BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the JSL Limited for establishment of a 1320 MW super thermal power plant at Luni in Dhenkanal district.

The company will draw water from the Mahanadi river system for the plant.

JSL will invest Rs 7,375 crore and create employment opportunity (direct and indirect) for 2,600 persons in Orissa.

BHUBANESWAR: While the State is reeling under power crisis and low generation of thermal power due to shortage of coal has further aggravated the situation, Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said the Ministry had no such report.

BERHAMPUR: Oil spill from a coal-laden ship at Gopalpur port on Monday night has triggered panic and environmental concern. Around nine tonnes of oil is spreading in the area. The slick has spread to Rushikulya mouth and there are apprehensions that it may enter Chilika posing danger to the marine life.

TALCHER: Production and dispatch of coal at Talcher Coalfield has been badly hit due to ceasework by drivers and operators working under private contractors demanding hike in their wages.

Coal supply to NTPC-Kaniha and Nalco power plant has also been hit due to the strike. As many as 5000 contractual workers working at various transporting agencies resorted to cease work early this morning.

PARADIP: The population of blowhole dolphin, declared as an endangered species, has recorded a gradual rise at Mahanadi river mouth in Paradip. Though no census has yet been carried out by the Forest of Fishery Department, it is estimated that there are about 150 porpoises on the Paradip coast, officials sources.

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Saturday hiked power tariff by 30 per cent after keeping it unchanged for a decade. The last tariff hike was effected in 2001-02.

As per the new tariff order, the average bulk supply tariff (BST) has been increased from Rs 1.22 per unit to Rs 1.60 per unit. The new power tariff will come into effect from April 1.

BHUBANESWAR: While the State is reeling under power crisis, the Government has not taken any proactive measures during the last 15 years to add hydro generation capacity despite huge potential.

BHUBANESWAR: Ironic as it may sound, problems of encroachment and land grabbing have not spared electrification projects even as a hard-pressed State Government is compelled to resort to load shedding. Electrification of Badagarh-Kesura sub-station, a World Bank-assisted project, is a case in point.

Bibhuti Barik

BHUBANESWAR: The inhabitants 65 tribal families of remote Kolha village in Dhenkanal district never thought of experiencing the joy of electricity in their lifetime.

But now with indigenously developed straight vegetable oil (SVO) technology, they would fulfil their long-standing desire.

BHUBANESWAR: While the steel project of Posco is hanging fire due to stiff resistance from the public over land acquisition, the BJP today announced its support to the farmers of Angul and Dhenkanal districts opposing acquisition of agricultural land in the Rengali right canal command area for independent power projects (IPPs).