I do not have depth of knowledge or information to address mining issues intelligently. But I do wish to make some general observations here which I have mentioned to many a persons individually.
1. Oonce an ex-chief engineer of Orissa came to meet with me to offer his help on IAFF projects. As soon as I found out he was ex-chief Engineer, "I told him so you are responsible for the state of Orissa lingering in the last place among other states even though Orissa exports electricity to other state, and you have come to help IAFF". Then I walked out of the meeting.
2. Sudhansu Misra, ex-Chief Secretary, posts from time to time in these media. His thoughts and writings are deep and eloquent and any issue he writes on.
3. Now Dr. P.Misra writes here on various issues. I have met him personally and find him to be extremely intelligent and knowledgable.
4. Pyari Mohapatra, as the name would indicate, is my uncle/class mate and is running Orissa affairs. He does not post in these media but I have met with him numerous times and have discussed with him elaborately on numerous issues.
5. Dr. Sahadev Sahoo, also an ex-chief secretary, comes here every here and I have met with him several times at the OSA convetnion although we do not get time to sit down and discuss.
6.The readers should note that the above mentioned people, despite their eloquence, are personally responsible for the current state of Orissa, lingering as the last state in the country. Where was their wisdom and ability when they could have made a difference?
7.Once I had asked this question to Sudhansu Misra. He explained away "vaina, Ministers are the government, we are only government servants". It is true Ministers are playing all the dirty games. They can not take one step without holding the hands of the IAS officers (expecially the collectors and prinicpal secretaries and chief secretary). I have no doubt that regardless of which party is in power, if the IAS officers have the interest of the state in their heart and mind, miracles will happen over night, as it happens for their families and friends.
8. I have always contended that if each IAS officer responds to communications withing a week Orissa will improve dramatically just by that action. I can under stand why saying "yes" would need more time because this may end of committing "money" and "manpower". But why saying "no" should not take months and years.
9. I have visited the offices of many principal secretaries. Without exception, every one depends on the "office superintendent (or some one who is in charge of the huge clerical staff)" develop a "draft" which they sign. They depend on these clerks because they come and go and have no knowledge on precedents. So you see, ministers are controlled by IAS officers who are controlled by "clerks". No wonder Orissa is the state it is.
10. One might say, what I have said in the foregoing has no relevance to mining or IIT or other issues. But if the readers take a moment and try to understand the mechanics involved in the government and governance of current Orissa, it is not hard to find the reasons for the dismal state of Orissa.
11. The above scenario is one of the reasons why I have launched IAFF's "DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT GOVERNMENT" program. Only when people on the stree understand the governance mechanisms in place and gain the ability to shake the government from time to time will the fate of Orissa change. The role of "investigative journalism" is crucial for this. But the journalists in India in general and in Orissa in particular do not even know what is investigative journalism, much less condut it.
Sandip Dasverma <dasverma@yahoo.com> wrote:
Sandip Dasverma <dasverma@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Friends:
I really appreciate Prasanna babu's comment. I too agree that there is hardly any difference between TATAs and POSCO any more, as analyzed by Chitta. In addition all the other PSCs except the PSUs are on the same ground. And Orissa and other Iron Ore states are getting exploited in absence of change of mining policy.
"The situation demands much more than shedding crocodile tears. The policy of rebuking the miners in public and having friendly deals with them in private would only lead the situation which is prevailing today."
We need to go for action like the one achieved NISER & IIT, Orissa, by Agamee Orissa. Except the stakes are much higher, huge fortunes are involved and opponents lot more savvy.
Best wishes,
Sandip----- Original Message ----
From: Prasanna Mishra <pkm1942@gmail.com>
To: OrissaToday@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:16:16 AM
Subject: OTN: Re: Double Standard of Posco exposed.
Friends
Chitta Babu has taken the issue to an
intersting stage.
After the takeover of CORUS it is worth analysing how
much of the products from TATA owned Indian Plants, both existing and
the proposed greenfield ones, would be sent for value addition in
earstwhile CORUS owned plants across Europe.
I am inclined to endorse the conclusions of Chitta
Babu when he says" At present I see very little difference between
them and see all of them as exploiting Orissa's resources and giving
back peanuts to Orissa."
But then should the concerned states not act
decisively and not just talk of injustice. There can be no two
opinions on the imperative need for fixing the Royalty on advalorem
basis.A decision on this is getting delayed. Has any state government
prevented transfer of raised iron ore from the mines unless the
advalorem concept was implemented? Rather they seem to look the other
way when mindboggling exploitaton of ironore mines goes on
relentlessly spoiling the state roads, spoiling the environment and
ruining the health of thousands of people. The situation demands much
more than shedding crocodile tears. The policy of rebuking the miners
in public and having friendly deals with them in private would only
lead the situation which is prevailing today.
Discussion on this is welcome
Prasanna Mishra
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