Odisha Surpasses National Average In Boozing

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

A recent report suggested that there has been a steep rise in the number of adolescent drunkards in Odisha. This is all the more interesting as the state has surpassed the national average on this scrore.

While the national average of boozing is 18 per cent, Odisha is way ahead at 28. One important finding from  the study is that women in Odisha are not lagging behind in drinking habit as well. The study has indicated that the state has a number of families whose womenfolks do not hesitate to drink any more. This is a startling revelation that the women in Odisha have made their foray into a relatively male dominated sphere and do not seem to have reservations to remain tipsy like their male counterparts nor do they consider drinking as a male prerogative either.

There is no gainsaying the fact that drinking has always been a dangerous habit which is mostly responsible for crime against women and society. The graph of domestic violence in Odisha is on the rise, yet state's excise department is hell bent to encourage alcoholism among people by opening foreign liquor off and on shops throughout the state. It is very difficult to locate a place in Odisha which is bereft of country liquor and toddy shops.    

This write up is not meant for criticizing Odisha government nor the agencies responsible for looking after excise business. Certainly, they have the right to formulate policies on liquor trade. But, they must not forget about their duties and responsibilities on the establishment of a safe society where there is no place for domestic violence. Taking wine is not a crime but it is criminal to be alcoholic. 

As the Odisha government is mostly run by the babus, this is high time that they should act immediately to reverse the trend if not banish altogether.  

Satkosia Eco Habitat In Danger As Rare Species Dying For Water

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Even as the government of Odisha is hosting a two day biz event Advantage Angul beginning May 9 in Angul Aluminium Park to showcase the district's potentialities in different sectors including eco tourism, the rare species in Satkosia Wildlife sanctuary are virtually dying for a few drops of water.

Most of the ponds dug up at different places inside the sanctuary have gone dry due to severe heat wave condition. The officials, it is alleged are never bothered to fill up the ponds with water. There are grave allegations that the local wildlife officials have failed to make adequate provision for water for the wildlife species although the government has sanctioned enough money to take necessary steps in this regard.

Reports said the nullahs and rivulets in Purunakote, Burti, Uddhab and Baniajora which are natural sources of water for the species in Satakosia wildlife sanctuary throughout the year have gone dry due to scorching sun this year.

It is interesting that the advertisement in different media outlets in Odisha on Advantage Angul, being organized by the district administration,  emphasizes that Satkosia Nature Camp in Angul is one of the major tourist destinations in Odisha, but the irony is that endangered species in Satkoisa are dying for water.

The villagers in Pokatunga, Nuakheta, Dhokuta and other regions have alleged that deer and elephants, mostly tuskers, have intruded into human habitation to get a few drops of water for survival. They alleged that this phenomenon has further escalated Elephant-Man tussle as tuskers have gone on a rampaging spree. People in Nuakheta, Taras, Bargaunia, Dhokuta, Bantala, Pokatunga and Sarangpur region  have alleged that they are living in a state of panic as tuskers and other ferocious wildlife species might attack them at the dead of night which are prowling the areas for search of water and food.

Environmentalists and nature lovers in Angul district said the two day business event to invite investment in the industrial sector in Angul district is most welcome, but the environment and ecosystem of Angul, which is one of the major industrial hotspots of Odisha, must be given due weightage.

They said that it is high time that the wildlife wing and Odisha government must work in close liaison for a thriving ecosystem in Satkosia which is one of India's top bio reserves. Efforts must be initiated before a number of rare wildlife species in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary are extinct due to severe shortage of water and the Advantage Angul on Satkosia Nature Camp remains a misnomer only, the nature lovers added wryly.  

People Panicky As Marauding Jumbos Wreak Havoc In Angul Villages

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

People in Nuakheta, Taras, Bargaunia, Dhokuta and other villages in Angul district are living in a state of panic as marauding tuskers have been roaming the area devastating farm products and human habitation for over a month. The villagers thank the providence to remain alive every passing day as the forest officials could not effectively handle the situation to drive away the marauding jumbos to nearby forest. They are not sure how long their nightmare will continue.

 

The villagers alleged that the forest staff at Bantala range have failed to take effective measures to drive away the pachyderms to their habitat as they are not adequately trained to man the operation. Although an elephant squad has been formed to drive away the jumbos from villages and orchards, herds of elephants and tuskers freely roam the area posing threat to human habitation.

Most recently a herd of 15 jumbos, mostly tuskers, rampaged farm products and human habitation in Dhokuta under Bantala forest range. Banchhanidhi Sahu, Surath Sahu, Mayadhar Sahu, Susant Sahu and others in Dhokuta village gheraoed forest staff alleging inaction by them to drive away the pachyderms. They demanded that adequate compensation be given to them immediately for the damages.

The aggrieved villagers alleged that the forest personnel engaged in driving away the jumbos to forest are not sincerely performing their duty and added that farming has almost come to a halt in the area as farmers are always apprehensive about devastation.    

Pinkan Sahu from Nuakheta who is a +3 student of Bantala College said:' I always pray God to keep me alive to join classes while cycling down to Bantala through the jungle route. A number of times I have close encounters with tuskers and herds of elephants on the way. Two days ago, I have a close encounter with two tuskers. I thought  I am gone, but luckily survived.' Tears rolled out from eyes as I hastily went past the giant creatures, he added.

Elephant corridor near Dhokuta across old Cuttack-Sambalpur road

Pinkan's brother Mihir who runs a variety and snack store near Bantala square talks about his ordeal every night when wades through the jungle route to reach his village Nuakheta. ' I leave my shop early in the evening to reach my village Nuakheta safely. All through the way I pray God to reach home without encountering the tuskers.'

People living in interior regions of Bantala range alleged that power cuts throughout the night has compounded their miseries as the electricity officials at the behest of forest staff disconnect power to villages lest the jumbos might be electrocuted. 

Nature lovers and volunteers working for reducing Elephant-Man conflict in Bantala range said the district forest wing must rope in adequately trained staff to counter such a menace that occurs regularly. They said awareness meetings undertaken by Bantala forest range office on elephant menace have become futile as such exercises are limited to  a few villages. There is a need to conduct such awareness meetings to reduce elephant-man conflict on a bigger platform for its effectiveness, they reasoned.        

Angul People Up In Arms Over Worsening Condition Of NH-55

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Senior citizens, social activists as well as intellectuals of the industrial city are up in arms over deteriorating condition of NH-55 which is regarded as the lifeline of Odisha.

Angul Bar Council president Dillip Sahu, advocate Rabi Patnaik, Gopal Nath, Prasanna Behera, Abhay Ray and a number of social activists have taken a vow to urge the government to take action against the construction company which is intentionally delaying four lane work of the highway.       

The 15 km stretch of NH-55 from Panchamahala to Banarpal is a virtual hell interspersed with potholes, ditches and quagmire. The once finest highway is now non-motorable. Most long haul buses have stopped plying on the route due to worsening condition over years. The worst condition of the road has been responsible for killing nearly 15 people so far leaving a large number of people severely injured.

The four lane work that started in 2018  was due to be finished in 2020. But the road construction agency never cared for the deadline nor is it worried over the ultimatum given by no less a person than the Deputy Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly Rajanikant Singh to finish the work at the earliest or face action. The private bus owners in undivided Dhenkanal district also staged a token strike snapping bus services for a day three months ago protesting lackadaisical attitude of the road construction company. But, that did not yield any result.

Dhenkanal MP Mahesh Sahoo had taken upon the issue with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in December 2021 in New Delhi and urged him to expedite the expansion work of NH-55, but to no avail. The minister had assured him all possible help and cooperation for early completion of four lane work but three months have elapsed since then.

Finding no alternative to tame the adamant road construction agency, Sahoo has now resorted to road blockade and dharna to draw the attention of government and people as well to take on the obstinacy of the construction company.   

Panchayat Poll:People Of Bantala Left To Rot As Issues Galore

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

People of Bantala in Angul district are confronted with a number issues which have not been resolved over decades. Come elections, be it assembly, parliamentary or panchayati raj, the candidates in the fray promise the moon. As they get elected, they forget their promises and the issues remain there unresolved for years and decades.

Time has come that the voters must take the elected representatives to task for not fulfilling their promises doled out to electorate during campaigning.

Here is the list of issues that confront the common man in Bantala region for decades.

IRRIGATION: Hidisingh irrigation project is yet to see the light of day despite being planned over two decades ago. Lack of political will and an irresponsible bureaucracy are believed to be major hurdles why the ambitious project has not become a reality till date. Like Hidisingh, nearly half a dozen other small and medium irrigation projects are in limbo.

COLD STORAGE: Farmer in Bantala region produce tons of potatoes, onions, tomatoes, brinjals, cabbages and other vegetables all through the year, but they are forced to distress sale  of their produces due  to lack of storing facility. The elected representatives and officials have promised them over the years that a sophisticated cold storage will be set up at a suitable place in the region for the benefit of the agrarian community, but to no avail. It is a common sight during winter in weekly market places in Bantala region how the farmers sale their produce at throwaway price and at times the worst thing happens when they throw tomatoes in the open incurring huge loss as the stuff becomes rotten due to lack of storing facility.    

FIRE STATION: This has become a common trend with the political parties during elections to make a false promise that a fire station will be  set up in Bantala as soon as they capture power. However, none cares afterwards. People of Bantala region depend upon Angul and Hindol to get the services of firemen during emergencies. Most of the time the firemen arrive very late at the place of occurrence as they have to come from Angul or Hindol.

LIVELIHOOD: Scores of youth from this region go to cities like Surat, Vapi, Daman-Diu, Mumbai and other mega cities in search of employment as they fail to get livelihood resources here. Agriculture sector in the area neglected by the leaders as well as by the administration over the years. Farmers fail to get seed, fertilizer, financial assistance and other benefits to provide their full time to the agriculture work. Global warming has resulted in change of climatic conditions in the region. Erratic monsoon and seasonal changes have become detrimental to the agriculture sector. This phenomenon has forced the farmers and their wards to migrate to metropolitan cities for search of employment. The administration has never cared to solve their problem. 

WASTE MANAGEMENT: A visitor to Bantala will find garbage littered all around. The Nirmala Grampanchayat (Clean Panchayat) slogan has become a misnomer. Pungent smell welcomes visitors to the region as a number of places close to old Cuttack-Sambalpur road have become dumping grounds for garbage.

ENCROACHMENT: The main intersection connecting old Cuttack-Sambalpur and Angul-Tikarpada roads has become accident prone due to encroachment. Business establishments and shopping complexes have encroached upon the space meant for traffic. This act has contributed to traffic bottlenecks during peak hours.

WEEKLY MARKETS UPGRADATION: The Regional Marketing Committee has constantly neglected upgradation of weekly markets in Bantala region. But, the elected representatives have cared little to settle the issue. They have failed to take up the issue with higher officials of RMC. Most of the concrete platforms constructed in the market places have been damaged due to lack of repair.

HEALTH SECTOR: Shortage of doctors in Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centres in Bantala area has put the health sector in a shambles. Most of the staff prefer to stay at urban localities than their place of posting in the rural areas. This has severely affected the health system in the area. Patients alleged that the hospital staff refer the cases to Angul and other places stating that they lack facilities to attend to them.

COMMUNITY POLICING: The much trumpeted 'Ama Police' concept has fallen through as the existing staff has never shown interest to make it a reality. It is alleged that police officers have failed to understand the concept of Ama Police that has been evolved to bridge the gap between the staff and the common man for better administration and banish criminal activities in the region.

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY: Forest officials in Bantala Range have failed to stave off Elephant-Man conflict in the area although they have stressed that efforts are on to tackle the menace. The issue has acquired dangerous proportions as tuskers have a field day in Sarangpur, Bantala, Dhokuta and Pokatunga areas damaging crops and human habitation. The forest staff has remained a mute spectator as marauding jumbos indulge in a spree destroying crop and human habitation. Nature lovers in the district have alleged that the local forest wing has not paid adequate attention to the problem for reasons best known to them.

 

ZP Poll Zone 4: BJP, BJD Lock Horns, Local Issues To Be Decisive

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

As the D-Day is nearing, Zone-4 Zilla Parishad seat in Bantala region in Angul district is all set to witness a battle royal between BJP candidate Durga Charan Pradhan and BJD's Dhruba Charan Dehury.

Pradhan, who was earlier the Block BJD president, has joined BJP a few days before the announcement of Panchayat poll. The veteran leader of Bantala area was believed to have left BJD after being constantly pushed to the wall by the ruling party leaders.

Political observers in Bantala area said Dehury has mopped up all resources at his command to give a tough fight to Pradhan who is believed to be riding the crest of a wave. They said both Pradhan and Dehury are astute leaders with grass root following and trying their best to showcase Naveen and Modi's welfare schemes for the betterment people particularly those who are in the lower strata of society.

Close followers of panchayat poll campaigning in Zilla Parishad Zone 4 said the general electorate are more concerned with nagging issues of Bantala area such as drinking water and irrigation which are never fulfilled despite promises doled out by the leaders during campaigning. A number of drinking water and irrigation projects are in limbo despite public outcry. A decade has elapsed, yet the people of Bantala are yet to get piped drinking water facility. The standpipes have been damaged since long due to non-functioning of the piped water project.

Political observers maintained that the issues matter most and the general voters are now convinced that the leader who is genuinely concerned over their plight and strive hard to resolved their problem might win their confidence. Therefore, it is premature to come to a conclusion who will hit the jackpot.

Although BJD, BJP seemed to be locked in a battle, the Congress candidate Bhaskar Pradhan is trying his best to be in the reckoning.

 

Republic Day Celebration At Bantala

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The 73rd Republic Day was celebrated at Bantala in Angul district in Odisha today. The function was attended by BJP Zilla Parishad candidate Durga Pradhan, among others.

Anshuman Mohanty, Class-VI student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya(JNV), Champatimunda, in Angul district recited the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Hai Bharata Bhagya Bidhata…….Jaya Hai, Jaya Hai, Jaya Hai, Jaya Jaya, Jaya, Jaya Hai.

Others who attended the programme were Shibaram  Choudhury, Mihir Sahu and Pankaj Sahu.