RNI Regd. No. C ODIENG/2007/20588 M Y K Vol. 14, Issue -18, January 15, 2021 Bhubaneswar 5/- SC myopically holds farm laws If a law passed by Parliament can be put farmers were not even in abeyance, what does it say about the present at the hearing; Dushyant Dave, Colin certainty of doing business in India? Gonsalves, HS Phoolka, and Prashant Bhushan were the farmers' lawyers. While Dave later told that DADLS-70 he did not go to court since the matter was listed 'for orders'-that means the bench will pronounce its ruling/decision, not hear more arguments-on Mon- day, he also added that, in any case, the farmer unions had made it clear on New Delhi : Almost as the laws in abeyance-while Monday itself that they soon as the Supreme a court-appointed commit- were not going to partici- Court's (SC) hearing on the tee came up with a solu- pate in the committee's de- farm laws began, it was tion-was going nowhere liberations. Though SC's OIPR- 15001/13/0113/2021 obvious its plan to keep since the lawyers for the Tuesday order (P-15)

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1 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M News Y K Why Has Pratap Jena Not Been Arrested? A letter threatening to government to act against Police officers who sup- kill Naveen Patnaik him," she wondered. port the ruling party are Responding to the allega- getting posted in the tions, BJD spokesperson coastal district. It has set a sent to his residence Sasmit Patra said, "The bad precedent in policing The letter, said contract killers armed with AK-47 prime accused along with and emerged as a greater and semi-automatic pistols are out to kill the CM. the others involved in the threat to the overall law The home department sent the letter to the DGP as crime were arrested within and order situation, well as the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commis- 48 hours of the crime. BJD Mishra said. sioner for further action. The chief minister enjoys has always followed zero- The BJP has been demand- Z plus security. tolerance to the crime but I ing the ouster of Law Min- Bhubaneswar : According to the Hindustan Times, Cuttack : Odisha BJP in- serious question marks think, Purandeswari is not ister Pratap Jena, accusing an anonymous letter threatening to kill Odisha chief charge D Purandeswari on over the sincerity of the aware of it." him of orchestrating the minister Naveen Patnaik was sent to his residence Thursday came down investigation and inten- Similarly, senior party brutal crime. The party Naveen Niwas on Thursday in Bhubaneswar, throw- heavily on the State gov- tions of the State govern- leader and former Director- leaders had held demon- ing security agencies in the state in a tizzy. ernment for not taking ac- ment in shielding the cul- General of Police (DGP) strations at different The letter says- contract killers armed with AK-47 tion against Law Minister prits. "Why has Law Min- Prakash Mishra slammed places across the State and and semi-automatic pistols are out to kill the CM. Pratap Jena who has been ister Pratap Jena not been the investigating officer/s burnt effigies of the minis- "These contract killers are professional criminals named in the FIR filed in arrested though he has for not bringing those ter. In a related develop- and can attack you at any time. So please be aware connection with the brutal been named in the FIR? identified by ment, the police on that these contract killers are continuously following murder of BJP leader Why has he been spared," DibyasinghaBaral before Wednesday arrested one you. The mastermind lives in Nagpur... The weapons KulamaniBaral.Baral and Purandeshwari asked, add- his death into the ambit of more accused in connec- which will be used to kill you have been brought to his associate Dibyasingha ing, "I urge Chief Minister the investigation. tion with the double mur- Odisha," read the handwritten letter in English. Baral were hacked to death Naveen Patnaik to open his "During treatment, der case, taking the total The sender also gave out a list of 17 cars with reg- in the Salipur area of the eyes and ears to watch and DibyasinghaBabu had number of arrestees to six. istration numbers of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, district on Saturday. hear what is happening in taken some names behind Notably, Kulamani was re- Punjab, Odisha, Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra in Accompanied by a host of the State."She pointed out the murderous attack on turning home along with which the 'criminals' are following Patnaik. state BJP leaders, includ- that another BJP leader, him and KulamaniBaral. his associate Dibyasingh The home department sent the letter to the DGP as ing State president Sameer Bikash Jena, of the same His last words should be on his bike when some well as the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Mohanty, general secre- area, had been killed a year considered as a dying dec- miscreants attacked them for further action. The chief minister enjoys Z plus tary Lekhashree ago for exposing irregulari- laration and the investiga- with sharp-edged weapons security. Samantsinghar, Bhrugu ties in the PM AwasYojana. tion should be carried out near Jankoti in Mahanga of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Buxipatra, Prakash Mishra, Kulamani and Dibyasingha accordingly. But, it is a mat- Cuttack. Kulamani was de- Sudhansu Sarangi denied seeing such a letter. "Some- and others, Purandeswari too were murdered for the ter of concern that things clared brought dead at times mad people write such things. I am not aware of drove straight to Nrutanga same reason, she said. are not moving in that di- Mahnaga Community such a letter," he said. near Salipur-the native "The family members of rection," Mishra Health Centre while In September 2018, a murder accused serving sen- place of the deceased KulamaniBabu and alleged.He further alleged Dibyasing succumbed to tence in Bilaspur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh had sent leader-to meet the be- Dibyasingha told us that it was no secret that the injuries while undergoing a letter to Patnaik demanding extortion money of Rs 50 reaved family and offer her Minister Pratap Jena has a local police officials were treatment at SCB Medical crore and threatened him with dire consequences if he condolences. key role behind the crime. working at the behest of College and Hospital in failed to pay the amount. The top BJP leader raised But, what prevented the 'someone' in this area. Cuttack. Odisha Govt Lying On Separation Of Investi- Gadkari Assures To Expedite Approval gation, Law And Order Wings: Congress For Sidhamahavir Flyover in Puri Bhubaneswar : The Congress party of Odisha der wings, Mishra said."The Odisha government Bhubaneswar : Union Minis- unit on Sunday alleged that the Odisha govern- had filed an affidavit in 2007 mentioning that it has ter for Road Transport and ment did not comply with the Supreme Court separated the two wings in Commissionerate po- Highways Nitin Gadkari on directive to separate the investigation and Law lice limits in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The gov- Wednesday assured to expe- and Order wings to lessen the burden on police.At ernment had also repeated the same thing in sepa- dite approvals for the long- a press meet, Congress spokesperson Nishikant rate affidavits in 2008 and 2013," Mishra alleged. demanded Sidhamahavir Mishra alleged that the Odisha government had The Congress leader further said that he had sought flyover in Puri. The an- lied to the apex court that it had separated the some data under RTI regarding the subject from nouncement from the Union investigation and Law and Order wings in the some police stations under Commissionerate Po- minister came after BJP na- Commissionerate police jurisdiction in the twin lice jurisdiction. The RTI report revealed that no tional spokesperson Sambit city- Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. But, the reality is such separation has been made so far in these Patra and Puri MLA Jayant something different, he said. Though the govern- police stations, Mishra claimed."It means that the Sarangi met him yesterday ment submitted multiple affidavits in the Supreme State government continues to lie to hide one truth. and discussed the construc- Highway as they have to wait road which connects Puri to Court, stating the same in 2007, 2008, and again in The government, especially the Home Depart- tion work of the flyover on for hours due to long jams of Konark, Nimapara, Gop, 2013, RTI data, which is in the possession of the ment should come out with a clarification that the Puri-Konark highway. hundreds of people along with and Kakatpur area and it is Congress party, revealed that there is no separa- why it kept the 4.5 crore Odia people in dark," he The locals have been demand- buses, taxies and commercial the second biggest connect- tion of investigation and Law and order wings in added. The Congress party also demanded that ing the construction of a vehicles on both sides of the ing route to the Twin Cities the Commissionerate police jurisdiction, he Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who holds the flyover on the level crossing level crossing during the of Cuttack and claimed.Acting on a PIL, the SC had asked all the Home department in the State, should give clarifi- near Sidhamahavir rail gate of train hours. Notably, the Bhubaneswar, and other States to segregate investigation and Law and Or- cation and issue a White Paper in this regard. the Puri-Konark National level crossing is on the main parts of the State.

2 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C Analysis M Y K GDP fall worsened by cyber loot Stress must shift from the bullet to farms

to a six-month high in earnings. by 9.5 percent and 14.5 in construction (last year December to 9.06 While calculating seven percent in gross fixed 1.3 percent growth). percent, while the rural months' data released in capital formation - an The 2020-21 GDP at rate climbed to 9.15 preparation for the indicator for private 2011-12 prices would be percent, according to budget efforts many gaps investment. In other Rs 134.40 lakh crore as CMIE. It means about 17 remain. In 2014, it was words, it sees general against the provisional to 18 crore people are expected that the new poverty increasing. In estimate growth rate of affected. dispensation would 2016 too, post note ban Rs 145.66 lakh crore. The NSO projections do correct the system. It disorder private Though the NSO says not take into account Rs has only worsened consumption had fallen. that there could be 1.25 lakh crore through policing and The policymakers are not revisions at the end of cybercrime losses in regulatory costs have learning lessons from March, the overall 2019, revealed by since have risen several knee-jerk actions that jolt distress would not National Cyber Security times. Yes, the country is the entire socio-economic disappear. The next Coordinator Lt Gen in a difficult situation and processes. financial year could be Rajesh Pant. The country covid19 unwise Except forthe merger of better provided the lost Rs 128 crore during lockdown alone is not to banks possibly to industry functions in a October-December 2019 be blamed for the minus window-dress losses better manner, jobs rise, and 21,041 such cases 23.9 percent contraction little has been done over lending and repayments (mainly ATM and debit reported in June 2020. the years to check the are healthy. These are cards) were registered in It had started reflecting losses of banks. The 14 hopes but revenue Prof. Shivaji Sarkar these three months, by December 2019, public-sector lenders, collections suffered in the Former HOD in English journalism in IIMC, Delhi Anurag Thakur, MoS, when salaries for central which included five first three months are Ministry of Finance told university staff, banks, posted an found difficult to recover. The projection for India's sectors, as per the Lok Sabha quoting RBI. autonomous bodies, and aggregate loss of Rs Revenue shortfall from growth is not a surprise. National Statistical Office Out of the total loss, Rs others started being 74,278 crore for 2019 taxes and disinvestments It is on a continuous roll (NSO) advance estimates 85 crore was lost in a delayed. The government against Rs 65,723.52 in PSUs is estimated at and the loss of Rs 11.3 for preparing the budget single month of October had also stopped crore in 2018, based on over Rs 7 lakh crore but lakh crore or contraction 2021-22. It means if 2019. sanctioned expenditures figures available on the the room for expenditure of 7.7 percent of GDP in agriculture is One must note that all and imposed severe cuts. Capitaine Database. This cut is limited with an eye absolute terms also may encouraged, it can give a cases are not reported or The GDP growth had loss was despite the state- on growth. It would be be a modest assessment major boost to the recorded. And these do started slowing down run entities posting a interesting to see how the because it is just only the economy. not include phone through 2019. The positive aggregate of Rs government borrows. economic and industrial The state government banking through NEFT phenomenon had caused 63,645 crore in 2019 and The pandemic apart, the activities that are included revenues are in a worse transactions by criminal concern in the last Rs 62,371 crore for projections suggest that in it. situation as debt rises insurance agents of Economic Survey, which FY18. The losses are country's policies have It means the growth in phenomenally. The HDFC-type companies had indicated distress in mounting and most not matched the real GDP during 2020-21 Centre's fiscal deficit have mastered. Lt Gen many areas. This is banks are avoiding giving problems. It calls for a is estimated at minus 7.7 itself would be over 7 Pant says cyber threats certainly accentuated as loans to students and total review of every percent as compared to percent of GDP against are increasing as smart at least 17 crore people other needy. aspect of the social and 4.2 percent growth rate the target of 3.5 percent. cities and 5G are being suffered severe jolt due to Even exports fall to $ economic life and revival in 2019-20. This is 20 The growing borrowings rolled out. The worst is job losses, contraction of 26.8 billion in December of the planning process. basis points more than are likely to further hit the in states like UP, the wages, or closure of 2020 from $ 15.71 billion Agriculture that employs the 7.5 percent economy as it would police reject e-FIRs on business activities for the a year back. The over 80 crores (or 60 contraction projected by have twin effects of phone banking frauds better part of 2020. Many manufacturing is percent of the the Monetary Policy severe inflation and without even primary are yet to have the wages declining by 9.4 percent population) has been Committee of the shrinking of lending queries forget about the restored to pre-pandemic in 2020-21from 0.03 given short shrift. The Reserve Bank of India capital. It threatens the investigation. The impact levels. It has contracted percent in 2019-20; development strategies (RBI). Never before health of the banking on the country is far the purchasing of power mining to contract by like a bullet train and toll since 1952, India had sector, as its losses are more as it disrupts the of almost every 12.4 percent; trade, roads possibly are such a deep crisis. mounting. family budget and individual, family, and hotels, transport, disastrous and unilateral Only hope remains on the The unemployment rate, consequent purchasing corporate. communication minus financial powers to rulers most maligned agriculture a key indicator of power. Quite a few have No wonder the NSO 21.4 percent (last year need to check for growing at 3.2 percent distress, as well as rural reportedly committed assesses private 3.6 percent growth); and positive growth in five among the eight core joblessness, has jumped suicide as they lost their consumption shrinkage 12.4 percent contraction years.

3 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C News from Rourkela, M by Satish Sharma Y K SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant ends District Culture Office Inaugurated at Sundargarh the Year 2020 with a bang and folk art of the district Rourkela : SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) a unit of the was also launched on the Maharatna Company SAIL, has ended the Year 2020 with a occasion.Officials said the bang. On 30thDecember 2020, the Steel Plant produced it's 'Sahabhagita' program will Best-ever 15,180 Tonnes of Hot Metal from 3 furnaces, emphasise promoting tribal while Blast Furnace-5 surpassed the magical figure of mak- dance, Pala and ing more than 10,000 Tonnes in a day. Daskathia.In the library, The previous single-day best of 14,416 Tonnes was recorded there are more than 20,000 on 22ndDecember 2020 from the same three furnaces. Out books along with a reading of the 15,180 Tonnes, Blast Furnace-1 has contributed 2510 room facility. "To promote Tonnes, Blast Furnace-4 made 2645Tonnes while the re- folk-art of Sundargarh dis- maining 10025 Tonnes have been produced by Blast Fur- nace-5. The earlier record of Blast Furnace-5 for any single trict and to encourage the day was 9505 Tonnes which was achieved on 13thNov. artists, many programs 2020. Dipak Chattaraj, CEO, RSP visited the Blast Fur- have been organizing in the nace-5 on 31st December to congratulate the department district. For this reason, the collective as well as their associated units. The feat was state government has taken achieved due to the integrated team effort of all the asso- the initiative of the ciated departments like Sinter Plant, Raw Material Han- 'Sahabhagita' program. Like- dling Plant, Coke Ovens, Traffic and Raw Material, Cap- wise, for the students and tive Power Plant, Oxygen Plant, Production, Planning, Sundargarh : Collector office and library on the 8th January.A book lovers of the district, we and Control Department and Research and Control Labo- Nikhil PavanKalyan inau- premises of the newly-built 'Sahabhagita' program to have inaugurated the li- ratory, the quality supply of raw materials and the deter- gurated a district culture SanskrutiBhavan here on promote the tribal culture brary," the collector said. mined efforts of the Blast Furnace collective. RSP QC Teams shine at Smt. Soma Mondal assumes charge as Chairman, SAIL National level Convention Rourkela : Smt. Soma Rourkela : The Quality - I,Milan from Steel across the country Mondal has taken over as Chairman of Steel Authority Circle teams of SAIL, Melting Shop - I, Dy- participated.QCFI, of India Limited (SAIL) on Rourkela Steel Plant namic from Plate Mill, Rourkela chapter got Jan 1. She was the Director (RSP) have performed Pioneer from Electron- appreciation award (Commercial) of SAIL. Be- exceedingly well in the ics and Electrical Ser- among B category fore joining SAIL as a Direc- 34th National Conven- vices Department, chapter in National tor, Smt. Mondal was the Di- tion on Quality Con- Udayafrom Oxygen Level. rector (Commercial) at cepts (NCQC - 2020) Plant,Sambhab from Re- Notably, 1636 QC NALCO. was organized on 27th pairteams comprising more After assuming the charge December through vir- Shop(Electrical),Megamind than 8200 delegates on the first day of the year, she addressed the SAIL col- tual mode for the first from Roll Shop,Think from 403 organizations lective and said, "SAIL has time due to Covid Pan- Bankfrom R&CL and across the nation rep- a rich legacy with enormous demic situation. Out of Nayeeudaan from SMS- resenting various in- contributions from its em- the 16 Quality Circle II. dustrial and service ployees and leadership over teams representing RSP Utthan of HSM, Phoenix sectors had partici- the decades. It has been at in the case study pre- from Pipe Plant, Genius pated in the competi- the forefront of the nation- sentation, 10 teams from Pipe Plant, tion. building."There's a little bit bagged the highest Utkrishtfrom Oxygen ChandanSamal, GM, of SAIL in everybody's life" the bottom-line of the com- these products have award that is the Par- Plant,Urja from EMD RCL had coordinated is an apt description of pany. We are charting out emerged as best-in-class in SAIL's importance as a Excellence award, and were awarded under the the Quality Circle ac- all strategies to improve their respective categories. trusted steel maker to the value for all our stakehold- A graduate in Electrical En- 05 teams bagged the Excellence category tivities from RSP. nation."She added, "SAIL is ers and make it structurally gineering from the National Excellence award while while Sadhanaafrom It is worth mentioning a colossal organization, with stronger", she asserted. Institute of Technology, one team bagged the RMHP bagged Distin- here that to inspire the multi-location production Smt. Mondal was instru- Rourkela in 1984, Smt. Distinguish award. guish award. employees to partici- units &mines, wide-ranging mental in introducing new Mondal started her career as The Quality circle teams The pioneer team of the pate in the growth and product basket, and diverse marketing strategies and a Graduate Engineer Trainee which won the Par-Ex- E&ES Department development of the or- workforce. People are its products at SAIL enriching at NALCO and rose to be- cellence award are bagged the Appreciation ganization, Rourkela greatest strength and with the company's product bas- come Director (Commercial)at synergized efforts of the Parivartan from Blast award (4th Spot) in the Steel Plant is encourag- ket. Under her able leader- NALCO. She then joined entire Team SAIL, we will Furnaces,Samadhan quiz competition in ing Quality Circle ac- ship, the company launched SAIL in 2017 as the Director strive to attain higher sum- niche branded products like (Commercial) and subse- from Steel Melting Shop which 126 teams from tivities in a big way. mit". "Our immediate focus NEX (Structural) and SAIL quently has become the is to improve the top-line and SeQR(TMT bars). Both Chairman of SAIL.

4 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C Newsfrom J'spur by M Kanhu Nanda Y K People dislikethe frequent Kiosk for SHG inaugurated in J’spur transfer of collectors in J’spur Jagatsinghpur : For easy marketing the produces of SHGs across Jagatsinghpur district a kiosk was inau- joined as a new collector Election commission of In- gurated at municipality market complex here. District subsequently. After con- dia, the state government collector Saroj Kumar Mishra inaugurated the outlet ducting successful general transferred Mohapatra after jointly monitored by ORMAS and District Rural De- elections in 2019 and han- Congress and few political velopment Agency [DRDA] in collaboration with a dling post-restoration parties complained of sup- few active SHGs. While speaking at the inauguration works of cyclone 'Fani' the porting the ruling BJD. event collector Mishra said that usually SHGs prod- lady collector was shifted Consequently, the state ucts are sold in PalishreeMela held in several fairs in June 2019 and government posted Saroj and festivals celebrated in different locations. A per- SangramKeshariMohapatra Kumar Mishra as a collec- manent outlet was needed to function at district head- assumed office as district tor on October 5, 2020. The quarters for dealing SHGs products throughout the Jagatsinghpur : Administra- Mishra was transferred to collector forthwith. new incumbent conducted tive and developmental Raygada collector replaced Mohapatra had settled a successful Tirtol by-poll works as well as providing by new collector down and involved himself and concentrated on Covid good governance to people SangramKeshariMohapatra in welfare works and suc- 19 works in the district fol- in Jagatsinghpur district who had been earlier trans- cessfully launched e-gov- lowing his efforts new case has taken a jolt due to ferred from Jagatsinghpur ernance works in the dis- of Covid 19 has reached abrupt transfer of collectors on October 05, 2020, pre- trict, moreover effectively Zero, but, strangely within a short period. From sumably due to political rea- implemented Covid 19 pan- enough, the state govern- February 2019 to January sons. demic preventive measures ment transferred 2021 four collectors have It started with the then col- during consecutive SangramMohapatra shifted assumed office and got lector Yamini Sarangi had lockdowns and unlock 2 in back to Jagatsinghpur district transferred. shifted from J'singhpur in the district, but Tirtol by- again. The frequent transfer On January 08 the incum- February 2019 and Guha poll pushed him away. Fol- of Collectors hurts the bent collector Saroj Kumar Poonam Tapas Kumar lowing direction from the people of the district. year, acting on the requirement we started a perma- nent SHG Kiosk at Jagatsinghpur headquarters. Freedom fighter Among others project director DRDA SarojKanta Balikuda BDO Mohanty, ORMAS deputy CEO Satya SundarSivaramPaital, lead bank manager Satish Patra, Ravindranath Ray Deputy General Manager NABARD B B Mohanty, Jagatsinghpur municipality executive officer Bimal lodges FIR against a Kumar Lenka, members from several SHGs attended statue unveiled the inaugural function. bank in the police Maa Sarala temple reopens after the COVID-19 break Jagatsinghpur : About Rs 2 crore of Balikuda block de- Jagatsinghpur : After nine months of closing Maa posited in Union bank of India, Sadeipur branch has Sarala shrine in Jhankada was reopened amid been strangely debited from the account. Acting on the Covid 19 guidelines. A Standard Operation Pro- incident Balikuda block development officer cedure [SOP] has been framed by Jagatsinghpur KalyanaSourav Das has lodged an FIR in Balikuda po- civil administration for entering the temple. Visi- lice station. The report said that block authority had been tors were subjected to a formal test at the temple maintaining an account in Union Bank of India, govern- entrance after showing their identity proof, a strict ment funds pertaining AmaGaonAmaBikash, Critical vigil had kept on visitor's movement to follow the Grant Funds and other developmental money about Rs Jagatsinghpur : The Panchayat Samiti Chair- Covid 19 guidelines. Devotees were disallowed 2.60 Crore had been deposited in current fiscal. While prominent freedom fighter man Jagannath Das, Devi offering Puja and Bhoga to deity inside the temple, conducting a departmental inquiry held on December 31 and social activist Choudhury, Pradipta even vermilion, and sandal paste as usually given with regards to funds utilization and banking transac- RavindraNath Ray's Swain attended the occa- to devotees was prohibited. According to Maa tion of Balikuda block it found that about Rs 2 Crore had statue was unveiled at his sion as guests. Speaking Sarala temple administrator and TirtolTahasildar been missing from the account. Responding to irregu- residence at Gopalpur vil- at the inaugural function informed that following the Jagatsinghpur larities BDO Das wrote a letter to branch manager Union lage under Naugaon block. minister Panda spelled out collector's instruction the temple will open at 8 Bank of India seeking a probe and immediate refurbish- The state culture and tour- late freedom fighter Ray's AM till 12 noon and 500 devotees would be per- ing of the money in the block account. But bank author- ism minister Ashok Kumar contribution to strength- mitted for Darshan. On the other hand servitors ity tuned deaf ear consequently he filed a complaint in Panda inaugurated the ening the freedom move- and temple dependents have expressed happiness Balikuda police station, BDO Das informed. Balikuda statue accompanying wa- ment in the Jagatsinghpur for reopening of Temple after nine months break police confirmed the allegation of Block authority and ter resource and I&PR areas and asked the and requested the administration to gradually ease said we have asked BDO furnishing bank transaction minister Raghunandan youths to follow the prin- the restrictions, allowing servitors giving and dis- details and audit report so as easing an investigation, Das, MLA Prasanta ciples and great morales of tributing Bhoga and changing the time stipula- added Balikuda police station IIC SarveswarBehera. Muduli, Naugaon late Ray. tion fixed for Darshan.

5 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK News from C M Mayurbhanj, by Y Sukanta Kr Sahu K Boundary dispute in Odisha- Jitendra Mohanty pioneers over sanitation West Bengal to solve soon drive in Mayurbhanj States. Baripada, Jan 13:-When the people are panic of pandemic Jaleswar Tehsildar and do not come out even for sanitation around their Khirod Kumar Panda own home, a man of Baripada town takesa key role in said as per the direction sanitation in Baripada municipality in Mayurbhanj. of NGT the Odisha Jitendra Mohanty of Ward No-5 was never scared about Space Application the pandemic and continues his performance to keep the Centre (ORSAC) the municipality clean and greenery. He usually keeps the apex body of the State town clean and plants saplings of different varieties on of Odisha for space roadsides in several wards in the municipality. He has not technology applications cared for the price of the sapling which he regularly buys had intervened in the and plants on roadsides. It has become a passion of matter. Then the Mohanty who volunteers to keep a healthy environment. revenue officials of both Now he is an example in the town for his dedication to States had held a keeping the town with greenery and clean. He has meeting in September continued such noble practice before Prime Minister’s Balasore : Territory measuring the lands in the before the National Green 2020 at Dantun in West flagship program Swachh Bharat Mission. Every person dispute is one of the major border as per map. Tribunal in 2016 for a Bengal. The maps of the in the town knows who is Jitandera Mohanty. Either the issues of both Odisha As many as 12 villages boundary dispute of two boundary were drain is choked by garbage, stagnate of water on drains, and West Bengal to be closed to the States and the NGT had exchanged among the or even disposal of any claimed and unclaimed body of solved very soon as the Subarnarekha river were directed both Odisha and officials to find out the cow and bull, people immediately call him for the service officials of West Bengal facing several woes due to West Bengal governments exact periphery of the and Odisha have taken land dispute at the state to immediately measure the two states. The ORSAC necessary steps to borders and deprived of boundary and demarcate had conducted a formal demarcate the border of government benefits. The the border of the States in digital satellite survey of the two states. As per the the state's boundary. effort of some local Though the demarcation of the boundary After a match of maps, people of Jaleswar and of the two States was delayed for two then the poles were put in the state boundary. revenue department of years, later the revenue officials of Jaleswar Tehsil have put There were seven days as many as 36 poles in the Medinipur of West Bengal and officials had spent to complete border of two states in of Balasore in Odisha state had held a the drive, the tehsildar said adding that 4 poles presence of the officials meeting one month ago and finally of West Bengal. The drive were put at the place near that he promptly responds People affectionately call him has been carried out decided to measure the lands at the Mankdia village, 6 poles Nachhi Bhai also. Even the municipality recognizes since a month after the border. at Kuanarpur, 3 at Bilaspur, Mohanty for his excellent performance over sanitation National Green Tribunal 3 at Gopalpur, 4 Totapada, drive and plantation programs. “I had felt the non-disposal (NGT)had directed both sand mafias in West Bengal 2018 as the illegal sand 3 at Beherasahi, 2 at of garbage is a major threat of pollution in the town, I have governments to exercised their powers on mining flourishes at Praharajpur, 3 at South decided to do something to keep the town clean and make demarcate their exact these villages and Subarnarekha river bed. Praharajpur, 2 at a healthy environment and make the town green, since territory at the border. continued to drive on Though the Makarampur, 3 at then I take this initiative. I have been continuing the The land dispute at the illegal sand mining. The demarcation of the Gobarghata, 2 at sanitation before launching the Swachh Bharat Mission border of two states land dispute in the border boundary of the two States Khudiamajhisahi and 1 at _GoBack_GoBackprogram of Prime Minister Narendra becomes a big headache mounted from the tehsil was delayed for two years, Mundakatia a hamlet Modi,’ said Jitendra Mohanty. To see his performance to both states. This when S Soleman was the later the revenue officials village. over the sanitation a group of youths from Muslim problem gave an collector cum PWD of Medinipur of West 'We have already Community had come to Grand Road accompanied him advantage to the West Commissioner of Balasore Bengal and officials of put the poles at the over this drive entre the car festival on that year, also Bengal government and district in 1926 had Balasore in Odisha state boundary of the two brought it a good appreciation, he said that he never the people of this state demarcated river had held a meeting one States. The ORSAC will believes appreciation but he believes on work. If he will have rampantly Subarnarekha as the month ago and finally verify the boundary keep the town clean and plants trees to make a healthy conducted sand mining border of two states. The decided to measure the again through a digital environment, this will give him greater satisfaction in his as they had been charged border dispute intensified lands at the border. As per survey then it will be life, he said. To encourage others I often post photographs some lands of West in 2016 and the illegal sand the map of two states, the approved. The of sanitation made by me on the social platform of Bengal are inside mining from the river bed land at the border was boundary dispute was SabujaSundaraBaripada, he said. any people have given Subarnarekha rive. The has continued since then. measured in presence of mounted basically for their expressions and comments on the social platform. officials have demarcated Social activist and officials of two States and sand lifting in Pranab Prakash Das, observer for Mayurbhanj district from the exact location of the Congress leader initially, 36 poles were put Subarnarekha river bed," BJD had expressed his appreciation to Jitendra Mohanty two states' border after Sudarshan Das filed a case at the boundary of two said the tehsildar. over his sanitation activity, besides political and non- political people expressing their gratitude to Mohanty.

6 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C News M Y K The Mahanadi riverine port at Akhadasali gathers momentum the Chairman of Paradip ity and dredging. The state Government will also pro- port, Rinkesh Roy, and se- government will also pro- vide the necessary support nior officials of PPT, the Dis- vide the necessary support to PPT in respect of any trict collector of to PPT in respect of any additional land required for Kendrapada, local police additional land required for the Project. Notably, the and administration. The the project. On commis- state government ap- port will come up under the sioning, the riverine port proved a proposal for set- public-private-partnership will provide direct and indi- ting up a riverine port on model on a build, own, op- rect employment opportu- river Mahanadi in erate, share and transfer nities to more than 4000 per- Kendrapada district last (BOOST) basis. The all- sons in the first phase and July 2018 and issued a re- weather and multi-user port about 1700 more in the sec- quest for quotation (RFQ) in on river Mahanadi with a ond phase. The riverine 2018. As the project could capacity of 54 MTPA will be port, along with the State- not progress due to a lack Kendrapada : (Rajesh ited the spot to review the mouth at Paradip. set up in PPP mode at an aided Haridaspur-Paradip of interest by potential bid- Kumar Behera) The pro- progress of the Mahanadi The Chief secretary was re- estimated cost of Rs 4,062 Railway line, will go a long ders, the PPT evinced inter- posed Mahanadi Riverine Riverine Port project, that cently accompanied by crore. In the first phase, 22 way in boosting the est in the project. The project port received a boost fol- is going to come up at Manoj Mishra, the Special MTPA capacity will be cre- economy of the would boost the economy of lowing a high-level team Akhadasali under Secretary, Commerce and ated forRs 2,562 crore.The Kendrapada district. The coastal Kendrapada by pro- led by the former Chief Sec- Mahakalapada block in Transport, the MLA of port will develop support- State Government has iden- viding job opportunities to retary AsitTripathy and 5T Kendrapada district, just 13 Mahakalapada, ing project infrastructures tified 300 hectares of land the unemployed youths of Secretary V.K.Pandian vis- km distance from the river AtanuSabyasachiNayak, like rail and road connectiv- for the project. Odisha the district. Cats are fed and taken care of at the Bileikhia mutt in Mathasahi Kendrapada : (Rajesh the same premises. mutt has declined.From Kumar Behera) If According to locals, the being over a hundred Rajasthan has a temple mutt was set up in the years back,at present where rats are worshiped year 1744. Later, the then there are only about a and taken care of, then king of Aul, BrajaSundar doze of cats residing in Odisha has a temple Deb, donated 150 acres the mutt, informed where it is the cats that of land for the mutt. ChiraRanjan Jena, a local are revered.However, Even, the Jamindar of youth. unlike the Karni Mata Nikirai' Purbasahi and The cats are offered the temple in Rajasthan, the PaschimaSahi, Jamindar Prasad of the midday, devotees visiting BileiKhia of Ratnagiri, Jamindar of which is rice apart from mutt in Nikirai under the Damarapur too donated milk and rice twice a day. Kendrapada district are land for the smooth Besides the resident not allowed in the functioning of mutt and cats, many times people sanctum sanctorum of to meet the expense of from nearby villages the temple. Traditionally daily rites and rituals of leave kittens hundred cats when asked his soldiers to find daily and whatever he the devotees pay their Madanmohanjew temple. here,knowing well that MahantaBraja Mohan a place to rest. The gets he shares it with the obeisance from outside Presiding deities Lord they would be fed and Das, the 8thMahanta of soldiers fanned in the area cats.The king was so the temple. Madan Mohanjew, taken care of, informed the said mutt and the and upon their return impressed that he It is said that the temple Radharani, Sri Krishna Santa Jena, the sarpanch Madanmohanjew temple informed the king about donated six acres of the has been feeding cats ChaityanaMahaprabhu, of Nikirai. was under his charge. the mutt. The king then land to the muttso that the since the times when Aul Gopinathjew, The BileiKhia mutt is the The Mahanta used to take summoned the Mahanta Mahanta could till the royals ruled here.The Radhakantajew, Lord second oldest mutt inthe care of the cats and used of the mutt.When the land and grow grains for then Aul king had donated Baladevjew, Subhadra, Kendrapada to feed them. And that he Mahanta came to meet himself and his cats.Now land to the mutt to ensure and Jagannath are district.Besides, caring used to do by collecting the king all the it is more than a hundred that cats are fed here worshipped in the for the cats,the mutt also food by way of begging. cats,numbering over a years since that meeting daily twice. Till today the sanctum sanctorum of provides stay and food Once the then king of Aul, hundred, also followed of the king and the Mahanta(priest) of the the temple a place which for the visitors, and that BrajaSundar Deb, was him. Mahanta of the mutt, but BileiKhia Mutt at only the Mahanta and cats too free of cost.Although going along with his The king was surprised the royal decree is still Nikirai'sMathasahi,feed have free access. no rule prohibits the soldiers via Mathasahi to see so many cats honored in true letter and and take care of the cats According to Baba devotees from entering the road from Aul to his following the priest. The spirit. here.The Abhayacharan Das,the sanctum sanctorum of Rajabati at Derabish via Mahanta told the king Over the years the Madanmohanjew temple Mahanta of BileiKhia the mutt, they by tradition Kantia road. The king that he goes begging number of cats at the was later constructed on Mutt, there were about a do not enter it.

7 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M Editorial Y K Sans Politics, Make Inclusive Changes in Agriculture

the purchase and sale of milk. 1967, Tribals and villagers warehouses of the Food Barring a few semi- used to come to the cities and Corporation of India were government institutions like big towns those days in bursting at the seams and, Mother Dairy, most of the search of work or food. But, on the other, very few of bulk buyers come from the they often went back empty- the population did get private sector. The white handed. The red wheat that enough food to survive. revolution that Amul started was imported from the Subsequently, the farmer in Gujarat through United States (US) was being today does not get the right cooperatives has spread to distributed through ration price for his crop and the Sirish C. Mohanty many parts of the country. shops. People were not able consumer has to pay more Most people who are to access wheat in sufficient than is required. The primary sellers of milk are quantities, as a result of mischief is the middleman To end the impasse the finance minister Manmohan improved. This helped set from villages and own one to which the black market was in the process. Supreme Court put a hold on Singh brought about India on the path to becoming six animals per family. No flourishing. More than 90% It is time when we also the Agri laws while advising economic liberalisation. an aspiring economic corporate entity has affected of the farmers were facing looked at agricultural best to form a committee to find Bharat RatnaAtal superpower.Many things their business. various problems. With the practices from around the the ground realities.But will BihariVajpayee, George changed for the better with This is not to argue in growth in population and an world. As a Doctor or the problems that beset Fernandes, and all other liberalisation. In the mid- favor of mindless increase in members in Lawyer fixes his fees, the agriculture be solved? The Opposition leaders and 1990s, it used to take hours privatisation. Most sugar households, land holdings cost of the food is fixed by Farmers problem has been in parties declared this a to make a phone call from one mills in India are in private were getting smaller. The the restaurants, similarly, the making since conspiracy to sell India down city to another.I wonder, what hands. But working hand-in- farmers were sticking to the farmer must have a free Independence.This is the first the drain. There was unrest would have happened had we glove with corrupt traditional crops. They had hand to fix the price of his time in its six-year tenure that on the streets and in faced a pandemic like Covid- government officials, the no one to advise them on how produce without politically the National Democratic Parliament. The whole 19 at that time. Today, if business is exploitative of to change cropping patterns motivated MSP. Last year, Alliance (NDA)?government argument was that foreign millions of Indians can save farmers. In such a situation, which could benefit them we exported 60 lakh tonnes has faced such a siege of the companies would now come their jobs by working from it is necessary that farmers' financially. If the weather of sugar, providing a Capital and such a challenge and enslave us as the East home, they have the rights be not only was conducive, life after the subsidy of Rs 600 crore. from farmers. No single India Company had once communications revolution strengthened but that harvest was bearable. If not, Why is it that the cost of government or political done during the British raj. to thank for this. This and administrators should also be they faced various sugar in the international personality is to blame for Did that happen? No. It has many such important forced to implement the rules adversities, obviously being market is Rs 22 per kg but this impasse; this problem been our political habit to measures are the results of strictly. At the same time, unable to meet both ends. we are paying Rs 34 per kg has been addressed with oppose for the sake of those 1991 reforms. farmers must be mobilised to Then the Green for sugarcane? Our MSP is patchworkthanks to our opposing. Today too, the To get back to agriculture, grow alternative crops and Revolution happened. India more than international and political habit. same actions, but the actors let us look at the market in also crops for agro-industries. started growing more food domestic market prices, We already have seen the have changed. milk. Milk is also an We need to effect positive, than it needed. But the and that is the reoccurring sort of fear-mongering we are Thatliberalisation pulled agricultural product. It has no inclusive changes in the distribution system did not problem.To end the witnessing today in the early at least 300 million Indians Minimum Support Price agrarian sector in our quest improve enough to deal problem once and for all- 1990s. At that time, then out of poverty. Coordination (MSP). The dairy sector has to rebuild the economy in a with this surplus. So we sans Politics, we need Prime Minister between the government, no special government post-Covid-19 world. had a situation where, on urgent Inclusive Changes in P?V?Narasimha Rao and his corporates, and society protection when it comes to During the famine of the one hand, the Agriculture. Letter to the Editor Dear Sir, At the outset, I beg to differ with ur emerged as a strong, stable & powerful champian of Odia chauvinism by declaring Editorial headline meaning double-speak Regional party in national politics due to the war against injustice by the Central party & double standard policy of CM NAVIN dynamic & able leadership of NAVIN and his pledge/commitment to protect, Patnaik. Patnaik. preserve,& defend the Odia pride, Because BJD party headed by NAVIN Ur editorial is a true presentation of the language, dance, music literature, culture by Patnaik has always been adopting political maneuverings & gimmicks of BJD to announcing reservation in medical/ pragmatic stand & extending support to remain in power by maintaining a safe& equal engineering course for Odia medium the govt. at the center on many national distance to BJP. This is how, NAVIN Patnaik students, the inclusion of the study of the issues. But launching a scathing attack has proved himself invincible, undisputed & life history of eminent Odia personalities in against the step-motherly attitude by the the most popular leader in a regional party of school. center towards Odisha. Odisha That during the last 23 years, BJD has Now, he has once again proved himself Bharat Patra, Social activist, Keonjhar

8 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C Special Story M Y K Hastily enacted laws rarely reform agriculture needs the market mechanism transformation and private would trigger enterprise and capital diversification. The laws could join with the alter the existing agrarian government for the social ecosystem and purpose. But the way the security, with the state reforms were structured progressively withdrawing and thereafter hurriedly from its responsibility. notified has created a toxic This is the fundamental shroud about the motives difference between the new Sirish C Mohanty and turned the entire laws and the existing laws. process into corporates vs However, most of the states Emergencies call for peasants, putting private already permit private prompt reforms. When we participation in jeopardy markets to operate. Some faced the foreign exchange even for the future. Do the states also allow contract crisis pledging 60 tonnes farm laws address the core farming, and virtually no of gold reserves to foreign ills plaguing our state bans its farmers from banks to raise $600 million, agriculture? The law selling anywhere in India. it led to the 1991 reforms of doesn't address crop But a false narrative has liberalisation. However, diversification, cultivation been created that the new when reforms pending for costs, subsidies or shift of reforms create one nation years are hurriedly pushed population from one market as if it did not through executive laws, agricultural to non- exist before. the ordinance, and agricultural sectors, Punjab farmers have been thereafter in Parliament via declining water table, soil selling kinnow, potato, and voice vote at a time of the health, etc. The most cotton all over India, just as Chinese aggression and serious issue is Bihar sends trucks loaded pandemic-enforced overcrowding. Over 50% with paddy to Punjab and lockdown, it betrays a of the population is Haryana because its strategy of reforms by dependent on agriculture, APMCs were abolished in shock tactics. For the while farms contribute a 2006 and private markets are shrewd politicians, a paltry 17-18% to the gross Punjab and Haryana, now Rs 4,000 crore and it's used pays the cost of free not remunerative. natural disaster, a domestic product (GDP). leading the agitation, to fund rural infrastructure. electricity from its budget In an unprecedented non- pandemic, or a war is the Consequently, the average suffer from a geopolitical The new laws don't and, thus ends up political unification of most opportune time to farm household income is curse. The government provide an alternate source subsiding the national diverse forces, the farm shove change. Economic Rs 6,500 a month, resulting investment eluded them of this revenue loss. buffer food stock. agitation has remained strategies prescribe speed, in farm indebtedness and due to hostile borders. The reforms do not solve Punjab and Haryana remarkably peaceful, surprise, and shock as a suicides. The solution like This year, Pakistan is the basic agrarian farmers fear that the central despite an unsolicited effort legitimate tactic to bring shifting a substantial importing 2.9 million metric problems and address only pool doesn't need the by the political parties about changes in the population to non- tonnes of wheat from far- trading, contract farming, region's foodgrains any who're losing fast ground existing law. There is no agriculture professions is off countries, and so is and stock-hoarding. They more as the government has under their feet to sneak scope for discussion, not visible.The cost of our Afghanistan. Export via lay down a legal regime to 3.5 times higher buffer into. Nevertheless, the debate, or consensus; production of wheat, rice, road from Punjab is create unregulated and tax- stocks than what is priority should be to defuse sheer swiftness would and sugar, to mention a competitive due to low free private markets in required. Above and the situation. One solution carry the day. One of the few, is higher than the transport and handling competition with the beyond, surpluses exist is to enact the new laws fallouts of this strategy is prevalent international costs. China has also existing Agricultural due to the low purchasing incorporating the social discord and that prices. The landed cost of sought Indian rice. But we Produce Market Committee power of the population. substantive demands of the makes reforms wheat at our ports from cannot deal with them for (APMC) mandis that are Otherwise, the per capita farmers which the counterproductive Australia or Canada is reasons of the national subject to taxes, thus per day availability of rice government has virtually because these first create lower than the cost of cause. The farmers of creating an unequal in 2019 from a merely 189gm agreed to partially. As a conflict and thereafter try wheat transported from Punjab and Haryana are at playing field in the favour and wheat 178gm must suggested by the Supreme to find a solution, as is north India to south. The the receiving end of the of corporates. have gone higher. Court, a think-tank should being now attempted to high price tag as fixed by cause. Agriculture is highly The need of the hour is go into the entire gambit of solve the farmer's the minimum support price The new farm law will subsidized. Punjab's free crop diversification. It needs the agro sector problems agitation. Sky wouldn't (MSP), despite low labor sound the death knell for electricity has adverse capital investments but the and suggest reforms. Both have fallen had the costs, is due to the higher rural development in consequences such as is annual allocation is a paltry the farmers and the government waited for a cost of agro-inputs, chiefly Punjab and Haryana, which causing a steep fall in the Rs 100 crore. Instead of government shedding congenial time to enact the fertiliser (despite subsidy), sustain on market fees and sub-soil water table. The dealing with it on a war- haste and fragile ego must Farm law after a thorough diesel, and agro-chemicals. rural development cess. problem solicits a solution, footing, the new laws find ways and means to debate! Why only Punjab region Punjab's annual income but the reforms remain postulate that once private script reforms that can only There is no dispute that farmers agitate? from these sources is about silent. Incidentally, Punjab players enter agriculture, be meaningful.

9 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M News Y K Subrat Sahu appointed Chief Bastar man marries 2 women on the same day; wives are ‘very happy’ Secretary of Chhatisgarh The wedding video and invitation card of Chandu Maurya's marriage function have gone viral on social media.The marriage ceremony, which took place on January 5, was attended Departments like Home, Jail by about 500 people. Seen here is Chandu Maurya getting married. administration, power, Raipur, Jan 7: He fell in love with two women. electronics, I.T., Commerce, He then married both women. On the same day, and Industry. He has been at the same ceremony in front of friends, well- awarded President's Medal wishers and with some music to go with the by President celebrations.The marriage ceremony, which took RamnathKovind, because place on January 5, was attended by about 500 of his able electoral people. The wedding video and invitation card of management and Chandu Maurya's marriage function have gone viral on social media.It all started three years ago, transparent administration when 24-year-old Chandu Maurya, a marginal during his tenure as Chief farmer, and laborer of a remote village of Maoist- house like a family," Chandu, who lives with his Election Officer of the State affected Bastar district, went to install electricity parents and two siblings, told Hindustan Times. of Chhatisgarh. Shri Sahu poles in the Tokapal area. There the man met 21- A few months later, the villagers and the family has had the privilege of year-old tribal girl Sundari Kashyap and both fell member started questioning the live-in earning name, fame, and in love. They then kept in touch over phone calls relationship of Chandu with the two women and planned to marry. A year later, 20-year-old wide acclamation in and it was then that he decided to marry both of Raipur : (Kishore Dwibedi) Secretary in his place. The Haseena Baghel reached Chandu's village them. "Fed-up with the questions, I decided to Bureaucratic circles and 1992 Batch IAS Officer appointment order has been Tikralohnga to attend a relative's marriage. Chandu marry both of them because they both loved Public esteem because of his SubratSahu has taken over notified through a fell in love again. When Haseena expressed her me. I can't betray them. They agreed they both the additional charge of government circular issued exemplary and exceptional love, Chandu confessed that he was already in a will live with me forever," said Chandu. The relationship but Haseena insisted that they keep Chief Secretary of the by the department of administrative skill in family members of Haseena came to attend the in touch over the phone. "Both Haseena and Chhatisgarh State. Since the general Administration. At successfully handling marriage ceremony but Sundari's family skipped several keys and sensitive Sundari came to know about each other and agreed the function, said Chandu.Sundari, however, has present Chief Secretary present SubratSahu is in to have a relationship with me. We were in touch government departments. expressed hope that her parents will come Amitabh Jain has gone on charge of Chief Minister over the phone but one-day Haseena landed at around."They (parents) are not happy with me leave on health ground, BhupeshBaghel's Office as SubratSahu is the Son of the my home to live with me. When Sundari came to today but things will change. Both Haseena and I Shri Sahu has been Additional Chief Secretary former Chief Secretary of know that Haseena is here, she also came to me. are very happy with Chandu and his family and appointed as Chief and Principal Secretary of Odisha SahadebSahu. And since then, we started living in the same will live with him forever," said Sundari. Students to answer for 80 marks in class 10 board exams 2021 ØØØ The state government has 10 and 12 would be given announced that this year, 100 days of classroom teaching before they students of class 10 will appear for the annual have to answer questions for exams in May. 80 marks and not for 100 Class 10 students will be attending classes from marks. January 8 to April 26, ØØØ The state government has while Class 12 students announced that this year, will be attending classes from January 8 to April students of class 10 will have 28, as per a notice to answer questions for 80 released by the Odisha marks and not for 100 marks. education department. Bhubaneswar : The will be subjective, the secured by an examinee 2021, and, the result for Odisha government has School and Mass from the given 80 marks the board exams shall be HIGHLIGHTS announced that in this Education Minister SR in a particular paper. announced within 40-50 year's board Dash said. Odisha annual board days. Ü Students will answer questions for examination, students However, the Board of exams for class 10 The schools will also 80 marks and not 100 marks in this will answer questions Secondary Education from May 3 reopen after eight months year's class 10th board exams. for 80 marks and not for has decided that the The state government, of being closed since 100 marks. 50 marks overall valuation in on Sunday, has March 2020. Online Ü Odisha class 10th board exams from the 80 will be of each paper will be for announced that the classes were being objective questions in 100 marks, Dash said annual board continued. from May 3, 2021. OMR (optical mark adding that 20 marks examination for class 10 Since the annual board Ü 50 marks out of 80 will be of recognition) format and will be evaluated based students will be held exams are coming up the remaining 30 marks on the percentage from May 3 to May 15, soon, students of classes objective questions in OMR format. 10 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M Business Y K

Iron-ore prices to remain high in the near term Elevated demand from China and meteorological risks in Australia will keep prices high in the near term The Indian Steel where the owners didn't January and November, Association (ISA), take the initiative to the world steel representing the interest execute lease-deeds; the production was down of all major producers of demand is to assign the 1.3% to 1.61 billion the alloy, drew the deposits to state-owned tonnes when China government's attention to Odisha Mining boosted output by an the "testing times" steel- Corporation and Odisha impressive 5.5%, to makers-particularly those Mining Exploration 961.16 million tonnes. without ownership of Corporation. Even while India mines-were facing At the auctions, some produced 3.5% more- because of the double steel companies and 9.245 million tonnes in whammy of a spurt in merchant-miners had November on a y-o-y iron-ore exports and a fall quoted fancy premiums basis-the total for the first in production, principally for mines whose leases 11 months of 2020 in the country's largest expired in March. Later, shows a fall of 12.3% to and finest quality ore they realised that mining 89.4 million tonnes. producing state, Odisha. operations would not be To support the high level (Incidentally, Tata Steel sustainable if such high of steel production and left ISA in May, allegedly premiums are to be paid ore stockholding as over differences on on the sale of extracted suspects that the steel- is iron ore and steel two-thirds of seaborne insurance against supply contentious mining ore. Didn't Tata Steel makers might be downstream are more iron-ore supply, want an disruptions, Chinese policy.) Soon, it became global CEO and managing indulging in the integral to the global inquiry on speculation imports of iron ore till a chorus of protests director TV Narendran manipulation of economy than most playing a role in the November were up against iron-ore exports say "we certainly will production to lift prices other commodities. What "abnormal rally" leading 10.9% over the with associations of never be bidders at these is not understandable. In can bring logic to the to doubling of prices of corresponding period the sponge iron and steel- prices? We thought some the steel industry, where discussion is taking the raw materials in year before. Incidentally, forgings manufacturers bids were unreasonably two major players, account of how prices of 2020. of India's iron ore making common cause high". To continue to namely, SAIL and Vizag ore and steel products are Whatever the role of exports of 33.39 million with ISA. remain self-reliant in iron Steel are government- behaving in the world speculation money, iron tonnes between April and Facing rising displeasure ore as it expands capacity owned and producing market and the factors ore, fetching a year-end October, China was the of ministries concerned through organic and units using a blast responsible for price price of $175 a tonne on destination for ~90%. with infrastructure inorganic routes, Tata furnace, electric arc spurts. the Dalian Commodity According to China's projects implementation, Steel will certainly remain furnace, and induction Iron ore is the most Exchange (DCE), is now General Administration of as also auto and on the hunt for acquiring furnace routes are too heavily-traded dry cargo the world's best Customs, the country's ore construction groups, as new deposits. But as many, cartelization or globally-India participates performing major imports up to November steel prices have climbed Narendran says, his price manipulation is not both as an exporter and commodity for the exceeded that of the entire to multi-year highs and group's mine acquisition within the realm of importer-it is only second year in a row. 2019's by over 100,000 there have been rapid-fire decisions at all times will possibility. expected that prices in the DCE has imposed tonnes. Will iron ore prices price revisions by steel- be dictated by Steel minister world market will leave restrictions such as limits hold in the near term? Most makers in the post- "prudence." Dharmendra Pradhan has an impact here. In the on single-day open analysts think prices will lockdown months, ISA Calls for government offered reassurances that current decade alone, positions and adjustments stay firm in 1Q 2021. In has demanded a six- intervention to rein in the government was not prices peaked at $187 a of premiums and anticipation of a vaccine- month ban on iron-ore prices have grown inclined to "regulate tonne in February 2011 discounts for futures related economic recovery exports, restriction of e- following MSME and market forces that decide and hit $41 a tonne in from time to time. across the world, Chinese auction sale to steel- and highways minister Nitin prices," even while he December 2015. The However, the commodity steel mills are unlikely to let pellet-makers. It has also Gadkari asking for favored a ban on ore steel industry, which remains on a tear as the up on building stocks of urged state-owned discussions at the exports for a given regulates product prices Middle Kingdom's iron ore. A December mining companies to step "highest level" to assert if period. In the din of based on input-cost industrial engine is at full landslide at a mine owned up production. The the "55% hike in steel protests against spikes in fluctuations, has had to throttle. What has also by Brazilian Vale and the pressure is building on the prices in the past six ore-prices of iron ore, and live with such helped in reviving the perennial fear of adverse Naveen Patnaik months is justified by therefore, of steel fluctuation. Chinese demand for steel and, weather in Australia in the administration in Odisha rises in the cost of raw products, reasoning has steel-makers, with a consequently, of iron ore first quarter disrupting the over the surrender of materials, principally iron been sacrificed on the commanding share of is Beijing directing operation of mines and three recently-auctioned ore, labor, and power." altar of sectoral interests. global steel production stimulus funds to ports should keep iron ore mines and over others But, why the minister What is sadly overlooked and accounting for over infrastructure. Between prices elevated.

11 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M Politics Y K Kerala governor’s speech critical of Centre Thiruvananthapuram : new laws, he said there has Kiske pas Ma hai? Kerala governor Arif been an all-India strike of the Mohammad Khan on Fri- workers, which is one of the day flayed the contentious largest of its kind against the Jack and Xi went up the hill To fetch a pail of Yuan, farm laws passed by the new labor bills. Jack fell and lost his crown, And Xi came searching after. Centre, against which farm- "These agrarian laws ers are on the warpath in will undermine regulated Ø The Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is Delhi, saying it would un- markets, result in the even- thought to be missing, Jessica Yun re- dermine regulated markets tual demise of minimum sup- ported for Yahoo Finance on Sunday. and help the corporates. port price and tilt the balance Khan read in full length of bargaining power defi- Ø The Alibaba and Ant Group founder has the remarks against the farm nitely in favor of corporate not been seen publicly in more than laws, against which the middlemen," the governor two months, and he was abruptly re- Kerala Assembly had unani- said adding that Kerala be- mously passed a resolution ing a consumer state was placed as a judge on the African talent on 31 December demanding also going to be adversely show he founded. its immediate withdrawal. affected by the amendment Ø Chinese regulators have recently The governor also attacked of Essential Commodities the central investigating Act, 1955 and the resultant cracked down on Ma's business em- agencies, probing various hoarding and profiteering. pire, halting Ant Group's initial public allegations against the state These remarks assume sig- offering in November and launching government programs, say- nificance as Khan had at first an antitrust investigation into Alibaba ing they have "overstepped turned down the Left the constitutional con- government's plea to con- in December. tours". The remarks against vene the House on 23 De- Ø In October, Ma criticized China's the farm laws and cenart of cember for discussing the banking rules. Agri laws, against which farmers have been agitating Ø Ma, who has a net worth of $50.6 bil- on Delhi borders for over a lion, was China's richest man until re- month. The session was cently. held on 31 December after the clarifications sought by Ø Jack Ma, the 56-year-old billionaire Ma could no longer be on the judging panel for the the Governor were fur- founder of Alibaba and Ant Group, show's finale, which was filmed in November but has the Left Democratic Front nished. The policy address hasn't been seen publicly in more than not yet been released," due to a scheduling conflict." "We do not have anything to add beyond that," (LDF) government's policy also had references against two months, Jessica Yun reported for address during the begin- the Centre's amended Citi- the representative said in response to questions about ning of the budget session zenship (Amendment) Act Yahoo Finance on Sunday. Ma's whereabouts. at the state Assembly and 2019, against which the Ma stepped down as Alibaba's chairman in 2019. Mumbai : Ma has been in the spotlight recently as Khan did not omit the por- state government had taken Until recently, Ma was China's richest man, with a China has cracked down on his business empire. In tions critical of the Union a strong stand by moving a fortune of more than $60 billion. But Ma's net worth late December, Chinese regulators launched an anti- government's policies and unanimous resolution. has taken a $12 billion hit over the past two months as trust investigation into Alibaba, the country's biggest the actions of its probe agen- While presenting his China has tightened the rules for the fintech industry. e-commerce company, sometimes referred to as "the cies. policy address in January Ma is now worth $50.6 billion, making him the fourth- Amazon of China." And in November, China introduced "Actions of certain cen- last year, Khan had read out richest person in China, according to the Bloomberg regulations that halted what would have been a mas- tral government agencies references to the anti-CAA Billionaires Index. As speculation about Ma's where- sive initial public offering for Ant Group, Ma's fintech have overstepped the con- resolution passed by the abouts spread, a prediction about Ma from another company. stitutional contours and are House, after making it clear billionaire Chinese businessman recirculated on social The new rules came weeks after Ma criticized China's impeding the development that he was doing so while media. financial regulatory system at a conference in Shang- activities and flagship pro- disagreeing with it. Khan In a video interview in August 2019, GuoWengui, hai. Ma reportedly dismissed the global financial regu- grams undertaken by the said the state government who fled China as a fugitive in 2014 and has described lations used by China as "an old people's club" and State. This has had a demor- was committed to defend- himself as a whistleblower exposing corruption in the said that "we can't use yesterday's methods to regu- alizing effect on honest and ing the spirit of the Consti- country, said Ma would likely end up in jail or dead in late the future." hard-working officers," the tution, which is the corner- the next year because China wanted to "take back" Blair Silverberg, the CEO of the debt-financing governor said. Khan, who stone of democracy. "When Ma's lucrative Ant Group. startup Capital, told Business Insider's Katie Canales usually does not mind apprehensions were raised Last week, the Chinese government ordered Ant in November that the regulations were introduced "so openly expressing his sup- regarding the conse- Group, which owns Alipay, China's largest the government can assert its supremacy over Jack port to the Centre, also said quences of the Citizenship digitalpayment platform, to scale back its operations Ma." in such a situation co-opera- (Amendment) Act 2019, we after expressing concerns that its corporate governance In November, Ma was replaced as a judge on the tive federalism would lose its have taken the lead in alle- was "not sound." African talent show he founded, "Africa's Business content and remain only in viating the fears among In India, Alibaba has investments in payments com- Heroes," the Financial Times reported. The talent show form. Referring to the pro- large sections of the soci- pany Paytm and its e-commerce arm Paytm Mall, food did not immediately respond to Business Insider's re- test by farmers against the ety," he said. delivery start-up Zomato, online grocer BigBasket and quest for comment, but an Alibaba representative said online retailer Snapdeal, among others. 12 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M News Y K COVID-19 Hits Print Media Hard Bhubaneswar : The months since the nation- outbreak of the wide lockdown was Coronavirus pandemic announced. and the subsequent "The newspaper lockdowns and industry has been hit hard shutdowns have broken because of the Industry worst affected the backbone of the Coronavirus pandemic newspaper industry and the subsequent across the country, lockdown," said especially Odisha, directly JayprakashMutari, a posing a threat to the Bolangir-based livelihood of many who newspaper distributor. were dependent on the During the initial phase greatly pushing me into a price from Rs 5 to Rs 7 version (e-paper) on their government to provide a same for a living. of lockdown, people state of mental agony," while the price of 'The website. So, people can strong stimulus package to Besides the fear of the didn't receive the paper. said Bijay Kumar Nandy, Samaj' stands at Rs 5 easily access the daily the newspaper industry virus transmission But, now, some have a Balasore-based now," said Girish Kumar happenings on their mobile which was among the through paper, the started reading the print newspaper distributor. Bhujabal, who distributes phone now," said K Rabi, worst affected due to the increase in the price of version of the news, he Some others opined newspapers in Baripada. a senior journalist. pandemic. newspapers and the added. that the price hike has also Experts blame the Echoing similar In a letter to the availability of e-paper on The stiff decline in played a significant role in popularity and easy sentiment, another senior Information and mobile phones have added circulation of the diminishing the demand availability of news scribe Rabi Das said that Broadcasting Secretary, the to the woes of the newspaper has also for newspapers. through mobile phones the circulation of INS had said that the industry. jeopardised the livelihood "Just after the for the dim situation of the newspapers has fallen newspaper industry is The newspaper of many distributors. lockdown, many print print media industry. drastically due to the among the worst affected distributors, who eke out "Before the lockdown, I media houses have "When people didn't availability of e-paper on in India with hardly any a living by selling the used to distribute around increased the price of the receive newspaper mobile phones and revenue coming in from either dailies, opined that the 800 newspapers a day. newspaper. So, the people fearing Covid-19 computers. advertisement or circulation craze of the newspaper But, now it has come have turned their attention transmission, several In May last year, the amid the nation-wide has drastically come down to almost zero. It to some alternatives. 'The media houses started Indian Newspaper Society lockdown in the wake of the down during the last nine has affected my livelihood Sambad' has hiked its circulating their electronic (INS) had urged the Central Coronavirus pandemic. First Batch Of Corona Vaccine, Covidshield, Reaches Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The first police for the safe transfer ent districts to send vans batch of COVID-19 vaccine of the vials. Insulated vac- to transfer vaccines to ‘Covishield’ dispatched by cine vans from every dis- their areas. the Serum Institute of India trict will be stationed at the Extensive arrangements (SII) has reached Odisha. center to carry the vaccines have been made for the The consignment arrived at to respective district vac- mega vaccination drive in Biju Patnaik International cine stores. The vaccines Odisha. The state govern- Airport here on a SpiceJet will further be sent to 1,222 ment has identified cargo flight from Pune via cold chain points for stor- around 160 session sites New Delhi at 3.45 pm, said age. Additional Chief Sec- across all the districts for sources. The vaccines were retary, Health, Pradipta the Covid-19 vaccination carried to the State Vaccine Mohapatra has ex- program, and special Centre in three delivery pressed happiness over teams have been formed vans with police escort. the arrival of vaccines. to vaccinate close to 3.29 Tight security arrange- Earlier in the day, he had lakh healthcare workers in ments had been made by asked collectors of differ- the first phase.

13 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M News Y K Cabinet likely to approve Steel cos continue higher mining reforms proposal Amendments in the Mines and Minerals production and sales (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 have been proposed, few months after the amend- period FY2016-FY2020, the noted. ments in the Act, the government may auction top six steel producers While user industries - be around 500 blocks in the next 2-3 years. have now touched a high it construction or engineer- The Union cabinet is most resources, removing the of 85 percent in October ing - have been asking the likely to consider the distinction between 2020, while the other pro- government to rein in the proposal of mining sector captive and non-captive ducers are still operating at prices and found support reform for enhancing mines, and clarifying the capacity utilisation rates of from Union roadways min- private investment. definition of illegal mining. about 65 percent. ister Nitin Gadkari there Amendments in the Mines Once the cabinet approves "These trends indicate the has so far been rising dominance of large nointervention. The numbers show how als. steel players in the domes- However, the vertically in- large players are gaining While top producers con- tic industry and an ad- tegrated players such as market share from smaller tinued their upward march verse impact of the pan- Tata Steel and SAIL would units that can't ramp up in production compared demic on the business per- reap the benefit as the re- despite the lucrative mar- with the same period last formance of some of the maining players procure ket for want of raw materi- year and the preceding smaller steel producers, iron ore at the market price. als quarter of this fiscal, low which would find it diffi- NMDC's iron ore prices Kolkata, Jan 13: Frontline inventory cramped the cult to operate at pre-Covid more than doubled from steel companies continued sales of Tata Steel and levels in the near term," the May onwards and so have to clock higher production JSPL, which reported a se- Icra report pointed out. the prices of pellets (an iron and sales despite the quential decline in sales. Price dynamics ore intermediate) and shortage of iron ore, reap- Experts say that integrated Benchmark hot-rolled coil scrap. From a low of Rs ing the benefit of record players benefited from a prices rallied Rs 13,800 per 1,960 a tonne in May, the prices of the alloy.Tata tight domestic supply of tonne during October-De- prices of ore (64 percent and Minerals the amendments, the Steel and SAIL, which iron ore, which restricted cember to reach an unprec- iron content) will go to Rs (Development and government may bring the source ore from their mines, smaller players from taking edented level of Rs 51,000 4,360 a tonne. Regulation) Act, 1957 have bill to parliament during the ramped up production, advantage of the healthy per tonne.However, the Apart from the tailwind of been proposed, sources upcoming budget session. while JSW Steel, AM/NS demand. large players already made global prices, domestic said.The proposal sent to Few months after the India, and JSPL, which A report by rating agency it clear that more rounds of shortage especially from the Union cabinet includes amendments in the Act, the largely depend on market Icra noted that the share of hikes are on the cards Odisha is supporting high structural reforms by government may auction purchases, scored better in the top six steel producers given that domestic prices ore prices and hurting ca- redefining the norms of around 500 blocks in the the third quarter, buoyed in total crude steel produc- are still 6-8 percent pacity utilisation of smaller exploration for auction of next 2-3 years, sources by a strong uptick in tion, which remained at cheaper than the landed players. ICICI Securities mineral blocks and said.In May last year, demand.The numbers about 55 percent histori- price of the import."We ex- pegged Tata Steel's ensuring a seamless under the Aatmanirbhar show how the large play- cally, has risen to about 65 pect steel prices to remain EBIDTA (standalone) at Rs transition from exploration Bharat package the ers are gaining market percent in recent months. high in the January-March 19,000 per tonne. However, to production.It also government had share from smaller units Record utilisation 2021 quarter with a sequen- the benign coking coal includes resolving legacy announced enhancing that are unable toramp up Also, against the average tial price hike ofRs 7,000- price will offer a cushion to issues to move towards an private investments in the despite the lucrative mar- industry capacity utiliza- 8,500 per tonne," a study large players that use the auction only regime for mineral sector and bringing ket for want of raw materi- tion of 78 percent for the by rating agency Crisil blast furnace route. allocation of mineral in other reforms.

Best Wishes from :: RADHE RADHE

14 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M News Y K The ignited state of America

Washington : Donald gesture of political unity Amendment, which would proceedings in the House on Trump emerged from isolation considered all but routine after declare Trump unfit to Wednesday. The single charge at the White House on US elections. perform his duties and install of "incitement of insurrection" Tuesday to brand the likely And according to Axios, Pence as acting president. is all but sure to get majority second impeachment of his Trump and the top Republican This is unlikely to happen. support. presidency "absolutely in the House of Although Pence is The Republican- ridiculous" and warn that it has Representatives, Kevin reportedly furious about controlled Senate, however, is triggered "tremendous anger." McCarthy, had a stormy Trump's behavior last week, in recess until January 19 and Speaking as he boarded phone conversation Tuesday the two met at the White its leadership says there is no Marine One at the White in which Trump claimed that House on Monday for the first way to rush through an House for a trip to Texas, left-wing Antifa activists, not time since the Congress attack impeachment trial before Trump called his scheduled Ever since the November many of Trump's former his supporters, attacked and had "a good conversation," Biden takes over the following impeachment in the House of 3 election, the real estate boosters in the corporate and Congress. according to a senior day. Representatives on tycoon has been obsessively sporting world to turn their "It's not Antifa," administration official. This means that Trump, Wednesday a "continuation of pushing a lie that he, not backs. McCarthy reportedly That signaled that who was acquitted in the the greatest witch hunt in the Democrat Joe Biden, was the In Congress, where the responded. "I know. I was whatever Pence and the Senate last year after his first history of politics." dwindling number of White impeachment, would not be With only eight days left The democracy in America faces a resting time House officials feel, they are forced out of the office early. in his one-term administration, when the protesters stormed Capitol hill. Donald committed to keeping the Top Senate Democrat Trump finds himself alone, presidency limping along until Chuck Schumer has shunned by former supporters, Trump was blamed. But unperturbed Trump called January 20. reportedly floated the idea of barred by social media, and his scheduled impeachment in the House of Rep- Still, with a string of using a rare parliamentary now facing a second cabinet officials quitting the maneuver to force the chamber impeachment over his resentatives on Wednesday a "continuation of the government -- most recently back into session under instigation of a riot against greatest witch hunt in the history of politics." the acting head of the emergency circumstances, Congress on January 6. Department of Homeland giving time for the start of an His trip to Alamo, Texas, real winner and last week, in a Republican party has been in there." Security Chad Wolf on impeachment trial. where he will tout claims of speech he described Tuesday thrall to the populist leader for When Trump continued to Monday -- it's also clear that But not even all Democrats success in building a US- as "totally appropriate," he four years, even ultra-loyal push his conspiracy theory Trump's grip on power is are gunning for a trial, worried Mexican border wall, is his called on the huge crowd to senior figures like Senator that he was the true election tenuous. that this would overshadow first live public appearance "show strength." Lindsey Graham have finally winner, McCarthy reportedly In an interview Tuesday Biden's first days in office. since he rallied thousands of Amped up on Trump's told Trump that he must interrupted, telling him: "Stop on ABC News, Health The new president will followers on the National Mall rhetoric, the mob burst into accept his election defeat. it. It's over. The election is Secretary Alex Azar did not already face the challenges of an to march on Congress. Congress, fighting with police, Trump, however, remains over." dismiss outright the option of out-of-control Covid-19 Although this is not the trashing offices and forcing in denial. The House of removing Trump, saying: "I'm pandemic, the stumbling same Alamo as the famous frightened lawmakers to He has yet to congratulate Representatives will vote not going to get into or discuss vaccination program, a shaky fortress in another part of suspend briefly a ceremony Biden or urge his supporters Tuesday on a longshot bid to the 25th Amendment here." economy, and now the Texas, the trip marks legally formalizing Biden's to stand behind the incoming get Vice President Mike Pence Democrats will follow up aftermath of violent political something of a last stand for victory. president after he is and the cabinet to invoke the the 25th Amendment vote opposition from parts of the Republican. The crisis galvanized inaugurated on January 20 -- a US Constitution's 25th with impeachment Trump's huge voter base.

From Page-1

both possibilities appear plausible-what is SC's game-plan? ished, it is their monopoly that is being challenged by allowing SC myopically ... Will it allow the government to go ahead with its negotiations farmers to sell in other markets, including directly to consum- with farmers or will it put the laws in abeyance once again? It ers. This is important because the argument made is that the says "representatives of all the farmers' bodies, whether they sends out a clear signal to everyone that, if you want a law farmers will have to now sell to the Ambanis and the Adanis; are holding a protest or not and whether they support or op- changed, and can muster enough persons to gherao the capital that is not true, all that happens is that, if they want, farmers pose the laws shall participate in the deliberations of the Com- or some important building like Parliament, you can get SC to can sell to Ambani and Adani, or Walmart or Mother Dairy or mittee and put forth their viewpoints", several unions have keep the law in abeyance, while a panel decides on whether the Patanjali or to farmer cooperatives, to just anyone. said they will not comply; as BKU spokesperson Rakesh law is right or wrong. Another factor that probably influenced SC was the view that Tikait put it, "Bill wapsinahintohgharwapsinahin". Farmer The constitutional validity of the laws is the only section small and marginal farmers-and in very large numbers-were groups have also alleged that since the panel is packed with under which SC is supposed to act; it did not examine this, being hit by the new laws. That, however, is not true at all. supporters of the farm laws. however, but felt it was all right to hold the laws in abeyance- While the farmer unions from Punjab are agitating for a legisla- It was always clear that the farmers wanted a total repeal of an 'extraordinary order', it admits-so that farmers would par- tively guaranteed MSP, just 5-6% of farmers across the coun- the laws, a legislative guarantee that MSP would continue, and ticipate in the meetings in 'a congenial atmosphere' and so that try benefit from this today; the rest sell their crops in mandis that the government would procure the 23 MSP crops every their 'hurt feelings' would be 'softened'.SC saying this is truly even if the prices there are 20-40% below the MSP announced year. So, farmers were never going to accept any SC commit- extraordinary and betrays a poor understanding of the issues for various crops. tee. Given that farmer-government talks have failed on these at stake. Way back in 1986, the Johl committee had flagged the Resolving the issue, it is true, is not going to be easy. Legisla- core demands, SC's myopia is mysterious. need to diversify Punjab agriculture away from rice and wheat. tively guaranteeing MSPs can cost lakhs of crore rupees each A charitable explanation for SC's decision was that it would Indeed, SC failed to note that the first inroads into the APMC year and the money is much better spent on creating new diffuse the tension as, once the panel was set up, the farmers Act, to allow farmers to sell fruits and vegetables in markets irrigation facilities etc-farm subsidies are four times the gov- would go back home. While that looked like a pipe dream even other than the APMC ones, were made during the UPA period. ernment CAPEX in the sector!-as that will benefit all farmers. then, the farmers have made it clear they will not go home till That is also why, the Congress party's election manifesto had SC has queered the pitch for the government by getting into its they get their way.If the farmers don't participate in the panel's said it would abolish the APMC monopoly; a point worth domain.Besides, SC has also eroded its authority. Both augur deliberations, or they disagree with its conclusions-right now, keeping in mind is that APMC markets are not being abol- badly for India's future. 15 The Industry and Mines Observer January 15, 2021, www.orissaobserver.com

CMYK C M Cinema Y K How 2020 rolled A look at some films that stood out in 2020 some of the director's favor- eco-system that allows pow- behind. Pankaj Tripathi as ite themes - of truth and false- erful men to prey upon help- a trippy don, and both hood, crime and punishment less women. AKs (Anil Kapoor and - and leaves us asking our- And, bringing up the rear, Anurag Kashyap) being selves tough questions. Can for no other reason than played to their strengths: something with a crack in it, they came towards the end especially the latter who ever be mended? of the year, are Anurag gets to do a hilarious send- RaatAkeli Hai is a crackling Basu's Ludo, and up of himself, as the guy whodunit. But it is also more VikramadityaMotwane's who makes those 'dark, than just a murder mystery. AK vs AK. Both felt like a realistic flop films' and In Honey Trehan's assured stretch in places, both manages to stay in the debut feature, toplining could have done with news because he gives Nawazuddin Siddiqui and tighter writing, but both everyone 'gaalis': kismet Radhika Apte, we get a had that special some- kihawaKabhigaram, sharply drawn small-town thing that leaves a residue Kabhinaram.

2020 was the year that no one people in love, and how they where lies sanity. wanted, but couldn't escape deal with difficult lives and Anubhav Sinha's Thappad from: the deadly virus was, impending deaths, and with also centers around a couple and is still, around us. it, we bade Rajput farewell. of connected lessons. You Everything changed. We MeelPathar, Ivan Ayr's ter- may be a 'modern' man, but were forced to clamp down rific tale of a man who counts you may be as bound in pa- on so many things we took out his time by the mileposts triarchy as the older genera- for granted, especially those he passes, is another favor- tion. And women are not activities which led us to- ite of the year. ArunKarthick's meant to bear the brunt of wards gathering in large num- Nasir is a razor-sharp film your frustrations. Despite a bers. The movie hall became about a man who is nothing few cheesy, heavily under- one of the first places to be but gentle. All Nasir wants is lined passages, the film ruled out of bounds; now, to be able to live a life of ful- waves a strong flag for when theatres are slowly fillment and dignity, with his women, especially those opening up, we are still re- family. His needs are modest. who have made their peace luctant to return to a place His ambition, too. He is with holding it down for their that entertained us and trans- caught at the wrong time, in men. ported us. the wrong place, and his fate Female desire is such a hot Ordinarily, Angrezi Medium mirrors so many others who potato that most wouldn't have made it to this have become casualties, in moviemakers stay away from list. But not only will be re- real life, of these polarised, it. Alankrita Srivastava dives membered it as the last film communalized times. straight in, with Dolly Kitty (third week of March), it will Who is a serious man? A AurWohChamakteySitaare, be marked as the last time we man we take seriously? Or a which works as a compan- saw Irrfan on screen. As a man who wants 'seriousness' ion piece to her previous doting father, who will go to as a label to be able to enter what-women-really-want any lengths to make his de- worlds that are not his auto- Lipstick Under My Burkha. manding 'beti' happy, Irrfan matically? Nawazudin A two-timing husband, lifted the strictly serviceable Siddiqui in Sudhir Mishra's played by RanvirShorey, script as only he could. Serious Men (based on finds himself saddled with a Within a month, he was gone. Manu Joseph's novel of the dead body and a problem. In Ditto for DilBechara, not same name) channels deep- a few hours, their best friends Sushant Singh Rajput's best, seated anger and malice to will start trooping in for a but one in which he reminded elevate his son's position on celebratory dinner, and he us of how difficult it is to pro- the socio-economic ladder, needs to hide his crimes, both cess untimely, shocking but he has a lesson in there corporeal as well as of the deaths. The film, quite aptly, himself, realizing that your spirit. Rajat Kapoor's Kadakh was about two young place is yours, and that's is yet another exploration of

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