Latest news with #BhaktaCharanDas
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Odisha: Soil cave-in at tunnel 4 of Khurdha-Balangir rail line
BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR : A soil cave-in at tunnel no 4 of the ongoing Khurda-Balangir rail project in Boudh district was reported on Monday after the area witnessed continuous rainfall for the last few days. No one was injured in the mishap. The incident happened in Adenigarh area of Harabhanga block in Boudh. The tunnel measures over 4 km in length and is one of the longest in the state. Sources said a minor part of soil overburden caved in at the site, causing a pit. The area around the tunnel has since been cordoned off to prevent further mishaps. The ECoR authorities termed it a minor soil cave-in and clarified it occurred due to loose soil following rain and there has been no impact on manpower or machinery due to the incident. They stated that this will in no way affect the overall progress of the project. 'All necessary safety measures are in place, and the project work continues as planned,' an official spokesperson of ECoR said. Meanwhile, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Bhakta Charan Das blamed on lack was monitoring and said standard operating procedure (SOP) was not followed. Das said the responsibility should be taken by the railway minister in the case. He said that the Congress will send a fact finding team to the place tomorrow.
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das meets governor, demands implementation of caste census
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 15 (ANI): Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das demanded the implementation of caste census in the state and met with the governor on Wednesday. He asserted that the previous and present state governments have continuously neglected the issue and also demanded 27 per cent reservation in the education sector. 'Today we met the Governor and placed our demand that the caste census should immediately begin in Odisha. There has been a lot of negligence by the state government, both current and previous... We demand 27% reservation even in education', Bhakta Charan Das told ANI. Meanwhile, last month, the Union Government gave its nod to the caste enumeration and had informed that it will be a part of the forthcoming census. The decision was taken during the Union Cabinet meeting, which took place on April 30. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, had said that some states have done caste surveys and conducting a census is in the domain of the central government. 'Caste was not included in all the census operations conducted since independence. In 2010, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singhji had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this subject. Most political parties recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress government decided to conduct only a survey of caste instead of a census. That survey is known as SECC,' Vaishnaw said. 'It is well understood that Congress and its INDI alliance partners have only used the caste census as a political tool. As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, the subject census is listed at 69 in the Union list in the 7th schedule. According to the Constitution of India, census is a Union subject. Some states have conducted surveys to enumerate caste. Some states have done this well, while some others have conducted such surveys purely from a political angle in a non-transparent way. Considering all these facts and to ensure that a social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be transparently included in the census instead of surveys,' he added. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi had also backed the caste census decision taken by the Union Government, but urged to inform about the timeline of the caste census. (ANI)
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress revival certain, people looking to it with hope: Former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das
A party veteran, three-time MP and former Union minister Bhakta Charan Das has been given a herculean task of rebuilding Congress in Odisha. In discussion with Team TNIE under the Odisha Dialogues series, the newly-appointed president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee outlines his vision, mission and strategy to revive the grand old party in the state. Excerpts: You have been appointed as the president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) at a time when the party is in a crisis in the state. It is fighting from the margins. What is your immediate strategy to revive the party in the state? I have been in Odisha politics since long. I have initiated steps to find out the reasons behind the party's defeat in every election and what can be done for its revival in the state. The two rivals - BJP and BJD - are no doubt stronger. They have money power and efficient election management machinery. But I believe that people of Odisha want a real change. The people of the state have realised that the BJD and BJP are hand in glove. They are once again looking towards Congress with hope. You said that BJD and BJP are hand in glove. If the people knew this, why did they vote for BJP in 2024 election? Why did Congress fare so badly? In the last election, our selection of candidates was wrong to the extent of 80 per cent. I clearly admit it. The campaigning was also amiss. Did you see any public meeting other than that addressed by Rahul Gandhiji and party president Khargeji? Barring a meeting that I had organised in Kalahandi in which former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel attended, there was no concerted campaign involving national leaders. We totally failed in election management. But you must realise, despite our weaknesses, about 15 of our candidates lost by low margins of 5,000 to 15,000 votes. If we had given some more attention to them, the party could have won another 15 to 20 Assembly seats. You were appointed OPCC president overlooking the claims of several senior leaders like Srikant Jena and Mohammed Moquim. As factionalism has long plagued the Congress in the state, how do you plan to unify leaders and cadres? You must see how I have already unified everybody. I openly visited every leader's house and discussed with them. They are all coming together. All the senior leaders like Srikant Jena, Jayadev Jena, Niranjan Patnaik and Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka are very close to me. Everybody including the young MLAs are also supporting me. Nobody has opposed my appointment. Where are the youth leaders in Congress? The party has failed to groom young leaders who can take the organisation ahead. We have many young leaders who were defeated in the 2024 election. At least 20 youth candidates are there who can win the next election. Now we are focused on rebuilding the Youth Congress and NSUI. We are going to organise intensive training camps for them. We are also selecting educated women leaders. I am going to select 500 educated youths with commitment who will carry the party forward.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress takes out Tricolour rally in Odisha
CUTTACK: The Congress on Saturday took out a Tricolour rally to honour and boost the morale of the Indian military forces which has been actively tackling the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. Holding a 1,500-feet-long Indian Flag, Congress members took out the rally from Buxi Bazaar, passing through Pension Lane, Tinikonia Bagicha and Dargha Bazaar and ended at Gourishankar Park. It was led by Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous. OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das said, 'Now at this critical moment of the country, the Congress party is with the countrymen. Everyone should stand together regardless of party affiliation, considering the current situation of our country.' Among others, AICC general secretary Ajay Kumar Lallu, former OPCC president Sarat Pattanayak, former MP Ramachandra Khuntia and former MLA Mohammed Moquim took part in the rally.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP, Cong & BJD organise events in support of forces
Bhubaneswar: In a display of solidarity with the armed forces, different parties on Friday expressed support through several events in the organised a symbolic lighting of lamps at Ram Mandir during the evening. BJP members, led by Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, gathered at the temple with banners reading, "A lamp to support our Indian armed forces".Congress conducted a 'Tiranga Yatra' from Ram Mandir to Master Canteen Square earlier in the day. The procession, headed by OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das, saw participants chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai".A Congress member said the event was organised to demonstrate their steadfast support for the armed forces, acknowledging their crucial role in defending the nation's another event, BJD also organised a special prayer ceremony and lighting of lamps at the Lingaraj Temple. BJD's Bhubaneswar district president Ashok Chandra Panda led the proceedings, accompanied by several senior party members. Prayers were offered to Lord Lingaraj for the safety and well-being of soldiers.
