Who is responsible for the underdevelopment of western Odisha? Videos of Kanak TV debate

This was a lively debate. Expect few leaders everyone spoke within the scope of the topic. Otherwise, now day TV debates are often turning brawl and theatrical stage. I observed that all most all leaders spoke in Kosli language. They  should also use Kosli language in assembly; so that people of western Odisha will understand them. The discussion was about health, education and human resource development  in western Odisha (Balangir and Kalahandi Medical college, AIIMs and other centrally funded institutes); industrialization; pollution in Sambalpur-Jharsuguda belt; KBK issues, Dadan sramik; malnutrition; starvation death; unemployment; Gadjats; feudal mentality of political leadership; and Kosal state demand.

People of western Odisha feel alienated because their voice is not heard by the mainstream Odia media. Thanks to the Kanak TV for providing a platform to people of western Odisha (although one speaker was accusing the organizers about the choice of the title and divide and rule policy).

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National Seminar on Creation of New States in India with specific reference to Kosalanchal

8th July, 2012 : at 9.30 am., Sambalpur (KOSAL)

Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh in a statement in parliament on 15th May, 2012 said, “Creation of any new state has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of our country. The Government of India moves in the matter only when there is a broad consensus in the parent state itself”.

This statement is ridiculous. For example will Naveen Pattnaik ever agree to carve out Kosalanchal

from Odisha ? Will his ministers and his coterie will move such a proposal in the state assembly ?

Jitendra Singh further said in his statement, “the Government of India has received a number of

demands and representations from time to time from various individuals and organizations for creation of new states. But the Government takes a decision on the matter of formation of new states after taking into consideration all relevant factors”.

This statement could also mean that the centre is still not too enthusiastic about new states

considering the situation in Andhra Pradesh where the demand for creating Telangana has virtually left India’s fourth largest state in tatters, both socially and politically.

On the backdrop of this a valid question may be raised as to whether there could be a second state

reorganization commission? If not at this stage will it be constituted only after hundreds and thousand crores of national property is ruined ? Today’s seminar should send a strong message to the center for constitution of a second state reorganization commission. This being the issue, the seminar should deliberate on whether there is a need for formation of a national level committee for creation of new states which will work as a pressure group and force the Government to act upon.

According to the Government, demand for separate state emanates from the perception that there is appreciable development deficit in comparison to mainstream areas of the state or appreciable short fall in development parameters. In such cases the centre will advise the state concerned to expedite development initiatives. This again is frivolous.

Development deficit or regional imbalance as we call it, is definitely ahead of other criteria for new

statehood but it is not the one and the only. There are several other criteria like cultural and linguistic differences that call for division for states. Over and above there is hegemony of one group over the other. For example in Odisha, Why do they not recognize the kosli language as the second official language of the state knowing fully well that more than one fourth of population speak and write in this language ? Why do they not teach the kosalites in their mother tongue ?

These are some of the points which immediately come to mind and perhaps to all of your minds as

well. There are many more points which may be raised in course of the seminar and deliberated upon.

I, therefore, look forward to an useful discussion on the issue and take this opportunity to implore your conscience and erudition in full form so that we wind up the day with a consensus and send the summary of the seminar to the appropriate agencies. I’m glad to say that, we’ve papers on subjects like regional imbalance in Odisha with special reference to Telangana, status of Health & Education in Western Odisha and the misery of tribal population in Kosalanchal. I once again hope the delegates will enjoy the day and fully participate in this historic seminar being organized by a fledgling political outfit i.e. Kosal Kranti Dal.

Baidyanath Mishra

Working President, KKD

Only Rs 40 cr to Khurdha-Balangir line : KKD Protest Across Kosal

The KOSAL KRANTI DAL and ALL KOSAL STUDENT UNION (AKSU) organised a Rail Roko at Balangir station on 20th March 2012 in protest of the meagre allocation of fund for the 20 year old Balangir-Khurda railway line..The rail roko was withdrawn after the local police intervene.

Political reactions across Balangir:-

“It’s shocking that the Central Government neglected Odisha again. Giving a mere Rs 40 crore for the Khurda-Balangir rail line is absolutely shameful and a sheer neglect of the genuine demands of the people of western Odisha,” said BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo here.

Raising the fare will badly hurt the poor people of India, he added.

“The allocation of Rs 40 crore for the rail line is too ‘meagre’ and we condemn the apathetic attitude of the Central Government towards the people of Balangir and this region. If the allocation goes in this way, it will take many long years to complete the Khurdha-Balangir rail project,” lamented Bhavani Satpathy of Balangir Citizens’ Committee.

The Railway Board chairman had assured of looking into the project, when a delegation comprising Baisnab Parida, Prasanna Patsani, Sivaji Pattnaik, Rudramadhab Ray and Bhavani Satpathy met him in New Delhi in December, 2011.

He also assured to run the railway from Bhubneshwar to Begunia, besides commencement of work from Balangir side, Satpathy said. However, not a single assurance given by chairman to the delegation was fulfilled, Satpathy pointed out.

The allocation for Khurdha-Balangir railway line must be substantial every year. We demand at least Rs 200 crore for the rail line annually and a specific time limit to complete it, said Kosal Kranti Dal president Promod Mishra.

The rail line which would serve as a linkage between coastal region and western parts of Odisha, besides ensuing economic development, has been ignored and a meagre allocation has been made this year. The announcement of setting up a railway wagon factory in Sitapali in Ganjam is somewhat “surprising” and it should have been set up anywhere in western Odisha, Mishra said further.

Photo Courtesy :- Swadhin Mishra

Kosal Kranti Dal (KKD) to launch a month-long stir for Kosal State from Dec 23

Originally Written By Sudhir Misra for DailyPioneer

The Kosal Kranti Dal (KKD) will launch a movement in the entire ‘Kosalanchal’ region to sensitise people about its demand for a separate Kosal State from December 23 to January 23 next.

This was announced to the media on Sunday by KKD chief Pramod Mishra. The entire ‘Kosalanchal’ has been divided into five zones along with Boudh and Athmallik subdivision of Angul district, he said.

Commenting on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s move to create four smaller States out of the existing UP, Mishra observed that it is high time the Government of Odisha adopted a resolution in the State Assembly in favour of a Kosal State. All political parties should come forward to join hands for formation of a separate Kosal State, Mishra said.

The month-long movement in Balangir district would start from Harishankar on December 23, and simultaneous Yatras would be organised in the other districts of the region, Mishra informed.

“After this movement, we will visit New Delhi and put forth our demand of creation of a separate Kosal State to Centre leaders. We will also stage a dharna before the Parliament during its next session,” Mishra informed further.

20000 attends Massive rally in support for KOSAL state

Balangir:-The demand for a separate Kosal State got louder with the Kosal Kranti Dal (KKD) having organised a huge rally and meeting before the Collectorate here on Saturday, attended by delegates from eleven districts of western Odisha.

“The people have gathered here to protest against their continuous exploitation by the successive Governments at Bhubaneswar, and Kosli, not Odia is our mother tongue as well as language of the region,” observed KKD president Pramod Mishra.

All those anti-Kosal forces making capital of the resources of this region would be ousted from here by 2014. This is a token strike and protest by the people of the Kosal region and there would be many more such rallies in future. A separate Kosal State is the only solution to the problem, Mishra said further.

Condemning the reported move of the Government to mine bauxite in the Gandhmardan hills, Sajjan Kumar said the mining would destroy the precious flora and fauna of that area besides damaging the ecology beyond repair.

He called upon the KKD activists to save Gandhmardarn and save the ecology as the next 50 years would be crucial for mankind, as the deteriorating environment is going to bring damages to the earth.

He also called upon the people to reject the political party tickets and rather file nominations as KKD candidates and work for formation of a separate Kosal State.

“We would not allow lifting of kendu leaves, coal and other minerals from this region,” observed Baidyanath Mishra.

Protesting against the continuous economic exploitation of this region by the outsiders, a bandh will be observed in the 11 Kosal districts on March 31, Mishra announced.

The culture and language of the region is one of the best in the world and no political parties have worked for promotion of the Kosali Language, observed Goreknath Sahu and presented a film CD on Kosali to Pramod Mishra.

Eminent Kosali poet Haldhar Nag recited a poem in praise of the Kosal land.

Earlier, a massive rally from the Kosal Kalamandal was taken out through the town.More than 20,000 people attended the rally in support of Kosal state.

The KKD leaders submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through the District Collector demanding a separate Kosal State.

Kosal Kranti Dal to launch issue-based stir

The Kosal Kranti Dal (KKD) will go in for a change in its strategy and enter the arena of issue-based politics for enlisting greater support of the people, said the party’s secretary general Baidyanath Mishra here.

Speaking at a Press conference, Mishra said his party has enlisted some major issues of western Odisha in general and of the district of Sundargarh in particular to launch agitation. He explained how the western part of the State was denied the privilege of having the headquarters of the Commissionerate-II of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax though earmarked for Rourkela 13 years back.

Mishra alleged of a conspiracy by the Rourkela Steel Plant and the State Government in not shifting the headquarters and in the process around `500 crore of revenue is siphoned off per annum from the western region. To facilitate a discussion on the subject an audience of the district Collector has been sought. Meanwhile to divert public attention a camp office of the Commissionerate-II is being opened at Rourkela which would be opposed tooth and nail, he said.

Mishra opposed the idea of mining in Khandadhar and Gandhamardan hills and suggested to develop them into international tourist spots so that the flora and fauna of these historic places are not disturbed.

On the demand of an ESI medical college and hospital at Rourkela, he was of the opinion that the hospital should be established at Sundargarhm which has locational advantage being nearer to the coalminers.

Declaration of entire Sundargarh district as drought-affected, shifting of the Claims Commissioner’s office from Bhubaneswar to Sundargarh and adequate teaching staff for all colleges of western Odisha were some of the other Mishra highlighted.

KKD general secretary Kedar Patel, leader of the youth front Hrudanand Behera, vice-president of the district unit Ramachandra Amat, spokesman Jaisingh Singh and tribal leader Santosh Minz were present at the Press meet.

Quit Koshal convention from April 1 : KKD

embers of the Koshal Kranti Dal (KKD) have resolved to hold Koshal Chad Maha Samabesh (Quit Koshal mega convention) on the lines of Quit India Movement on April 1 at Sambalpur town demanding separate Koshal state.

Speaking to mediapersons yesterday, KKD president Pramod Mishra said similar conventions will be held across the region to intensify the stir. Mishra also threatened to oppose exhibition of Oriya films, operas, CDs, literature and imposition of Oriya culture in the region. Castigating the industries in the region for initiating development activities in other parts of Orissa rather than in the area, he warned the industrial houses to quit the region by 2014 if they don’t rally behind separate state demand.

He also advised the peoples’ representatives to change their attitude for the sake of motherland and asked them to raise the separate state issue in both Assembly and Parliament. Disclosing that many politicians cutting across party lines have evinced interest in joining KKD, Mishra said that inhabitants of Koraput, Phulbani, Nabrangpur and Rayagada have also expressed their desire to join the proposed Koshal state. He even asked the people to enrol their mother tongue as ‘Koshali language’ during the census process and urged them to join the movement.