005-06, he added.
Another aspect of the steel plant's initiative at enhancing profitability is its cost control effort by improving process parameters. Improvements were recorded in coke rate per tonne of hot metal, specific energy per tonne of crude steel, specific water consumed per tonne of steel and lining life of LD Converters leading to cost reduction of nearly Rs 132 crore during the fiscal. RSP thus achieved a record profit of Rs 924 crore during the first three quarters of 2006-07.
Slug-fest continues over iron ore exports data (ALOK SHARMA )
Posted online: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 at 0051 hours ISTNEW DELHI, APR 3 : The steel industry has charged the mining sector with using early nineties’ data to justify that iron-ore exports have come down.
Miners claim the domestic steel industry is largely lump-based and does not require ‘fines’. But, the Joint Plant Committee (JPC), the ministry's data bank, says during 2005-06, the industry used 75% fines.
The data show that during 2005-06, integrated steel producers used 29 million tonnes of fines, whereas sponge iron used 8.7 mt of fines and the induction furnace, 5.1 mt.
During the period, about 42 mt of steel was produced, which approximately require 67 mt of raw material.
Sinter and pellet plants of public sector units at Bokaro, Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela, Visakhapatnam, and companies like Tata, JSW, Essar and Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, used about 51 mt of fines (about 74% of the total raw material used) during 2006, according to the JPC data.
“The mining industry has been quoting figures of 1991-92 when the steel industry had sinter plants of about 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). Over the years the capacity of sinter and pellet plants have grown to about 51 mtpa and the industry, during 2005-06, used about 51 mt of fines besides 16 mt of lumps,” an industry insider told FE. With limited iron ore resources, the country cannot afford to continue export at this rate. Of the 23 billion tonnes of estimated reserves, about 10 billion tonnes of magnetite (inferior quality ore) are in the Western Ghats. It cannot be excavated due to a Supreme Court order. Against an estimated 13 billion tonnes of hematite, only 8 billion tonnes were proven reseres, president of Indian Steel Alliance Moosa Raza said.
When contacted, senior vice-president of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries Rahul Baldota said, “Last year, we produced about 90 million tonnes of iron ore, of which about 85% were fines …the steel industry does not have the capacity to consume what we produce.”
Concern over threat to wildlife
BHUBANESWAR, April 20: The elephants of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary near Bhubaneswar are threatened by the powerful lights and construction activity taking place in the neighbourhood, including that of educational institutions, said Mr Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of Wildlife Society of Orissa. In a statement here today, Mr Mohanty expressed concern over the management and engineering institutes being set up close to the sanctuary area. One such institute has been established within 500 metres of the sanctuary boundary, he alleged. The sanctuary spread over 198 sq.kms has more than 60 elephants apart from other wildlife. According to the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002, lands falling within 10 km of the boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile areas (ESAs) under provisions of the Environment Protection Act,1986. Mr Mohanty wondered how permission had been accorded to such institutes.SNS
Briefs
Killer diseaseKENDRAPARA, April 20: A mysterious disease has claimed three persons over the past 72 hours in Karandiapatana village, about 20 from here, triggering panic in and around the village. A team of doctors from the District Headquarters Hospital has rushed to the village. The deceased persons, according to official sources, are Bhagabat Mohanty, Shatrughna Nayak and a 70-year-old widow, Shuka Bewa. “There is no immediate cause for panic. We are examining the nature of disease causing the spate of deaths,” said Dr Dhaneswar Pradhan, ADM of the DHH. The first death was recorded on 18 April followed by two more casualties, said officials. The department has sounded an alert.SNSSun stroke PARALAKHEMUNDI, April 20: In a first case of sun stroke in the district, a destitute woman was found dead near the new bus stand of Paralakhemundi. The woman looked aged about 60 was seen loitering around the bus stand today morning and in the evening, the police were informed about her death. SNSTwo heldPARALAKHEMUNDI, April 20: Two persons were arrested by the Gajapati Police on charges of being involved in the Naxalite attack on R Udayagiri in April 2006. The arrested are Lijuru Raita of Dumkuli Village and Jacob Dalabehera of the Anusahi Village.SNS
Posco: CM ‘open’ to all-party meet
Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, April 20:Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik offered to hold talks with those facing displacement by the Posco project and even indicated that he was open to the idea of an all party meeting on the matter. “We will certainly examine all avenues which help facilitating the project,” he said adding that the Prime Minister was keen on expediting it. It is pertinent to note the shift in the CM’s stand since yesterday’s meeting with the PM wherein concerns were reportedly expressed by the Centre over the inordinate delay in moving forward with the Posco plant project which entails the biggest FDI in the country till date. Blamed of “monumental inaction” for two years as far the project was concerned and inability to even provide access to the proposed site for survey work, let alone acquiring land and displacing people, Mr Patnaik, for the first time, said he was open for talks. A section of those opposing the project supported by former Lok Sabha Speaker Mr Rabi Ray, Mr Surendra Mohan, social activist Ms Medha Patkar and BD Sharma had staged a one-month long dharna in Bhubaneswar demanding an open dialogue on the project. But they never got a call till they stormed the gates of the CM’s residence. The CM, who returned from New Delhi today, however, maintained that the Jagatsinghpur district administration was negotiating with the local people and protestors. Significantly, Mr Patnaik made it amply clear that the PM was extremely keen on the project. The CM also drove home the point that some political parties were adopting double standards and opposing the project .It needs support of all parties, he remarked . He was implicitly referring to the Left and the Congress which at the state level have been opposing certain aspects of the MoU with Posco and expressing the Centre’s anxiety over the project he has successfully put the state Congress on the mat. He said the Prime Minister wanted that the land acquisition for the project to be expedited. Posco required nearly 4,000 acres of land, majority of which belonged to the government. But the anti-Posco agitators had erected gates at various places in the area preventing the government officials from acquiring the land for the project. Replying to a question on whether there was any possibility of the project being shifted to any alternate site in view of the ongoing agitation, Mr Patnaik did not go beyond saying that Posco wanted a port-based plant.
Spiritual guru accused of tricolour disrespect
Press Trust of IndiaBhubaneswar, April 20:A controversy has erupted over disrespect allegedly shown to the national flag at a gathering involving spiritual guru Mata Nirmala Devi, who has a sizeable number of followers in north India. The Orissa government yesterday drew the Central government’s attention to a couple of photographs showing the tricolour being placed under the feet of the guru. The state requested the Centre to take appropriate action against the person responsible for the alleged disrespect shown to the national flag. The matter came close on the heels of a similar controversy over Sachin Tendulkar allegedly cutting a cake featuring the Indian tricolour in the West Indies. “The Orissa government received the controversial pictures showing the spiritual leader sitting on a chair with the tricolour under her feet some days ago,” home secretary Mr TK Mishra said. He said a person identifying himself as Suvendu Patnaik sent the photographs to chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik. He reportedly came across the controversial pictures while surfing the Internet. Senior officials in the state home department opined that Nirmala Devi could land in serious trouble if the allegations were found to be true.
HC order puts police in a fix
Statesman News Service JAJPUR, April 20: Orissa High Court’s recent directive seeking action against general secretary of the Vistapan Virodhi Janmanch, an umbrella outfit of the agitating tribals spreading anti-industrialisation movement in Kalinga Nagar, has put the Jajpur district police in a fix. The High Court took serious note of the alleged harassment of a displaced woman in the Kalinga Nagar Industrial complex area for supporting the displacement for setting up Tata’s proposed six million ton steel project in the area. The Court also directed the Jajpur superintendent of police and inspector-in-charge of Kalinga Nagar police station to initiate action against those who were responsible for the torture of the woman. Ms Basanti Badra, a 45-year-old woman of Gadhapur village under Kalinga Nagar police station, lodged an FIR with the police station on 21 December last year, accusing Janmanch general secretary Mr Rabindra Jarika of assaulting her. Kalinga Nagar police station inspector-in-charge Mr Sarat Kumar Mohapatra said today that Basanti Badra staying in Tata steel transit colony in the Kalinga Nager accused Mr Jarika of threatening her with dire consequences if she canvassed other women in favour of the steel major, Tata and stayed in Tata transit rehabilitation colony. She accused the tribal leader of pinching her cheek and passing comet at her. Ms Basanti also accused Mr Jarika of Asking her not to come to the nearby Duburi haat. Though Kalinga Nagar police registered a case against the Janmanch leader on the basis of the complaint of Ms Basanti, no action was taken against Mr Jarika as he enjoys huge local support. This apart, the situation was not conducive as the process was on then to lift the road blockade on the Daitary-Paradeep Express Highway, the life line of Orissa. Following this, Ms Basanti filed a complaint against police in the High Court. Acting on the petition filed by Ms Basanti, Mr Justice AS Naidu directed the Jajpur superintendent of police and Kalinga Nagar police station inspector-in-charge to investigate into the matter and take immediate action. Kalinga Nagar inspector-in-charge Mr Sarat Kumar Mohapatra, however, denied receiving any communication in this regard. “I have not received any direction neither from the Court nor from the district police office till date,” Mr Mohapatra said. “The matter is very trivial and we are committed to resolving the issue. But some quarters are highlighting such petty matter through Ms Basanti for promoting their vested interests. Ms Basanti is moving freely in the Duburi haat since the incident and nobody is passing comet at her or threatening. “We have to tackle the matter with utmost carefulness as the accused is a veteran tribal leader and enjoys huge local support,” the inspector-in-charge added. On the other hand, Mr Jarika denied that he had assaulted the woman and described the matter as a conspiracy to tarnish his image. “Can anyone assault a woman in a populous market yard like Duburi haat in broad day light? It is the handiwork of Tata steel,” Mr Jarika said.
Woman molested
KENDRAPARA, April 20: A 35-year-old woman, mother of two children, has alleged that she was stripped off the clothes and molested in Goudabadpur village near Mahakalpada, about 30 km from here, because she did not vote for a particular political party in the recently concluded three-tier panchayat polls. The victim lodged a complaint with superintendent of police in this regard after the local Mahakalpada police did not treat the FIR despite the grave nature of the offence. The shocking incident reportedly occurred on 15 April. The victim had injury marks on her breast, police said. Local leaders of a particular political party had tried to buy her vote during panchayat polls. She had turned down the monetary inducement. An inquiry has been orered into the negligence charge against the local police. A case was registered today and the victim was subjected to fresh medical examination, police said. n SNS
Italian tourist attacked
Statesman News Service PHULBANI, April 20: Some miscreants had recently physically assaulted one Mr Lusa Mazi, an Italian tourist, and robbed him of Rs 3,000 and the passport at Daringbadi, 130 KM from here recently, Daringbadi police said. Mr Mazi, who has paid a brief visit to Daringbadi, popularly known as the Darjeeling of Orissa, was assaulted and robbed of cash by five youths. The attackers also asked the tourist to clear the place immediately, police said. Next day, Mr Mazi had lodged a complaint with Daringbadi police and a case was registered. Though investigation started, no one has been arrested so far in connection with the assault, police said. Mr Mazi, during his brief tour to the place, had become popular among the poor tribals as he had cared for and looked after the poor and needy patients.
Centre revises DA for labourers
Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, April 20: The chief labour commissioner (Central) of Central government has revised the variable dearness allowances in respect of mines, construction, agriculture, loading & un-loading operations in good-sheds, parcel official of railways, other good sheds, godowns, warehouses, docks and ports. The revised variable dearness allowances will increase the minimum wages in the establishment falling under the Central government and will be effected from 1 April 1 2007, according to a release issued by regional labour commissioner (RLC) Central, Bhubaneswar. Two types of wages have been fixed for the labourers working in mines sector. One type of minimum wages has been prescribed for above ground and the other type for below ground level. Accordingly, an un-skilled labour will get Rs 70.73 (above ground) and Rs 83.46 (below ground), semi-skilled Rs 83.46 and Rs 100.56 skilled/clerical Rs 100.56 and Rs 123.03.02 paise, highly skilled will received Rs. l23.02 (above ground) and Rs 146.11 (below ground) as minimum wages. Orissa has been categorised into two areas and fixed the minimum wages of two areas different for construction worker. While Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have been categorised as “B” area, all other places are in the “C” category. According to the revised or enhanced minimum wages for “B” area, while an un-skilled labour will get Rs 83.46, semi-skilled Rs 100.56, skilled/clerical Rs 124.02, highly skilled Rs. 152.84, “C” area workers un-skilled will receive Rs 70.73, semi-skilled Rs 83.46, skilled/clerical Rs 105.92 and highly skilled Rs 124.02 for the labourers engaged in construction or maintenance of roads, runways or in building operation. Likewise, the minimum wages of agricultural workers have also been fixed differently for “B” & ‘C’ areas of the state. While a labour working under the jurisdiction of “B” area unskilled will get Rs 113.99 paise, semi-skilled Rs 127.00 skilled/clerical Rs 136.99, highly skilled Rs 154.49, the workers engaged in “C” area will receive unskilled Rs 111.98 paise, semi-skilled Rs 117.01 paise skilled/clerical Rs 125.99 paise and highly skilled Rs 136.99 paise as minimum wages per day On the other hand, minimum wages for workers engaged loading and un-loading in good sheds, parcel offices of railways, other good sheds godwons, warehouse etc. and docks and ports have been fixed at Rs 74.73 for “B” area (Bhubaneswar and Cunack) and Rs 70.73 paise for “C” area all places excluding (Bhubaneswar and Cuttack).
One arrested for ‘abducting’ aunt
Paralakhemundi, April 20: In a bizarre episode acting on a complaint lodged by one Johan Karada against his nephew Bikash Pradhan, the R Udayagiri police arrested the latter and forwarded him to jail on charges of kidnapping his aunt. The interesting twist in this story is the revelation by Bikash Pradhan that he was in love with his aunt and both of them were fleeing, when they were nabbed by the police. According to ASI, the family involved in this incident belonged to the Tikamali village in the Sabarapalli Panchayat and the nephew had a relation with his aunt. But when the two were nabbed by the police from a passenger bus the aunt informed the police that she was being taken away forcibly.SNS
Attempt to chop off doctor’s arm
Statesman News ServiceSAMBALPUR, April 20:Unknown miscreants made an attempt to chop off the left arm of a professor of the VSS Medical College yesterday night when he was coming out of his government quarters in the doctors’ colony for visiting the patients. The miscreants were two in number, the Burla police said. As per information from police and VSS Medical College sources, Dr Prasant Kumar Sahu, the professor and head of the department of Nephrology was coming out of his government quarters for the night round. Two persons taking the advantage of darkness accosted him near the gate and cut his left hand. They disappeared soon giving no scope to anybody to identify them. Hearing the cry of the doctor, family members and neighbours rushed to the spot and found him in a pool of blood. They took him to the VSS Medical College and hospital immediately for treatment. “If his condition will not improve, he will be shifted to the SCB Medical College in Cuttack,” medical sources said. They added that the injury was totally grievous in nature. There is even the possibility of amputation. The attack may have been carried out by some aggrieved patients, public suspect.
Naveen transfers top officials
BHUBANESWAR, April 20: Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik effected a major reshuffle in the top bureaucratic levels today changing departments and postings of as many as 21 IAS officers. This is the first top level change since Mr Ajit Tripathy assumed office as chief secretary. Mr Satya Prakash Nanda was appointed as agriculture production commissioner, while Dr Hrusikesh Panda took charge as principal secretary of forest and environment department. Dr Ashok Mahadeo Rao Dalwai, presently the RDC (Northern Division), Sambalpur, was made secretary of industries department as well as the chairman of IPICOL, IDCO and OSFC. Mr Upendra Prasad Singh, at present the CMD of Gridco and OPTC Ltd, was posted to the steel and mines department and was also made the chairman of OMC, while Mr GK Dhal took his place at Gridco. Mr Asit Kumar Tripathy was shifted from energy department to tourism and culture and Mr LN Gupta was sent to energy department. Mr Rabindra Nath Dash replaced Mr Dhal as secretary of panchayati raj department, while Mr Suresh Chandra Mantri has been made as the commissioner-cum-secretary to government, labour and employment department. Mr Madhu Sudan Padhi has been appointed as RDC (Northern Division), Sambalpur replacing Mr Dalwai and Mr Vijay Arora, at present the director of Employment Mission in Bhubaneswar, was appointed as special secretary of the Industries Department. Mr Durga Prasad Das was posted as special secretary of the finance department. Mr Ashok Kumar Meena was shifted from the IDCO to the IPICOL The choice post of MD of OMC for which several IAS officers were said to be lobbying was given to Mr Santosh Kumar Sarangi. Mr Vishal Kumar Dev has been posted as the MD of IDCO and director of IT.SNS
Priest empowers poor kids of leprosy patientsSantosh KiroEmail AuthorRanchi, April 04, 2007- They may be poor children of leprosy patients, but they want to make it big in life. And few of them have already succeeded, thanks to the efforts of a humble Catholic priest.About 160 of them whose parents have finally ‘settled’ at Indira Nagar in Jaganathpur, some 14 km away from Ranchi, want to become teachers, government officials, doctors and other professionals. Though their parents still beg to eke out a living, these children are pursuing their studies in some reputed schools around the State, mostly run by Christian Missionaries. But this would not have been possible without Father Naikam, a priest who not only got them admitted in good schools, but also has begun a primary school for the tiny tots among them at Indira Nagar. The beginning was made in 1992 when Father Naikam persuaded two such parents to set their children free for studies. It was a difficult task, but soon the priest was flooded with similar requests and never denied any.The elder ones have been admitted in prestigious schools of Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Gomho and Rourkela (Orissa). They now live in the school hostels, and are determined to change their social status. “We have already placed as many as 100 of such children in different schools around Jharkhand and Orissa. And they are doing fine academically,” Father Naikam told HT on Wednesday. Some of these children, who are currently in Ranchi to meet their parents during summer holidays, say they understand the value of ‘opportunity’ that has been availed to them. “I want to study well and become a teacher,” says Suresh Mandal (name changed), a Class III student studying at St John De Britto School, Gomoh. For Suresh and others like him, it is now or never. The education expenses are jointly borne by Father Naikam and the respective missionary schools. Some of these children have already started earning for their families after completion of their studies. “However, when we go for jobs, our identity is the biggest barrier,” said Sanjay Kumar (name changed), who teaches at St Aloysius School, Ranchi. Shankar (name changed), who is pursuing Bachelor of Science in St Xavier’s College (Ranchi), said upward social mobility is the tough, though not impossible. “ We know we can, and we will,” he promised.
Babudom rejig
OUR CORRESPONDENT:- Bhubaneswar, April 6:- Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today effected a massive shuffling by transferring 10 district collectors.
Last night, he had reshuffled SPs of about 13 districts. Both the collectors and SPs of Jajpur — Arabinda Padhee and Asit Panigrahi — have been shifted. Padhee has been appointed as director of agriculture, while Panigrahi has been shifted to Puri. Ganjam collector Sanjay Singh has replaced Padhee. Mayurbhanj collector V. Kartikeya Pandian has been posted in Ganjam, while his wife and Sundargarh collector Sujata Rout has been appointed as collector in Cuttack.
Angul collector S.K. Vasisth replaced Pandian, while Rourkela additional district magistrate Krishna Kumar has been posted in Rout’s place and Athgarh sub-collector S.N. Girish substituted Vasisth. Cuttack collector Deo Ranjan Singh has been appointed as the director of Orissa Primary Education Programme Authority, while Jharsuguda collector R.R. Mallick has been posted as director of municipal administration.
Next weekend you can be at ... KhandadharMuch of western Orissa is rocky and barren due to inadequate rainfall. However, towards the north, along the state’s border with Chhattisgarh, there are lush green forests and blue hills. Further east is Rourkela, home to a steel plant. Ninety-two km from the steel town is Khandadhar, the highest waterfall in Orissa.
The journey from Rourkela to Khandadhar via Lohanipara and Kuthgean is memorable. The first part of the trip is along National Highway 23, which cuts through a dense forest and hills. There are small villages within the forest, where tribals, mostly Mundas and Santhals, live.
From Lohanipara, the road splits into three. One arm heads towards Sambalpur, the second towards Barsua and the third towards Khandadhar. The condition of the district highway from Lohanipara to Khandadhar via Kuthgean is very bad. There is bus service on that route, but Trekkers are more easily available.
Khandadhar falls can be seen from far away. The water cascades down from a height of about 245 metre. All around are dense growths of kendu, kusum, sal, segun, mohua, palash and akashmoni. The view will take your breath away. The surroundings are tranquil. You will only hear the rustle of the leaves against the breeze.
Wild animals like bears, wild boars, elephants, jackals and wolves move freely in the region around the falls. A bridge connects two of the hills. At the foot of one of them are three tiny shops selling tea and light snacks. A trek of a couple of kilometres from there will take you to the upper reaches of the waterfall.
There is a cluster of tribal villages a few kilometres from Khandadhar. The inhabitants of the hamlets survive by collecting kendu leaves (used for making bidi) or wood. The tribals are in festive mood on moonlit nights. The hills reverberate with the beats of madal on full moon nights.
Spring is especially wonderful here when the trees are in full bloom.
GoingRourkela can be reached by Mumbai Mail (via Nagpur), Gitanjali Express, Ispat (Sambalpur) Express. The distance from Calcutta is 416 km. From Rourkela, break your journey to Khandadhar at Lohanipara and Kuthgeon. For a comfortable trip, hire a car. The approximate fare from Rourkela to Khandadhar is Rs 2,000
Staying
There is a panchayat bungalow at Khandadhar. Contact the caretaker along with voter’s identity card to stay over. The rate is Rs 200 per night. Food will cost extra.
Orissa orders morning classes for schools [4 Apr, 2007 l 0511 hrs ISTlPTI]BHUBANESWAR: Anticipating a "scorching" summer ahead, the Orissa government on Tuesday asked all district collectors to ensure that schools and colleges remained open only during the morning hours. "We have asked all the collectors to initiate strong actions against the principals and headmasters who disobey the government order in this regard," said Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal, adding the government has been warned of a severe heat wave this summer. He also said that the government has been contemplating to provide free-of-cost umbrellas and water bottles to each school student in the state. Similarly, the government has also set time frame for engaging labourers in private and government jobs. "The employer can engage any worker from six in the morning to 11 am and 3.30 pm till 6 pm," an official release said, adding enough water should be kept where workers undertake jobs. The government also directed for no power-cuts during the peak summers.
Trawling, industry threaten India turtle nesting(Carcasses and skulls of dead Olive Ridley turtles are laid by the Greenpeace activists during a protest in New Delhi April 14, 2006. Activists laid out carcasses of turtles along with skulls to protest against the mass killing of turtles in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. )
By Simon Denyer April 3, 2007:- DEVI, India (Reuters) - The scattered carcasses of dead turtles bake on the hot sand. Scraps of the white shells of turtle eggs surround a hole where stray dogs have dug up a nest.
Until a decade ago, this beach on India's east coast used to witness one of nature's most spectacular sights -- the mass nesting of tens of thousands of Olive Ridley turtles on a single night.
Not since 1995 has that happened. These days just a handful of turtles come to the beach at Devi to nest, and its status as one of three main nesting sites for the Olive Ridleys in India's coastal state of Orissa is under threat.
Orissa is one of the few remaining mass nesting sites for the Olive Ridleys in the world. But the situation on its other beaches is not much better, with turtles falling victim to government neglect and rapid industrialization.
Fewer turtles than normal arrived this year at the nearby beaches of Gahirmatha, where a marine sanctuary has failed to check illegal fishing by trawlers, and the construction of a large port nearby presents a major environmental threat.
No mass nesting has yet been seen on the southern beach of Rushikulya, and time is running out if that beach is not to witness its third "no-show" in just over a decade.
At the same time more than 8,000 carcasses have been washed ashore since November, most caught and drowned in the nets of trawlers fishing too close to the shore, conservationists say.
"Because of an increase in human activity in the sea and along the coast, the very survival of Orissa's sea turtles is at stake," said Biswajit Mohanty of the Society of Orissa.
Greenpeace says more than 120,000 turtles have been washed up dead on Orissa's shores in the past 12 years, most caught in the nets of trawlers which the law says should not be there. Total deaths may have been significantly higher.
The trawlers also scatter the turtles as they gather in offshore waters to nest, and rampant trawling is thought to be a major reason for the demise of Devi.
But although turtles enjoy the same level of protection under Indian law as tigers, Mohanty said there was simply no enforcement or political will to protect them. A single gill net was found to contain 265 dead animals a few years ago.
"Boats are seized, nets are seized, but then they are released after a couple of months," he said. "Not a single conviction has taken place."
TRADITIONAL FISHERMEN
Other factors are at work too.
The forest department may unwittingly have contributed to the demise of Devi when they planted casuarina trees on the beach in a bid to protect nearby villages from cyclones. That narrowed the beach and made much of it unsuitable for nesting.
Natural erosion of the beach at Rushikulya, steepening the incline, may have discouraged landings this year.
But at Devi, traditional fishermen hate the trawlers every bit as much as Mohanty.
They say their catch has fallen sharply since trawlers came and is worth perhaps half what it was five years ago, while more expensive fish like pomfret and hilsa have all but vanished.
They eagerly show Reuters how easily their flimsy nets rip, showing they present no danger to the turtles, unlike the multi-fiber nets of the industrial boats.
"We want the turtles to remain, because wherever there are turtles there are fish," said 32-year-old Jagabondhu Behra.
This is evidence, Greenpeace says, that it is not a question of pitting people against turtles. Some areas like Gahirmatha need to be protected to allow fish stocks room to recover, but in other areas a balance can be struck.
In 2004 the Supreme Court recommended that trawlers be kept at least 20 km (12 miles) away from nesting beaches, but traditional fishermen be allowed closer to shore. The rules, which strike a balance between conservation and livelihood concerns, are supported by Greenpeace but ignored by trawlermen.
"There is no reason to subscribe to the defeatist attitude that the problem cannot be tackled unless either turtles or fishermen are sacrificed," said Sanjiv Gopal of Greenpeace.
Challenged on the subject, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he was unaware that laws meant to protect turtles were not being enforced.
The response failed to impress campaigners who say they have been petitioning him on the subject for years.
Yet there is another and potentially even more serious threat to the Olive Ridleys' future in Orissa.
The state, one of India's poorest, is rushing to industrialize and exploit its vast mineral wealth.
Plans are advanced to open seven new ports, including what could become the biggest on the east coast at Dhamra, just 12 km (7 miles) from the Gahirmatha sanctuary.
Oil exploration has also begun off the coast, before studies have been completed of the effects on turtle migration.
This year just 140,000 turtles nested at Gahirmatha, Mohanty said, compared to 230,000 the year before.
"We are very convinced turtles will eventually abandon the nesting beach," he said. "They are never going to adapt to that level of disruption."
GRANT- IN-AID TO ORISSA UNDER RGNDWM FOR IEC AND HRD ACTIVITIESThe Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned an amount of Rs.2.99 crore to the State Government of Orissa as extended first instalment for undertaking IEC & HRD activities relating to National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme (NRDWQM&SP) under Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM) during the year 2006-07. Out of these, an amount of Rs.126.14 lakh for IEC activities and remaining Rs.172.66 lakh for HRD activities should be utilized as per the guidelines. The funds for undertaking these activities are to be transferred to Community & Capacity Development Unit established in the State. This release is for plan expenditure. The funds are to be utilized for the purpose for which it is released and as per the terms and conditions. The release is on the basis of norms for each activity as per the guidelines. AD/ST/JA
Maoists try to storm explosive depot of SAIL[15 Apr, 2007 l 0450 hrs ISTlPTI]ROURKELA (ORISSA): Suspected maoists tried to storm an explosives and magazine depot of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) at Tensa but were repulsed by security personnel after an exchange of fire, police said. There was an exchange of fire between the CISF jawans guarding the depot and the ultras, suspected to be CPI (Maoist) cadres, for about five minutes after which they fled into the nearby jungle, DIG of Police (western range), Satyajit Mohanty said. No CISF jawan was injured in the exchange of fire, he said. The explosives kept in the depot, located about 5 km from Tensa town, were meant for use in mining operations to be conducted by the SAIL. Police and CRPF jawans had been rushed to Tensa following the incident for undertaking combing operation in the area, Mohanty said.
Customer matters more than rival for SandipMaxis Communications CEO Sandip Das, who once dreamed of becoming a writer, now sees himself as a “pied piper” set to lead his team to greater heights. He says he wants to “create a new story” for Maxis. SANDIP Das used to be the key man at India's Hutchison Essar (HUTCH) until late last year when he was headhunted to take on the job of CEO of Maxis Communications Bhd.
Coming to Malaysia was a real change for Sandip, who had 13 years of experience running a mobile company in India's competitive market. In fact, he never dreamed of working anywhere close to Malaysia nor of visiting the country prior to his posting.
He may be excited over the new job. He does sit with a little unease in his office at Menara Maxis. He has a lot on his hands, given that Maxis operates in a fairly competitive market and the entry of newer players would add to the challenge.
Besides that, he is also director of Aircel that he has to help to grow.
He barely has enough time to get around the country or even savour the wide variety of delectable Malaysian cuisine that he loves. He is too busy shuttling from India to KL and working on the forward strategy for Aircel and Maxis Malaysia.
Speaking to the local media for the first time, Sandip told StarBiz: “I have only been here for just over 90 days and I have a lot to learn. But each year brings new challenges for Maxis, and this year will be no different but with a few more competitors.’’
What is his strategy then?
“We would rather focus on the consumer than the competitor. Our only insurance is to continue to provide value to the customer. As a leader, it is the least the customer can expect from us and this would be reflected in our service levels, product packages, social responsibilities and our new technology offerings,’’ he said.
Maoists bid to storm explosive depot foiledROURKELA — Suspected Maoists tried to storm an explosives and magazine depot of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) at Tensa but were repulsed by security personnel after an exchange of fire, police said.
There was an exchange of fire between the CISF jawans guarding the depot and the ultras, suspected to be CPI (Maoist) cadres, for about five minutes after which they fled into the nearby jungle, DIG of Police (western range), Satyajit Mohanty said.
No CISF jawan was injured in the exchange of fire, he said. The explosives kept in the depot, located about 5km from Tensa town, were meant for use in mining operations to be conducted by the SAIL.
500 smokeless chullahs in Rourkela periphery villagesRourkela, April 17. (PTI): As part of its 'parswanchal vikas' programme Rourkela Steel Plant has decided to promote use of smokeless 'chullahs' among village women.
The programme taken up in 15 villages under two blocks of the periphery namely Kuarmunda and Bisra, aimed at not only enhancing the earning capacity of the villagers but also improving the quality of their lives.
Chullahs, developed following research work, were much improved compared to the traditional ones for fuel conservation, takes less time to cook and hardly generate any smoke.
As regards fuel, even combustible biodegradable wastes like residual wood pieces, bark of trees, weeds, dry cow dung, dry leaves can be very effectively used in these chullahs thereby reducing dependence of the villagers on wood from trees which eventually helps in the protection of the environment, RSP sources said.
Since March 1, 190 chullahs have been installed at Ushra, Dumerjhore, Baniguni and Bankibahal. With the maintenance cost of chullah being nil, it would provide immense utility and economic benefit to the villagers besides protection of the environment.
Striving to rise above adversitySantosh Kiro (Ranchi, April 06, 2007)
Their parents may beg for a living but these children are determined to change their future, a few already succeeding, thanks to the efforts of a humble Catholic priest.
It all began in 1992 when Father Naikam persuaded two such parents to let their children study, free of cost. It was a difficult task, but soon the priest was flooded with similar requests. Now these bright children of leprosy patients want to become teachers, doctors, government officers and more. Their parents have been resettled in Indira Nagar, Jaganathpur.
With Father Naikam's help, they have been admitted to reputed schools in Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Gomoh and Rourkela (Orissa), mostly run by Christian missionaries. The education expenses are jointly borne by Father Naikam and the schools. The priest also runs a school for tiny tots in Indira Nagar.
“We have already placed as many as 100 such children in different schools and they are doing fine,” Father Naikam told HT on Wednesday.
Some of these children, currently in Ranchi for the summer vacations, say they understand the huge opportunity that has been given to them. “I want to study well and become a teacher,” says Suresh Mandal, a Class III student of St John De Britto School, Gomoh.
Some have finished school and are earning. “But when we go looking for jobs, our identity is the biggest barrier,” says Sanjay Kumar. Shankar says upward social mobility is tough but not impossible. “We know we can, and we will,” he promises.
First-of-its-kind pageant wins confidence vote- An analysis of the show and the beautiesJamshedpur, April 16: After an experiment, the inference follows.
A day after four beauties walked the ramp, stole the limelight and bagged a chance to be a part of the bigger picture at Jamshedpur — Sananda Tilottama — the post-mortem started in the city regarding the programme. Was the show a success or not, was the question on everyone’s lips.
From the choice of finalists to the quality of participants, everything came under scrutiny.
Judges called the affair a moderate success. “Because, the show was held for the first time in Jharkhand not many people were aware of the contest. That was perhaps the main reason as to why many girls decided to stay away from the event, thinking it to be a routine and run-of-the-mill talent hunt,” said one judges.
The event saw many last minute entries. Ultimately, there was a healthy turnout of 30 participants for the show. But here, too, a lot of girls backed out at the last moment, especially from Ranchi, Dhanbad and Rourkela. Out of the bevy of beauties, who walked the ramp yesterday, only three were from Ranchi, Rourkela and Dhanbad.
Deepti Sarkar, one of the judges, believes that the fault lies with the “way” the programme hype was handled. “Maybe the event was not highlighted well. So people preferred to stay away,” said she.
But media hype and publicity apart there was the big problem of consent. Dipti Sahu, a student at a fashion institute, said: “I was very keen to participate. But my family was completely against my staying all alone in Calcutta for the entire month, which the finalists had to for the final grooming,” added Dipti. Asked if she knew how popular the show was she nodded, tad bewildered.
The greatest controversy, however, was the “quality” of participants and the final choice.
“Two of the finalist did not deserve to be in the final 10. For they neither had the required height nor the stage presence, but how the judges chose on them is only known to them,” said Ria Tripathy, a participant, who could not make it to the finals.
“We know some girls may have been prettier. But the final four were selected on the basis of their over-all performance and stage presence, which were confident. We will back our choices, and their performance at Calcutta perhaps would prove if we were right or wrong,” added Sarkar.
“For the sheer lack of stage presence, one cannot really blame the girls. This state is more academically inclined. Fashion is yet to be perceived as a career option. We have to wait for a few more years before a ‘metro’ response may be expected,” said Shakti Sharma, who, too, was a judge.
The leading city dignitary, however, also felt that from the coming year, the organisers should get a little more discerning.
“For the first time this was a great show. But from next year as the concept picks up, the selection should get tougher,” added Sharma.
Sarkar suggests a way to make things easier for the state’s beauties. “There is an urgent need for a grooming school in Jamshedpur and in the rest of the state. If groomed properly the state girls can do wonders.”
For now all eyes are on the Calcutta ramp to see whether the famous four can weave the same magic there too.
SAIL bags Rs 100-crore orders for power plantsRourkela, April 18. (PTI): The Steel Authority Of India Limited (SAIL) has pocketed the order to provide consultancy services for two power plants of Gujarat NRE Coke Limited (GNCL), to be set up for around Rs 100 crore.
The plants to be built at Dharwad, Karnataka and Bhachau, Gujarat will be commissioned within 24 months, a SAIL release said here on Tuesday.
SAIL's consultancy division Sailcon will provide the design, engineering and consultancy services to these plants with total capacity of 30 MW.
The company's Ranchi-based centre for engineering technology, will assist Silicon in this job, said the release.
The project will be designed using the heat of the flue gases from GNCL's coke oven batteries. GNCL is India's largest non-captive manufacturer of met coke, with coking coal mines operating in Australia.
Sailcon had earlier designed a number of projects in steel and power plants in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Georgia, added the release.
SteelSAIL bags Rs 100 crore orders for power plantsPRESS TRUST OF INDIAROURKELA, APRIL 17: Steel Authority Of India Limited (SAIL) has pocketed the order to provide consultancy services for two power plants of Gujarat NRE Coke Limited (GNCL), to be set up for around Rs 100 crore.
The plants to be built at Dharwad, Karnataka and Bhachau, Gujarat will be commissioned within 24 months, a SAIL release said.
SAIL's consultancy division Sailcon will provide the design, engineering and consultancy services to these plants with total capacity of 30 MW.
The company's Ranchi-based centre for engineering technology, will assist Silicon in this job, said the release.
The project will be designed using the heat of the flue gases from GNCL's coke oven batteries. GNCL is India's largest non-captive manufacturer of met coke, with coking coalmines operating in Australia.
Sailcon had earlier designed a number of projects in steel and power plants in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Georgia, added the release.
Posco’s Orissa land acquisition evokes local ireAlmost two years after South Korean steel giant
Posco signed an MoU with the Orissa Govt, battle lines to acquire land for the proposed steel plant have been drawn. The steel plant will displace 450 families in eight villages with highly fertile agricultural lands, many of them dependent on betel plantations for a livelihood now fear their loss.
Says Soung-Sik Cho, CMD, Posco – India, "If the Central Government, Orissa government and the people of Orissa support us then we won't withdraw the project from Orissa.
These words seem to have pressed the panic button for
Orissa government, which now looks set to act against the locals opposing the project. At least 12 platoons of police have been deployed near the Posco's proposed steel plant site worth 51,000 crore in Jagatsinghpur. Police stations have been piled with stocks of arms and ammunition.
These people are breaking the law, we have made them understand through dialogues - and if they still do not listen we are ready to take strong action against them," states YK Jethwa, SP, Jagatsinghpur.
At Posco's proposed site, villagers are preparing strategies to protest the acquisition of their land. Bamboo fences have been erected at village entry points and farmers are gearing up for a confrontation with the government. Abhaya Sahoo, Chairman, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti says, "We are ready to fight till the last drop of our blood and for any situation like this, the Orissa government will be fully responsible."
The chief minister of Orissa has always maintained that he would deal with the rehabilitation and the resettlement issues in the most humane manner, but the heavy deployment of police forces at Posco's site suggest that he too is running out of patience. It now seems the battle lines have clearly been drawn there.
Residential girls’ schools in scheduled areas in OrissaBhubaneswar, April 11: The Orissa government will set up residential girls' schools in ten blocks located in scheduled areas every year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said Tuesday. "This will result in all blocks in the scheduled areas of the state having a residential girls' school within the next three years," he said while presiding over the tribal advisory council meeting here. The undivided districts of Koraput, Kandhamal and Gajapati would be accorded priority where the female literacy rate was the lowest, he said. Reiterating the government decision to establish 1,000 hostels for tribal girls in Orissa, he said the measure would benefit over one lakh girls. Patnaik said that 557 such hostels had been constructed during 2006-07 while work on the other hostels would be completed by June this year. Besides, 110 hostels would be constructed in the KBK region during the current financial year under the Biju KBK Yojana of the state government. The government also planned to provide improved looms to weavers belonging to scheduled tribes and train them in weaving. Three such training centres would be set up at Saintala in Balangir district, Sohela in Bargarh district and Bangiriposhi in Mayurbhanj district, Patnaik said. A resolution was adopted at the meeting opposing the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh on the ground that it would affect the livelihood of tribals.
Pranab Roy to assist Sandhu at ZCA campKolkata, April 10: With the annual zonal camps of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) round the corner, former national selector Pranab Roy has been selected as deputy to Kolkata leg’s chief coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu, according to sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Interestingly, Roy’s selection as the assistant coach for the Zonal Cricket Academy’s (ZCA) east wing camp comes shortly after the BCCI decided to drop Bengal Maidan bigwig Gopal Bose from its roster for the NCA programme.
The east zone leg’s ZCA camp gets underway on April 20 in Kolkata and will continue till May 25.
While World Cup-winning allrounder Sandhu will be in charge of the 25 Under-19 players picked for the camp, his assistants will be Roy and Rajesh Dani this time round. Last year, Karnataka’s B Arun was the head coach, with Gundappa Viswanath and Venkatesh Prasad doubling up as the visiting special consultants for the month-long summer camps.
While the CAB hasn’t yet heard from the BCCI about who will be the visiting special consultant this year, sources in the NCA pointed out that the Bangalore-based cricket academy’s new chief Mohinder Amarnath may fly down to Kolkata briefly to offer tips on batting and bowling.
Meanwhile, coaches Satinder Singh, R Srikanth and KVP Rao will be in charge of the ZCA’s Under-15 camp, which will be conducted at Cuttack from April 20 to May 25.
ZCA (East) U-19 contingent: Saurav Tiwary (Jharkhand), Rohan Banerjee (Bengal), Nataraj Behera (Orissa), Vikram Chhetri (Assam), Sreevats Goswami (Bengal), Sandeep Mulia (Orissa), Ishank Jaggi (Jharkhand), Amit Sinha (Assam), Keshav Kumar (Jharkhand), Swarupam Purakayastha (Assam), Lagnajit Samal (Orissa), Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand), Kaushal Acharya (Tripura), Pritam Das (Assam), Sujay Tarafdar (Assam), Alok Sahu (Orissa), Alok Mungaraj (Orissa), Soumya Pakre (Bengal), Barun Aaron (Jharkhand), Abu Nachim Ahmed (Assam), Rana Dutta (Tripura), Pankaj Shaw (Bengal), Sunny Gupta (Jharkhand), Biplab Samanta Roy (Orissa), Sayan Sekhar Mondal (Bengal); Stand-by: Subhajit Sahu (Orissa), Abhishek Bhowmick (Bengal), Prasanta Sonawal (Assam), Sisir Tewari (Jharkhand), Kamal Das (Tripura).
ZCA (East) U-15 contingent: Janan Boro (Assam), Sarvan Kumar (Jharkhand), Nitesh Lemicharey (Sikkim), Azat Shatru (Jharkhand), Aniruddha Saha (Tripura), Manoj Malo (Assam), Santosh Sabanayakan (Bengal), Indrasish Roy (Bengal), Sanjib Sahu (Orissa), Babul (Jharkhand), Kundan Singh (Jharkhand), Amit Raj Singh (Orissa), Dominic Racks (Jharkhand), Kartick Das (Bengal), Amlan Baruah (Assam), Prabal Barkakoti (Assam), Vivek Singh (Bengal), Saeed Jacky (Orissa), Subal Burman (Assam), Tazuddin Ahmed (Assam), Subrata Das (Tripura), Sabir Ali (Orissa), Pranay Ballav Mahapatra (Orissa), Ibney Hasan Khan (Jharkhand), Sourav Roy (Tripura); Stand-by: Pratik Das (Orissa), Utkarsh Ayush (Jharkhand), Uday Pratap Singh (Bengal), Dhritiman Dutta (Assam), Amal Das (Tripura).
