BHUBANESWAR: Even as Odisha battles with high incidence of diarrhoea among children, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is all set to launch an extensive programme on ‘Management and prevention of childhood diarrhoea’ to combat the menace in the State. The programme would be launched in five districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Kandhamal in association with Unicef and NRHM. These five districts, which are predominantly tribal, have been witnessing frequent outbreaks of cholera over the recent years.

BHUBANESWAR: The Krushak Morcha of the BJP on Wednesday assailed the State Government for its failure to solve the farmers’ problems. Presiding over a meeting of the State functionaries of Krushak Morcha here on Wednesday, president of the farmers wing Mahesh Sahu said that the farmers are yet to get compensation for crop loss they sustained last year due to natural calamities.

BHUBANESWAR: In what can be seen as a missive to embarrass Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the tribal issue, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday alleged that a large number of ‘adivasis’ are in jail in Odisha, for no reason whatsoever, and they should be freed at the earliest.

BHUBANESWAR: More than four years after Satkosia was designated a Tiger Reserve, the Odisha Government has finally brought Mahanadi Wildlife Division under the unified control of the Field Director, meeting a long-standing demand of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The Regional Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Angul, is the Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve which comprises two wildlife sanctuaries such as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipally Sanctuary, both protected areas contiguous in nature.

BHUBANESWAR: Having witnessed a quantum rise in the production of horticulture crops in the last 10 years, the State Government has now decided to lay emphasis on floriculture, coconut and banana crops. Three new schemes - floriculture development, coconut development, banana development - besides inter-cropping have been introduced under the State plan for the current financial year.

BHUBANESWAR: The Maoist-infested Laxmipur block in Koraput district which hogged the headlines for the wrong reason was back in the news on Tuesday. In a move that will help resolve the current crisis over land dispute, nearly 500 landless tribal families were given pattas under the land allocation programme, initiated by the Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme (OTELP).

PARADIP: Jagatsinghpur district has been witnessing a steep decline in groundwater level. The quality of water also deteriorated. Sources said groundwater level in the district has gone down to a great extent following unrestricted drawing of water by industries in the area. In the last few years hundreds of industries - big and small - have mushroomed in this coastal district. As there is no restriction, industries have been exploiting the situation to the hilt, resulting in the depletion of water table. As a result, water scarcity in the district has become acute.

BHUBANESWAR: After opposing establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in its present form, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday demanded modification in certain provisions, proposed in the MMDR (Mines and Mineral- Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011, on the ground that these would infringe on the rights of state governments. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Chief Minister said the proposed Bill makes an attempt to transfer certain powers and functions, now being exercised by states, to the Central Government.

BHUBANESWAR: Experts have called for inculcation of proper sanitary and personal hygiene habits among children right from their early age to tackle the menace of enteric diseases. Simple habits and practices like regular washing of hands and taking daily baths can minimise the risk of infections among children.

ANGUL: Protesting the midnight arrest of 11 anti-JR Power Plant leaders, hundreds of locals under the banner of Jiban Jibika Krusijami Suraksha Samiti laid siege to Kishorenagar Police Station in Athamallick sub-division on Friday. They demanded immediate release of those arrested while police forwarded the latter to court early in the morning.