Sindol on BJP’s mind
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BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Tuesday decided to oppose the Sindol hydro-electricity projects in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly commencing from Wednesday.
While the proposed projects are facing stiff opposition from people of four districts of Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Bargarh, the BJP Legislature Party slammed the Government for not taking the people and the Council of Ministers into confidence before announcing the projects.
“The Government should have taken up the approval of State Cabinet before signing an agreement with the National Hydro Power Corporation and the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation,” said Deputy Leader of the party in the Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra.
Facing Opposition from within the BJD, the Government will have a tough time to explain to the Opposition and ruling benches as well on the hurried manner in which the MoU was signed, he said.
With drought looming large in several districts due to erratic monsoon, the BJPLP slammed the Government for not having any contingency plan for the affected farmers.
The BJP will press for waiver of farm loan and supply of seeds and other agricultural inputs for rabi crop as an alternative measure, Mishra said.
The BJP is planning to corner the Government on the deteriorating law and order situation and the failing health services in the State.
The legislature party discussed the increasing Maoists activities in Balangir district and the Government failure to tackle the problem.
The meeting expressed concern over the threat call from a Maoist activist to the party leader in the Assembly KV Singhdeo and the murder of a BJD functionary by the Left wing extremists. Six legislators, including BJP supported Pratap Sarangi (Ind), attended the meeting. Bonai MLA Bhimsen Choudhury who was suspended from the party was absent.
Showing posts with label irrigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irrigation. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Sindol
Sindol project: Government assures water to farmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to pacify the growing discontentment over the decision to go ahead with the Sindol power project, the State Government on Wednesday announced setting up of mega lift irrigation points on both sides of the barrage. Farmers of three Western Orissa districts -Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur- are strongly opposed to the National Hydro Power Corporation’s (NHPC) Rs 3,000-crore hydro power project. The Sindol project was scrapped several times in the past because of strong opposition from the locals who fear submergence of large tracts of agricultural land and several villages. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that the project will not be implemented while campaigning for Rairakhol bypoll in 2003, which the Biju Janata Dal eventually won. But the Government has again revived the project sparking off large-scale opposition. The Government maintained that the farmers of Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur will benefit from the proposed lift irrigation points to be set up on both sides of the project. The decision was taken at a high level meeting at the secretariat here presided over by Naveen. The Government clarified that there would be no submergence of villages or paddy fields as it has been decided to reduce the height of the barrages. The three units of the project would together generate 320 MW after completion of Sindol-I, II and III. Softening its earlier stand, the Congress maintained that the party will study the situation and announce its decision, if there will be no submergence and displacement due to the project. The Congress has asked the Government to clarify how many villages will be submerged and the families to be displaced by the project. The BJP has opposed the project. The party had even passed a resolution against the project in the recently held State executive and threatened to launch an agitation if it was not scrapped.
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to pacify the growing discontentment over the decision to go ahead with the Sindol power project, the State Government on Wednesday announced setting up of mega lift irrigation points on both sides of the barrage. Farmers of three Western Orissa districts -Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur- are strongly opposed to the National Hydro Power Corporation’s (NHPC) Rs 3,000-crore hydro power project. The Sindol project was scrapped several times in the past because of strong opposition from the locals who fear submergence of large tracts of agricultural land and several villages. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that the project will not be implemented while campaigning for Rairakhol bypoll in 2003, which the Biju Janata Dal eventually won. But the Government has again revived the project sparking off large-scale opposition. The Government maintained that the farmers of Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur will benefit from the proposed lift irrigation points to be set up on both sides of the project. The decision was taken at a high level meeting at the secretariat here presided over by Naveen. The Government clarified that there would be no submergence of villages or paddy fields as it has been decided to reduce the height of the barrages. The three units of the project would together generate 320 MW after completion of Sindol-I, II and III. Softening its earlier stand, the Congress maintained that the party will study the situation and announce its decision, if there will be no submergence and displacement due to the project. The Congress has asked the Government to clarify how many villages will be submerged and the families to be displaced by the project. The BJP has opposed the project. The party had even passed a resolution against the project in the recently held State executive and threatened to launch an agitation if it was not scrapped.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Orissa CM directs officials to set up mega lift irrigation points on either side of proposed power projects
Report by OrissaDiary.com correspondent; Bhubaneswar: Chief Minsiter Naven Patnaik on Wednesday directed the Water Resources Department to set up mega lift irrigation points on either side of the proposed three barrages of the Sindol hydro power projects on river Mahanadi even as the projects are mired in controversy.
The Chief Minister, while reviewing the renovation of the irrigation projects at the State Secretariat here, said that with the setting up of the mega lift irrigation projects alongside the three stages of the Sindol-1, Sindol-II and Sindol -III projects, the farmers of the three drought-prone districts of Boudh, Sambalpur and Subarnapur would get the desired irrigation facilities.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the acute moisture stress with lurking drought-like situation in at least six districts, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Ganjam and Bargarh. He directed the Energy and Water Resources Departments to renovate the lift irrigation points lying defunct and asked the electricity distribution companies to immediately give power connection to the LI points pending disposal of the outstanding dues with round-the-clock power supply to help the farmers avail irrigation facilities.
According to official sources, as many as 1,758 LI points in the State are defunct and 13,861 points are functioning providing irrigation to an estimated 3.11 lakh hectares of land. Since the defunct LI points are in the blocks with below 35 per cent of irrigation potential, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to take immediate steps to make the LI points operational.
It was decided at the meeting that the Government would provide incentives to those Pani Panchayats working for the proper and efficient management of LI points. The Chief Minister also asked the Energy and Water Resources Departments to immediately repair and renovate the defunct LI points.
The Chief Minister asked the Energy Department to take steps for one-time settlement of the outstanding electricity dues and finalise the estimates relating to providing electricity connections to the defunct LI points.
With serious moisture stress and apprehension of Kharif crop loss, the Chief Minister relaxed the norm for setting up of new LI points.
Report by OrissaDiary.com correspondent; Bhubaneswar: Chief Minsiter Naven Patnaik on Wednesday directed the Water Resources Department to set up mega lift irrigation points on either side of the proposed three barrages of the Sindol hydro power projects on river Mahanadi even as the projects are mired in controversy.
The Chief Minister, while reviewing the renovation of the irrigation projects at the State Secretariat here, said that with the setting up of the mega lift irrigation projects alongside the three stages of the Sindol-1, Sindol-II and Sindol -III projects, the farmers of the three drought-prone districts of Boudh, Sambalpur and Subarnapur would get the desired irrigation facilities.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the acute moisture stress with lurking drought-like situation in at least six districts, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Ganjam and Bargarh. He directed the Energy and Water Resources Departments to renovate the lift irrigation points lying defunct and asked the electricity distribution companies to immediately give power connection to the LI points pending disposal of the outstanding dues with round-the-clock power supply to help the farmers avail irrigation facilities.
According to official sources, as many as 1,758 LI points in the State are defunct and 13,861 points are functioning providing irrigation to an estimated 3.11 lakh hectares of land. Since the defunct LI points are in the blocks with below 35 per cent of irrigation potential, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to take immediate steps to make the LI points operational.
It was decided at the meeting that the Government would provide incentives to those Pani Panchayats working for the proper and efficient management of LI points. The Chief Minister also asked the Energy and Water Resources Departments to immediately repair and renovate the defunct LI points.
The Chief Minister asked the Energy Department to take steps for one-time settlement of the outstanding electricity dues and finalise the estimates relating to providing electricity connections to the defunct LI points.
With serious moisture stress and apprehension of Kharif crop loss, the Chief Minister relaxed the norm for setting up of new LI points.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Water Conflict in Brahmani
Odisha Farmer leader to start indefinite hunger strike from 23rd Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Dhenkanal: The rengali right canal project has been started from the very beginning of 1996, the total expense till date is 723 crores, the proposed irrigated land will be 1 lakh 4 thousand 92 hector. Whereas, out of this irrigated land Lanco industry got 376 hector, GMR kamalang got 455 hector and NTPC, Cesc & Chambal got thousands of hectors.
The District administration favors illegally to the corporate whereas the farmers’ face a lots of problems in the district. The latest example is the Talabarakote village, where the Horticulture gave 2 lakh 20 thousand 543 rupees for Pamolin farming in 51.8 acres. But, astonishingly, now these 51.8 acres of land was donated to the proposed NTPC unit along with thousands of acres of kaju plantation. Installation of 6 electronic traffic systems in a small city like Dhenkanal with the help of 35 Lakhs from Lanco & NTPC establishes the nexus between the district body & the corporate.
There was a tender fixing of 6.25 crores in the Left canal and crores & crores in the right canal project, where the quality of construction & work is very poor. The vigilance knows everything, but it was silent. This shows the integrity of the district administration for eradication of the corruption.
The assistant director of factories & boilers of dhenkanal filed 46 cases against the Bhusan company in the hon’ble court of the SDJM, Dhenkanal. But, he does not know the number of hearings. That means, we’ll go on making cases against the companies, but not thinking of the hearings or judgments’. This proves the exact aim of the director.
The ministry of environment & forests of government of India suspended the final approval under section 2 of the Forest ( Conservation ) Act, 1980 for diversion of 61.48 ha of revenue forest / DPF in Dhenkanal & Angul districts of odisha for setting up of an integrated steel plant by Bhusan steel & strips limited on 11th December 2006 and ordered the state government to take serious actions against the violators. But till date no action was taken by the administration.
The assistant engineer & BDO of the sadar block make serious corruptions having nexus with selected contractors.
The assistant general manager of the supply corporation make a scam of around 5 crores with the help of 19 milers during 2009 -10 paddy procurement by taking lakhs of gunny-bags of the farmers illegally.
The 27 farm ponds done by the soil conservation department has not gone to the real beneficiaries.
ICOMM, the contractor of village level electrification in dhenkanal, on 8th april 2010 tried to make electrical connections at karadabani of nihalprasad thana without taking prior permission, for which one innocent labor of ICOMM from khamar thana Dibakar Behera burnt by electric-shock & then died. But, till date no enquiry was done by the departments.
9.86 acres of debottar land was given by the district administration to the ARSS company for establishment of a mega crosser unit at Nityanandapur, by not obeying the judgment of the hon’ble high court given during 1961. Also the enquiry report regarding this made by the continuing sub-collector Biswanath Acharya has been deliberately misplaced by the officials.
From the above serious points, you can easily think up the integrity of the district administration and their feelings for the poor & the farmers. The elected representatives & party leaders are only thinking for the betterment of themselves & their respective parties. This hurts a lot to the most – innocent dhenkanal people. They’re now self – motivated for any type of agitations for the cause of their right to live in a democratic country like India.
For this, only by a call of krishak sangharsh samiti, nearly 5 thousand farmers from all panchayats of the district rushed to the collector’s office with their own vehicle arrangements on 30th march 2011 and handed over a note of 35 demands to the collector for the governor.
On 4th April at 10.30 am Dhenkanal collector Girish S.N. discussed with , the convener of krishak sangharsh samiti and eminent farmer leader Er. Debashisha Hota, regarding the problems of the farmers to find out the practical & immediate solutions. The scheduled meeting was attended by the PD-DRDA, Dhenkanal Sub-collector, Minor Irrigation Executive Engineer, Flood Executive Engineer, presidents of all Pani-Pachayats, District Civil Supplies Officer and Deputy Director of agriculture. The important demands agreed by the collector are vigilance enquiry to unfold the corruption of crores of rupees in paddy procurement, high-level enquiry for the illegal selling of Sri Raghunathjew lands to ARSS for a mega crosser unit at Nityanandapur, transfer the elephants to the nearest wild-life, change the venue of Gajamara NTPC proposed unit to some other area having more non-agricultural lands, take serious action against Bhusan steel, BRG steel & Rana sponge for their uncontrolled air & water pollution, stop giving river & canal water and agricultural lands for industrialization and agricultural industries should be encouraged.
Today, at the conference hall of hotel debkanya, a press meet was done by the district committee of Krishak Sangharsh Samiti, where Er. Hota threatened for hunger strike till death from coming 23rd May for the sake of the poor farmers of this district, since the collector has disobeyed the agreed 20 demands.
The district secretary Niranjan Sahoo, district treasurer Ranjan Kumar Lenka, district executive body members Pravakar Poi, Sribatsa Biswal, Brajabandhu Sethy, Bijay Ketan Pradhan, Kuna Naik, Kamakhyanagar Block President Pramod Kumar Sethy, Kankadahad Block President Vagirathi Baral & Odapada Block President Sudhakar Sahu, threatened to paralyze the entire district after 23rd May, if the collector disobeys his own decisions.
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Dhenkanal: The rengali right canal project has been started from the very beginning of 1996, the total expense till date is 723 crores, the proposed irrigated land will be 1 lakh 4 thousand 92 hector. Whereas, out of this irrigated land Lanco industry got 376 hector, GMR kamalang got 455 hector and NTPC, Cesc & Chambal got thousands of hectors.
The District administration favors illegally to the corporate whereas the farmers’ face a lots of problems in the district. The latest example is the Talabarakote village, where the Horticulture gave 2 lakh 20 thousand 543 rupees for Pamolin farming in 51.8 acres. But, astonishingly, now these 51.8 acres of land was donated to the proposed NTPC unit along with thousands of acres of kaju plantation. Installation of 6 electronic traffic systems in a small city like Dhenkanal with the help of 35 Lakhs from Lanco & NTPC establishes the nexus between the district body & the corporate.
There was a tender fixing of 6.25 crores in the Left canal and crores & crores in the right canal project, where the quality of construction & work is very poor. The vigilance knows everything, but it was silent. This shows the integrity of the district administration for eradication of the corruption.
The assistant director of factories & boilers of dhenkanal filed 46 cases against the Bhusan company in the hon’ble court of the SDJM, Dhenkanal. But, he does not know the number of hearings. That means, we’ll go on making cases against the companies, but not thinking of the hearings or judgments’. This proves the exact aim of the director.
The ministry of environment & forests of government of India suspended the final approval under section 2 of the Forest ( Conservation ) Act, 1980 for diversion of 61.48 ha of revenue forest / DPF in Dhenkanal & Angul districts of odisha for setting up of an integrated steel plant by Bhusan steel & strips limited on 11th December 2006 and ordered the state government to take serious actions against the violators. But till date no action was taken by the administration.
The assistant engineer & BDO of the sadar block make serious corruptions having nexus with selected contractors.
The assistant general manager of the supply corporation make a scam of around 5 crores with the help of 19 milers during 2009 -10 paddy procurement by taking lakhs of gunny-bags of the farmers illegally.
The 27 farm ponds done by the soil conservation department has not gone to the real beneficiaries.
ICOMM, the contractor of village level electrification in dhenkanal, on 8th april 2010 tried to make electrical connections at karadabani of nihalprasad thana without taking prior permission, for which one innocent labor of ICOMM from khamar thana Dibakar Behera burnt by electric-shock & then died. But, till date no enquiry was done by the departments.
9.86 acres of debottar land was given by the district administration to the ARSS company for establishment of a mega crosser unit at Nityanandapur, by not obeying the judgment of the hon’ble high court given during 1961. Also the enquiry report regarding this made by the continuing sub-collector Biswanath Acharya has been deliberately misplaced by the officials.
From the above serious points, you can easily think up the integrity of the district administration and their feelings for the poor & the farmers. The elected representatives & party leaders are only thinking for the betterment of themselves & their respective parties. This hurts a lot to the most – innocent dhenkanal people. They’re now self – motivated for any type of agitations for the cause of their right to live in a democratic country like India.
For this, only by a call of krishak sangharsh samiti, nearly 5 thousand farmers from all panchayats of the district rushed to the collector’s office with their own vehicle arrangements on 30th march 2011 and handed over a note of 35 demands to the collector for the governor.
On 4th April at 10.30 am Dhenkanal collector Girish S.N. discussed with , the convener of krishak sangharsh samiti and eminent farmer leader Er. Debashisha Hota, regarding the problems of the farmers to find out the practical & immediate solutions. The scheduled meeting was attended by the PD-DRDA, Dhenkanal Sub-collector, Minor Irrigation Executive Engineer, Flood Executive Engineer, presidents of all Pani-Pachayats, District Civil Supplies Officer and Deputy Director of agriculture. The important demands agreed by the collector are vigilance enquiry to unfold the corruption of crores of rupees in paddy procurement, high-level enquiry for the illegal selling of Sri Raghunathjew lands to ARSS for a mega crosser unit at Nityanandapur, transfer the elephants to the nearest wild-life, change the venue of Gajamara NTPC proposed unit to some other area having more non-agricultural lands, take serious action against Bhusan steel, BRG steel & Rana sponge for their uncontrolled air & water pollution, stop giving river & canal water and agricultural lands for industrialization and agricultural industries should be encouraged.
Today, at the conference hall of hotel debkanya, a press meet was done by the district committee of Krishak Sangharsh Samiti, where Er. Hota threatened for hunger strike till death from coming 23rd May for the sake of the poor farmers of this district, since the collector has disobeyed the agreed 20 demands.
The district secretary Niranjan Sahoo, district treasurer Ranjan Kumar Lenka, district executive body members Pravakar Poi, Sribatsa Biswal, Brajabandhu Sethy, Bijay Ketan Pradhan, Kuna Naik, Kamakhyanagar Block President Pramod Kumar Sethy, Kankadahad Block President Vagirathi Baral & Odapada Block President Sudhakar Sahu, threatened to paralyze the entire district after 23rd May, if the collector disobeys his own decisions.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan
Save Mahanadi outfit ups the ante
First Published : 29 Dec 2010 07:14:57 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Dec 2010 11:52:46 AM IST
CUTTACK: The Mahanadi Banchao Andolan has upped the ante over diversion of water to industries and alleged illegalities in land acquisition, this time in particular reference to the Tata Power project at Naraj on the outskirts here. The organisation in association with the local Siddheswar Anchalik Surakshya Committee today announced it would intensify agitation against the project to protect the interests of the farmers as well as general public.
At a farmers’ rally at Naraj Marthapur, andolan leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra said the 1000-MW power project would have serious repercussions not only on the environment but also on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water availability in the region. Over 50,000 people of the three gram panchayats of Naraj Marthapur, Mundali and Ramdaspur would be seriously affected by the project.
The project would use about 46,684 cusec of water from the Mahanadi river which will have serious implications for water availability for different purposes. As it is the water holding capacity of the river has gone down alarmingly in the recent years, thanks to the inaction and faulty policies of the Government. Drawing of huge volume of water would lead to depletion of groundwater table while water would not be adequately available for irrigation in and around the region. Irrigation activities through Puri Main Canal, Taladanda Canal, Machagaon Canal and Gobari canal would be affected, Mohapatra warned.
First Published : 29 Dec 2010 07:14:57 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Dec 2010 11:52:46 AM IST
CUTTACK: The Mahanadi Banchao Andolan has upped the ante over diversion of water to industries and alleged illegalities in land acquisition, this time in particular reference to the Tata Power project at Naraj on the outskirts here. The organisation in association with the local Siddheswar Anchalik Surakshya Committee today announced it would intensify agitation against the project to protect the interests of the farmers as well as general public.
At a farmers’ rally at Naraj Marthapur, andolan leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra said the 1000-MW power project would have serious repercussions not only on the environment but also on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water availability in the region. Over 50,000 people of the three gram panchayats of Naraj Marthapur, Mundali and Ramdaspur would be seriously affected by the project.
The project would use about 46,684 cusec of water from the Mahanadi river which will have serious implications for water availability for different purposes. As it is the water holding capacity of the river has gone down alarmingly in the recent years, thanks to the inaction and faulty policies of the Government. Drawing of huge volume of water would lead to depletion of groundwater table while water would not be adequately available for irrigation in and around the region. Irrigation activities through Puri Main Canal, Taladanda Canal, Machagaon Canal and Gobari canal would be affected, Mohapatra warned.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Polavaram Politics
Orissa's objections on Polavaram project invalid: Rosaiah
2010-11-03 15:20:00
Last Updated: 2010-11-03 17:03:12
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday asserted that the objections raised by Orissa over the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project on river Godavari were "not valid."r
Replying to a question during a brief interaction with newsmen in the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said there was no question of Andhra Pradesh conducting a public hearing on the Polavaram project in Orissa and Chattisgarh as directed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
"How can we conduct a public hearing in those states? We have already taken adequate measures to prevent submergence of land in those states. The MoEF accorded environmental clearance for Polavaram only after that," Rosaiah pointed out.
The Chief Minister said the state government would "reply suitably" to the MoEF letter seeking an explanation on the construction of Polavaram.
"The Irrigation department will be replying to the MoEF letter. I have been trying to talk to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh since yesterday but could not get across to him. I am writing a letter to Jairam today appraising the need for giving early clearance for Polavaram," Rosaiah added.
News and tweets from Hyderabad
The Chief Minister recalled that he had spoken "more than once" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requesting them to expedite the process of granting national status for Polavaram.
"Not only Polavaram, we are also requesting national status for Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project but it is yet to get some clearances from the Centre," he pointed out.
2010-11-03 15:20:00
Last Updated: 2010-11-03 17:03:12
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday asserted that the objections raised by Orissa over the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project on river Godavari were "not valid."r
Replying to a question during a brief interaction with newsmen in the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said there was no question of Andhra Pradesh conducting a public hearing on the Polavaram project in Orissa and Chattisgarh as directed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
"How can we conduct a public hearing in those states? We have already taken adequate measures to prevent submergence of land in those states. The MoEF accorded environmental clearance for Polavaram only after that," Rosaiah pointed out.
The Chief Minister said the state government would "reply suitably" to the MoEF letter seeking an explanation on the construction of Polavaram.
"The Irrigation department will be replying to the MoEF letter. I have been trying to talk to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh since yesterday but could not get across to him. I am writing a letter to Jairam today appraising the need for giving early clearance for Polavaram," Rosaiah added.
News and tweets from Hyderabad
The Chief Minister recalled that he had spoken "more than once" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requesting them to expedite the process of granting national status for Polavaram.
"Not only Polavaram, we are also requesting national status for Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project but it is yet to get some clearances from the Centre," he pointed out.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Vamshadhara_ Mahendra Tanaya Banchao Andolan
Orissa must act to counter Andhra Pradesh initiatives: Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Report by Golakha Chandra Das; Bhubaneswar: It was 2 & ½ year back when Odisha Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik laid foundation for Bansadhara integrated project on river Mahendratanayaa.
It was the project which can cater the needs of water for irrigation, drinking purpose & electricity production for tribal dominated Gajapati & Rayagada district. Even the plan to construct 2 anikatas is also approved by the state technical committee as well as it got administrative approval. But the Odisha government is doing nothing on this since then. Even if the water resource department is under direct control of Chief Minister, still the department only invited tenders for this project & then it halted.
Where as the Andhra Pradesh Government is constructing the dam on its side with full swing. Odisha Government is just sitting silently observing this. It will be harmful to the people of the above 2 districts.
So Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana on Sunday in a press meet organized at hotel Keshari, Bbsr criticized the state Government for its apathy towards the Mahendratanayaa project. It blamed that Odisha Govt. is neither doing anything to stop Andhra Govt. nor taking the case to court. The ROYP threatened to start a large scale agitation against such attitude of State Govt. if it will not do anything immediately.
Also it suggests 7point charter to state Govt. 1) to apply in Supreme Court against Andhra Govt. which violates 1962 agreement by constructing project at Meliaputa on its side 2) to invite tender for Jalanga Anikata project 3) to construct immediate 2 proposed Anikatas 4) Govt. take the task by own if no one agreed to build the project 5) the task may be handed over to Military Engineering Service 6) to open a division office at Paralakhemundi 7) to fulfill the vacant post at Paralakhemundi subdivision.
Mr. Srikanta Padhy, national chairman, ROYP & convener, Mahendratanayaa Banchao Andolan addresses the journalist friends on this occasion.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Report by Golakha Chandra Das; Bhubaneswar: It was 2 & ½ year back when Odisha Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik laid foundation for Bansadhara integrated project on river Mahendratanayaa.
It was the project which can cater the needs of water for irrigation, drinking purpose & electricity production for tribal dominated Gajapati & Rayagada district. Even the plan to construct 2 anikatas is also approved by the state technical committee as well as it got administrative approval. But the Odisha government is doing nothing on this since then. Even if the water resource department is under direct control of Chief Minister, still the department only invited tenders for this project & then it halted.
Where as the Andhra Pradesh Government is constructing the dam on its side with full swing. Odisha Government is just sitting silently observing this. It will be harmful to the people of the above 2 districts.
So Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana on Sunday in a press meet organized at hotel Keshari, Bbsr criticized the state Government for its apathy towards the Mahendratanayaa project. It blamed that Odisha Govt. is neither doing anything to stop Andhra Govt. nor taking the case to court. The ROYP threatened to start a large scale agitation against such attitude of State Govt. if it will not do anything immediately.
Also it suggests 7point charter to state Govt. 1) to apply in Supreme Court against Andhra Govt. which violates 1962 agreement by constructing project at Meliaputa on its side 2) to invite tender for Jalanga Anikata project 3) to construct immediate 2 proposed Anikatas 4) Govt. take the task by own if no one agreed to build the project 5) the task may be handed over to Military Engineering Service 6) to open a division office at Paralakhemundi 7) to fulfill the vacant post at Paralakhemundi subdivision.
Mr. Srikanta Padhy, national chairman, ROYP & convener, Mahendratanayaa Banchao Andolan addresses the journalist friends on this occasion.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Another "Project' in Conflict
680 families to be displaced for Brutang irrigation project in Orissa
Published: Saturday, Oct 9, 2010, 16:15 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
As many as 680 families would be displaced for setting up an irrigation project in Orissa's Nayagarh district, the stage-I environment clearance for which had been accorded by the Centre, official sources said.
Issuing direction to officials to ensure that the displaced families were properly rehabilitated, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that about 23,300 hectares of agricultural land was estimated to get irrigation facilities by the irrigation project over Brutang river.
Patnaik reviewed the irrigation project last evening, barely hours after residents of about 21 villagers unitedly opposed to it. "We will not allow our houses to be inundated for the project," said Jasoda Behara, one of the giators.
While the state government was all set to implement the project by appointing a special officer to coordinate early clerance of the stage-II environment clearance, the local residents under the banner of Basachyuta Sangram Samiti vowed not to vacate their house and land to be submerged.
About 2110 hectare of land was likely to be inundated due to the proposed project to be set up over river Brutang in Nayagarh district.
Stating that 7.42 lakh people living in 309 villages in five blocks area of Nayagarh district would get benefit due to the project, Kandhamal MP Rudra Ray said he was talking to the agitating people to pave way for setting up the irrigation project.
Ray during the BJD's 10-day long 'padayatra', visited several villages to be displaced due to the project and tried to convince the people. "We are sorry that a large number of people will be displaced. But the project is very important as it will irrigate about 25,000 hectares of agricultral land," the MP said.
Published: Saturday, Oct 9, 2010, 16:15 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
As many as 680 families would be displaced for setting up an irrigation project in Orissa's Nayagarh district, the stage-I environment clearance for which had been accorded by the Centre, official sources said.
Issuing direction to officials to ensure that the displaced families were properly rehabilitated, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that about 23,300 hectares of agricultural land was estimated to get irrigation facilities by the irrigation project over Brutang river.
Patnaik reviewed the irrigation project last evening, barely hours after residents of about 21 villagers unitedly opposed to it. "We will not allow our houses to be inundated for the project," said Jasoda Behara, one of the giators.
While the state government was all set to implement the project by appointing a special officer to coordinate early clerance of the stage-II environment clearance, the local residents under the banner of Basachyuta Sangram Samiti vowed not to vacate their house and land to be submerged.
About 2110 hectare of land was likely to be inundated due to the proposed project to be set up over river Brutang in Nayagarh district.
Stating that 7.42 lakh people living in 309 villages in five blocks area of Nayagarh district would get benefit due to the project, Kandhamal MP Rudra Ray said he was talking to the agitating people to pave way for setting up the irrigation project.
Ray during the BJD's 10-day long 'padayatra', visited several villages to be displaced due to the project and tried to convince the people. "We are sorry that a large number of people will be displaced. But the project is very important as it will irrigate about 25,000 hectares of agricultral land," the MP said.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Industry Agriculture Water Conflict
Indian Farmers Fight Billionaire Mittal, Posco for Water Rights
By Abhishek Shanker - Oct 4, 2010 8:31 PM GMT+0530
ArcelorMittal and Posco are leading $80 billion in planned spending in India that would vault the country ahead of Japan as the second-biggest steelmaker. Standing in the way are farmers and their water supply.
The farmers refuse to move from irrigated land in three states that hold more than half of India’s reserves of iron ore, a key material to make steel. That’s stymied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ambitions to more than triple India’s steel capacity to 232 million metric tons.
“We’re not going to allow the government to take the land and water and give them to Posco,” said Prasanth Paikare, a spokesman for opposition group Posco Prathirodh Sangram Samiti that says it represents 25,000 farmers. “The government has promised us land at a new location but there is no good land available in the state now and there won’t be enough water for agriculture,” he said in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state.
The farmers’ concern about water for crops has delayed plans by ArcelorMittal, Posco and at least five rivals to benefit from a steel market that has expanded more than 55 percent since 2005 as Indian imports of the metal tripled in the same period. Posco’s proposal to build a $12 billion steel plant in Orissa has stalled for five years as the South Korean company failed to persuade farmers to move.
“Repeated delays have left investors concerned about whether Posco can make it,” said Im Jeong Jae, who helps manage $26.3 billion of assets, including shares of the world’s third-biggest steelmaker, at Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management Co. “India is very important because it has the best growth potential after China for steel demand and Posco can also source iron ore and raw materials there.”
Lagging Behind
The latest hurdle is an environment ministry report due this month on the impact of the Posco project. Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang has since announced investment plans in Indonesia and Vietnam, as it lagged behind Chinese steelmaker Baosteel Group Corp.
The 160 million tons of steel capacity planned in India would consume 640 billion gallons of water a year, based on average consumption of U.S. steel mills in a U.S. Department of Energy paper. That’s enough to provide enough water for drinking and cooking for 133 million people in India for a year, according to figures from the government.
That level of water consumption would yield 1 million tons of rice a year, which at today’s price of $299 a ton would fetch 0.3 percent of the value of the steel produced and be enough to feed 9 million people in India for a year, based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization consumption estimates.
Land and Water
“Posco wants our land, it wants our water,” said Makar Kandi, 75, who sustains a family of eight from a one-acre plot on which he grows betel leaves in Orissa’s Dhinkia village. “Agriculture is our only means. We’ll have no livelihood.”
India increased annual steel output by 34 million tons since 2005, compared with 219 million tons by China, the biggest-producing nation.
A ton of hot-rolled coil, a benchmark steel product, sells for about $685, compared with $299 a ton for a common variety of rice in India.
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, faces delays for a $10 billion mill in Orissa and in Jharkhand state. Projects by Tata Steel Ltd., India’s biggest maker of the metal, are faring no better in the two states and in Chhattisgarh.
Iron Ore Attraction
According to an agreement with Jharkhand, Luxembourg- based ArcelorMittal would have access to 20 million tons of iron ore annually for 30 years. That’s enough to raise its self- sufficiency in the raw material by 33 percent. Iron ore prices have gained in two out of three quarters this year.
“Securing iron ore assets has become very important for the steel companies as prices both in the contractual as well as spot markets have been very volatile,” Elora Sahoo, an analyst at Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd., said in Mumbai. “Having their own iron ore assets will help companies hedge against market price movements and control the cost of production.”
ArcelorMittal is now seeking to secure land at a new location in Jharkhand, said spokeswoman Mandakini Sud. There has been “good” progress in convincing locals, mostly people engaged in non-agricultural activities, to give up land, she said.
“With over 60 percent of India’s population dependent on the monsoons for livelihood, there’s population concentration and serious competition in areas with water,” Rahul Jain, an analyst at RBS Equities India Ltd. said in Mumbai.
Less Rainfall
What’s making the case worse for Posco is the declining rainfall in the Jagatsinghpur district where it’s planning its mill. Rain during the June-September monsoon period, needed for agriculture, has fallen 26 percent from 2007 to 2009, according to data from the country’s weather department.
That forced farmers to compete with manufacturers including Vedanta Resources Plc and Hindalco Industries Ltd. for water from the Mahanadi river. Posco plans to secure water through pipes from the Jobra dam on the river.
“Opposition to the project is unfounded,” Posco India Ltd. General Manager Simanta Mohanty said. “We will not use local water. There’s enough water available from Jobra.”
The steelmakers in June begun exploring sites in the southern state of Karnataka, which has the country’s second- biggest iron ore deposit. The catch? Lack of water.
“The state has decided to acquire dry and barren land, which gives little or no returns to the farmers,” said V.P. Baligar, industry secretary of Karnataka state. “On such land, water is an issue and we are trying to address it.”
By Abhishek Shanker - Oct 4, 2010 8:31 PM GMT+0530
ArcelorMittal and Posco are leading $80 billion in planned spending in India that would vault the country ahead of Japan as the second-biggest steelmaker. Standing in the way are farmers and their water supply.
The farmers refuse to move from irrigated land in three states that hold more than half of India’s reserves of iron ore, a key material to make steel. That’s stymied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ambitions to more than triple India’s steel capacity to 232 million metric tons.
“We’re not going to allow the government to take the land and water and give them to Posco,” said Prasanth Paikare, a spokesman for opposition group Posco Prathirodh Sangram Samiti that says it represents 25,000 farmers. “The government has promised us land at a new location but there is no good land available in the state now and there won’t be enough water for agriculture,” he said in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state.
The farmers’ concern about water for crops has delayed plans by ArcelorMittal, Posco and at least five rivals to benefit from a steel market that has expanded more than 55 percent since 2005 as Indian imports of the metal tripled in the same period. Posco’s proposal to build a $12 billion steel plant in Orissa has stalled for five years as the South Korean company failed to persuade farmers to move.
“Repeated delays have left investors concerned about whether Posco can make it,” said Im Jeong Jae, who helps manage $26.3 billion of assets, including shares of the world’s third-biggest steelmaker, at Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management Co. “India is very important because it has the best growth potential after China for steel demand and Posco can also source iron ore and raw materials there.”
Lagging Behind
The latest hurdle is an environment ministry report due this month on the impact of the Posco project. Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang has since announced investment plans in Indonesia and Vietnam, as it lagged behind Chinese steelmaker Baosteel Group Corp.
The 160 million tons of steel capacity planned in India would consume 640 billion gallons of water a year, based on average consumption of U.S. steel mills in a U.S. Department of Energy paper. That’s enough to provide enough water for drinking and cooking for 133 million people in India for a year, according to figures from the government.
That level of water consumption would yield 1 million tons of rice a year, which at today’s price of $299 a ton would fetch 0.3 percent of the value of the steel produced and be enough to feed 9 million people in India for a year, based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization consumption estimates.
Land and Water
“Posco wants our land, it wants our water,” said Makar Kandi, 75, who sustains a family of eight from a one-acre plot on which he grows betel leaves in Orissa’s Dhinkia village. “Agriculture is our only means. We’ll have no livelihood.”
India increased annual steel output by 34 million tons since 2005, compared with 219 million tons by China, the biggest-producing nation.
A ton of hot-rolled coil, a benchmark steel product, sells for about $685, compared with $299 a ton for a common variety of rice in India.
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, faces delays for a $10 billion mill in Orissa and in Jharkhand state. Projects by Tata Steel Ltd., India’s biggest maker of the metal, are faring no better in the two states and in Chhattisgarh.
Iron Ore Attraction
According to an agreement with Jharkhand, Luxembourg- based ArcelorMittal would have access to 20 million tons of iron ore annually for 30 years. That’s enough to raise its self- sufficiency in the raw material by 33 percent. Iron ore prices have gained in two out of three quarters this year.
“Securing iron ore assets has become very important for the steel companies as prices both in the contractual as well as spot markets have been very volatile,” Elora Sahoo, an analyst at Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd., said in Mumbai. “Having their own iron ore assets will help companies hedge against market price movements and control the cost of production.”
ArcelorMittal is now seeking to secure land at a new location in Jharkhand, said spokeswoman Mandakini Sud. There has been “good” progress in convincing locals, mostly people engaged in non-agricultural activities, to give up land, she said.
“With over 60 percent of India’s population dependent on the monsoons for livelihood, there’s population concentration and serious competition in areas with water,” Rahul Jain, an analyst at RBS Equities India Ltd. said in Mumbai.
Less Rainfall
What’s making the case worse for Posco is the declining rainfall in the Jagatsinghpur district where it’s planning its mill. Rain during the June-September monsoon period, needed for agriculture, has fallen 26 percent from 2007 to 2009, according to data from the country’s weather department.
That forced farmers to compete with manufacturers including Vedanta Resources Plc and Hindalco Industries Ltd. for water from the Mahanadi river. Posco plans to secure water through pipes from the Jobra dam on the river.
“Opposition to the project is unfounded,” Posco India Ltd. General Manager Simanta Mohanty said. “We will not use local water. There’s enough water available from Jobra.”
The steelmakers in June begun exploring sites in the southern state of Karnataka, which has the country’s second- biggest iron ore deposit. The catch? Lack of water.
“The state has decided to acquire dry and barren land, which gives little or no returns to the farmers,” said V.P. Baligar, industry secretary of Karnataka state. “On such land, water is an issue and we are trying to address it.”
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hansua Conflict
Hansua water for Posco project opposed
Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar criticise the government's proposal
The programme was organised by Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch
Farmers in large numbers attended the seminar
CUTTACK: Speakers at a State-level seminar here on Friday opposed the proposal of Orissa government to supply water from the Hansua River in Jagatsinghpur district to the proposed Posco steel plant at Paradeep. Organised by the Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch, the seminar was attended among others by hundreds of farmers from areas like Biridi, Raghunathpu, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda of the district.
Janamanch convener Chittaranjan Mohanty said that the Hansua was not a natural river. “It's not even a tributary of the Mahanadi system and not even a rivulet having independent source of water,” he said. “Rather the Hansua is a drainage channel of the Taladanda canal through which seepage water from the canal and rain waters flow during floods to avert water-logging in vast stretches of agricultural land in the locality,” Mr. Mohanty said adding that the government's proposal to draw water from this channel for the South Korean steel major is nothing but indirectly drawing water from the Taladanda canal.
The 90-km Taladanda canal from Cuttack to Paradeep was exclusively meant for irrigation purpose. Even when the tail-end areas of the canal face acute shortage of water for irrigation, how can the government think of drawing water from the middle of the canal for industrial purpose, the speakers pointed out in unison. Any proposal to draw water from the Hansua channel would also result in water stagnation and would have serious consequences on agricultural patterns of local people stretching from Kandarpur to Nalibar areas where besides paddy and vegetables, other cash crops like groundnut and mustard were grown in large tracts, the farmers said.
Presided over by Janamanch president Akshaya Das, the seminar was addressed among others by former Union minister Brajakishore Tripathy, Janamanch secretary general Biswabasu Das, CPI (M) leader Subash Singh, environmentalist Prafulla Samantra, engineer Lalit Patnaik and former MLA Bijay Naik.
Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar criticise the government's proposal
The programme was organised by Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch
Farmers in large numbers attended the seminar
CUTTACK: Speakers at a State-level seminar here on Friday opposed the proposal of Orissa government to supply water from the Hansua River in Jagatsinghpur district to the proposed Posco steel plant at Paradeep. Organised by the Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch, the seminar was attended among others by hundreds of farmers from areas like Biridi, Raghunathpu, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda of the district.
Janamanch convener Chittaranjan Mohanty said that the Hansua was not a natural river. “It's not even a tributary of the Mahanadi system and not even a rivulet having independent source of water,” he said. “Rather the Hansua is a drainage channel of the Taladanda canal through which seepage water from the canal and rain waters flow during floods to avert water-logging in vast stretches of agricultural land in the locality,” Mr. Mohanty said adding that the government's proposal to draw water from this channel for the South Korean steel major is nothing but indirectly drawing water from the Taladanda canal.
The 90-km Taladanda canal from Cuttack to Paradeep was exclusively meant for irrigation purpose. Even when the tail-end areas of the canal face acute shortage of water for irrigation, how can the government think of drawing water from the middle of the canal for industrial purpose, the speakers pointed out in unison. Any proposal to draw water from the Hansua channel would also result in water stagnation and would have serious consequences on agricultural patterns of local people stretching from Kandarpur to Nalibar areas where besides paddy and vegetables, other cash crops like groundnut and mustard were grown in large tracts, the farmers said.
Presided over by Janamanch president Akshaya Das, the seminar was addressed among others by former Union minister Brajakishore Tripathy, Janamanch secretary general Biswabasu Das, CPI (M) leader Subash Singh, environmentalist Prafulla Samantra, engineer Lalit Patnaik and former MLA Bijay Naik.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Posco and Hansua
POSCO war zone - Farmers oppose plan to supply Hansua River water
The proposal of the Orissa government to supply surplus water from Hansua River to POSCO India's proposed mega steel plant at Paradip has drawn flak from the farmers who have decided to protest this move of the government.
The activists of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangthan conducted a meeting at Redhua near Paradip while hundreds of farmers joined rallies to protest the move of the state government to supply water for the POSCO project.
The farmer’s leaders like Akshaya Kumar, Soren Rout, Rashmiranjan Swain and others delivered speeches on the occasion. They stated that Hansua is not a river but a drainage channel whose catchment’s area from Kandarpur to Erasama is 278 square miles.
Local farmers have alleged that majority of farmers of Birdi, Raghunathpur, Jagatsinghpur, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda have been cultivating their vegetable crops, sunflower, groundnuts, mustard, paddy and other crops by availing water from different bases of the Hansua channel.
Farmers also use the water from this channel for the transplantation of paddy crops during the Kharif season in the event of scanty rainfall and delay in supply of irrigated water through canal.
The farmers have been using lift irrigation points to pump out water from this channel to supply water for agricultural purposes. The farmers' leaders stated that nearly 35,000 ha of paddy crops of Jagatsinghpur district are getting waterlogged during the rainy season due to non release of rain water as river creeks and the Jatadhari river mouth have been choked.
Steps will be taken to renovate river creeks and to dredge Hansua channel and Jatadhari River mouth to release water so water logging would be averted properly, said Assistant engineer of Erasama Kisoher Chandra Patra.
They added that the supply of water to POSCO through a barrage will result in water stagnation and will have serious consequences on livelihood patterns of people besides damaging the road communication infrastructure.
Out of 17,806 hectares, 5003 hectares are irrigated land in Erasama area and the rest lands are non-irrigated. Hundreds of farmers use the water of this river during rabi and kharif seasons through lift irrigation points.
After supply of water to POSCO, the base of this river will be dried and farmers will be deprived of pumping out water from Hansua to irrigate non irrigated lands.
Zilla parishad member cum President of Ersama Ba Simiti, Sarada Jena “For the sake of one company (Posco), thousands of people cannot suffer and their livelihood patterns must not be disturbed. We apprehend the people of the particular areas would not tolerate this and there might be agitations and mass movements in the district of Jagatsinghpur.”
The proposal of the Orissa government to supply surplus water from Hansua River to POSCO India's proposed mega steel plant at Paradip has drawn flak from the farmers who have decided to protest this move of the government.
The activists of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangthan conducted a meeting at Redhua near Paradip while hundreds of farmers joined rallies to protest the move of the state government to supply water for the POSCO project.
The farmer’s leaders like Akshaya Kumar, Soren Rout, Rashmiranjan Swain and others delivered speeches on the occasion. They stated that Hansua is not a river but a drainage channel whose catchment’s area from Kandarpur to Erasama is 278 square miles.
Local farmers have alleged that majority of farmers of Birdi, Raghunathpur, Jagatsinghpur, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda have been cultivating their vegetable crops, sunflower, groundnuts, mustard, paddy and other crops by availing water from different bases of the Hansua channel.
Farmers also use the water from this channel for the transplantation of paddy crops during the Kharif season in the event of scanty rainfall and delay in supply of irrigated water through canal.
The farmers have been using lift irrigation points to pump out water from this channel to supply water for agricultural purposes. The farmers' leaders stated that nearly 35,000 ha of paddy crops of Jagatsinghpur district are getting waterlogged during the rainy season due to non release of rain water as river creeks and the Jatadhari river mouth have been choked.
Steps will be taken to renovate river creeks and to dredge Hansua channel and Jatadhari River mouth to release water so water logging would be averted properly, said Assistant engineer of Erasama Kisoher Chandra Patra.
They added that the supply of water to POSCO through a barrage will result in water stagnation and will have serious consequences on livelihood patterns of people besides damaging the road communication infrastructure.
Out of 17,806 hectares, 5003 hectares are irrigated land in Erasama area and the rest lands are non-irrigated. Hundreds of farmers use the water of this river during rabi and kharif seasons through lift irrigation points.
After supply of water to POSCO, the base of this river will be dried and farmers will be deprived of pumping out water from Hansua to irrigate non irrigated lands.
Zilla parishad member cum President of Ersama Ba Simiti, Sarada Jena “For the sake of one company (Posco), thousands of people cannot suffer and their livelihood patterns must not be disturbed. We apprehend the people of the particular areas would not tolerate this and there might be agitations and mass movements in the district of Jagatsinghpur.”
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Posco Water
Locals oppose plan to draw water from Haunsua river for Posco
Published: Sunday, Sep 26, 2010, 13:34 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
With the Orissa government mulling supply of water to Posco's proposed mega steel mill near Paradip from an alternative place, local people and some outfits demanded a fresh public hearing.
Faced with stiff opposition from farmers and different political parties, the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of drawing water from Hansua river instead of getting it from Jobra barrage near Cuttack.
Farmers under the banner of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangathan also held a meeting near Paradip to unitedly oppose the state government's move to allow Posco to draw water from Hansua river.
Though Hansua was basically a drainage channel whose catchment area was spread over 278 square miles in both Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts.
"Majority of farmers in Jagatsinghpur district meet their water requirement from Hansua. Farmers often use pump sets to lift water from Hansua," Zilla Parishad president Sarada Jena said.
Water resources secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, however, said the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of lifting water from Hansua river after building a barrage on it.
"Posco will be allowed to preserve water of Hansua river and use it," he said.
While Posco was yet to respond to the state government's proposal, the South Korean company had earlier rejected idea of drawing water from certain rivers in Jagatsinghpur on the plea that most of the water sources in the district was saline.
"We urge upon the government to conduct a fresh Environment Impact Assessment study for the projects impacts on the ecology," Water Initiative of Orissa (WIO) said.
"In the MoU signed between the company and the state government, water is a separate sub-project and hence any change in the water use would need a fresh EIA and environmental clearance after due public hearing at both places from where the government plans to give water to POSCO," WIO's convenor Ranjan Panda said.
Published: Sunday, Sep 26, 2010, 13:34 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
With the Orissa government mulling supply of water to Posco's proposed mega steel mill near Paradip from an alternative place, local people and some outfits demanded a fresh public hearing.
Faced with stiff opposition from farmers and different political parties, the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of drawing water from Hansua river instead of getting it from Jobra barrage near Cuttack.
Farmers under the banner of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangathan also held a meeting near Paradip to unitedly oppose the state government's move to allow Posco to draw water from Hansua river.
Though Hansua was basically a drainage channel whose catchment area was spread over 278 square miles in both Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts.
"Majority of farmers in Jagatsinghpur district meet their water requirement from Hansua. Farmers often use pump sets to lift water from Hansua," Zilla Parishad president Sarada Jena said.
Water resources secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, however, said the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of lifting water from Hansua river after building a barrage on it.
"Posco will be allowed to preserve water of Hansua river and use it," he said.
While Posco was yet to respond to the state government's proposal, the South Korean company had earlier rejected idea of drawing water from certain rivers in Jagatsinghpur on the plea that most of the water sources in the district was saline.
"We urge upon the government to conduct a fresh Environment Impact Assessment study for the projects impacts on the ecology," Water Initiative of Orissa (WIO) said.
"In the MoU signed between the company and the state government, water is a separate sub-project and hence any change in the water use would need a fresh EIA and environmental clearance after due public hearing at both places from where the government plans to give water to POSCO," WIO's convenor Ranjan Panda said.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Shifting attention: POSCO going for Hansua leaving the Mahanadi
Our Mr Secretary, WRD (plz read the following news) is also falling trap to the same 'river water going to sea is a waste' beief, that our Ministers have earlier fallen to. Kudos to their advisors, married to this 'engineering paradigm'! They have been successful in perpetuating and implanting this dangerously wrong beief in the minds of decision makers. This shows the urgent need of carrying out damage control awareness and sensitization campaign among our beuraucrats and politcians on the understanding of our rivers in entirety and the implications of environmental flow.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Polavaram
Polavaram issue at bAiThak kHanA
Posted by: "sudarsan das" in E-group Agamiorissa
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:14 pm (PDT)
Dear All
As planned, the bAiThaK kHanA of Agami Odisha organised the consultation on Polavaram on 11th September at Ekamra Hatt.
Consultation had about thirty five participants comprising NGOs, media, activists, and elected representatives. Shri Sudarsan Das explained the weekly dialogue series that Agami Odisha has been organising on varied issues of concern to the state to examine the alternatives and and chalk out ways and mean of building public opinion in favour policies and programmes in the interest of the state. Polavaram issue has been taken up for this week, he explained as the problem is becoming serious with growing pressures to accord national status to the dam.
He introduced guest speaker Shri M Bharath Bhushan of Aranyika, a inter-state network of NGOs on environment and tribal development, and his work related to Polavaram dam as an activist with field studies on the impact of the dam way back in 1992 and his contribution to Aranyika's publication titled “Myth and Reality of
Polavaram Dam' highlighting the truth of the benefits and underestimated losses, as well his documentaries films on the Koyas tribe and Polavaram dam.
Bharath Bhushan explained that the Polavaram dam has evoked public wrath from the
beginning, especially from late Eighties when various sanghatans in the state of Andhra Pradesh and environment groups in the country have also questioned the rationale. There was a regional meet of the Koya tribal village heads of the three states in March 1995 that made fervent appeal to the chief ministers of the three states to withdraw Polavaram dam. Resistance to Polavaram dam, he said, is not new. The Polavaram Dam is national disaster as the promised benefits are only on paper and highly exaggerated, while the losses which are irreversible due to ecological destruction and displacement of people in large scale are many times higher than what is being told to the clearance authorities. The benefits are shaky, for instance, the irrigation benefits are claimed to be initially 7.21 lakh acres as
per the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan (EIA & EMP) prepared by Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd in September 2005 that was submitted to the authorities for obtaining clearance, Now there are claims of 23.21 lakh acres how that is possible and if the revised irrigation benefits are true how approval given to different design is valid, he asked. While the truth is that
Polavaram dam would be irrigate additionally only 42,000 acres as after deducting the extent of land that is lost forever under submergence and canals and 5.47 lakh acres which is already under irrigation or in progress under Tatipudi, Pushakara and several other irrigation projects. Similarly the Central Electricity Authority has
declared that power generation claims of 960 MW is unrealistic as there is feasibility for only 460 MW. Other serious issues of concern are the displacement of around 3 lakh population. Displacement and ecological implications are not confined to state borders as the Dantewada disturbance has resulted in about 30,000 people moving to AP according to the National Commission for Protection for Child
Rights in November 2007. Whether there is submergence or embankment in Orissa and Chattisgarh the large scale displacement of adivasis in AP and the uphill migration of the adivasis would be national disaster.
Prof K B Das of Utkal University remarked that all mega projects are only adding to the loot of resources for the private gains and the proposed benefits of the projects are not real or only short term. He cited examples of the Hirakud, Indravati dams and added that the displaced people are yet to be rehabilitated in many cases. He wondered how the Polavaram dam would be different when it is of much larger scale and being designed without public consent. Other participants who spoke on the occasion include Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy, former Union Minister, Mr
Lalit Mohan Patnaik, Mr Akshya Das, Mr Tushar Kanta, Mr Deba Parija, Priyadarshi Mishra, Mr Dayanidhi Sahu etc.
Participants remarked that presentations by the speakers and the discussion has brought to light several dimensions of the dam and the rapid modifications in the scope and design that are not widely known to the people in any state. The whole issue is treated as a matter of concern to technical experts and those in power to be act indiscriminately while the adverse implications of the ill designed project are to be faced by the adivasis and the people. Secrecy and myths of the technical
things are only coming into light in bits and pieces when one committee after the other finds lacunae in some component or the other. The participants opined that the project should be stalled immediately to have a national debate on the project in its totality and public debate is needed whether the dam serves any purpose at
all, whether its social ecological costs are worth the project, whether the corrective measures in the form of R&R and Environment Management Plan are sound etc
Issues that emerged for reflection include the following:
Polavaram issue is a national tragedy with significant direct implications to the state and the response from Odisha has to be above party affiliations
There is urgent need to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the social, ecological, and related problems due to the Polavaram dam
Public awareness and mobilisation has to be strengthened to inform the affected people and the varied sections in the state about the true picture of the
Polavaram dam
A state level convention has to be organised at the earliest to build public
awareness on the issue. The convention should invite speakers comprising experts and activists from three states and other parts of the country
--------------------------------------------
Sudarsan Das
Managing Trustee & Secretary
Human Development Foundation (HDF)
M-4, Samant Vihar, Mancheswar Rly. Colony
Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
Email: sudarsan_d@yahoo.com
Posted by: "sudarsan das" in E-group Agamiorissa
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:14 pm (PDT)
Dear All
As planned, the bAiThaK kHanA of Agami Odisha organised the consultation on Polavaram on 11th September at Ekamra Hatt.
Consultation had about thirty five participants comprising NGOs, media, activists, and elected representatives. Shri Sudarsan Das explained the weekly dialogue series that Agami Odisha has been organising on varied issues of concern to the state to examine the alternatives and and chalk out ways and mean of building public opinion in favour policies and programmes in the interest of the state. Polavaram issue has been taken up for this week, he explained as the problem is becoming serious with growing pressures to accord national status to the dam.
He introduced guest speaker Shri M Bharath Bhushan of Aranyika, a inter-state network of NGOs on environment and tribal development, and his work related to Polavaram dam as an activist with field studies on the impact of the dam way back in 1992 and his contribution to Aranyika's publication titled “Myth and Reality of
Polavaram Dam' highlighting the truth of the benefits and underestimated losses, as well his documentaries films on the Koyas tribe and Polavaram dam.
Bharath Bhushan explained that the Polavaram dam has evoked public wrath from the
beginning, especially from late Eighties when various sanghatans in the state of Andhra Pradesh and environment groups in the country have also questioned the rationale. There was a regional meet of the Koya tribal village heads of the three states in March 1995 that made fervent appeal to the chief ministers of the three states to withdraw Polavaram dam. Resistance to Polavaram dam, he said, is not new. The Polavaram Dam is national disaster as the promised benefits are only on paper and highly exaggerated, while the losses which are irreversible due to ecological destruction and displacement of people in large scale are many times higher than what is being told to the clearance authorities. The benefits are shaky, for instance, the irrigation benefits are claimed to be initially 7.21 lakh acres as
per the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan (EIA & EMP) prepared by Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd in September 2005 that was submitted to the authorities for obtaining clearance, Now there are claims of 23.21 lakh acres how that is possible and if the revised irrigation benefits are true how approval given to different design is valid, he asked. While the truth is that
Polavaram dam would be irrigate additionally only 42,000 acres as after deducting the extent of land that is lost forever under submergence and canals and 5.47 lakh acres which is already under irrigation or in progress under Tatipudi, Pushakara and several other irrigation projects. Similarly the Central Electricity Authority has
declared that power generation claims of 960 MW is unrealistic as there is feasibility for only 460 MW. Other serious issues of concern are the displacement of around 3 lakh population. Displacement and ecological implications are not confined to state borders as the Dantewada disturbance has resulted in about 30,000 people moving to AP according to the National Commission for Protection for Child
Rights in November 2007. Whether there is submergence or embankment in Orissa and Chattisgarh the large scale displacement of adivasis in AP and the uphill migration of the adivasis would be national disaster.
Prof K B Das of Utkal University remarked that all mega projects are only adding to the loot of resources for the private gains and the proposed benefits of the projects are not real or only short term. He cited examples of the Hirakud, Indravati dams and added that the displaced people are yet to be rehabilitated in many cases. He wondered how the Polavaram dam would be different when it is of much larger scale and being designed without public consent. Other participants who spoke on the occasion include Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy, former Union Minister, Mr
Lalit Mohan Patnaik, Mr Akshya Das, Mr Tushar Kanta, Mr Deba Parija, Priyadarshi Mishra, Mr Dayanidhi Sahu etc.
Participants remarked that presentations by the speakers and the discussion has brought to light several dimensions of the dam and the rapid modifications in the scope and design that are not widely known to the people in any state. The whole issue is treated as a matter of concern to technical experts and those in power to be act indiscriminately while the adverse implications of the ill designed project are to be faced by the adivasis and the people. Secrecy and myths of the technical
things are only coming into light in bits and pieces when one committee after the other finds lacunae in some component or the other. The participants opined that the project should be stalled immediately to have a national debate on the project in its totality and public debate is needed whether the dam serves any purpose at
all, whether its social ecological costs are worth the project, whether the corrective measures in the form of R&R and Environment Management Plan are sound etc
Issues that emerged for reflection include the following:
Polavaram issue is a national tragedy with significant direct implications to the state and the response from Odisha has to be above party affiliations
There is urgent need to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the social, ecological, and related problems due to the Polavaram dam
Public awareness and mobilisation has to be strengthened to inform the affected people and the varied sections in the state about the true picture of the
Polavaram dam
A state level convention has to be organised at the earliest to build public
awareness on the issue. The convention should invite speakers comprising experts and activists from three states and other parts of the country
--------------------------------------------
Sudarsan Das
Managing Trustee & Secretary
Human Development Foundation (HDF)
M-4, Samant Vihar, Mancheswar Rly. Colony
Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
Email: sudarsan_d@yahoo.com
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Centre rethinking clearance granted to Orissa's Brutanga irrigation project?
Priscilla Jebaraj
The Union government is reportedly having second thoughts about the forest clearance granted to the Brutanga irrigation project in Nayagarh district of Orissa, largely due to concerns over the submergence of a key elephant corridor.
The project was discussed again by the Forest Advisory Committee on Friday, according to sources at the meeting. They suggested that protests against the submergence of the elephant corridor and the possible adverse impact on local wildlife and tribal communities were discussed.
Interestingly, the original clearance for the project was announced on the same day of the release of the Project Elephant task force report, which had emphasised the importance of safeguarding elephant corridors. That was also the day Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh rejected the forest clearance for Vedanta Aluminium's controversial Niyamgiri mine.
Centre not biased
In fact, the Brutanga project, which the Environment Ministry considered and approved over a span of just six months, has been Mr. Ramesh's poster boy case to prove that the Centre is not biased against Orissa. In the wake of decisions against the Vedanta and Posco, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had complained that the Ministry was prejudiced against his non-Congress government.
In response, Mr. Ramesh has been emphasising that while his Ministry cleared the Brutanga project in a jiffy, the State government took 10 years to apply for a clearance, implying that it did not care about its own farmers, but only about large corporate projects.
Now it appears that the Ministry may be rethinking the project it cleared at such speed.
“The Brutanga project will destroy the route regularly used by elephants,” says Shivaji Naik, an activist with the Wild Orissa NGO, which has been campaigning against the project.
The Ministry's order granting forest clearance included a large number of conditions intended to safeguard the wildlife, such as building overpasses to allow elephants to cross the canal.
However, Mr. Naik cites wildlife experts who say that the construction of artificial barriers has not proved to be a feasible solution for elephant movement in the country.
The NGO says the proposed submergence area falls adjacent to the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary. A study team found that both the submergence area and the canal that will connect the Brutanga and Kuanria Reservoirs are being regularly used by elephants during their transit across the Mahanadi each summer.
“If the elephants' pathway is blocked, they would not be able to mix and breed with populations on both sides of the river, affecting genetic balance. The corridor is also used by tigers, sambar and many birds, says the Wild Orissa.
Water scarcity
Mr. Naik also warns that since Brutanga is not a perennial river, the project would cause water scarcity in the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary and in the tribal villages dotting the forests of the region. With elephants confused by the blocking of their traditional route, there would be a danger of more man-animal conflicts, he says.
Priscilla Jebaraj
The Union government is reportedly having second thoughts about the forest clearance granted to the Brutanga irrigation project in Nayagarh district of Orissa, largely due to concerns over the submergence of a key elephant corridor.
The project was discussed again by the Forest Advisory Committee on Friday, according to sources at the meeting. They suggested that protests against the submergence of the elephant corridor and the possible adverse impact on local wildlife and tribal communities were discussed.
Interestingly, the original clearance for the project was announced on the same day of the release of the Project Elephant task force report, which had emphasised the importance of safeguarding elephant corridors. That was also the day Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh rejected the forest clearance for Vedanta Aluminium's controversial Niyamgiri mine.
Centre not biased
In fact, the Brutanga project, which the Environment Ministry considered and approved over a span of just six months, has been Mr. Ramesh's poster boy case to prove that the Centre is not biased against Orissa. In the wake of decisions against the Vedanta and Posco, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had complained that the Ministry was prejudiced against his non-Congress government.
In response, Mr. Ramesh has been emphasising that while his Ministry cleared the Brutanga project in a jiffy, the State government took 10 years to apply for a clearance, implying that it did not care about its own farmers, but only about large corporate projects.
Now it appears that the Ministry may be rethinking the project it cleared at such speed.
“The Brutanga project will destroy the route regularly used by elephants,” says Shivaji Naik, an activist with the Wild Orissa NGO, which has been campaigning against the project.
The Ministry's order granting forest clearance included a large number of conditions intended to safeguard the wildlife, such as building overpasses to allow elephants to cross the canal.
However, Mr. Naik cites wildlife experts who say that the construction of artificial barriers has not proved to be a feasible solution for elephant movement in the country.
The NGO says the proposed submergence area falls adjacent to the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary. A study team found that both the submergence area and the canal that will connect the Brutanga and Kuanria Reservoirs are being regularly used by elephants during their transit across the Mahanadi each summer.
“If the elephants' pathway is blocked, they would not be able to mix and breed with populations on both sides of the river, affecting genetic balance. The corridor is also used by tigers, sambar and many birds, says the Wild Orissa.
Water scarcity
Mr. Naik also warns that since Brutanga is not a perennial river, the project would cause water scarcity in the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary and in the tribal villages dotting the forests of the region. With elephants confused by the blocking of their traditional route, there would be a danger of more man-animal conflicts, he says.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Is the Mahanadi Water going to sea not used/unutilized/waste?
Is the Mahanadi Water going to sea not used/unutilized/waste?
Over last two days (Aug 5th and 6th), two Senior Ministers of the State have made two different yet significant remarks (see news link below) about water allocation from the Mahanadi- but both have made the same argument that water which goes to sea in the Mahanadi is not used/utilized or has no users. It is a dangerous thinking, almost toeing the line of Engineering (an economic) paradigm of river management which believes that water going (or draining!) to sea is a waste and therefore there should be as many storages and diversions as possible and that such waters stored/channelized should be put to economic uses.
However, it is now a fact that such paradigm has lead to disastrous consequences leading to close river basins (viz. Krishna), more floods, depletion of mangroves, stopping of formation of delta, ingression of salinity, dwindling aquatic biodiversity, losing of fishermen’s livelihoods, destruction of river-bank livelihoods including agriculture apart from negative implications on culture. It is quite surprising that, while dams are being decommissioned, environmental flows (not in the line, dominant thinking in India i.e. allowing about 15% of to flow in the river as environmental flow and abstracting others for economic use) and living (and undammed) rivers are becoming symbols of future river management elsewhere in the World, our decision makers are tirelessly defending the failed paradigms.
A river lives when it flows. It has to flow to remain live. By flowing a river
o flushes its channels (doesn’t allow sedimentation and rising of river beds),
o recharge sub-surface water (there is a saying that below every river, another sub-surface river runs),
o supports aquatic fauna including fisheries and livelihoods around them
o support riparian habitats through river-bank livelihoods
o creates delta/flood plains (through overflowing and spreading silt)
People living in Mahanadi delta don’t require to be told about its dwindling flows, increased sedimentation of the river bed, increasing flood damages, increasing threats of saline ingression and change in tidal patterns, reduction of aquatic biodiversity and fish catches so on and so forth. In stead of substantiating allocation to industry by making such statements about how much water is draining unused to sea, what is required is instituting scientific investigations into these changes, which unless taken up now, can lead us to points of no return, the way our industrial development ambitions are expanding.
There is also another statistical dimension to these figures quoted by our Ministers, which requires closer scrutiny. While Industries minister says 67% of Mahanadi water (Is it total Mahanadi water?) flowing to sea unused, Agriculture Minister says 66% of Water from Jobra (others going to Taldanda and Machhgaon) canal flows to the sea. These two statements are not same, as one tells about whole Mahanadi without reference to any points and another point to allocations at Jobra. Civil society must also know the sources of these data and methodology followed to triangulate the figures.
There are many figures floating around concerning water allocation to industries. While they could be true as per the agreements signed with WRD, exact amount taken is often difficult to know with allegations about higher withdrawal. This is due to the fact that most of the industries are drawing water from reservoir or barrage directly in contrast to agriculture which is provided through canals (canal allocation can be easily verified from daily flow in cusec/cumec from canal head). Therefore it is very important to have regulatory mechanism in place to monitor extraction by industry or simply putting a ban on their extraction from reservoir/barrage and asking them to take through other sources. After all, no major reservoir and barrage was ever constructed out of public money with an objective to allocating water to profit-making private concerns.
In the allocation debate, often a critical issue like ‘pollution’ of rivers by industry get lost. It must be kept in mind, Industry not only take good water in bulk from best sources, but also put its worst water back into our lifelines. We must not forget that the first ever ‘environmental movement’ in Orissa was fought around this very issue way back in 1950s by l ate Sradhakar Supker, who had filed a petition before court to save river IB and Mahanadi from pollution caused by Orient Paper Mill of Brajaraj Nagar, even before Hirakud Dam was built.
Civil society must rise to engage itself more closely, critically and also strategically in this whole debate about water allocations and use – be it prioritization through policy, execution through agreements or monitoring and regulation.
News Links
Orissa defends water supplies to industries
Says 67 percent of Mahanadi water flows into the sea as there is no user
PTI | Bhubaneswar | August 05 2010
http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/orissa-defends-water-supplies-industries
Agriculture Minister bats for industries
Express News Service
First Published : 04 Aug 2010 05:14:47 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Aug 2010 12:12:44 PM IST
http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/agriculture-minister-bats-for-industries/195367.html
Over last two days (Aug 5th and 6th), two Senior Ministers of the State have made two different yet significant remarks (see news link below) about water allocation from the Mahanadi- but both have made the same argument that water which goes to sea in the Mahanadi is not used/utilized or has no users. It is a dangerous thinking, almost toeing the line of Engineering (an economic) paradigm of river management which believes that water going (or draining!) to sea is a waste and therefore there should be as many storages and diversions as possible and that such waters stored/channelized should be put to economic uses.
However, it is now a fact that such paradigm has lead to disastrous consequences leading to close river basins (viz. Krishna), more floods, depletion of mangroves, stopping of formation of delta, ingression of salinity, dwindling aquatic biodiversity, losing of fishermen’s livelihoods, destruction of river-bank livelihoods including agriculture apart from negative implications on culture. It is quite surprising that, while dams are being decommissioned, environmental flows (not in the line, dominant thinking in India i.e. allowing about 15% of to flow in the river as environmental flow and abstracting others for economic use) and living (and undammed) rivers are becoming symbols of future river management elsewhere in the World, our decision makers are tirelessly defending the failed paradigms.
A river lives when it flows. It has to flow to remain live. By flowing a river
o flushes its channels (doesn’t allow sedimentation and rising of river beds),
o recharge sub-surface water (there is a saying that below every river, another sub-surface river runs),
o supports aquatic fauna including fisheries and livelihoods around them
o support riparian habitats through river-bank livelihoods
o creates delta/flood plains (through overflowing and spreading silt)
People living in Mahanadi delta don’t require to be told about its dwindling flows, increased sedimentation of the river bed, increasing flood damages, increasing threats of saline ingression and change in tidal patterns, reduction of aquatic biodiversity and fish catches so on and so forth. In stead of substantiating allocation to industry by making such statements about how much water is draining unused to sea, what is required is instituting scientific investigations into these changes, which unless taken up now, can lead us to points of no return, the way our industrial development ambitions are expanding.
There is also another statistical dimension to these figures quoted by our Ministers, which requires closer scrutiny. While Industries minister says 67% of Mahanadi water (Is it total Mahanadi water?) flowing to sea unused, Agriculture Minister says 66% of Water from Jobra (others going to Taldanda and Machhgaon) canal flows to the sea. These two statements are not same, as one tells about whole Mahanadi without reference to any points and another point to allocations at Jobra. Civil society must also know the sources of these data and methodology followed to triangulate the figures.
There are many figures floating around concerning water allocation to industries. While they could be true as per the agreements signed with WRD, exact amount taken is often difficult to know with allegations about higher withdrawal. This is due to the fact that most of the industries are drawing water from reservoir or barrage directly in contrast to agriculture which is provided through canals (canal allocation can be easily verified from daily flow in cusec/cumec from canal head). Therefore it is very important to have regulatory mechanism in place to monitor extraction by industry or simply putting a ban on their extraction from reservoir/barrage and asking them to take through other sources. After all, no major reservoir and barrage was ever constructed out of public money with an objective to allocating water to profit-making private concerns.
In the allocation debate, often a critical issue like ‘pollution’ of rivers by industry get lost. It must be kept in mind, Industry not only take good water in bulk from best sources, but also put its worst water back into our lifelines. We must not forget that the first ever ‘environmental movement’ in Orissa was fought around this very issue way back in 1950s by l ate Sradhakar Supker, who had filed a petition before court to save river IB and Mahanadi from pollution caused by Orient Paper Mill of Brajaraj Nagar, even before Hirakud Dam was built.
Civil society must rise to engage itself more closely, critically and also strategically in this whole debate about water allocations and use – be it prioritization through policy, execution through agreements or monitoring and regulation.
News Links
Orissa defends water supplies to industries
Says 67 percent of Mahanadi water flows into the sea as there is no user
PTI | Bhubaneswar | August 05 2010
http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/orissa-defends-water-supplies-industries
Agriculture Minister bats for industries
Express News Service
First Published : 04 Aug 2010 05:14:47 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Aug 2010 12:12:44 PM IST
http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/agriculture-minister-bats-for-industries/195367.html
Sunday, August 1, 2010
MBA for Mahanadi Commission
Formation of Mahanadi Commission demanded
Special Correspondent
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan submits memorandum to Governor listing its demands
The river is helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they say
State's decision to allow companies to draw water opposed
BHUBANESWAR: The Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, a Cuttack-based people's organisation opposing diversion of water from river Mahanadi to various industries, on Saturday urged Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare to constitute a Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the existing condition of the river and the Hirakud Dam.
A delegation headed by Convener of the Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum listing their demands.
The Commission, which should be an independent body with necessary powers, should be asked to come out with details on the method of water conservation, distribution, power generation, irrigation, drinking water and existing level of ground water including the steps to arrest the decay of the river and the dam, the Andolan said in its memorandum.
Pending the findings of the Commission, all the agreements signed by the State Government with various industrial houses to draw water from Mahanadi and Hirakud dam, and barrages at Jobra and Naraj should be cancelled with immediate effect, the Andolan demanded.
Apart from Mr. Hota, other members of the delegation include former Ministers Bijoy Mohapatra, Panchanan Kanungo and Sameer Dey, former Member of Parliament Narendra Pradhan, former legislator Umesh Swain and BJP leader Dillip Mallick.
They submitted that mindless exploitation and abuse of Mahanadi, the State's prime river, should be forthwith to save the State from a socio-economic disaster.
The river had an imposing presence in 15 of the State's 30 districts through its various tributaries and distributaries helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they said.
Apart from maintaining a steady ground water level in the areas of her presence, the river also contributes to various other economic activities, they added.
They opposed the State Government's decisions to allow many companies to draw water from the river saying that there was no surplus water at a time when there was not much for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Special Correspondent
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan submits memorandum to Governor listing its demands
The river is helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they say
State's decision to allow companies to draw water opposed
BHUBANESWAR: The Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, a Cuttack-based people's organisation opposing diversion of water from river Mahanadi to various industries, on Saturday urged Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare to constitute a Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the existing condition of the river and the Hirakud Dam.
A delegation headed by Convener of the Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum listing their demands.
The Commission, which should be an independent body with necessary powers, should be asked to come out with details on the method of water conservation, distribution, power generation, irrigation, drinking water and existing level of ground water including the steps to arrest the decay of the river and the dam, the Andolan said in its memorandum.
Pending the findings of the Commission, all the agreements signed by the State Government with various industrial houses to draw water from Mahanadi and Hirakud dam, and barrages at Jobra and Naraj should be cancelled with immediate effect, the Andolan demanded.
Apart from Mr. Hota, other members of the delegation include former Ministers Bijoy Mohapatra, Panchanan Kanungo and Sameer Dey, former Member of Parliament Narendra Pradhan, former legislator Umesh Swain and BJP leader Dillip Mallick.
They submitted that mindless exploitation and abuse of Mahanadi, the State's prime river, should be forthwith to save the State from a socio-economic disaster.
The river had an imposing presence in 15 of the State's 30 districts through its various tributaries and distributaries helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they said.
Apart from maintaining a steady ground water level in the areas of her presence, the river also contributes to various other economic activities, they added.
They opposed the State Government's decisions to allow many companies to draw water from the river saying that there was no surplus water at a time when there was not much for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan appeals the Governor
Governor''s intervention sought for setting up river panel
PTI
Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (PTI) Intensifying the campaign against supply of river water to industries, a group of agitators have sought the Orissa Governor's intervention for formation of Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the river's health before diverting water.In a memorandum to Governor M C Bhandare, protesters under the banner of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) said immediate steps must be taken for constitution of Mahanadi river commission to study the status of availability of water for various purposes as also the health of Hirakud dam.Describing Mahanadi as the chief source of water for agriculture and irrigation, the memorandum said the proposed commission should suggest steps to check decay of the river and Hirakud reservoir as well as efficient water management.Pending the findings of the panel, all agreements signed by Orissa government with various industries to draw water from Mahanadi, Hirakud reservoir, Jobra and Naraj barrages should be cancelled with immediate effect, it said.The memorandum, signed among others by MBA convenor Gouranga Charan Hota and former ministers Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and Panchanan Kanungo, said the state should ensure water for irrigation to farmers in tail-end areas of Mahanadi river system and various canals before diverting water for industrial use.
PTI
Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (PTI) Intensifying the campaign against supply of river water to industries, a group of agitators have sought the Orissa Governor's intervention for formation of Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the river's health before diverting water.In a memorandum to Governor M C Bhandare, protesters under the banner of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) said immediate steps must be taken for constitution of Mahanadi river commission to study the status of availability of water for various purposes as also the health of Hirakud dam.Describing Mahanadi as the chief source of water for agriculture and irrigation, the memorandum said the proposed commission should suggest steps to check decay of the river and Hirakud reservoir as well as efficient water management.Pending the findings of the panel, all agreements signed by Orissa government with various industries to draw water from Mahanadi, Hirakud reservoir, Jobra and Naraj barrages should be cancelled with immediate effect, it said.The memorandum, signed among others by MBA convenor Gouranga Charan Hota and former ministers Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and Panchanan Kanungo, said the state should ensure water for irrigation to farmers in tail-end areas of Mahanadi river system and various canals before diverting water for industrial use.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dear All,
The problem of Baitarani is a shade worse than Mahanadi. There are three 'Iron ore Slurry Transportation' industries, all taking water from upper baitarani basin. Another few are in the offing.
75% of slurry is water by weight. All that water will simply turn up at the destination at Paradip (Essar),or Kalinga Nagar (BRPL), or at Angul (Jindal). Additional water is also drawn for beneficiation (mainly washing), whose slime is planned for release to the river bed, aggravating the silting problem of Kanupur Irrigation Project,
Our repeated request to WR deptt to take us to confidence and explain the logic and arithmatics of allocation of water to all users including Industry. Anandpur barrage is planned to irrigate 53800 Ha of land in Bhadrak and balasore district, right up to Budhabalang basin. Kanupur is designed to give 48000 Ha of irrigation in Upper Baitarani basin.
The silence of the WR is ominous because either they just donot know or, have surrendered to pressure from higher ups. The Citizens fear of a desert land in Kendujhar is simply being acceleraed.
On Mahanadi, our view is, if 70% waer is surplus flowing into the sea, why are,nt they take it just before the flow in to the sea. Why take it from Zobra, and not from the mouth of the river.
Kiran Sankar Sahu
President, Kendujhar Citizens' Forum
The problem of Baitarani is a shade worse than Mahanadi. There are three 'Iron ore Slurry Transportation' industries, all taking water from upper baitarani basin. Another few are in the offing.
75% of slurry is water by weight. All that water will simply turn up at the destination at Paradip (Essar),or Kalinga Nagar (BRPL), or at Angul (Jindal). Additional water is also drawn for beneficiation (mainly washing), whose slime is planned for release to the river bed, aggravating the silting problem of Kanupur Irrigation Project,
Our repeated request to WR deptt to take us to confidence and explain the logic and arithmatics of allocation of water to all users including Industry. Anandpur barrage is planned to irrigate 53800 Ha of land in Bhadrak and balasore district, right up to Budhabalang basin. Kanupur is designed to give 48000 Ha of irrigation in Upper Baitarani basin.
The silence of the WR is ominous because either they just donot know or, have surrendered to pressure from higher ups. The Citizens fear of a desert land in Kendujhar is simply being acceleraed.
On Mahanadi, our view is, if 70% waer is surplus flowing into the sea, why are,nt they take it just before the flow in to the sea. Why take it from Zobra, and not from the mouth of the river.
Kiran Sankar Sahu
President, Kendujhar Citizens' Forum
Saturday, July 17, 2010
People protest industries being given Mahanadi's water
People protest industries being given Mahanadi's water
2010-07-16 19:50:00
More then two thousands residents, and social and political activists Friday staged a protest in Orissa's Cuttack city against the use of water from Mahanadi river by industries.
Accusing the state government of providing water meant for drinking and irrigation to various industries, the demonstrators also threatened to launch a massive agitation if the government does not cancel its plan.
'The government cannot give water to industries when there is already a scarcity,' Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, who was among the protesters, told IANS.
'Adequate water is not available for drinking and irrigation purpose. Residents of Cuttack city depend on Mahanadi river water and they are already facing water problems. The government has not made any capacity enhancement of the river water resources,' he said.
More then 400 activists also carried out a motorcycle rally in the city, 26 km from Bhubaneswar, before gathering at city's Jobra area near the Mahanadi river bank where a protest meeting was held under the banner of 'Mahanadi Bancho Committee'.
Leaders of several other political parties, eminent citizens, women leaders and social activists also participated in the demonstration, Pradhan said.
The Mahanadi river flows through Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.
2010-07-16 19:50:00
More then two thousands residents, and social and political activists Friday staged a protest in Orissa's Cuttack city against the use of water from Mahanadi river by industries.
Accusing the state government of providing water meant for drinking and irrigation to various industries, the demonstrators also threatened to launch a massive agitation if the government does not cancel its plan.
'The government cannot give water to industries when there is already a scarcity,' Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, who was among the protesters, told IANS.
'Adequate water is not available for drinking and irrigation purpose. Residents of Cuttack city depend on Mahanadi river water and they are already facing water problems. The government has not made any capacity enhancement of the river water resources,' he said.
More then 400 activists also carried out a motorcycle rally in the city, 26 km from Bhubaneswar, before gathering at city's Jobra area near the Mahanadi river bank where a protest meeting was held under the banner of 'Mahanadi Bancho Committee'.
Leaders of several other political parties, eminent citizens, women leaders and social activists also participated in the demonstration, Pradhan said.
The Mahanadi river flows through Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.
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