The 27-year-old Vinesh entered Birmingham 2022 as a two-time champion and ensured her third straight CWG gold after going undefeated. She had won the 48kg gold at Glasgow 2014 and the 50kg division at Gold Coast 2018.
With only four wrestlers in the women's 53kg division at Birmingham, the medals were decided through a single-phase Nordic Group system, in which all the wrestlers faced each other once. The group topper after the sequence of matches won the gold while the second and third placed grapplers took silver and bronze, respectively.
World championships 2021 bronze medallist Samantha Stewart, Nigeria's Mercy Bolafunoluwa Adekuoroye and Sri Lanka's Chamodya Keshani Maduravalage Don were the other wrestlers competing in the division.
Mercy is the younger sister of three-time Commonwealth Games champion Odunayo Adekuoroye, who beat Vinesh's compatriot Anshu Malik on Friday to pocket the women's 57kg gold.
In her first bout against Samantha Stewart, Vinesh caught the Canadian in a headlock and converted it to a pin to win the match by fall. The bout lasted around 30 seconds. The second bout against Adekuoroye saw the Indian on the mat for the full six minutes to eke out a 6-0 win. The victory meant the Indian grappler already had one hand on the gold medal.
In what was a matter of formality, Vinesh completed the clean sweep, beating Chamodya Keshani Maduravalage Don by fall to end the tournament with a flawless record.
The medal comes as a huge booster for the Indian wrestler, who had a disappointing outing at the Tokyo Olympics and crashed out in the quarter-finals. She has been struggling with form and fitness since then.
Samantha Stewart bagged the bronze medal after beating Mercy in the final second of their bout, which decided the silver medal.
As per reports, the girl student studying in Class VIII alleged that her Science teacher behaved inappropriately with her during the class. After a complaint in this regard was made by the girl students, the school headmaster convened a meeting to form a disciplinary committee for inquiry.
“When the Science teacher was questioned, he denied legitimacy of the allegations. I have already informed the District Education Officer (DEO) about the matter,” said Raghab Panigrahi, headmaster of the school.
Meanwhile, the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members visited the school and recorded the statement of the divyang girl, family members of the complainant and teachers of the school.
“We have recorded the statements and collected evidence. Besides, the committee will immediately seek a report from the DEO on the action-taken and ask Punitala IIC to probe the matter after lodging an FIR,” said Sunita Tripathy, CWC member.
A two-member team of the CWC who visited the school hostel and recorded statements of the five students stated the preliminary probe into the incident shows that the charges are true. The officials also discussed with Shakuntala Pradhan, the headmistress and other students of the school.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the allegations of beating levelled against the hostel cook are true. We will recommend strict action against the accused,” CWC member Randheer Lenka said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the cook, identified as Bipin Kisan had allegedly thrashed five students of the school for playing games on their mobile phones.
After the students narrated the ordeal before their parents, the latter lodged a complaint at Uditnagar police station yesterday.
The accused Bipin is reportedly absconding after the matter was brought before the police.
As per sources, the boy’s father had died some years ago while his mother also left home after her remarriage. As his grandfather too does not stay at home, the boy used to stay with his grandmother in a rented house in Niladri Vihar.
An ordeal for the young boy, he was allegedly deprived of food for days.
“My grandmother beats me every day and does not give me food to eat. She gives money to other persons to beat me and tie my hands and legs,” the minor stated with tears flowing down his cheeks.
However, the woman stated that she used to tie the grandson to prevent him from roaming and escaping from the house. She even said that people were complaining about her grandson making mischief regularly, which forced her to keep him in captivity.
Uttam Kumar Sahu, Member of Cuttack Childline, said, “When we reached, we saw the boy’s hands and legs were tied and he was desperately shouting to release him. With the help of Chauliaganj police, we were able to rescue the boy. The Chauliaganj IIC was present with us when we rescued him. We will produce him before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and further steps will be taken as per the direction of the CWC.”
After the only defeat against the Indians earlier in this tournament, three-time title holder Australia have bounced back in this competition. On the other hand, Team India, also three-time champions are high on confidence with their huge win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final encounter. Australia defeated first-time semi-finalists Afghanistan to reach the grand finale.
The Group B fixture between the two finalists saw India's top-order batting fire excellently, with openers Prithvi Shaw (94) and Manjot Khalra (86) putting on an opening stand of 180.
India made an imposing 328/7 from their 50 overs before their bowlers dismissed the Australians for 228 to secure a 100-run win.
Since then, Australia have been ruthless, beating Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, England and Afghanistan, with their bowling attack taking the full 10 wickets in each match.
Along with beating Australia in the first game, India have defeated Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Going into the final on Saturday, all eyes will be on India's stellar batting line-up led by the skipper Prithvi and the likes of Shubhman Gill, who has been the most consistent batsman in the tournament averaging 170.
Shubman blasted 102 from 94 balls to bat Pakistan out in the semi-final and add to his scores of 63, 90 not out and 86.
In the bowling department, fast bowlers Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Ishan Porel will have their work cut out against a strong Australian batting line-up.
Abhishek Sharma is another important player in the squad and he will, along with other spinners, look to aggravate Australian batsmen's weaknesses against spin.
Abhishek is also a hard-hitting lower middle order batsman, who can score some quick runs at the end of the innings.
On the other hand, Australia can boast of leg-spinner Lloyd Pope, who took 8/35 -- the best U19 World Cup figures of all time -- to hand the team a brilliant win over England en-route the semi-finals.
Australia's batting will revolve around the likes of skipper Jason Sangha, Jack Edwards and Nathan McSweeney.
India previously won the Cup in 2000, 2008 (under Virat Kohli, now the captain of the senior team) and 2012.
Squads:
Australia: Jason Sangha (Captain), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh.
India: Prithvi Shaw (Captain), Shubman Gill, Aryan Juyal, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harvik Desai, Manjot Kalra, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Pankaj Yadav, Riyan Parag, Ishan Porel, Himanshu Rana, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh.
With inputs from IANS
In yet another such incident, a newborn, believed by locals to be one or two-day old, was found abandoned at a temple near Chandapur in Kendrapara district today.
A woman named Saraswati Sethi of the village spotted the baby after hearing the wails while she was plucking flowers on the premises of Sanischara temple in the early hours today.
She rescued the infant suffering from cold and immediately rushed her to the district headquarters hospital. After preliminary examination, doctors have referred her to Sishu Bhawan, Cuttack for better treatment.
https://youtu.be/12jUPrtG-8A
Also Read: Twins branded with hot iron, 8-month-old girl child dies
Meanwhile CWC members reached the spot and started inquiry.
After the death of the mother, Sumitra Parida on August 19, the two girls were staying with their grandfather and grandmother.
But today the police arrested the elderly couple at around 2 pm pertaining to the death case while leaving behind the two children at home.
The CWC members reached the spot much later in the evening after getting information from villagers and rescued the two kids.
As per law, in case of an arrest of any minor’s guardian, first the child should be handed over to the CWC and further action should be taken thereafter.
Father of the girls Anitya Parida has been lodged in jail in the alleged murder of Sumitra.
The CWC sought to know whether the minor girl was working on wage and how many days she was engaged in the work there. The child rights body also wanted to know whether she was away from the home.
A notice will be issued to Satpal Singh in this regard, CWC sources said.
It will take all measures for assistance from government to the family of the minor domestic maid.
“The Childline will investigate the case. The statement of her mother will be recorded first and then will chalk out the action plan for investigation. All measures will be taken to compensate the family,” CWC member Benudhar Senapati said.
Engaging a mionor as domestic help is an offence under Juvenile Justice Act 2015.
On the other hand family of Tanu broke down after losing their daughter. “She used to add to my family income which eases the burden. However, losing my loving daughter was our biggest loss,” father of Tanu said.
A massive fire broke out at Singh’s home here on Thursday, killing four of his family members and Tanu. The hotelier, Satpal Singh, managed to survive the blaze but was injured.
“After the negotiation committee’s decision to wind up, it is unambiguously clear that the water disputes raised in the said complaint cannot be resolved through negotiations.... Hence this government reiterates the request and urges for an immediate constitution of a Tribunal and reference of the said complaint under the provisions of the Act of 1956 for Adjudication.” mentioned Odisha Chief Secretary, Aditya Padhi in his letter to the Centre.
Substantiating Odisha’s concerns over the delay, Padhi noted “... any further delay in constitution of an adjudicatory mechanism would give unfair advantage to the upper riparian State of Chhattisgarh adversely affecting downstream rights and interests in Odisha.”’
“We have asked to formally issue the order cancelling the negotiation committee and setting up the tribunal,” said Aditya today.
On the political front, the ruling-BJD alleged that the Centre is being partial over the Mahanadi issue.
“The central government is showing step-motherly treatment toward Odisha and giving Chhattisgarh government the opportunity to complete all pending projects undertaken on the upper catchment of the Mahanadi River,” said BJD spokesperson, Prasanta Nanda.
Retaliating to BJD, Odisha BJP’s Sameer Mohanty said, “The Mahanadi problem has surfaced due to the incompetence of the Odisha government. The BJP is ready to take to streets to ensure that water flow in Mahanadi in Odisha is not affected during off-Monsoon seasons.”
In a letter to the Chairman of the CWC, the Secretary of the Odisha Water Resources department wrote “I request you to impress upon the State of Chhattisgarh and their officers of the Water Resources department to work with us in unison and intimate about their gate opening schedule of different reservoirs and barrages well in advance, thus enabling the State of Odisha to manage the eventuality of flood in Mahanadi river in a better way to safeguard the livelihood of the people downstream to Hirakud Dam.”
At the inter-state coordination committee meeting on flood management held on May 22, it was decided to exchange information on the amount of water inflow and release from various dams. However, as per the Odisha government, Chhattisgarh is not providing the required information on the inflow and release of water for certain dams, thereby hindering effective and efficient management of flood.
“For better management of flood water, Odisha needs to have information on how much water is being released from barrages. Opening of gates of Kalma barrage without prior information did not pose any threat because Hirakud dam is empty. However, it could have created a major problem otherwise,” said chief engineer of Odisha Water Resources department, Suresh Kumar Jain.
“They should have informed us that they were opening the gates so that we could have stayed prepared for flood and kept our reservoirs ready by depleting the water level,” said chief engineer, Dam Safety, Bibhuti Bhushan Panda.
On the other hand, the ruling BJD has said that it will launch protest if Chhattisgarh releases water without information during rainy season.
“Chhattisgarh is acting on whims and conspiring against Odisha. If they release water without informing and it leads to flood-like situation, then we will definitely launch protest,” said BJD spokesperson, Prashant Nanda.
Reacting to BJD’s threats, BJP’s Pradeep Purohit said “The Odisha government has absolutely no data and is just politicising the issue.”
Accusing the Chhattisgarh of releasing ‘excess water’ from Mahanadi River without prior information, Odisha today hinted of raising such issue with the Central Water Commission (CWC).
The sudden release of water from the upper catchment area of the Mahanadi will affect flood water management in Odisha during heavy rains.
Earlier, there was a dispute between both the States as Chhattisgarh had refused to open the gates of Kalma barrage on the Mahanadi during summer despite repeated pleas by the Odisha government, said BJD Spokesperson Prashant Nanda.
BJD MP Arjun Sethi on the other hand blamed ‘lack of coordination’ responsible for the dispute as there are separate governments in both the States.
However, BJP legislator Pradeep Purohit refuted any flood-like situation and accused the ruling party of politicizing the Mahanadi river water issue.
Under no circumstances, flood-like situation would be allowed in Odisha and the State BJP would put pressure on Centre and Chhattisgarh government on the issue.
Addressing a press conference, Mohapatra criticised Agarwal claiming rights over Mahanadi water.
Also Read:Chhattisgarh refutes charges of blocking Mahanadi water at Kalma
Earlier, attending the BJP's Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas programme in Burla, Agrawal had said that water cess from industrial houses has been collected for 15 years in advance and the money had been used for construction of three to four barrages on the river on the Chhattisgarh side.
The statements had elicited sharp reaction from several political parties including BJD which said Odisha has equal rights on Mahanadi.
“The Minister has forgotten that Mahanadi is an Inter-State river and his statements are not acceptable,” said Mohapatra.
The senior BJP leader further stated that Central Water Commission (CWC) has a greater role to play in resolving the water sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
“CWC at present is not playing its role. Instead of politicising the issue, it should ensure amicable solution by ensuring that water sharing agreement is signed by the officials of both the states,” Mohapatra added.
BJD took the side of the veteran BJP leader. "He has not said anything wrong. When CWC has not given its consent to Arpa-Bhaisajhar Project and Mahanadi Dynamic projects, how these were funded by NABARD", BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said.
On the other hand, Congress leveled fresh allegation against the neighbouring State. "Chhattisgarh has sold Mahanadi to one Kailash Soni, director of Radius Water Ltd, for a term of 22 years and he is selling water to the industries. Odisha MPs are left to shed crocodile tears", PCC president Prasad Harichandan said.
The mother is a resident of Miniguda village under Jayantgiri gram panchayat in Koraput district. The college goer mother had developed a love affair with her friend during college period and subsequently had conceived.
Her family members admitted her to the health centre yesterday following severe labour pain. However, she gave birth to the baby at around 5 am today. Soon after the delivery, the mother and her family members did not agree to accept the newborn despite repeated approach of the medical staff.
“They warned of disposing the newborn anywhere else if the medical officials force them to take it. So, we informed the district Child Welfare Committee regarding the matter”, doctor Soumyaranjan Jena said.
The CWC officials were rushed to the spot and took charge of the infant.
Bhubaneswar: A boy strikes a stick to a vessel, another suddenly turns hyper--rushing in to performs a vault in the air preceded by a handstand and tries to contort his agile, slender body into impossible acrobatics. Another kid tries to catch attention of the passers by to the act on the busy streets of Bhubaneswar and gather whatever money they throw in a bag.
Meet Siba, Ankit and their younger brother. The trio hailing from Gwalior of Madhya Pradesh have resorted to begging in the lane and by-lane of State Capital by performing acrobatic skills. All of them are school dropouts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFJgqoC-yls&feature=youtu.be
Even though huge resources are spent to protect the rights of children and for their development, enormous numbers of children can be still found on the city roads performing various acrobatic tricks to earn a living.
The scene has become rampant in the city by the days even as the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has expressed helplessness in absence of proper government step.
Driven by acute poverty, their parents, who are also involved in similar activities to earn their daily bread and butter, have never thought of the future of their kids. "Our parents perform the tricks-locally called Baunsa Rani- and we also resort to similar things as a source of income", said the minor boy Siba, who is the
drummer to the two performing kids.
Asked about their education and future, they remained mute and shifted attention saying- “We can earn better in this job”.
Not these three minor boys, but many like them have resorted to begging or are forced for begging at bus stops and railway platforms. “As it has become an easy way of earning. They and their parents do not think of something else as a better source of income. The mindset of the guardians towards their wards needs to be changed first,” CWC
member Benudhar Senapati said.
“The parents who engage their kids in begging could be arrested under existing laws. But,it will not resolve the children’s issues, rather would aggravate the situation. So, their parents should be rehabilitated properly by the government under poverty alleviation programme which would lead to the rehabilitation of the kids”, Senapati added.
Echoing same what the three siblings revealed, the CWC member said the Child Line (Bhubaneswar) had conducted a survey taking the case of 250 children. It found out that 67% parents are engaged in begging so also their children.
“The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) has been launched by the government to help secure the rights of children. However, the benefit of the scheme failed to reach the vulnerable children”, the CWC member pointed out.
Moreover, an inter-departmental convergence is needed. “Taking Childline, the departments of Labour and Employment, Education, Home and Child & Women Welfare departments should form a special panel to address the children’s issues”.
Apprising the President that the Chhattisgarh government is illegally building barrages which would affect Odisha resulting in water scarcity, the Congress team led by Opposition leader Narsingh Mishra also asked the president to set up an inter-state water dispute tribunal for resolution of the dispute if a mutual understanding is not reached.
“We urged the president to recommend the Centre on how to stop all the projects which are being illegally undertaken on the upper catchments of Mahanadi. Moreover, we have asked the president to write a letter to the central government to set up an inter-state water dispute tribunal if the dispute remains unresolved through mutual discussions,” said Narsingh Mishra.
Reacting to the meeting of the Congress legislators with the President, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik soon after returning from New Delhi after his 6-day visit said the that the Opposition leader's allegations are baseless and the State government is taking necessary steps after legal consultations.
BJD spokesperson Amar Prasad Satpathy also countered the Congress saying, "The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre could have intervened and stopped the projects which were approved by the CWC during its tenure,”
The Odisha BJP on the other hand made its stance clear on the Mahanadi dispute and said it is pledged to protect the State’s interest.
“Our party is committed to ensure that not an inch of Mahanadi water is reduced during the non-monsoon periods. In fact, the NDA government was the first to bring the issue to the State government’s notice. Now, the State government is doing all gimmicks to hide its incompetence,” said Odisha BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty.
“The Hirakud dam was built as a flood protection measure. Odisha is using more water than what was stipulated in the agreement while Hirakud dam was built. Once this fact is out, Odisha government will be exposed and I think it is doing politics over Mahanadi water issue and is not interested in resolving the problem,” said Brijmohan.
In reply to Brijmohan’s statement the ruling-BJD spokesperson, Pratap Deb, said “Odisha has nothing to hide and if anyone will be exposed, it will be the Chhattisgarh government. Chhattisgarh is providing more water from Mahanadi to industries by building six barrages on the upstream of Mahanadi than what Odisha is using from the Hirakud dam.”
Meanwhile, Congress has criticized both the Odisha and Chhattisgarh government.
“Even we are of the opinion that Odisha government is doing politics over the Mahanadi water issue. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and its ministers might be giving such haphazard and misleading statements for the interest of their State. How can they say such things without proper facts? The water flow during non-monsoon season will be affected by the projects it is building,” said Leader of Opposition Congress.
On the other hand, as per the data available on the Central Water Commission (CWC), Basantpur’s website, the water flow into Hirakud dam has declined during non-monsoon season. As per the CWC statistics, while 2296 million cubic meter water flowed into Hirakud dam during 1991 and 2001, it declined to 1763 million cubic meter between 2001 and 2011. Between 2011 and 2015, 1301 million cubic meter of water has flown into Hirakud dam.
“Part of the decline in water inflow into Hirakud dam can be attributed to reduced rainfall. However, if barrages are built to supply water to the industries then there is a high probability that the water inflow will decline substantially during non-monsoon periods,” said retired engineer-in-chief Ramesh Tripathy.
With the turf ready and the Panchayat election trophy in sight, political propaganda is expected reach fever pitch. The BJD has set central negligence in cases of Mahanadi and Polavaram as its agenda to target the BJP-led NDA government at the centre. The BJP will try and mobilize public opinion against the State government on deteriorating health, education, transportation and law and order. The saffron party will launch its Lajja Satyagraha in all the sub-divisions on October 2.
“On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd the BJP will launch its revolt against the State government’s incompetence,” said BJP’s Prithwiraj Harichandan.
“Earlier we used to have a 9-day or 11-day padyatra. However, this time we are launching a month-long padyatra keeping in mind the upcoming Panchayat Elections,” said BJD’s Surya Narayan Patra.
Though Congress will arrive late to the party, unlike BJD and BJP who have chosen October 2nd to flag off their rallies, Congress will bring Mahanadi issue to the table and launch its Jan Chetna yatra. The grand old party will target both the BJD and the BJP and highlight the incompetence of both in protecting Odisha’s interest thorough its rally which will be taken out in the Mahanadi basin areas.
“The Congress party is committed to protect the interest of Odisha and its people. We had started our protests long back and will take it to its conclusion,” said Sarat Rout of Congress.
Addressing a press conference in the afternoon, PCC president Prasad Harichandan thanked the people of Odisha for making it a success. "I thank the people of Odisha, who joined the call for the shutdown and made it a success. We are overwhelmed with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life in the bandh," Harichandan said.
He also thanked all bar associations, traders' associations, bus and truck associations and other organisations for extending support to the party’s move.
The PCC chief alleged that the State government had made all efforts to thwart the bandh. "The government left no stone unturned to foil the bandh, but failed to do so. Around 3,000 activists were detained by police during the bandh. Violence at some places are a mere reflection of the people's anger," he alleged.
Harichandan added that the party has planned a long term agitation over the Mahanadi issue. "The struggle of the Congress party is for every drop of Mahanadi water," he asserted.
Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the citizens during the shutdown. "But, we have to deal with these hardship in the larger interest of the State," Mishra said..
On the other hand, BJD claimed that bandh has had no impact on the people of the State. "You must have seen how the Congress workers vandalised public properties and roamed holding 'lathis' in city areas. Naturally, people panicked and decided to remain indoors for sometime. It had no impact in rural areas," BJD spokesperson Surya Narayan Patro said.
The second reason for the lukewarm response to the bandh was that the Congress party was itself responsible for the constructions by the Chhattisgarh government, Patro claimed. " The Central Water Commissioner (CWC) had given go-ahead to some projects in Chhattisgarh, which have already been completed now, when the Congress-led UPA government was in power in Centre. So, it is responsible for these constructions," he added.
BJP slammed both the BJD and Congress for doing politics over the Mahanadi water. "The Congress has become completely aimless. Its main concern is to cover up its own intra-party squabbles," BJP State general secretary Prthivraj Harichandan said.
Hitting out at the chief minister, he said; "Naveen Patnaik perhaps has gone back on his commitment to fight till his last drop of blood," he said.
The BJP leader alleged that Odisha government does not want that the dispute should be settled amicably. "The BJD delegation, which has returned from the neighbouring State recently, received all support from Chhattisgarh officials though it had no legal sanctity. It only goes to prove that Chhatisgarh government wants to resolve the matter amicably. We hope Odisha would come forward in this regard," the saffron party leader pointed out.
Normal life was thrown out of gear in most parts of the State due to the 12-hour bandh observed by the grand old party protesting against "unilateral" construction on river Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh.
Congress supporters blocked railway tracks and roads at many places. Several trains were halted at various stations, including Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Cuttack, and a large number of passengers were left stranded at railway stations and bus stops.
Shops, business establishments, markets, educational institutions were closed in most parts of the state as Congress supporters picketed to enforce the bandh, police said.
Tight security arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incident, and several Congress supporters were held in the capital city when they tried to proceed towards the state secretariat, a police official said.
Apart from Bhubaneswar, the impact of the bandh was also felt in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Bhawanipatna, Angul, Kendrapara, Balangir, Talcher and Dhenkanal, officials said.
Party workers blocked the rail tracks and demonstrated in front of the trains at Berhampur, Raja Athagarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Rourkela and Jharsuguda stations. The three MLAs of Bhubaneswar, ministers Sanjay Dasburma, Devi Mishra, Ashok Panda other ministers and leaders took part in the protest near the CWC office here against the central body’s ‘back-door’ clearance to the Kelo project undertaken by Chhattisgarh in the upper catchment of the river.
"BJD’s relay strike in front of the CWC office against Chhattisgarh’s unauthorised construction in upstream of Mahanadi has started from today. Chhatisgarh prepared the master plan of the projects without consulting Odisha as a co-basin State. On the Kelo project, the CWC had not named Odisha in its 95th meeting while the Water Resources departments of other States were informed. It has only consulted us on Arpa-Bhainsjhar project recently. Chhatisgarh CM Raman Singh is saying that his state is utilising 25 per cent of water. But, it is really using 37 per cent water and is planning to hijack 88 per cent in future," Industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra said.
The strike will continue for 100 days, says minister and Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Sanjay Dasburma.
The regional party on Monday had announced rail blockade and demonstration at CWC, saying that it can follow the route the Chhattisgarh government had adopted.
Denouncing the all party meet, Industries minister Devi Mishra had said earlier that they (Opposition parties) can share any idea if they have. “But the all party meeting is a political gimmick”, Mishra had said.
BJP and other Opposition parties in Odisha like CPI,CPI(M) and others will attend the meet. Samajwadi Party, however, has decided to stay away saying it supports the agitation by the BJD.
On the other hand, the BJP today came down heavily on the State government over its claim that it was completely in the dark about the Kelo project in Chhatisgarh. Addressing a press meet, party general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra said the neighbouring State had communicated to Odisha about the construction of the project way back in 2006. Three documents have been exchanged between two states over the same project, he said. “Even there is an internal communication among the State officials after receiving the letter from Chhattisgarh. Discussion had also been held on the content of the documents among them. In April, 2008, the chief engineer of Project Planning and Formulation (Odisha) CV Prasad had shot off a letter (memo no 3351) to EIC, Odisha Water Resources department”, the BJP leader said.
Despite being well informed, the government is telling a lie to the people of Odisha. “The most unfortunate thing is that this government ultimately used the chief secretary and other government officials as its party members. BJP condemns the act of the BJD strongly and calls upon the chief minister to refrain from it,” Baxipatra rued.
“There is still time to save the Mahanadi. BJP suggests the government should take legal action against it,” he pointed out.
On BJP’s allegation that the Odisha government is lying on the issue, Mishra said, “The state BJP’s stand is not clear yet. Their minister Sanjeev Balyan admitted the unauthorised construction of Arpa-Bhainsjhar by Chhatisgarh. Their government is in Chhatisgarh and in the Centre. Let them stop the unauthorised construction first. After that, their intention would be exposed”.
Meanwhile, Odisha Student Leaders’ Forum protested Chhatisgarh’s move in an innovative way by entering into knee-deep water in river Mahanadai at Jobra in Cuttack, which they termed as ‘Jal Satyagraha’.
In his reaction to BJD members in Lok Sabha, Balyan had clearly pointed out that Chhatisgarh had sent the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the controversial project to Odisha in 2006. The letter written by the executive engineer of Kelo project survey division to the secretary of Odisha Water Resources department on December 19, 2006 appears to validate the statement of Balyan.
"The Director of CWC (Inter-state Matters), Sewa Bhavan, RK Puram, New Delhi have suggested to send a Project Report to Odisha State for information (copy enclosed). Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this letter," says the letter by the Executive Engineer, Kelo project.
This was the information Balyan had presented in the Lok Sabha. But BJD Parliamentarians had accused him of providing false information to the House and even moved privilege motion against him.
Odisha chief secretary AP Padhi had asserted yesterday that Odisha was kept in the dark about such construction even while Chhatisgarh Water Resources minister Brijmohan Agarwal averred that his department has kept the receipt and copy of the document, which had been despatched to Odisha 10 years back.
Addressing a press meet on the issue, Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi had said yesterday; “We want to clarify that Odisha government has not received any letter from the Chhattisgarh government contrary to media reports, which showed two letters were received from the chief engineer and the water resources secretary of Chhattisgarh in July and September 2008. Moreover, in January 2009, there was a meeting of the Central Water Commission (CWC), in which the Kelo project on Mahanadi was cleared. The documents that we have obtained clearly show that Odisha was not invited to the meeting. Even after the clearance of the project, Odisha was not informed about it. It is clear that the the the Kelo project was approved behind our backs. The CWC has also cleared the project without consulting us. As a co-basin state, Odisha has the absolute right to be consulted before clearing such a project.”
He had further stated, “It is clearly visible the clearance for the Kelo project was taken behind our backs.”
Even as the fresh document raised fresh questions on the motive of State government, veteran BJD leader and minister Damodar Rout, never shy of fishing in troubled waters, stirred the pot further today raising doubts about the affirmation of the chief secretary and adding new ammunition to the opposition in its campaign against the government.
"They (Chhattisgarh) claimed to have the receipt and copy of the letter while Odisha chief secretary has strongly denied the communication. Now, who do you believe?" Rout asked.
The announcement about the Centre-brokered meeting was made by Union minister of state for Water Resources and River Development Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in the Lok Sabha today.
The reply of the minister came in response to a calling attention motion moved by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahatab.
Balian said the Chhattisgarh government had submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for Arpa-Bhaisajhar barrage to the Water Resources ministry in 2013. In 2014, the ministry had directed the Chhattisgarh government to discuss the DPR with the Odisha government. “Te Chhattisgarh government had presented the DPR to the Odisha government in 2015. Till date, there has been no response from the Odisha government,” Baliaan informed.
He further said the CWC had said the project is technically correct. But the Chhattisgarh government has begun the construction work of this project without the recommendation of the technical advisory committee.
Referring to the other projects, the Union minister said the Chhattisgarh government had sent the DPR of Pairi irrigation project to the Odisha government in April, this year. Besides, it had also sent its DPR to the Odisha government on Kelo project in 2006. As there was no reply from the Odisha government, the ministry and the CWC approved the project in 2009. “Instead of objecting to this project between 2006 and 2009, the Odisha government is raising the issue now,” he pointed out.
Balyan said after he was informed about these projects by the Odisha government one and half month ago, the ministry had asked both the state governments to discuss the issues involved. “While the Chhattisgarh government agreed to the talks, the Odisha government sought one month's time. The first meeting was scheduled on June 27. But as it could not be held, the ministry has scheduled the next meeting on July 29,” he added.
He said the Centre has got one-year time to find an amicable solution to these issues. But a tribunal will be formed if there is no outcome from the meeting between these two states
The Union minister also pointed out that had the joint control board been formed as per the 1983 agreement between the two states, such issues would not have arisen.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Mahatab said leave alone consultation, the Chhattisgarh government has started constructing a number of projects without even informing the Odisha government. Almost all projects are solely meant to generate hydro power to set up industries. If this is the priority of the Chhattisgarh government, let them come out in the open.
He said construction of these projects will have a serious impact in the downstream areas of Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts as well as the Hirakud reservoir.
Expressing grave concern over the matter, BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy wondered; “Is the contention that the non-monsoon flow in the Mahanadi should be stopped? Secondly, is it the intention to kill the Hirakud and thereby kill Odisha just because the people of Odisha have opted to take a different path in their socio-political life?”
In his statement, Bolangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo said Mahanadi provides 50 percent of the irrigation in Odisha. “The Hirakud reservoir irrigates four major districts—Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Sonepur. How can the Central Water Commission (CWC) allow the Chhattisgarh government to go ahead with these projects? Can the ministry of Water Resources allow the construction of dam on the upper catchments of Mahanadi when the bilateral treaty which indicates that certain procedures have not been completed?” Singhdeo asked.
Countering the allegations of the BJD MPs, BJP MP from Rajnandgaon, Abhisek Singh said he has no information that the Odisha government has taken any steps for establishment of a joint control board since 1983.
“Going by the issues that the Odisha government has raised and the communication it has had with the Chhattisgarh government so far, I don’t think the former has taken any serious steps at the political level,” Singh pointed out.
Supporting his party colleague, Raipur MP Ramesh Bais said the Odisha government should have informed the Chhattisgarh government if the later had done anything wrong.
Defending his government, Bais said for the Kelo project, the Chhattisgarh government has got the permission from the CWC. Talking about the other micro and minor projects, he said his government has constructed these projects with the approval of the CWC.
BJD members today staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on this matter.
Informing this to media persons here today, Janaki Ballav Mahapatra, Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources department, said he has informed his Chhattisgarh counterpart about the visit of two senior engineers - Superintending Engineer, Hirakud Dam Circle, Harmohan Pradhan and Superintending Engineer, Dam Safety, Gopal Chandra Ray - to Chhattisgarh on July 25.
“These two officers, in the first phase of their visit, would locate the dams and barrages the construction of which have already been completed and their impact on the water flow of the river. Besides, they would also visit the areas where the construction of other barrages is underway. They will go through the master plan of these projects and collect detailed information. We will have a detailed analysis of these data and discuss them with the Central Water Commission (CWC) during the tripartite meeting scheduled next month,” Mohapatra said.
The two-member team comprising OSCPCR commissioner Rajalaxmi Das and member of the Commission Sandhyarani Pradhan arrived at Baliguda and had a meeting with the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson.
“We want to know the condition of the mother whose child Dihaja Digal was killed and the children whose mothers were killed in the anti-Maoist operation. After collecting detailed information, we will make recommendations to the state government to take necessary steps for their proper rehabilitation,” Das told media persons before leaving for Gumudumaha village.
Pradhan said the Commission would look into the financial condition of the family members of the deceased and the health condition of the children of the village.
She said the Commission, after its return to Bhubaneswar, will submit a detailed report to the state government.
Unwilling to accept the theory that it was a normal vacation tour, the CWC believes there could be some other reason behind it.
The committee also said it would visit the Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar to find out the truth once Budhia returns to the capital city.
Meanwhile, the Kodiakanal Police today questioned Budhia and his mother following a request made by the Twin City Police Commissionerate.
Notably, on Sunday, Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania had said Budhia and his mother were traced to Kodaikanal and will return to Bhubaneswar on July 24-25 via Mumbai.
Revealing that he had talked to Budhia and his mother over phone, Khurania had also dismissed the charge of abduction of the boy.
Earlier, the CWC had asked the Nayapalli police to trace out Budhia. Besides, the Committee had served a notice to producer of ‘Budhia Singh – Born To Run’ movie Subhamitra Sen regarding the missing of Budhia and asked him to reply within three days.
The case has been registered under section 363 of Indian Penal Code (Kidnapping), sources said. A police team has also quizzed Budhia’s sister at Salia Sahi slum here in this connection.
There is a buzz in sports circles that Budhia has left for Mumbai to promote "Budhia Singh: Born to run", a movie based on his struggles. The CWC on Saturday served notice to movie producer Subhamitra Sen and asked him to inforn whether Budhia is with him.
“We have served a notice to the producer asking if Budhia is with him. If yes, under what circumstances and with whose permission the producer took the boy to Mumbai?”CWC member Benudhar Senapati had told reporters on Saturday.
The film producer’s role came under the scanner after the director of the movie Soumendra Padhy sent an SMS to OTV saying Budhia is on leave and will be back by July 27.
The children's welfare body on Thursday had sought a report from the Odisha government on the whereabouts of the wonder boy, who is reportedly missing for over a month. The CWC had asked the Bhubaneswar sports hostel in-charge to inform what steps the authorities have taken to locate Budhia Singh.
Budhia Singh , who went to his mother Sukanti Singh's house at Salia Sahi in the city slum on May 10 for summer vacation, did not return when the hostel reopened on June 4. Budhia also skipped classes in the DAV School, Chandrasekharpur, where he was a student.
While the sports hostel has no information on the whereabouts of Budhia Singh, the boy has taken leave from the school authorities till July 27, officials said.
Oon July 8, sports and youth service secretary Saswat Mishra had said the boy will return within four days. But he is yet to be traced.
Talking to media persons about the notice to Sen, the producer of ‘Budhia Singh – Born To Run’, a movie based on the struggles of Budhia, CWC member Benudhar Senapati said, “We have served a notice to the producer asking if Budhia is with him. If yes, under what circumstances and with whose permission the producer took the boy to Mumbai.”
The film producer's role came under the scanner after the director of the movie Soumendra Padhy sent an SMS to OTV saying Budhia is on leave and will be back by July 27.
Questions are being raised on how Padhy was so sure Budhia would return by July 27. Is it a stunt to give a publicity to the movie? These questions are being raised since Padhy is not saying anything about Budhia missing from his house located in Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, the CWC asked the Nayapalli police to trace out Budhia.
Notably, Budhia did not return to the sports hostel here after the summer vacation was over. The matter came to the fore after OTV first telecast the missing of the boy in the hostel and later showed flight tickets as evidence that Budhia and his mother had gone to Mumbai.
Earlier, the CWC had sought a report on Budhia’s whereabouts from the Odisha Sports and Youth Affairs department within three days.
According to sources, the CWC has sought information on whether Budhia has returned from Mumbai and why the makers of ‘Budhia Singh Born to Run’, the film based on Budhia’s amazing life story, are silent on the matter.
Moreover, CWC has specifically asked for information about the day Budhia went missing, the circumstances under which he went missing, whether he went missing from his house or the hostel, steps taken to trace him, and whether an FIR has been filed in this regard or not.
“Budhia was lodged in a sports hostel and the State government was bearing all his costs. His disappearance is a sensitive issue. We have taken cognizance of the matter and have sent letters to the coach in-charge and the director of Sports,” said CWC member Benudhar Senapati.
“The CWC has sought information on the whereabouts of Budhia. I haven’t read the letter thoroughly. Once I do, I will send my response to the department,” said Bhubaneswar Sports Hostel in-charge Rupanwita Panda.
Earlier an SMS from Soumendra Padhy, the director Budhia’s biopic, sent to an OTV reporter revealed that the production house was planning to call Budhia to Mumbai for the promotion of the movie.
According to the e-ticket booked for a journey to Mumbai on Indigo 6E-552, which is in possession of OTV, Budhia and his mother travelled to Mumbai on June 27. The e-ticket bearing the no O3YZGB is booked for two seats in the name of Sukanti Singh and Budhia Singh.
The CWC alleged that the petition was filed at the behest of the accused comedian, who is currently lodged at the Jharpada special jail here. Launching a scathing attack on the actor-turned politician, the children's protection body demanded that the police should go to the bottom of the matter.
"The victim’s father has filed a petition mentioning the compromise through an advocate. He has even prayed for grant of bail to the accused. This looks highly suspicious. He is not confined himself to the case of his daughter; he has rather batted for the accused. It seems that somebody is instigating him to do what he cannot do himself," CWC member Benudhar Senapati said.
On the other hand, the lawyer of the victim's father asked the CWC to come up with evidence to prove its contention. "If the CWC feels there has been a financial deal between the two parties, it should prove it. The CWC is used to changing its version," said Ratnakar Nayak, the lawyer of the victim’s father.
Papu's counsel Ashok Routray also feigned ignorance about any pact between the two parties.
"I am the counsel of the accused. I am completely unaware about what the CWC is alleging. If the CWC has any evidence on it, it should lodge a complaint before the investigating agency," he said.
Meanwhile, Mahila police questioned the victim's father about his statement in the media that his daughter had not appeared in the court and that the police had produced somebody else in the court.
In an exclusive interview to OTV, the girl’s father had stated that his daughter was at home all day on June 28, the day police claimed it produced the victim before the court to record her statement.
“My daughter has not gone to court….They (police) may have taken another girl to the court and enacted the whole drama….My daughter has not gone to court on June 28,” he had said.
He also wanted the case to be withdrawn claiming a settlement had been reached between them. Vouching for the character of Papu, the victim’s father had mentioned that the actor is a gentleman and he speaks to him frequently.
The BJP leader attributed the current stand-off to the gross apathy of the state government in taking initiative for the formation of a joint regulatory board as per the pact signed between former Odisha chief minister JB Patnaik and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Arjun Singh way back in 1983 with the mediation of the Central Water Commission (CWC) for sharing of Mahanadi water.
“Considering that Odisha lies on the lower catchments of Mahanadi, formation of the joint regulatory board was the need of the hour for the state government. Due to the callousness of the state government, the state is now paying the price,” Pradhan said in a release.
While asking the state government to take immediate step for the formation of a joint regulatory board and seek the intervention of the CWC in the matter, the Union minister made it clear that under no circumstances should Odisha compromise with the Chhattisgarh government on this issue.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra today urged Chief Minister to urgently convene an all-party meeting to discuss the the situation arising out of unilateral construction by the Chhattisgarh government and appropriate steps needed to protect the interests of the state.
A member of the CWC informed OTV that the police has been asked to register a case against the Ollywood comedian under Section 154 of CrPC. As per the direction of the CWC, a case against the actor’s associate, Pradeep Swain will also be filed.
The Commission has directed the police to record the statement of the victim under Section 164 of CrPC.
Anticipating trouble for the victim, the Commission has asked Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi to provide security to the victim and her family.
On June 25, a non government organisation — Friends Foundation Trust— had filed a complaint on behalf of the victim with the Mahila Police station accusing the actor of sexually exploiting and intimidating the minor girl after promising to get her roles in movies.
Apart from Papu, his aide Pradeep Swain was also named in the complaint.
OTV's Cuttack reporter Pravat Bisoyi, who has been critically injured in the attack, is undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital here while camera person Smruti Samant luckily escaped from the clutches of the irate mob.
Officials of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), who rushed to the spot on a tip-off to foil the illegal act, were not spared by the attackers either. The family members of both the bride and the groom attacked and evicted them from the spot.
According to sources, the CWC was tipped off that a man of Bhanpur village under Sadar Police limits was tying the knot with a minor girl of Khlarda village under the same police jurisdiction.
On being informed about it, OTV correspondent and video journalist rushed there to cover the news. Around 40 people belonging to the bride and groom’s families locked the duo in a room. The camera person managed to give a slip to the mob while reporter Bisoyi fell prey to the mob.
Later, police rescued and admitted him to the hospital with the help of fellow journalists.
Meanwhile, Cuttack DCP Sanjeev Arora sent a team of policemen to the spot. “A team of police led by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) has been sent to the spot for investigation. All the accused will be arrested soon”, Arora said.
The DCP later visited the hospital and enquired about the health condition of the city journalist.
DGP KB Singh said-“Nine accused have been detained at Sadar Police station and are being interrogated. I have asked the Commissionerate police to take the matter seriously”.
Acting on the directive of the district collector, the members of the CWC on Thursday raided the madrasa. They handed over the 17 minor boys studying at the madrasa to their parents after producing them before CWC court.
Notably, the madrasa was running in the area since 1988 without any registration.
According to sources, FCI authorities were forced to file the police complaint with the local police after they did not get any reports on the missing 689.84 tonne of rice worth nearly Rs 1.72 crore stored in the warehouse since last November 18.
Meanwhile, two top FCI officials reached the spot and took stock of the situation. “We got to know about the shortage of rice which belongs to FCI in CWC’s Bargarh warehouse in November first week. We asked for a report on it but did not get any response, so we were forced to file the FIR,” said FCI manager Prabal Kumar Banarjee.
When contacted, inspector in-charge of the police station here Prakash Chandra Pal said, “Preliminary investigations have started and we will launch a joint verification (with FCI authorities) tomorrow.”
Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy finished 5/14 as three-time champions India completed a facile 10-wicket victory which took them closer towards qualification for the Super League stage.
Apart from Roy, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti also bowled a the correct line and length as PNG could only set a paltry 65-run target.
India skipper Prithvi Shaw then knocked up a neat half-century as the target was achieved in only eight overs.
Commenting on the match, Roy said: "I thought there would not be much help in the pitch for bowlers so I decided to concentrate on line and length. I got the desired results and am thankful to the support and guidance I received from the team management."
India will now play their last league match against Zimbabwe here on Friday.
The meeting was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with senior party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel, P. Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sushilkumar Shinde and Karan Singh.
The CWC, the party's highest decision-making body, will decide on the dates for filing of nominations and the election.
On the last day of filing the nomination, if no other contestant files against Rahul Gandhi, then he will be declared President unopposed.
The party has time till December 31 to complete the entire organisational election process and submit the report to the Election Commission.
The Congress had earlier set a deadline to complete the organisational elections by October-end.
As per reports, Police recovered the bodies of two newborn boys from the backside of a hotel at Pitapalli on NH-16 in Khurda district Tuesday evening. Though the exact reason behind the death of the two infants is yet to be ascertained, police have started an investigation into the matter.
On the other hand, a seven-day-old boy was rescued in critical condition by the officials of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and police in Angul town.
After preliminary probe, police detained the parents of the newborn and another businessman in connection with the incident.
Angul District Child Protection Officer Gouri Shankar Behera informed that the couple had given away the baby boy to the businessman as they could not afford to take care of the newborn.
"As the couple is already having three kids and was financially unable to bear the expenses of the newborn. On being interrogated, the couple revealed that in order to ensure proper care and protection to the kid, they had given away the infant,” said Behera.
Behera further added, “As per the directives of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the child has been kept at Child Adoption Centre.”
The mother of the infant had said she had handed over her one-day-old son yesterday to another woman, who was her neighbour, on the assurance that she would get Rs 2,000 for the same, CWC member Bijoy Sahoo said.
The woman, a daily wage labourer, has a 12-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son. Her husband had left her sometime back.
Also read: Poverty-stricken woman sells infant son for Rs 2,000
The woman, who had illegally "bought" the infant, returned the baby boy to his mother after the incident became public, Sahoo said.
"We are going through the facts to arrive at a conclusion.
The woman who had allegedly resorted to selling her child is being questioned. The newborn is under maternal care," he added.
Patnaik was ready to discuss the issue with his Chhattisgarh counterpart during a meeting convened by Union Water resources Minister Uma Bharati in New Delhi, but not before Odisha has all information on the projects taken up by Chhattisgarh to make the talks fruitful, Mishra added.
"Naveen Babu (Patnaik) is firm in fighting for the state, but he does not want to create India-Pakistan type dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi river water dispute," he told PTI here.
"We must have all information on the projects taken up by Chhattisgarh before both Chief Ministers -- Patnaik and Raman Singh -- meet for discussion in Uma Bharati's presence in Delhi.
"If we don't get these details, how can we know under what contents (should we be deliberating upon) and what they intend to do," Mishra added.
The minister was responding to a query whether Patnaik was keen on attending the meeting convened by Uma Bharati in Delhi between September 10 to 20.
Mishra, in the city to attend investors meet inaugurated by Patnaik yesterday, is a part of state panel overseeing matters concerning Mahanadi river water dispute.
Odisha has been raising its voice against Chhattisgarh government's plans to build 13 barrages across the Mahanadi, in a plan to extract more water.
The neighbouring state also has been constructing seven pick up weirs (small dams) across the river, a move facing vehement opposition from Patnaik.
Patnaik has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention as he fears such constructions would adversely affect the farmers of Odisha.
Asked about the Congress blaming BJD government for "sleeping" over the issue for over a decade, Mishra blamed the Congress' "inaction" as they were at the helm of affairs longer than any other party in the state.
"BJP was our partner from 2000 to 2009. The Congress has ruled the state more than us. My question is why they did not implement the constitutional provisions under the 1983 agreement between then Chief Minister of erstwhile undivided state Madhya Pradesh Arjun Singh and then Odisha Chief Minister G B Patnaik in April, 1983," he said.
Mishra appealed to both Congress and BJP to rise above petty politics on this matter.
Replying to a query, Mishra also rejected the charge that it was a ploy by the BJD government to rake up the issue with an eye to capture votes in panchayat elections scheduled for February next.
"There is no ploy to take this matter up only for gaining votes. By the grace of Lord Jagannath and goodwill of the people, we have won successfully four general elections besides winning corporation, panchayat and municipality elections. So, why should we be apprehensive? We have the mandate and faith of the people in us," he said.
"The ongoing projects, approved by the CWC on Mahanadi river (in Chhattisgarh), will not be stopped," Agrawal told PTI.
Notably, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his concern over structures and proposed irrigation projects over Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh and requested Centre's intervention into it.
On July 29, during a meeting of CWC in Delhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand had given the state's approval on constituting a joint board to discuss issues related to Mahanadi and its tributaries between the two states.
However, Odhisha Chief Secretary A P Padhi had said that a decision in this regard will be taken after discussing the matter with Patnaik.
As per an agreement between then Chief Minister of the erstwhile undivided state of Madhya Pradesh Arjun Singh and then Odisha Chief Minister GB Patnaik in April, 1983, a joint control board to resolve the issues between the two states related to Mahanadi was to be constituted. It has not been done so far, Agrawal said.
"Chhattisgarh had given its consent for the formation of joint board during the recent meeting in Delhi and now it's upon Odisha to take further decision," said the minister.
The catchment area of Mahanadi up to the Hirakund dam is 82,432 sq km, of which 71,424 sq km lies in Chhattisgarh, which is 86 per cent of the total catchment.
Average inflow of Mahanadi at Hirakund dam is 40,773 MCM, of which 35,308 MCM is contributed by Chhattisgarh.
Present utilisation of water by Chhattisgarh is nearly 9,000 MCM, which is only 25 per cent of the available water in Mahanadi up to the Hirakund dam, he said.
The structures are being made on the river to conserve the rain water in Mahanadi for its proper utilisation by people particularly farmers, Agrawal added.
According to the Minister, the issue is being politicised by the Odisha government.
"The state has always abided by the inter-state river water sharing norms and has used limited Mahanadi water without hurting Odisha's interest. The ongoing projects on the river by Chhattisgarh would not affect the interest of people of neighbouring state", he stressed.
All the children belonged to Kurumapali village under Mathili block in the district, reports said.
Acting on a tip off, officials of the Malkangiri Childline intercepted three vehicles in Padia area and rescued the minors. The child labourers were being trafficked to Andhra Pradesh, Chennai and other parts of the country, said the officials.
“All the rescued children are orphans and have been sent to the children’s home after being produced before Child Welfare Committee (CWC). We will intimate the matter to the concerned district administration and Labour Officer,” informed Chairman of Malkangiri CWC, Ashok Patnaik.
Police have begun investigation into the incident to arrest those involved in the crime.
Rahul Gandhi has taken full responsibility for the party's poll defeat and there is speculation that he may offer to resign at the CWC meeting.
However, the party leaders are backing him strongly and have said that the blame for party's poor showing cannot be put on any one individual.
At the CWC meet, Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders are expected to give their assessment of what went wrong and the remedial steps that must be taken.
There was reports of Rahul Gandhi having offered to resign on Thursday, after the results, but the Congress denied those.
Rahul Gandhi himself answered the question at a press conference he addressed later in the day. "We will have a meeting of the Working Committee. That you can leave between me and the Working Committee," he said.
He also admitted that the road for the party was long and tough, but asked party workers and leaders not to lose heart.
The Congress has won 52 seats in the elections, just eight more than the 44 it won in 2014. Rahul Gandhi was a prominent face in both the elections.
The party won a single seat (Rae Bareli) in Uttar Pradesh, but Rahul Gandhi himself failed to retain his family bation of Amethi in India's biggest state. The loss is likely to have implications not just on Congress' revival plans in Uttar Pradesh, but also on his own political standing as a leader. He won from Kerala's Wayanad.
The results show that Rahul Gandhi, who became the Congress chief in 2017, has not been able to galvanise the party to offer a strong counter against the BJP, which has handed the main opposition party its worst electoral outcomes.
The Congress scored a nil in 18 states and Union territories in these elections, and failed to dent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where it formed governments last year.
It delayed formation of an alliance in Bihar following which the opposition could win only one seat in the state.
Its poor electoral strategy has allowed saffron party to become a dominant force in West Bengal and strengthen itself further in Karnataka.
The party is again unlikely to have its own Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as it does not have the minimum strength required to get the status as per rules.
Nine former chief ministers and the party's leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge are among some of Congress' prominent losers.
The CWC called for a thorough introspection, complete overhaul, and detailed restructuring at every level of the party promised to put in force a plan of action at the earliest. Congress sources said that Gandhi has been insisting on stepping down.
A resolution adopted by the CWC said that Gandhi, in his address to the party's highest decision making body, offered his resignation as party chief but it was rejected unanimously.
"The CWC unanimously and with one voice rejected the same and requested the Congress President for his leadership and guidance in these challenging times. The CWC unanimously called upon the Congress President to lead the party in its ideological battle and to champion the cause of India's youth, the farmers, the SC/ST/OBCs, the minorities, the poor and the deprived sections," the resolution said.
It said that the Working Committee accepts the Lok Sabha election verdict and fully recognizes the challenges, the failures and the shortcomings resulting into the mandate.
"The CWC recommends a thorough introspection and requested the Congress President for a complete overhaul and a detailed restructuring at every level of the party. A plan to this effect shall come into force at the earliest."
Also expressing its gratitude to the 12.13 crore voters who have stood behind the Congress, the resolution said that Congress has lost the election but "our indomitable courage, our fighting spirit and commitment to our ideology remains stronger than ever".
"We shall continue its fight against forces that thrive on hatred and division."
Noting that India faces a number of challenges as a new government takes over, the resolution said that the issue of surging oil prices post sanctions against Iran as also price rise stares the country in the face.
"Banking sector is in dire straits with uncontrolled and unchecked NPAs soaring to nearly Rs 12 lakh crores, over last five years, threatening the very stability of banking operations. Serious questions being raised on the financial viability of NBFCs, wherein hard earned savings of the people's life are invested," it said.
It said that the "downturn of economy", coupled with "lack of private investment and a steep fall in consumption patterns, point towards grave economic slowdown".
"The looming job crisis has seen no solutions, jeopardising the future of the youth. The agrarian crisis continues unabated with large swathes of the country reeling under severe drought particularly Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka," it said.
The resolution said that institutional integrity, which is the hallmark of country's constitutional democracy, remains under a cloud.
"Social strife and tensions affect large portions of our populace. The responsibility and accountability to overcome these challenges is of the next government," it said
The CWC said that Congress would continue to play a constructive role to overcome these serious challenges, as it hoped that the government will address these issues as its top priority.
The working committee also thanked all its allies who joined hands with the Congress party "to fight the ideological battle".
In a statement released, Congress Communications In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the party has authorised its President Rahul Gandhi to go for radical changes and a complete organisational overhaul.
He said the Congress Working Committee, which is the highest decision making body of the party, is a democratic forum to exchange ideas, formulates policies and takes corrective action.
"In this realm and context, members of the CWC expressed their views in the meeting on May 25, 2019. The CWC looked at the reverses in the Lok Sabha elections as an opportunity for radical changes and a complete organisational overhaul, for which it authorized the Congress President Rahul Gandhi," he said.
"The Congress party expects everyone, including the media to respect the sanctity of a closed door meeting of the CWC. Various conjectures, speculations, insinuations, assumptions, gossip and rumour mongering in a section of the media is uncalled for and unwarranted," Surjewala said.
He said the gist of deliberations was made public in the CWC resolution of May 25.
"The CWC held a collective deliberation on the performance of the party, the challenges before it as also the way ahead, instead of casting aspersions on the role or conduct of any specific individual. We would request everyone, including the media, to not fall into the trap of conjectures or speculations and await the calibrated efforts by the Congress party towards future course of action," he said.
The CWC had rejected the offer of resignation made by Rahul Gandhi following the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elecitons.
There have been reports in the media of Rahul Gandhi conveying at the meeting that Congress Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath wanted tickets for their sons but he was not very keen on it.
Two senior Congress General Secretaries IANS spoke to confirmed that Rahul Gandhi was not willing to take the position of Leader of the Congress in the lower house.
They said that Gandhi was more eager to continue the ideological battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor RSS in and outside Parliament.
The leaders pointed out that he had taken the party's poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections in which the Congress won just 52 seats personally and offered to step down as the Congress President and called for someone outside the Gandhi family to head the party.
Gandhi told senior leaders that he did not want to get into the appointments of state unit and district chiefs.
But party sources said that Rahul Gandhi was likely to opt for the post of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) leader in the Lok Sabha.
His offer to step down as Congress President was earlier rejected by Congress Working Committee members.
A government task force on child labour had received a tip-off that minors were employed at Parle-G factory in Amasivni area, said Vidhansabha Police Station House Officer (SHO) Ashwani Rathore.
The task force raided the factory Friday evening and rescued 26 children, he said.
They were sent to juvenile shelter home, he added.
Based on a complaint filed by the Women and Child Development Department officials, a case was registered against the factory owner under the Juvenile Justice Act, the SHO said.
Preliminary probe suggested that the rescued minors were aged between 13 to 17 years, he added.
District Child Protection Officer Navneet Swarnkar told PTI that a district task force was constituted to conduct a drive to mark World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.
"As part of the campaign, a total of 51 child labourers were rescued in the last six days in the district," he said.
Some of the children allegedly employed at Parle-G factory hailed from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, Swarnkar said. Their parents were being contacted, he added.
According to the statements given by the children, they worked from 8 am to 8 pm and received wages ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per month, he added.
"We are hoping that Child Welfare Committee will add other sections like 3, 3A, 14 of Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act and section 370 (buying or disposing of any person as a slave) of IPC," said Sandip Kumar Rao, state coordinator of NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan who was part of the rescue operation.
The CWC is the party's top decision-making body, is authrized to start the process of electing Gandhi's successor.
A Congress General Secretary, who wished not to be named, said: "Technically, Rahul Gandhi will continue as the party chief as his resignation has not been accepted by the CWC."
He said to elect a new President, the CWC needs to accept Gandhi's resignation first.
Party General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal said the decision to call a CWC meeting will be a "collective" one.
Venugopal, who was in Kerala, told IANS over phone: "A decision on calling a CWC meeting will be taken collectively."
Gandhi on Wednesday announced that he has resigned as the Congress President, taking blame for the party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections where it could win only 52 of the 542 seats.
In an open letter posted on his Twitter account which no longer described him as the Congress President, Gandhi, son of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said the BJP's sweeping election win proved that the RSS aim of capturing the country's institutional structure was now complete.
"As President of the Congress party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election. Accountability is critical for the future growth of our party.
"It is for this reason that I have resigned as Congress President," he said.
Two days after the election results were announced on May 23, Gandhi had said he would resign as the Congress chief.
Gandhi was defeated in the family pocket borough, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, but he won from Wayanad in Kerala.
Bolangir CWC chairperson, Jageswar Mohanty informed that his team has received vital leads in connection with the allegations against Das.
The district Sub-Collector along with the members of District Child Protection Unit also conducted a raid in the shelter home last night. Apart from verifying documents, they questioned some inmates of the shelter home over the matter.
"We have got some proof that Saroj Das has sexually abused the minor girl. Apart from the survivor's mother, the girl also agreed that she was assaulted by Saroj. A case will be registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and Section 376 of the IPC against the accused at Bhawanipatna Police station," CWC chairperson Jageswar Mohanty informed.
Meanwhile, following the complaints, the district police reportedly detained Das for interrogation. The cops also questioned the survivor and her mother to ascertain truth behind the matter.
However, the CWC chairperson has flagged concerns over police interrogation of the complainant and the survivor in the absence CWC officials. Terming the action by the police as illegal, the CWC chairperson has said that it will move the Collector and SP if required.
It may be noted, that in her complaint, the girl's mother from Bolangir district had alleged that Saroj sexually assaulted several inmates including her daughter with the support of the senior lady employee of the shelter home. Besides, she also demanded strict punishment for the accused.
On the other hand, terming the allegation as a conspiracy against him, Saroj pleaded innocence. "The student should have ideally informed the matter to the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) or Child Welfare Committee (CWC) or the nearest police station immediately after the incident. I don't know under what circumstances she is now levelling such allegations, four months after leaving the hostel," Das said in his reaction.
The shocking incident has been reported from Gangadharpur village under Basta block of Balasore district.
In the video purportedly shot by a relative, the woman identified as Brundabati Chan can be seen kicking and torturing her own grandson. Though the incident happened yesterday, it came to the fore after the video went viral today.
As per reports, the minor boy was staying with his grandparents as both his father and mother are working as labourers in Mumbai for last two years.
Asked, the accused woman accepted thrashing her grandson but clarified that she was punishing the kid for not concentrating on his studies.
"My grandson threw the glass of milk in an active of mischief and I accept that I punished him but I also feel that it was wrong. I only beat him up for not concentrating on studies and not for his mischief," said the woman.
Meanwhile, Bhagirathi Barik, Chairperson Balasore Child Welfare Committee (CMC) has condemned the incident and informed that action will be taken against the woman after probe.
"It has been decided to hold the next CWC meeting on 10th of August at 11 a.m. at AICC (All India Congress Committee)," Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal tweeted.
The Congress has faced a severe leadership crisis for the last two months.
Although Rahul Gandhi has submitted his resignation as party President, it has not been accepted.
Pradhan wrote a letter to Paswan the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and sought his personal intervention and direct the concerned officials for calling off the merger of CWC Bhubaneswar region with CWC Patna region in the larger interest of the people of Odisha.
"In consideration of the vital support provided by the Bhubaneswar region to the state in times of natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, it is imperative that the current CWC Bhubaneswar region be not merged with CWC Patna region due to geographical and administrative burdens," Pradhan said in his letter dated August 3 which was released to media on Monday.
Pradhan's letter to Paswan came to the fore after Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister R P Swain making similar request to the Centre. Swain had written the letter to stop merger in the wake of several MLAs cutting across party lines expressed concern over the proposal.
Pradhan said the CWC Bhubaneswar regional office was established in 1990 after bifurcation from Patna region to tackle geographical challenges, increase administrative efficiency and monitoring in affairs.
He said currently, 21 warehouses in the Bhubaneswar region have an operational capacity of 3.48 MT and have been running at 90 per cent occupancy with consistent profitability.
"It is worth noting that over 90 per cent of the staff at the regional office are Odias," Pradhan said in the letter.
He pointed out that the Bhubaneswar regional office of CWC is playing a crucial role in storage and warehousing of various essential commodities of Food Corporation of India (FCI) as well as Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSSC) which have provided crucial assistance during disaster relief situations in the state such as the recent cyclone Fani.