Welfare Promises, Mining Setback for Jharsuguda
The year began with a lot of promises by the State Government. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation stones for several projects that were sponsored by the Centre.
Those included a 300-bed annexe building for Jharsuguda hospital under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which would come up at a cost of `42.33 crore.
To help the residents of Jharsuguda overcome water crisis, the Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for a PHED water storage reservoir at Pahar Mandir area. It will be constructed at a cost of `34.33 crore.
Naveen said a Farm Information and Advisory Centre and railway overbridge were also in the offing for people of Jharsuguda. Foundation stones were also laid for sports complex and a modern bus stand.
However, the year was marred by a clash between Belpahar police and transport workers of coal transportation companies at Jurabaga in June which claimed lives of two persons. The two were killed in police firing while 13 others including three police personnel were injured. In industry sector, MCL suffered a setback after some underground mines in the district that were operating since 1906 were closed permanently by a team of officers from the office of Deputy Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Ranchi. After visiting Rampur and Hingir underground mines, the DGMS team took note of the presence of methane gas and other environmental risks. An FIR against Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla group, was registered in connection with the allotment of Talabira II coalfield in Jharsuguda district, which was earlier allocated to Hindalco Industries. An FIR was also filed against former Coal Secretary PC Parekh.
In the Municipality polls, ruling BJD formed the Jharsuguda and Brajrajnagar councils.