Row over Govt-industrialists nexus
The BJD wanted to project the Mahanadi as a political issue ahead of the last PRI elections but failed as there were few takers. The BJP, which the BJD targeted with the river issue, rather registered an unexpected victory and created a flutter in the ruling camp. This was before the tribunal was formed. Meanwhile, the lawfully empowered National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Chhattisgarh Government to stop work in the barrages under construction. Both Chhattisgarh and Odisha are responsible for the current Mahanadi row because of their excess leaning towards the industrialists who provide funds for election purpose. The poor farmers can never think of donation to political parties and hence, are good for nothing. But then the water consuming industries also cannot be deprived of the required water. Only an excess of it will raise a controversy. So, there has to be a quantitative balance between industry and agriculture. Finally, one can say that the Mahanadi row is over Government – industrialist nexus, rather than any concern for the safety of the ecology of the river.
Odisha tourism still neglected
A negligible increase in foreign and domestic footfall at tourist spots during the last four years beginning 2014 has made the Government responsible as there is lack of patronage. In the absence of an inclusive tourism development plan, let alone its execution, the sector having unlimited potential for employment generation has failed to grow as expected. From the statement of Tourism Minister Ashok Panda that eight tourist police cells have been opened at important tourist places and tourist police patrolling is also on shows the concern for safety of tourists. These police cells cover Puri, Chandrabhaga, Dhauli, Gopalpur, Nandankanan, lingaraj Temple, Satpada and Chandipur. What about Harishankar-Nrushinghnath, Vedvyas-Khandadhar and the Patara dam of Nuapada or the Pradhanpat water fallIJ The result is, though there has been a steady growth in the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists to the State, the number of foreign tourists has stagnated at around one lakh. The ambitious ‘UDAN’ scheme of the Government to provide air connectivity to the hinterland of the State has failed to keep up with several dates of launch. This also is partly responsible to stem the growth rate in tourist arrivals. It is heartening to listen to Minister Panda, saying the State has embarked on an aggressive marketing strategy to promote and position Odisha as a preferred tourist destination in the country and world at large.
B’swar villagers cast vote in WB polls
The Sankhamedi village of Odisha is named Bairajakishore in West Bengal. The persistent conflict between Odisha and West Bengal over demarcation of border saw residents of Sankhamedi exercise their franchise in Bengal panchayat elections recently. Voters of the village in Baleswar district cast their votes in West Bengal alleging that the Odisha Government is doing little for their welfare. The villagers possess voter I- cards of both the States and cast their votes during election in both States. The Election Commission has taken notice of it but has not taken any action to prevent it. Odisha is at loggerheads with West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh over border disputes for several decades now for at least 96 villages in 10 districts. The State has disputes with West Bengal over six villages in Baleswar and eight villages in Mayurbhanj district.
Boons showered on Balangir
Balangir, of late, is getting several boons under Government schemes. The foundation stone laying of Odisha’s 5th Gas Bottling Plant at Barkhani will go down in the history as one of the developmental milestones. Similar is the new medical college story where admissions will start this year. All these are but reflection of a positive mind of the people. Be that as it may, drinking water or water for irrigation being the basic needs of the people, the lower Suktel Project should be completed. Presently, the Suktel project is progressing at a snail’s pace like the lower Indra and the Ret project- two prominent irrigation projects of neighbouring Nuapada and Kalahandi districts. It is high time, the mindset of the people changed and all obstacles in the way of the project cleared.