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: Forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Tuesday said that a legislation on biodiversity is soon to be considered by the State Legislative Assembly. Addressing a workshop on ‘Biodiversity conservation in Odisha: Challenges and Opportunities’ organised by the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), Bhubaneswar to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity-2012, Mishra said that biodiversity is important for our survival. Maintaining the equilibrium of biodiversity should get priority.

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: Alleging tardy procurement of surplus rice by FCI from Odisha, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday sought prime minister's intervention for moving at least one lakh MT rice from the state every month. Despite request by the state and my food minister's meeting with union food minister, FCI has not moved a single grain from the state in April and May, the chief minister said in a letter to Manmohan Singh.

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: In a major boost to sustainable agriculture technology for soil management, the Agriculture Department has proposed to establish 20 new soil testing laboratories in the State. There are 11 such labs at present. Separately, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has also decided to set up another 20 soil testing laboratories in its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under the 12th plan.

BHUBANESWAR: With many areas in the Capital city facing water crisis during summer, renovation of ponds and other water bodies has become a necessity. To address the issue, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has earmarked Rs 5 crore for renovation and beautification of ponds in the city this year. Altogether, 20 ponds in the Capital city are being maintained by the BMC.