Cholera Death Toll reaches 165

Despite the government's claim that it has succeded in checking the spread of Cholera in the tribal districts Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi, the official death toll due to cholera and diarrhoea reached 165. Unofficial sources claim that the death toll may be over 300 in all the three districts of the state.

Politicians have started playing the blame game, with former CM Giridhar Gamang and PCC President Jayadev Jena holding a press conference after touring Dasmantpur block of Koraput district. They claimed that over 500 people had died owing to the epidemic. They took this opportunity to demand the resignation of the Naveen Patnaik government for its failure to bring the situation under control.

CM visits Kashipur and Dashmantpur

Chief Minisiter Naveen Patnaik, accompanied by Health Minister Duryodhan Majhi, visited the Cholera-affected Kashipur in Rayagada district and Dashmantpur in Koraput district. The CM met the affected people in the medicals and took stock of the situation. He also visited Taljhari village under the Kashipur block.

Although the situation in Kashipur seems under control, Dashmantpur area still remains far from normal. The medical team and other officials are trying their best to bring the situation under control. According to latest reports, at least 3 people died in cholera in the Kundra block of Koraput district. Officials have rushed to the area.

Gastro claimed 80 lives in Kashipur, Orissa

Diarrhoea and Gastroenteritis claimed at least 80 lives in Kashipur block of Rayagada district. Although the official sources put the death toll at 45, unofficial sources confirmed that the death toll is currently 80 and may reach 100 soon. At least 3500 people are affected by the disease in the block.

A team from MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and officials from the Regional Medical Research Center visited the affected villages. They attributed the disease to contaminated water. According to lates reports, more than 50 people have died of diarrhoea in Dasmanthpur block of Koraput district. However, the state government has not confirmed it. Poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water are the main reasons behind the outbreak of these diseases in the tribal belts of Orissa.

Crisis in Orissa BJP: Prashant Nanda resigned

--By BNO Correspondent

The Orissa BJP plunged into deep crisis after senior leader and state BJP Vice President Prashant Nanda resigned from the primary membership of the party. It can be recalled that another senior BJP leader Anadi Sahu also resigned from the party sometimes back. In his letter to the Praty President Rajnath Singh, Nanda alleged that BJP is struggling to find its identity in the state, thanks to dominance enjoyed by CM Naveen Patnaik over the party and its cadres.

According to Nanda, if the current situation persists, then BJP will be forced to play second fiddle to BJD and its chief Naveen Patnaik and eventually lose its identity. Nanda's resignation came as a shock for the party that is finding it difficult to pacify the dissidents and keep the folks together.

DG B B Mohanti Suspended

The Orissa Government suspended Director General (Fire Services) B B Mohanti after a non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against by a Rajasthan Court. The arrest warrant was issued in connection with the case that involved his son Bitihotra, who joined parole after being convicted for rape. The State government rejected Mohanti's leave application.

A special messenger of Rajasthan Police produced the arrest warrant before the District Magistrate. However, Mohanti remained elusive and could not be traced. A police team searched for Mohanti at his office and residence, but in vain. DGP Amarananda Pattanayak said that all necessary steps will be taken to respect the law of the land without any bias.

Naveen to announce Fresh Polls???

The speculations are high in the political and media circle about the possibility of an Assembly Election well ahead of time. In the wake of recent developments in the Center, CM Naveen Patnaik may explore the possibilities to seek a fresh mandate from the people. Although some are skeptical about this, because of the recent developments in the state that included fake medicine racket, female foeticide and mark sheet scam. They think these issues may go against the State Government and the CM may not want to take a risk by holding fresh elections.

However, the bitter truth remains that whatever the coalition government does, it is likely to get another term, as there is no alternative to BJD-BJP coalition in the state. If the BJD-BJP honeymoon continues and the Congress fails to project a strong leader for the post of Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik will have the last laugh whenever the Assembly Elections is held. The CM may decide his course of action once a clear picture emerges at the Center.

Eight People suspended in Orissa Mark Sheet Scam

--By Sonam Sutar

The mark sheet scam in Orissa claimed the heads of 8 employees of the State Board of Secondary Education (BSE). The government suspended those employees for allegedly manipulating the mark sheet of former education minister Bishnu Charan Das's son. The suspension order was issued on the basis of the inquiry conducted by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy.

The Minister was given a clean cheat by the Chief Secretary. The suspended employees included Secretary of the Board Minaketan Pani and Board's Controller of Examinations Manmohan Swain. The Chief Minister ordered a further probe by the Crime Branch to dig out the complete truth. Bishnu Charan Das had resigned as Minister owning moral, as the matter involving his son's marks was being investigated.

Orissa gets New Governor: Bhandare takes Charge

--By Sonam Sutar

Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare has been sworn-in as the new Governor of Orissa. The post fell vacant after Rameshwar Thakur was shifted to Karnataka. Bhandare was administered the oath of office by Ashok Kumar Ganguly, the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik, Assembly Speaker Maheshwar Mohanty and several other ministers. Senior Bureaucrats of the state were also present in the ceremony. Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare is the 43rd Governor of Orissa. He is a lawyer by profession. He spend most of his political career in Mahrashtra.

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