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| Jul 31 - Aug 06 |
Absentee Chief Minister, paralysed state: UPA presses pause in Jharkhand
RANCHI, AUGUST 6: "The lack of ability of the Chief Minister to act on decisions of the ministers and his indifference have held up projects and created restlessness among the people." The Chief Minister in question is Jharkhand's Madhu Koda. And the comment is not from an Opposition leader but from one of Koda's cabinet colleagues, Bandhu Tirkey. Nothing seems to be moving in Koda's Jharkhand. Files are stuck and projects are held up while money meant for development is lying unused. Less than a year after it was formed, the UPA coalition government in Jharkhand has developed cracks and the ministers are displaying their restlessness in public.
At the last meeting of the state Cabinet here, Tirkey was not the only minister to speak out. Hemendra Pratap Shahi, too, blamed Koda for stifling development in the state. A look at the projects that are stuck will show why the ministers are screaming:
• The Sarva Swasthya Mission, a public -private partnership for health care, with Rs 25 crore provided by the Tata group as seed money, has not gone beyond an announcement made last year.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna, the state government had Rs 1,500 crore in its bank account on April 31. Yet not one rural road was constructed.
• The Ranchi Regional Development Authority had conceived a mega project for a bus terminal in the capital. The state government released Rs 9.5 crore in 2002-03. But the terminal is yet to be constructed.
• Under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification scheme, 19,807 villages in the state were to be electrified during 2007-08. But only 31 had been provided electricity until July 1.
• Since the the state government has not notified its resettlement and rehabilitation policy, none of the Rs 2.50 lakh crore investment plans including the greenfield steel plants of Tata, Jindal and L N Mittal have taken off.
The list is long. There are inter-district highways that literally lead to nowhere and bridges and culverts that have not moved out of files in the state secretariat.
The mess is not just about development. For the first time in six years, the Auditor General, in an affidavit filed at the Jharkhand High Court last month, indicted the government for not furnishing financial records of more than Rs 40,000 crore.
Worse, the state has failed to utilise funds meant for development.
For instance, against the plan outlay of Rs 6,500 crore during 2006-07, it spent just Rs 2,714 crore.
In the first quarter of the current fiscal (2007-08), the state spent less than Rs 130 crore against the plan outlay of Rs 7,539 crore.
Asked why money was not being spent on projects, a senior official said there was lack of coordination between the staff and ministers. "To make use of the public fund, decisions have to be taken and implemented rigorously. But nobody is willing to do that due to low-trust environment," he said.
"We have instructed the drawing and disbursing officers to ensure the development fund is not surrendered this year," said Principal Secretary (Finance) Mukhtiyar Singh.
But Chief Minister Koda, whose critics say he spends more time in Delhi than Ranchi, says everything is on track.
"During my tenure, the process of development has been fast-tracked. Take, for instance, the state capital project. It was launched and abandoned during the previous NDA regime. But I got it revived. The tender to prepare its blueprint is going to be out soon. So is the case with several other projects such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for which we have set up a state-level body to implement," he said.
But Koda's colleagues don't agree. The coalition has shown enough signs of cracking. RJD's Annapurna Devi and Congress MP Furkan Ansari have already hit out at Koda. RJD's Dhirendra Agrawal has repeatedly criticised Koda and has even sought his dismissal.
"Despite repeated appeals, he could not do anything to expedite development," said Ansari.
Koda shrugs off the dissent. "In a democracy, everybody has the liberty to express his opinion. In coalition governments, such things are inevitable. But then I have tried my best to adhere to the dharma of coalition politics and never reacted (to such comments)," said Koda.
YOUNG STATE, BIG MESS Part-I
• The Sarva Swasthya Mission, a public-private partnership for health care has not taken off despite Tatas putting in the initial Rs 25 cr
• 1,500 cr in bank for the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna, but no rural road has been built so far
• 19,807 villages were to be electrified in 2007-08 under Central scheme. Only 31 were provided electricity until July 1
• No resettlement and rehabilitation policy yet, so 2.5 lakh crore investment plans including the greenfield steel plants of Tata, Jindal and L N Mittal held up
• Against Plan outlay of 6,500 cr for 2006-07, govt spent 2,714 cr. In the first quarter of the current fiscal (2007-08)
http://www.indianexpress.com/printerFriendly/209062.html
Poverty Claims Two Lives In Jharkhand
Monday 06th of August 2007: A father and a son suffering from malaria lost their lives in a Jharkhand village as they could not afford the expenses of their treatment.
Sanjay, 25 died on Sunday while his father Kalicharan Lohra, 50 passed away on Saturday night at Hethia village, around 12 km from here.
The family had no food or money for medicines.
'My husband and son were suffering for a long time. They could not be treated for want of money. We did not get food grains from the public distribution system (PDS). When my husband and son were ill, they used to get meal once in two or three days,' Basanti Devi, Kalicharan's wife, said.
K.K. Rajhansh, circle officer, who investigated the family's Antoydaya card (card for the poor), said no food grains were given to the family after last December. 'The PDS shop did not distribute food grains and the matter has been reported to the deputy commissioner,' said Rajhansh.
Ranchi deputy commissioner V.K. Chaube suspended the licence of the PDS shop and sought an explanation from the owner.
About 54 percent of the population in the state lives below the poverty line. Large-scale corruption is prevalent in distribution of food grains to people covered under the Antodaya Yojna.
Jharkhand's Food and Supply Minister Kamlesh Singh had earlier admitted corruption in distribution of food grains but nothing was done to streamline the system.
http://newspostindia.com/report-10243
The Fairy Tale Continues
Mahendra Singh Dhoni termed his elevation to Twenty20 captaincy three years after his India debut as a "fairy-tale" and said he would strive hard to meet the challenges and expectations.
"To be honest, I never dreamt of playing for India. I just played the game for the love of it. So just to play for India was like a good fairy tale. And it still continues," Dhoni said in London.
"It's more special because I'm just three years old in international cricket. Now, it's important to go out and lead from the front.
"It's a great honour and a privilege to be leading the country and I'll strive hard to measure up to the expectations of the people back home."
The 26-year-old Ranchi-born player, who has caught the imagination of the country with his big hitting and long locks, owed his success to the best wishes of the people of his state.
"Five years back, no one from Jharkhand would even have imagined that someone from their state would be privileged to don the India cap. So to have not only played for India but also be given the honour of leading the country, I think, is a historic day for Jharkhand," he said.
"I hope it will inspire young cricketers all over Jharkhand to dream big and pursue them with a lot of determination and hard work."
Dhoni spoke about the challenges he would face as a captain.
"The challenge is to take right decision at the right time. It's not just about the captain, it's about the team, it's about collective responsibility," he said.
"If the players do well the team wins. Only once in 25 games, a captain has to make a major decision, otherwise most of the decisions are taken after consulting the players."
Asked whether he was surprised or was he expecting the honour, Dhoni said he had some idea about it.
"A lot of it has been appearing in the media, so it's no big surprise."
Asked about his relative lack of experience, Dhoni quipped, "It doesn't matter! I didn't have any experience of playing international cricket but I still played. There's always a first time."
He then dwelt on the key aspect for his team in South Africa.
"India has just played one Twenty20 game, so it's about individuals putting their hands up and doing the job expected of them.
"The conditions on South Africa will be pretty difficult since we are going there at the start of the season. We will have to adapt, and adapt quickly."
Asked what he had learnt from his Test captain, Rahul Dravid, Dhoni said, "being cool and calm".
A product of his own enthusiasm and drive, Dhoni made his one-day international debut against Bangladesh in December 2004.
Since then, he has taken rapid strides to fame and fortune mainly to his big hitting prowess that gripped the nation immediately.
That he has three one-day hundreds and 13 half-centuries in 76 appearances at an average of 46.97 with an amazing strike rate of 98.75 underlines how quickly he has moved up the ladder of success.
"I just work hard like all others but now I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders and I will give it my best shot."
With seniors like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Harbhajan Singh also named in the team, Dhoni won't be short of advice.
It is something he would most heartily welcome.
"Even in the present side, Rahul (Dravid) has senior pros like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly who are always around to provide some invaluable inputs.
"It will be no different for me with Yuvi, Viru, Ajit and Bhajji around. It's a team game and anything for the good of the side should always be welcome."
PTI http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070807&fname=dhoni&sid=1
Hindalco, TPC join hands for coal block
MUMBAI: The AV Birla flagship Hindalco Industries and Tata Power Company (TPC) will jointly develop a coal block in Jharkhand that will feed both the companies' upcoming power projects in the state.
According to sources close to the state government, the two companies will form a joint venture to develop the mines. "Hindalco will hold 70% of the venture, with TPC holding the rest," said a senior state government official. The Jharkhand government had recently allotted the mines to the two companies.
The development, according to industry observers, is another instance of two corporate houses coming together to meet raw material needs at a time when demand is fast outstripping the supply. At present, Hindalco and Essar Power, through their JV firm Mahan Coal Company, are developing coal mines at the Mahan block of Sidhi-Singrauli fields in Madhya Pradesh.
Hindalco chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla made a mention of the Jharkhand project in his last week's address at the company's annual general meeting. Company spokesperson declined to give further details. A TPC spokesperson confirmed the allocation of the coal mines.
Shares of TPC were down 3.5% on the BSE at Rs 670 on Monday. Hindalco's stock was down 3% at Rs 157.4. The Sensex had gone down by 1.55% on Monday. The mines allotted to Hindalco and TPC are located in Palamau, near Latehar, where the Birla company is setting up its greenfield project that includes a 350,000 tonne per annum aluminium smelter.
The company is also setting up a captive power plant of 750 mw, which will be fed from the coal mines. According to industry standards, the investment is estimated to be close to Rs 2,400 crore. The company has also filed an application for environmental clearance, water, construction, power and other necessary infrastructure for the project.
TPC is at present setting up a Rs 3,800-crore power project of 1,000 mw in the state under the Maithon Power joint venture it had signed with Damodar Valley Corporation in 2005.
According to company officials, the project already has a coal-linkage and the new allocation at Palamau will be used for a yet-to-be announced project in the state. In 2005, TPC had signed an agreement with the Jharkhand government to set up facilities to generate upto 3,000 mw over an unspecified time period.
Jharkhand has coal deposits of about 70 billion tonnes, 30% of the country's total reserves of the mineral. Most of the reserves in the state is thermal coal, used in power generation. Coking coal is used in making steel.
The state government has signed memorandum of understanding with about 25 companies to set up plants to generate as much as 31,000 mw of power. The players include Arcelor-Mittal and the Jindal Group.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Hindalco_TPC_join_hands_for_coal_block/articleshow/2261208.cms
Jharkhand not doing enough in food processing sector
Jamshedpur, Aug 5 Absence of an investor-friendly policy is keeping away investors willing to invest in the food processing industry in Jharkhand, Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay said here Saturday.
Sahay told FE that he had requested the Jharkhand government to draw up a separate 'perishable commodities policy' as such a policy could not be accommodated in the normal industrial policy that tended to focus more on steel and other industries.
Sahay, who was here to attend a seminar on 'Backwardness of Muslims: Reasons & Remedies' organised by the Muslim Adhikar Morcha, said the Jharkhand government wasn't doing enough to get benefits of different schemes announced by the ministry.
Sahay said he had helped to form a committee for the food processing sector in Jharkhand with members from both the Jharkhand government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
"Absence of an investor-friendly policy is keeping private investors away," the Union minister said. Though the state government on a number of occasions had assured him of steps being taken to improve the situation, nothing tangible has been done yet, Sahay said.
Jharkhand is in the process of amending its existing Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act in line with the model code suggested by the Centre. According to Sahay, it is a step in the right direction as it would generate more demand for agriculture produce leading farmers to adopt cluster farming which would help them earn more.
"Once this God-dependant farming is replaced by the organised and market-driven one, farmers will be financially well-off," said Sahay, adding that the transformation was urgently needed in the country as around 60% of the Indian population depended on the farm sector compared with only 4% in the US and around 8% in Europe.
Asked about the recent outburst against Reliance Fresh in Ranchi and the recent one-day bandh by small-time vegetable & other perishable goods vendors in Jamshedpur against the group's proposed entry in the city, Sahay said he has asked the company to accommodate small-time retailers, excluding middlemen, in its supply chain.
Sahay said the model APMC Act did not pose any threat to the interests of farmers or vendors, and the resistance was originated from the lack of proper information.
He said while farmers will continue to own and cultivate the land, investments needed for supply of technology to improve yield, long-term planning for water, supply of good seeds, etc would
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Jharkhand-not-doing-enough-in-food-processing-sector-Sahay/208883/
Ore-rich states sore at being ignored over mineral policy
NEW DELHI: The National Mineral Policy, which has been approved by the group of ministers, has run into another roadblock. States are up in arms against the Centre for not taking them into confidence before approving the policy.
Chief ministers of five mineral-producing states — Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Rajasthan — have decided to approach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against the process adopted by the Centre.
The chief ministers have alleged the group of ministers on the new policy cleared it without taking them into confidence or sharing the draft with them.
"We are not happy with the way the New Mineral Policy has been cleared without getting the views of the mineral-producing states. The final draft of the policy has also not been shared with us. A memorandum is now being sent to the prime minister so the policy is changed in a manner (so) that it could be implemented by the states," Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh said.
Earlier in the day, apart from the Chhattisgarh chief minister, Orissa CM Navin Patnaik, Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy met home minister Shivraj Patil to apprise him of the concerns of the states. Mr Patil headed the group of ministers (GoM) that recently cleared the National Mineral Policy.
The main objection of mineral-rich states pertains to control and use of iron ore resources. The state governments want it should be within their rights to offer minerals to companies that propose to set up steel industry within the states.
The final draft of the National Mineral Policy has said while states could have a system of preference for grant of mineral licences, they could not deny movement of minerals outside the states. "The amendments in Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) should clarify this position," a Orissa government source said.
The states are also against the provision in the policy that aims to curb their powers in case there is a delay in the grant of mineral lease to an applicant. It has also been suggested that existing provisions of the MMDR Act, which give states special powers in grant of mining leases, should be retained.
The states have also objected to continuation of iron ore exports and said there was no point in giving captive iron ore mines to companies having steel plants located in other states. The policy has said captive mines would be offered to steel companies on the basis of their existing capacities as in July 2006.
After being cleared by GoM, a Cabinet note on the new policy is being finalised which, after clearance, would be placed in Parliament for final approval. The policy would also require amendments to the MMDR Act.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Ore-ich_states_sore_at_being_ignored_over_mineral_policy/articleshow/2261183.cms
Jharkhand To Block Salaries To Tame Striking Teachers
Sunday 05th of August 2007: The Jharkhand government will adopt a 'no work no pay' policy from Monday to tame the striking employees of college and universities in the state.
'We have appealed to the employees to end the strike in the interest of students but they are adamant. From Monday 'no work no pay scheme' will be implemented,' said Jharkhand Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Bandhu Tirkey.
The teaching and non-teaching staff of the colleges and universities of the state are on a strike demanding UGC (University Grants Commission) pay scale and other facilities.
The employees have been striking since July 10. One round of talks between the HRD minister and the employees' association took place but the meeting failed to yield any result.
The HRD minister agreed to hike the salaries by 40 percent and increase the retirement age from 60 to 62. But the employees said their 20-point demand should be first fulfilled and only then they would return to work.
Considering the intransigence, the HRD minister announced to adopt a 'no work and no pay' policy from Monday.
Reacting on the HRD minister's announcement, teachers' association secretary Kannahia Mishra said: 'We are ready to face anything but the minister's announcement cannot browbeat us. We are united and we would continue with our agitation.'
Due to the ongoing strike, admission in the first year graduation course has been badly affected. It has also affected classes and post graduation exams.
http://newspostindia.com/report-10138
Jharkhand power plants in limbo over coal blocks
JAMSHEDPUR/KOLKATA: The fate of mega power projects by ArcelorMittal, Tata Power, Jindal Group, CESC and the Aditya Birla Group in Jharkhand hinges on pending coal block allocations. The meeting of the inter-ministerial screening committee, which was to decide on such block allocations, has been deferred by several weeks.
The Jharkhand government has signed MoUs with 24 private players for generating 31,040MW. DVC and NTPC together propose to add 5,000MW of fresh capacity. Maithon Power, a JV between Tatas and DVC, plans to build a 1,000MW thermal power plant at Maithon.
This apart, Jindal South West Energy and Aditya Birla Power Co propose to add 3,000MW and 3,200MW of thermal power generation capacity in the state. The coal ministry has made it clear that priority on allocation of coal blocks be accorded to power projects with more than 500MW capacities.
A power ministry official said: "The ministry has shortlisted certain applicants for allocation of coal blocks and the Jharkhand government is not agreeable with this list. The power ministry has prepared the list based on certain criteria and wants particular blocks allocated for specific projects to which the states are not agreeable. This has led to some confusion and delay in allocation of blocks."
"The ministry's decision is based on net worth of promoters, status of land acquisition and tie-ups for water with the state government. All these companies have already signed MoUs, hence land acquisition and water allocation will not be an issue," said the ministry official. Following this, a team has been formed to sort out the information mismatch after which the decision on allocation will be taken.
Union coal secretary HC Gupta, however, denied any such developments. "Currently, we are in the process of verifying details furnished by applicants. The screening committee will meet over the next two weeks and decisions with regard to projects will be taken," he said.
Asked if all the important projects will get coal allocation, Mr Gupta said it will be on the screening committee. A senior CESC official told ET that the screening committee will make a final decision on allocation of coal blocks earmarked for power and steel sector.
"Our power project in Jharkhand depends much on the coal block allocated to us. Our project is viable only if the coal block is allotted to us, otherwise we'll have to shelve the idea of setting up a thermal power plant there," said the source. CESC has applied for Mohugari coal block in the district of Dumka. The company has proposed a 1,000MW thermal power plant in the state.
Major companies are vying for coal blocks for their steel and power projects. It is said that the coal ministry will soon switch over to allocation of coal blocks through the competitive bidding process from the existing system of being earmarked by an inter-ministerial screening committee. Therefore, the private parties are trying to take the advantage of the existing system this time.
"Preparation of the list of coal block allottees is primarily the job of the screening committee. However, the ministry is advising on allocation of certain blocks for certain projects," he said. A source at the ministry, however, said: "All important projects are likely to get blocks."
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Jharkhand_power_plants_in_limbo_over_coal_blocks/articleshow/2249477.cms
Maoists call for Jharkhand bandh
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 (Garwah/Latehar): The Maoists on Wednesday went on a rampage, killing a truck driver, wounding 17 bus passengers in Garwah district and blowing up railway facilities in two railway stations to enforce their 24-hour Jharkhand bandh.
The extremists opened indiscriminate fire on a passenger bus plying on the Garwah-Ambikapur route at dawn near Bhaguaghati, injuring 17 persons, police sources in Garwah said.
A bullet also hit a driver of a truck, which was passing at that time, killing him instantly.
Three of the seriously injured were referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi for treatment.
Earlier at 1 am (local time), at least 30 Maoists in separate groups attacked Demo and Bendi railway stations in Latehar district.
They asked the staff, including cabin men R P Yadav of Bendi and R N Singh of Demo railway stations, to leave the rooms where they fitted dynamites to power panels, telephones and other instruments and pulled the triggers.
The structures of the small railway stations, however, survived as the dynamites were of low intensity.
The Maoists called the bandh in protest against what they claimed the police having kept secret the arrest of three of their cadres in Patna on July 28.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070021034
A Jharkhand tribal village that looks after orphans
Dampara Village (Jharkhand), Aug.2 : Setting a unique example in community care for orphans, residents of Dampara Village, located 90 kilometres from Jamshedpur, are running a shelter for around 40 children.
The initiative has given orphaned and abandoned children hope for a bright future.
An underdeveloped village, Damparag's Munda, Santhal and Karmakar tribals have gained a reputation for their austerity and simplicity.
Concepts like social development or political awareness were unheard of words here, until a local youngster Kantha Singh, mobilised support for a collective effort for the common good of the village.
Kantha is educated and owns a tiny garage on National Highway-33.
Disappointed with the State Government's non-supportive attitude towards initiating progress in tribal-dominated Dampara Village, Kantha generated public support to form the Dampara Development Committee in February, 2007.
The Committee then established the orphanage, which today shelters 38 tribal boys and girls.
'These children are from Dampara and other places in Jharkhand. They are orphans living with relatives or working as child labourers,' Kantha Singh said.
'I wanted to help them. After the formation of our village committee, we thought of establishing an orphanage for such children, and it runs a public charity,' he added.
The school provides education up to Standard III.
Kantha Singh and a few others, go door to door to collect rice, wheat, milk, clothes, money and other essentials.
Parimal Pani, a teacher at the orphanage, said: 'He (Kantha Singh) goes village to village and asks for donations. And, with that donated material and money, he supports the children's education, food, medicine and other things.'
Daily chores like cooking, cleaning or other related works are voluntarily taken care of by village women.
In a short span of five months, other villages neighbouring Dampara have appreciated the community spirit.
Jaidev Das, a student, said: 'We get good food here. We are living very comfortably in this place.'
--- ANI http://www.newkerala.com/july.php?action=fullnews&id=51020
Documentary throws light on tribals' problems
At the time when a Group of Ministers is discussing the new mining policy allowing huge private participation, the government will hear the voice of tribals through a documentary.
Mohua, a documentary mapping tribal population in four states, depicts how the tribals were thrown out of their own land by mining companies for the promises that were never met. Story of hundreds of tribals in Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand has just one message -- mining companies have degraded their natural resources necessary for their sustainability.
Be it Vedanta plant in Orissa or Sterlite Balco mining operations in Andhra Pradesh, the tribals have only thing to say: government officials connived with mining companies to throw them out of their land they have been tilting for centuries. The government can throw them out, as legally the tribals don't have ownership right over land in forest areas, the documentary says.
Incidentally, the documentary comes at a time when the government is finalising the rules to operationalise the Tribal Rights law, notified earlier this bill. The rules, once notified, will provide limited land and forest produce usage rights to the tribals for the first time.
The documentary also hinges on this legitimate demand of the tribals in wake of opposition for forest conservationists, who termed the tribal rights law as "death warrant" for forests and wildlife.
Though conservationists like Valmik Thapar and PK Sen have already represented their views to the government, the documentary will put forth the demand of tribals before Tribal Affairs Minister R Kyndiah and Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes on Tuesday. "We want to tell people in cities and towns the travails of being a tribal and how MNCs would steal their livelihood, if new mining policy is approved," said Vinod Kumar, who used footage collected over a period of three years for this documentary.
The 82-minute real life shots of tribals in remote parts of the country is also an interesting mix of how tribals are trying to survive with their ancient culture in modern India, and how reaping benefit of India's economic development is still a distant dream for most ribals.
Although the documentary avoids the controversial issue of Naxal movement, yet it mentions about Tribals' fight for their rights and the old colonial mentality of the government officials posted there.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=a171298b-c9e5-42c4-9938-a5131f957a68&&Headline=Film+throws+light+on+tribals'+problems
Shravan Mela in Baidyanath Lord Shiva Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand
Deoghar Baidyanath Dham is one among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India. This famous temple of Lord Shiva attracts thousands of devotees during the Shravan Mela or Shrabani Mela held in the months of July – August. In 2007, Shravan Mela at Deograh Shiva Temples is from July 31 to August 28. The main ritual during the mela is the pilgrimage undertaken by scores of Lord Shiva devotees from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath temple.
The pilgrims to Baidyanath are referred as 'Kanwarias' and they carry water from holy Ganga which flows towards north in Sultanganj. This is the only place where the Ganga flows towards north. Monday is considered most auspicious for offering water from Ganga to Lord Shiva. Apart from Indians, numerous devotees from Nepal and neighboring countries take part in the annual pilgrimage. It is believed by devotees that offering water from Ganges to Lord Shiva in the Shravan month will help in fulfilling their wishes.
The Deoghar Baidyanath Dham is also referred as Ravaneshwar Mahadeo temple as it is believed that Shivling in the temple belonged to demon king Ravana of Ramayan. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva pleased with Ravana's intense austerities appeared before him. Ravana asked for Shiva's symbol Shivling to be placed in Lanka. Shiva agreed to give the Linga on the condition that he will not place it anywhere until he reaches Lanka.
Devas came to know about this, and feared that with the power of Lord Shiva on his side Ravana will become invincible. They prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu asked Varuna to enter Ravana and create intense pressure of urination. Varuna did so and Ravana could no longer tolerate the urge to urinate and he looked around for a person to who can hold the Shivling.
Lord Vishnu appeared there as a shepherd and Ravana immediately gave the shivling to him. The cunning Lord Vishnu placed the Shivling on the earth and the place was Deoghar Baidyanath Dham. Ravana tried to remove the Shivling but failed and left it there; but came daily to worship it on his Pushpak Viman.
http://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/08/shravan-mela-in-baidyanath-lord-shiva.html
30 YEARS LATER, A TRIBAL TRIUMPH
For most people in Jharkhand, the Koel Karo project has been a familiar name since the last three decades.The project was initiated by the then Bihar government in 1973 with the objective of harnessing the Koel and Karo rivers to produce hydroelectric pwer. In 1980, the National hydroelectric corporation(NHPC) was given the task of building dams on the two rivers.Since the announcement of the project it was vehemently opposed by the tribals in Gumla, Ranchi and Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand. They felt the project would submerge a large part of their agricultural land and a number of religious places, especially forest groves calles sarnas that have from ancient times, been considered sacred by the tribals.
Official assessment of the projects scope showed the number showed the number of villages affected to be 42. This was revised to 112.Tribal leaders however claimed that 256 villages would come under the projects submergence area.Also 50,000 acres of forest area and 40,000 acres of agricultural land would be affected besides 300 sarnas,175 churches and 120 mandirs.
Although the govt. offered to resettle the affected villages, the tribals insisted on a total resettlement package. The Koel Karo Jan Sanghatan (formed by the tribals to oppose the project) demanded for resettlement, provided it was total ,social, environmental, religious factors would be considered.They proposed that 2 villages be resettled as a model.If the people were satisfied they would go ahead with the resettlement.However the govt. decided to go ahead with the project.Police were despatched to the area in 1985,. The tribals boycotted the police personnel.They were not allowed to set up their camps and no daily provisions were sold to them..making their daily existance difficult.The project died down.In 1995, PV Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister decided to lay the foundation stone.More than 30,000 people mostly tribals agitated.Police opened fire and 8 people were killed. The stone laying was postponed.The Jan Sanghatan then resolved not to hold any more talks for resellement. the Sanghatan thrives from the 16,000 families, most of whom contribute 100rs. a year for the cause. In 2005, the govt. scrapped the project.But the Sanghatan vows to spread awareness till the project is officially announced as closed in the gazette.They share their experiences with the Narmada bachao andolan and Singur...
Source: The Times of India.
Here (Jharkhand) is the Naxalites' jackpot
Deep in the remote hills of Jharkhand, in a region rich with minerals, a sprawling forest is the money-spinning treasury and operational headquarters of India's Naxalite movement.
It is the seemingly unending natural wealth of the 86,000-hectare Saranda Forest that is funding much of the insurgency — tens of crores of rupees are charged in "levy" every year from companies and traders making money here from iron ore, precious minerals and timbre, police say.
The forest is also home to cadres, training bases and the rebels' operational command, according to police and arrested rebels.
"Forests mean minerals, minerals mean money, money means guns, guns mean power," arrested Naxalite ideologue Sushil Roy, the highest ranking Naxalite leader in custody, told his interrogators.
Roy, a 66-year-old former engineer, is a member of the Politburo, the core body of the rebels and a contemporary of Naxal movement founders like Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal.
Yet, even though large parts of Naxalite-held territory in India have slipped out of government control, Roy added: "If we had to walk 1,000 km, we have walked only eight."
It is a journey that began on May 25, 1967 with a peasant uprising in the Naxalbari village of West Bengal, which gave the movement its name.
For decades, several communist militant groups, mainly the Maoist Communist Centre of India and People's War, continued operations in different areas.
In a major turning point for the insurgency, the groups united in September 2004 in the Saranda Forest, followed by a three-month medley of conferences also attended by members of other communist groups from several other countries members of the Revolutionary International Movement, a worldwide communist conglomerate.
Government assessments of Naxal influence vary from 60 districts, according to the rural development ministry, to 160, according to the Home Ministry. India has 600-plus districts.
"The state is unable to solve the problems of its own citizens and socio-economic problems are dealt as issues of law and order. Why do you expect the common man to have faith in the state?" popular Maoist ideologue Gadar told the Hindustan Times.
"Only Maoists are fighting for the poor." Their bureaucracy includes a nine-man Central Military Commission, a four-member Committee for International Affairs which included Roy and publishing and editorial committees.
Investigators say the Naxalites began making Saranda their base in 2000, recently bringing in sophisticated weapons and satellite phones and setting up massive generators to use laptops in the dense forest where villagers fear wild elephants as much as the police and rebels.
It helped the rebels that there was widespread squalor. "The youth cut wood or pluck fruits or dig sweet potatoes. There is so much anger about unemployment," said teacher Menson Gladson Topno, 37, who grew up in Saranda but now lives in the nearby Manoharpur town.
There is no electricity in any village, here, and many people sleep on machans on trees, fearing wild animals. "The Naxals promised the youth up to Rs 3,000 a month. So everyone joined them," Topno said.
Soon, the rebels began earning big money from deep-pocketed industrialists. "On the conservative side, the Naxalites are raising up to Rs 60 crore a year from Jharkhand in levies," said Gouri Shankar Rath, Jharkhand's additional director-general of police.
Most of it is believed to be from Saranda. Roy, the arrested leader, said: "Most of the money received from levies is kept by local and regional committees, and only 20 per cent is sent to the Central Committee."
Down the hierarchy, there are regional bureaus one covering three states and state and area committees. But unification has had its logistical troubles. While the top leadership functions in unison, it has been slightly difficult for the rebels to unit cadres at local levels. Problems of discipline are becoming common. Several zonal commanders amassed wealth from levies and fled. Breakaway groups have also been formed.
"We are aware of some members of the organisation departing from Mao's teachings and oppressing people, sexually exploiting women, and killing innocents," Roy said. "We are trying to stop this."
Next, the Naxalites want to seek supporters in the middle class. "We see that the growing frustration in large sections of the middle class is forcing them to take to streets for their demands," said senior Naxalite leader Ganapathy.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=d136a041-3857-4662-8e47-ef86a9fa6fc7&&Headline=Here+is+the+Naxalites%25e2%2580%2599+jackpot
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