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New Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Cholera outbreak: Odisha flush with systemic rot
Systemic failure In fact, the outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea in relatively developed coastal districts has laid bare the systemic gaps in the state's public health and water infrastructure. As per the latest data of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department, the industrially and mineral-rich Jajpur is one of the bottom-10 districts in terms of piped drinking water coverage. On record, a little over 72 pc of the households (3.22 lakh out of 4.47 lakh) in the district have tap water connection. While Keonjhar district tops the chart with 99.63 pc households (3.45 lakh out of 3.47 lakh), Malkangiri has the lowest coverage of 54.5 pc households (67,731 out of 1.24 lakh). The average coverage of tap water connection in districts affected by the outbreaks stood at around 84 pc against the state coverage at 76.8 pc households (68.11 lakh out of 88.68 lakh). While 19 districts are in the range of above 75 pc, 11 districts are in between 51 pc to 75 pc range. Har Ghar Jal certification has been completed in 9,435 villages and 403 gram panchayats. Acknowledging that several drinking water projects have been delayed by years, officials said 18,533 single village projects (groundwater-based projects) have been commissioned and 1,289 are under implementation. Of the 207 mega water supply projects, only 16 have been completed and 191 are under various stages of implementation. Similarly, 4,855 solar projects have been completed and 3,652 are under various stages of implementation. The pending mega projects will be completed by the end of next year, they said. Amid the hype over sustained inclusive growth and industrial expansion, the diarrhoea outbreak has exposed the public health scenario. 'Economic growth cannot be achieved without foundational public health and infrastructure. Diseases like cholera thrive where governance is weak. If a government cannot guarantee safe water and sanitation, it means the development model is fundamentally flawed,' said public health expert Dr Tribhuban Mohan Mohapatra. Of the 314 faecal and rectal swab samples tested so far, Vibrio cholerae has been detected in 35 samples. A 14-member central team, which visited the state to support the containment measures, also attributed contaminated water to the outbreak. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mukesh Mahaling said drinking water sources were chlorinated and disinfected in areas with suspected water contamination. 'Public announcements are being made in the affected areas of the district advising people to use boiled water. Prophylactic doses of doxycycline are being administered to family members and close contacts to break the chain of the waterborne disease,' he said. Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water minister Rabi Narayan Naik outrightly denied that water contamination could be the cause of the outbreak. 'The water sources have not been contaminated. We have completed chlorination of all water sources. As many as 5.2 lakh tube-wells have also been disinfected. The diarrhoea might have spread due to consumption of contaminated food,' he observed.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
PM to hold roadshow on June 20
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in a Triranga Yatra and hold a roadshow before attending an event marking the first anniversary of the BJP's maiden government in Odisha on June 20. Though Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's government completed one year in office on June 12, the administration is holding a week-long celebration which will culminate on June 20 with the Prime Minister's address. Modi had last year attended the swearing in ceremony of the Majhi government in Odisha. 'The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at the airport here at about 3 pm from Bihar. He will participate in a Triranga Yatra and lead a roadshow from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar,' Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik told reporters here. Official sources said as part of the celebrations, Modi will address a large gathering and highlight the achievements of Odisha's BJP government. He may also speak on the plans for the State's development, said a senior leader, who attended a preparatory meeting at the BJP headquarters on Friday. The meeting was attended by Majhi, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Deputy chief ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida and others. Modi will also unveil Odisha's Vision Document for the years 2036 and 2047. The State completes 100 years of its formation in 2036 while 2047 is the 100th year of India's Independence.
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha govt moots scheme to develop villages of Odisha's greats
BHUBANESWAR : The state government is all set to launch the 'Mahapurush Adarsh Gram Yojana' under which villages of eminent personalities like freedom fighters, poets, authors and artists etc., will be developed. Announcing the initiative here on Monday, minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Rabi Narayan Naik said the state government plans to develop around 100 to 150 villages under the scheme in a bid to improve the rural infrastructure and living standards of people residing in these villages. 'Mahapurush Adarsh Gram will represent the Asmita of the Odia people. Many great persons of the state were born in small, underdeveloped villages. While their contributions are remembered, their birthplaces remain neglected. This scheme aims to develop infrastructure, employment opportunities, education and healthcare facilities in these villages,' the minister told mediapersons.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Odisha government to construct one lakh houses under rural house scheme in phase II: Minister
BHUBANESWAR : The Odisha government has set a target to construct one lakh houses under phase two of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana , a flagship rural housing scheme of the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi On March 30 launched the scheme in Kalahandi district. In the initial phase, orders have been issued for building 60,000 houses under the scheme, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said here on Friday. For the second phase, a target has been set to cover another 1 lakh people under the Antyodaya Gruha Jojana, he said. "We have issued instructions to collectors and BDO to identify the eligible beneficiaries like PwD, Padma awardees, victims of natural calamities, etc in the next two months," the minister told media persons. The state government has planned to build a total of 5 lakh houses in the next three years under the housing scheme. This financial year, a budget of Rs 2,600 crore has been allocated for the scheme, while Rs 7,550 crore will be spent in the next three years, sources said.
