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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribals in Kotia soak in festive mood
Koraput: Defying overcast skies and a decades-long territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Kotia in Koraput district's Pottangi block came alive with devotion and celebration as hundreds of tribals participated in the Rath Yatra Saturday, the second day of the festival. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Perched at an altitude of 1,024 metres above mean sea level and around 60 km from Koraput district headquarters, Kotia's Jagannath Temple established in 2002 by the Jagannath Temple Management Committee (JTMC) of Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput has been hosting the annual chariot festival with fervour. The second day of Rath Yatra marks the key rituals and festivities, drawing large tribal gatherings from across the region. This year's celebration assumed added significance with the participation of five ministers from the state govt, including deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo and revenue minister Suresh Pujari. Other dignitaries included school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, fisheries and animal resources minister Gokulananda Mallik, Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, Pottangi MLA and CLP leader Ramachandra Kadam, along with several MLAs and panchayat representatives. "Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, and the state govt is committed to its development. Irrespective of political affiliations, everyone has come together for Rath Yatra celebrations," said Pujari. Speaking about the govt's plan to address Kotia's issue, Pujari said a draft plan has been prepared after consultations with locals and leaders across the political spectrum. This plan will soon be implemented with concrete steps, Pujari said, while emphasising the govt's broader commitment to developing border areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Key focus areas include housing for the homeless, hostel construction in model schools, and a proposal for a grand Jagannath temple in Kotia, alongside improvements in tourism, education, and healthcare. Despite cloudy weather, the locals pulled the chariot nearly 300 metres to the Gundicha Temple with traditional pomp, setting off nine days of celebrations. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity, attracting devotees even from beyond the Kotia panchayat. Collector (Koraput) V. Keerthi Vasan said the festival has evolved into a major tribal festival, with traditional music, dance, and community participation enriching the celebrations. The spirited turnout and vibrant celebration have not only boosted Kotia's cultural prominence but also reaffirmed the state's emotional and administrative bond with the region, he added. As drums echoed across the hills and the decorated chariot rolled on, the Rath Yatra once again underscored Kotia's identity both as a sacred tribal space and a focal point of state's cultural and political landscape. "We are thrilled to witness such massive participation from ministers, MPs, and MLAs. This day means a lot to our village," said Ajay Pangi, a local resident. Another villager, Laichama Gamel, echoed the sentiment, saying, "The involvement of top leaders reflects the govt's commitment to resolving Kotia's long-pending challenges."
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha seeks centre's support to emerge as a model in power sector
Bhubaneswar: Asserting that Odisha has successfully transitioned from a 'power-sufficient to a power-empowered' state, the government on Tuesday sought the Centre's support to build itself as a model in the electricity sector. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who is also in charge of the power department, said this at a conference of the energy ministers and secretaries of the eastern region, chaired by Union Power Minister Manoharlal, in Patna. "Odisha has successfully transitioned from a power-sufficient to a power-empowered state. The state's peak power demand of 6,242 MW has been fully met. By 2036, 61 per cent of Odisha's power portfolio is targeted to be from non-fossil sources," Singh Deo was quoted in a statement as saying. Singh Deo informed the gathering that the state plans to add a total of 11,294 MW by 2036, including solar, wind, hydro, distributed renewable energy (DRE), and pumped storage, out of which 3,904 MW has already been contracted. He said that Odisha has achieved Grid Resilience through Islanding Schemes to ensure uninterrupted power supply during grid failures. By 2030, Odisha will have 225 substations and 20,939 ckm (Circuit kilometer) of transmission lines with a total transformation capacity of 45,369 MVA (Megavolt-amperes), Singh Deo said. This apart, the minister said, the renewable power evacuation corridors are being developed. This included Hirakud-Kolabira-Duburi, Indravati-Theruvali-Gopalpur, Theruvali-Jayanagar 400kV LILO at Jayanagar pooling Station, Balimela to Kolab to Jayanagar Pooling Station. Singh Deo said that the AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses have reduced significantly from 29.5 per cent in FY21 to 16.5 per cent in FY25. Three out of four DISCOMs have received A+ ratings in the 12th and 13th Annual Rankings of Power Distribution Utilities and were among the top 10 performing utilities in India, he said. The minister sought proactive support from the Central government on key initiatives like sanction of Rs 6284 crore funds under the revamped distribution sector scheme, Central financial assistance for disaster-resilient power infrastructure, allocation of 800 MW power from the NLC Talabira Phase II project to Odisha and sanction of central financial assistance under Green Energy Transmission Corridor Projects in the state. This apart, the state government also sought the Centre's support for the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) in line with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), floating solar projects, and offshore wind projects in Odisha, along with support for a study of tidal potential on the state's coastline. PTI
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Odisha seeks to emerge as model in power sector
Bhubaneswar; Asserting that Odisha has successfully transitioned from a 'power-sufficient to a power-empowered' State, the government on Tuesday sought the Centre's support to build itself as a model in the electricity sector. Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who is also in charge of the Power department, said this at a conference of the energy ministers and secretaries of the eastern region, chaired by Union Power Minister Manoharlal, in Patna. 'Odisha has successfully transitioned from a power-sufficient to a power-empowered State. The State's peak power demand of 6,242 MW has been fully met. By 2036, about 61 per cent of Odisha's power portfolio is targeted to be from non-fossil sources,' Singh Deo was quoted in a statement as saying. Singh Deo informed the gathering that the State plans to add a total of 11,294 MW by 2036, including solar, wind, hydro, distributed renewable energy (DRE) and pumped storage, out of which 3,904 MW has already been contracted. He said Odisha has achieved Grid Resilience through Islanding Schemes to ensure uninterrupted power supply during grid failures. By 2030, Odisha will have 225 substations and 20,939 ckm (Circuit kilometre) of transmission lines with a total transformation capacity of 45,369 MVA (Megavolt-amperes), Singh Deo said. This apart, the minister said the renewable power evacuation corridors are being developed. This included Hirakud–Kolabira–Duburi, Indravati–Theruvali–Gopalpur, Theruvali-Jayanagar 400kV LILO at Jayanagar pooling station, Balimela to Kolab to Jayanagar Pooling Station. Singh Deo said the AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses have reduced significantly from 29.5 per cent in FY21 to 16.5 per cent in FY25. Three out of four DISCOMs have received A+ ratings in the 12th and 13th Annual Rankings of Power Distribution Utilities and were among the top 10 performing utilities in India, he said.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KV Singh Deo seeks RDSS support to build resilient power infrastructure
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Tuesday made a strong pitch for central financial assistance to strengthen the state's disaster resilient power infrastructure under the revamped distribution sector scheme (RDSS). Attending the Conference of State Energy Ministers and Energy Secretaries of Eastern Region States at Patna in Bihar, deputy chief minister-cum-Energy minister KV Singh Deo urged Union Power minister Manohar Lal Khattar to sanction Rs 6,284 crore under the RDSS to the state. The state government's proposal is pending approval by the Ministry of Power since June 2023. In April 2023, the state cabinet had approved the Energy department's proposal to implement the revamped distribution sector scheme (RDSS) to improve reliability and resilience in the power distribution network, especially in the coastal districts covered by TPCODL, TPNODL and TPSODL. While a major part of the proposal amounting to Rs 4,248 crore (67 per cent) of the total project proposal was towards creation of cyclone resilient power infrastructure, the state government had posed Rs 1,510 crore for upgradation of distribution infrastructure, Rs 428 crore for smart metering and Rs 97 crore for project management agency (PMA). After initial reluctance to accept the state's proposal as the central scheme does not permit financial assistance to private distribution companies (discoms), the Power Ministry finally agreed to consider it following assurance from the state government that the assets to be created under the programme will be in its books of account and there will be no tariff impact on the consumers. The state's proposal is hanging fire even after compliance to queries from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and several rounds of discussion with PFC officials. Singh Deo also reiterated the state's demand for allocation of 800 MW of power from the second unit of the super critical thermal power plant of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) at Talabira in Sambalpur district. The central PSU is setting up a 2,400 MW (3x800 MW) pit-head thermal power plant for which it has already procured power purchase agreements (PPAs) with four states including Odisha. GRIDCO will get 800 MW power from the first unit of the power plant which is expected to be commissioned in 2028-29 while 1,500 MW will go to Tamil Nadu, 400 MW to Kerala and 100 MW to Puducherry. Apart from use of its coal, water and land, the state will face all the externalities of the power plant while the major beneficiary is Tamil Nadu. The state has been demanding additional 800 MW from the second unit of the thermal project.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt selects 15 places for agri-tourism devpt
Bhubaneswar: State govt has identified 15 priority destinations for integrated rural tourism development under its Vision 2036 framework, marking a significant shift towards agriculture-based tourism. The initiative, jointly launched by the tourism and agriculture and farmers' empowerment departments, aims to create a diverse range of experiences for tourists. Visitors can participate in hands-on agricultural activities, explore nature trails, witness creation of handicrafts and savour local cuisine prepared from farm-fresh ingredients. The selected destinations are the tribal heartland of Koraput, crafts village of Raghurajpur, silk cluster of Gopalpur, organic farming hub of Kandhamal, coffee plantations of Daringbadi, pastoral landscapes of Bargarh, heritage village of Hirapur, mango orchards of Dhenkanal, rice fields of Sambalpur, spice gardens of Phulbani, palm groves of Puri, vegetable farms of Kendrapada, betel vine gardens of Jagatsinghpur, mushroom cultivation centres of Mayurbhanj, and traditional fishing villages of Chilika. "The initiative will not only enhance tourism offerings but also create additional income opportunities for our farming communities and transform rural women from passive participants to active stakeholders in the tourism economy," said deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio. The programme is supported under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), which will provide capital subsidies and training to agro-tourism entrepreneurs. State govt is particularly focusing on involving women self-help groups and youth entrepreneurs in the rural tourism initiative, ensuring that the benefits reach the grassroots level while preserving local culture and traditions. "Our focus is on creating a model where women entrepreneurs can showcase their traditional skills while generating sustainable income," said deputy CM K V Singh Deo, who holds the agriculture portfolio. The implementation will begin immediately, with the first phase of SHG members' training scheduled to commence next month, official sources said.
