NEW YEAR GREETINGS

CHAITI 2010

RAIDS ON RICE MILLS

Enforcement activity from civil supplies side is in full swing in Rayagada with the administration conducting raids on rice millers with active support of district police. Raids were conducted in Rayagada, Gunupur and Muniguda on more than 10 rice mills. A good amount of rice meant for PDS was siezed. In one mill itself more than 5000 bags were siezed. Prima facie it was revealed that subsidised rice from not only Rayagada, but also from neighbouring district of Koraput ( narayanpatna, Bamdhugaon and Laxmipur) and from Andhra Pradesh is smuggled and dispatched from Rayagada, which acts as a hub for interstate blackmarketing of PDS. Rice bags from the supplies dept of Haryana were found in one mill, which indicates of an interstate network. Cases are being booked under EC act and the district administration has promised stringent action against the offenders. The raids come at a time when paddy procurement is to begin. This encforcement drive will surely help to curb the malpractices in the procurement system and help achieve the goal of providing the farmers their rightful entitlement in form of MSP and break the cycle of piferage of essential commidities. 


WORLD FOOD PROGRAM TEAM EVALUATES BIOMETRIC BASED TPDS

World food programme team arrived in Rayagada for the evaluation of the Biometric based Targeted PDS program in this district. The team consisted of Mr. Iqbal Subhan form Bangladesh, Ms. Bhatia and Ms. Pradnya Paithankar from WFP offices from Bangkok and Delhi respectively. The team after discussing with the BDOs and officers of Civil supplies dept, the team visited some Fair price shops where the rations to see how the ration is issued in the Biometric based TPDS. This Biometric based TPDS system has eliminated more than 20000 bogus/ ghost cards and this move itself has brought a saving of Rs. 3.5 crore per month in Rayagada district alone. This has shout the mouth of all distractors of this program, who have been constantly harping on the glitches in the program, like data errors and exclusion of some genuine people. This aspect was explained to the WFP evaluation team and also that efforts are being taken cover the left out population. Another important aspect of this program is that Rayagada is the only district in the state in which 2002 BPL list is followed for Biometric enumeration.
The WFP team then visited the Kumtilpeta Gram panchayat area where, as in other rural parts of the district, PDS is issued to the people with bar coded coupons. All biometric data of the rural population is collected and bar coded cards have been provided to them.

APARTMENT CULTURE COMES TO RAYAGADA

Rayagada is one of the fastest growing urban centre in southern Orissa. Population has almost doubled from 57000, what it was as per 2001 census. With boom in industrialisation by the way of upcoming mega projects such as Utkal Alumina, Aditya alumina, RSB Metaliks and number of ancillary industries, coupled with the availability of good rail and road communication facilities, there has been influx of people from all around. There are already four Engineering Colleges and one medical college is in the offing. It is because of this that there has been increasing demand for housing in this town. Since there has been a chronic shortage of leasable land, there is no alternative but raising apartments to meet this housing demand. Of late no of apartments have been raised and more are to come. This booming urbanisation is bound to put lot os stress ob the civic amenties for which the Urban Local Bodies need to gear up.alreday Municipality has undertaken widening of internal roads keeping in view the congestion that is seen now and will only increase in the future.


RICE PROCUREMENT MEETING HELD

RICE PROCUREMENT MEETING HELD
Though not a mojor procurement district, Rayagada district has a good produce of rice, particularly in the plain valley tracts of Rayagada, Gunupur and Padampur areas. Hence procurement is an important activity and to streamline the years procurement a meeting was held on 19.11.2010 under the chairmanship of Collector Rayagada and was attended by sub collector-cum-chairman Regulated Marketing Committee of Rayagada and Gunupur and officials of RMCs and civil supplies dept. Farmers and Pani panchayat representatives also attended the meeting. The procurement process, it was decided , should be such that a farmer should not be required to travel more than 10 kms for selling his produce. However considering the geography of districts like Rayagada it is not laways possible to follow the norms. However the administration is commited to minimise the distance between the farmer and the mandi and it is out of this vision that two mor eprocurement centres are to be set up in Chandrapur and Padampur blocks. Aslo all efforts are being mad e to check the exploitation from the middle men. The drails of procurement plan are as follows. 


COTTON PROCUREMENT IN RAYAGADA

COTTON PROCUREMENT STARTED IN RAYAGADA
Rayagada is one of the very few districts in Orissa which has a good produce of cotton. Gunupur sub division of Rayagada is the major cotton growing area of this district. There have been lot of issues relating to cotton procurement in the prwvious years, but all sorts of measures were taken to ensure that the cultivator gets the Minimun support price. Cotton corporation of India is the procuring agency from the government side, besides a number of private licence holders are also allowed to procure cotton from the RMC mandis. The major issue rhis year is that the CCI wil procuring the cotton not at the MSP, but at the prevailing market rate determibed by the mumbau head office. To safe guard the interest of the farmers the district administration has instructed the RMCs to test check 20 % of the cotton growing farmers, whther they have got the right price for their produce and to ensure that there is no distress sale to private parties. Also they have been instructed to videograph atleast one hour of procurement transactions at different times of the day to ensure transperancy in the procurement process. 
This year owing to the cyclonic rain in the month of october and november there has been a crop loss of about 25%. This is likely to hit the farmers.


DONGARIA KANDH TROUPE PERFORMS IN MALYAVANT FESTIVAL 2010, MALKANGIRI

GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY CELEBRATIONS AT RAYAGADA:

On eve of "Global Handwashing Day" ( i.e. 27th October), RWSS dept. Rayagada organised awareness camp among school children at High school, Penta GP, Rayagada. This district lelvel fuction attended by DPC, Rayagada & other officers of the Rayagada district.

ENCROACHMENT REMOVAL IN RAYAGADA TOWN

As a part of the road widening of the town portion to four lane in Rayagada town, road side encroachments were removed on 25/10/10. The preparation fo rthe same had started five months back , with the district administration identifying the encroachments.
Encroachments, particularly urban road side ones are a major obstacle to development projects as urbanization is increasing in Orissa. with the increasing population there is tremendous pressure on the roads and other infrastructure. the biggest problems relating to this menace is traffic congestion and unhygienic surroundings and road side encroachers more often than not dispose their garbage in front of the shops and on the road itself. with increasing awareness among people, even the genera; public raises voices against such nuisance causing encroachments, which are brought about by land mafias in many cases.
The eviction process began early in th e morning and by dusk most of the road side encroachments were either removed or sized. The most appreciable thing in this whole process, according to the district administration, is the support and cooperation of the local people, including that from some encroachers themselves.
Along with eviction there arises an issue of rehabilitation and the district administration has expressed its willingness to go ahead with the rehabilitation plan , whatever is possible and within the purview of law.

RAYAGADA MAHOTSAV PREPARATION STARTED

The district cultural festival, which is a tradition in south Orissa, particularly undivided Koraput, will be organized in Rayagada in the second week of December tentatively.

This year the festival will be kick started from a historical, culturally or geographically important remote location in the district.the cultural troupes from different states, from other districts of Orissa and from the district will be show casing their art and culture.

The preparatory committee meeting was held in DRDA conference hall in Rayagada today and was attended by prominent citizens of Rayagada along with media persons and officials. Collector Rayagada solicited the cooperation of all the citizens from all walks of life to make this festival a success.

These type of festivals are non official and informal initiative of the people at large, supported by the district administration. These type of festival not only provide for cultural exchange and thereby leading to cultural enrichment, but also infuse a new vigour in hte society, something which can only be experienced by being in the thick of things. It precisely because of this that these kind of cultural festivals are very popular in these parts of the country.

any help from anybody in this matter will be highly appreciated by the District council of culture , headed by the Collector Rayagada.

VISIT OF PLANNING COMMISION TEAM 20.10.2010

The three member team of the planning commission comprising of Prof. Abhijit Sen (Member Orissa), Sri. L.P.Shankar Senior Advisor, Dr. Indu Patnaik, Deputy Advisor, visited Rayagada district on 20.10.2010. They accompanied by Sri. Kar , Additional secetary Planning and Coordiantion dept. Govt of Orissa.
The team visited the villages in Kashipur block that had shown cholera cases and deaths thereof. The first village to be visited was Bahardulki, in Kashupur where 4 people had died of diarhheal disease in the month of September 2010. The team intercated withe the local people about various other problems, including the availability of safe drunking water, progress of NREGS. The villagers informed the planning commision members that the biggest problem was that of the road communication. Since these villages are in the Reserve forest area, no road has been constructed. It is only after the intervention of the district administration through NREGS that ghat cutting and morrum road formation was done last year, that the area can now be reached by a vehicle. The district administration has further directed Executive Engineer Rural Works to make a project proposal for a PMGSY roads from Perpa to Bandhamandi, via Bahardulki ( 22 kms) and forward it for the approval of forest dept. The team also visited the houses of the deceased and examined the condition of the tube wells which were in running condition. There had been allegations of the tube wells being defunct and being repaired only afte the deaths, however no subsatnace was found in these allegations.
The team further visited the Siripai and Bandhamandi areas of kashipur where temporary treatment centres were set up during the cholera out break. From Bandhamandi the team entered the Kalyansinghpur block area and visited the Shikarpai PHC( N) which was an important treatment centre for diarrhea cases during the outbreak last month. The team saw two more temporary treatment centres at serigumma and Lekhapai in Kalyansinghpur block, befire reaching Rayagada.
In the evening a meeting of all line dept heads, BDOs and Tahsildars of the district was called and the Planning commision team interacted with them about the developmentL initiatives in the is district inder various state and central govt schemes.

PUJA WISHES

BEST WISHES FOR DURGA PUJA AND DASHERA FROM THE FOSM, RAYAGADA TEAM.

DIARHHEAL DISEASE CONTROL FINAL PRESENTATION

ACTION RECOMMENDED AGAINST SC/ST SCHOOL HEADMISTRESS

Rayagada district administration has recommended the suspension of Smt. Arjyabala Mohanty head mistress of the Dongasil SC/ST school in Kashipur block of Rayagada district, on charges of gross negligence and mismanagement of the funds given to the school for various beneficial schemes, because of which some boarders had left the school. Smt. Mohanty has been in the past too, draft charged and recommended for suspension by the district administration. In this particular case, infighting between headmistress and other teachers is said to have aggravated the situation.

Instances of irresponsible behaviour on the part of teachers has been on rise and without exemplary action against such erring teachers, who have at times have brought shame to the teaching fraternity, the situation is unlikely to improve. The citizens of Rayagada district have expressed grave concern over this issue and requested the intervention of the district collector in this matter.

Mean while Rayagada Collector has instructed PA, ITDA and DWO Rayagada to go to the school and sort out the matter.

PRO INDUSTRIALIZATION RALLY OF DONGARIA KONDHS

( The below two articles and the pictures are the intellectual property of Sri. Ganesh Behera and are published with his permission.)

Dongrias Appeal to the Prime Minister
Monday, August 30, 2010

Bissam Cuttack: Rally by Kurli Bikash Parishad
The Dongria Kondh Tribes inhabiting the remote Niyamgiri Hills which has been hitting the National as well as International headlines; first for the proposed mining lease of the Orissa Mining Corporation and now for the cancellation of the same by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India based on incorrect facts. Attached with this blog is a Photograph of the memorandum signed and faxed by the Dongria Brethren to the Prime Minister of India requesting the cancellation of the decision pronounced by the MoEF, GoI with regards to denying Niyamgiri to be mined being provided to the Tahasildar. This letter justifies the fact that the Tribes are in support of the Corporate Houses’s initiatives for development and growth in the region through industrialization, infrastructural development, health initiatives, sustainable livelihood programmes and education initiatives for the localites. It is also the reflection of the fact that over all these years, it was being misinterpreted by the Civil Society as well as the Political establishment that the Dongria Kondhs had no aspirations for development and continued to lead a life of poverty and disgrace. Amongst the prominent community members handing over a copy of the memorandum to the Tahasildar were Tunia Jekasika, Nabaghana Wadakka, Purna Takiri, Suresh Wadakka, Daddi Hikakka etc.


Monday, September 01, 2010

Muniguda: Rally by Dangaria Bikash Parishad
The Dongria Kondh Tribes of Muniguda site inhabiting the remote Niyamgiri Hills which has been hitting the National as well as International headlines;Now the people came forward on the


Leadership of Saranga Kadraka EX-MLA,Drika kadraka-President of Dangaria Bikash Parishad with the tribal people to oppose the cancellation of the Phase 2 clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India based on incorrect facts. Attached with this blog is a Photograph of the memorandum signed and faxed by the Dongria People to the Prime Minister of India requesting the cancellation of the decision pronounced by the MoEF, GoI with regards to denying Niyamgiri to be mined being provided to the BDO ,Muniguda . This letter justifies the fact that the Tribes are in support of the Corporate Houses’s initiatives for development and growth in the region through industrialization, infrastructural development, health initiatives, sustainable livelihood programmes and education initiatives for the localities. It is also the reflection of the fact that over all these years, it was being misinterpreted by the Civil Society as well as the Political establishment that the Dongria Kondhs had no aspirations for development and continued to lead a life of poverty and disgrace. Amongst the prominent community members handing over a copy of the memorandum to the BDO are Ex MLA-Saranga Kadraka,President-Drika Kadraka,Ranga Kadraka,Dambaru Palkia,Binayak Naik,Raghu Takri,Prakash Jalaka,Uday Goud etc from all the community.

Jetendra Jakaka ,the 1st BCA student of Dongaria community who was moving last time with Rahul Gandhi at Ijurupa said that they need development. They need education,Livelihood,infrastructure . Towards development of his area mines is necessary.At beginning he and people were misguided by the Ngo fellows such as Amnesty Internationals,Survival international,Action aid.He has also gone to Nalco and saw all the development of people .Then he convinced and came forwards to make the area developed.As per him Vedanta Aluminum Ltd is a big company who has also working CSR activities for the tribals in the peripheral.CSR department has taken the Education, Health,Livelihood,infrastructure projects in a very good manner. The company is doing very good work by Mobile Health Unit, Leaf plate making ,Tribal orchard for the tribal’s , Free Computer Literacy center, Drinking water for dongarias, Solar light for villages,Roads ,Community centers, giving study facility for 15 dongaria students.GI sheet for dongarias, various Cultural functions.

NGO REUNITES GIRL WITH HER FAMILY

Laxmi Behera was lost at the Berhampur railway station two years back. She was 8 years old then. She landed at Therubali station in Rayagada and as she was crying, she was noticed by some one and given shelter. It is learnt that, she stayed with two families in these two years. When the activists of the local NGO named 'PREPARE' got to know of it, they embarked on the mission to trace out her family. through the network of NGOs, her family was traced back to Ganjam and the reunion was materialized in front of Collector Rayagada. DSWO, Rayagada Ms. Sanghamitra Kanungo helped in completing the formalities of identification.
countless children are lost every year for some reason or the other, but very rarely does a child is reunited with its a family. Along with being an emotional moment, it was also a moment of pride for all the public spirited individuals and organizations. Collector Rayagada personally met the family of Laxmi and the activists of 'PREPARE' and appreciated their efforts

PILFERAGE OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES FINED

Rayagada police under the able guidance of SP, Rayagada, Sri. Anoop Krishna, IPS, had in the past few months intensified its drive against illegal use of control commodities, after being empowered by the recent Control order amendment enabling Police officers not below the rank of inspector to seize illegally used control commodities. Accordingly 0n 6th August 2010, Rayagada Police in coordination with Civil supplies dept. had seized more than 20 domestic cylinders illegal;y being used for commercial purposes such as in road side dhabas and hotels.Similar raids were conducted din Chandili PS and Gunupur PS areas. One of the biggest catch was that of 140 cylinders seized from Ambadola PS area on 19th September 2010.
Accordingly cases were booked under sec 6A of EC Act and handed over to the court of Collector and District Magistrate Rayagada and trial was initiated. The court of District Magistrate Rayagada pronounced that in the 23 cases in Rayagada town area, the parties from which the domestic LPG cylinders were seized were proved guilty of contravening the provisions of the EC act and they were fined Rs. 10000/- per cylinder and further action under sec 7 of EC act was ordered.
There has been chronic shortage of LPG cylinders in Rayagada district and this efforts of Police and Civil supplies dept. will surely act as a deterrent against the rampant misuse of subsidized commodity meant for the poor and common people.

E-PEST SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME IN RAYAGADA

HOMAGE TO THE FATHER OF THE NATION

photo: courtesy Gouri studios

Sri. Yogendranath Parikh, grand son-in law of Mahatma Gandhi graced the occassion to remember the father of the nation on his anniversary in Rayagada. Sri. Parikh stressed the need to remind the values of non violence and satyagraha to the young generation, particularly in the naxal affected areas such as these. Sri. Parikh also stressed the need for Gandhian organisations to interlocute between extremists and the government.

Sri. Parikh had worked with Acharya Vinoba Bhave in the Bhoodan movement and had played an active role in Orissa for this movement.

Along with Mahatma Gandhi, another great leader, Lalbahadur Shastri, was also remembered on his birth anniversary. Children from various schools of Rayagada, participated in this function.

HON'BLE MoS, SRIKANT JENA VISITS RAYAGADA

HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZERS, SRIKANT JENA VISITED RAYAGADA DISTRICT IN 30.10.2010. AFTER ALIGHTING BY PLANE IN THERUBALI AIRSTRIP IN RAYAGADA, THE MINISTER PROCEEDED TO KASHIPUR , WHERE HE ASSESSED THE DIARRHEAL DISEASE SITUATION AND THE EFFORTS TO CONTROL IT. HE ALSO REVIEWED THE AVAILABILITY OF FERTILIZERS IN RAYAGADA DISTRICT. THERE HAS BEEN AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF UREA N THIS DISTRICT, BECAUSE OF LABOUR ISSUES IN PARADIP PORT, WHERE THE STOCKED FERTILIZER WAS NOT BEING UNLOADED BECAUSE OF LABOUR DISPUTES. OF LATE SITUATION HAS IMPROVED AND A RACK HAS BEEN DISPATCHED TO RAYAGADA.
HON'BLE MINSTER LEFT RAYAGADA IN THE AFTERNOON.

ALLEGED MOLESTOR TEACHER SUSPENDED

An Asst. teacher of a SC/ST high school in the Bankili village of Kolnora block has been placed under suspension by the Collector Rayagada, pending investigation of the charges of molestation of minor school girl against him.

Government in SC/ST welfare dept has been taking a strong note of such incidents and the strongest possible action will be taken, if the charges are proved in this matter, Collector Rayagada said.

SAMARTHYA SHIBIR ( DISABILITY DETECTION CAMP) TO BE ORGANISED SOON

For the want of an orthopedics specialist in the district, the disability detection camp ( Samarthya shibir) could not be conducted in Rayagada district for last some years. with the joining of an Orthopedic specialist in District HQ hospital, the district administration without wasting anymore time has decided to conduct such camps in the coming month. Survey work has already begun and camps will be conducted immediately after the Durga puja. The district administration wants to ensure that no genuine handicapped persons are left uncovered. Necessary assistance in the form of aids and pensions form government schemes will be immediately extended to such people.

VIJAYWADA RANCHI CORRIDOR TOWN PORTION WORK STARTED

The much awaited Town portion work of Vijaywada Ranchi corridor project, which was inaugurated by the Honourable CM, Naveen Patnaik, started today. The present 5.5 m road is to be widened to 10 m of blacktop portion and another meter of shoulders on either side. The portion passing from the town proper is to be four laned. the present rate of increase of vehicular traffic, commercial as well as private, had not only deteriorated the road condition, but had also led to traffic congestion. Also Rayagada is the fastest growing town of south Orissa,with number of Mega and medium scale project in the offing. With the coming up of this road project the citizens of Rayagada will feel some respite. Road projects worth mor ethan 300 crore in all in different parts of the district are being undertaken. These projects when completed will surely change the face of the district and boost the economy of not only the district but also of the entire south Orissa.

MALARIA,DENGUE & CHIKUNGUNIA CONTROL TASK FORCE MEETING

A meeting of the task force to control the spread of vector borne diseases such as Malaria, dengue and Chikungunia was held in the District HQ Hospital in Rayagada under the chairmanship of Dr. Nitin.B. Jawale, IAS, Collector &DM, Rayagada and Dr.Benudhar Nayak, CDMO Rayagada, along with his team of ADMOs and Medical officers explained about he measures taken to control the spread of vector borne diseases. Dr. H.M.Panda, gave a presentation on Dengue and its control.

Rayagada along with many districts of KBK belt of Orissa is an endemic zone of Malaria. Also recently some dengue cases have been reported from Rayagada town. The Collector Rayagada stressed the need of improving community hygiene through public sensitization and corrective actions against encroachments blocking water drainage. As apart of this massive sensitization programmes will be conducted in the different habitation of Rayagada, particularly the slums. Also residential schools of ST&ST welfare dept will be specially covered under this programme.

Rayagada Municipality on its part has repaired its fogging machine, which was lying defunct for two years and has started fogging in different parts of the town. Along with this the Municipality is also planning street plays to make the people aware of this disease.

RAYAGADA DIARRHEAL DISEASE CONTROL SLIDE SHOW

BLOG CROSSES 1000 HITS

RAYAGADA DIST BLOG CROSSED 1000 HITS ON 23/09/10.FOSM, RAYAGADA THANKS ALL FOR EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THE BLOG AND THE DIST INFORMATION.

VISIT TO KALYANSINGHPUR WITH CENTRAL TEAM MEMBER

Dr. Jagvir Singh, Addl. Director, National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi,on 19.09.2010 along with Collector Rayagada and senior officials of Health dept. of Government of Orissa, visited Serigumma subcentre area of Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district, which had shown high number of cases and more than 10 deaths in the recent spike of Diarhhea/chloera . This area is geographical contigous to the Siripai suncentre area of Kashipur block and together with it forms a contigous compact area pf the focus of diarrhea/ cholera epidemic in Rayagada district.The team visited Shikarpai PHC (N) which as imporatnat treatment centre for diarhhea cases and in which the Serigumma subcentre area comes.

The next visit was to the Serigumma village, whose GP office was converted into a temporary treatment centre (TTC) for diarrhea/ cholera cases. The number of cases with complaints of diarrhea has reduced to 5-10 daily in this TTC, which at peak time was more than 30. The team interacted with the doctors and the people undergoing treatment. Dr. Singh stressed the need for massive use of ORS, since fluid management is the most important thing in diarrhea/ cholera management. He also ascertained whether the general people are aware of the importance of hand washing, particularly after defecation.According to Dr. Singh, NCDC has reported about 800 outbreaks of cholera in the entire country last year, which includes cities such as Banglore and Delhi. In many instances the outbreak passes off as diarhhea, if laboratory investigations are not done and the at times, not even noticed if casualties are not high.

In Rayagada context, after the August end spike, rectal swabs and stool samples, along with water samples were sent to Regional Medical Research centre, Bhubaneshwar for lab testing, after which in 23 cases the stool samples were detected to have Vibrio cholarae O-1 type. Fortunately none of those tested positive succumbed and all of them recovered.
The team further visited Tala Anchalbadi and Lekhapi villages. A TTC has been opened at Lekhapai, since there were two deaths in the village and some deaths nearby villages and also high number of cases.
The efforts of the Local ASHA worker, Smt. Chandramma Behera, were praised by all. She has played a great role in saving many lives. Most of those present were astonished to see that she had detail knowledge of the quantities of ORS, Halozone tablets and the methods of sanitising water.
The team also saw a 'Daskathia Pala', traditional street play organised by USO-Unicef to sensitise people about safe drinking water, hand washing,The need for boiling water, use of ORS and ways to prevent cholera.


Meanwhile RWS&S has also geared up its activities and is putting its best to repair defunct tube wells, dig new tube wells and also providing safe drinking water through tankers.

CHOLERA/ DIRAHHEA CONTROL

ABOVE IS THE MAP SHOWING THE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD OF THE DIARRHEA/CHOLERA CASES AND DEATHS THEREOF. IT HAS BEEN KEPT CONFINED TO THOSE POCKETS ONLY AND HAS NOT SPREAD SO MUCH TO OTHER AREAS, THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOLITARY CASES IN THE AREAS ADJACENT OT THOSE MARKED WITH RED.

THERE HAS BEEN EXAGGERATED REPORTS THAT CHOLERA HAS SPREAD EVERYWHERE IN RAYAGADA AND THE SITUATION IS OUT OF CONTROL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT ,AS THE HEALTH DEPT. HAS INCREASED THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR TRACKING DIARRHEA CASES AND PRO ACTIVELY IDENTIFYING CASES WITH DIARRHEA ( EVEN THE NON CHOLERA ONES, SUCH AS BACILLARY DYSENTERY AND DUE INGESTION OF CONTAMINATED FOOD) AND TREATING VILLAGE AS AFFECTED VILLAGE, THE NUMBER OF VILLAGES WHERE SUCH CASES HAVE BEEN RECORDED HAS GONE UP. HOWEVER SOME HOW AN IMPRESSION IS CAST, THAT THE SITUATION HAD GONE BEYOND CONTROL AND MORE NUMBER OF VILLAGES ARE AFFECTED, WHEN ACTUALLY THE SITUATION IS ON THE VERGE OF BEING CONTROLLED.

THIS WRONG PORTRAYAL HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY PANIC AMONG PEOPLE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM THAT EVEN NOW, THE DIARRHEA/ CHOLERA CASES ARE CONCENTRATED IN A VERY COMPACT PATCH OF ABOUT 50 VILLAGES AS SHOWN IN THE MAP ABOVE, COMPRISING 4 SUB CENTRE AREAS.
ALSO THERE HAS BEE A TENDENCY ON PART OF SOME TO INFLATE THE DEATH TOLL, WHICH STANDS AT 40 AS ON 16.09.2010. SOME PEOPLE HAVE INCLUDED DEATH DUE TO SNAKE BITE AND ALSO DUE TO PROLONGED ILLNESS FROM OTHER FACTORS, AS SHOWN BY ONE ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN THE LIST OF THOSE DYING DUE TO CHOLERA. THE FACT REMAINS THAT FROM THE START OF THIS MONTH THERE HAS BEEN 10 DEATHS, WHICH MEANS LESS THAN 1 DEATH PER DAY. NOW IT IS LEFT TO PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHETHER SITUATION HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL OR NOT !
AN APPEAL WAS MADE TO ALL, INCLUDING MEDIA , THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION TO SUPPRESS ANY FACTS AND ANY INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF DEATHS DUE TO DIARRHEA ( EVEN THE NON CHOLERA DIARRHEA) IS WELCOME, PROVIDED IT IS BASED ON FACTS AND BACKED BY PROOFS.
MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE AND ANY SUCH DISTORTION OF FACTS MAKES SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE PEOPLE, IN THIS CRISIS, WHEN THEY ARE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK:

14.09.2010

Hon’ble Minister, Health and Family Welfare and Public Grievances and Pension Administration, Orissa and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Orissa, along with Principal Secretary to Govt. Rural Development ,Orissa, Bhubnaeswar visited Durgi PHC of Bissam-Cuttack Block which is an important treatment centre for cases with diarrhea in that area. After that the next visit was to Dandapoda village of Dumurineli G.P. of Bissam-Cuttack, where a temporary treatment centre has been established to treat the cases with diarrhea in interior pockets. Hon’ble Minister and Secretary Health visited the Godaba village about 1 KM from Dondapoda where one death due to diarrhea had occurred. There it was seen that the village Godaba has only one sanitary well and no tube wells.

After that Serigum Sub-Centre area of K.Singpur Block was visited. This area had some number of deaths in villages such as Lekapai, Tala-anchalbadi. Serigumma G.P. Office has been converted into a temporary treatment centre and cases from adjoining villages are treated here. The next visit was to Tala-anchalabadi where there has been one death. The Hon’ble Minister and Secretary Health discussed with the people about availability of safe drinking water and access to medical services. The last visit was to Lekapai village which again had some deaths. Here the Hon’ble Minister and Secretary, Health discussed with the people. Since this village and its neighboring areas had reported some deaths, a temporary treatment centre has been started here.

15.09.2010

On this day the Hon’ble Minister and Secretary, Health visited the affected area of Kashipur Block. At first visited Bahardulki village where 4 deaths had occurred. In this village, out of 4 tube wells 3 were functioning.

CHOLERA IN KASHIPUR

13/09/2010 Note: The district administration has proactively increased surveillance for identifying diarhhea cases and as per the WHO norms included cases for even the mild diarhhea cases in the affected list. This would definitely shoot up the number of cases and that of affected villages. However many people, being guided by statistics, are under the impression that Cholera is spreading and the situation is getting out of control. The district administration would like to assure that it is only out of our increased surveillance and all efforts are being made to bring the situation under control.

Vibrio Chlorae O-1, has been detected in 6 out of 21 samples sent to RRC from Kashipur and Kalyansinghpur blocks. However all the 6 peole have been treated and have recovered. The district administration has already put up measures in place. 10 doctors were already sent from MKCG medical college Berhampur and the health dept plans to send 10 more to assist the district administration in this task. The district administration had from the observation of the deaths pattern in th erecent diarhhea cases had suspected the prevalence of a disease like cholera and immediately stool and water samples were sent to Regional Medical Research centre, Bhubaneshwar on 3rd Sep 2010. The steps taken by the district administration with the support of Health and Family Welafre Dept, Govt. Of Orissa are given below:-
ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON DIARRHOEA MANAGEMENT IN RAYAGADA DISTRICT FOR 2010-11
Diarrhoeal Outbreak Statistics of affected blocks
Name of the Affected Blocks No of Villages Affected No of Attacks No of Deaths Remarks
Jagannathpur 10 85 4 No new cases have been detected since 15.08.10
B.Cuttack 17 58 9 Under control
Gudari 2 25 4 No new cases have been detected
Jemadeipentho 7 20 1 Under control
K.Singpur 13 169 7 Under control
Kashipur 30 106 8 Under control
Muniguda 2 9 0 ● No death.
● Situation is under control.
Total 81 451 33

Action Taken-
● Formation of Temporary Treatment Centers (TTC)-
○ Basing on the need of the blocks temporary emergency treatment centers are opened in the following places
Name of the Block Make shift Treatment centers Regular Treatment Centers with facilities for Diarrhoeal Management
Kashipur Siripai Sub Center
CHC Kashipur
PHC(N) Tikiri
K.Singpur Seriguma GP Office PHC K.Singpur
PHC(N) Sikarpai
B.Cuttack Dandapada UP School CHC B.Cuttack
PHC (N) Durgi

At the treatment centers there is provision of at least one MBBS Doctor, one Pharmacist, one MPHS(M), one HW(F), one HW(M).
The MHU team is also attached to the TTC.

● Deployment of Staffs

Name of Block No of Doctors & Paramedic deployed
Doctors Paramedic
Kashipur 5 10
K.Singpur 3 6
B.Cuttack 2 6

● The no of Doctors & Paramedics mentioned in the above table are deploied from MKCG Medical College & Ganjam District & from other nonaffected blocks of the District. Along with the temporary team the regular medical staffs & MHU staffs are also providing their services for Diarrhoeal Management.

● Deployment of Vehicles-

Name of the Block No of the Vehicle
deployed on requisition
Kashipur 5
K.Singpur 2
B.Cuttack 1

In addition to the above vehicles the MHU vehicles, Ambulance, BPMSU vehicle & PHC vehicle are also engaged for the purpose of surveillance & transportation of the patients from the interior & inaccessible villages to the treatment centers.
All these vehicles are being placed in the strategic location for better referral of patients.

● IEC campaign-
Leaf lets & posters are distributed in the affected blocks.
The BEEs of the blocks are entrusted to do the mikeing in their local languages to generate the awareness about Diarrhoea.
Through RWSS street plays, PALAs are being done to prohibit the people for using the unsafe drinking water.

● Surveillance at all the Residential Schools-
○ One nodal person is designated for each of the schools, who is assigned with the responsibility of visiting the schools daily & report about any sign & symptoms of attacks if any, to the nearest treatment centers as well as District Emergency Response Team.

● Availability of Medicines-
All the required Drugs like Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacine, Ornidazole, Metron, IV Cipro & Metro & IV Fluids, Halozene tab. & ORS packets are sufficiently available in the TTC, Peripheral staffs, Block Head quarters & District Central Stores.
● Involvement of private party-
The Industrial houses are requested to support the affected portions & the members of the TTC under as a part of their corporate social responsibility. They have agreed to provide one MHU in K.Singpur block. They will also be doing some IEC campaign through Mikeing & distributing leaf lets & posters in the affected blocks of the district.
Monitoring Systems-
● Nodal officers are being placed one at each affected blocks for day to day monitoring, Evaluation & ensure the supply chain mechanism of drugs & logistics & vehicle.
● The BDOs, CDPOs and other line department officers of all the blocks have been sensitized & requested to deploy their grass root level man power for collection of information & to ensure early referral of patients.
● District Emergency response team has been formed consisting of the following members to collect the information from the field & disseminate the same to the concerned line department for better management of Diarrhea situation.
Team members –
○ DPM, NRHM
○ One Medical Officer
○ APD, DRDA
○ Data Manager, IDSP
○ SA, CDMO Office ,
○ One BEE

* Not all deaths are due to cholera, diarhheal deaths can be because of no. of other conditions also.

Some Very Useful information on "CHOLERA":-

1) LFRIST STEPS TO MANAGE ACTUTE DIARRHEAL DISEASES

2) EPIDEMIC DIARRHEAL DISEASES TRAINING MANUAL:

3) DIARRHEAL DIS. TRAINING FACILITATION:

4) cholera & other epidemic dis envt & sanitation

5) Antimicrobial resistance in shigellosis, cholera

6)CHOLERA OUTBREAK RESPONSE & PREPAREDNESS:

IFTAR PARTY AT 4TH BN CRPF, RAYAGADA

In the holy moth of Ramzan, the 4th battalion of CRPF stationed in Rayagada, hosted an Iftar party, with the people of different religion attended.This is a laudable effort on the part of CRPF authorities to familiarize and endear themselves to the local people.
The Iftar party was preceded by a discussion on communal harmony and naxalism, in which Collector Rayagada was the chief guest. The other guest of honour were SP, Rayagada, Sri. Anoop Krishna , IPS, representative of different religious comminities ,Sri. Baxi-Patro senior advocate and a respected trade union veteran from Rayagada, Sri. Kartar Singh Nur representative of the Sikh community in Rayagada, sisters from Deepti convent, Father Upasi and Father Bacheli and Ulemas of the Muslim Community in Rayagada. Sri. J. P. K Ray, commandant 4th Bn, presided over the function and Sri. Nishit Kumar, II-in- command gave the vote of thanks.

KASHIPUR VISIT 0N 03.09.2010

There has been a recent spur in this incidences of diarrhea in Rayagada district. This time around the focus of such incidents was not Kashipur, but the areas on the border of Bissamcuttack and Gudari, where almost 9 deaths have occurred in a period a week. medical teams have visited the places and taken necessary measures to tackle the situation. ADM Rayagada and a medical team led by Additional District Medical Officer visited the affected Dumurnelli and Golikona GPs. all efforts are taken to bring the situation under control and check the spread of any epidemic. kashipur block continues to be the focus of attention because of its history of epidemics especially, cholera,that happened in 2007, the memories of which are still fresh. Though this time the incidences of diarrheal deaths have been by and large confined to the Siripai sub centre area, the situation tends to get critical with every round of heavy rains and to added to the problems the highly inaccessible terrain make service delivery extremely difficult. There have been number of deaths due to diarrhea in this area in this week and for this reason within a fortnight Collector Rayagada, CDMO and medical team along with block and tahsil officials visited this area for the second time. The vilages that were visited Siripai, Bahardulki, Sirlijhodi, Bolangiri, etc. This area had seen a spur in diarrheal deaths last weeks after a spell of heavy rains for a couple of days. The unfortunate part is that there have been deaths in some cases inspite of the medical teams visiting and providing the necessary treatments for diarrhea patients. To fully assure ourselves that the medications are properly utilized by the patients, district administration has instructed the medical teams to administer injections wherever possible along with dispensing medicines, as at times people tend to not to consume such medicines or if at all not the full dose.

'RAYAGADA IDITAAL' INC.

'IDITAAL' the traditional paintings of the Lanjia Saura tribe ( a primitive tribal group) is all set to take on its new avatar. The traditional paintings are given a modern appealing touch by the innovations in textures and incorporation of modern painting techniques. As a part of this endeavor, District Industries Centre has been arranging for training of the traditional artisans in reputed institutions like Shantiniketan. One such Lanjia Saura youth, Samant Gomang, has done a diploma in the National School of Fashion design in New Delhi and with his team transformed the entire Saura painting style to make it 'a good drawing room material', while retaining the same exotic charm of a tribal art form.
The district administrations intends to go a step further and facilitate the formation of a company and registering the brand name and a 'logo' for it. Infact steps have even been taken to patent this art form in the name of the 'Lanjia Saura' community and necessary formalities for which are being completed.
These paintings have become instant hits and already demand has outstripped the supply. The district administration plans to market and further popularize this new avatar of the traditional art form in a big way in the days to come, by arranging exhibitions and participating in various cultural events, within and outside the state. Any valuable support to encourage this art form will be highly appreciated.Inquiries can be made with District Industries centre on 06856-223002/ 224825 or by email at rayagada@gmail.com

ON LINE FILE MONITORING SYSTEM TO START IN RAYAGADA

Transparency and timely delivery of services in government sector is the need of the hour. To address this issue and to make the working of the district administration transparent and people friendly, Rayagada district administration plans to introduce the 'On-line File monitoring system' on its district blogpage shortly. File monitoring system as such is not a novelty, as it has been and being implemented in many other places/ offices including government offices. However in Rayagada we plan to go a step ahead and make it an online, open for all system. The files will be disposed in a chronological order , unless it is of emergent nature or of a kind that deserves out of turn disposal. Through this system anyone can see the status of the files being disposed in Rayagada Collecotorate. It is a routine to see people flocking in government offices to pursue their file disposal, which leads to all sorts of malpractices. The district administration aims at curbing these tendencies and follow a logical pattern of file disposal for the convenience of the general public. At present we are conducting trial of this system and a dummy page is added to our district blog for perusal of all. Any suggestions and comments are welcome at rayagada@gmail.com or can be sent directly to the collector Rayagada at nitinjawale1@rediffmail.com

ORISSA WIKIPEDIA PROJECT

Rayagada District administration will participate in the Orissa wikipedia project initiated by Sri. Vijay Arora, IAS-91. The project involves creating an exhaustive on-line volumes of database about details of Orissa state, which unfortunately as of date is very low. This project will consist lakhs of pages of information starting from the village level to the state and national level.
There is a growing feeling among the people of Orissa that their state is not projected in the right light. More often than not, only the negative side gets national and international coverage, when a lot of good things are also happening around. This constant negative portrayal leads the society to pessimism and worst cynicism. The Orissa wikipedia project aims at rectifying this perception of the state. There will be lot of other features that will be added to this project to cater the interests of Oriya living outside Orissa.

GUNUPUR SUB DIVISION TO GET NEW SUB COLLECTOR.

DR. MUTHUKUMAR, IAS 2008, AFTER FINISHING HIS TRAINING, WILL BE JOINING AS SUB COLLECTOR & SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE, GUNUPUR ON HIS FIRST POSTING. MR. MUTHUKUMAR BELONGS TO TAMILNADU AND HAS COMPLETED HIS PHD IN AGRICULTURE. HE WAS TRAINED IN GANJAM DISTRICT.

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNER OF ORISSA, SRI. MURLIDHAR BHANDARE APPRAISED OF THE BIOMETRIC BASED TPDS

The team of offcials from civil supplies dept.govt. of orissa led by joint Secreatary Sri. G. C. Nayak ( who is ex-PD DRDA Rayagada) and Civil supplies officer, rayagada, Sri. Bibekananda Korkora and World Food Programme,led by Sri. B. K. Bal, IAS, met the governer of Orissa,his excellency, Sri. Murlidhar Bhandare on 23.08.2010 and appraised him about the biometric based TPDS. Among those who were present were Commissioner-cum-secretary to Governer, Sri. Parag Gupta, IAS.
One retailer from Rayagada Sri. Manoj Patnaik and 3 beneficiaries gave a live demo to the Governer on the PoS ( point of sale) device.The memebers of 4G technologies, Hyderabad , which is the firm providing the IT solutions were also present.
His excellency was highly impressed by this application of IT solutions in strenthening the PDS in the state.

HON'BLE CM VISIT TO RAYAGADA :-

'FIRST DONGARIA KONDH' GIRL PASSES MATRICULATION EXAM. FELICITATED BY HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER

Ms. Kasturi Melaka' a Dongaria Kondh' Girl passed Marticulation Exam this year. She is the first girl from the Dongaria Kandha community, a primitive tribal group, to pass the matriculation exam. She was guided by the 'Dongaria Kandha Development Agency' ( DKDA) Chatikona ( which is a micro project under ITDA ), particularly its Special officer, Sri. Sahu, to pursue high school studies at Baliguda, Kandhamal district. She was felicitated by Hon'ble CM, Sri. Naveen Patnaik during visit to Rayagada on 18/08/2010. Ms. Melaka aspires to be an asset to her community. She is already a role model to not only the girls, but also for her entire community.

INAUGRATION OF BIO-METRIC BASED TARGETED PDS SYSTEM IN RAYAGADA BY HON'BLE CM

18 August 2010

ORISSA CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES JOINT PROJECT WITH WFP ON THE BIOMETRIC REGISTRATION OF FOOD BENEFICIARIES

RAYAGADA, ORISSA – In a move designed to enhance the food security of the poorest and the neediest and to check the pilferage in PDS, the Orissa State Government and the World Food Programme (WFP) have come together to design biometric based Targeted Public Distribution system.

The project, which will make the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) more robust, was inaugurated today in Rayagada district by Honourable Chief Minister of Orissa, Mr Naveen Patnaik.

The biometric ration cards, bar-coded coupons and smart cards, the distribution of which begins today, will drastically reduce the possibility of pilferage of essential commodities. The transaction between the beneficiary and the `Fair Price Shop’ owner will be made available on the Government website which will further enhance transparency in distribution, the Chief Minister said.

“With growing hunger and shrinking resources, accurate targeting of welfare programmes is the need of the hour. We are very proud of our partnership with the Orissa Government in our joint effort to enhance the efficiency of the TPDS,” said WFP India Representative Mihoko Tamamura.

“This project will ensure food goes only to those entitled to it, and will produce savings which, I am sure, will enable the state government to reach out to many more vulnerable people who urgently need help,” she said.

The biometrics based solution would bring the desired changes in the TPDS, the Minister, Food and Civil supplies, hoped. He urged upon the civil society to access the website developed for the project and put up their feedback and suggestions for further strengthening of the system. He also requested the Chief Minister to roll out the project to other districts in the State.

The new system captures the fingerprint, face and iris as biometrics indicators and a data base is made on this , on the basis of which Smart PDS cards and coupons are made. The biometric data of more than one lakh beneficiaries across the district have now been electronically recorded.

This biometric technology has not only helped in identifying and removing ghosts cards ( cards fraudently made in name of non existant users), but has also rooted out invalid cards, which were mor ethan 8000 in number in Rayagada Municipality alone and which were in circulation and putting significant strain on the TPDS.

Based on the results of this project, it is envisaged that next year, similar initiatives may be taken up in the other districts and urban areas of the state as well.

Among others the ceremony was graced by the MP, Koraput, MLAs of the district, the Food Secretary, Mr Ashok Meena and Mr Basanta Kishore Bal and Mr Himanshu S Bal from WFP. Mr Nitin Bhanudas Jawale, Collector, Rayagada offered the vote of thanks.