HC seeks report on status of power supply in villages

Cuttack: The Orissa high court issued fresh directions to the govt to submit a report on the status of electricity supply to villages in the state by Nov 5.The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho set the deadline after state counsel Lalatendu Samantaray on Oct 22 sought more time to take instructions from the energy department to file the affidavit on the issue of electrification in the state.The bench also sought a detailed affidavit from Nayagarh collector stating the scheme for electrification of the villages, along with the steps taken and likely to be taken for extending power connections to all the villages in the district by Nov 5. The court was hearing a PIL on the lack of basic facilities in three villages of Nayagarh district. Berhampur-based Bharatiya Bikash Parishad had filed the petition seeking the court’s intervention against lack of electricity, pucca roads, safe drinking water, health, education and communication, including mobile network. Earlier, an affidavit filed by Nayagarh collector Swadha Dev Singh on August 5 indicated that there was no electricity supply in 13% of the villages in the district. It was evident from the affidavit that 107 of the 1,672 villages in the district are not connected by all-weather roads and 247 villages do not have mobile connectivity. All villages have tube-well drinking water facilities though and the mega pipe water supply scheme will also cover them shortly. The affidavit also disclosed that 1,443 villages in Nayagarh district have electricity supply, indicating that apparently there are 229 villages in the district which do not have electricity. Taking note of it, the court on that day posted the matter to September 17 and directed the state govt to file a status report on the supply of electricity to villages in the state by then. The court adjourned the hearing on the PIL to October 22 when the state counsel on the assigned day sought four weeks’ time to comply with the order.

62 tribal villages to benefit from Jan Jatiya scheme

Mysuru district has selected 62 tribal-dominated villages under the Jan Jatiya Unnat Abhiyan Scheme to provide essential amenities like concrete houses, power, piped water, and health insurance. Involving 17 departments, a door-to-door survey will identify the villages' needs. The initiative aims to ensure coordinated benefits reach the tribals, with the Union government funding 75% of the project.

Diarrhoea outbreak in Tumakuru village

Soralamavu village in Tumakuru district has seen 19 suspected acute diarrhoea cases, with two deaths, pending confirmation if diarrhoea was the cause. Health officials have set up an emergency treatment facility, collected water samples for lab analysis, and advised patients to consume ORS and medications to prevent dehydration.

Govt to relook village revenue officer system

The Congress government plans to revive the village revenue officer (VRO) system, abolished four years ago, with a new name and structure. The upcoming cabinet meeting on Oct 26 will discuss this along with the Right of Records Act. The government is considering re-employing some of the 5,300 former VROs, potentially addressing past corruption allegations.

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