Burnt crops bare Kanke's furnace

Two village kids walk past the dry check dam on a scorching afternoon

Ranchi, May 30: Serene, cool and green. That was Kanke’s past perfect even in extreme summer. The region, around 10 kilometers from the state capital in Ranchi today is boiling because of an unprecedented rise in mercury levels.

Water bodies in form of perennial streams, check dams or small ponds have choked in patches while a canopy of dust storm engulfs almost all in the whole region because of myriad forms of civil works that are underway.

What’s more shocking about the place in 2012, is that majority of the farm lands have either turned pale or spot burnt look because of the blistering heat.

On Wednesday (May 30) It temperature was 41.3 degrees. It is also the highest it witnessed at least in the last four years. In 2008, the temperature here on May 30 was 33.8 degrees.

I visited several areas in Kanke like Sangrampur, Patratu and adjoining areas en route only to discover how both local and global climatic changes have led to shrinkage of summer crops here, thereby, pushing farmers into doldrums.

A view of sun burnt cauliflower farm 

“My entire crop has burnt under the sun. I don’t know what to do now,” remarked Anand Linda, a farmer in Patratu in this block. Anand took cauliflower, tomato, brinjal, and cucumber on his four acres of land but majority of the field are deserted now.

The nearby check dam from where he used to fetch water too is dried this time.

Forty year old Pahan Munda too is suffering similar fate but more than complaining about the weather, he is upset by the government’s apathy and rising prices. “Heat is normal in summer but still there is availability of water in the nearby pond. Since there is no electricity here, irrigation facility has failed,” he said.

Cost of farming has also gone up, he added. “I am surviving because kharif harvest was good due to better monsoon this time. Otherwise, I would have committed suicide,” said Munda.

Birsa Agriculture University professor A. Wadood said Kanke has been witnessing 40 degree plus temperatures in summer since couple of years now but what’s concerning this time is the continuation of the heightened mercury levels.

“Till last year, Kanke has seen 40 plus degrees but for a day or two. But since May 19, the place witnessed over 40 degrees. As a result there is moisture in the area that helps in creation of clouds for rain,” he said.

Pahan Munda, a farmer showing his destroyed crops

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Pray, bear the stench

 A.S.R.P. MUKESH

The prayer hall at RIMS in Ranchi lies deserted on Monday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, May 30: Call it a funeral of faith.

Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), the touted premier hospital in the capital, boasts an 1,800sqft, marble-floored prayer hall, albeit repulsively close to the mortuary on its premises.

Two years ago, former director of the state-run hospital N.N. Agarwal had loosened purse strings to build the hall for friends and family members of patients, but had apparently failed to notice the terrible bloomer in the blueprint. Result: the Rs 1 lakh structure lies abandoned today, a solitary witness only to the putrid stench of death and decay.

“Normally, a prayer hall is located close to the intensive care unit or operating theatres so that family members of critical patients can find some solace in praying for the well-being of their near ones. But here, the hall is a stone’s throw from the morgue. No one goes there to pray and it has just become the siesta shelter of dogs,” said a senior doctor and forensic faculty member at RIMS.

According to norms, even a temporary shelter for people waiting to collect bodies must be built at a minimum distance of 300 metres from a mortuary. At RIMS, the prayer hall is within 15 metres of the post-mortem cell.

“Log zindagi ki dua karte hain. Maut ke baad, prarthna kar ke kya faida? (People pray for life. What is the point of praying after someone’s death?),” Dinesh, a mortuary attendant, said. “So, people do not come here to pray. They wait only to collect bodies after autopsy,” he added.

Sources maintained that nearly Rs 1 lakh was spent on the marble flooring and seating area, but the hall had rarely been used since it came up two years ago. “I never spotted a single person praying under this shed,” another hospital staff said.

Madan Sahu, whose wife is admitted to the hospital with high fever, said he did not feel like venturing anywhere near the prayer hall. “It is close to where they keep dead people. You get negative vibes. How can you pray at a place like that?” he said.

RIMS director Tulsi Mahto admitted that the prayer hall’s proximity to the mortuary was indeed a cause of concern. “But then, it wasn’t built during my tenure. The erstwhile management had thought of setting up a prayer hall on humanitarian grounds. Besides, the purpose of the hall is also to give shelter to those who want to meditate after the death of their loved ones,” he contended.

Traffic cops don’t say it with flowers

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

A NCC cadet spreads awareness about traffic rules in Ranchi on Saturday. Picture by Prashant Mitra Ranchi, May 28: Saying it with roses might have been innovative but it certainly was not economical. The tactic of public chastisement by handing out flowers to traffic violators, perhaps made famous by a Sanjay Dutt starred Bollywood film, might have served the cause, but soaring flower prices, thanks largely to weather disturbances and a number of shutdowns observed, has broken the back of the police department’s finances. So its back to the tried-and-tested method of distributing pamphlets to create awareness among the masses for the city traffic police officers. SSP Praveen Kumar inaugurating the awareness campaign here today, however, took a diplomatic stand towards the sudden change in stance. “The purpose is to make the denizens familiar with fundamental traffic rules and regulations in place. Although we are cracking down on violators by conducting regular checks, we thought of educating masses before imposing fines on them,” Kumar said. He added that the response on the first day was good but there was a lot of ground to be covered. “Our men are doing their best to create awareness. The campaign will gain pace in the coming days, when we will aim to spread the message of safe road habits throughout the city,” the SSP said. The traffic police have also put up hoardings and posters (with illustrations) at various traffic points like Kanta Toli, Sarjana Chowk, Sujata Chowk and Doranda, among other places, to reach out to people. A bunch of 40 from Ranchi University and NCC cadets also joined hands with the police officers and are working as volunteers to make the campaign success, sources said. Prodded about the most common traffic violations, Singh was quick to list parking of vehicles in No Parking zones and stopping vehicles on zebra crossings at traffic intersections, not wearing a helmet and talking on your mobile phone while driving consisted some of the oft repeated violations. Meanwhile, with the administration cracking down on autos plying without proper permits, the three-wheelers have gradually tried to fade away from Ranchi roads. “We had received a notice from the district administration to phase out autos without permits. Only 1,006 autos have been issued permits till date and we will try and clear the rush of applications seeking permits from today,” Singh said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110529/jsp/jharkhand/story_14042472.jsp

Jailbirds feel at home, but in July

Paperwork, fencing delay launch of open jail in Hazaribagh; central prison screens inmate dossier

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, May 11: Good things come to those who wait. And for a home away from home, prisoners of five central jails are doing just that. The much-touted open jail in picturesque Hazaribagh, which was slated for a March inauguration, will now house “reformed” inmates only by July-end, a delay apparently caused by extensive paperwork and formulation of detailed guidelines for the first-of-its-kind prison in the state. Highly placed officials said the only job left was erecting a 3-metre wire fence around a clutch of 30 cottages spread over two acres. IG (prisons) Vijay Kumar Singh said jail posts had already been identified and they were waiting for the state government to show the green light. “Altogether eight posts have been identified — a jail superintendent, a jailer, a warden, a head warden, a medical officer, a paramedical staff, an industry expert and an agriculturist. The jail will open soon,” he said. According to highly placed sources, the entry criteria to these halfway homes had been relaxed. “Earlier, we had decided to house prisoners who had completed 75 per cent of their term, but now the figure has been brought down to 50 per cent. However, those booked under certain sections like 302 of IPC, or for narcotics crime will not be eligible for the open jail. Also, good mental and physical health for a period of at least a year is mandatory,” said a senior jail official. The remission period has also been doubled. “Normally, prisoners with 10-year term can avail remission up to 40 months (one-third of the term). However, in the open jail, inmates can avail remission equivalent to the term of their stay,” the official added. The concept of open jails has its roots in the west. It is meant to house prisoners displaying good conduct, and act as a halfway house for those whose release is due soon. There are 27 open jails across India, including a few in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. And although a fairly new concept, these jails have thrown up several success stories. In Jharkhand, the authorities are also planning to set up various small-scale industries within the open jail premises to help prisoners earn a decent livelihood. Sources said besides industrial activities, the focus was on medicinal plants and dairy. “The land in Hazaribagh is suitable for cultivating medicinal plants, so we are developing a medicine farm there. But the high point is a dairy. We will provide cattle to prisoners who want to run dairies. After their released, they can take the cattle with them,” a source said. The selection process of prisoners to be shifted to the open jail, which can house a maximum of 100 inmates, has, meanwhile, begun. Singh said workshops on dos and don’ts would begin at all the five central jails from next week. On March 28 and April 28, the IG had held meetings with superintendents of all central jails and directed them to identify inmates who could be shifted. Two screening committees — one at district level and the other at IG level — were formed. The district level committee comprises the jail superintendent, the deputy commissioner and the SSP. The other panel is formed by the IG (prisons), additional IG (prisons), DGP and a representative from the home department, who will give the final go-ahead.

VIP nightmares stalk Birsa jail

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Madhu Koda Ranchi, May 11: High on attitude, VIP politicians have been known to keep Birsa Munda Jail authorities on their toes. But Kamlesh Singh’s recent “disappearing act” for three days gave them the jitters. One among the three tainted ministerial colleagues of former chief minister Madhu Koda, Singh had moved to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences on May 7 after being released from AIIMS in New Delhi, where he had been allowed to go for treatment. Yet, till yesterday, authorities at Birsa jail had no clue about their VIP ward, forcing superintendent D.K. Pradhan to file an affidavit in a CBI court saying they had not been kept informed about the former minister’s whereabouts. Today, it was left to RIMS, where he was being treated for bronchial asthma, to issue a formal note to the jail authorities about his presence. “I got the information this evening from the hospital,” Pradhan confirmed. As per rules, police officials escorting Singh should have informed Birsa jail about his arrival in Ranchi on May 7.  According to RIMS medical superintendent S.K. Choudhary, Singh was referred to the hospital from AIIMS. “In his discharge note, AIIMS stated that he may be admitted to the hospital here,” he said. On May 8, Singh was admitted to ICU after he complained of hypertension. He was kept under observation till yesterday and sent back to cottage (number 6) at RIMS. Singh, and his three colleagues, MP Madhu Koda, Harinarayan Rai and Anosh Ekka, have been in Birsa jail for over a year and a half after being booked by the vigilance bureau for siphoning government funds and amassing assets beyond their known sources of income. The CBI is on their case now. Lodged in the upper division section in a cluster of eight cottages with a separate kitchen for jailed VIPs, Koda and Singh were the more demanding of the four, said jail authorities. And visits to hospitals seemed to be a favourite vocation of both. Rai kept himself busy with puja-paath, while Ekka insisted on VIP comforts like meals on time and clean sheets. “Every other day, they complain of some new ailment and demand hospitalisation,” a jail official said on condition of anonymity about Koda and Singh. “We don’t take chances and try to seek the court’s permission to send them to hospitals. But after a time, it gets on your nerves,” he confessed. Ever since Koda was in jail, he has been complaining of a shoulder pain. He was referred to AIMS an innumerable number of times. But, he never stopped complaining. And once, he even came back without a medical report. “Last time, he came back from AIIMS without any medical report. When asked, he claimed the doctors didn’t give him any,” the official said. “When we called the AIIMS director, he said a report was handed over to Koda and that they did not stock OPD patients’ medical reports. We went back to Koda, who then said he had misplaced it.” Koda’s wife and advocate visited him three to four times a week. Otherwise, he preferred to be alone and approached jail authorities only when he needed something. Ekka was only concerned about what he called “simple pleasures” of life like clean sheets, an extra foam mattress, 6am newspaper and 8am breakfast. His wife and relatives visited him regularly. Recently, another jail official confided, he asked for a computer in his cabin. “He wanted to learn computers like Koda,” said the official. “When we asked him why, Ekka sounded offended and shouted back, ‘if Koda can get one, why not me?’.” Officials admitted managing the four VIPs wasn’t easy. “No VIP leaves his attitude behind and wants to live life king-size even behind bars,” the official declared. Pradhan maintained the one thing they were seriously concerned of were disputes or fights involving the high-profile inmates. “As brawls are common in jails, our main concern is to provide them security as even a scar on their body will make headlines,” he said.

Blast muffles wedding bells in village

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Chatakpur (Lohardaga), May 4: The rebel attack in Dhardharia forest that claimed 11 security personnel and left 51 injured, also had another casualty: a wedding.

Yesterday morning, Chatakpur, situated on the trough of Dhardharia valley, was all decked up. So was Sursuriya village, perched atop the other side of the hill.

Chatakpur’s Rupu Mahto, daughter of 45-year-old Ghanshyam was to tie the knot with Sursuriya-based Besu Mahto. But just as the ceremony was to begin, a large explosion was heard. Even before anyone could realise what was happening, the police came storming inside the tiny hamlet of Chatakpur. The wedding priest was beaten up, guests interrogated, abused and punched.

A deserted Chatakpur in Lohardaga on Wednesday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

A day later, the village wears a war-ravaged look. Though children are found running on fields, they stop when The Telegraph team nears, and scuttle inside homes. Women stare with suspicion. People flee inside homes and lock their doors.

Getting people to talk is a Herculean task, but slowly the floodgates open up. “It was around 11.15am. A large number of forces bombarded every home, asking about Maoists,” says Baswa Oraon (58), a neighbour of the bride whose wedding went horribly awry. These forces were part of the reinforcements dispatched by district police headquarters after the ambush.

“All villagers had gathered for the marriage ceremony. But the priest was beaten up, and then they (the police) started interrogating us. No one knew what was happening. We were scared and started running helter-skelter,” Oraon recalls.

Rupu’s family has disappeared. Locals simply said: “They have gone somewhere.”

Only a handful of people — mostly Oraons and Mahtos — live in the tribal hamlet that shot into sudden limelight after yesterday’s battle between Maoists and security personnel took place a stone’s throw away. Opposite it is Ganeshpur village, and at an elevation is Hurmur, where Maoists were reportedly camping.

Yesterday, the village spent a sleepless night. “Ab ghar se nikalna julum ho gaya. (Venturing out of home is a curse),” a middle-aged woman said.

Peace had made a comeback to this rebel-hit area. Villagers said Naxalite activities had lessened since three years. But now, the shadow of fear is back with a vengeance.

“We are caught between the two (police and rebels). Earlier, Naxalite used to forcibly enter our homes for food. Then, the police interrogated and beat us to find out rebel whereabouts,” said villager Mangru Oraon.

It is a classic Catch-22 situation. “Now, you tell us who should we support? If we back the police, rebels beat and kill us. If we don’t, the police fix us in false cases,” Oraon said.

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Tring...tring! Emergency, got pizza?

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, April 22: Every time the phone inside the emergency ambulance control room at Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) rings, attendants either nonchalantly pick up the receiver or struggle with the idea of ignoring the call.

It is not exactly dereliction of duty. They sure do empathise with people in need of urgent medical attention, but are tired of pranks.

“Ever since the emergency numbers (102, 2541228) were floated three years ago, we have been swamped with such calls. We are often unable to decide which call is genuine and which is not,” said Vinod Kumar, a RIMS telephone operator in the afternoon shift.

“On an average, I receive a minimum of 50-60 calls a day and 99 per cent of them come from pranksters. Some are smut calls too. These days, I hang up as soon as I hear a female voice at the other end,” he added.
The intensity of calls increases during the night.

“You can’t ignore a call being on hospital duty. There may be an emergency and your negligence may cost a life. But most of the time the caller abuses us; sometimes, they demand pizza or coffee and sometimes, they wish to get more intimate,” Umesh, a night telephone operator said.

Operator Kumar, who is working at the hospital for three years now, said he had never received a serious call for ambulance.

RIMS director Tulsi Mahto agreed. He claimed the hospital management was helpless since even police complaints had failed to check the nuisance. “I gave a written complaint to the SSP, but nothing came out of it,” he said, pointing out that the men in uniform too were grappling with crank calls. “The SSP said they faced similar problems at Dial 100, the fire and police helpline.”

To curb the menace, the hospital had connected a parallel line to the offices of assistant casualty officer, chief medical officer and PRO on the premises. “But they refused to monitor calls after a day. The calls are often so abusive that no one wants to receive them,” Mahto said.

“I have asked the operators to keep saying, ‘welcome to RIMS’, whenever they face pranksters or smut calls. No one can be forced to tolerate such a situation,” he added.

The RIMS management has recently also installed a caller ID. “But it is very difficult to keep tab always. The hospital witnesses heavy rush all day long. No one has time,” the director said.

When contacted, Ranchi SSP Praveen Kumar said the number of crank calls on Dial 100 had decreased after they rounded up some culprits in the past. “It is a time-taking, but we trapped 10-15 callers, mostly young people, who were creating such nuisance. They were released with a warning,” he said.

“We have asked the RIMS authorities to tap numbers and forward them to us for action,” he added.

A view of Simdega forest



State foresters go the dodo way

A.S.R.P. MUKESH
Ranchi, April 8: They may be at the heart of wildlife conservation, but are a vanishing breed themselves.

A top-heavy forest department brimming with IFS officers has left Jharkhand with a handful of forest guards and range officers — the real custodians of the green corridors.

According to records, 2,072 out of 3,398 posts of forest guards are lying vacant for the last 20 years. The number of vacancies for posts of range officers, foresters and assistant conservators are only marginally better. (see box).

Since its formation in 2000, the thrust in Jharkhand has been on creation of multiple posts in the upper tiers of the department, resulting in a low number of field staff.

Contrary to other states, Jharkhand has created three posts of principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF), five additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), over two dozen chief conservators and several conservators, regional chief conservators and divisional forest officers (DFO).

The departments in other states generally comprise one PCCF, a couple of APCCF and few chief conservators.

On the flip side, Jharkhand boasts of a limited number of forest guards, rangers and foresters, who work under extreme conditions with inadequate infrastructure.

Sources in the forest department’s HRD and personnel wing revealed that a majority of personnel in the lower tiers were set to retire in a year.

“Sadly, a majority of the workforce are now retiring without getting any promotion, in contrast to senior officers,” said a conservator.

In such a scenario, there is little left to wonder at, considering the sorry status of wildlife conservation, maintenance of sanctuaries and monitoring of green corridors in the last two decades.

Be it the crocodile breeding centre at Muta, the overpopulated deer park at Kalamati, a ill maintained Palamau Tiger Reserve or inability to check elephant displacement in Dalma, the manpower crunch at the ground level has had a debilitating effect.

Forest officials pointed out that inclusion of the forest division for implementation of MGNREGS projects was also taking a toll.

“Earlier, social schemes were run and implemented with the help of block development officers, but now are proving to be an extra burden on the foresters,” said a DFO.

“Foresters and range officers are the actual strength of the department. Forget about recruiting, they are not even paid properly,” state wildlife advisory board member D.S. Srivastava said.

Besides wildlife conservation, guards and foresters are also capable of playing a vital role in checking the Naxalite menace in the state.

“Since foresters are familiar with jungles, locals are likely to bond with them more easily than security forces. Filling up of the vacant posts will strengthen the joint forest management task forces,” said a range officer, Ranchi division.

Additional chief secretary A.K. Sarkar, who holds charge of the forest department, said a proposal for reviewing state forest cadre was pending with the Centre.

Anna crusade leaves capital cold
- Youngsters don’t know or don’t care about Gandhian’s anti-graft fast

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

A first year college girl of one of the top colleges of Ranchi, St Xavier's asks who is Anna Hazare? Picture by Hardeep Singh




Ranchi, April 8: It seems the capital is almost happy asking “Anna, who?”

Barring a few crusaders such as city doctor R.K. Jaiswal who began his “indefinite fast” at Albert Ekka Chowk today, Ranchi is largely blase even as Gandhian Anna Hazare’s fast-unto-death protest against all-pervasive corruption reaches its fourth day today at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Ironically, numerous scams have crawled out of the capital’s woodwork in 10 years of Jharkhand’s existence.

Even youths are mum when it’s time to stand up and be counted. Just a week ago, the city had gone berserk, shouting its lungs out for local hero M.S. Dhoni. Youngsters had zipped on bikes flaunting Tricolours, painting their faces.

Now, the biggest difference is their indifference.

“I have my exams next month,” Sudhir Kumar, a BCom student of Marwari College, excused himself.

Some simply don’t know or care.

A group of giggling girls from St Xavier’s went mum, while some shopped for cosmetics. “Yes, we’ve heard the name but don’t know what he is fighting for,” said Mahek Kumari, a first-year student.

Over a dozen students’ unions in the city which often gherao colleges and universities on corruption-based issues were oblivious to events at Jantar Mantar. “Tomorrow is our foundation day, so we are busy,” said Kumar Raja, state president of National Students’ Union of India.

Few scattered groups, mostly of senior citizens, took out rallies. ABVP members held a placard march.

“If you wait for others to join you, you can’t start anything,” Jaiswal said.

“Many youths don’t know how to begin,” said Father J.P. Pinto, principal of St Albert College at Karbala road. Pinto approached cradles such as St Xavier’s and St John’s for today’s march but they didn’t take much interest.

Professor P.C. Choudhary, head of sociology department of Ranchi University, said youths had different priorities. “Youths in Ranchi are aspirational. Dhoni’s success, movies, film stars and such things are their dreams, not social activism,” he said.

Some social workers whom The Telegraph tried contacting, were either travelling or busy with other assignments. “I’ll wait today. If nothing positive comes out of Annaji’s ongoing protest, we will also plan a movement in front of Raj Bhavan,” social activist Balram, adding “I’m also observing a fast.”

Dayamani Barla of Adivasi Moolwasi Astitva Raksha Manch said: “We have other priorities as Ranchi is reeling under encroachment-related tension, rehab issues, et al. But, our support is with Anna.” Indeed.


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Shooting camp exposes chinks in cops’ armour
A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Policemen at the target assessment camp, which ended on Monday. File picture


Ranchi, Nov. 3: The bad news has just got worse. Not only are the majority of Ranchi police officers poor marksmen, their physical fitness is also questionable.

However, a target assessment camp that concluded on Monday did provide a silver lining: among 2,500 havildars and constables, 70 per cent were found to be above average when it came to handling weapons and agility.

What started out as an exercise to measure the marksmanship of its men has turned out to be a major embarrassment for the Ranchi police force, leaving the top brass concerned about its personnel’s preparedness to tackle emergency situations.

The 11-day camp revealed that not only were the majority of senior officers not capable of using sophisticated arms, they were also far from prompt, the latter a direct fallout of poor fitness.

So worried is the top brass now that it has decided to crack the whip on bulging bellies. “Poor physical fitness is the root of all problems and has emerged as a huge concern for the department,” said Sergeant Major Ravinder Kumar Prasad, who managed the camp.

Considering the law and order challenges facing Jharkhand, it is imperative for not only the front line forces but also the top officers to be in sound physical form.

According to Prasad, out of 300 officers of ASI and SI ranks who were assessed, there were hardly any encouraging results.

“Around 30 per cent of the officers were average in target hitting, while the rest were below the mark. Their fitness levels were worse,” Prasad said, adding some of the obviously overweight officers blamed lack of time and work pressure for their low fitness levels.

“Marksmanship can be improved with practice, but fitness is a matter of attitude and self discipline,” he said.

However, not all was bleak. “Out of 2,500 lower rank personnel like havildars and constables, over 70 per cent were above average, a good sign. During any major assault, they are the frontline fighters,” said Prasad, adding that a training module and refresher course will soon be put in place.

Ranchi SSP Praveen Kumar said potbellied officers was a matter of serious concern.

“This is a problem which can be tackled immediately. We will soon chalk out programmes for such officers,” he said, adding that if required the concerned officers would be kept away from work to enable them to concentrate on their physical training.

“Work and physical fitness courses are difficult together. So we will work out some provision wherein officers can be put off duty for a month or two so that they can get back in shape,” he said.

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Wet spell may undo damage
A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, Oct. 23: On its way out, the monsoon is trying to make up for its poor show with late bursts of showers that are proving to be beneficial for rabi and vegetable production in drought-hit Jharkhand.

So, if the rain deficit doomed kharif cultivation this year, agricultural experts believe the present showers in Ranchi and adjacent areas, coupled with the late rains of September, has led to ideal conditions for rabi and vegetable cultivation much before its usual schedule.

“There is moisture in soil due to late rains. Also, the temperature has dipped by a few centigrades as a result of which conditions have become ideal for wheat and vegetable cultivation,” said Sunil Kumar, director, agriculture.

Compared to last year, the agriculture department expects rabi cultivation to be spread over 5,10,000 hectare this year.

“Last year, it was 4.7 lakh hectare but this year we will cross the 5 lakh mark,” said Kumar, adding that his department had distributed rabi crop seeds to farmers across districts a month ago.

So far, Jharkhand has received 645mm rainfall against an average of 1,300 mm — a 43 per cent dip in rainfall this year during peak season.

But, now farmers can make up part of their losses by cultivating vegetables and rabi crops.

R.P. Singh, director, soil conservation agrees, saying that even if Jharkhand was experiencing drought, the state had some advantages compared to neighbouring Orissa and Bihar.

“The state supports vegetable cultivation throughout the year. Tomato, cauliflower, cabbage or potato are best suited for upland areas. Sarson (mustard), tomato, chana, matar if sown now, can help farmers battling drought,” said Singh.

Also, as opposed to paddy, rabi or vegetables required minimum investment.

According to a Birsa Agriculture University estimation, based on scientists’ field visits, this year, around 9 lakh hectare remained vacant out of 16.7 lakh hectare, against last year’s 7 lakh hectare.

“These are mostly farmers who banked on rice and other paddy crops and are now suffering due to scanty rainfall,” said B.N. Singh, director, research, BAU.

For rabi, especially wheat, sowing starts mid-October. And as rabi and vegetables need less water, experts expect a bumper harvest in the next two months.

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Centre team aghast at Palamau neglect
A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, Oct. 22: A national team visiting the Palamau Tiger Reserve has castigated Jharkhand for not being serious about its upkeep, citing stark mismanagement and a severe staff crunch as among the many testimonials to the indifference of successive state governments.

While senior officials of the reserve, including director Paritosh Upadhyay, cited delays in sanctioning funds as the primary reason for all problems, the team, constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India (NTCA), wasn’t impressed.

“Despite the problems and the hue and cry over financial delays, the lack of sincere attempts to conserve tigers in this region were highly evident,” opined R.L. Singh, the chief wildlife warden of Uttar Pradesh and chairman of the committee that is expected to be in the state till Sunday.

He said the core area of the Palamau reserve had substantial human habitation which was against the law. And although there were relocation plans, Singh maintained, the team found villagers to be unaware of the provisions that were supposed to be explained by the state government.

“We tried to ascertain if the villagers inside the reserve had been told about relocation and their packages. We found hardly anyone is aware about it. Also, we are planning to revise the present package of Rs 10 lakh per family to Rs 10 lakh per adult in the family,” Singh, a former PCCF, said.

The committee chairman pointed out that of 3,200 tigers in the world, India alone had around 1,500 big cats.

“So preserving them is our responsibility. However, there are serious apprehensions and questions about the management of the reserve (Palamau). That is the reason this independent committee has been set up,” he added.

Apart from Singh, the team comprises Prerna Singh Bindra, member national wildlife advisory board; R. Dogra of ICFRI, Dehradun; and K. Malkani of Wildlife Institute of India.

The team is expected to visit Chhattisgarh and Bihar after Jharkhand. It will prepare a comprehensive report by the end of the month and submit it to the ministry.

“The team inspected various planning processes undertaken at the reserve so far to evaluate its implementation and progress,” said Upadhyay, who accompanied the visitors along with S.K. Sharma, the chief conservator of forest, wildlife.

“Some issues like infrastructure and corridor linkages in adjoining forested areas will be the main focus of the visit,” he said, adding that the primary challenges facing the Palamau reserve were funds delays and acute shortage of manpower for maintenance.

“Due to late release of funds, activities like habitat improvement, fire protection, road repair and maintenance and improvement of waterholes, which are crucial for wildlife mpanagement, are not carried out properly,” explained Upadhyay.

A committee member was appalled at the level of state indifference. “Out of 95 vacancies there are only 19 people employed in the reserve. How can one expect to save tigers?” he asked.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101006/jsp/jharkhand/story_13024367.jsp

Front Page > Jharkhand > Story



Snap passport service from April

A.S.R.P. MUKESH


Ranchi, Oct. 5: Come 2011, the state capital will become the third Indian city to boast an ambitious project that seeks to streamline the process of distribution of passports plagued by exponential demand and inordinate delay.

The ministry of external affairs, which piloted its Rs 1,000-crore Passport Seva Project in the cities of Bangalore and Chandigarh earlier this year, plans to launch the snap service in Ranchi in April next year.

According to sources at the regional passport office (RPO), the project developed by IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will ensure delivery of passport within three-four days of an online application. Currently, the minimum period for issuing a general passport is 90 days and for those under the Tatkal scheme is seven to 14 days.

“The online process is smooth, swift and transparent. At present, one can only download a form from the web. But once the new system is in place, one will be able to fill up a form online. The RPO will have everything from biometric devices (for fingerprints, retina scan, et al) to a 24-hour call centre. Also, status updates will be provided through text messages and emails,” said S.K. Sinha, assistant passport officer, Ranchi.

The RPO in Ranchi caters to the entire state of Jharkhand and according to officials, around 250 passports are issued daily. Records show 3,000 applications are currently in waiting.

“The figure is till June, as the waiting list is generally calculated with a backdate of three months. Most cases are delayed due to police verification, as we try and clear forms from our office as soon as possible. We also keep sending reminders to departments concerned,” Sinha said, adding that the project was designed keeping in mind these time-consuming procedures.

“Even under the Tatkal scheme, it takes seven to 14 days. Now, all this is set to change,” he said. An applicant will just have to pay a mandatory visit to the RPO, after filling up the online form, for biometric recognition.

Once through, the Passport Seva Project also promises to put an end to the menace of brokers and unauthorised passport agents. The agents charge thrice the actual fee for a quick job and draw more applicants than laggard passport officials.

Sinha, however, denied departmental inefficiency. “To make our services more efficient, we have recently formed a three-member committee headed by two passport officers and a superintendent who conduct surprise visits on regular basis. Also, we have a dedicated enquiry kiosk. Whatever happens outside the RPO is not our lookout,” he said.

The RPO, currently located in Dhurwa, is also mulling a new address. “On an average, over 200 people come here daily. The numbers soar at times, leading to chaos. Though the new facility will ease pressure and improve our delivery mechanism, we still need a place less congested,” said an official. Three locations have been identified, but a decision is yet to be taken, he added.

Tribal treat for Delhi

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101005/jsp/jharkhand/story_13019651.jsp

Tribal beats for C’wealth guests

- 30 Jharkhand artistes to perform in New Delhi on October 8 and 9

A.S.R.P. MUKESH


Ranchi, Oct. 4: Commonwealth delegates in the national capital will get a taste of Incredible Jharkhand.

In the coming week, tribal artistes led by Padma Shri Ram Dayal Munda will toe the splendid cultural line that marked the start of the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium yesterday.

The team comprising 30 artistes from Jharkhand will offer global audiences a feast for the senses with tribal dance forms — Karma, Oraon and Paika — at the national capital’s Meghdoot Theatre in a two-day cultural soiree on October 8 and 9.

In Pix: Ram Dayal Munda
“Commonwealth Games organisers had requested Sangeet Natak Akademi to arrange cultural events to regale Indian and foreign delegates during the Games. About a month ago, the Akademi general secretary approached me. According to my knowledge, teams from Jharkhand, Bengal and Assam will represent their respective state’s cultural uniqueness during the Games,” said tribal ideologue Munda over phone from New Delhi. He added that the state team of performers would leave for New Delhi on October 6.

Unmistakably upbeat, Munda said: “We will perform twice — on October 8 evening and October 9 morning. Our dance forms are rhythmic and vibrant, embellished with drumbeats and music. We expect a full house.”

On performances, Munda said they planned a couple of dances with Karma in focus. “Karma — one of Jharkhand’s oldest dance forms — is associated with rain and agriculture. Dances will be accompanied by melodious folk instruments such as jhumki, thumki, chhalla and payri,” he said.

It is also an opportunity of a lifetime for state artistes, said Munda. “Such a big and prestigious platform will give mileage to tribal art forms and their practitioners. It is heartening that our art forms are slowly gaining global currency, with Chhau and Karma being performed abroad. But this event will put the spotlight on our cultural heritage in a big way,” he said, adding that he was taking the cream of talent to Delhi. “Some artistes have performed in Europe and America as well,” he said.
 
Courtesy: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101002/jsp/jharkhand/story_12903205.jsp


Palamau saves farmland

- Ten villages pool in to build canal, divert water for irrigation

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, Oct. 1: What the administration and politicians couldn’t do for years, a group of villagers in Palamau did in a month — they built a canal to harness water for their farmlands.

Spending over Rs 5 lakh which they generated on their own, residents of around 10 villages in Mohmmadganj block of the district built a 300 feet dam by diverting Gauraha river, a tributary of Kasa, to harness water for irrigation.
Last month, they built a 3,000 feet-long canal, which they used to connect the newly built dam to a 50-year-old dam from where water will reach their fields across villages.

“The dam will now be ready to provide water to 10-14 villages namely, Gram Bali, Batua, Goradih, Karari, Lapori, Mali et al,” said Uday Singh, a local resident who was one of the prominent volunteers of the campaign.

“During rains, the Gauraha river has good amount of water and merges into the Koel River. But now we have diverted the flow of the river through this dam to bring water to our villages to irrigate thousands of acres,” he explained.

Men, women and children worked day and night to make this dream come true. “For so many years, our fields have been reeling under acute water crisis. Now it will get water for irrigation,” said 55-year-old Kanhayia, who contributed Rs 10,000 to the endeavour.

Over the years, villagers were tired of the false assurances they were being fed by various political leaders and local MLAs.

“This time, we pledged that come what may, we will construct this dam. Whatever expectations we had with our ministers, specially after the formation of Jharkhand, haven’t been fulfilled. They all failed to keep their promise,” said Singh.

As of now, the dam has water up to one-and-a-half feet. “Due to poor rainfall this time, the water level in the river has been low. But we are hopeful that our efforts will help us in the future,” he added.

What were the challenges they faced?

“Bureaucratic interference was nil because no one ever listens to us,” exclaimed Kanhayia. “The river runs through two forest hills. Since we didn’t have enough finances, we just worked with 10 tractors and two earthmovers. Rest was our labour,” said Suranjit Manjhi.

When contacted Palamau deputy commissioner Puja Singhal Purwar said, “I have taken note of it. If required we will try our best to extend all possible help to these villagers.”

Coutesy: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100923/jsp/jharkhand/story_12970777.jsp

FASAL comes to crop rescue


- Centre-sponsored project to predict agricultural yield on real-time basis

A.S.R.P. MUKESH



Ranchi, Sept. 22: Farmers have reason to rejoice. Thanks to a crop forecasting application being introduced in the state by Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), from the next harvesting season they would be in a better position to predict their agricultural yield.

Coming soon: harvest forecast
at BAU

BAU will launch the remote sensor-based crop forecasting application in the state, which will give an idea of actual crop sown and its output on a real time basis.

Called Forecasting Agricultural Output Using Space, Astro-meteorology and Land Based Application (FASAL), the Union government-sponsored project is being undertaken in co-ordination with Indian Space Research Organisation, India Meteorological Department and the Regional Space Research Organisation in three areas of the state — Ranchi, Dumka and Patamda.

The crop simulation model will imitate crop behaviour, its genetic composition and efficiency, soil nature and weather, said A. Wadood, BAU’s principal investigator.

“As in weather forecasting, we will predict crop yields using satellite imagery and studying factors like rainfall, date of sowing, nature of crop, soil radiation etc. All the data will be fed into a computer, area-wise, and the software will enable simulation of the crop performance. Since it will be done on a real-time basis, it will help us predict final harvest yield,” said Wadood.

He added that the university would be the nodal agency for monitoring the project in the state. Groundwork like setting up high-definition laboratories and selecting staff is on at present. “As we are yet to receive the funds from the Centre, in all likelihood we will start work next month,” he said.

FASAL was launched a year ago by the Union ministry of agriculture in some states across the country. It is being introduced in Jharkhand for the first time. “Till now, we have been doing district-level agromets, which are short duration weather predictions during crop season,” Wadood said.

The forecasting will be done twice a year — mid-season and pre-harvest. “After the crop is sown, forecasting to register details of a particular variety and its expected productivity will be called mid-season. But this is subject to change as by the time of harvest, seasonal variations like weather conditions and soil alterations are likely to happen. So we will conduct a forecast just before the actual harvest time that will give us accurate data on real produce,” Wadood said.

Every half-yearly forecasting will cost Rs 10 lakh. BAU will initially begin with only three crops — rice, ragi and wheat.
Courtesy: The Telegraph (Published dated: 23-09-2010)

Note: For drought prone Jharkhand, it could be a boon. However, the big question is--Will it be successful? Given the fact, we have not been able to predict weather properly.

Front Page > Jharkhand > Story







Videos that help farmers watch, learn & earn more

- An initiative of two NGOs, screen campaign across villages changes the face of agriculture

A.S.R.P MUKESH






A short film being shot in a hamlet in Khunti.
Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Sept. 14: They are no ordinary educational tools. Made by farmers for farmers, a number of short-duration video films are revolutionising the way agricultural activity is carried out in the hamlets of Jharkhand.



Farmers in the tribal pockets are adopting new skills and techniques they learn through the video clips which are made with the aim of propagating indigenous farming methods while improving crop yield and enhancing livelihood.



An initiative of two NGOs — Delhi-based Digital Green and Jharkhand’s Pradhan — the videos are bringing about a transformation in an environment where there is no electricity, let alone televisions.



Take the example of 34-year-old Phulmati Manjhi of Budi Toli village in Khunti district. Phulmati learnt a new technique to produce low cost vermi-compost, and is now reaping the rewards. “In a short time, the method converts waste material into vermi-compost. In six months, I have produced 17 quintals of it and sold it for Rs 3,910,” said Phulmati.



Phulmati’s success story started when she saw a video clip which was played in her village. “I realised it was not a foreign technique. Farmers living barely 60 kilometres away have been using it effectively for quite some time. It’s only that we didn’t know about it,” she said.



Video sessions are at the heart of Digital Green’s new campaign for small farmers.



According to 29-year-old Rikin Gandhi, who started Digital Green last year, the project is running on a pilot basis in 200 villages of Jharkhand, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Little wonder then that Gandhi was named one of the top young innovators of the world by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently.



“We seek to disseminate agricultural information to small and marginal farmers through digital videos. It increases participatory learning in areas where illiteracy is high and where verbal or written communication is difficult. Videos are an easy tool to expose farmers to classic and best practices in their community,” said Gandhi, speaking over phone from Delhi.



Explaining how the initiative works, regional manager of Digital Green Avinash Upadhyay said: “Eight to 10 minute-long clips are screened for small groups of farmers daily. The videos focus on optimum agricultural techniques, social issues and government programmes.”



Interestingly, the videos are produced by villagers themselves. “The process involves the farmers, a cameraman and a facilitator, all from the village community. We train the facilitator in identifying topics for dissemination. The videos are produced using hand-held camcorders. The recordings are then shown by mediators in their respective villages, using hand-held projectors and generators. These mediators nurture an environment for discussion, asking questions, obtaining feedback, before incorporating them in the next set of videos to better address the community,” added Upadhyay.



Pilot studies have shown that the system increases adoption of new farming practices by seven times the rate at which classical agricultural extension works, and at 10 times the cost-effectiveness. “So far, we have produced 146 odd videos of 101 practices in Jharkhand involving around 2,200 farmers in 50 villages,” said Upadhyay.


http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100915/jsp/jharkhand/story_12938098.jsp

National fame for special kids’ coach

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Alka Nizamie

Ranchi, Sept. 5: She may look like the kindly next-door neighbour, but there’s more to Alka Nizamie than meets the eye.

A feisty 52-year-old clinical psychologist-turned-social entrepreneur, the lady has been working for the uplift of children with physical and mental disabilities in Jharkhand for over two decades now.

And now, on September 10 in New Delhi, The National Trust, under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, will bestow Nizamie the award of best social professional. Rather than receive it as an individual achievement, Nizamie chooses to see it as an honour for the special children. “But there is still much left to do,” she says with characteristic modesty.

Her school for special children, aptly named Deepshikha, was launched in 1988, and now touches the lives of 6,000 children, co-partnered by 100 schools. The children suffer from autism, mental disability and dysfunctional behaviour.

“We started out with just 12 kids, and now the number has gone up to 6,000. From age two to their teenage years, these special children are under our care. We teach them, counsel them and equip them with livelihood skills,” said the social entrepreneur.

So how did it all start?

“The impetus to do something for special children came from my niece, who was a special child herself. When I and some others started our journey, special children were seen as a burden both by their parents and society. Now, there is more awareness, but it is limited to the elite sections of society. Only a complete mental overhaul will cause a large-scale acceptance of special children,” she said.

On a personal note, she said that her niece had passed away recently. But the movement to empower children like her would go on, she promised.

What’s the secret of her success?

Perseverance would be the key, according to Nizamie. “In the beginning, there were hardly any available funds or state support. but we were committed and that has made all the difference,” she said. 

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100906/jsp/jharkhand/story_12901078.jsp

Lease of entrepreneurial life for women mine workers

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, Sept. 5: From petty labourers to prosperous entrepreneurs — the life of women toiling in East Singhbhum mines to earn a paltry Rs 50 a day will soon turn around, thanks to the district administration.

In an ambitious project that aims to make these women workers financially independent, the East Singhbhum administration has decided to lease out mining sites to them so that they can make more profit.

Both self-help groups and groups formed by these women can come forward to file applications for becoming the stakeholders. The administration is planning to lease out around 30 potential mining sites by the end of this month.

“As of now, we have received applications from five interested parties — primarily from Chakulia, Musabani and Potka. We are hopeful that we will get a few more applications in the coming days, as the feedback says that the project has generated great interest among the women,” East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Himani Pandey told The Telegraph.

“We cannot disclose who the applicants are because we are at a stage of finalising names,” she added.

District mining officer Ratnesh Kumar Singh added that more groups had shown interest. “On a daily basis, we are receiving queries from 10 groups,” he said.

The officials are currently holding regular meetings with interested parties. Sessions to explain the procedure are also being held.

So, what triggered this unique idea?

“You will see that almost every mining site has a huge women workforce. These women work under extreme conditions, quarrying for coal and stones and ferrying them to the market. At the end of the day, they earn something between Rs 50 and Rs 100. Their pathetic condition prompted us to think of a way to make them feel they had a right to the fruit of their labour,” Pandey said.

The application criteria is simple. “An interested party needs to submit a draft of Rs 5,000 with a declaration of not holding any other illegal mining site. After this, we will send the application to the district forest and land departments for evaluation. Post-clearance, a field inspection will be conducted and the site allotted. The five applications that we have received are with the two departments. Hopefully, we will get the clearance letter within 10 days,” said Singh.

“There are about 200 mining sites in the district. The decision to grant stone quarrying lease doesn’t require the state or the Centre’s sanction. The deputy commissioner has the authority to approve the sites after all procedures are complete and the gram sabhas issue no-objection certificates,” the mining officer said.

On how the initiative would benefit the women, he explained, “If a truck ferries 200 cubic feet stones, the women can earn Rs 500 a day. Thus, if four trucks make trip to the market a day, they will earn a steep Rs 2,000.”

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100906/jsp/jharkhand/story_12901460.jsp

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100905/jsp/jharkhand/story_12897908.jsp



Seed war on drought


A. S. R. P. MUKESH



The MoU being exchanged at BAU in Ranchi on Saturday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Sept. 4: Very soon, Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) will undertake a campaign to study around 1,200 traditional varieties of rice in Jharkhand.



As Jharkhand is one of the primary centres of rice cultivation, it is important to conserve local crops and its gene samples in order to tackle the food crisis due to impending dangers of climate change.



The varsity, along with Gene Campaign, a Delhi based NGO that works in conservation activities of traditional crops in eastern India, today signed a MoU in this regard. The research will be undertaken in three phases.



According to the MoU, Gene Campaign will provide high quality traditional rice germplasm that can be integrated in the farming systems of Jharkhand.



At present, the NGO has collected and preserved around 2,700 traditional rice samples of which the varsity will have access to 1,200 samples for initial research activities.



“Our primary focus will be on drought-tolerant varieties of rice. In the last decade, the state has been severely affected by drought, as a result of which it is important to develop more such crops. We will also focus on blast-resistant crops and gallmidge (a plant disease)-resistant variants,” said varsity director (research), B.N. Singh, at a news meet.



Final dates to begin the research are yet to be decided, he added.



The Delhi-based NGO will also provide value-added inputs related to various traditional variants of grains and crops.



For example, Karni, a rice sample available in Jharkhand, is not only good to sow but there is a belief among the farmers that it can cure diabetes.



“Although we will not research this variant as of now, but we will undertake scientific studies to prove or disprove certain long held beliefs about grain variants available with us,” said Singh.



“Ownership of the seed will remain with villagers. We are a bridge between farmers and the world to sustain traditional farming practices in the country,” said Gene Campaign chairman Suman Sahai.



“We will include the participation of farmers by conducting various on-field activities to know their views of the particular grain and crop. In addition, a scientists’ evaluation will assess the importance of specific crops and its impact on human health,” she added.