BJD to hold Mahasamavesh in Berhampur

Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would organise a large public meeting ‘mahasamavesh’ in the city on Friday, which would be attended by party supremo and Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik. The day of this show of support strength by the CM and its party coincides with the day that is waited for by the media and public in Odisha. On that day suspended BJD MP Pyari Mohan Patra, who was being termed second power centre in the party is to hold a press meet in Bhubaneswar to elaborate organisational plans and future of his newly formed outfit ‘Odisha Jan Morcha’. Speculation was rife regarding Mr Mohapatra’s possible declarations regarding the BJD chief on that day. Mr Mohapatra was suspended from the BJD for his alleged failed coup attempt to dethrone Mr Patnaik on May 29.

During a press meet in the city on Monday afternoon, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy and Ganjam district president Subash Moharana denied any link between the date of press meet by Mr Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar and CM’s large public meeting in Berhampur. Mr Moharana termed it to be a coincidence.

This public meeting which as per BJD leaders would be attended by around 50,000 people is to be held in Khallikote autonomous college stadium in the city. At least three State ministers, MPs, MLAs and elected panchayat body members of the BJD in Ganjam district are to attend this public meeting.

It is also the day of college students’ union elections in the State and students’ union election would also be held in Khallikote autonomous college. This may increase pressure on local police regarding maintenance of law and order on the college campus on that day.

On Monday administrative officials and police officials including Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) and city tehsildar reached the Khallikote autonomous college stadium to inspect the ground fro its use during the public meeting to be attended by the CM.

The district BJD president said decision to hold this public meeting had been taken on Sept 30, during a working committee meeting of the district unit of the party at Khallikote. Later this proposal was approved by the party chief and CM. “We would try to increase awareness regarding pro-people policies of BJD government during this rally,” he said. But as per political observers this large public meeting in Ganjam, the home district of the CM was a show of strength against the recent uprising of Mr Mohapatra through his new outfit.

Source: The Hindu

TaraTarini Hill Shrine to get a facelift

BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to take up construction work with around Rs. 1.2 crore within next one year to further develop the temple complex at the hill top. This was decided at a meeting of the TTDB chaired by its president Chandrasekhar Kumar, RDC, southern division. The main temple of this hill shrine was reconstructed at a cost Rs. 2.5 crores in traditional ‘Rekha' style of Oriyan temple architecture by master sculptor Padmabhusan Raghunath Mohapatra. The TTDB has entrusted Mr. Mohapatra with the next phase of construction work on the temple complex at the hill top. The design of the construction work was finalised at a meeting by the technical committee of the TTDB. Under it, a boundary wall will be built around the temple in traditional form at a cost of around Rs. 50 lakhs. Four ‘parswa' temples will be built up at four corners of the temple complex at a cost Rs. 44 lakhs. Apart from it, a modern kitchen will also be added to the temple complex. The kitchen complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs. “We have decided to complete these projects within a year and Mr. Mohapatra has also agreed to it,” said Pramod Kumar panda, secretary of the TTDB.

Meanwhile, work on the new ghat road to the hill top is also under way. The new road will be less steep and wider than the existing old road. The road is being laid at a cost of Rs. 5 crores by the Rural Development Department. Another ring road is also being laid around the Tara Tarini hill at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs. The RDC directed the department to complete the construction of the roads by April, 2011.

The Tourism Department has also come up with plans of developmental projects for the hill shrine with Rs. 71 lakhs. Survey for it has already been complete. The TTDB has also decided to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the area around the hill shrine. A survey will be taken up in five km radius around the hill shrine soon for the purpose.

Source: The Hindu