Harihar Swain betrayed people of Ganjam and Orissa
News of Orissa and Oriya People
The BJD-BJP combine has a strong alliance in Orissa. But it's an irony that BJD MP Harihar Swain defied the party whip, secretly colluded with the Congress and voted in favour of the UPA government during the trust vote in Lok Sabha. Mr. Swain has been expelled from the party with immediate effect.
JMM supremo Shibu Soren emerged as the top bargainer ahead of UPA government's trust vote. Soren has five MPs in Lok Sabha. In return of his support to the government, he has already received assurance of a cabinet berth and one MoS berth. He will be given the charge of his favourite Coal Ministry. If that was not enough, Soren demanded the creation of a Greater Jharkhand with three districts each from Orissa and West Bengal.
Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. He is the 22nd Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. The post was lying vacant since May 2008. Justice Chauhan was a judge of Allahabad High Court. He was administered the oath of office by acting governor Sayeed Sibte Razi. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries were present at the swearing-in-ceremony.
Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik decided to talk tough and asked all district collectors in the state to ensure proper implementation of the newly introduced Rice Scheme for the BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. The scheme will be introduced from August 1, 2008. Under the new scheme, all BPL families and the APL families in KBK will receive 25 kg of rice per month at Rs 2 per kg. The SC and ST students staying in hostels will also be covered under the scheme.
The world famous Rath Yatra in Puri concluded with the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra returning to their abode during the Bahuda Yatra. Hundreds of thousands of people descended on Puri to attend the Bahuda Yatra.
The Times Of India has come up with a shocking report of molestation of a group of Japanese tourists in Puri during Rath Yatra. According to the report, the tourists were molested by a group of 30 people. The women were assaulted, the men were beaten and they were robbed of their valuables including digital camera, mobile phone and money.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is a poll mode. It became evident, when he announced that Orissa government would supply 25 kg rice per month at Rs. 2 per kg to all BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the state. The new announcement will help around 55,55,000 families in Orissa. The families covered under the Antodaya scheme, tribal hostels and the APL families in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts will get rice at the same rate. With elections due in early 2009, this sudden development has put the opposition in a tight spot.
The combing operation launched by IAF, Navy, Orissa Police, SOG and Andhra Police was completely hi-tech. Special baloon lifters were brought from Singapore. The sunken boat was lifted from 143 feet inside the waters. The rescue jawans have been doing a commendable job despite difficult terrain, hostile weather and fear of crocodiles. 24 dead bodies have been recovered so far from Balimela Reservoir. However, 13 more jawans are still missing.