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Injustice done to KBK, says Naveen

Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

... a disappointing Budget

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday slammed the Union Budget and termed it as disappointing. "This Budget does not provide relief to the common man and no major support has been given to the KBK areas," he said.

Patnaik said that rising inflation affected the livelihood of the common man directly. There has been no definite and concrete measures to contain inflationary pressures.

He further said that in the agriculture sector, adequate outlay has not been provided for investment in agricultural infrastructure or in support to its marketing. "It is seen from the Union Budget that the injustice done to KBK districts has not been corrected. The State Government had asked for Rs 500 crore for development of KBK districts whereas, it is disappointing to note that the Union Budget has envisaged
only continuance of the existing provisions," Patnaik added.

He further said that the Union Budget proposals include levy of export duty on iron ore and chrome. The proceeds of such a levy should be transferred to the States in full.

The Union Budget proposals include reduction of Central Sales Tax from 4 to 3 per cent with effect from April 1, 2007. "The loss of revenue on account of such reduction in the rate of CST should be fully compensated by the Centre to the State," Patnaik said.

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Jamshedpur

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Jamshedpur
CM letter to Lalu
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 27: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today requested Lalu Prasad to increase the outlay for Orissa in the railway budget.

In a letter to the railway minister, Patnaik (in picture) contended that the allocation in the 2007-08 rail budget for the state was “not adequate”.

The chief minister urged Lalu Prasad to “reassess” the requirements of Orissa fearing that ongoing railway projects such as Haridaspur-Paradip, Khurda Road-Bolangir and Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh would suffer due to the “inadequate” outlay.

Describing the budget as “disappointing”, Patnaik said a “meagre” allocation of Rs 606 crore had been made against last year’s Rs 654 crore and the state demand for Rs 880 crore.

“We had requested for several new rail links, but... no new rail link has been sanctioned for Orissa. Only two trains have been announced and the frequency of two others increased, which is way below our expectations,” said the chief minister. Doubling of the Daitari-Banspani and Haridaspur-Paradip tracks has been ignored and allocation for the Lanjigarh-Junagarh and Khurda-Bolangir lines is poor, he noted.

The government’s request for improvement of infrastructure, introduction of trains and increase in frequency has been ignored by the ministry, rued Patnaik.

According to official sources, the government had requested for introduction of 13 trains, sanction of nine new links, doubling of three tracks and electrification of another three links.

However, only two new trains — between Bhubaneswar and Ranchi and Bhubaneswar and Rameswaram — were announced yesterday.

Ravenshaw II for GenNext

Ravenshaw II for GenNext
Cuttack:18/February/2007
If you are bored with the concrete jungle and polluted environment around the century old Centre of Learning, Ravenshaw Unitary University (RUU) -- just relax.

Soon the Unitary University will be having its second campus by the side of ever flowing Mahanadi, a sprawling 150 acres of area dotted with lush green environment and a serene atmosphere in the outskirts of Cuttack.

Once anybody visits the place will appreciate why the chief of the institution has chosen the picturesque site.

Giving out details of the expansion plan Devdas Chotray, Vice Chancellor of the Ravenshaw Unitary University said that the century old institution which was established in 1868 to accommodate only 500 students is catering to the demand of 7000 learners.

While the earlier 100-acre campus is being encroached from various sides and left with less than 80 acres the class rooms are not able to cater the growing demand of the students, he said.

“Keeping in view another 100 years, we have planned for Ravenshaw II in Abhinav Bidanasi by the side of the Mahanadi”, said he.

Choice of the place came naturally to the authorities because on the other side of the river, the National Institute of Science, Education and Research (NISER) and Sri Ravishankar University is coming up.

“So to make RUU a ‘Knowledge Hub’ of South Asia we have planned for both infrastructure and academic development of the institution,” said Chotray.

On academic front including subjects of applied science like Biotechnology, Food technology and Language technology is in offing.

Similarly RUU will be opening branches of Management Specialty in Aviation, Steel and Mining sector to cater to the growing demand of the future education, said he.

USA GenNext adore Odissi

USA GenNext adore Odissi
Bhubaneswar:21/February/2007
Attraction for Odissi dance is growing among the GenNext of USA.

And despite more dance gurus drawn there by the Indian Diaspora, students still come to the source

Benjamin Nathan Ryken is one example of the growing number of young Americans involved in learning one of the oldest India's classical dances.

As interest in Indian dance and music increases in the United States of America (USA), more students are coming to India with a variety of backgrounds and purposes.

Many new American students are desiring to know a lot about the Indian culture and longing for creative expression, which is complimented by extensive training.

Not all of us are trying to becoming Indian classical masters, but we are attempting to understand the depth of these forms, said Suzanne Reed.

Benjamin and Suzanne are the GenNext, who are taking a lot of interest in understanding the intricacies of Indian culture and traditions.

Along with 30 students of the Evergreen State College (ESC), Olympia, Washington Jeanne Hahn, Faculty of Political Economy and History recently landed up at Rudrakshya to complete a fortnight long extensive training on Odissi

Today, Rudrakshya, a six year old institution founded by Guru Bichitrananda Swain, is going places.

Of late Guru Bichitrananda Swain has emerged as one of the leading Gurus in the new generation of Odissi dancers.

An exceptional performer, instructor and choreographer, he is a multifaceted artist who possesses a rare, in-depth understanding of this ancient art form, admitted the students from ESC.

Appreciating the efforts of other Gurus like Ramesh Chandra Jena, Lingaraj Pradhan and Pabitra Pradhan they said “ these new generation gurus are really brilliant and we gathered a lot of knowledge on Odissi and Orissan culture from them.”

Particularly valuing the dance of male form the "Purush Ang", Benjamin said I like those dance form most and enjoyed the “Frog Dance” created by Guru Swain who has taken lot of interest in developing new work for the dance.

Commenting on the teaching Jenne Hahn said “the students have been benefited much during the dancing session”.

She said that the students have been trying to learn a lot of Indian culture and dance is central to the culture of India.

And learning Odissi at Rudrakshya under the guidance of Guru Bichitrananda Swain was interesting and enchanting, admitted Suzanne.

There seems an unending demand from the students of various foreign countries to learn Odissi.

Students from UAS, Europe and Germany will be visiting the Rudrakshya for learning Odissi during this year, said Bichitrananda.

Orissa reap rich plan harvest

Orissa reap rich plan harvest
New Delhi:24/February/2007
Since Montek singh Ahluwalia became the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Orissa is reaping rich plan harvest.

If we go by statistics it can be seen when NDA was at the helm of office the state used to receive shabby treatment over Plan funding.

In 2001-02 Orissa asked for Rs.3000 crore and received approval for only Rs.2300 crore during NDA rule.

When Montek took over as Deputy chairman of Planning commission in 2005-06 Naveen asked for Rs.2800 crore and Montek gave Rs.3000 crore.

In 2006-07 Orissa placed a demand for Rs.3000 crore and Planning commission approved Rs.3500 crore.

And for 2007-08 Montek approved the Annual Plan size for Orissa for 2007-08 at Rs.5105 crore.

The windfall gain is attributed to the love of Montek for Naveen, said sources in Planning Commission.

Annual Plan for 2007-08 is about 46 per cent higher than the Annual Plan for 2006-07.

Montek complimented the continuing efforts of Government of Orissa under Naveen's leadership for improved fiscal prudence and better macro-economic indicators.

Naveen pointed out that less developed States like Orissa should be given greater attention, support and higher flow of liberal assistance from the Centre, primarily of non debt creating nature.



The Chief Minister reiterated the demand of the State Government to augment Special Central Assistance to the KBK region to Rs.500 crore per annum.

Naveen asked to extend concessions in Central Excise, Income Tax and other incentives for promotion of industries in the KBK region on par with some other backward regions.

He also demanded that royalty rates for major minerals should be revised in time and on ad valorem basis. The States should be allowed to benefit from their natural resource endowments.

Chief Minister highlighted the need for compensating the power producing states for environmental degradation and displacement of people and quickly addressing inequities that the power producing states face vis-a-vis the power consuming states.

Demand for an IIT and IIM was raised by Naveen but sources said Montek remained silent over the issue.

He also urged upon the Government of India to redefine the criteria for according Special Category Status to a State and treat Orissa as a Special Category State.

How ever the Plan size of the Eleventh Plan 2007-12 was not finalized ,which will take a final shape after April, said sources.

The Daily Star - Dr. Younous's concept of a Party.

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 972

9 polytechnics to meet technical manpower shortage

Wednesday February 7 2007 11:00 IST

BHUBANESWAR: As the State stands poised for the big leap on industrial front, the Centre has sanctioned nine more full-fledged polytechnic institutes to meet the increasing need of technical manpower both inside and outside the State. The nine institutes will be set up during the Eleventh Plan starting from 2007-08.

Each institute will get a Central assistance of Rs 14 crore up-front for infrastructure development and recurring expenditure for five years. After completion of five years, the recurring expenditure of these technical institutes will be borne by the State Government, official sources told this paper.

A majority of these will be located in the backward districts of Kalahandi, Koraput, Boudh, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal while Ganjam, Sambalpur and Balasore will have one each. The ninth centre will be established either in Nuapada or Sonepur district. A decision will be taken after assessment of the demographic profile of the two districts.

In the Tenth Plan, the Centre had sanctioned one polytechnic for the State and the institute is under construction in the Naxal-infested Malkangiri district.

This will be functional from the ensuing academic session, DTE&T sources said adding, an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) will also be ready by the next session. The Government is setting up an ITI in the district at Rs 5 crore.

Since Grasim Industries is keen to put up a three-million tonne capacity cement plant in Koraput district, the products of the two polytechnics in Koraput and Malkangiri districts will have better job prospects, sources added.

Apart from 14 Government ITIs and 10 women polytechnics, there are 147 private industrial training centres (ITCs) in the State. About 125 blocks of the State do not have ITIs and the State Government has already initiated a move to establish at least one in each block through private initiatives.

The Government has also decided to set up a few special technical institutes in the State. While plumbing institute will be set up at Pattamundai in Kendrapara, Ganjam will have a special institute for gems and jewellery processing.

iits.11thplan - Contact address of the President, PM, Mrs. Gandhi, etc.

iits.11thplan - Contact address of the President, PM, Mrs. Gandhi, etc.

I'll stay away from politics: Ramdev

I'll stay away from politics: Ramdev : baba ramdev, cancer, yoga, politics : IBNLive.com : CNN-IBN

I'll stay away from politics: Ramdev

Posted Monday , January 01, 2007 at 23:26
HOLY CLAIMS: Ramdev says people are now interfering in his work.

New Delhi: Continuing his spate of claims, on Monday, yoga guru Ramdev said that regular practice of seven breathing exercises or pranayams popularised by him had successfully 'cured' cancer within six to nine months.

"I have no intention to get into any controversy. I am doing my job, let others do their job," PTI quoted him as saying, referring to comments by Union Health Minister Ramadoss who had doubted his claim that serious ailments could be cured through yoga.

He added that the problem lay in the fact that people were interfering in his work. It was his resolve not to have anything to do with politics, he said.

He claimed that cancer of the breast, liver, prostate, uterus, pituitary gland, brain tumours and even leukaemia, could be cured by practicing the seven breathing exercises.

Ramdev asserted that his claims were based on documentation and that hundreds of patients had already been cured of such ailments.

He explained that though that allopathy was needed in emergencies, one should not dismiss time-tested yogic exercises.

“Otherwise, the health department should be renamed as allopathy department and the health minister as allopathy minister," PTI quoted him as saying.

The guru is on an eight-day visit to Orissa and is scheduled to hold a six-day yoga science camp from January 3.