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Hans India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
'Adivi Talli Baata' project to metamorphose tribal connectivity
Paderu: Stepping on the gas for achieving the larger goals of closing infrastructure gaps in Andhra Pradesh's tribal regions, the state's coalition government is accelerating the Rs 1,000-crore 'Adivi Talli Baata' scheme. Fruition of this ambitious project, which focuses on constructing roads in remote tribal hamlets, is now a priority for Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who helms the departments of Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Forest and Environment. Even otherwise, the consolidation of these departments under one Minister has been crucial for the success that the project has achieved till date. A Panchayat Raj official said that the process of obtaining forest clearances—a major obstacle in the past—has been significantly streamlined. This administrative synergy is helping authorities to fast-track road construction in previously inaccessible areas. The 'Adivi Talli Baata' initiative is a direct response to years of advocacy and protests by tribal communities, which have used unique demonstrations like torchlight marches and 'doli' processions to highlight their need for basic amenities. These movements drew attention to the hardships faced by residents in hilly regions, particularly in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district, where a lack of roads has made it difficult to access even essential services like ration shops, primary health centers, and schools. Launched on April 7, the Adivi Talli Baata scheme aims to build over 1,000 kilometers of roads at a cost of approximately Rs 1,000 crore. The project is funded through a combination of Central government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGS), along with state funds. In a teleconference on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan instructed officials to accelerate the pace of construction, while emphasising the government's goal of creating "doli-free" settlements. He directed officials to submit bi-weekly progress reports to ensure continuous monitoring. Officials, while expressing their commitment to the project, highlighted the significant challenges of traversing the difficult terrain, including steep slopes and rocky surfaces that require extensive clearing. Recent monsoon rains have also caused some delays. Despite these hurdles, substantial progress has been made. Out of 128 roads that require forest clearances, permissions for 98 have already been secured. Overall, work has commenced on 186 roads, with 20 more in the tendering phase. The project is expected to provide improved road connectivity to 625 tribal hamlets. Pawan Kalyan acknowledged these difficulties and urged officials to adopt a strategic approach to overcome them. He reiterated Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's vision for tribal development and thanked the Central government for its support, which includes Rs 555.6 crore allocation under the PM JANMAN scheme. "We have the funds and the support, so the administrative machinery must focus on the 'Adivi Talli Baata' work," said Kalyan. "We are building roads in areas that have never had them before. Continuous supervision is the only way to fast-track these projects." The Deputy CM also stressed the importance of communicating with local communities, mentioning that their cooperation was essential. The project's completion is set to end the long-standing reliance on 'dolis' for medical emergencies and essential services, significantly improving the quality of life for tribal residents.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
First Operation Kumki in A.P. successful: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan stated that the first Operation Kumki aimed at the driving away rogue elephants into the forests by trained ones has been successfully conducted in Bangarupalyam Mandal of Chittoor district. The next such drive against elephants destroying crops and endangering human lives will be organised in the Punganur forest, he said. In a press release on Tuesday, Mr. Kalyan, who is also the Minister for Forests, said a herd of elephants that were on the rampage around Bangarupalyam were diverted into the wild by trained elephants sourced from Karnataka. He complimented the officials and staff concerned in the Forest Department for accomplishing the task of reining in a group of elephants that were destroying mango orchards near Mogili village in Bangarupalyam Mandal. Trained elephants Krishna, Jayanth, and Vinayak blocked the wild elephants from heading towards the crops, and guided them back into the forests. The operation lasted from Saturday (August 2) night till Sunday morning. A two - month training was given to the elephants brought in from Karnataka. Mr. Kalyan said Operation Kumki was made possible by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and that he was thankful to Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah and Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre for their cooperation.
New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Three killed in elephant attack in Odisha's Dhenkanal, forester suspended
BHUBANESWAR: In a tragic incident, three villagers were killed in elephant attack at Baghadharia village of Hindol Tehsil in Dhenkanal on Thursday morning. A forester in-charge has been suspended in this connection, while forest authorities announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased as per the provisions of compassionate grant in the event of death due to wild animal attack. "The compensation will be provided to the families of all three deceased who lost their lives in the incident. Strict action will be also taken against the officials who have been negligent in their duties," said Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, while expressing grief in the matter. The Minister said following the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, he has also directed the departmental officials to investigate the matter and initiate appropriate action. Sources said the incident happened early in the morning, at around 4.30-5 am when the villagers of Baghadharia, within Rasol section of Hindol forest in Dhenkanal, were going to a nearby pond in their village to take bath and came face to face with a tusker that had stayed into the area.
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Rajasthan tops the nation in major mineral block auctions
Jaipur: Rajasthan has achieved a historic milestone in the mining sector, emerging as the top state in the country in the auction of major mineral blocks. According to the auction provisions notified by the Central government in 2016, a total of 500 major mineral blocks have been allotted across India so far, out of which 103 - more than 20 per cent - have been allotted in Rajasthan alone. Remarkably, 64 of these were auctioned in the last 18 months during the current government's tenure. The state government is now actively working to bring these blocks into operation to boost investment, revenue generation, and employment opportunities. In line with the Chief Minister's vision, the state has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining. The Mines Department has implemented a transparent and effective mechanism for exploration, block delineation, and timely auctions. Within three months of the new government assuming office, 15 blocks were auctioned via the MSTC portal, followed by a record 34 blocks in 2024-25. As of July 2025, 15 more blocks have already been auctioned, with the process for another 12 currently underway. Rajasthan has also recorded a sharp rise in royalty revenue, collecting Rs 9,228 crore in 2024-2025, 24 per cent more than the previous year, said officials. To fast-track the operationalisation of auctioned blocks, the Mines Department has launched a coordination platform in July involving key departments such as Revenue, Forest and Environment, the Indian Bureau of Mines, and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). A Post-Auction Facilitation Cell has also been set up to streamline administrative approvals. The department has set a target to operationalise 10 new mines by November-December this year. Rajasthan's auction model has also received national acclaim for its transparency and effectiveness. In January, the Union Ministry of Mines awarded Rajasthan the first prize for its outstanding performance in mineral block auctions at the Third Conference of State Mining Ministers held in Konark, Odisha. To date, 77 mining leases and 26 composite licenses have been issued, covering minerals like limestone (75 blocks), iron ore (11), base metals (5), manganese (3), gold (2), siliceous earth (4), potash (2), and garnet (1). With these developments, Rajasthan is fast emerging as a national leader in responsible and high-impact mining governance.
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha to conduct fresh survey to identify new habitats for gharials
BHUBANESWAR: Celebrating 50 years of 'Project Crocodile' in the state, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced to conduct a fresh survey to identity new potential habitats for gharial species of the reptile, population of which has been revived from the brink of extinction in the Mahanadi river system, after decades of struggle. The report 'Back from the brink - Conserving the Gharials of Mahanadi', released by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department on the day as part of the celebration, stated that the comprehensive survey is proposed to re-evaluate existing threats, assess changes in river physiography, and identify potential new habitats for gharials. Study of wild gharials - both adults and hatchlings - is also necessary to monitor their breeding dynamics, courtship, nesting, hatchling behaviour, maternal guarding, and dispersal patterns, the report underlined. Genetic study is also crucial for long-term survival of gharials in the Mahanadi river, it added. Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, Odisha has successfully revived and sustained crocodile populations in the state over the last 50 years. 'Our state is home to all three species of Indian crocodiles - saltwater, mugger and gharial, and currently, we are focusing on maximising the population of the critically endangered gharial in the Mahanadi through a dedicated Species Recovery Programme,' he added.
