Latest news with #RevenueandDisasterManagement
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha CM Majhi holds 12th grievance hearing, sanctions Rs 9.5 lakh aid
BHUBANESWAR : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday sanctioned Rs 9.5 lakh for 10 persons during the 12th edition of grievance hearing at Unit II here. A total of 1,000 complainants had registered their grievances and the chief minister along with seven senior ministers, heard their complaints and provided solutions. Majhi instructed the secretaries concerned to take prompt action on all the grievances. He also interacted with the differently-abled individuals and listened to their problems. The CMO said the government is working tirelessly to address the grievances of the people, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. A total of Rs 53.50 lakh has been provided to 48 individuals under the system since the beginning of this year. Out of the 10,894 grievances received, 10,132 (93 per cent) have been resolved so far. The remaining grievances are in the process of being addressed. Speaking to mediapersons, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari said the chief minister will soon conduct a grievance hearing session at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. Majhi and his team have planned to hold grievance hearing sessions in different districts of Odisha. The CM had heard grievances at Sambalpur in April.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Buddhist heritage site sought for Bhikampali
Jharsuguda: The Guru Padmasambhava Suraksha Trust submitted a memorandum to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari seeking comprehensive development of Bhikampali (Padmapur) in Lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district. Bhikampali is internationally recognised as the birthplace of Guru Padmasambhava, revered as the Second Buddha. The memorandum was submitted during a two-day national seminar on Guru Padmasambhava organised on July 4 and 5 at Bhikampali. The event drew scholars, spiritual leaders and the local community to celebrate the legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, who played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism to Tibet and beyond. The global Buddhist community has acknowledged Bhikampali as his birthplace, bringing immense pride to the region. The key demands include construction of a monument in memory of Guru Padmasambhava, declaration of Bhikampali as a Buddhist heritage site, establishment of a Buddhist Cultural and Research Centre, inclusion of Guru Padmasambhava's life and teachings in the academic curriculum, initiation of archaeological and historical research by the Archaeological Survey of India and State Culture department and promotion of Bhikampali as a tourist site. On the occasion, Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit supported the move and assured that he will bring the matter to the notice of the Central government. Eminent researcher Prabir Kumar Pattnaik highlighted Bhikampali's historical significance. 'Sambad' founder-editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik called for greater awareness on the birthplace of Guru Padmasambhava. The Trust urged the minister to initiate steps to convert Bhikampali into a global centre of peace, spiritual learning and pilgrimage site. The local community and Buddhist fraternity have expressed the hope that the Odisha government will take steps to place Bhikampali on the Buddhist heritage map.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Stalin inaugurates 729 new homes for Sri Lankan Tamils across five TN districts
In a significant step toward improving the living conditions of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 newly-built houses in rehabilitation camps across five districts. The inauguration was conducted via video conference from the State Secretariat, in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore, the houses are located in refugee camps situated in Villupuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, and Virudhunagar districts. These homes are part of a broader rehabilitation initiative by the Tamil Nadu government, announced under Rule 110 in the state Assembly in August 2021, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and living conditions in Sri Lankan Tamil camps spread across the state. As per the government's long-term plan, over 3,510 houses are to be built at a total estimated cost of Rs 180.34 crore in 35 rehabilitation camps. Of this, 2,781 houses in 32 camps across 18 districts have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries. The state has also undertaken supplementary infrastructure upgrades in these camps to improve the quality of life. These include new internal roads, upgraded electricity lines, and enhanced drinking water supply facilities. The total cost of these civil works stands at Rs 7.33 crore. According to an official release, the rehabilitation programme is part of the DMK government's commitment to provide a dignified life to Sri Lankan Tamils who have been residing in 67 government-run camps across 26 districts of Tamil Nadu for decades, after fleeing ethnic conflict in their homeland. The Chief Minister, in his remarks during the inauguration, reiterated his government's resolve to continue supporting refugee communities through improved housing, access to basic amenities, and welfare schemes. He also emphasised the importance of integration and inclusion, ensuring that displaced populations can live with dignity and security. The ongoing rehabilitation efforts are seen as a model approach in refugee welfare, combining both humanitarian concerns and infrastructural development, and have received appreciation from human rights observers and community leaders alike.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha ministers to celebrate Rath Yatra with people of Kotia
BHUBANESWAR: Intensifying its efforts to integrate people of Kotia in Odisha and the Jagannath culture, the state government is all set to send a group of ministers led by Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari, to join them in their celebration of Rath Yatra. Confirming this on Thursday, Pujari said the composition of the ministers' team will be finalised by Friday. He added that people of Kotia have sought his presence as well as other ministers in the Rath Yatra which is celebrated a day after the chariot festival in Puri. 'The people of Kotia have extended an invitation to me and other ministers to pull chariots with them during this year's Rath Yatra. I have accepted their invitation. A few other ministers will also join the festival. The participation of School and Mass Education minister Nityananda Gond, Steel and Mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena and Fisheries and Animal Resources minister Gokulananda Mallik is confirmed. We will let you know how many ministers will go to Kotia,' Pujari told TNIE. The Kotia group of villages under Pottangi block of Koraput district on the border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are locked in a long-standing dispute owing to the constant efforts by the neighbouring state to assert administrative control. The state government in a fresh attempt to resolve the boundary dispute had last month constituted a 16-member high-level committee under the chairmanship of Revenue minister Pujari. The committee has been tasked to define the special agency structure, hierarchical pattern, funding pattern, convergence of various schemes for all-round development of the area along with a comparative analysis of the schemes offered by the bordering state. Pujari has been leading the government's efforts to bring Kotia into Odisha's mainstream. As the head of the high-level committee, he has stated focus on taking the administration to the doorstep of the people of the area by implementing different welfare measures. The visit of the group of ministers and celebrating Rath Yatra with the people is an effort to win their hearts and strengthen their allegiance to Odisha.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Odisha to instal 3 radars for weather tracking
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to instal new radars at three places for real-time weather tracking. The decision was taken at the State-level Natural Disaster Committee meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday evening. As Odisha is vulnerable to natural calamities like cyclones, the State needs modern equipment and skilled human resources, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said. To obtain accurate weather-related information, two Doppler radars will be installed in Sambalpur and Balasore. A modern radar will also be set up in Bhubaneswar, Pujari said, adding that 24-hour emergency control rooms have been made operational at the district levels in the State. The minister said the State gets all weather-related developments through these control rooms, and accordingly, plans are made to mitigate the situation. 'We are now able to disseminate messages to the people and make them aware of weather conditions immediately,' he said. As many people died due to lightning in Odisha, the State government has taken certain measures, including the plantation of palm trees with the help of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department. 'The palm trees act as a natural barrier against the lightning,' the minister said. He also said the State government was developing disaster-resilient infrastructure to reduce the impact of calamities like floods and cyclones. The State has 909 multi-purpose shelters to facilitate people with temporary accommodation during calamities in 25 of the 30 districts, the minister said. Addressing the meeting, also attended by several ministers, MPs and MLAs, Majhi said, 'Our government stands with the people during disasters and will continue to do so. During the monsoon from June to October, Odisha is vulnerable to floods and cyclones.' Noting that natural disasters are inevitable, Majhi said their impact can be significantly reduced through 'robust preparedness and interdepartmental coordination'. He stressed the prevention of human and livestock loss in natural disasters. The Chief Minister thanked all the stakeholders, including the government officials, for successfully handling flood and cyclone in 2024. He said Odisha government has declared unseasonal rain and heat wave as State disasters for which farmers are compensated as per the relief code. One person died due to sunstroke this year, the Chief Minister said. Majhi said rescue teams need to remain on alert for rapid deployment during calamities, and inter-departmental coordination is most essential to mitigate the impact of a disaster.
