IRRESPONSIBLE REPORTING BY A DAILY REPORTER CREATES PANIC IN THE STATE

A leading daily of Odisha carried a headline in today that 'ADM, BDO and JE have been kidnapped' in the Chandrapir block of Rayagada district, which incidently is the most naxal affected block in the district. This sent a panic wave in not just the district, but also in the entire state and ripples are felt in the state capital as well. Infact yesterday itself the electronic channel of the same media group carried a news item that the BDO Chandrapur has been kidnapped. Within hours the district police inquired and found that the news item is false and all concerned, including the media persons were informed accordingly. However inspite of this the media group in its daily has carried in the front page headline news of abduction of BDO, ADM and JE, which is nothing but a clear case of irresponsible reporting.

It is said that this irresponsible reporting from the reporter daily has been critized by the members of the press themselves, who are told to have said that this is a an attempt of individual reporter to gain public attention by engaging in sensationalism, unmindful of the effect it will have on the relatives of those who are falsely said to have been kidnapped, in particular and govt officials and people in general.

This episode further brings to fore the issue of standards and accountability of media perssons.A senior citizen in Rayagada has said that media has a very important role to play in a democracy and all sorts of freedom is given to them. However with this kind of mindset, the freedom is more often than not, misused.
People in general, in the district, are seen to be very angry about this behaviour from the otherwise reputed media house and there is demand to call for their explanation by the government.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARENESS CAMP IN RAYAGADA

An entrepreneurship awareness camp was organised by the District Employment office in UGMIT Polytechnic in Rayagada today.

LABOUR UNREST SOLVED IN JK PAPERMILL

The deadlock due to the labour unrest that was going on for more than 10 day in JK paper mill finnaly came to an end on 25th Dec. After rounds of meetings and negotiations between the managent and one contractual labour union, the matter could not be solved. Initially the demand was of wage parity between the contractual and regular unskilled labour. From the earlier daily wage rate of 102 odd plus 7 more in form of subsidies, the labour unions demanded a wage hike of Rs. 200, taking the daily wages to more than Rs. 300. For a week there was no decision. The district administration had intervened through the District Labour officer, making it very clear that it will only facilitate the negotiations and limit its role to checking whether minimum wages and entitlements are given or not. The district administration had made it very clear that it wont decide anything about the quantum of hike and as a bench mark, it suggested the minimum wage that is given in MGNREGS, i.e Rs. 125.

The district administration intervened directly for three times to solve the deadlock, which was getting worse, with the labour union representatives taking law in to their own hands and physically obstructing willing workers and even housemaids of officers from entering the premises. The situation changes only after a stern warning from the side of the district administration, that those involved in lawlessness will be taken to task, irrespective of its repercussions on the industrial climate.

After coming down their initial stand of not accepting anything less than equal pay for daily wage contractual labourers with those of regular ones, the discussion then finally came to deciding the wage hike. after series of negotiations it was finally agreed by both the sides that the daily wages will be hiked to Rs. 150, which happens to be the highest in the area and on an agreement that there wont be any more hike even if the minimum wage is revised by teh government and it happens to be below this agreed hike.

Sub Collector Rayagada, Sri. Mishra and dist labour officer played a major role in in diffusing the crisis.

EX MLA RAYAGADA AND VETERAN CONGRESS LEADER RAMCHANDRA ULAKA PASSES AWAY

Sri. Ramchandra Ulaka, Ex MLA Rayagada and a senior congress leader passed away at a ripe age of 78 in Bhubaneshwar yesterday, due to cardiac stroke.
Sri. Ulaka had was 6 time MLA and 2 time MP. He was also a cabinet minister for two terms. He was born in a small village in Kalyansinghpur block and rose to the ranks by sheer hard work. His political career started in 1962 when he was elected to the Loksabha and continued in active politics till his death.
Collector Rayagada visited the family and paid his respects to the dpearted soul. "The district has lost a great son, one who had guided its development during his long political career. This void is difficult to fill", he said.
People from all walks of life are expressing their condolences to the bereaved family and are paying homage to this great tribal leader.
FOSM pays tribute to this great soul.

LINK TO RI, ARI, AMIN RECRUITMENT EXAM ADVERTISEMENT RAYAGADA

VISIT OF DIG AND COLLECTOR RAYAGADA TO VILLAGES WITH CASES OF DEATHS AND SEVERE ILLNES DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF SALAPA

Collector Rayagada, along with BDO and Tahsildar Kolnora and with officials of Excise dept, visied the cluster of villages from where cases of severe illness and deaths due to consumption of contaminated Salapa were reported. The villages are Kumbhaiguda, Rodangi, Bada Khilapadar, Gundumai.

Earlier in the day, Sri. Soumendra Priyadarshi, IPS, DIG SWR also visited the area and assessed the situation in the villages showing cases of such severe illness. He also visited the patients in DHH Rayagada and interacted with them and their relatives.

Collector Rayagada visited the bereaved families and ensured them all the required support from the district administration. The BDO Kolnora has been instructed to extend benifit under National Family Benefit Scheme and to refer the case to Sub Collector Rayagada for widow pension.

 After local inquiry with the relatives of the deceased and the villagers in the locality including public representatives and SHGs, it has been seen that the incident has been due to consumption of Salapa, a toddy like liquid. The excise squads have taken some samples of the Salapa pots tied to the Salapa tree, wherein it was founds that it contained roots of some trees, locally called as Chera, which is used to ferment the Salapa, in Sunlight. This Chera at times becomes contaminant and results in food poisoning. There has been so far no indication towards any illegal distillation or circulation of spurious liquor in the locality in this matter.  However Collector Rayagada said that all angles are being examined and the root of this menace will be traced out.Meanwhile condition of those admitted in DHH Rayagada and MKCG medical college Berhmapur, is said to be stable.

CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED SALAP ( TODDY LIKE INTOXICANT) LEADS TO DEATH AND SEVERE ILLNESS IN KOLNORA

The district administration its its letter to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary Excise dept has informed that it received reports of severe illness of some people of Badakhilapdar village in Kolnara Block reportedly due to consumption of Salap along with Meat during a Bhoji ( ceremonial feast) after completion of thrashing of paddy yesterday.

Of the 9 patients that were admitted to District Headquarters Hospital Patnanu Lanta, 26 years (Gold Smith) S/o Patnanu Anand Rao, and Lacha Peribaka (45 Years), S/o Diudu Peribaka expired. Of the rest 7 , two patients namely Sri Ramachandra Achary(35 Years), Sri Prunachadra Kondagori (50 years) have already been shifted to MKCG Medical College Hospital, Berhampur for higher treatment.

 Massive enforcement measures have been ordered in that area by Collector Rayagada. The officers of excise and police department have formed squads and are monitoring the entire area. On the basis of reports received so far from the villages and also from the relatives of the patients its revealed that the cases of sever illness have occurred due to consumption of Salapa along with Meat and Rice.

 The Sub-Collector, Rayagada who was directed by Collector Rayagada to move to the area and take stock of the situation visited the Badakhilapodar village along with SDPO and Kolnora IIC and inquired in detail about the incident. His observation is that the patients,who are admitted to DHH , Rayagada, had consumed the Salapa from one particular source and the extracted Salap might have been contaminated. This has been testified by the villagers in the locality during his visit. The situation is under control and there have been no further cases as such. However, all the officers in that area have been instructed to monitor the situation closely.

 So far there is nothing to indicate that this incident has occurred due to consumption of illicit liquor. However, deaths of persons due to this and subsequent development are being monitored closely and necessary steps to keep the situation under control. Also the charge of Excise Superintendent has been given to Sub-Collector,Rayagada which was earlier with Deputy Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada . These facts have also been appraised to he office of Hon'ble CM and to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Southern Division.

ODISHA SAHITYA AKADEMI CONDUCTS SAHITYA SAMMELAN IN RAYAGADA

A Sahitya Sammelan ( Lieterary Symposium) was conducted in the town of Rayagada Municipality today. The sammelan was to be inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister for SC/ST development, Sri. Lal Bihari HImirika, but because of important assembly work, he could not attend. The function was graced by the presence of eminent literary figures from Odisha, such as Prof. Tikayatrai whose was Chairman of the Odisha Bhasha Pratishtan. Collector Rayagada was the guest of honor.

 The sammelan included deliberations on the literary matters, followed by a Kavi Sammelan. The theme this time was ' tribal cultural and languages'. The speakers deliberated in length on matters related to development of Odia language and culture. The speakers reiterated their demand for recognition of Odia as a classical language.

 Collector Rayagada stressed the need to develop and protect tribal languages and for the asme, he informed that a society has been formed named, 'Kui Sanskruti Nehi Kutumi', with the help of eminent citizens well versed with the Kui language of the Kandha tribals, spoke over large tracts of Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi and Kandhamal. The primary task of the society is to collect various tribal literature, including folklores and songs and publish them. Another major task is to decide about the script of the Kui language.

4TH ORIENTATION PROGRAM-CUM- PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR JR. CLERKS CONDUCTED

After the recruitment of Jr. clerks in the district, the district administration has been conducting orientation programs meant for updating the skills of the ministerial staff. Three such programs were conducted by the district administration. This time along with orientation, it was decided by Collector Rayagada to conduct an appraisal test for the newly recruited clerks to assess their competence win day to day work.V. Jayakumar, IAS,Sub Collector Gunupur conducted the program. He gave a presentation about noting, drafting and different types of letters that are used for different purposes. Along with him, some senior and experienced ministerial staff trained the newly appointed ones about various skills that a good clerk should learn and imbibe.

DROUGHT SITUATION GETS CRITICAL IN RAYAGADA DISTRICT

Collector Rayagada in his letter to the Special Relief Commissioner has informed that in Rayagada District the drought like situation has become precarious and as things stand 145 out of 171 Gramapanchayats ( list given separately) have shown crop loss of more than 50 %.( Paddy as well as Non-paddy) The situation was fine till the first week of October,2011 because of intermittent rains. However, by the start of November, 2011 things started to get worse as there was no rain fall there after. Even in those G.Ps. where the crop loss is not reported to be more than 50 % there is still heavy crop loss in the range of 30 to 40 %. Winter crop cutting experiments are going on in full swing in the district and a detailed report will submitted based on the findings of this joint crop cutting experiments, as prescribed by the Relief code, by the end of December, 2011. However, based on this latest findings from the field, it is seen that more than 45% of the total cultivable area has already reported crop loss to the tune of more than 50%. The situation has become very critical and Collector Rayagada has requested the government to declare the entire district as drought affected. Given below is the list of the GPs having more than 50% crop loss.

OTELP REVIEW: BACKYARD POULTRY & GOATERY

RAYAGADA POLICE SEIZE MAJOR ARMS DUMP OF NAXALS

 Rayagada Police have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunitions from a Maoist dump located in the dense forest surrounded Situagudi village of  Chandrapur  block bordering Phulbani district on Monday.

15 landmines weighing 5 kg each, 18 Tiffin carriers used for making bomb, 14 country-made guns, 6 pressure bombs, 50 detonator empty cases,17 detonators, 6 gun barrels, 8 12 bore rounds,5 HE grenades,6 country made bullets,5 wire bundles and Maoist literatures have been recovered from the dump.

Superintendent of Police Anoop Krishna said the dump was made by Maoist leader Azad 2-3 years back and was to be put to use to carry out major attack in the district and the neighboring areas. Particularly after the elimination of Kishenji, there were intelligence reports of major retributive action from the side of the naxals. The seizure of this cache therefore assumes great importance and has certainly helped in averting what could have other been a major setback for the police forces engaged in anti Maoist operations.

 This seizure happens to be another major achievement of Rayagada Police this year after the major encounter in the Kashipur area, where more than 13 Maoists were killed in exchange of fire with the forces.

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BODY BUILDING COMPETITION IN RAYAGADA

As a part of the ongoing Yuva Mohatsava ( Youth festival), whichis organized as a part of the state level festival by sports department, a body building competitiion was organized in Rayagada town hall today. The idea of district level body building competition was mooted when some body builders came to call on Collector Rayagada after having won some competition. The district administration was then planning the dist level youth festival. Collector Rayagada proposed to include a body building competition as  part of the youth festival and the district sports officer, Sri. Satyanarayan Senapati coordinated with the concerned officials and people in general to organize this competition.
Many youth from poor background, most of them belonging to tribal communities, participated with great enthusiasm in this competition. Body building is a resource intensive task. For a person from poor background, maintaining the levels of nutrition and at the same time supporting the family is a tight rope walk. It is only their passion and dedicated to this art or sport whatever one may like to call it, that inspite of all hardships and impediments, these boys dedicate themselves to this task. To encourage them cash prizes were given instead of trophies or shields. Some of the prizes were sponsored by Collector Rayagada himself. While addressing the participants, Collector Rayagada told them that their strength and skills will be put to best use, if it is used in the interest of the society and to help protect the poorer and weaker sections of the society.
Many persons from Rayagada district who were into body building, but have ceased to be actively associated with this aport, had come to see this competition i the Town hall of Rayagada Municipality, which was more than filled to its capacity.

SELECTION OF EXCISE CONSTABLES

The Excise Commissioner, Odisha has sanctioned three posts of Excise Constable to Rayagada district vide their letter No-4923/Ex., dated 11.7.2011 and the roster wise vacancies were published centrally in Odia dailies. The roster wise vacancies are as follows: 
1. S.C. (Women)------------01
2. U.R.(Male)-----------------01
 3. S.T. (Male)-----------------01

 As per the guidelines of the Excise Commissioner, Odisha a District Level Selection Ccommittee was formed comprising of the Collector as Chairman, Supdt. of Police, District Sports Officer and District Welfare Officer as members and the Supdt. of Excise as Member-Convener to scrutinize the application, measure the physical standard and conduct the physical and written test. In response to the Notification 94 (Ninety four) applications were received within the stipulated date i.e. by 30.09.2011 and 02 (two) applications received after due date on 10. 10.2011 and 12.10.2011. After formation of the Committee, 1st meeting was conducted on 08.11.2011 & 9.11.2011 to scrutinize the applications. The following members & their nominees were present.

 1. Sri Durga Prasad Mahapatro, O.A.S-I, Tahasildar, Rayagada (nominee of the Collector-Cum-Chairman)
2. Sri V.R.Rao, Dy. Supdt. Of Police, Rayagada (nominee of the Supdt. of Police, Rayagada)
3. Sri Ganeswar Bharimal A.D.W.O., Rayagada (Nominee of D.W.O.)
4. Sri Satya Narayana Senapati, District Sports Officer, Rayagada
5. Sri Bijay Kumar Mishra, O.E.S-II, I/c Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada Member-Convener.

 The two applications received after the due date has not been taken into consideration & rejected by the Committee and kept in the closed cover. The remaining 94 (Ninety four) applications along with the proforma biodata were placed before the Committee for scrutiny. It is seen that, Some of the applicants from general and SEBC category have deposited the application fee in shape of I.P.O. instead of Bank draft as required in the notification. It is also seen that, although there is no vacancy notified for S.C. (Male) category, 19 applications were received from S.C. Male category. In this regard the Excise Commissioner, Odisha vide their letter No-8018/Ex., dated 09.11.2011 has clarified that, there is no legal bar to accept Indian Postal Order subject to decision of the District Selection Committee and the S.C. (Male) candidates applied shall be considered against U.R. category.

Hence, it was decided by the committee that, all the candidates those who have deposited the application fee through I.P.O shall be allowed to physical test and all the S.C. (Male) candidates shall be allowed against U.R. category. Out of the 94 (ninety four) applications, 25 (twenty five) application were rejected due to the defects mentioned against each of their names in annexure-A and reflected in the register. Hence, The committee was finally decided to issue call letters to the 69 (Sixty Nine) (64 male + 05 female) candidates to appear for the physical measurement and Physical Test on 28.11.2011 & 29.11.2011.

 On 28.11.2011 all the members of the recruitment committee were remain present during physical measurement test. The D.S.P., Rayagada & A.D.W.O., Rayagada were present on behalf of the S.P., Rayagada & D.W.O., Rayagada respectively. The Tahasildar, Rayagada was also present as the nominee of the Collector, Rayagada. Out of 69 candidates 16 candidates (15 male + 1 female) were remained absent in the physical measurement test. The original documents of the remaining 53 candidates were verified and the physical measurement was done in presence of all the members at R.S.E.W.C. Govt. High School, J.S.Co., Rayagada. Out of 53 candidates (49 male + 4 female), 27 candidates (25 male + 02 female) were disqualified in physical measurement.

 The remaining 26 candidates (male-24 & female-02) were selected for physical efficiency test held on the same day ie. on 28.11.2011. In the Physical Efficiency test, broad Jump was conducted initially and out of 26 candidates 05 candidates (04 male + 01 female) were dis-qualified in broad jump. The details of broad jump and the marks obtained by the candidates is enclosed in two sheets for both male and female candidates separately as annexure-IV & V respectively. The rest 21 (male-20 + female-1) candidates were called to appear for 1.6 kms Run. In the event 15 (male-14 + 1 female) candidates were dis-qualified.

 No further events were conducted for female candidates as all the female candidates were dis-qualified. The remaining 06 male candidates were called for Rope climbing. Out of six male candidates one candidate disqualified in Rope climbing.

Hence, the remaining 05 male candidates were called for high jump and Swimming test for the very next day i.e on 29.11.2011 On 29.11.2011 all the provisionally selected 05 male candidates were present before the committee and appeared for high jump. All the candidates were qualified in the high jump.

 After completion of high jump test, all the 05 eligible candidates were called for swimming test. The swimming test was taken up at a pond located near village “Munising” under Chandili P.S. All precautionary measure was taken for the safety of the candidates. As per the guidelines, swimming test was conducted for 40 mtrs. All the above 05 candidates were qualified in the swimming test.

 The academic performance of the 05 candidates was also verified from the original certificates of the candidates. As none of the candidates have obtained 41% or more in the H.S.C examination as required, so the marks against the academic performance is found to be zero for all the candidates.

 As per the notification made by the Excise Commissioner, Odisha the candidates those who were qualified in the physical measurement and physical test called for written test. The written test was conducted on 11.12.2011 at 11.30 AM in the D.R.D.A. Conference Hall, Rayagada in presence of all the members and Chairman-cum-Collector, Rayagada. After completion of the written test all the answer sheets were kept in a closed cover under proper seal in presence of the members and the candidates and handed over to the Chairman of the District Level Selection Committee.

 A final mark list have been prepared indicating the marks obtained in physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test is kept in records. The final merit list have been prepared on the basis of final marks obtained by the candidates in the physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test. The detailed merit list is noted below.

 01 28 Gen Sri Santosh Chatti Merit No. -01
 02 29 Gen Sri Raj Mohan Deo Merit No. -02
 03 76 S.C. Sri Chandan Pani Merit No. -03
 04 42 S.T. Sri Niranjan Majhi Merit No. -04
 05 81 S.C. Sri Akula Raja Merit No. -05

 According to the final merit list, Sri Santosh Chatti (UR) and Sri Niranjan Majhi (ST) was selected as Excise Constable against UR and ST category respectively. As none of the lady candidates qualified in the physical efficiency test, the Committee has decided to put forth the matter before the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for filling up the vacancy against SC women. The committee concluded the process and requested the Member- Convener to send all the required documents, broad sheets, mark sheets to the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for kind approval.

VISIT OF WORLD FOOD PROGRAM TEAM TO RAYAGADA

The World Food Program team headed by Mr. Torben Due, Director Operations and comprising of Mr. John Aylieff, Deputy Regional Director for Asia, Mr. Peter Rodrigues Senior program advisor, Office of Deputy Executuve Director Operations, Ms. Mihoko Tamamura, Representaive & Country head for India WFP, Mr. Micheal Jensen, Deputy Country Director India WFP, visited Rayagada district today to asses the progress and future requirements of the Biometric based targeted PDS project that is being implemented in the Rayagada district. Ms. Ravneet Kaur IAS, Joint Secretary from the ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India was also present.
Collector Rayagada, Dr. Nitin.B.Jawale, IAS gave a presentation on the project in general and the latest issues in particular as given below:




After the inauguration of the project on 18th August 2010, number of errors were detected in the database such as wrong classification of a beneficiaries ( BPL being classified as APL), mistakes in names, village and Gram Panchayat names and like. The quantum of such mistakes was about 5% of the database of about 1.9 lakh odd. Also there was the issue of the persons whose names figured in the 1997 BPL survey, but were not included in the 2002 survey, but still were enrolled under this project and were issued with Biometric based smart cards or bar coded cards and coupons. The allotment for such beneficiaries is an issue that needs to be sorted out, as the district administration does not get allotment for these beneficiaries.Lastly the issue of left out households remains.
These impediments prevented the full and final roll out of this project in the form of generation of computerized MIS. For a year district administration with the support of WFP had been working at rectifying the errors in the database and at this stage, as things stands, most of the wrong classification cases have been rectified and their cards sent for printing by WFP. The district administration will distribute these cards as soon as it receives from WFP. Also for the enrollment of the left out families, which again forms about 5% of the total database of household, 2 mobile vans have been kept at the disposal of the district administration. Only if the issue of the households who have already been issued biometric based cards, but fro whom the district administration does not receive allotment, is sorted out by either the Govt of India or the state govt, the district administration will be in a position to operationalize the MIS in full. This will then make this project a model to be replicated elsewhere in the state or the country.
Inspite of these glithces the project implematation has ensured that about 22,000 bogus/ ghost cards were eliminated and leakages and pilferages in the PDS were effectively checked, which resulted in the saving of Rs. 3 crore sin one year in this district alone.
Because of the specific last mile issues and problems, the Collector Rayagada stressed the need for enhancing the handholding period by WFP for another year, after the the previous duration ends in May 2012.
In the afternoon the team visited the Maitree Fair Price Shop in Rayagada Municipality area and the Penta GP office, which also acts as a FPS. The team closely examined the working of this system in urban areas, where the essential commodities are distributed by the way of a PoS ( Point of Sale) device, which reads the biometric based smart cards and in the rural area, the system, which is based of bar coded card and coupons.

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, SRI. MURLIDHAR BHANDARE, GOVERNOR OF ODISHA

RAYAGADA CHAITI 2011 SPECIAL

COTTON PROCUREMENT MEETING CONDUCTED

Rayagada district is one of the few cotton growing districts in the state of Odisha. This year due to less than normal rainfall the cotton crop is likely to suffer. In this backdrop the cotton procurement meeting was conducted in the Rayagada on 29.11.11 in the DRDA conference hall. Other than Collector Raygada and officials of the Agriculture depy, such as Deputy Director Agriculture and Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) cotton, the meeting was attended by cotton millers, Representative of Cotton corporation of India (CCI) and the agencies which are a part of contract farming in this district.
One of the major development is that unlike last year, the cotton will be procured at Minimum Support Price, as was the practice in the years previous to last one. Last year CCI had decided to do away with the MSP and instead the farmers had to sell their produce at the prevalent market rate.
Also the issue of non flowering of the seed provided by one agency, Pratibha Syntex was raised by Collector Rayagada. The representatives of Pratibha Syntex were told to explain about the situation. According tho them , the had supplied the JK Durga variety, which was supplied last year also and there was no problem with germination or flowering. The seeds were supplied by one Naveen Jain from Madhya Pradesh and it was apparently the same variety as last year. However it remains to be understood as to why the germination and flowering did not occur this year. Collector Rayagada categorically told them, that the responsibility is squarely theirs and one thousand odd farmers that have procured seed from them need to be compensated properly. Since there has been no problem with the seeds supplied by the other two agencies, it is inferred that the seeds supplied by Pratibha Syntex were of spurious quality and has lead to loss to the farmers. Collector Raygada stressed the need to compensate the farmers who have sustained loss, as Cotton cultivation is a capital intensive task and any failure may lead to serious repercussion.
SMS cotton informed the house that this year the yield will be reduced from 18 bales per acre to 12 , due to bad rains.