Archive for November, 2014

Pockets of western Odisha face crop loss

Following is a report from the TNIE:

SAMBALPUR: Even as Western Odisha, frequented by drought for the last few years, is looking forward to bumper harvest this kharif season, crop loss due to lack of adequate rainfall during growing and maturing stage of plants has been reported from a few pockets of the region.

While during the initial stage of monsoon there was deficit rainfall in the region, it was supplemented by heavy rain at a later stage. Subsequently the monsoon became weak and there was virtually no rain during the flowering stage of the crop that led to pest attack and moisture stressed condition. Even as farmers of the affected areas lost hope of any yield, district agriculture officials ruled out drought-like condition.

Reports from Bamra block in Sambalpur district state that paddy yield will be affected with the block receiving scattered rain when it was most required during growing stage. Farmers alleged that it is difficult for them to regain even the labour cost.

They said while the farm fields have developed cracks, lack of adequate water during flowering stage of paddy led to moisture stress condition in plant’s cells and subsequent damage to the crop. In Parmanpur village under Pindapathar panchayat of the block, the farmers have let their cattle to graze in paddy fields as they have lost hope of any yield.

Padampur BJP MLA Pradip Purohit claimed that moisture stress condition has also been reported from Hirapur, Kechodadar, Cheliamal, Mandiadhipa, Baidpali, Bhenrajpur villages under Paikmal block of Bargarh district. Purohit said he has asked the Tehsildar to submit a report on the situation so that farmers can get relief in time. He said he would write to the Collector and the Chief Minister on the issue urging them to compensate the farmers.

Similar reports have been received from Baliposhi, Kanchada, Budibahal, Chakuliain, Purukunda, Rambhae, Dantaribahal and Kantapali villages under Barkote block of Deogarh district.

However, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Sambalpur, Ashok Kumar Mohanty said there are some complaints of moisture stress condition from highland areas. But overall crop production would be good and denied drought condition in the district. He further said the crop is almost ready to harvest and his office has not received any report of crop loss.

Admitting stray cases of drought-like situation in some pockets across 14 blocks of the district, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Balangir, Manoranjan Mallick said it should not be construed as drought as majority of areas would have bumper harvest.

Deputy Director of Agriculture, Nuapada, Antaryami Mandal informed that paddy has been cultivated over 82,000 hectares of land and the crop has done exceedingly well in the district. There is no chance of drought revisiting the district, he claimed.

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November 26, 2014 at 9:11 am Leave a comment

Chronic renal failure spreads in western Odisha

Following is a report from the TNIE:

SAMBALPUR: The incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) is assuming alarming proportion in Western Odisha. While the disease, which was earlier confined to specific pockets, is fast spreading its tentacles to different districts, the administrations seems clueless about the reasons of the spread and the measures to be taken to contain it.

In 2010, a team from VSS Medical College visited Pandikipali village in Kolabira block of Jharsuguda district where 14 deaths had been reported due to CRF. The doctors could not ascertain the cause of the disease but suggested a slew of preventive measures to the district administration.

According to reports from Debadihi on the outskirts of Jharsuguda, 21 persons are undergoing treatment for CRF. The disease has claimed eight lives in the last one decade. Villagers said more cases will come to the fore if proper investigation is done. Water with heavy metal content is suspected to be the reason for outbreak of the disease though no study has been undertaken to establish the claim.

Sources said villagers are suffering from swollen legs and weakness and are unable to work for long hours. A private practitioner of Jharsuguda Dr Ashish Sinha said the patients are found to have high level of creatinine. In a recently organised camp, 21 persons were found to be having symptoms of kidney ailment and advised to visit VSS Medical for further medical attention, he added.

Ironically, the district health administration is unaware of the prevalence of CRF. Chief District Medical Officer Dr Dayamanti Sahu feigned ignorance about prevalence of kidney related ailment in the district but assured of all possible help, if any case is detected.

Last year, 18 patients died due to CRF in Podabalanda and Kuhi villages under Ward 5 of Rairakhol Notified Area Council (NAC). Reportedly, several persons are still suffering from the disease. Although a three-member team of doctors visited the villages and collected water samples for tests, not much headway has been made in this regard.

Similar reports have been received from Adendungri village in Balangir district. The sources said the disease has claimed eight lives in Dhaunradadar and Rampur villages in the district.

Fresh report of eight persons suffering from the disease has also come to the fore from Balda village under Bongomunda block where seven persons have died due to CRF in the last two years.

According to reports, 10 persons are suffering from CRF in Dhalpur gram panchayat under Harbhanga block of Boudh district.

Ironically, while the cause behind prevalence of the disease is yet to be ascertained, medical camps have been organised and affected patients provided medicines. While presence of heavy metals, fluoride and dust from stone quarries in water is attributed as possible cause, doctors are yet to trace the real reason of the outbreak of the disease.

November 26, 2014 at 9:03 am Leave a comment

Upcoming medical college in western Odisha

Odisha govt. has announced to setup following medical colleges in western Odisha:

  • Balangir Medical College.
  • Sundargarh Medical College (NTPC has signed MOU with Odisha government).
  • Jharsuguda Medical College (Nabadiganta Educational Trust is considering it as a prospective site for its medical college).

Following report is from http://odishasuntimes.com/100683/15-medical-colleges-odisha-minister/

Replying to a question of opposition chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the district headquarters hospitals in Balasore, Baripada, Koraput, Bolangir and Puri will be upgraded and medical colleges will be established there.

The  government is also working to set up private medical colleges in Rayagada and Gajapati districts on PPP mode. Besides, itt has also given NOCs to six private players interested in setting up colleges on their own.

NTPC in Sundargarh and MCL in Talcher have already signed MOUs with government of Odisha to build medical colleges. While Sahyog Health Care & Research Foundation has signed an MOU to build a college Keonjhar, Nabadiganta Educational Trust is considering Jharsuguda, baripada and Bhubaneswar as a prospective site for its medical college.

November 24, 2014 at 2:56 am Leave a comment

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