-The Business Standard   The meeting has been called to discuss the preparedness of the states to handle less rainfall or drought like situations  Mumbai: The Ministry of Agriculture has called an urgent meeting of 18 states in the wake of delayed rains next week and prepare state specific contingency plan for crops. According to official sources, the meeting has been called to discuss the preparedness of the states to handle less rainfall or drought...

-Outlook     Bhubaneswar: Advocating zero displacement and zero harm to environment while setting up projects, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram today said he would present his views on the proposed iron ore mining at Khandadhar hill in odisha's Sundargarh district to the Centre. "My stand on mining in Khandadhar remains unchanged... I am against any project that can harm natural environment or cause displacement of people," Oram told reporters here during a...

-IANS     Bhubaneswar: A two-member expert team appointed by the Supreme Court to probe alleged mining illegalities in odisha arrived in the state on Monday, an official said. The Central Empowered Committee of the apex court on mining, led by member secretary of the panel M.K. Jiwrajka, will asses the status of operational mines during its two-day stay in the state, an official of the state mining department told IANS. The panel will also...

-Economic and Political Weekly   This article analyses the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in slum households and compares it with the non-slum urban households using data from the 2011 Census. It argues for a shift from the mere water supply coverage to an emphasis on quality water distribution. Intermittent water supply coupled with poor sanitation contributes to higher health risks. Promoting point-of-use water treatment and basic hygiene practices on safe handling...

-The New Indian Express   BERHAMPUR (odisha): Awareness among the farmers about new high yield seeds and use of modern technologies can increase production of different crops, said Ganjam Collector Prem Chandra Choudhary while addressing District Agriculture Strategy meeting in Chhatrapur on Tuesday. He directed the officials to ensure 100 per cent irrigation facilities to the farmers during the ensuing kharif season. He asked them to speed up the paddy procurement process and timely...