Odisha government has set up an inter-departmental committee to consider a large number of applications for renewal of mining leases pending for over 10 years.

A notification by steel and mines department said, the 12-member committee headed by the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary will examine applications for renewal of mining lease for statutory clearance.

Other members of the committee are secretaries of steel and mines, forest and environment, revenue and disaster management departments, principal chief conservator of forest, PCCF (wildlife), director of environment, director of mines, director of geology, chief executive officer, Odisha Remote Sensing Application Centre and member secretary of the state pollution control board.

The modalities for the working of the committee and the frequency of sitting may be decided by the committee.

The Centre today assured the Odisha government of all support to upgrade Biju Patnaik Domestic Airport in Bhubaneswar into an international airport at the earliest. Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh also assured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who called on him in New Delhi, that his ministry will advise Airports Authority of India (AAI) to take up the work relating to expansion of airstrip at Jharsuguda. Mr Singh said his ministry will also advise Air India and other domestic airlines to start international operations from Bhubaneswar.

Announcement

In Odisha, hundreds of thousands of devotees are thronging Puri to witness the world famous annual Puri Rath Yatra that rolls out(began) today. The wooden chariots of the trinity Hindu deities lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra is all set to be pulled along this afternoon. The deities on board on the chariots during the first half of the day would be embarked for nine days sojourns to their aunt's house.

n Odisha, the Integrated Action Plan, IAP, a Centrally sponsored scheme has been implemented in 18 lefas much as t wing extremism affected districts. Since last two financial years, the Centre has allocated 915 crore rupees for this scheme. The scheme has been envisaged to attract youth and to uplift them by providing livelihood through developmental programs. So far, Odisha has successfully utilized over 70 per cent of funds allocated under the IAP program.

AIER correspondent reports, the peace loving state of Odisha is witnessing Maoists problem in various parts since last few years. In Southern Odisha, Malkangiri and Koraput while in Central Odihsa, Kandhmal district has been declared as worst affected. However, after being implemented the centrally sponsored scheme IAP in the worst affected districts the picture of violence is seen to have considerably reduced. Besides, youths who earlier had been taken into the folds of Maoists are now seems to be engaged in different constructive works sponsored under the IAP program. Under this program schools, hostels for SC/STs, anganwadi centers, primary health centers and other building, roads, culverts, bridges are being built in the Maoists affected areas. Earlier IAP has been implemented in 15 districts now it has been extended into three more new districts. Union government’s scheme IAP is going to be landmark in changing attitude of not only youths but also the Maoists. 

The Odisha Government has decided to develop Sanctuary Tourism in Bhitarkanika, Satkosia and Similipal Sanctuaries and National Parks. It is also planning to develop eco-tourism infrastructure in potential tourist places like Saptasajya, Pradhanpat, Khandadhar and Nandinia. 

The Tourism and Foreste Department of the state government has chalked out a joint plan to make a facelift of these tourist spots before the ensuing tourist season.

AIR correspondent reports,realizing the huge potential of tourism in Bhitarkanika, Satkosia and Similipal Sanctuaries and National Parks, the Odisha Government has decided develop these areas for more revenue earning. 

As per the decisions, natural trail, FRP cottages and toilets will be made in Kulibhanjadia and Jayanagar in Bhitarkanika. The Mangrove Forest Division, Rajnagar will implement it. The Pampasar, Labangi, Tikarpada, Chhamundia and Baliput will be having interpretation Centres and see more amenities for eco visitors. 

In Pradhanpat area under Deogarh Forest Division, the interpretation centre will be implemented by renovating the existing old structure. In Khandhara Water Fall under Bonai Forest Division in Sundergarh district, one crore rupees will be spent to develop the eco infrastructure. 

In Saptasjya under Dhenkanal Forest Division and Rajhans under Chilika Wildlife Division, facilities will be upgraded and floating jetty will be provided for tourists. The Principal Secretary to Tourism Department of Government of Odisha and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of Odisha will oversee the preparedness for the coming tourism season by improving the system to get permission for the visitors in the way of packages
so that the tour operators and visitors can have hassle free visit. 

Brochures and leaflets for the sanctuaries and National Parks will be made and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of Odisha and Tourism Department will facilitate booking for the visitors. These will boost the facilities for the Sanctuary Tourism visitors for the State. 

Further it was decided to share the components of prepared eco-tourism policy so that the draft policy prepared by F&E Department can be fine tuned. The alliances between two Departments and common strategy will boost the economic prospect of the stake holders of these areas.

In Odisha, the famous Shitala Shasti Yatra is being celebrated with pomp and glory at Sambalpur on Saturday. On this occasion, the marriage ceremony of Sri Sri Balukeswar Baba of Nandapara, Sri Sri Loknath Baba of Jhaduapada, Sri Sri Jageswar Baba of Modipara were solemnized with Goddess Parvati in vedic tradition at bride’s residence on Friday night. The divine couple will return to their respective temple in a grand procession on Saturday which will continue till Sunday afternoon. A large number of devotees from different part of the state have been plunged into Sambalpur town well ahead of yatra. The cultural troupes from different part of the country are participating in the procession. The Shiva temples in the town are decorated colorfully. Security arrangements have been made for smooth running of the procession.

Entire Odisha is reeling under severe heat wave. So far two deaths due to sun stroke have been officially confirmed.The toll is unoficially put at 44. This is being investigated. Most parts of western Odisha recorded more then 46 degree celesious yesterday. Districts like Bolangir,Sambalpur,Jharsuguda are severly hit. Power and drinking water crises has further precipited the problem. 

Due to stop of power production from hydroelectric projects the state is not in a position to meet the day to day requirement.The state power department has sought the help of private copanies to lend power from their captive power plants.The state Government has also requested neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhatishgarh to release surplus water to Odisha's Hirakud and Balimela reservoir to start power production.Metrological centre at Bhubaneswar has predicted heat wave conditions to continue for the next 48 hours.

The child mortality rate has declined significantly in Odisha. This is due to effective implementation of various programmes under National Rural Health Mission.

Child Mortality Rate has sharply declined following sincere efforts by the functionaries of health department in the State.

As per the latest Sample Registration Survey, Odisha has recorded second highest drop after Madhya Pradesh, surpassing the national average of five points during the period.

This could be possible after the State government has adopted a three-pronged strategy to control child mortality, focusing on reducing unwanted fertility, upgradation of health infrastructure and equipping the personnel with training. 

Over 6200 medical staffs have been trained for smooth deliveries and child care. In addition, 343 Janani Express have been launched in almost all blocks to carry pregnant women to hospital for safe institutional deliveries. 

Moreover, sick baby stabilization units are functioning in most backward districts of Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur and Mayurbhanj. If such efforts continue, Odisha will achieve Millennium Development Goal in controlling IMR and MMR very soon.

A retired Army officer today approached the Supreme Court to restrain the Odisha government from meeting Maoists' demands for release of their jailed members in exchange of an abducted Orissa MLA.

Major General (retd) Gangurdep Bakshi pleaded with the apex court that the state government should be restrained from releasing the Naxals as they were captured by security forces, which had to put their lives on stake to nab them.

Bakshi, a counter-terrorism operations expert, submitted that his petition be given urgent hearing as the deadline set by the Naxals would come to an end today at 5 pm.

Agreeing to hear his plea, a bench of justices T S Thakur and Gyan Sudha Misra, however, pulled up Bakshi for moving the court so late.

The apex court further said it would require the help of the Centre's law officer in the matter and listed the matter for hearing tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, Maoists have decided not to free ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka until all the 29 prisoners are released. As the deadline for fulfillment of demands put forwarded by the Maoists ended at 5 this evening, Comrade Aruna of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist) has said the fate of the MLA will be decided in the 'Praja Court'. She said the MLA will remain with the Maoists till the Odisha Government set all the 29 prisoners belonging to Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha, the frontal wing of CPI (Maoist) and CPI (Maoist) and cases against them are withdrawn. In a message to different media organsiations, Aruna said the Maoists dont have faith on the assurances of the Odisha Government. She also made it clear that the Maoists will not extend deadline for fulfillment of demands in exchange of the MLA, Jhina Hikaka, the tribal MLA from Laxmipur, has been abducted by the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist) since 24th of last month when he was returning home in Koraput district of Odisha.
The fresh message of the Maoists rejecting offer of the state government to free only 25 prisoners on bail has come as a great shock. It has shattered the hope of the state government on the release of the MLA today.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Saturday laid the foundation stone of 765 and 400 KV powergrid pooling systems in Angul and Sundargarh districts of Odisha. These will be built at a total cost of 9,500 crore rupees.

The projects aim to meet power transfer needs of a large number of new generating units.

The pooling centres, being set up by Powergrid Corporation of India, form part of one of the 11 high capacity power transmission corridors planned in different parts of the country in a phased manner.

A total 9000 MVA power will be pooled at Angul and Sundargarh. Shinde said these sub-stations will facilitate evacuation of power from new generation units coming up in these districts for transfer of power to Odisha.

The centre hopes to resolve the demand for more time to discuss the National Counter Terrorism Centre - NCTC in a couple of days. Home Minister P. Chidambaram says, West Bengal Chief Minister has sought considerable time to be devoted to discuss the anti terror centre.  presenting the report card of his ministry, he said, Mamta Banerjee has written a letter on the issue and the Prime minister or he himself will reply to it. Chidambaram said he is glad that there is a healthy debate and the concerns raised by the states will be taken on board. Chidambaram said, the Meeting of the Chief Ministers on the 16th of next month is an annual affair as the last meeting had to be postponed due to elections. He said, the debate will be based on the constitution and the existing laws and regulations. Home Minister Chidambaram said that all issues on the agenda will be discussed. On the bomb attack on an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi last month he said, India is in touch with Iran to get access to three Iranians wanted in the case. On the two hostages in Odisha, the Home minister said, he had spoken to Chief Miniter Navin Patnaik and offered any assistance that is needed. He said the Centre is closely in touch with the state government on the issue and intelligence is being shared regularly.  He said, thets, doors are open for talks for the Maoist and the only condition is that there should be no violence while the talks are on. He said, two people are still in custody and the Odisha government has rightly appointed interlocutors or any other group to talk with the maoists. The Home minister also said, that the Intelligence Bureau has been asked to quickly complete its inquiry into the leak of a letter written by Army Chief Gen V K Singh to the Prime Minister highlighting various shortcomings in the Army. But no time limit has been fixed for it. On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Chidambaram said, three amendments are pending with the Cabinet Committee on Security. On Telegana, the Home minister said, there is a demand for a decision on the issue and the Centre is requesting the four political parties to quickly make up their mind. He said, the Centre is ready to call a meeting of the eight political parties as soon as a signal is received that four political parties are ready. On the suicides for the Telegana cause, Chidambaram said it is deeply regrettable.