In a series of tweets today, Swain wrote, “Many countries are directly and indirectly affected by the current war situation and are likely to be affected in the coming days. In this case, the price of edible oil in the country, especially sunflower oil, is likely to rise unreasonably. The impact of which has started to be felt in the market.”
“We need to keep in mind that India's most of the demand of edible oil is through export. About 80 per cent of sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia alone. Therefore, the supply chain of edible oil will definitely be disrupted and there is a huge chance of the rise of its prices,” the Minister said while expressing concerns in another tweet.
The Minister further informed that the concerned departmental officials and district collectors have been instructed to take appropriate measures to prevent the artificial crisis and stop black marketing of the commodity in order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of sunflower oil.
Swain opined that the central government should reduce the imports and other tariffs on edible oils, at least temporarily. “Otherwise, the rise in the price of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and the increase in the price of edible oils will bring miseries for the poor, farmers, millers, the poor, and even the middle class,” added Swain.
ୟୁକ୍ରେନ ଓ ରୁଷିଆ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ ପରିପେକ୍ଷୀରେ ଖାଇବା ତେଲ, ବିଶେଷ ଭାବେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟମୁଖ୍ୟ ତେଲର ଆହେତୁକ ମୂଲ୍ୟବୃଦ୍ଧିର ଆଶଙ୍କା ରହିଛି।
— Ranendra Pratap Swain (@rajaaswain) March 4, 2022
ତେଣୁ କୃତ୍ରିମ ସଙ୍କଟ ଏବଂ କଳାବଜାରୀ ରୋକିବା ସହ ଖାଇବା ତେଲର ଅନବରତ ଯୋଗାଣ ପାଇଁ ବିଭାଗୀୟ ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ସହ ସବୁ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳଙ୍କୁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶ ଜାରି କରାଯାଇଅଛି।@CMO_Odisha @Food_Odisha
Meanwhile, Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha General Secretary Sudhakar Panda said if the supply of edible oil is not regulated by the Centre and the State government, the commodity will vanish from the market soon.
“India imports a total of 28 lakh tonne edible oil of which, 80 per cent is imported from Ukraine and Russia. As the war is underway between the two countries, the supply chain has been disrupted and the import of commodities has been severely affected. A strict vigil should be kept on the corporate houses and business firms importing edible oil from foreign countries regarding the buying and selling prices,” stated Panda.
“The State government is yet to realise the gravity of the situation. I would like to request the government to discuss and take steps so that edible oil remains available in the market of the State,” added Panda.
BJD's Athagarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, during the Question Hour on the third day of the Budget Session of Odisha Assembly today, targeted Health Minister Pratap Jena questioning if healthcare is working on Public–Private Partnership or Pratap-Private Partnership mode.
"People are alleging that PPP mode stands for Pratap-Private Partnership mode," said Swain.
Similarly, BJD's Brahamagiri MLA Sanjay Das Burma said, "There is a shortage of doctors in the hospitals despite adequate infrastructure facilities. The patient services are very poor."
As per reports, medical equipments, including CT scan machines and MRI machines are lying defunct at many government hospitals in State. Many of them are running without adequate doctors. Similarly, private hospitals are looting people instead of providing adequate healthcare facilities.
Later, the Opposition jumped on the bandwagon and criticised the State government.
"All equipments are present in the operation theatre of Bolangir Medical College and Hospital but they are not used. Are these things deliberately being done to discourage admissions in the Medical College in the coming academic session?" said Leader of Opposition, Narasingha Mishra.
In reply to the allegations, the Health Minister said that steps are underway to provide CT scan and free health check-up facilities at Angul, Balasore, Bolangir, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Koraput and Capital hospitals.
He further informed that the government has taken steps to provide free MRI scan facilities at Angul, Balasore, Puri and Mayurbhanj hospitals through PPP mode.
However, the MRI and CT scan machines at Angul district headquarters hospital is still not functional, informed sources. Patients at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College & Hospital in Baripada are also not able to avail free MRI scan under the Nidan Scheme of the State government, added sources.
Not only in Angul and Baripada, similar situation is being observed in most of the hospitals across Odisha.
"The facilities under PPP mode of the State government like MRI, CT scan and dialysis are still not available," said an Angul resident.
"There is a need of MRI scan facility for the patients but it is not available here. People are going outside in case of emergency," said a patient's relative in Baripada.
"Presently, the construction of hospital building is underway. So where can we install the machines now?" said Mayurbhanj CDMO Deepak Kumar Dasmohapatra.
Arora said that the accused took this step over previous enmity with the MLA's nephew Amarendra Swain. The accused Riyaz Khan of Oriya Bazar and Naim Baksh of Diwan Bazaar have been arrested by the police. Two live bombs and one motorcycle have also been seized from them.
Talking to media persons the DCP said, "The two main accused have been arrested, they are Riyaz Khan alias Gutu and Naim Baksh. Both are residents of Lalbagh area and they have been forwarded to court. In preliminary investigation we found they had a scuffle with the nephew of the MLA that led to the attack, but we are yet to verify all the facts."
It may be mentioned that the accused had hurled bombs at the house of MLA Swain at Chandini Chowk square in the city on late Monday night. The bombers had arrived on a bike and had managed to flee the spot soon after committing the crime. No loss of property had been reported.
The police had initiated an investigation after a case had been lodged at Lalbagh Police Station.
The bike-borne criminals managed to flee the spot soon after committing the crime. No loss of property has been reported.
A case was lodged at Lalbag Police Station based on which police initiated an investigation.
The villagers prevented the MLA from entering their area following which the supporters of Swain clashed with them. A woman was injured in the fight. Police forces have been deployed in the village to control the mob.
The protesters alleged irregularities in distribution of PDS commodities and rejection of gram sabha after declaration. The residents also said that the village puja committee had completed the construction of goddess Jagulai temple, but the bill is yet to be cleared.
If the demands are not met at the earliest, the MLA would be shown black flag. Eggs and tomatoes will also be hurled at him in future, a banner put at the protesting site read.
Answering to Opposition's questions on paddy procurement issues in the State, the minister confidently said that with the arrangements done currently, farmers in the State don't need to wait for miller trucks at the 'mandis' for hauling up their paddy stocks.
However, the real scenario is quite different from the picture painted by the minister. Several incidents of farmers reeling under distress due to delay in procurement, mandi issues and MSP are being reported from various parts of the State.
Hundreds of quintals of paddy sacks are currently stockpiled at a mandi in Junagad block of Kalahandi district forcing farmers to guard their produce day and night.
"The administration has been fooling us by making false promises for last several days. Every time they promise to lift our produce on time but do not take action. We are tired of requesting the government and are distressed due to the present situation," said a farmer Gunanidhi Sahoo.
Earlier on July 10, the farmers of Charbahal area staged road blockade on National Highway 26 demanding lifting of paddy from mandis. The farmers removed the blockade after the administrative officials reached the spot and assured to resolve the issues.
Replying to a question from Congress MLA Suresh Kumar Routray, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain told the state Assembly that Rs 1,082.64 crore VAT had been collected from the two items in 2019-20 (up to June 2019).
While Rs 317 crore has been collected as VAT from petrol in 2019-20, Rs 765.64 crore has been collected from diesel, the Minister said.
In 2018-19, Rs 5,571.34 crore VAT was collected from petrol and diesel. While the collection was Rs 4,042.56 crore from VAT on diesel, the total VAT collected on petrol in 2018-19 was 1,528.78 crore, Swain informed the Assembly.
The Minister also said that the state government has not increased VAT on petrol and diesel since January 2016 to keep the prices of petrol and diesel stable.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department has categorically stated that the beneficiaries whose Aadhaar card has not yet been seeded will not get PDS rice henceforth. However, the poor & the elderly and beneficiaries in inaccessible regions, who are yet to seed their Aadhaar with ration cards, will be entitled to get benefits of the scheme.
“The left out beneficiaries are now in suspected list. We will give opportunity to old and other persons provided they are genuine beneficiaries,” said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Ranendra Pratap Swain.
The State government has entrusted market intelligence officials to identify such left out beneficiaries. Only after the completion of the identification process, the exact number of fake or ineligible beneficiaries can be ascertained, informed sources.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Centre identified nearly 3.16 crore beneficiaries in the State to be covered under NFSA. In a bid to enroll and extend benefits to more beneficiaries, Odisha government launched its own Food Security Act just ahead of 2019 elections.
Under its own Food Security Act, Odisha government enrolled 25 lakh additional beneficiaries. It is alleged that the State government, after seeding of Aadhaar, has now included those additional beneficiaries of its own food security act in the Central scheme as well. It is said that such s move is intended to reduce the State’s financial burden.
“Bogus cards have been issued in the State. The cards were only issued only to help ruling party’s men. Action should be taken against those who took PDS rice and those who provided the card,” said Congress MLA Suresh Routray.
BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said, “More than one card has been issued to beneficiaries. State government needs to take action against the officers who issued ration cards to bogus beneficiaries.”
Responding to the allegations of opposition members, BJD MLA Aravinda Dhali said, “The allegations that state government did this to buy votes are baseless. The scheme was introduced for the welfare of people and the issues will be rectified.”
Speaking to the media persons, Swain informed that a total of 11.56 lakh farmers have registered themselves to take part in the Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS) to sell paddy during the Kharif season and the final list will be released on September 22.
The Minister further informed that the State government would conduct hearing of grievances of farmers, different farmer bodies and public between September 22 and 29 in all the districts.
Earlier, Swain had said that the paddy procurement centres across the State were operating according to the guidelines and instructions laid down by the State government and the farmers don’t need to wait for miller trucks at the mandis for hauling up their paddy stocks.
Targeting Swain, the Union Minister said that ruling party leaders of Odisha have a habit of making irresponsible statements.
"It has already been proven that the steps taken by Odisha government are not enough to control the soaring prices of onions and potatoes. Had they managed to control the prices, they would not have purchased onions from other states," said Sarangi.
No response could be obtained from Swain on Sarangi's comments.
Earlier on Monday, Odisha BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty had said that Odisha government's potato and onion missions failed, but "Naveen Babu passed". Citing that though the Centre decided to set up a price stabilisation fund, Mohanty had raised questions on why the state government was not procuring onions from open market.
Later, in response to a media query, Swain had said, “Who is Samir Mohanty? What is his registration number.”
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Ranendra Pratap Swain told reporters here that the government has opened 284 fair price shops in different parts of the state for supply of onions to consumers at affordable price.
"The administration is keeping an eye on the traders who may cheat consumers in the name of enhanced onion price.
The officials are asked to take stringent action against unscrupulous traders," Swain said.
He said the unseasonal rain has affected the onion cultivation in producing states.
As per a statement issued by the Information and Public Relations department, 27 out of the total 45 jewellery shops were fined a total of Rs 3.77 lakh after errors and defects were found in their weights and measures system. Compounding notices were also served to two jewellery shops.
Irregularities in weights and measures system were detected in eight out of 10 jewellery shops that were raided during the crackdown in Bhubaneswar between November 22 and 25.
Similarly, errors were also found in five out of eight jewellery shops in Cuttack. A fine of Rs 27,000 and Rs 35,000 were collected from the violating shops in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, respectively.
Earlier, during a discussion in Odisha Assembly on November 20, the State food supplies and consumer welfare minister Ranendra Pratap Swain had informed that 42 jewellery shops in the State were raided during the last two years on the charges of cheating consumers.As many as seven jewellery shops in Cuttack, six in Balasore and four in Khurda were found to have cheated consumers in weight and measure of ornaments.
The fresh raids in six cities were conducted after Odisha Assembly Speaker asked the concerned minister whether shops in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar were raided or not. Later, the minister had assured to look into the matter.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Republic Day celebrations in Sambalpur, Swain informed that paddy procurement will not stop despite harassment of farmers by millers.
“Already 12.50 lakh farmers have registered this year against the registration of around 10 lakh farmers last year. Moreover, 3 % additional paddy has been procured than the actual procurement of previous year,” said Swain.
Swain further stated that Rs 5,000 crore has been disbursed among farmers against paddy procurement.
Speaking on token system, the minister said, “It is a unique attempt by the State government and his department is working and monitoring it round-the-clock.”
It is pertinent to mention here that several farmers have been staging demonstrations after failing to sell their paddy stock due to token system in Western Odisha.
As per reports, the financial condition of these cooperative societies has turned out to be a headache for the government as most of them have been hit hard by losses. Even State Co-operation Minister, Ranendra Pratap Swain has acknowledged the issue.
“Term of 1,926 cooperative societies is ending this month so we are going to put govt officials in-charge of the societies. Before polls, we have to set the financial position right. Societies in all the districts are saddled with problems,” said Swain.
After the completion of tenure of the cooperative societies, cooperative inspectors will be given the responsibility to look after the managing committees.
In a letter written to the State Cooperation department, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies has highlighted that there are huge imbalances in loan amount at PACS (Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies) and LAMPCS (Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies) vis-a-vis CCBs.
"Among many reasons, the most important reason is delay in receipt of interest incentive/subvention and charging-of interest by the CCBs during this delay period and passing of this financial burden to PACs/LAMPCS by the CCBs," the letter cited.
In 2016-17, the imbalance in loan amount was Rs 1,082.66 crore, Rs 1,382.12 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 1,822.21 crore in 2018 -19 amounting to a total of nearly Rs 4,286 crore in three years.
"Since, PACS/LAMPCS are discharging government programme of credit to farmers, the government should bear this financial burden. In order to make PACS/LAMPCS viable and to save them from collapse, it is proposed that the government should compensate the loss through Budgetary support," the Registrar of Cooperative Societies urged in his letter.
“Many lower level PACS have not received their incentives. We are taking time to resolve the loan imbalance issue. After the completion of all the audits, we will come to a conclusion,” said the Cooperation Minister.
On the other hand, irregularities at the Kendrapara Urban Cooperative Bank have also stoked concerns. As many as 12 employees of the bank were found to have been illegally recruited following which the Registrar had written a letter to the concerned department, but reportedly no action has been taken so far.
“Based on the inquiry, a government order was given to disengage 12 employees, but as it will affect banking operations, another letter has been written to reconsider the decision,” said Sushil Samal, CEO of Kendrapara Urban Cooperative Bank.
In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Swain today urged the former to set up a dedicated Covid-19 hospital to tackle any emergency situation in the State.
According to Swain, the State’s present health care system might find it hard to cope with the rush of patients and it might be tough to provide adequate facilities like ICU to critical patients in the State. Under such circumstances, there is a need for a dedicated COVID-19 hospital.
Also Read: Odisha Fights Coronavirus: Anganwadi Centres To Remain Closed Till April 30
He further stated that several State governments are now hunting for such facilities including new housing projects which can be converted into temporary hospitals.
“There is a dormant hospital near May Fair convention hotel at Jaydev Vihar area in Bhubaneswar. Being a multi-storied building, it is under lockdown due to non-payment of loans to the bank,” Swain wrote in his letter to CM.
The minister further stated that the dormant hospital is now owned by a public sector bank and the bank authorities can be persuaded to release the facility for use in this crisis situation.
State F&S Minister Ranendra Swain proposes to turn the 60-bedded dormant hospital in Jaydev Vihar into an exclusive #COVID19 hospital to cater to the needs of patients; urges govt to persuade bank for release of the facility#OdishaFightsCorona #OdishaLockdown #Covid19India pic.twitter.com/4ETaNzaFho
— OTV (@otvnews) March 24, 2020
“As the hospital was a 60-bedded one, it can be turned into a full-fledged Covid hospital with minimum efforts within seven to ten days. This proposed facility can cater to the Covid patients from the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as well as from other nearby areas within a radius of 60 kms,” Swain said.
Also Read: Railway Seeks Relaxation Of Lockdown For Employees In Odisha
Swain further wrote, “If such steps have already been taken, this proposal can be explored immediately which can save precious lives and set examples for others to follow.”
Though vegetable rates remained unchanged, prices of potato and onion have increased between 20% and 40% per kilogram.
According to market sources, potatoes and onions were being sold at Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg a few days back, but now their prices have shot up to Rs 25 and Rs 27 per kg, respectively.
It is believed that as cyclone Amphan is inching closer to Odisha, retail traders are buying lesser stock. Moreover, there are allegations that some traders have resorted to black marketing and artificially increasing the rates of essential commodities.
Following complaints over elevated prices of potatoes & onions, officials of Supply department today raided the makeshift market at Unit-1 High School ground in Bhubaneswar and regulated the price. Meanwhile, potato is being sold at Rs 22 per kg and onion at Rs 20 in the market.
Debendra Nath Sahu, secretary of Chhatra Bazaar Trader Association in Cuttack said, “Everybody is scared because of Cyclone Amphan and no one knows its impact on the State. Huge quantities of potato are imported from West Bengal, where prices have increased considerably too.”
Retail prices of potato at Chhatra Bazaar is Rs 70 per three kilograms, but retailers who have been shifted to other places of Cuttack city are selling it at a higher rate after charging for additional cost of transportation, added Sahu.
The local markets in Odisha are not sufficient to meet the demand of potatoes in the State. If cyclone brings any damage in West Bengal and the supply is disrupted, the rates will ultimately go up, informed Sahu.
Chhitaranjan Giri, a consumer in Cuttack said, “Potato was being sold at Rs 60 per three kilograms a few days back and now the rates have been increased to Rs 70 to Rs 80. Though the prices of vegetables have remained the same, potato prices have increased sharply.”
Allaying fears of shortage of essential commodities in the State, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister, Ranendra Pratap Swain tweeted, “I request people not to believe any rumours regarding Cyclone Amphan. There is no need for panic buying and do not be afraid. Strict action will be taken against those who are found selling commodities at increased rates.”
“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, biometric mode of Aadhaar authentication using finger print scanner and IRIS device has been exempted, during distribution of PDS ration through e-PoS device at Fair Price Shops until further orders,” tweeted Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Ranendra Pratap Swain.
Earlier on Friday, the department had issued a formal notification in this regard and directed all district Collectors for strict compliance of the fresh guidelines in view of the COVID-19 situation.
The department has asked Collectors to direct all field officers and fair price shop dealers to continue with distribution through e-POS only in automated mode by maintaining social distancing norms and other COVID-19 advisories.
Swain took to Twitter and said, "I have been tested positive for #Covid-19. Although I don't have any symptoms I am at home isolation as advised by my doctor. I have requested all my staff and each one who came in contact to get them tested as soon as possible."
Swain became the sixth Odisha Minister to be infected by the virus.
The State Women and Child Development Minister Tukuni Sahu also today confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Labour Minister Sushant Singh, Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo and Textiles and Handlooms Minister Padmini Dian had also been infected with the virus.
Moreover, several lawmakers of Odisha have also been infected by COVID-19.
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Odisha Minister Tukuni Sahu Tests Positive For Covid-19
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Samantsinghar submitted a complaint to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in this matter.
“Four ministers of the State Government including Swain have violated the Covid-19 guidelines so far. He has also openly violated the election code of conduct and we have complained about the matter before the CEO and SRC,” stated Samantsinghar.
“According to the code of conduct set by the CEO, only 200 people are allowed in a closed door meeting during the by-poll campaign. But Swain has clearly violated the code of conduct by addressing Biju Chhatra Sammilani (convention of student wing of BJD) with more than 1000 people inside a closed hall. We have the videos of the meeting in which Swain could be seen saying that there are over a thousand people in the hall during the meeting,” she said.
Samantsinghar raised questions over the conduct of a free and fair election to the Assembly constituencies.
“When the state government is violating the Covid-19 norms and election code of conduct openly, a big question mark has been raised over a free and fair election,” she said doubting about the democratic values of the ruling party.
“Odisha Government has no respect for democratic ethics. The ruling party had resorted to undemocratic principles during the last general elections and is also doing the same ahead of this year's by-elections. They used to lure the voters by distributing money, misuse the power and break the guidelines,” alleged Samantsinghar.
The BJP leader said that it was a reckless behaviour on part of Swain to break the guidelines during this crucial time.
“Swain himself has just recovered from Covid-19. How could a senior minister like him be so irresponsible and reckless?” she questioned.
Also Read |Odisha Bypolls: BJP Accuses BJD Ministers Of Violating Model Code Of Conduct
As per reports, the suspended secretaries belonged to Nuamura Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS), Dhama PACS, Charamala PACS, Sahaspur PACS, Samarbag PACS and Lakhanpur PACS under Sambalpur Central Cooperative Bank.
Similarly, several secretaries of PACS from Bolangir, Boudh and Keonjhar Central Cooperative Banks were also suspended by the department.
The lone data entry operator to face the axe belonged to Sadha PACS in Keonjhar district.
Speaking on the move, Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that the department has been trying to maintain complete transparency in paddy procurement under 'Mo Sarkar' programme and 5T initiative.
"We will not tolerate any kind of irregularities and dereliction of duty in procurement of paddy," Swain added.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
Addressing a press conference, Swain said, "We are reaching the poorest of the poor farmers through sanitized data and procuring their produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP)."
On the recent agitation by farmers in many parts of Odisha, Swain said, "Farmers wanted more value for their paddy that was produced from non-irrigated lands. We cannot change it in midway. The value has been calculated taking the average of all the lands and districts. However, we will look into the matter."
Odisha government had procured around 55 Lakh MT in 2018. It reached 65 Lakh MT in 2019. This time it has a target of procuring 71 Lakh MT of paddy from farmers. In fact, 7, 45,650 MT of paddy has already been procured by the government till now against which Rs 1197.20 Crores have already been disbursed to the farmers till today. As per Swain's projection the total procurement could very well cross the target of 71 Lakh MT by the end of season.
As far as the allegations of token mismanagement are concerned, Swain downplayed the issue and said, "There are only a few farmers who could not have got token on time, because, the government was reconcilliating their claims."
"We have received complaints about some fake farmers who wanted to sell paddy showing government's land as their own farmland," said Swain.
Earlier, State President of BJP Kishan Morcha, Pradip Purohit had alleged that the farmers across Odisha are not able to sell their produce and mostly paddy lying in mandis along with the token system introduced by the State government has compounded their miseries.
He further alleged that, "The farmers are not really getting the benefits even after Centre fixed the MSP at Rs 1868 per quintal of paddy. The millers are forcing them to sell their produce after deducting 2 to 10 kgs per quintal, the money of which is provided to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) by millers."
Swain replied to these allegations saying, "A thief always paints others as thief. CM Naveen Patnaik never encourages such activities. We rather tightened the screws if anything like this was happening earlier."
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)