Orissa

Forwarded to the portal by: Pramathesh Ambasta

Reference: In the Supreme Court of India, Civil Original Jurisdiction Writ Petition (Civil) No. 645 of 2007, Centre for Environment & Food Security (Petitioner) Versus Union of India & Others (Respondents)

The Supreme Court in this important order dated 16 December 2010, has said that first, the right to livelihood has to be seen as an integral part of the Right to Life as enshrined within Article 21 of the Constitution and second that there is a clear need for an oversight mechanism at the level of the Central government and state governments.

Reports over the last week indicate heavy rains and loss of lives and property in the state of Tamil Nadu, which has faced the maximum brunt of the rains followed by Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. Reports also indicate that there have been massive losses to agricultural produce due to heavy rains in parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and because of droughts in the state of Orissa. At the same time, reports also indicate good news that there has been a rise in the water levels in the country and of attempts being made in different parts of the country to cope with floods and excessive rains in the future.

Rainfall
Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu: The north-east monsoon, 50 per cent in excess in the State, claims over 200 lives and destroys crops and infrastructure
• After the deluge: Chennai has received 71 cm of rain during this year's northeast monsoon, leaving the roads in the Chennai Metropolitan Area in shambles
• The rain-hit north and south Chennai, Tamil Nadu get some respite even as several areas, including Velachery and Taramani, remained under a sheet of water, affecting hundreds of people
• Rain stops, but no end to woes for people from Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Rain pours non-stop misery in Tamil Nadu
• 2,000 people rescued from low-lying areas along river Tamirabarani, in Kanyakumari district
• Torrential rain kills over 200 in Tamil Nadu
• 70 % excess rainfall in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

This document provides the details of the revisions suggested in the water tariff for domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional consumers and of sewerage maintainance charges in urban areas.

This document describes the policy facilitating public private partnerships for infrastructure development in the state of Orissa and includes:

• The background to the policy
• The policy objectives
• Infrastructure sectors
• Institutional arrangement
• Project identification and approval process
• Preparation of Detailed Project Report and selection of developers
• State support
• Orissa Infrastructure Development Fund
• Protection of stakeholder rights

Water for Industry

• Orissa: Jajpur and Kendrapara districts in the grip of water crisis due to indiscriminate use of water by industries in Kalinga Nagar

Climate Change/Environment

• Green India Mission (GMI) document submitted to Prime Ministers Council as a part of the country’s plan to fight climate change

This document describes the details of the Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 1991 and includes:

• The short title, extent and the commencement of the Act
• The definitions of the terms used in the Act
• The details regarding the establishment of the Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board, conduct of business duties and powers of the board
• The details of vesting of property, assets, liabilities and obligations and transfer of property to the board
• Contract, finance, account and audits of the board
• Fees and charges decided by the board
• Definition of supply of water for domestic purposes under the Act
• Right of the owner or occupier to obtain sewer connection
• Penalties and proceedures
• External control

This  policy document by the Government of Orissa outlines the draft infrastructure policy designed to promote development of the state of Orissa. The policy promotes private sector participation through provision of guidelines for private investments in infrastructure.

It encourages public private partnership, and provides a broader institutional and legal framework for implementation of projects through cross sectoral perspective.

Organizers:

This paper published in the journal Conservation and Society reassesses/debates the decision taken by the government to dredge a new sea mouth in the Chilika Lake in Orissa, India, which was based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) studies.

The paper argues that decisions such as these need to be understood and evaluated by taking into consideration not only the underlying technical aspects, but by also exploring the political and historical contexts in which decisions are taken.