Fluoride in Drinking Water - Government's answer in Odisha Assembly woefully off-target

Bimal Prasad Pandia

From media coverage of Odisha Assembly proceeding, we have learnt that fluoride contamination of drinking issue came up for discussion in Odisha Assembly on July 15,2014. In his reply Honourable Minister for Rural Development Sri Badri Narayan Patra has reportedly informed the House that a total of 927 villages, including 118 villages in Nuapada district, have been identified as those having high fluoride contaminated drinking water sources.

If the above media report is correct, then the august Assembly has in all probability been provided with wrong or incomplete information. Number of villages affected by Fluoride is far more than what have been stated by the Hon’ble Minister.

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation maintains a web based MIS. As per the MIS for year 2013-14, 987 drinking water sources, out of a total of 8,605 sources tested in Nuapada district, were found to be having fluoride content in excess of 1.5 mg per litre which is the danger level.  This was the test result of ‘Field Test Kits (FTK)’ based water testing. 

The laboratory test result, which is considered more accurate, also shows that numbers of villages affected in Nuapada are far more than what the Minister told the Assembly. From a thorough culling of MIS data it was found out that 739 drinking water sources in 201 villages had been identified with fluoride contamination in excess of 1.5 mg in year 2013-14. Some sources even reported contamination as high as 7.75 mg/litre. Even these figures looks incomplete as the MIS did not report any fluoride contamination in as many as 42 Gram Panchayats. For example, the MIS did not show any fluoride contaminated source in Bhaisadani, Boirgaon and Sunapur Panchayats of Boden Block; Jhagrai, Kendetara, Michhapali, Mundapalla, Nuagaon, Pendrawan, Rajana, Sialati, Soseng, Sunabeda, Tarbod, Thikapali and Tikrapada of Komna Block ; Dabri, Khasbahal, Sardhapur and Tukula Panchayats of Khariar Block; Amsena, Biromal, Bisora, Boirbhadi, Budhipali, Dharambandh, Dumerpani, Godfula, Kendubahara, Kermelli, Khuntvanveera, Kodomeri, Kotenchhuan, Kulia Bandh, Mota Nuapada, Parkod, Rajput Nuapada, Saliha and Tanwat Panchayats of of Nuapada Block;  Khairpadar, Sinapali and Timanpur Panchyats of Sinapali Block. Many Panchayats have been reported with just one or two fluoride contaminated sources.

In the above circumstances, the reply by Government to the Assembly on July 15, 2014 seems to be woefully incorrect. Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC) expresses its concern that fluoride contamination is not being taken seriously by the State Government. Wrong and incomplete information will only harm the drive to provide people safe water. Thus, the primary responsibility of regularly testing the sources has to be accorded top priority and the database has to be updated at the earliest. Implementation of mega-pipe water supply projects, too, needs to speed up with determination. 

'Bullet Trains': Euphoria of Ignorance

Bimal Prasad Pandia

Is 'bullet train' a new idea? Has the budget made adequate provision to justify the hype?? Are such projects viable and desirable??? This article tries to have a critical look at this aspect of the rail budget.   

As media played out ‘bullet trains’ and ‘high speed corridors’ in bold letters after the rail budget was tabled in the Parliament, general people were naturally made to believe that something new and historic has been announced. People in the government want us to believe that it is a new thing for India and a dream of their leader.  Not so, say their political detractors. The dream is neither new nor there is substantial in the budget to justify the hype, the detractors argue. There is a third group which say that though the idea of bullet train is glamorous and draw awe, they are least viable and obviously a burden on the people of a country like India.  Let us do a reality check.

We will have a look at three issues, (a) whether both the above decisions are out of box forward looking dreams; (b) whether the budget has made enough provisions to realise the announcements; and (c) whether the idea of bullet train is feasible and required.

The first issue under our scanner is whether the decisions of bullet train and high speed corridor is an idea which are spelled out by our government for the first time? Referring to bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the rail minister says, "We propose bullet trains by starting off with an already identified Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector, where a number of studies have been done." This statement itself indicates that the idea of bullet trains in India is not being mooted for the first time and studies have already been done. The first feasibility study done by RDSO and JICA was published in 1987. The first proposal to introduce high-speed trains in India was mooted in the mid-1980s by then Railway Minister Madhavrao Scindia (See: http://onrails.in/content/proposed-bullet-trainhigh-speed-rail-network-india.html). Later, Indian Railways prepared a ‘Vision 2020’ action plan in 2009 during Ms Mamata Banerjee's tenure (See: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/infra/downloads/VISION_2020_Eng_SUBMITTED_TO_PARLIAMENT.pdf). The cover page of that document carries photo of bullet trains. The vision 2020 envisages, "the implementation of at least 4 high speed rail projects to provide bullet train services at 250-350 kmph, one in each of the regions of the nation and planning for at least 8 more corridors connecting commercial, tourist and pilgrimage hubs." The vision document spells that since the railways is facing fund crunch such high speed corridors/bullet trains will be implemented in a Public-Private-Participation (PPP) mode. So there is nothing new in this year's budget about private participation as well. Dinesh Trivedi, Rail Minister two years ago, had set the ball rolling further. Sri Trivedi had allocated Rs 6,447 Cr for this purpose (see the budget speech: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Budget12-13/Speech%20English%202012-13.pdf). The survey for bulllet trains had started even before Mr Trivedi's tenure (See: http://www.tokyotimes.com/japan-pitches-bullet-trains-in-india/). Similar is the case with 'high speed rail corridors'. Survey and work has already been initiated in previous years. The high-speed rail corridor project was proposed in the 2010 railway budget. A total of six high-speed corridors were proposed in the budget (See: http://www.alfaventures.com/horizon/news/bullet_train.html). The 'High Speed Rail Corporation of India Ltd (HSRC)' was set up on 25 July 2012. Thus, this budget is the not the first one to sow high speed and bullet train dreams. But the way a hype is being created around the speed factor of trains is certainly unprecedented.

Now let us see if such hype is being supported with substantial budgetary commitments from the government. In other words, does the rail budget make appropriate budgetary provisions to justify the hype of bullet / high speed trains? Compared to other research requirement this was a simple thing as we had to see the budget's 'demand for grant' component alone. At page 2.9.2 of the 'demand for grant' document (http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/2014-15_Final/DB_2014_15_Part_II.pdf), under heading 'Miscellenous expenditure', the minister proposes a budget of Rs 33.07 Cr for 'high speed corridor'. In the previous year it was Rs 18 Cr. So, though this activity has an enhanced budget this year compared to previous year, this is not substantially higher. The minister has proposed a total of Rs 100 Cr for high speed corridor (See: Page 16.03.3 of 'demand for grant'). It will be a shame to even call it a fraction. The proposed allocation is 0.0000000011% of the estimated cost of the golden quadrilateral project. The Minister in his budget speech had said that the golden quadrilaterl high-speed rail project will require Rs 9 lakh Crore. This required amount is nearly six times of the gross traffic receipt that Indian railways earned in year 2013-14. the gross traffic receipt in year 2013-14 was Rs 139,558 Crore. While 'high speed corridor' at least has some budget provision, the bullet train idea has simply remained as an idea. There is no provison what-so-ever for the bullet train. Is it not an irony that an idea, which has remained as an idea alone and that too not a new idea, and not any concrete action is marketed as a vision, a dream?

Now let us discuss whether 'bullet train' projects are feasible and required in a country like India. In his budget speech the Minister informs that Rs 60,000 Crore is required to run one bullet train alone. We are not sure the distance he is referring to. If he is referring to the declared Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor (about 500 kms long) then per kilometer cost is Rs 120 Cr. A feasibility study conducted by RITES in 2010 pegged the average cost at about Rs 100 Cr. The Wu-Guang HSR line in China did cost about Rs 108 Cr per kilometer. The Japanese routes cost a lot more as they are fully elevated and protected.

With such high cost of bullet train projects two issues emerge: (a) whether government or companies can bear such cost, and (b) whether passengers can pay to recover the cost. Many countries in the world, including the most developed countries, have tried their hand and have either burnt or retreated. America's fastest train Amtrak’s Acela Express between Wilmington and Baltimore Penn travels at 169.4 km/hour. Canda's Bombardier Transportation's LRC was designed for 200 km/h normal operating speed but its speed never exceeded the 170 km/h limit mandated by line signalling. Even the most popular Shinkasen trains of Japan became bankrupt only to be bought by a private company later at peanut price. The United States does not have a bullet train. Only two high speed train routes in the world (between Tokyo and Osaka in Japan); and between Paris and Lyon in France) are earning profit (See: http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/transportation/high-speed-rail). All other are in loss, huge loss. The European countries are pouring in huge money to keep the bullet trains running. Analysts have found that most proponents of high-speed rail projects tend to overstate their benefits and understate their costs (See: http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/transportation/high-speed-rail).

While very high cost of such projects act as a big deterrant, it must also be assessed whether Indian passengers have the paying capacity to recover the cost, leave alone make the projects profitable. The London to France journey, of about 450 kms, in a Eurostar bullet train will cost a minimum of 110 GB Pound (about Rs 11,200). General class of the Japanese Shinkasen train costs 14,140 Yen (about Rs 8,350) for about 550 Km journey from Tokyo to Osaka. It must be kept in mind here that the Tokyo to Osaka bullet trains run with a frequency similar to Delhi metro. It has a train every three to five minutes in peak hours. With lower frequency of trains cost per passenger will increase. It is not known what will be the density of bullet trains between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. But certainly it is not going to be in minutes. Even if we assume that the frequency will be quite high still there will not be many in India who can shell out about Rs 20 per km, which is substantially higher than current air fares in India, to travel in a bullet train.

This government which seeks a honeymoon period for it believes in trendy marketing and glamorous packaging. The floating of ideas like ‘bullet trains’ and ‘high speed corridors’ seem to me as part of such strategy. At least, the budget has nothing to substantiate the stated intentions. Besides, bullet trains may not be most appropriate idea for a country like India where the most recent estimation of poverty has added few more millions to the list.


 

'Elder' representatives of young generation in the 'Upper House'

Election of Anubhav Mohanty this  month renewed my attention towards our 'elder' representatives of the new generation in the 'house of elders' - Rajya Sabha. Media is full of news that young people are flooding the 'Upper House'. Last year too two famed youngsters Sachin Tendulkar and Dillip Tirkey had been nominated/elected to the house house of elders.  

I did a google search and tried to compile present Rajya Sabha members who are 45 years of less. You will be happy (?) to know that the youngest members in the Rajya Sabha are from our state - Odisha. I was interested to know what made these youngsters 'elder'? The google did not give me much hint. It, however, gave me few more hints which I fear to use in social media. They are ridden with danger (Ha ha...) 

These days you can get free meals inside jail by posting in social media. I am not eager to take benefit of 'free meals'.  

(Source: Information on age compiled from Rajyasabha website. Other information have been compiled from google (their authenticity need validation).

‘Sweet coated’ Presidential address or a real statement of intention?

The terms used in the inaugural Presidential address which spells out the new government’s agenda and indicators for the coming 60 months looks appealing. Any one questioning it is likely to be termed as one having a negative mindset.  So let us hope that the government heralds an inclusive development.

Below are some key terms and jargon used in the Presidential address given to the joint session of Parliament on June 9, 2014.

1.       Not ‘poverty alleviation’ but ‘poverty elimination’.

2.       ‘Rurban’ - providing urban amenities to rural areas while preserving the ethos of the villages.

3.       ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ – through Pradhanmantri Krishi Sichai Yojna

4.       ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’ – to conserve rain water and to recharge ground water

5.       ‘Per drop-More crop’ – Promotion of micro irrigation

6.       ‘from from Youth Development to Youth-led Development’

7.       ‘Har Haath Ko Hunar’

8.       ‘Skilled India’

9.       ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ - We must not tolerate the indignity of homes without toilets and public spaces littered with garbage. For ensuring hygiene, waste management and sanitation across the nation a “Swachh Bharat Mission” will be launched to mark 150^th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

10.   ‘Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana’ – a dedicated programme for STs with priority on electrification of tribal hamlets and connecting them with all-weather roads

11.   ‘Beti Bachao - Beti Padhao’

12.   ‘Team India’ to facilitate ‘Cooperative Federalism’ – States and Centre to function as organic unit

13.   ‘Rationalisation’, ‘Convergence’ and ‘Digitisation’ – to improve governance

14.   ‘Digital India’ – E-governance for empowerment.

15.   ‘Participative government’ – through social media interaction

16.   ‘Predictable’, ‘transparent’ and ‘fair’ policy environment and to ‘enhance ease of doing business’ – to boost business and growth

17.   ‘Career centres’ – employment exchanges to be invigorated

18.   ‘Skill’, ‘Scale’ and ‘Speed’: To be competitive in manufacturing at international level

19.   ‘World class investment and industrial regions’ to be set up.

20.   ‘High Speed Trains’ – To launch Diamond Quadrilateral project

21.   ‘Agri-Rail networks’ – dedicated freight corridors for perishable goods

22.   ‘Port-led development’ – Coastline to become gateway of India’s prosperity

23.   ‘Sagar Mala’ – to link ports through inland road and rail network

24.   ‘Waterway’ development – inland and coastal waterways to develop as major transport routes

25.   ‘By the time the nation completes 75 years of its Independence, every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24x7 electricity supply and access’.

26.   ‘National Mission on Himalayas’ will be launched to protect mountain’s ecology.

27.   ‘Perennial, clean and pristine Ganga’

28.   ‘Zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, riots and crime’.

29.   ‘Strong, Self-reliant and Self-confident India’ – to regain its rightful place in the comity of nations.

30.   ‘Peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood’

31.   ‘Brand India’ – on strengths of 5Ts: Tradition, Talent, Tourism, Trade and Technology

32.   ‘3 Ds of Democracy, Demography and Demand’ – With the 3 Ds India can actualise aspirations of vibrant, dynamic and prosperous India

‘In 60 months from now, we should be able to say with confidence and pride that we have done it’

These are the quotes taken from the presidential address to the joint session of parliament on June 9, 2014.

(Source: http://presidentofindia.nic.in/pdfs/sp090614.pdf) 

Water in News (WIN)

 WIN - A daily digest of water issues and news covered in media

For 16^th May 2014 to 18^th May 2014, Friday to Sunday

Today’s bulletin covers water news and issues published from May 16, 2014 to May 18, 2014 in print or e-paper editions of the following newspapers: (a) Sambad (all editions) (b) Samaj (Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur), (c) Dharitri, (d) Prameya (all edition),  (e) Samay (Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur), (f) Pragativadi, (g) Times of India (Bhubaneswar), (h) Pioneer (Bhubaneswar), and (i)) New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar). Besides we have covered web portals of (a) The Hindu, (b) The Telegraph, (c) Orissadiary, and (d) Odisha Sun Times. 

Rural Drinking Water

Damaged pipeline not repaired, people collect water from ‘Chua’ in Gopabandhunagar block of Mayurbhanj district: 18^th May issue of Balasore edition of Sambad reports that people of Haribansh habitation in Aarapata Panchayat are facing acute water scarcity. They are collecting water from a very small ‘chua’. The locals allege that due to carelessness of Contractor the water pipeline was damaged during PMGSY road construction. The fault has been brought to notice of the Panchayat as well as the RWSS but nobody has bothered to repair. The ‘Chua’ is also drying. People, staring very bad days in coming weeks, demand urgent repair of the pipeline.

Most PWS projects in Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj are paralysed or defunct, water scarcity acute: 18^th May issue of Balasore edition of Sambad reports that PWS projects of Suanpala, Dhalabani, Durdhura, Kapanda, Mahardhapalsa, Jashipur, Nimasahi, Gadtalsahi, dhobadiha, Anukulpur are defunct. The report further mentions that wells and projects in Similipal area are also defunct. The report also mentions that very few new tubewells have been dug this year.

Agrapada block in Bhadrak district under acute water stress - ‘Jalachhatra’ have not been opened, tubewells and PWS projects defunct: 18^th May issue of Balasore edition of Sambad reports that Jalachhatra have not been opened in Purushandha, Badmahishgotha, Gopinathpur, Mahantipada and Anijo Panchayats of Agarpada block of Bhadrak distct. RWSS department is not showing seriousness to repair tubewells. Most PWS projects have failed and lying defunct.

PWS defunct in Kelda village of Chandnimal GP in Kuchinda block: 17^th May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports that the PWS in Kelda village is defunct as the out of order pump is not being repaired. The report informs that since the contractor has not handed over the project, the motor is not being repaired. Locals have demanded urgent repair of the pump.

Kantamal PWS projects in Boudh district have totally failed: 16^th May issue of Samay reports that out of 30 PWS project in Kantamal block of Boudh district only 8 to 10 projects are working. Other projects are defunct. Even Kantamal block head quarter is not spared as the overhead tanks completed with an expenditure of Rs 30 lakh are lying unused. A 39 year old pipe water supply project, built in 1973, is supplying water to only few taps in Kantamal village.

PWS in Hatikucha village in Koida block of Sundargarh district defunct since three years: 16^th May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports that the PWS project in Hatikucha village in Koida block of Sundargarh district is defunct since last three years. It worked for only two months and is defunct since then. Parts and machineries are rotting. Villagers demand urgent repair of the project.

Only tubewell of Bhaliabadi village in Jhargaon block of Nabarangpur district defunct, people collect water from ‘chua’: 16^th May issue of Jaipur edition of Sambad reports that the only tubewell in Bhalibadi village is defunct as ground water level has gone down. The whole village now depends on a ‘chua’ in the bed of a nearby stream.

R.Udayagir PWS project supplying water to low lying areas only: 17^th May issue of Samay has a report from R. Udayagiri. The report says that even after spending of Rs 15 lakh from Kandhamal-Gajapati scheme, the PWS project is not able to supply water to many parts.  

Tubewells defunct since last two weeks in Kabra and Joranda GPs of Gandia block in Dhenknal: 16^th May issue of Angul edition of Sambad reports that tubewells in Talasahi, Pokharisahi villages of Kabra GP and Kankalunda dihasahi and Uparsahi villages of Joranda GP are defunct since two weeks. Concerned department officials have been intimated but the tubewells have not been repaired.

Influential people pumping out water from pipeline of Singhpur PWS project in Jajpur, people face acute water scarcity: 16^th May issue of Samay reports that many people are directly pumping out water from Singhpur PWS project, in Binjharpur block of Jajpur district. It says that people are using electric motor pumps to draw water directly from the pipelines and stand posts for various uses, including for vegetable cultivation and to water compost pits. Because of such use many stand posts are running dry. Concerned official has assured that strict action will be taken against people who are using motor pumps. 

Cold water point in Nimapada block office campus not working since two years: A news in 16^th May issue of Dharitri informs that a cold water point inside NImapada block office compound is not working since two years. BDO has promised to repair it.

Tubewell in Belpada Harijan basti in Balangir defunct since two months: 17^th May issue of Sambalpur edition of Prameya reports that the only tubewell in Harijan basti of Belpada village in Balangir district is defunct since last two months. RWSS officials say that the tubewell is defunct as ground water level has gone down. Locals allege that officials are not using adequate pipe to reach to the water levels.

Urban Drinking Water

Pattamundai water supply defunct, people collecting water from ‘Potanai’: 16^th May issue of Dharitri informs that no 8 ward of Pattamundai NAC in Kendrapada district is suffering from serious water problem as the PHED department’s pipe network is defunct. People are collecting polluted water from nearby ‘Potanai’. Demand of local people for water supply has fallen on deaf ears, the report alleges. Locals have threatened agitation if pipe water supply is not made.

Sanitation

Sambalpur citizen forum submits memorandum to Chief Secretary – Rues pathetic sanitation status of the town: 16^th May issue Sambalpur edition of Sambad informs about Sambalpur Development Manch’s memorandum to the Chief Secretary regarding very poor drainage and sanitation status of the town. The Manch has urged for urgent clearing of drain and garbage. It has also sought probe into large scale corruption and irregularities by the Municipality and also by the revenue department in converting ownership of government land.

Domestic and tubewell waste flowing through Dhumabhata village road in Belpada block of Balangir district: 16^th May issue of Sambalpur edition of Samay reports that domestic and tubewell waste water is flowing through the middle of Dhumabhata village road. There is no space for drain due to encroachment. The report also says villagers are demanding a probe into expenditure of Gaon Kalyan Fund. BDO has assured that concrete road along with drains will be constructed soon.  

Health

Diarrhoea spreads to Khojapalli village in Kabisuryanagar block of Ganjam: 17^th May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports about spread of diarrhoea from Deogaon village to Khojapalli village where 20 people have been affected. Water sources of the village have been collected for testing.  This news had earlier been coved on 16^th May by Berhampur edition of Sambad and Bhubaneswar edition of Samaya.

Polluted water in village of Krushnaprasad block diarrhoea, PWS project incomplete since last two years :  18^th May issue of Angul edition of Sambad informs that 10 person of Gilinasi village in Sial Panchayat of Krushnaprasad block in Puri district are being treated for diarrhoea. The village has only two tube wells – one is defunct while the other has high iron contamination. Locals allege that since two years pipelines have been laid and stand posts have been erected. But water supply has not started.

No respite from Diarrhoea in Kanas block area: 18^th May issue of Samaj reports that there has been no respite from diarrhoea in Jodapathar, Guadia, Bhoipada and Karmala villages of Kanas block in Puri district. More than 75 people are affected by the disease. Dirinking polluted water has been blamed as the reason.

Dispute

Water theft leads to violent clash in village of Jajpur district: 17^th May issue of Samay reports about an unfortunate incidence from Kanipal village of Biripata GP in Jajpur district. Illegal water extraction from the pipeline has led to violent clash in the village, injuring 8 people. The violence started when one section of the village objected to illegal connection by a family to take water from main pipeline of village PWS project to their home.

Water Management

Water bodies in Kujang, Paradeep and Ersama area decreasing, danger for next generation: Referring to decreasing and decaying water bodies in Paradeep, Kujang and Ersama areas of Jagatsinghpur district, 18^th May issue of Dharitri apprehends that future generation is likely to face serious adverse consequences. The report goes back to the history of Kujanga and informs that numerous natural water bodies have gradually been occupied by people and converted to private ownership. Many such occupied lands have since been filled up and converted to agriculture land, or industrial or urban use. Many natural drainage lines have also been choked or occupied. The report extensively lists water bodies which have been converted for other uses or are lying in very neglected condition. As an affect groundwater levels are already decreasing in the area.

Large pond in BIrmaharajpur subdivision silting up: 18th May issue of Sambalpur edition of Samaj reports that the hundred years old ‘Nili Bandh’ of Khandhata village in Birmaharajpur subdivision is silting up. The pond was holding lot of water even in summer months. Now the pond is drying due to negligence and lack of renovation.  

Pollution

Industrial pollutants spoil Baitarani river, Mulapal and Ranpur villages of Korei block in Jajpur district complain illness: 16^th May issue of Dharitri reports that industrial and mining waste have severely polluted Baitarani river water. Water has turned black. Farmers using the water to irrigate their vegetable crops have suffered as crops are reacting to polluted water. People using the river water are complaining of skin and eye infections.  Locals allege that government has taken no step to test the water and check pollution

8 cattle dead, 5 people ill due to polluted water in Sial Panchayat of Krushnaprasad block: 18^th May issue of Angul edition of Sambad reports that 8 cattle have already dead in Gilinasi village of Sial Panchayat in Krushnaprasad block of Puri district. The report attributes deaths to severe water scarcity in the village which forces cattle to drink polluted water. The report further informs that five people are affected by gastro-intestinal infection due to bad water.

Drainage

Siphon demand by Cuttack Sadar block residents: 16^th May issue of Dharitri has reported about Siphon demand of villagers from Paramhans, Rajhans and Nimeishapur villages under Cuttack Sadar block. Large area of the village stay water logged for prolonged period resulting in recurrent crop damage. Some farmers have suggested releasing of flood water to canal to facilitate quick drainage. Local people have submitted a memorandum to Water Resource Principal Secretary in which they have demanded sluice gates at Rajhans of Machhgaon canal and at Dighi of Taladanda canal.  

Disaster

Illegal brick kiln increase River erosion fear in Gurundia block of Sundargarh: : 18^th May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports that illegal brick kilns along river banks in Kucheita and Banki Panchayats may cause river erosion. The report alleges that revenue department has closed its eyes to the problem.

Good News

Dalit women dig up pond, find solution to water woes of village in Astarang block of Puri district: 16^th May issue of Samaj features a very good news of dalit women of Udaykani village of Astarang block in Puri district collectively digging up a pond to find solution to water woes of their village. The motivation came from non-government organisations Young India and Action Aid.

Demanding toilet woman puts marriage at stake – gets toilet, Rs one lakh prize: 13^th May issue of Business Standard has carried a very interesting case. Alakh Niranjan's marriage was headed for the rocks till an NGO stepped in to provide what his wife wanted - a toilet. Sulabh International constructed a toilet and also rewarded the wife Rs.100,000 for demanding proper sanitation facilitie. The lady had put her marriage at stake. Last month Niranjan's wife approached the women's helpline in Patna seeking help for a divorce after her husband failed to construct a toilet despite repeated assurances. Sulabh International came forward not only to construct a toilet for that lady, but also rewarded the valiant lady. (http://www.news18.com/news/bihar/sulabh-toilet-saves-alakh-niranjans-marriage-472739.html)

People in Rajasthan guard their well at night to prevent stealing: Gadraroad, Ramsar and Chouhtan tehsil areas of Barmer district in Rajasthan are badly affected by drinking water shortage. The shortage has been so acute that people are now guarding their wells during night to prevent water theft. (http://www.news18.com/news/rajasthan/here-fear-of-water-theft-forces-villagers-to-guard-their-wells-all-night-472681.html)

 Advertisement / Tender etc

New scheme for saline water for prawn culture: 18^th May issue of Sambad and Samaj carry an advertisement by Cuttack branch of Fishery Directorate. The advertisement informs that government lands will be given on 15 years long term lease for prawn culture in coastal Odisha. The advertisement says that for further information interested people may visit www.odishafisheries.com or meet District Fishery Officer.

(Earlier edition of WIN can be accessed at www.rcdcindia.org)  

In Phailin hit year Odisha spent only 39 % fund from NRDWP 'natural calamity' fund

In a year in which Odisha faced a Very Severe Cyclone and multiple major floods, Odisha government could spend less than 39 percent of fund it had under ‘natural calamity’ head of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). The NRDWP is the flagship programme for rural drinking water supply. The NRDWP earmarks five percent of the total fund under ‘natural calamity’ head. As per NRDWP guideline this fund is used ‘to mitigate drinking water problems in the rural areas in the wake of natural calamities’.

In a review meeting held at New Delhi between the officials of the Central and State government on March 13, 2014 the Central government officials observed that ‘… the expenditure under “calamity” is very poor…”.  Odisha had 384.68 Crore rupees under the ‘calamity’ head for financial year 2013-14. But till March 12, 2014 – with only 18 days left in that financial year – Odisha government had spent only 148.91 Crore rupees, which is less than 39 percent of the fund it had.

While such gross under utilisation of available fund by Odisha government belies all logic; when seen along with the Phailin memorandum that Odisha government submitted to the Central government, the information that we get is quite baffling. 

The state government’s Phailin memorandum, submitted to the Central government on October 21, 2013, mentioned that ‘3040 numbers of rural pipe water supply system and 162,170 numbers of tubewells have been damaged / submerged in the rural areas due to cyclone and flood.’ Through the memorandum, Government of Odisha had placed a demand of Rs 27.60 Crore rupees for ‘immediate repair’. The irony is that in the same paragraph of the memorandum government of Odisha had stated that only ‘Rs 68 lakh is available in the related scheme for the above purpose.’

Both the statistics about available fund cannot be true at the same time. One shows that Odisha government had a lot of money under NRDWP’s ‘natural calamity’ head which it miserably failed to utilise. The other shows that the state had barely any money to restore damaged rural water supply provisions after the cyclone and flood.

People have a right to know about the real status and government has an obligation to keep track of its funds. Even in normal times, Odisha’s rural water supply standards compare very poorly with that of advanced states of the country. In the year 2013-14 it faced a series of natural disasters. Yet the state government so miserly spent the money it had.

We have every right to demand fixation of strict accountability. 

POSCO eloquence is a statement of decayed mind

Bimal P Pandia

The Thursday, 16th January 2014, marked two significant happenings. As if there was nothing else to discuss, Prime Minister of India recited the 'POSCO' lyric which was obviously a music to the visiting South Korean President. This was happening in India's political capital. Something else happened in the financial capital of the country. Tata Consultancy Services was declaring its quarterly result - magnificent and stupendous result.

There would not have been many eyebrows had POSCO been just one of many issues during discussion of the Prime Minster and the President. But it seems POSCO was the only thing. This is unfortunate. More unfortunate is Prime Minister's use of terms like 'easing' and 'speed up' etc.

Many people have reasons to believe that those who run the governments, both at the Centre and the State, are stoops of the powerful mining lobby. These companies only aim to loot and destroy, permanently, resources that we have only inherited from our forefathers and - which the government should only protect as the custodian. But the governments are hell bent to sell those resources off while causing further disequilibrium in the social, economic and environmental fabric; and ruining the future.

They cite example of economic growth and employment potentials of these industries through glossy figure. Such arguments have been contested with solid facts and evidences in the past. Taking cue from today's development I will just add some more information about employment potential or profit potential that adds evidence to the destroy the myths that meetings like Indian Prime Minister and Korean President do spread. 

1. Three of India's largest mining and mineral processing companies Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Tata Steel(including Corus) and NTPC together employ only three-forth of what technology major TCS has. The current employee strength of the companies are, TCS - 276,196, SAIL - 103,130, Tata Steel - 80,534, and NTPC - 25,484.

2. TCS on Thursday reported a quarterly net profit of Rs 5,314 Crore. This is nearly 15 percent more than combined second quarter net profit of SAIL, Tata Steel (including Corus) and NTPC. The three companies reported net profit of 1,180 Crore, 917 Crore and 2,439 Crore respectively.

3. POSCO, which a section of our country is so  desperate to get in, employs only 35,094 person for its two plants in Korea which together have 39 MTPA capaciity -  3.25 times more than POSCO's proposed 12 MTPA plant in Odisha.

Now, people will still argue that such figures do not tell the whole truth and we also require power and steel etc. etc. Fine, but then we must not also forget that for power and steel etc we pay a very heavy price - a price that the current generation owes to the future generation and other living beings. We have to carefully find an equilibrium that is just and humane - socially, environmentally and economically.

States like Odisha should not portray an image of 'rich land, poor people'. That is a myth that we must break. Our land is obviously rich. But we do not have a stake to loot and destroy those resources. Rather, we are the custodians to maintain, preserve and passon the inherited resources. States like ours, instead, should focus on more rewarding sectors, which provide more employment and more income for the people and the country.