Union minister booked for attacking two officers in Odisha
Avoid gatherings while filing nomination: SEC
Amid reports of people turning up in large numbers during the process of filing nomination for the forthcoming panchayat polls, defying the order of the state election commission (SEC), the poll panel on Thursday asked the authorities to avoid such gatherings.
Covid hits city healthcare as docs, nurses infected
Healthcare services took a hit in the capital city after several doctors and medical staff became infected with Covid.
Pol parties finalise candidates before nomination closes today
Amid discontent in view of multiple aspirants, the three major political parties BJD, BJP and Congress have finalised candidates for zilla parishad zones and other seats as Friday is the last day for filing of nominations.
Keep crowds away during filing of papers: Poll body
Amid reports of people turning up in large numbers during the process of filing nomination for the forthcoming panchayat polls, defying the order of the state election commission (SEC), the poll panel on Thursday asked the authorities to avoid such gatherings.
State reports over 10k cases, but positvity down to 13.7%
For the past seven days daily Covid cases in the state continue to hover above 10,000, a sign experts find comforting but are not in a hurry to call it a plateau yet given that Odisha is listed among the top-10 high burden states in the country with 88,346 active positive cases.
Leaders take probe plea to governor
Leaders of 13 political parties including Congress, CPI and CPM on Thursday submitted a joint memorandum to governor Ganeshi Lal demanding immediate steps for withdrawal of police from Dhinkia village in Jagatsinghpur district.
Met predicts rain in north, coastal dists till January 25
Light to moderate rainfall may occur at isolated places in coastal and two more districts - Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj - on Friday, said a forecast from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday.
Parties ready final candidates list as nomination ends today
Amid discontent in view of multiple aspirants, the three major political parties BJD, BJP and Congress have finalised candidates for zilla parishad zones and other seats as Friday is the last day for filing of nominations.
OCS Main exam begins amid rising Covid cases
The Odisha Civil Service (OCS) Main examination-2020, conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), began on Thursday, amid spurt in Covid-19 cases in the state. The examination will continue till February 8.
Nestle takes deity image off wrapper
FMCG major Nestle India was forced to withdraw images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, the reigning sibling deities of Puri Jagannath Temple, from the wrappers of one of its chocolate products, following massive outrage on social media.
Healthcare in capital hit as docs, nurses contract Cov
Healthcare services took a hit in the capital city after several doctors and medical staff became infected with Covid.
Wildlife body suggests ways to reduce human-elephant conflict across state
Altogether 730 people were killed in human-elephant conflict in Odisha since April 2014, while 611 jumbos died of different reasons including electrocution, poisoning, poaching, road and rail accidents during the same period.
Man arrested in Jharsuguda for links to Bulli Bai app
The controversy surrounding the Bulli Bai app, which targeted Muslim women by putting up their images online for auction, found its link in Odisha with a team of Mumbai Police arresting a man from the states Jharsuguda district in this connection on Thursday.
State reports over 10k cases, but positivity down to 13.7%
For the past seven days daily Covid cases in the state continue to hover above 10,000, a sign experts find comforting but are not in a hurry to call it a plateau yet given that Odisha is listed among the top-10 high burden states in the country with 88,346 active positive cases.
Odisha: Wildlife body suggest ways to reduce human-elephant conflict in state
Due to human-elephant conflict in Odisha, 730 people died since April 2014 while 611 elephants died of different reasons including electrocution, poisoning, poaching, road and rail accidents. Wildlife Society of Odisha, a voluntary organization, has suggested some measures to reduce the conflict.
Odisha: Villagers in two districts give poll boycott call
Residents of Podalguda, Nuaguda and Dumuriguda alleged that they face much problems in going to the block headquarters for different works in the absence of a proper road.
Odisha: Man arrested, 3 stolen vehicles recovered
Police on Wednesday arrested a member of a gang of vehicle thieves and seized three stolen vehicles from across the state, including one from Berhampur.
Six acquitted in murder of former BJD councillor
The court of first additional district judge in Puri on Wednesday acquitted six persons for alleged involvement in the sensational murder of former BJD councillor and Jagannath temple servitor Taluchha Bhagaban Mohapatra aka Guna Singhari in August 2012.
7 more held for pre-poll violence in Ganjam dist
Seven more persons were on Wednesday arrested for their alleged involvement in the pre-panchayat poll violence at various places in Ganjam district, taking the total number of arrests in this connection to 15, so far.
Vendors unhappy with market space
After Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) shifted Unit-1 vegetable market to an adjacent school playground to reduce congestion amidst rising Covid-19 cases, many vegetable vendors complained that the new place is too small to accommodate all of them.
Narcotics seizure increased manifold in 2020: Odisha police
Seizures of ganja and brown sugar have increased manifold in the state in 2021 as compared to 2020, as per statistics, shared by the Odisha Police.Total 1,675 quintals of ganja were seized last year compared 1,384 quintals in 2020.
Cong slams CM on Dhinkia clash
The Congress state unit here on Wednesday slammed chief minister Naveen Patnaik for turning a blind eye to the recent incidents of alleged police brutality on some villagers, including women and children, protesting against land acquisition for the proposed steel plant by JSW Steel at
Bhubaneswar: Fraudsters dupe elderly of Rs 13 lakh
Unidentified cyber criminals defrauded a 76-year-old man of Rs 13 lakh by asking him to download a malicious App to easily port his mobile number.
Centre rejects state tableau again
For a second successive year the Union defence ministry has rejected Odishas Republic Day tableau, causing resentment in the state. The ministry had also rejected the Republic Day tableaux of states like West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, resulting in disappointment.
Odisha: Parents welcome vaccination drive for kids in 12-14 age group
Parents of those aged 12-14 years have welcomed the move to include children in the vaccination drive against coronavirus from February end or March first week. This will help the adolescents to go to school and for other activities without the fear of infection.
Narcotics seizure increased manifold in 2021: Police data
Seizures of ganja and brown sugar have increased manifold in the state in 2021 as compared to 2020, as per statistics, shared by the Odisha Police.Total 1,675 quintals of ganja were seized last year compared 1,384 quintals in 2020.
Odisha: Man shoots stray dog for killing chicken
A man fired pellets from a shotgun and killed a stray dog and injured another in Jagamara under Khandagiri police limits here on Wednesday as they had allegedly killed his two chickens.
Dont go for needless blood tests: Docs to Covid-19 patients
With Covid-19 sweeping the state because of the Omicron variant and a large chunk of the population getting infected, experts have urged patients in home isolation not to unnecessarily go for certain blood and other examinations.
Odisha: Huge jump in rural poll nominations on third day
There has been a huge jump in the filing of nominations for various posts for the three-tier panchayat elections in the state with just two days left for completion of the process.
MKCG starts online regn for OPD patients
The MKCG Medical College and Hospital here has launched an online registration system for the outpatient department. Started on an experimental basis on Tuesday, the system aims at reducing the waiting time for the patients to reach the OPD.
Cong slams CM on Dhinkia issue
The Congress state unit here on Wednesday slammed chief minister Naveen Patnaik for turning a blind eye to the recent incidents of alleged police brutality on some villagers, including women and children, protesting against land acquisition for the proposed steel plant by JSW Steel at
Omicron, not Delta, now dominant strain in Odisha
Omicron on Wednesday emerged as the dominant strain in Odisha with 58% of the samples collected randomly from 10 districts in the state testing positive for the new and more transmissible variant of Covid.
Central govt rejects state tableau again
For a second successive year the Union defence ministry has rejected Odishas Republic Day tableau, causing resentment in the state. The ministry had also rejected the Republic Day tableaux of states like West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, resulting in disappointment.
Odisha: Lobbying makes candidate selection difficult for BJD
The State Election Commission (SEC) has formed a screening committee led by the chief secretary, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, to examine urgent government proposals for implementation in view of the model code of conduct for the panchayat polls.
Odisha: BSF to launch boat ambulance service in Malkangiri on Republic Day
Over 20,000 people of 151 villages in Swabhiman anchal across Balimela reservoir in Maoist-hit Malkangiri district will soon get better healthcare facilities as the Border Security Force (BSF) engaged in anti-Naxalite operations in the district is going to launch boat ambulance service from January 26.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has relocated vendors at eight big vegetable markets in the city to reduce crowding in view of the surge in daily Covid-19 cases. The citys active caseload has increased to about 9,000.
Intensify IEC campaign on Covid: Chief secy
Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday stressed on intensifying the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on Covid-19 in view of the recent surge.
The carcass of an Irrawaddy dolphin, an endangered species, was found floating on the Chilika Lake near the Rambha range on Tuesday. It was the second dolphin carcass found in the area in the past 18 days and fifth in the past four months.Anti-poaching personnel spotted the 6.
Trees felled for MLA houses, authorities claim not aware
At least 50 old trees, planted in the early years of the capital city, have been chopped down inside the existing MLA colony in Unit-IV area allegedly to make way for multi-storied buildings for legislators.
Seven injured in pre-poll violence
In a pre-panchayat poll violence, seven people were injured, three of them seriously, following a clash between supporters of two political parties at Mundamarai under Ganjam districts Dharakote police station limits on Tuesday.
Couple held for duping jobseekers
A couple in Silk City was arrested by the police on Monday for allegedly duping several unemployed youths of Rs 10 lakh with the promise of providing them with jobs in a private company. The accused Krushna Chandra Sethi (33) and Simple Sethi (26) stay in Brahmanagar area, here.
Two officials suspended for code flout
Two officials, including one senior police officer, on Tuesday were suspended by the State Election Commission for violation of model code of conduct and Covid-19 guidelines.
SCB med college revamp cost rises by 1000 crore
The cost of first phase of redevelopment of the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, has increased by about Rs 1,000 crore after the implementing agency Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) revised it from Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 4,474 crore.
Covid situation is under control: CM
Assuring that the Covid-19 situation in Odisha is under control, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged people not to panic and to follow all pandemic protocols.
30L for Cov death on election duty
The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh in case of death of polling personnel due to Covid-19. The infected personnel will also be eligible for cashless medical treatment. Around 1.
Chief secy asks to develop software for forest clearance
Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday directed secretaries of various departments to make use of the latest provisions of forest laws for expeditious implementation of the critical infrastructure and development projects.
Met sees light rain from Friday
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday forecast light to moderate rainfall in selected districts for four to five days from Friday. The forecast said the rainfall will be caused by the influence of a western disturbance and continue in an isolated manner.
Safety audit of ATMs and banks in the capital city were put to the test when a man and his minor son attempted to break open an unguarded ATM in Unit-8 area, here, in the early hours of Tuesday.
Move to pick college body president
The higher education department on Tuesday asked regional directors of education (RDEs) to furnish information regarding nomination of president to governing bodies of government-aided degree colleges in the state.
30L ex gratia for Cov death on election duty
The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh in case of death of polling personnel due to Covid-19. The infected personnel will also be eligible for cashless medical treatment. Around 1.
Vendors moved to check crowding
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has relocated vendors at eight big vegetable markets in the city to reduce crowding in view of the surge in daily Covid-19 cases. The citys active caseload has increased to about 9,000.
Directive to develop software for forest clearance proposals
Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday directed secretaries of various departments to make use of the latest provisions of forest laws for expeditious implementation of the critical infrastructure and development projects.
Two officials suspended for model poll code violation
Two officials, including one senior police officer, on Tuesday were suspended by the State Election Commission for violation of model code of conduct and Covid-19 guidelines.
Virus scare: OHRC shuts office till Jan 25
The office of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will remain closed till January 25 after some of its staff were found to be Covid positive. During this period, matters of extremely urgent in nature will only be taken up for hearing through virtual mode.
State may see early peak of Cov 3rd wave
The state may see the peak of infections in the ongoing third wave earlier than the projected second week of February, if the current pace of daily cases is taken into account.
Students, parents in a fix as in-person classes shut
Following the closure of in-person classes owing to the rise of Covid cases in the state, students and parents are worried about the timely completion of school syllabus.
7 Ganjam MLAs started from panchayats
At least seven of 13 incumbent MLAs of Ganjam district started their political career from panchayat elections. State environment and forest minister Bikram Keshari Arukh had been elected the chairman of the panchayat samiti, Bhanjanagar, in 1992.
Housing societies up guard against Cov
Following rise in Covid-19 cases, several housing societies and residential complexes in the city have asked their residents to take extra care and ensure adherence to safety protocols to check the further spread of the virus.
On Day 1, over 8,700 file nomination for rural polls
More than 8,700 aspirants filed papers for various posts on the first day of nomination for the three-tier panchayat elections, scheduled from February 16.
Rourkela among Indias 10 smart cities
Rourkela has been named among the top 10 winning cities in the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge of the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) under its Smart Cities mission.
E-resources access likely to edu institutes
For the first time, the higher education department will provide access to e-resources to universities and selected autonomous colleges in the state. The e-resources include research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, e-books and discovery service to libraries.
Rural polls stepping stone to bigger role
Many leaders, who have made a mark in Odisha politics, had humble beginnings in panchayat elections. No wonder then that they see rural polls as the most important process of a democratic institution.
Rourkela among 10 smart cities
Rourkela has been named among the top 10 winning cities in the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge of the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) under its Smart Cities mission.
Healthcare in state hit as over 1,000 docs & nurses test +ve
The healthcare services in the state have been affected with more than 1,000 doctors, paramedics and nurses, including 300 in AIIMS here alone, having isolated themselves after testing positive for Covid-19.
On 1st day, over 8,700 file nomination for rural polls
More than 8,700 aspirants filed papers for various posts on the first day of nomination for the three-tier panchayat elections, scheduled from February 16.
Rourkela among countrys 10 smart cities under Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge
Other winning cities include Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Indore, Jabalpur, Kakinada, Kochi, Kohima, Vadodara, and Warangal. The finalists were selected after thorough evaluation of their proposed and implemented projects.
Odisha: OHRC office closed till January 25 after detection of Covid-19 cases
The office of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will remain shut till January 25 in view of rising Covid cases in the state and detection of positive cases among the officers and staff of the office.
Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passes away in Odisha
Padma Shri awardee social worker Shanti Devi (88) died at her native place at Gunupur in Rayagada district of Odisha late Sunday night. The octogenarian, who was conferred with Padma Shri in November 21, was rushed to the sub-divisional hospital at Gunupur after she complained of chest pain and felt unconscious. She was declared dead by the doctors.
Odisha: Balangir sarpanch post 'auctioned' for Rs 44 lakh, govt initiates inquiry
A group of influential people from a remote gram panchayat in Balangir district auctioned the post of sarpanch days before the start of the nomination process for the panchayat elections, scheduled in February, making a mockery of the electoral process and inviting a probe from the district administration.
Dense fog in 17 dists for 3 days
Dense fog is likely to prevail at isolated places in 17 districts over the next three days from Monday evening. The minimum temperature across the state is also likely to drop by three to four degrees Celsius during the period, the Met department said on Sunday.
Paralysed youth bids to enter Guinness records
bhubaneswar belief in ones abilities coupled with strong will and determination can make miracles happen this was proved on sunday as a 28yearold youth who is paralysed from waist down after a road accident eight years back attempted to enter the guinness world records by covering the maximum distance in a wheelchair in 24 hours though the confirmation is awaited kamal kanta nayak covered 213 km in 24 hours.
Over 2cr fully vaxxed in state after 1 year of drive
Exactly a year after the vaccination drive against Covid begun across the country on January 16, Odisha has administered 5.42 crore doses to date. Altogether 2.28 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while 3.
Police on Sunday detained three persons in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old youth at Press Chhak on Saturday evening. Three more involved in the crime are on the run, the police said. Two groups of youths had clashed at a bakery shop resulting in the gruesome murder.
Odisha's Kamal Kanta Nayak (28) attempted an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for covering the greatest distance on a manual wheelchair in 24 hours
5.42 crore doses of vaccines administered in Odisha
Exactly a year after Covid vaccination process started on January 16 last year, Odisha has vaccinated a total 5.42 crore doses so far. Total 2.28 crore people have been fully vaccinated while 3.11 crore have taken at least one dose.
Youth Cong call to defer OCS exam
The Youth Congress on Saturday wrote to chairman of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to postpone the state civil services main examination-2020 in view of increasing Covid-19 cases.The examination will start from January 20 and continue till February 8.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar will stop its walk-in OPD (out-patient department) services from January 17 temporarily in view of the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state. More than 156 staff of the hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 during the current wave.
Odisha Police academy ranks best in country
bhubaneswar odishas biju patnaik state police academy bpspa has won the union home ministrys trophy for the best police training institution in the gazetted officers category for 202021the academy will get rs 20 lakh aid from the centre for the nationallevel recognition the recognition encourages us to strive for further excellence over the past some years many qualitative improvements has been brought in the police training...
People resume online shopping as cases rise
Following an upsurge in Covid-19 cases yet again, many people have resumed online shopping of grocery and other essential items sitting at home in a bid to avoid visiting crowded marketplaces.
OCS mains to be held on schedule
The state government has not changed its decision on conducting Odisha Civil Service Main Examination-2020 despite candidates requesting it to postpone it in view of increase in Covid-19 cases.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar will stop its walk-in OPD (out-patient department) services from January 17 temporarily in view of the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state. More than 156 staff of the hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 during the current wave.
Minor held for raping 9-yr-old
Police on Saturday arrested a minor from Balipatna for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl of the same village. The minor was sent to the correctional home after his bail plea was rejected.Police said both (girl and boy) were neighbours. The boy confessed to have raped the girl.
BJD faces problem of plenty in Ganjam
With several aspirants willing to contest, the BJD in Ganjam district is facing an uphill task to select candidates for the ensuing three-tier panchayat elections to be held next month.
SEC asks dist collectors for panchayat poll masterplan
An elephant strayed into the collectors office at Khurda on Friday night and damaged the boundary wall of the building where EVMs had been stored. Forest officials said the animal had strayed from Chandaka wildlife sanctuary and returned on its own.
Youth murdered in capital clash
A youth was allegedly stabbed to death as two groups clashed near Sainik School here on Saturday evening over a trivial matter. The deceased was identified as Chintu Parida (22), a local.
1 held in Ganjam with marijuana worth 55L
The Silk City has turned into a major transit point for marijuana with consignments transported illegally to different parts of the state and outside from here. In the last five days alone, the excise department sleuths here seized around 1600kg contraband from the city.
Draft quota list for civic polls out
Women are likely to head 54 municipalities and notified area councils (NACs) that are likely to go to the polls later this year.
The state government on Saturday promoted six senior IAS officers to the additional chief secretary rank.
Omicron sweeps across state as 75% samples show strain
More than 75% Covid positive samples 32 out of 42 analysed in the state on Saturday returned positive for Omicron. Experts said this is a big indication that the new variant is gradually replacing Delta.