OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES                Contents    

1. WATER SUPPLY
2. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
3. WELFARE OF SCs, STs & SEBCs
4. PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
5. LABOUR

 WATER SUPPLY

          Executive Engineer, RWSS, Division, Dhenkanal posted at Talcher is looking after the water supply in rural areas. There are three rural water supply  sub divisions namely Talcher, Talcher(project) & Angul in the district. The position of rural water supply is given below.

            Self Employed Mechanics     look after the day to day maintenance of hand pump tube wells and inform the Junior Engineer about the major break downs. This district faces water scarcity in summer as this district has critical geological formation i.e Talcher shale and Gondwana rocks. One hydro fracturing unit is functioning in order to develop the discharge of the tube wells. In summer season the PSUs like MCL, NALCO & NTPC extend their support by deploying water tankers in the peripheral areas.

Rural piped water supply schemes

a.          Commissioned schemes

          Budhapank, Chhendipada, Jarapada, Gurjanguli, Ghantapada, Jagannathpur, Pallahara, Kosala, Tukuda, Madhapur, Kishorenagar, Banarpal, Nuapada & Bangu, 11 number of fluoride affected villages around NALCO.

b.       On going schemes 

          Durgapur, Banatala, Bagedia, Bagachar & Pandarbharania, Boinda, Aida, Panchamahala, Kankili, Kaniha, Thakurgarh, Madhapur(extension), Kosala(Renovation), Parabil & Silling, Munduribeda, Paiksahi, Mahidharpur, 13 number of Industrial Pollution affected villages  around  Nalco.

Self Employed Mechanics (SEM)

           Self Employed Mechanics are the local mechanics of the panchayat selected by H.R.D. wing of RWSS & trained   to look after the day-to-day maintenance of tube wells and   inform major break downs to Junior Engineer, RWSS. They also assist the J.E., RWSS in major repair of tube wells. They are paid a remuneration of Rs.15/- per tube well per month. Each SEM is kept in charge of 20 to 25 tube wells. SEMs have been deployed in five blocks namely Angul, Chhendipada, Athamallik, Kaniha & Pallahara. The SEMs are attending to about 70% of the complaints. SEMs will be deployed in the remaining three blocks namely    Banarpal, Talcher & Kishorenagar shortly. 

Swajaladhara

         This is a new scheme introduced recently to enlist community participation in rural water supply programme. The programme is to be implemented by Block/ Panchayat/ Beneficiary group in water scarcity / problem areas according to their demand. In other words this is a demand driven programme , in which the Block/ Panchayat/ Beneficiary group will share 10% of the estimated cost ( 5% in case  SC/ST population is 50%  or more) and the balance will be given by Central Government through District Implementing Agency. In case of school 10% will be given by managing committee/ Parents’ association. In case of deficit in community contribution for schools MP/MLA can bridge the gap from their local area development funds. The project will be taken up directly by Block/ Panchayat/ Beneficiary group. The Block/ Panchayat/ BG will also be responsible for the operation & maintenance of the project.

URBAN WATER SUPPLY

Angul NAC

           The present quantum of water supply to the Angul town is 3.29 MLD against the total demand of 3.80 MLD @ 100 Lpcd. Bulk of the water supply comes from the Raniguda Water Tank,  which is filled up by the canal of Derjeng medium irrigation project. Presently, the water is being pressure-filtered after localised mixing of alum and   chlorination through the bleaching powder. Besides, there are 16 production wells and 180 running hand pump tube  to supplement the water supply to the town.

           A  14 MLD water treatment plant is being constructed  near Jail to improve the  quality water  being supplied in   Angul town has already been started.  There is a  proposal to bring raw  water either from Brahmani river or from Derjeng medium irrigation project to this water treatment plant.

          As an immediate short term measure for improving the quality of water supply from the Raniguda tank, bamboo screens have been fixed at the entrance of the intake well. Installation of a bleaching dosing pump for chlorination etc. has been completed.

               Production wells sunk at B.Ed College & Sikshyakapada have been commissioned recently.The production well sunk by CGWB near the proposed new bus stand will be commissioned very shortly to augment water supply to the town.

 Talcher Municipality

          In the Talcher municipal area, against the total water demand of 3.50 MLD @ 100 Lipcd, currently only 1.95 MLD water is being supplied. Besides, 89 hand pump tube wells are in operation. Out of the total 21 wards  11 wards are covered fully and 3 wards are partially covered  by the existing water supply system. A revised estimate amounting to Rs. 6.14 crores has been  prepared to improve water supply & cover the uncovered areas of the town.

 In the first phase  construction of 4 MLD capacity of water treatment plant at Talcher is under progress. The said work is executed by OWS&SB.

 Athamallik N.A.C.

           Water supply to Athamallik has been  effected since 28.10.94. On attaining the status of an urban local body, PHED has taken over the W/S system of the Athamallik NAC from RWSS wing with effect from August 1999. The existing system of water supply to Athamallik town is on rural pattern sourced from the river Mahanadi. Total 0.60 MLD quantity of water is supplied through 92 number of stand posts. Level of water supply is 40 Lpcd having no house connection. Besides, 100   tube wells are operational in the NAC area. Out of the 11 wards, 10 wards are covered with pipe water supply. However there is necessity for  construction of a water treatment plant and upgrade  the system.      

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Women & Child Development

                    Women’s empowerment is an important agenda in the development efforts. There has been significant shift in approach of the district administration towards the development of women, especially the poor & the illiterate.

Working Women’s hostel

          To provide secured accommodation to the working women, Working Women’s Hostel has been established at Angul  & functioning since 1996.

State Old Age Pension (SOAP)/ National Old Age Pension (NOAP)

          Pension is provided under State Old Age Pension Scheme (SOAP) @ Rs. 100/- per beneficiary per month to the old and destitute persons of 60 years of age and above, leprosy patients and destitute widows irrespective of age whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 3200/-.  17664 beneficiaries including 8526 number of women are covered under the scheme .

          Under National Old Age Pension (NOAP),  monthly pension of Rs.100/- is provided to    8570 beneficiaries   including 3679 women . The scheme is meant for old & destitute persons of 65 years of age & above.

Mission Shakti

          This scheme was launched in this district on 3^rd May 2001. The mission aims at empowering women through formation and promotion of   women’s Self Help Groups. 2184 Self Help Groups have been formed with 24235 members  . These women self help groups are engaged in different types of economic activities such as horticulture, piggery, goatery, dairy,   etc. Chidananda Swayam Sahayak group of village Gaham under Kaniha Block  was adjudged as the best Self Help Group of the State for their activities    during 2001-2002  . The banks also provide institutional credit to the SHGs to take up various income generating activities . More than 800 SHGs have availed institutional credit  during the last two years . NABARD is playing a promotional role in this regard. Organisation of women as SHGs have also brought a silent revolution in the rural areas. These groups are taking up social issues like dowry prohibition , illicit liquor trade etc.

Integrated Child Development Scheme (I.C.D.S)

          ICDS projects are being implemented in 8 blocks of this district. The target group under this programme consists of children in the age group of 0-6 years, expectant and nursing mothers in the age group of 15-45 years belonging to families below the poverty line. The scheme provides a package of services covering supplementary nutrition, immunization, pre school education, health check up, referral services   and health education for adolescent girls. 

National Maternity Benefit Scheme

          National Maternity benefit scheme was launched w.e.f. 15^th Aug,1995. It is    a central scheme & targeted for pregnant women belonging to BPL families.  It aims at bringing improvement in their health and nutrition status during the pregnancy period. Assistance under the scheme is restricted first two live births only . An assistance is Rs.500/- is provided to the pregnant woman 8 to 12 weeks prior to delivery.   The CDPO is the sanctioning authority of this assistance in ICDS Blocks & B.D.O is the sanctioning authority in respect of non ICDS Blocks.             

Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act,1994

           The objective of this Act is to prevent female foeticide. The institutions like Genetic Counselling Centres, Genetic Laboratories, Genetic Clinics or any combination thereof and any other body using ultrasound machine   come under the purview of the Act. Four corporate hospitals and five private clinics having ultrasound facility have been registered under the provisions of the Act in Angul district. The CDMO is the Appropriate Authority to prevent  violation & misuse  of   the provisions of the  Act.

Old Age Home

          There are two Old Age Homes managed by two NGOs functioning in the district.

Day Care Centres

            Two NGOs are managing seven day care centers at the following centers. 

Orphanage

            There are two orphanages  in this district.  One is functioning at Baji Rout Chhatrabas, Angul with 100 inmates and another is functioning at Athamallik Balashram with 25 inmates.

Welfare of the Handicapped

          51 no of handicapped students are getting stipend. Special appliances like wheel chair, motorized bicycles, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids are provided to persons with disabilities with the help of organizations like ALIMCO, NIRTAR.   

Infant Mortality Reduction Mission         

      High infant mortality is the greatest concern of our civil society. It is a composite indicator of human development. The state of Orissa has the dubious distinction of having the highest infant mortality rate in the country. The Govt. of Orissa is alive to this pressing problem. It has launched a mission called infant mortality reduction mission to bring down IMR from 97 to 60. Institutional delivery, malaria chemo prophylaxis, reproductive and child health programmes are being undertaken to bring down IMR.

Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes  & Socially & Educationally Backward Class

      Government has attached priority for the development & welfare of ST/SC/ SEBC & Minorities. The Government is committed to ensure speedy development of these communities through effective implementation of anti- exploitative, protective, economic, social, cultural & welfare measures. The land right of SC /ST families is protected under Orissa Land Reforms Act. No tribal / scheduled caste person is allowed to transfer his land through sale, gift or mortgage without the permission of the competent authority. The scheduled caste communities have been subjected to social discrimination over the years. Hence a stringent legislation namely Prevention of   Atrocities (SC & ST) Act has been enacted to provide social justice to these weaker sections of the society. Money lending is an important problem accentuating the marginalisation & poverty of SCs & STs. Hence legislation has also been brought to control money lending.

         Under the ORV Act 1975, there is a provision for reservation of 16.50% & 22.50% of posts for SC & ST communities respectively in initial appointment and promotion. A number of self-employment and wage employment programmes like SGSY, SGRY are designed to improve the standard of living and quality of life of these communities. Under housing sector 60% of the target meant for this district is earmarked for the beneficiaries belonging to ST/SC communities under BPL category.

         Institutional credit is also provided to the SC/ST youth through Orissa Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe Development Finance Co-operative Corporation (OSFDC) under Margin Money Loan Programme, High Cost Scheme, Scavenger Programme (National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers) for various income generating activities.

         The   Government have undertaken various measures to improve the educational status of these communities through steps like provision of scholarships, boarding facilities, free distribution of text books, garments etc. There are thirty-seven Sevashrams & one Residential Sevashram in this district imparting education up to Class-V. Three Ashram Schools and one Kanyashram are imparting education to boys and girls respectively up to Class-VII. Three High Schools have been established by SC & ST Development Department in this district. The rate of pre-matric scholarships for ST/SC boarders has been enhanced from Rs. 200/- to    Rs. 300/- for boy students per month    and     from Rs. 225/- to Rs. 325/- for girl students per month   from 1999-2000. During the year 2002-2003, pre-matric scholarship to the tune of Rs.50,80,603.00 was distributed to 17,421 SC & ST students and post-matric scholarship was provided to 11,234 SC & ST students with an expenditure of Rs. 29,60,973.00.

Modified Area Development Approach ( MADA)

          Modified Area Development Approach aims at development of tribals staying outside the ITDA areas  Modified Alternative . Such approach is being followed in  tribal dominated pockets of  two    blocks namely  Athamallik & Pallahara. Both individual  benefit oriented schemes & community oriented schemes are implemented in these pockets in 70:30 ratio out of SCA   (Special Central Assistance) outlay.

Micro project for primitive  tribal community

One micro project namely Paudi Bhuyan Development Agency (PBDA) has been established in Pallahara Block for the development of the primitive Paudi Bhuyans concentrated in 5 G.Ps (Nagira, Bandhabhuin, Saida, Seegarh & Pechamundi) covering 27 villages. The project is spread over 188 sq. Km.       

Welfare of SEBCs

          Apart from the Scheduled Tribes & /Scheduled Castes, there are several communities which are recognized as socially and educationally backward. In order to render social justice, the State Government have notified and enlisted such communities and made 27% reservation for them in initial/ direct recruitment in posts and services. Merit-cum-Means scholarships are being awarded to such students covering one student each of class IX and class X in all Government and recognized High Schools.

New Swarnima 

          The New Swarnima scheme has been launched for women belonging to SEBC category.   This scheme provides loan up to  of Rs. 50,000/- to each beneficiary for taking up  small business and there is no provision for subsidy under this scheme. The rate of interest of the loan amount is 6% per annum.

Public Distribution System

            The objective of `public distribution system  to ensure availability of essential commodities  to the weaker sections of the society at reasonable prices. Its other specified goals are to: 

1.       Make goods available to consumers at fair price shops and ensure equitable distribution.

2.          Rectify the existing imbalance between the supply and demand of food grains.

3.          Ensure food security.

           The system involves procurement, storage  & distribution of essential commodities such as wheat, rice, sugar & kerosene oil at affordable prices to the public through statutory rationing system.         

Govt. of India revamped the scheme to eliminate leakage and malpractices and introduced the “ Revamped Public Distribution System” in June 1992 by extending its coverage to the tribal, hilly & drought prone areas . Subsequently from 1^st June 1997 both Central & State Govt. introduced targeted public distribution system to cover the poor in all areas. Special ration cards were issued to families below the poverty line (BPL). The Govt. of Orissa views the TPDS as an important constituent of the strategy for ensuring food security. Food grains are supplied at specially subsidised prices  to the vulnerable sections of society like landless labourers , marginal farmers, rural artisans, craftsman, slum dwellers & persons earning their livelihood on daily wage basis in informal sector e.g casual labourers, porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers , who have been included in the BPL list prepared by the Panchayati Raj Department  for rural areas and Housing & Urban Development Department for urban areas. 1,26,330 number of BPL families were identified in the survey conducted during 1997.

Scale of distribution under TPDS  

Annapurna Scheme

           Government of India have launched   Annapurna scheme to ensure food security for the aged destitute people.   The scheme aims at covering indigent senior citizens, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. The beneficiaries receive 10 kg of food grain every month free of cost.

           The age of the beneficiary should be  65 years or more. He/ She must be destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his/ her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources and should not be in receipt of pension under the National Old Age Pension Scheme or State Pension Scheme.

           In case of rural areas, the G.Ps identify , prepare and display the list of persons eligible to receive benefits under the scheme after giving wide publicity, through Palli Sabha. In urban areas, the NACs/ Municipalities   select beneficiaries through council resolution.

           The district level committee   scrutinizes the list of beneficiaries recommended by the G.Ps /NAC/Municipalities. The final list of beneficiaries is sent to the concerned Block/ GP/ NAC/Municipality to display the same for general information.

 Antyodaya Anna Yojana

             Govt. of India have launched a scheme “ Antyodaya Anna Yojana “ to provide highly subsidised rice to very poor families. Beneficiary families receive 35 kg of rice every month at a subdisied price @ of Rs. 3.00 per kg. The beneficiaries are identified by palli sabha in rural areas and municipal council in urban areas.

 District Consumer Dispute Redressal  Forum

           The Consumer Protection Act, 1986   provides  for protection of the   consumers & envisages the   establishment of Consumer Council and other authorities for the settlement of consumer disputes and for matter connected therewith.

           As per Section 9(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 District Consumer Redressal Forum has been established in Angul district since 1996.

District Consumer Protection Council

           The District Consumer Protection Council, Angul was established in the year 1993 to take steps for promotion of consumer education, consumer awareness, consumer welfare and encouragement of voluntary consumer movement. The council shall endeavour to create an atmosphere of trust, confidence and understanding between the consumers on the on hand and the producers, distributors and dealers on the other.

·   The council shall review and monitor the receipt of the stocks of essential commodities and their proper storage, lifting and distribution. The councils shall ensure that the Block/ Town Level Advisory Committees function properly.

·   The council shall assist in the procurement drive and enlist the cooperation of the public, the producers, the purchasing agents and the functionaries of Food Corporation of India and other organization.

·   The council shall ensure that the producers, distributors and dealers of essential commodities and other goods and services adopt fair trade practices and in recalcitrant cases of default suggest remedial measures.

·   The council shall suggest measures for prevention and detection of black marketing, hoarding, profiteering, adulteration and other evil activities.

           The council shall make endeavour for : 

·        Conducting market survey and laying down the price schedules for various commodities from time to time.

·        Working out constructive measures for holding the price line.

·        Undertaking periodical checks in the market so as to ensure availability of foods and services at reasonable rates. 

The council shall take steps to enquire into various complaints against manufacturers, wholesalers, storage agents, retailers and recommend appropriate action. For this purpose, periodical surprise checks may be made, along with the functionaries of various departments/ organizations such as Police, Vigilance, Civil Supplies, Market Intelligence, Legal Metrology, Commercial Tax etc. 

LABOUR

            There are 47   registered factories, out of which 26 are running factories. There is an office of Asst. Labour Commissioner of State Govt. at Angul. This office looks after the welfare of the labourers working in factories, migrant labourers , contract labour & child labour . The state labour machinery is implementing various provisions of the following important labour legislations  to protect the interests of the working class.

·        Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923

·        Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972

·        Minimum Wages Act, 1948

·        Contract Labour ( Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970

·        Inter State Migrant Workmen (RE&CS) Act, 1979

·        Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961

·        Orissa Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, 1956

·        Beedi & Cigar Workers ( C.E) Act, 1966

·        Child Labour(P&R) Act, 1986

·        Industrial Dispute Act, 1947

·        Equal remuneration Act, 1976

·        Trade Union Act, 1926

·        Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

·        Payment of Wages Act, 1936

        The office of the Asst. Labour Commissioner, Central is located at Bhubaneswar & the office of the Labour  Enforcement Officer is located at Nalco who looks  after the welfare of the labourers working in the mines & railways.

The Inspector of Factories & Boiler also looks after the safety    of workers engaged in factories & projects.                                         

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