PM Modi to join Triranga Yatra, hold roadshow in Bhubaneswar June 20
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in a Triranga Yatra and hold a roadshow before attending an event marking the first anniversary of the BJPs maiden government in Odisha June 20, a senior minister said. Though Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhis government completed one year in office June 12, the administration is []
ASI urged to complete Puri Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar repair work during Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: The authorities of the Jagannath temple in Puri have urged the ASI to complete repair work in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the shrine in Puri during the coming Rath Yatra festival, when the deities will be in another temple for nine days. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the custodian of the 12th-century []
ICMR RMRCBB Young Professional II Recruitment 2025 Walk in
ICMR Regional Medical Research Centre Bhubaneswar (ICMR RMRCBB) Recruitment 2025 for 01 posts of Young Professional II. Candidates with M.Sc Can attend the walkin.The Walk-in on 20-06-2025. For detailed information please visit ICMR RMRCBB official website, icmr.gov.in.
President, Guv, CM greet people as Raja festival begins in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik Saturday greeted the people of Odisha as the three-day Raja festival began across the state. The state welcomes the Raja festival every year as a mark of respect for womanhood, fertility, and the rhythms of Mother []
Diarrhoea toll in Odishas Jajpur rises to five
Bhubaneswar/Jajpur: The diarrhoea toll in Odishas Jajpur district rose to five with one more person succumbing to the disease, an official said Saturday. The Jajpur district administration has cancelled Raja festival holidays for government officials as fresh cases were reported from three different places. In view of the diarrhoea outbreak in different parts of the []
Matchmaking platforms in India, including Odisha, see a rise in registrations for second marriages. Individuals aged 50 and above are actively seeking companionship. The pandemic highlighted the need for a partner. Attitudes towards late-life marriages are changing. Compatibility and shared interests are key concerns for senior couples. Legal experts advise caution regarding property issues in second marriages.
Love rekindled: Age or a failed marriage is no longer a stigma to getting hitched again
Breaking societal norms, older individuals in Odisha and beyond are finding love and companionship later in life, driven by changing attitudes and longer life expectancies. Divorcees, widowers, and those who didn't marry young are seeking compatible partners for emotional support and shared experiences.
CRPF official killed in IED blast during anti-Maoist operation in Odisha's Sundargarh
A CRPF officer lost his life in an IED blast. The incident happened during an anti-Maoist operation in Odisha's Sundargarh district. Assistant Sub Inspector Satyaban Kumar Singh was critically injured. The blast took place near K Balang village. It occurred during a joint operation by CRPF and Odisha Police SOG. Singh later succumbed to his injuries in a Rourkela hospital.
Bhubaneswar: Bacardi India Private Limiteds debut in the Indian whisky segment has earned remarkable global acclaim, as Legacyits first premium whisky crafted in Indiawon the Gold in the Blended Whisky category at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. This prestigious honour highlights a pivotal moment for Indian spirits, placing Legacy among the most celebrated premium Indian []
Odisha rivers in grave condition
Bhubaneswar: Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh, also known as the waterman of India Friday made a strong pitch for the protection of rivers by saying that many rivers are in a grave condition and nearing extinction in Odisha. He was addressing the Odisha River Protection Conference organised by Mahanadi Bachao Andolan (MBA) and the Odisha []
Raja: Social silence on menstruation persists
RESHMI YADAV, OP Bhubaneswar: With the arrival of Raja a three-day-long unique festival that celebrates menstruation, fertility, and womanhood, Odisha decks up in vibrant colours, swings, alata-adorned feet, and the sweet aroma of poda pitha, symbolic and distinct to the celebration of the festival. Yet, despite the profound message, the irony persists. Menstruation remains a []
EPFO officer arrested for bribery in Berhampur
BERHAMPUR: The CBI has arrested a public relations officer (PRO) of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) office in Berhampur for allegedly accepting a bribe of 10,000 from a private company representative. Basing on a complaint by Suraj Kumar Dash of Chaityanya Nagar in Berhampur, CBI sleuths laid a trap in which Anil Ratha, the PRO at the regional office of EPFO, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe to approve the authorised digital signature in unified portal of EPFO on behalf of M/s Jagannath Infratech and M/s Uttam Padhi. Ratha met the company representative at Lanjipalli in Berhampur to take the bribe amount, when CBI sleuths arrested him. The bribe amount was seized and he was taken to Bhubaneswar for further interrogation. It is suspected that more EPFO officials might be involved in the case. In a press release, CBI DIG (ACB), Bhubaneswar Akhilesh Kumar Singh said the complaint was verified and the complainant was told to pay the bribe amount to set a trap. A case has been registered against Ratha and others. The matter is being investigated by DSP,CBI Girish Kumar Pradhan.
Its cholera in Jajpur, death toll 11; two more districts report outbreak
BHUBANESWAR: Even as the death toll surged to 11, the Odisha government on Friday confirmed the presence of cholera-causing bacteria in samples collected from the affected areas of Jajpur district. Adding to the governments headache, two more districts also reported the outbreak on the day. Official sources said, of the 41 faecal samples sent to the laboratory for testing, eight tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera. So far, over 700 others have been taken ill across four blocks and one urban local body in the district. The official death toll, however, is five. We are verifying the details of other deaths, director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said. Health officials have intensified surveillance, water quality monitoring, and awareness campaigns in the affected regions, including Dharmasala, Danagadi, Korei, and Rasulpur blocks and Vyasanagar municipality to prevent the further spread of the disease. Two more districts - Bhadrak and Keonjhar - also came under the grip with several people from Bhandaripokhari and Anandpur blocks getting admitted in the hospitals following diarrhoea. We have received reports of people with diarrhoea in several places in Jajpur district, and small pockets in Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts. Health teams have been sent to affected areas to take stock of the situation. We are taking every possible measure to avoid further cases, said Dr Mishra. The state has been consistently reporting cases of cholera in last few decades, particularly affecting the lower socio-economic groups in districts like Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Sundargarh. In 2023, at least 13 people died and over 1,000 were affected in Rourkela while eight persons died and 104 others were hospitalised in Rayagada district in 2022. Poor access to clean drinking water, lack of sanitation, and delayed medical attention were cited as major factors contributing to the severity of the outbreak. On the day, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting attended by Health secretary Aswathy S and senior officials from the Health and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments. The Health department has appealed to people to consume boiled or chlorinated water and avoid open defecation. Ahuja directed the officials to conduct door-to-door visits and intensify awareness activities in the villages to prevent the spread of the disease and complete the disinfection work in 10 days. Affected districts have been asked to provide proper treatment facilities besides ensuring availability of drugs, saline and other essentials in hospitals.
Inscriptions reveal Utkalas victory over Delhis Tughlaqs
Bhubaneswar: A rare 14th-century inscription found at the Dharmalingeswar Temple at Panchadharla in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh has brought to light the hitherto unknown military victory of the combined forces of the Eastern Ganga dynasty of Utkala and Haihaya rulers over the imperial armies of Delhis Tughlaq rulers. The discovery is featured in a []
Odisha clears Rs 3,878 crore investment proposals, over 10,584 jobs across 11 districts
BHUBANESWAR: The state-level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA) of the Odisha government on Friday approved 17 investment proposals worth Rs 3,878.86 crore. The proposed projects are expected to generate 10,584 employment opportunities across 11 districts. The SLSWCA headed by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja cleared the projects that span a wide-range of sectors including plastics, textiles and apparel, technical textiles, electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), food processing, power and renewable energy, tourism, logistics and infrastructure, chemicals and steel. The plastic sector continued to draw strong investors interest with six major proposals getting the nod. As proposed, Greenwave Circularity Pvt Ltd will set up a recycled flakes, pellets, and resin manufacturing facility with a capacity of 4.04 lakh tonne in Khurda at an investment of Rs 650.23 crore. Gurumaharaj Mining and Industries Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 239.07 crore to manufacture underground pipelines with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh mtr in Khurda. Supreme Industries Ltd will establish a unit for plastic products in Cuttack at an investment of Rs 175 crore. Similarly, Lucro Plastecycle Pvt Ltd will set up a post-consumer plastic recycled granules and products unit in Jagatsinghpur with an investment of Rs 100 crore. Royal Touch Fablon Pvt Ltd will manufacture PP woven sacks, bags, and yarn liners with a capacity of 9,600 TPA in Balasore with an investment of Rs 60.78 crore. In the textiles and apparel sector, MAS India Clothing Pvt Ltd will set up a textile processing unit (fabric mill) in Khurda with an investment of Rs 885 crore, generating 1,700 jobs. Isolloyd Engineering Technologies Ltd will establish a unit for ceramic fibre and related products in Jajpur with an investment of Rs 51 crore. While Iron Triangle Ltd has proposed to invest Rs 310.75 crore to set up a 200 MWh battery energy storage system in Balangir district, Samaleshwari Ferrometals Pvt Ltd is planning to expand its sponge iron plant into a 0.5 MTPA integrated steel plant in Sambalpur with an investment of Rs 400 crore. In the tourism sector, Raysons Enterprises Pvt Ltd will set up an eco-resort Mayfair Hideout at Balukhand under Gop block in Puri district with an investment of Rs 53 crore. Special Blasts Ltd will invest Rs 54.99 crore to set up an explosives and accessories manufacturing unit at Talcher in Angul district. Other investments Bhubaneswar Logipark Pvt Ltd - Rs 218.8 cr Alpha Coal Beneficiation and Infrastructure LLP - Rs 217.4 cr Heraeus Technologies India Pvt Ltd - Rs 188.46 cr Addsoft Technologies Pvt Ltd -Rs 112 cr Ranisati Green Biofuels Pvt Ltd - Rs 110 cr Ganesh Consumer Products Ltd - Rs 52.38 cr
Six arrested in cyber frauds totalling Rs 3.34 crore; victims include ex-minister, Balasore resident
CUTTACK/BHUBANESWAR : Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha Police has arrested six cyber criminals in separate cases of investment and digital arrest frauds amounting to Rs 3.34 crore. In the first case, the agency nabbed a woman from West Bengal for her alleged involvement in a Rs 74.10 lakh investment fraud case. The accused Anushka Mitra (24) of Bardhaman district was brought to Odisha on transit remand and produced before SDJM court in Bhubaneswar. According to CB sources, Mitra along with her associates posed as trade analysts and duped the complainant, a resident of Balasore district. CB had registered a case in August, 2024. In another development, CB arrested two more accused persons from Gujarat for allegedly cheating a minister in the previous BJD government of Rs 1.04 crore on the promise of providing him higher returns on his invested amount. The agency had registered a case in January this year and 11 persons have been arrested from different parts of the country in this connection till date. Similarly, CB apprehended another Gujarat native for his alleged involvement in investment fraud by cheating a Chhatrapur native of `50 lakh. The agency had registered a case earlier in February. While two more Gujarat natives were held for their alleged involvement in digital arrest fraud and cheating a Bhubaneswar resident of `1.06 crore. A case was registered in August, 2024 and six accused have been arrested so far.
Special OJEE on July 15-16 to fill vacant seats
BHUBANESWAR: A special Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) will be conducted for filling up vacant seats in BTech and other professional courses on July 15 and 16, informed the OJEE committee. Committee chairman DP Satpathy said the process of registration and online application for the Special OJEE-2025 commenced from Friday and will continue till June 23. Satpathy said the entrance test will be conducted for BTech, LE Tech (diploma), LE Tech (BSc), MBA, MCA and BPharm courses. Candidates who have appeared earlier in either of the exams are not required appear this time. The results of special OJEE in BTech will be used to fill up the leftover seats in engineering colleges and technical institutes, after first phase counselling for BTech is completed on the basis of JEE Main ranking. Similarly, the ranks of the special OJEE in LE Tech (diploma), LE Tech (BSc), MBA, MCA and BPharm will be used for the seats that will fall vacant after admission to these courses based on the OJEE-2025. Meanwhile, officials also clarified that candidates from outside the state are not eligible for admission in government colleges, but can enrol in private professional colleges and institutions.
Odisha explores AI use in water resources management
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government has piloted multiple projects to measure the efficiency of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced computer technologies for optimising use of water resources to help farmers and strengthen disaster preparedness. Addressing a workshop on Introduction of Best Practices in Data Management and Digitisation for Water Resources Monitoring using AI, jointly organised by the State Water Informatics Centre (SWIC) and IIT Bhubaneswar, development commissioner and additional chief secretary Water Resources Anu Garg said digitisation, data management and AI are now playing an important role in efficient water management. Garg said while the government has taken up various initiatives in collaboration with different agencies for judicious use of water, it has also given stress to good governance and IT initiatives in its vision document to make the system more robust. Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM), Bhubaneswar Arjamadutta Sarangi said the Institute is working with the Water Resources department to bring cutting-edge solutions to water management using AI and other advanced tools and technology. Different water management devices are being tested on a pilot basis in Phulnakhara, Mendhasala and Darpanpur in the Capital region to help farmers deal with the problem of water overuse. We are are trying to gather data from sensor-based devices and analyse it using AI and other fusion models. If the test is found to be successful and the farmers find the devices and technology to be useful, the project will be expanded to other areas of the state, Sarangi said. Associate professor of School of Earth, Ocean and Climate Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar Sandeep Pattnaik said researchers of the institute have already found effective ways of predicting rainfall at district scale as well as monsoon depression in the Bay of Bengal with more accuracy using AI and other advanced models.
Odisha revamps PG admission rules: Career mark weightage scrapped
BHUBANESWAR: Admission to post-graduate (PG) courses in the new academic session of 2025 -26 will be entirely based on marks secured by a student in the common post-graduate entrance test (CPET), the department of Higher Education has notified. The department has done away with the previous practice of giving PG seats to students on the ground of 80 pc CPET marks and 20 pc career marks. In the PG phase-1 admission guidelines issued by the department, principals of colleges and PG council chairmen of public universities have been asked to ensure implementation of the 11.25 pc reservation for candidates belonging to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) and verify valid SEBC certificates during the admission process. For students with disabilities of 40 pc or more taking admission to regular courses, all academic fees except mess charges will be waived off but this will not be applicable for such students taking admission to self-financing courses. The department informed that the phase-1 PG admission will take place with four rounds of selection and like previous years, students will be provided three options of freeze, slide and float. Officials of SAMS said the students who chose freeze option can download their intimation letter and proceed for admission to the institution but those who opt for slide and float, will have to pay the admission fees for the selected institution but are not required to visit it as they will not get the intimation letter. Students who will be selected for admission to their first choice of institution are bound to take admission and will not be allowed to participate in the subsequent rounds. Besides, a student who studied a subject elective paper (core course) carrying 24 credits at under-graduate (UG) level will only be eligible to apply for admission for that subject at PG level. lf the student during his application through SAMS enters incorrect information on studying on elective with 24 credits, his or her candidature will be cancelled during admission, the department had warned.
Odisha to expand e-bus network, launch Ama Bus service in five new cities
BHUBANESWAR: Going ahead with its plan of promoting green and sustainable public transport in urban areas, the state government will launch electric buses (e-buses) under Ama Bus service in five more cities and further expand the service in Berhampur city. It has initiated the procurement of 200 more e-buses for the purpose. Officials in Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), that manages the Ama Bus service, said the e-buses will be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, while the existing fleet of e-buses under Ama Bus service in Berhampur will be increased. The e-bus service is available in the Capital region and Berhampur at present. Tender has been invited recently for the introduction of 200 more electric buses under Ama Bus service. The service will start in the identified cities once the procurement process is complete, said CRUT managing director N Thirumala Naik. CRUT has planned to purchase medium-sized electric buses for expansion of its e-bus service. The agency has decided to purchase 50 e-buses each for Berhampur and Sambalpur and 25 e-buses each for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul and Jharsuguda. The fresh procurement will increase CRUTs existing Ama Bus fleet from 560 to 760. The e-bus fleet will also go up from 180 to 380. With Berhampur already having 20 e-buses, the fresh procurement will take the number of e-bus fleet in the city to 70. Officials said the bus operator to be finalised for procurement, operation and maintenance of these buses, will be engaged for at least a decade. Apart from the 200 e-buses, they will also be managing 400 e-buses soon under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme. Under the scheme, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department plans to run at least 100 e-buses each in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela and 50 in Sambalpur. They added that implementation of the proposal has been delayed owing to legal hurdles and is expected to be implemented soon after the matter is resolved. The Centre will procure and handover the e-buses to CRUT under the scheme. Sustainable urban mobility 200 e-buses to be procured for six cities e-bus service to be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul,Jharsuguda and Sambalpur; expanded to Berhampur 400 e-buses also to be brought under PM-eBus Sewa scheme
After Air India crash, Bhubaneswar airport to hold emergency mock drill on June 30
BHUBANESWAR: In the aftermath of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad claiming 260 lives, authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar have decided to conduct an aircraft emergency handling mock drill on June 30. The airports operational facilities and preparedness to handle any emergency situation was checked on Friday by the BPIAs safety review committee consisting of heads of various stakeholder departments. This mock drill has been planned to enhance our preparedness to handle any untoward incident. Medical staff, Odisha Fire and Emergency Service personnel, police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and others will participate, BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan told The New Indian Express. He added that while aircraft emergency handling mock drills are mandatory and BPIA has been doing it regularly, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has instructed it to conduct the exercise again. Aircraft emergency handling involves a series of coordinated steps to ensure the safety of passengers and crew in various emergency situations from in-flight problems to forced landings and evacuations. It includes maintaining situational awareness, communicating with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and following established emergency procedures outlined in the aircrafts operating manual. Apart from the mock drill, BPIA will update the airport emergency plan (AEP) that outlines procedures to respond to emergencies. The document defines roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders and establishes communication protocols. While BPIA readies for the mock drill, its officials said birds, tall trees and unauthorised structures around the airport continue to be a cause of serious concern. With the airport situated in the city, bird activity persists as they are getting food to eat and places to nest. As per the guidelines, within a 10 km radius of an airport, certain activities are restricted to ensure aviation safety and minimise environmental impact. These restrictions include prohibitions against animal slaughter, disposal of animal remains, garbage dumping and others. However, various food stalls and fish market around the airport are attracting birds to the area. This apart, bird nesting is taking place at a coconut farm on the premises of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). Sources said BPIA officials will flag multiple obstacles like unauthorised structures, water tanks and tall trees, which are threats to flight movement, to Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Sumeet was a skilled pilot, polished human being, recalls BJDs Manmath
Rail colony school to be upgraded into upper primary, relief for VI & VII students
NHAI starts removing road kerb to curb waterlogging
Tests find cholera behind Jajpur deaths, says govt
3 held for teens abduction, gang rape in Puri
CBI arrests EPFO staffer on bribery charge
Govt announces property conversion fee guidelines
1cr health cards distributed in 2 months
Workshop on AI solutions to manage water resources
Monsoon to advance further in three days: IMD
2 killed as car & moped collide in Jharsuguda
Over 1.17L students clear entrance test for BEd, BHEd, MEd seats
Boy drowns in water tank in Ganjam dist
6 arrested for illegal cough syrup sale, bike thefts
Internet service restored in Bhadrak
Family donates traders eyes, body to MKCG
Bird hits continue despite chasers in action at BPIA
Feeding stray dogs near airport may increase risk of animals entering runway: Officials
Malkangiri cops arrest 2 Maoists after exchange of fire
Puri cops conduct anti-terror drills ahead of Rath Yatra
Airport to move BMC to remove obstructions on flight path
Odisha increases allowances for civil defence volunteers, home guards
CM emphasizes womens empowerment as states priority
Firearms Smuggling Racket Busted in Bhubaneswar; Five Arrested
Describing it as a significant breakthrough against organised crime, police officials revealed that the arrested individuals include criminals from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odishas Cuttack district.
Cops bust interstate arms racket, arrest 5 in city
Odisha Police arrests Bengal woman in Rs 74 lakh online fraud case
Bhubaneswar: Odishas crime branch has arrested a woman from West Bengal for her alleged involvement in a Rs 75.10 lakh investment fraud case, an official said. Police identified the arrested accused as Anushka Mitra (24), a resident of Durgapur in Bardhaman district. The accused has been brought to Odisha on a transit remand and was []
HC directs regularisation of casual labourer who served 35 years in govt veterinary farm
School cook gets 20-yr RI for raping 7-year-old student
Odisha govt approves investment proposals worth Rs 3,878 crore in different sectors
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government Friday approved 17 investment proposals worth Rs 3,878.86 crore which will generate 10,584 new employment opportunities in 11 districts of the state, an official said. The investment proposals were approved at the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. The approved projects were in different []
Five arrested in Bhubaneswar as police bust inter-state arms racket
Bhubaneswar: Five people were arrested in Bhubaneswar as an inter-state arms racket was busted Friday, police said. Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Airport police station conducted a raid in the Pokhariput area and made the arrests, Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh. Six illegal firearms were seized from them, he said. Those arrested []
Odisha hikes daily allowance for civil defence volunteers
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government Friday hiked the daily duty allowance of civil defence volunteers from Rs 31 to Rs 150, officials said. Similarly, the daily training allowance of volunteers has been enhanced to Rs 140 from Rs 28. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved a proposal in this regard. The new allowance will be implemented []
Majhi expresses grief over exGujarat CM Rupanis death in plane crash
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was saddened by the death of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Air India has confirmed that 241 people on board its London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport Thursday. Deeply []
Ravenshaw University posts the highest cut-off in all four streams for UG admission
BHUBANESWAR: Ravenshaw University has for the third consecutive year, posted the highest cut-off percentage in all the four streams of Arts, Physical Science, Biological Science and Commerce for admissions to undergraduate (UG) courses in 2025-26 academic session. The first merit list for UG admissions to 1,054 higher education institutions was released by the department of Higher Education on Thursday. In the Arts stream, the highest cut-off is for political science in Ravenshaw University at 92.80 per cent (pc). In Physical Science and Biological Science, the university has sought 93.67 pc for Physics and 94 pc for Zoology in Biological Science. In Commerce stream, Ravenshaw has sought the highest of 90.50 pc for first phase admissions. Compared to other colleges, Ravenshaw also figures on the top for posting high cut-off marks in Physical Science subjects of Mathematics, Chemistry, physics and Computer Science. In the self-financing stream, BJB Autonomous College has sought 88.83 pc for admission to computer science. In Law, University Law College of Utkal University has sought 87.80 pc marks for admission to the five-year Integrated BA LLB course. Similarly in Sanskrit, Om Maa Saraswati Sanskrit college at Rajgangpur has sought 68.67 pc marks. Officials of the department informed that against the total seat strength of 2.74 lakh, around 2.65 lakh students had applied for first phase admissions this year. Of them, 1.75 lakh including 70,745 boys, 1.04 lakh girls and 10 transgenders have been selected for the first phase admissions. They added that stream-wise, 45,855 students have been selected for Science, 1.07 lakh for Arts and 16,205 for Commerce. While 3,371 students have been selected for admission to Sanskrit colleges and 171 for law, 3,051 students will take admission to various self-financing courses. Admission of the selected students will take place on June 13, 16 and 17. CUT-OFF Arts - 92.80% for Political Science at Ravenshaw Physical Science - 93.67% for Physics at Ravenshaw Biological Science - 94% for Zoology at Ravenshaw Commerce stream - 90.50% at Ravenshaw Law - 87.80% at University Law College of Utkal University
VIMSAR, OUHS warned by UGC for flouting anti-ragging norms
BHUBANESWAR: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned two state government-run institutions of regulatory action for failing to submit the mandatory anti-ragging compliance reports and undertakings from students not to indulge in ragging, for the year 2024. The two institutions are Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla and Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) in Bhubaneswar. The UGC on Thursday asked 89 universities and institutions across the country including the two in Odisha to submit the anti-ragging compliance and get online undertakings from all students directly under them or in their affiliated institutions, within 30 days. Under the National Ragging Prevention Programme of the Ministry of Education, it is mandatory for all colleges, standalone higher education institutions and universities - both public and private - to submit anti-ragging undertaking by students through UGCs anti-ragging website and file undertakings of compliance with UGCs anti-ragging regulations, 2009. In a letter to the institutions, UGC secretary Manish R Joshi pointed out that despite multiple advisories, follow-up calls from the anti-ragging helpline and direct interventions by its anti-ragging monitoring agency, the institutions have failed to submit the documents which is a violation of the regulations. He directed the defaulters to ensure that all enrolled students complete their online anti-ragging affidavits and submit their compliance reports within 30 days, along with a comprehensive account of the preventive measures taken to stop ragging on campuses. Failure to comply would lead to listing of the institutions as non-compliant on the UGC website and consideration for de-recognition or withdrawal of affiliation, Joshi warned. There have been a number of ragging complaints by students of both VIMSAR and the institutions affiliated to OUHS. According to official reports, from April 1, 2022 till date, as many as 10 ragging complaints have been filed with UGC from medical colleges affiliated to the OUHS. One complaint from a student of Dharanidhar medical college and hospital was serious in nature. Similarly, three complaints are from VIMSAR and a nursing college under it in the same period. However, sources said cases in VIMSAR are more as many of them are not being reported to either police or the anti-ragging helpline of UGC. Last month, a first-year student of the institution had alleged ragging by seniors and in February this year, a second-year MBBS student was allegedly ragged by two third-year students. In the incident that took place in May, one of the senior students was suspended by the principal-cum-dean for a period of three months.
Odisha government beefs up surveillance to tackle dengue in capital during monsoon
BHUBANESWAR: With dengue infection slowly making its presence felt in the state capital in the current monsoon season, the state government has activated the Urban Metropolitan Surveillance Unit to monitor the situation and initiate necessary preventive measures. Sources said out of 24 dengue cases reported in Bhubaneswar area since January 1, nine have been reported in June so far. While Salia Sahi, the citys biggest slum, has recorded five dengue cases, two each have been detected from Sailashree Vihar and Old Town areas. Additional district urban public health officer (ADUPHO) Dr Nilamani Senapati said the Urban Metropolitan Surveillance Unit has been activated and strengthened to effectively tackle the dengue menace. The unit, functioning under Directorate of Public Health, has epidemiologist, microbiologist, entomologist as well as communication expert among other staff. It will monitor the situation, study the cause of dengue outbreak in different clusters and recommend appropriate measures to prevent spread of infection, Dr Senapati added. He said discarded plastic bottles and small unused containers in residential areas are some of the major breeding spots of mosquitoes in the residential areas. Sporadic rain since the beginning of monsoon is also worsening the situation. Around 30 volunteers will be engaged to take up special awareness and source-reduction drives in 400-mtr radius of clusters and hotspots where multiple cases of dengue are being detected. MOSQUITO MENACE 9 dengue cases reported from June 1 Highest 5 cases detected from Salia Sahi this month till now Anti-larval squad formed for all 67 wards 30 special volunteers to be engaged in dengue hospots
CM Majhi deploys Vikas Vahans to promote government achievements
BHUBANESWAR: With the BJP government completing its first year in the state on Thursday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the state-level Vikas Vahan Yatra, a public outreach programme to convey its achievements and connect the people with various government programmes. Flagging off several vehicles which will criss-cross the state, the chief minister emphasised the importance of public participation in ensuring the success of various schemes launched during the last one year. The goal is to reach out to people in remote areas through information and education-based programmes, raise awareness about welfare schemes and connect citizens with these initiatives. This approach makes administration more people-centric, Majhi said. The programme is being organised by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department. The double-engine government in the state is working at double speed to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of the people. A key focus of the government is to strengthen its bond with the people, the chief minister said. The Vikas Vahans will travel across 314 blocks, 115 notified area councils (NACs) and five municipal corporations across the state. Through this initiative, the state government will distribute Pragati Prabah, a booklet detailing its successes over the past one year. This will enable the people to learn about various government schemes and successful programmes. They will also have the opportunity to watch videos about these initiatives, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Panchayati Raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the government is dedicated towards building a prosperous Odisha under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and development commissioner Anu Garg were present on the occasion.
Promoter of football betting app, a native of Ganjam, held for duping people of crores of rupees
BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch has arrested the promoter of 18football.com, a betting/gaming application, for allegedly cheating investors of crores on the promise of providing them higher returns on their deposited amounts. A native of Kabisuryanagar in Ganjam district, accused Jitendra Mallick was nabbed from Bengaluru on June 4, and brought to Odisha on June 9, EOW officials said. He has been taken on a four-day police remand for questioning. The agency had registered a case in this connection in 2023 after over 800 investors in Ganjam district alleged they were duped on the promise of being provided lucrative returns on investing in the app. Investigation revealed Mallick was responsible for promoting and publicising the 18football.com app in Ganjam and other parts of Odisha. He had enrolled many new investors and lured them to invest in the app. The accused had also organised meetings at different hotels in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar and other places, EOW officials said. The agency also traced Mallicks links with foreign national George Enzo, who was promoting 18football.com on WhatsApp and Telegram. About `21.05 lakh was credited to Mallicks bank account by the down line members. The verification of his other accounts is continuing, said an EOW officer. The masterminds of the scam operated multiple shell companies/firms to transfer the ill-gotten money. They used mule accounts for multi-layering of transactions to hoodwink the investigators. So far, EOW has frozen `1.25 crore stashed in different bank accounts. EOW said it was a pan-India scam and running into more than `1,000 crore. Transactions amounting to `446 crore have already been traced. The agency had earlier arrested four persons from West Bengal, Rajasthan and Kerala in connection with the case. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) had issued a look out circular against MD Sheik Saif, a Dubai based operator/promoter of 18football.com. It was run online as a football betting/gaming application.
Staff attendance in government offices to be AI-monitored in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to enhance workplace discipline and promote punctuality among state government employees, the Odisha government has decided to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based cameras and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enabled identity cards to record attendance data. Sources said the system will be piloted at Lok Seva Bhawan and Kharvel Bhavan before being extended to all government offices across the state. The General Administration (GA) department on Thursday issued a directive to all employees from junior staff to top officials to report to work within the prescribed time. As per the directive, every employee must record their office in and office out times daily in the biometric attendance recording device. Failure to record the office out time will be treated as absence from duty for the day. A grace period of up to 30 minutes late arrival on any given day up to a total of three days per month can be condoned by the head of the office. However, if an employee is late on more than three occasions in a month, one days casual leave will be deducted for every additional three days of late attendance. The departments have been asked to install biometric attendance devices wherever those are not in place. Where such devices are functional, the departments will have to ensure their continued operation and integration with the biometric attendance portal developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). A designated officer in each department will analyse attendance data every fortnight. Recognising that many employees often work extended hours and even on public holidays, the GA department clarified that such cases may be exempted from penalties for late arrival, subject to approval from the competent authority. Employees are required to remain in the office for at least 7.30 hours each working day, except on days designated for morning office hours. No penalties will be imposed for non-recording of attendance if the employee is on official duty outside the office premises, with prior approval from the appropriate authority, the office memorandum stated. However, employees working in the offices of the Governor, chief minister and ministers will be exempted from the new attendance rules.
Open-heart surgery resumes at MKCG MCH after 36 years
BERHAMPUR: Open-heart surgery has resumed at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after a gap of 36 years, marking a significant milestone for cardiac care in southern Odisha. A 26-year-old woman underwent the procedure on Wednesday. While hospital authorities declined to share detailed information, they confirmed that the woman, who had a small hole in her heart, underwent surgery that lasted over three hours. She has since been shifted to the ICU, where she remains on ventilator support under strict medical supervision. The last open-heart surgeries at MKCG MCH were performed in 1990 by then surgeons Dr Suresh Mishra and Dr Sachi Mishra. Since then, no open-heart procedures had been conducted in the hospital despite the availability of necessary equipment. The primary hurdle was the absence of a trained perfusionist, a specialist essential to operate the heart-lung machine during such surgeries. The long-standing issue was finally addressed after the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) deputed a perfusionist from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack to MKCG MCH. The perfusionist joined two weeks back, allowing the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department to become fully operational. The CTVS department, located on the fifth floor of the multi-specialty PMSSY block, was established about five years back with modern facilities and advanced machinery, including a state-of-the-art heart-lung machine. Being the referral hospital for southern districts, MKCG MCH has long received patients with cardiac ailments. However, many of the patients had to be referred to hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Visakhapatnam for complex procedures. We had the infrastructure, but lacked expert handling of the machinery. With the perfusionist now available, the problem has been resolved, said Dr Sarada Prasanna Sahu, associate professor and head of the CTVS department. In recent months, the department has already performed two critical thoracic surgeries, one to remove a knife lodged in a mans chest, and another to extract an arrow that had pierced dangerously close to the heart. With open-heart surgery services now restored, four more patients have already been shortlisted for upcoming procedures in the MCH.
Radio on Wheels rolls out for awareness drive
Bhubaneswar: To mark the World Day Against Child Labour, the state government Thursday launched the innovative Radio on Wheels initiative, along with a 15-day state-wide awareness campaign to raise public awareness and encourage collective action against child labour. On the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on his official X account, said, Children are our []
Singareni, CSIRIMMT ink pact for critical minerals
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards business diversification, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIRInstitute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, to collaborate on the exploration and production of critical minerals. Signed in the presence of Padma Bhushan VK Saraswat, member of NITI Aayog, the agreement focuses []
NSUI protests for free student transport
Bhubaneswar: The activists of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) protested outside the Regional Transport Office (RTO) here Thursday, demanding free travel on government buses and a 50 per cent concession on private transport for all students across Odisha. The demonstration was led by NSUI state president Udit Pradhan and several other activists and []
Bhubaneswar: Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh visited the World Skill Centre (WSC) Thursday as part of his Odisha tour. He praised the state-of-the-art infrastructure and the Odisha governments efforts in promoting skill-based education for youth empowerment. Singh toured key training facilities at WSC, including labs for Vertical Transportation, Mechatronics, Advanced Welding, and Mechanical & Electrical []
Biometric attendance in all depts
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards ensuring punctuality and accountability at the government of offices, the state government has directed all the departments to install biometric attendance systems where they are yet to be installed. According to sources, the departments with existing systems were asked to ensure their devices are fully functional and linked to []
RI nabbed while accepting bribe
Bhubaneswar: Bhisma Pradhan, revenue inspector (RI) of Goudpalli Revenue Circle under Jamankira tehsil in Sambalpur district, was apprehended by the Vigilance officials Thursday while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. The bribe was solicited from a landless complainant in exchange for furnishing a favourable report in a lease case. Since November 2024, the []
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CM Majhi orders house for blind man
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Thursday directed the authorities of Jajpur district to immediately provide a house and other support to a visually challenged person. Participating in a programme to celebrate the first anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha, Majhi got the information from media regarding the plight of 41-year-old Prafulla Kumar []
BJD takes out protest rally as BJP govt celebrates 1st anniversary in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders Thursday took out a protest rally against the BJP government in Odisha which completed one year in office. Holding handwritten placards BJD MPs, MLAs and other leaders held a protest rally at Master Canteen Square here and raised slogans against Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and called the []
Odisha Police arrest one more person in online betting scam
Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police have arrested another person for his alleged involvement in an online betting scam, an official said Thursday. The accused, identified as Jitendra Mallick (27), was arrested from Bengaluru on June 4 and brought to Odisha on remand June 9, he said. Earlier, four persons had been []
Servitor killed for seeking loan refund: SP
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Half-charred & decomposed body found in Rourkela
Misconduct plaint by woman IAS officer: Lawyers threaten stir over advocates arrest
