RDC To Probe Chikiti Hooch Tragedy: Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan

In a major push towards cleanliness and public hygiene, a joint review meeting on the preparedness of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign was conducted by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, and S.K. Lohani, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW) Department. The review aimed at ensuring the smooth execution of the campaign across all districts and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha, officials said. 

The meeting, held in Bhubaneswar, saw the active participation of District Collectors and senior officials from various departments. Both Smt. Padhee and Shri Lohani emphasized the importance of adhering to the SHS guidelines and ensuring timely completion of campaign activities. They also underscored the necessity of coordinated efforts between district administrations, ULBs, and communities to achieve the objectives of a cleaner and healthier Odisha.

Padhee highlighted the critical role of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in achieving Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) targets, particularly focusing on waste management, public participation, and sustainable sanitation practices. She urged district officials to engage citizens, community organizations, and local stakeholders to make the campaign a people-driven movement.

Lohani, in his remarks, stressed the need for close collaboration between rural and urban authorities to ensure that both Panchayats and ULBs work in synergy. He noted that effective communication and seamless coordination at the grassroots level will play a crucial role in the success of the campaign.

The review meeting also included discussions on monitoring mechanisms, best practices for waste segregation, and innovative approaches to public engagement. Special Secretary Shri Rajesh Paravakar Patil and Additional Secretary Shri Binay Dash, along with other senior officials, actively participated in these discussions, contributing valuable insights to enhance the campaign’s effectiveness.

Collectively, the officials urged District Collectors to focus on key activities such as cleanliness drives, awareness campaigns, and community-led waste management systems. The Principal Secretaries advised all districts to ensure that Swachhata activities are in full swing by the designated deadlines, emphasizing the importance of compliance with national guidelines for the campaign.

The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, which is an integral part of the nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission, aims to galvanize public action and foster a sense of shared responsibility towards creating a cleaner India. Odisha’s active involvement in the campaign will further strengthen its position as a leader in sanitation and hygiene management in the country.

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CISF Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dy Inspector General Shrikant Kishore said that a National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NMDC) explosive van movement was scheduled at BIOM Kirandul. 

“To ensure the safety of the van, a CISF area sensitisation-cum-domination team was deployed to sanitise and secure the Lohagaon Junction,” the PRO said. 

He added that during the combing operation, the CISF team detected a pressure-activated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weighing three kg. 

“The IED was concealed near the main road frequently used by NMDC explosive vans and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs),” the PRO said.

PRO Shrikant Kishore said that the CISF personnel dominated the area and ruled out the presence of any suspicious Maoist elements around the IED, adding, that the concealed pressure-activated IED was detected due to their keen observation and excellent detection ability. 

“BDDS of State Police and CISF carried out an inspection cum sanitisation operation. The pressure-activated IED was dismantled on the spot by the BDDS Team,” he said. 

He added that this act of alertness by CISF personnel and their swift action saved precious lives and averted potential collateral damages, as the site is frequently used by the CISF Area Domination Team during NMDC's explosive movement.

“The nefarious plan by Maoist elements to cause loss of lives, loot explosives, and inflict collateral damages was thwarted by the professionalism, alertness, and courage demonstrated by the CISF personnel,” the PRO said. 

He added that the CISF remains dedicated to its mission of ensuring the safety and security of the region and will continue to collaborate with local authorities to neutralise threats and maintain peace. (IANS) 

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Corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban areas were 4.16 per cent and 3.14 per cent in August, respectively.

In July, the inflation rate (3.54 per cent) had fallen below the RBI’s medium-term target of 4 per cent for the first time.

Year-on-year inflation rate based on the All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) number was 5.66 per cent (provisional) for August. The corresponding inflation rate for rural and urban was 6.02 per cent and 4.99 per cent, respectively.

Food inflation for August was the second lowest since June 2023, according to the data by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The decline in inflation was observed in ‘Spices’, ‘Meat and Fish’ and ‘Pulses and products’ categories.

Tomato showed the lowest year-on-year inflation (minus 47.91 per cent) as well as the lowest month-on-month change in index (minus 28.8 per cent).

The CPI in August was at 193 points (rural and urban) while the CFPI was 203.4. The ease in inflation comes as a welcome sign as it leaves more money in the hands of the workers to improve their living standards.

Meanwhile, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that the Central Bank will go a rate cut to spur growth once the inflation rate shows a durable alignment with the 4 per cent target rate. However, he said that the country’s inflation rate is expected to come down in the third quarter of the current financial year. He also said that domestic growth is resilient, supported by steady urban consumption. (IANS)

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