Mixed response to ‘hartal’ in State

BHUBANESWAR: The dawn-to-dusk State-wide ‘hartal’ observed by the rulling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday demanding Special Category Status to the State partially affected normal life across the State. The communication was hit as the BJD supporters resorted to rail roko at different stations, stopped auto rickshaws and buses to ply on the road.

According to sources, rulling party activists obstructed many buses and auto rickshaws on their way. Picketing by the party activists at many places on Friday prompted the vehicles to remain indoor. Hartal supporters in the capital city and Cuttack reportedly damaged some vehicles while preventing people on vehicle to ply on the road, police said.

In the city, the activists staged road blockade at the busy and important squares and prevented the office goers to attend the offices. The city bus services were off the road in the city. Petrol pumps were also closed.

Big shops and business establishments remained closed in many places while attendance in banks, offices and other organisations was thin and it was seen that office goers reached office early to get respite from the picketers.

Train services were disrupted for three hours as the activists staged demonstrations and blocked rail tracks in various places including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Khurda Road, Baleswar, Bhadrak and Sambalpur, said the sources.

However, work in industrial sector, public sector units and Paradip Port remained unaffected. Two wheelers and some autorickshaws were seen on the road and small shops were opened at various places except big business establishments.  

Notably, the BJD had initially planned for a 12-hour Odisha bandh, but later the party changed it to hartal to avoid legal hassles. The party had also declared that essential services like ambulance, power, drinking water supply and exams in schools and colleges to be kept out of the purview of the hartal.

SP urges Prez to confer Baharat Ratna to Biju Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR: The Samajwadi Party State Committee on Thursday requested President of India Pranab Mukherjee, who was in a two-day Odisha visit, to direct the Central Government to confer the highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna to former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik posthumously.

State committee president Rabi Behera said the contribution of Biju Patnaik to Indian freedom struggle and later on to nation building is unparallel in the history. Though he deserves a Bharat Ratna, but till now it is not conferred on him, he added.

“It is not only an insult to the Odias, but also an injustice to a worthy son of the country,” said Behera, adding, “National flag of three countries-India, Indonesia and Soviet Russia was flown half-mast in recognition of his contribution, but neither during his life time nor even 16 years after his death the award is conferred on him.”       

AIDSO demands manual system of admission in colleges

BHUBANESWAR: All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) on Thursday staged dharana before the State Secretariat here demanding manual process of admission in colleges. The student leaders also demanded the Higher Education department to make all online processes including e-admission as optional like other e-processes including e-booking and e-banking.

A protest meeting was held at the lower PMG under the chairmanship of AIDSO Odisha State president Akshay Das. Later a delegation team submitted a memorandum to the Higher Education Minister on their demands. The student leaders said the majority of the students stand on one side of the digital divide, with easy accessibility and opportunity available only to a miniscule few. As e-admission being compulsory pushes majority of the students to an alien ambience, makes them feel inadequate, insecure and harassed, they added.

Matric result will be published in the first week of May 2013 and after that admission process would be started in the colleges. But the Government and the Higher Education authorities are silent about the process of admission. Even the Government ignored the order of the Odisha High Court to introduce manual process, AIDSO members alleged.

Among others, State vice-presidents Subash Nayak and Ganesh Tripathy, Secretary Shibasis Praharaj, secretariat members Kedarnath Sahoo, Sidharth Rath, Babi Balabantaray, Paramananda Sahoo and Krishna Sahoo condemned the callousness of the Government and high-ups.

Cong urges Prez for special State tag

BHUBANESWAR: A nine-member delegation led by PCC president Niranjan Patnaik here on Wednesday met President of India Pranab Mukherjee and handed over a memorandum for conferring Special Category Status on Odisha. Patnaik reiterated the Union Finance Minister’s budget speech where he had told to change the criteria for Special Category Status to the States.

Patnaik said in the memorandum that the State lags behind the national average on almost all development indicators and the gap between Odisha and the more prosperous States has been widening. The State is showing poor performance in the per capita income, poverty ratio, health indicators, employment generation, least developed in infrastructure facility, economic and human development. Per capita development expenditure in the State is far behind than other States, Patnaik said, adding, “Conferment of special State tag is fully justified considering our acute backwardness.”         

BYM protests crime against women, illegal gun trading

BHUBANESWAR: A delegation of BJP Yuva Morcha (BYM) handed over a memorandum to the Governor SC Zamir here on Wednesday protesting the increasing sexual assault and other atrocities against women, fire arm business and loot from business establishments’ everyday in the State.

The law and order situation is deteriorating fast in the State, alleged Morcha’s State general secretary Umakant Patnaik. He said the smuggling and illegal manufacturing of fire arms are on the rise in the urban areas like the capital city, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Jharsuguda and Kendrapada. Due to the illegal gun business, murder, kidnap, loot, robbery and snatching is increasing in the State, he added.

According to the White Paper issued by the State Home Department, rape incidents has been increased 31 per cent in 2012 than the previous year, while 526 dowry death cases and 3054 dowry torture cases were registered last year which clearly shows the condition of women living in the State.

The Morcha members alleged that the police and the State Government are solely responsible over the two major issues related to law and order situation. As the Chief Minister is the head of the Home Department, he is responsible for the increasing crime against women and illegal trading of fire arms in the State, they added.

Morcha general secretary Kabi Swain, vice president Biswaranjan Mishra, State Executive body member Suprabha Biswal, Bhubaneswar district president Madan Mohan Sahu and Satyabrata Nayak went with the delegation and demanded the Governor to take appropriate step to stop the illegal trading of fire arm business and atrocities against women.

Utkal Sammilani demands Prez to nominate Odias to RS

BHUBANESWAR: Not a single Odia get nominated by the President of India for the coveted seat of Rajya Sabha within 66 years of independence of the country which shows either the President of India is not interested to nominate from the State or the Odias have lack of talents, lamented Utkal Sammilani members here on Wednesday.

The Sammilani would press its demands regarding nomination of Odias before the President of India Pranab Mukherjee while welcoming him here on Wednesday. “At least an Odia should be nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President,” demanded Utkal Sammilani’s Mancheswar Industrial Estate branch president Dillip Das Sharma said.

He also demanded Mukherjee to announce the nomination of Odias while delivering speech at the Utkal University convocation on Thursday. “Our intellectuals are not less than the nominated RS members by the President,” Das Sharma said.         

Special Committee begins inquiry into Engg colleges

BHUBANESWAR: Following the suicidal death of a girl student of a city-based engineering college NMIET after she was mentally tortured over the collection of college fees, a special committee of the Employment and Technical Education and Training department began its inquiry from Wednesday regarding infrastructure and fee structure of the private engineering colleges in the State.

The committee on its first day of its inquiry started from a private engineering college at Tangi in Cuttack district. It investigates the required infrastructure, library and laboratory facilities and fee structure fixed by the State Government. “We would write letter to the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) to take action against the colleges who violate the rule and regulations of the Government,” said E and TET secretary Dr CS Kumar.

Meanwhile, members of the Odisha Private Engineering Colleges Association (OPECA) said that they have applied before the State Government and Fee Regulatory Committee to hike fee of the engineering courses taught in 98 colleges in the State. “If the State Government does not increase the fee according to the Odisha Professional Educational Act 2007, the colleges would charge the hiked fee,” the members said.    

I’m not an imported English babu: PCC chief

BHUBANESWAR: “I’m an Odia, not an imported babu,” said Pradesh Congress Committee chief Niranjan Patnaik on Saturday giving a statement on choice of the people for the post of the Chief Minister surveyed by a media house recently.

Patnaik said that he would accept the result of the survey, if it is based on truth. “I’m a political activist working for the people of the State during last 40 years. My father was not a Chief Minister or I didn’t have any political backing when I entered into politics,” said Patnaik, adding, “My dream is equal to an Odia’s dream and active in politics to bring cheer on the faces of the common men.”

He stated that he has completed his education from the village school, not from Doon school. The legends like Bhima Bhoi, Gopabandhu Das, Madhu babu, Fakirmohan, Gangadhar and Ramadevi are ideal persons for him, he added. “Whatever support I got from the people of the State through the survey, I’m grateful for them,” said Patnaik. 

         

OJM to be registered as political party soon: OJM chief

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) Chief Pyarimohan Mohapatra on Friday hinted about the registration of his Morcha as a political party to take part in the coming General Election in 2014. He also gave green signal to the preparation for the coming election.

Following the massive rallies, workers’ meet and public meetings, the OJM became hopeful for their strength to tackle the other main political parties in the State. Recently, at a Press meet here Mohapatra had told that Naveen might be sitting in the opposition’s chair after the election which shows the confidence of the Morcha members.

Notably, Mohapatra had declared the formation of OJM on September 30 about four months after his suspension from ruling BJD.    

Home Sc students’ dharna enters fifth day

BHUBANESWAR: BSc (Home Science) students’ indefinite strike entered into fifth day on Saturday. The students had started indefinite day and night dharna in front of the State Assembly here on April 2 demanding BSc (Home Sc) as minimum qualification for the post of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) under the project of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

According to a student Lila Lalantika Debi, they are on the roadside at the lower PMG after their college under the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology asked them to leave the hostel due to sine die.

“If these students get appointed in several schemes on women and children development, the project will run more affectively,” said Lalantika Debi, adding, “But, their lament is that they could not get employment opportunity even after completion of their 4-year technical course.”

Notably, the students had conducted a rally on March 14, three days dharna at the Lower PMG and two weeks long dharna in front of their college to express their demands. Neither the Government nor the authority of their university took responsive action towards their demand as a result they again sat in dharna.

Capital becomes hottest city during last 2 days

BHUBANESWAR: Mercury level of the capital city has touched 42 during last two days which termed it as the hottest city of the State. The scorching heat wave swept across the State recording a new high temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius in the city on Friday would prevail over some parts of the State during next 48 hours, local weatherman said.

Besides the capital city, the coal township of Talcher recorded 41.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Titlagarh 40.6 degrees, Bhawanipatna 40.5, Bolangir and Chandbali 40.8, Baripada and Malkangiri 40.5 and Balasore and Sambalpur 40 degrees C, the meteorological centre said.

Meanwhile, the State Government has written a letter to the Central Government to declare the heat wave as the natural disaster. “The Central Government included cold wave as natural disaster, but not heat wave though we have been writing to the Government regarding the matter,” said Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra.

Six Maoists including a most wanted surrender in Koraput

JEYPORE: Six Maoists including a hardcore Maoist surrendered before the BSF (Koraput) DIG Sumer Singh here, police sources said on Thursday. The hardcore Maoist was the commander of militia dalam and was active in Maoist activities during last twelve years, they said.

He was identified as Dubugu alias Duburu Kanta (40), Bariabhata village under Bandhugaon police station in the district surrendered on March 31, 2013. He used to carry a 12 bore Single Barrel Breach Loaded (SBBL) gun and two grenades.

Dubugu was on the most wanted list of Bandhugaon police due to his involvement in Maoist activities and non bailable warrant was pending against him in connection with Bandhugaon police. He was Commander of Ghenua Bahini of three gram panchayats of Garidi, Kutrabeda and Jagaguda.

The others were Jiana Meleka (36), Ganga Meleka (35), Kapilash Kando (30), Gurunath Khara (30) and Surendra Khara (28) of Palka village under Bandhugaon police station surrendered before the BSF DIG on Thursday.

“All six of them are repentant of their past deeds and voluntarily have surrendered to start a new life,” said DIG Singh.

Massive rally held against anti-tribal policy

BHUBANESWAR: Protesting the anti-tribal policies and activities of the Government, thousands of tribals coming from different parts of the State held a massive traditional protest rally under the banner of Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangh (OAKM) at the Lower PMG here on Thursday.

The Mahasangh strongly demanded dismissal of fake ST employees from Government jobs, educational institutions and from elective posts in the State by arresting them under the Atrocity Act. They also demanded to arrest the concerned tehasildars who are involved in the conspiracy. The OAKM suggested that the ST certificate should be issued based on the recommendation of the head of the concerned tribal society of the area.

The OAKM demanded for the implementation of the Central PESA Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in its true spirit. OAKM General Secretary Niranjan Bishi said that the community ownership right over Minor Forest Produces (MFP) including Kendu leaf and bamboo should be immediately ensured by the Government.

The outfit strongly opined that the Tribal Sub-Plan (TPS) Fund exclusively meant for the tribal development should not in any case be diverted for any other purposes and the Integrated Action Plan Fund (IAPF) should spent based on the local plan devised by the tribals themselves.

 

A delegate of nine tribal leaders of different districts met the Governor and discussed about various tribals issues and submitted a memorandum having 31-point charter of demands.

Firing on constable in city: Two arrested from Nagpur

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with the attack on a businessmen and firing on a constable near Master Canteen Chhak here. A special team of police has nabbed the culprits from Nagpur, sources said.

The two persons were identified as Gyana Mohapatra and Jitu Palai whom the police team is bringing back to the city. Efforts are on to nab the culprits hiding somewhere outside the State. The two were involved in many other criminal offences before, the police sources said.    

Recently, the police had arrested a person and forwarded to the court in connection with the case.

Notably, the goons fired at Constable Suklal Murmu when he intervened while they were trying to snatch the necklace of businessman Debabrata Kar’s wife outside a jewellery showroom at Master Canteen area here on March 16. Kar was also injured in the incident.

Train services normalised after derailment

BHUBANESWAR: Train services on Howrah- Bhubaneswar route normalised after Puri-Durg Express collided with a goods train at Kalajhari near Mancheswar between Patia and Barang railway station on Wednesday evening. Rail tracks have been cleared on Thursday after the derailment.

Due to this accident, around three boggies of the goods train derailed when the passenger train hit the previous from its behind which was in halt on the same railway line. As many as 10 persons including driver of the Puri-Durg Express were injured seriously.

A rescue team had been sent to the accident site. Rescue team and Commissonerate Police transferred the injured passengers to the hospital in the capital city. The Commissionerate Police deployed three platoons of police at the spot to maintain law and order.

‘Open VSK, utilise CSC in summary revision of electoral roll’

BHUBANESWAR: “Ensure opening and proper functioning of Voter Sahayaka Kendras (VSK) at district as well as block levels and also utilise common service centers (CSC) to help and assist the voters make applications for inclusion, correction and deletion,” directed Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik to all District Election Officers and the Collectors through video conference held at the Secretariat conference hall here on Wednesday evening.

During the discussion, Chief Electoral Officer Dr Mona Sharma clarified the objectives, processes and modus operandi of Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll-2013 to all the Collectors. She said that Special Summary revision of Electoral Roll, 2013 has been scheduled to be held during April 8 to June 1, 2013. The focus areas of Special Revision are to enroll left out voters especially in the age group of 18-19, correct Elector Percentage Ratio and achieve 100 per cent photo coverage. For the purpose, house to house visits would be done by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during April 8 to May 7.

During these visits, Form-6 would be collected for inclusion of names of the voters in the age group of 18-19, Form-7 would be collected for deletion of dead, shifted and repeated electors, while wrong entries would be corrected by collecting information in Form-8 and photographs of non-photo-electors would be collected for 100 per cent photo identity card coverage.

Clarifying the process, Dr Shrama said that special campaign days would be held on April 21, April 28 and May 8 to give chances to those who could not avail the opportunity during household visits. The collectors have also been asked to identify booth level volunteers from among the NSS members of local educational institutions to help the voters, collect photos from them and facilitate the process. All the technical colleges have also been requested to open VSKs in their institutions.

CM directs SPs to supply FIR copy within 24 hrs

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday through video conference directed all the Superintendents of Police in the State to supply the FIR copy to the complainant within 24 hours.

Patnaik discussed about ‘Aama Police’ system, Maoist problem, Public Service Act, grievance redressal and security of women and weaker sections of the society during the meeting with the SPs at the Secretariat here with Home secretary UN Behera and DGP Prakash Mishra.

He emphasised upon proper execution of Right to Public Service Act within the time limit and facilities like drinking water along with rest place in the police stations. Discussing on ‘Aama Police’ system, Patnaik said the system would decrease the gap between the police and the public and for which proper training is needed for the police personnel.         

Kalinga Hospital unrest solved, employees back to work

BHUBANESWAR: The three week long unrest amongst the employees and the doctors of Kalinga Hospital was finally over on Wednesday. All the doctors and the employees have joined back and the patient care service has been absolutely resorted.

Admission, consultation and registration are going on smoothly and as per norms. Finally the authority has accepted most of the demands of the employees and the doctors.

Manoranjan Pattnayak, one of the founder members of the Hospital, has directly played a role in sorting out the entire issue. He had come all the way from the USA to break the deadlock. After a series of depth discussion with the doctors and employees, he could realised all the gravity of the situation.

From Wednesday onwards, Dr Sharada Pattanaik, a renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon and former Managing Director (MD) of the hospital, took over the charge as the new MD. “All the employees and the doctors are happy and welcomed this step by the authority and they have expressed their desire for State of art health care for the patients,” said the hospital authorities in a Press release. 

Sarpanch brutally killed in people’s court in Malkangiri

MALKANGIRI: A sarpanch was brutally killed by the Maoists in Malkangiri district’s Chitrakonda area on the suspicion of being a police informer, police said on Wednesday. He was identified as Kurmanur panchayat Sarpanch Bhagban Krisani.

According to the Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh, a group of about 25 Maoists struck at the house of Krisani late on Tuesday night and asked him to accompany them. The deceased’s body was found with his throat slit along a forest road near the village on Wednesday morning, he added.

The armed Maoists after entering into the village, called the sarpanch for a meeting. They took him to a nearby jingle, 1km from the village, and gave him death sentence at the Praja court. The ultras left a poster at the spot where Krisnani was murdered. 

The security forces have intensified combing operation in the area in the aftermath of the incident, the police said.

BJP condemns Odia girl’s rape in Delhi

BHUBANESWAR: Condemning the heinous sexual assault on a Odia girl in New Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the Delhi Government for failing in controlling of increasing violence against women. The party members expressed grave concern over the horrid act in the national capital though the Central Government has strong law to punish the culprits.

BJP leaders also criticised the State Government for keeping mum after giving a phone call to Delhi Commissioner. The Chief Minister of the State should discuss with the Chief Minister of Delhi regarding the incident, but it could not be happened which shows the inability of the BJD Government, the leaders added.

Party members said that more than 14 per cent women atrocity cases have been lodged during 2012 than the year of 2011. From three year old baby girl to 60 year old women are being raped in the State, they added.

The members demanded the State Government to set up of Mahila Desk in all the police stations in the State by which the women could feel secure to lodge complain easily. The State Government failed to control the violence against women, they alleged.      

BJP condemns Odia girl’s rape in Delhi

PNS

BHUBANESWAR: Condemning the heinous sexual assault on a Odia girl in New Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the Delhi Government for failing in controlling of increasing violence against women. The party members expressed grave concern over the horrid act in the national capital though the Central Government has strong law to punish the culprits.

BJP leaders also criticised the State Government for keeping mum after giving a phone call to Delhi Commissioner. The Chief Minister of the State should discuss with the Chief Minister of Delhi regarding the incident, but it could not be happened which shows the inability of the BJD Government, the leaders added.

Party members said that more than 14 per cent women atrocity cases have been lodged during 2012 than the year of 2011. From three year old baby girl to 60 year old women are being raped in the State, they added.

The members demanded the State Government to set up of Mahila Desk in all the police stations in the State by which the women could feel secure to lodge complain easily. The State Government failed to control the violence against women, they alleged.      

Shah Commission’s 2nd phase hearing begins

BHUBANESWAR: The Justice MB Shah Commission probing the irregularities in mining in Odisha and some other States began its second-phase hearing of mining lessees at its Ahmedabad office from Tuesday.

On the first day of the hearing, the Commission conducted hearing on 27 mines out of 57 mines in the State leased out to 40 miners. It would also hear from the lessees on section-37 of Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act which imposes restrictions on subletting of mines to third parties.

The Commission, which is hearing violation of Rule-37 of the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR)-1960, questioned the lessees about the violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Shah also asked about the encroachment made by the lessees in the mining area.     

A few lease holders, who could not present their cases in the previous rounds of hearings, would depose before the Commission during its three-day hearing in the Gujarat capital.

“The State Government has already submitted the report following the investigation on violation of Rule 37 of the MCR. Now the lessees are airing their views before the Commission. If the Commission asks any further information regarding the matter, the State Government would provide in time,” said director of Mines Deepak Mohanty.   

In addition to it, the lessees would provide a blueprint for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities they would undertake for development of mineral-rich Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts.

Central Command’s GOC-in-C Lt Gen Anil Chait visits State

BHUBANESWAR: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command (Lucknow) Lt General Anil Chait visited the State for the first time. He returned on Tuesday after finishing his three-day visit to Odisha.

Chait, who was commissioned into Armoured Corps in Dec 1973, was instrumental in raising Special Action Group (The Black Cats Commandos) of the National Security Guards. He met Governor Dr S C Jamir on March 31 and discussed various issues relating to welfare of Ex-Servicemen and Army Personnel of the State.

The General Officer was accompanied by Commander Chhattisgarh and Odisha Sub Area Brigadier Balaraj Mehta and Commanding Officer of 120 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Bihar Colonel Amir Singh.

Home Science as minimum qualification for CDPO demanded

BHUBANESWAR: The students of BSc (Home Science) started indefinite day and night dharna in front of the State Assembly here on Tuesday demanding BSc (Home Science) as minimum qualification for the post of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) under the project of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

According to a student Lila Lalantika Debi, BSc (Home Science) is a 4-year technical degree course under Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology. These days they are demanding to set BSc (Home Science) as minimum qualification for the post of CDPO as their syllabus is highly suitable for various integrated child development schemes under the Government of Odisha, she added.

“If these students get appointed in several schemes on women and children development, the project will run more affectively,” said Lalantika Debi, adding, “But, their lament is that they could not get employment opportunity even after completion of their 4-year technical course.”

Notably, the students had conducted a rally on March 14, three days dharna at the Lower PMG and two weeks long dharna in front of their college to express their demands. Neither the Government nor the authority of their university took responsive action towards their demand as a result they again sat in dharna.

Gaon Sathis’ fast enters 9th day; 3 critical

BHUBANESWAR: The Gaon Sathis, who have been sitting on dharna here from March 7 demanding pay hike, resorted to other forms of agitation like sweeping in front of the State Assembly here on Tuesday to mount pressure on the State Government for fulfilment of their demands.

Hundreds of Gaon Sathis came in a procession started from Master Canteen to the Lower PMG square holding brooms in their hands and swept the road to protest the State Government’s apathy.

Meanwhile, their hunger strike, which was launched from March 25, entered the ninth day on Tuesday. The conditions of three fasting Gaon Sathis are critical and they are undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital from March 26, said State coordinator of Gaon Sathi Sangh Joint Action Committee Laxmidhar Biswal.

Biswal alleged that the doctors of the hospital forced the serious Gaon Sathis for discharge from the Disaster Ward and even a doctor called one of the three a psychiatric patient which is very unfortunate. “How can a person, who didn’t take food for nine days, leave the hospital bed,” asked Biswal.

The Gaon Sathis have written a letter to the director of the hospital to look into the matter and urged him to take appropriate steps for the treatment of the agitating Gaon Sathis. On the other hand, Capital Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Sudarshan Das rubbished the allegation and clarified that they asked the Gaon Sathis to vacate the ward which has limited bed, but they arranged a bed and other facilities in another ward for the treatment of the agitating Gaon Sathis.

The Gaon Sathis demand a dignified salary of at least Rs 4,500 per month and their engagement in the Panchayati Raj Department as Gram Rojgar Sevaks like the VLWs at the block level. “We will continue our hunger strike and demonstration till our demands are fulfilled,” said Biswal.

   

3 killed as train hits mini truck near Khurda

BHUBANESWAR: Three persons were killed when a mini truck crossing the railway tracks at an unmanned level crossing was hit by a train in Khurda district, about 30 km from here on Tuesday.

At 5.45 am, the mini truck was hit by the Nagercoil-Shalimar (Kolkata) Gurudev Express at the level crossing between Khurda Road and Kaipadar Road railway stations. The vehicle, in which the three persons including driver were travelling, died on the spot.

The vehicle after colliding with the passenger train fell into the near by track which was again run over by a goods train coming from the opposite side. The vehicle fell into pieces on the track.

The local people staged demonstration at the spot demanding compensation to the families of the deceased and completion of the work of unmanned level crossing. The accident affected train services on the busy Chennai-Howrah route for some time.

State observes Utkal Divas

BHUBANESWAR: In order to mark the 77th foundation day of the formation of Odisha as a separate province, various political parties and organisations along with educational institutions observed the Utkal Divas across the State on Tuesday.

On the occasion of Utkal Divas, the State Government organised a photo exhibition and a laser show at the Exhibition Ground to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices made by eminent leaders of the State who were the mastermind behind the formation of a politically separate state on linguistic basis on April 1, 1936.

Utkal Sammilani, which had played a major role in the formation of modern Odisha on linguistic basis during the British era, observed the day by garlanding on Madhusudan Das statute in front of Raj Bhavan here. Similarly, Pradesh Congress Committee observed the day by garlanding on the statues of great personalities and commemorated their contributions in formation of the State.

Odisha Jan Morcha also observed the day and organised a meeting to pay tribute to the great men behind the special State. OJM general secretary Jagyenswar Babu urged the State Government to direct all the Government offices of the State to use Odia as administrative language.

All the major government buildings in the State capital on Monday wore a glittering look. The buildings include the Assembly, Secretariat, Jayadev Bhawan, Rabindra Mandap, NALCO, RBI and Railway headquarters have been decked up in colourful lights.

Gaon Sathis’ fast enters 8th day; 3 critical

BHUBANESWAR: The Gaon Sathis, who have been sitting on dharna here from March 7 demanding pay hike, would resort to other forms of agitation like begging in the name of the Chief Minister from Tuesday to mount pressure on the State Government for fulfilment of their demands.

Meanwhile, their hunger strike, which was launched from March 25, entered the eighth day on Monday.  The conditions of three fasting Gaon Sathis are critical and they are undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital from March 25, said State coordinator of Gaon Sathi Sangh Joint Action Committee Laxmidhar Biswal.

The Gaon Sathis demand a dignified salary of at least Rs 4,500 per month and their engagement in the Panchayati Raj Department as Gram Rojgar Sevaks like the VLWs at the block level. “We will continue our hunger strike and demonstration till our demands are fulfilled,” said Biswal.