By Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, Bhubaneswar
Dec. 16: Orissa, which was hitherto known for its huge mineral reserves like iron ore, bauxite, chrome ore, manganese, dolomite and quartzite, is all set to add a new glitter to its kitty of natural resources.

Development projects that involve displacement are currently a cause of growing concern everywhere. The worrisome aspect is that it is the poor who are hurt most in the process, becoming poorer than before.

The much hyped Rajiv Gandhi Vidyut Karan Yojana (RGGVY) in Angul district has made a little progress even as the deadline for the completion is near. The central programme was implemented in the district on March 2007 and after 19 months, only 80 out of a total 1625 villages has electricity supply.

BALANGIR: Politics over the proposed second dam project over the Mahanadi at Manibhadra in the district is hotting up with politicians of various hues joining the bandwagon to oppose the project.

Interestingly, no politico is sure about the impact of the project on the district.

In a developing country like India, the development of rural economy through effective and proper management of common property resources (CPRs) such as forests has increasingly become an integral part of sustainable development policy in the past couple of decades.

The Met Department isn't declaring a heatwave yet but unconfirmed reports say 28 people have died in the state Unofficial reports say 28 people have died of a heatwave in Orissa this April while the government has confirmed four deaths due to sunstroke. The numbers may be contested but it is clear that the heat is creating havoc. While a heatwave is declared when the temperature is five degrees above normal, the state Met department's advisory declared a "heatwave' only on one day this month.

The quality of ground water samples collected from 7 representatives tubewells in rural areas around Angul-Talcher industrial zone, Orissa was assessed in the rainy, winter and summer from July 2001 to June 2003. A total of 20 physico-chemical characteristics were analysed. Some parameters were found within and some parameters beyond the desirable limit for drinking purpose.

BHUBANESWAR: Acting on a writ petition filed by one Suresh Pradhan and others, the Orissa High Court today issued notices to the Centre and State Government along with Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd over establishment of its power plant at Deranga in Angul district.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BN Mohapatra has also directed status quo on the public roads within

Bhubaneswar: National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has shown interest in developing Independent Power Plants (IPPs) in Odisha.

The Central-sector company is interested to undertake the projects in partnership with the State-owned undertakings like the Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (OTPCL), the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).

Nalco Chairm

ANGUL: The rapid loading system at Bharatpur coal mine at Talcher, which was damaged in a fire was made operational last evening. It started functioning after one of the two sets of the damaged conveyor belts was replaced at a cost of Rs 2.50 lakh. This restored normal supply of coal to Nalco. A huge fire broke out at the loading system on December 29 damaging the merry-go-round system.

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