Toll gate roof collapses as heavy rain lashes Telangana

Heavy rainfall and strong winds caused a toll plaza roof to collapse in Telangana's Siddipet district, with no reported injuries. The IMD has issued orange alerts for several Telangana and Rajasthan districts, forecasting thunderstorms and lightning until May 7 and May 10, respectively. Other regions in north-west and central India are also under orange alert due to anticipated severe weather.

Odisha to soon begin semicon production, says IT minister

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha will start production of semiconductors in the next couple of years, Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling has asserted. Addressing a summit titled From Temple to Tech hosted by the state in collaboration with the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) here, he said Odisha is in a very good position in the field of digital infrastructure, skill development and startups. Leading IT companies have set up their centres in the state and several are in the pipeline. A separate industries support cell has been set up to facilitate IT sector investors, he said. Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary Vishal Kumar Dev highlighted the growing contribution of the services sector towards the state gross domestic product (GSDP) and the growth therein in the coming days. He spoke about various benefits and incentives available to investors in the states IT policy and semiconductor policy. Union joint secretary Manish Chadha presented a comparative picture of the countrys hardware production and said 99 per cent of mobile phones used in India are now made within the country. Indias contribution to smartphone manufacturing has been increasing steadily, he said. Six MoUs were signed between ESC and leading academic institutions including IIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Bhubaneswar, OUTR, BPUT, VSSUT, and the World Trade Center, to promote industry-academia collaboration and skill development. Ten high-potential electronics and IT startups from Odisha presented their innovative solutions to investors and mentors. A white paper titled Electronics and Software Exports from India and Odisha was also released.

RCS seeks EOW probe into Rs 5.8 crore deposit fraud in Balasore cooperative society

BHUBANESWAR: As deposits amounting to Rs 5.6 crore remain unpaid to members of Panapana Service Cooperative Society (SCS) in Balasore district for more than four years due to large scale financial bungling by the management, the Registrar of Cooperative Society (RCS) on Saturday requested the state government to refer the case to the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) for investigation. The office of the RCS has also directed the deputy registrar cooperative society (DR CS), Balasore division, to initiate criminal as well as departmental proceedings against the officials of the cooperative society for recovery of the embezzled amount. An inquiry into the financial affairs of the Panapana SCS for five years from 2016-17 to 2020-21 revealed that deposits of members outstanding with the society was Rs 5,59,88,819 as principal and Rs 25,55,112 towards interest. A total amount of Rs 5,85,43,931 was due to the depositors as on March 31, 2021. On the other hand, investment of Panapana SCS with the Bahanaga Branch of Balasore-Bhadrak Central Cooperative (BBCC) bank was Rs 1,42,181,63 as principal and Rs 3,70,531 as interest totalling Rs 1,45,88,694 which is only 27.52 per cent of the amount payable to the depositors. The differential amount comes to Rs 4,39,55,237. The transactions of Panapana SCS (both deposits & loans) except some SHGs have been stopped since 2019-20. As a result of which the depositors are not getting back their deposits and the loanee members are defaulting their loans since then. A huge number of petitions filed by the depositors in different quarters are pending finalisation, said the inquiry report of ARCS, Balasore circle. The report further said that huge withdrawals were made from the Bahanaga branch of BBCC bank during this period by secretaries of the cooperative societies, but surprisingly neither the bank managers or any other official, who were directly involved in such monetary transactions have questioned the illegal withdrawal of invested funds. The officials of the branch bank were well managed by the society secretaries to withdraw huge amounts from the deposits. It is construed that the bank officials (branch manager and assistant manager who were involved in such financial transactions were squarely responsible for the fraud caused by the society officials, the report said. In present financial condition of the society, it is not possible on its part to meet the needs of the depositors. The differential amount of the depositors may be met from the Deposit Guarantee Scheme for PACS created at BBCC bank, the report said.

CEA approves Upper Indravati project, will add 600 MW to Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Odishas hydropower generation capacity is set to go up by 600 MW as the Upper Indravati Hydro Power (UIHP) project has got the final approval from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The project is set to come up at an estimated cost of Rs 3,160 crore. UIHP project was among the three mega pumped storage projects the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) has planned in the state with an estimated power generation capacity of 1,700 MW. The two other projects - 500 MW Balimela PSP and 600 MW Upper Kolab PSP at Bariniput - are in the DPR stage. Once the three projects are completed, OHPCs installed capacity will rise from the current 2,100 MW to 3,800 MW, strengthening Odishas position as a key hydropower producer in eastern India. Initially approved by the state Water Resources department in 2015, the UIHP project will be located around 500 metre away from the existing Upper Indravati Power House at Mukhiguda in Kalahandi district. The Indravati reservoir will be utilised as the upper reservoir and a new reservoir will be constructed near Ranibahal village. All the project components will be located underground except the lower reservoir and intake structure at the upper reservoir. As per detailed project report, around 152 ha of land, including 107.5 ha of forest land, 24 ha of government land and 20.5 ha of private land will be acquired for the project. While demarcation of land and tree enumeration has been completed, the proposal for the forest land diversion has been submitted. OHPC will acquire private land in Thuamul Rampur and Jaypatna tehsil areas on direct purchase basis. Source said the project is being planned with a strong focus on environmental and social sustainability. A detailed environmental impact assessment has been undertaken to ensure minimal disruption to the ecosystem and local communities. A public hearing will be conducted shortly. The one-of-its-kind project will have four stages, each having a capacity of generating 150 MW power. It has been designed in a unique way. An underground power house will be built with four reversible turbines and a transformer hall equipped with a step-up transformer and GI Switchyard. This will act as a giant power storage station and release power when required. The power will be evacuated through a 400 KV double circuit transmission line to Theruvali grid. WAPCOS has been engaged as project management consultant for the project and tender for the engagement of contractor will be floated soon, added the sources.

Decomposed body of woman found near Kuspangi village, foul play suspected

ANGUL: The decomposed body of a 25-year-old woman was recovered from a field near Kuspangi village within Banarpal police limits here on Sunday afternoon. Police identified the deceased as Subhadra Padil of Ludhajhari village in Kaniha area. It is suspected that the woman was set on fire after being gang-raped. Police sources said Subhadra worked in a private company in Bhubaneswar. She was last seen on April 26 when she boarded an auto-rickshaw to Talcher Road railway station on her way to Bhubaneswar. After she went incommunicado, her family members filed a report in Kaniha police station on April 30. Banarpal IIC Susanta Singh said police roped in a scientific team and sniffer dog for investigation. The deceaseds family has not yet filed an FIR. The exact reason behind her death can be ascertained after the postmortem report arrives. Further investigation is underway, he added.

Ashok Kumar Panda takes charge as SAIL director (finance)

6 cyber fraudsters held for duping insurance professional of Rs 78L

Jamil looks to the future as wait for second trophy continues

We deserved to be champions: Marquez

Man suffers gunshot injuries in attack

CM-led team meets investors at WAVES

18 criminals held, illegal firearms seized in special drive in Ganjam

Boy who grazes goats to support mom scores over 90% in matric

Govt sets up exam centres in all 30 districts for CPET-2025

Odisha govt bolsters healthcare facilities for Rath Yatra

Domestic help held for sexual assault of woman, daughter

10 poachers arrested for killing wild boar

CM likely to hold grievance redressal session in Berhampur this month

SJTA questions senior servitor over use of Puri shrine wood for Digha temple idols

NHRC directs Koraput collector to expedite road projects in 191 villages

2 additional tehsildars suspended for flouting part plot registration norms

Cops told to furnish criminal antecedents to lower courts within 3 days of HC bail order

State: Migrant workers safe; Pathan charges baseless: Min

Probe begins into slab collapse at bridge construction site

Odia academic in US donates Rs 1L to 128-year-old library in Kpada

Man gets 20-yr RI for sodomising 7-yr-old boy

Odias flaunt local handlooms on global stage

Girl dies of snakebite, mom critical

Odisha govt to write to Bengal CM on Jagannath Dham row

NEET conducted amid tight security in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Medical entrance exam NEET-UG was held amid strict security in Odisha Sunday, officials said. The examination, which was held in 27 places across the state, commenced at 2pm and concluded at 5pm, they said. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG-2025 for admission to the MBBS course. CCTV cameras []

Odisha CM holds meetings with industry leaders in Mumbai

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a series of one-on-one meetings with industry leaders in Mumbai, seeking investments for the state. Majhi held the meetings on the sidelines of WAVES 2025 Saturday, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said in a statement Sunday. He held meetings with the senior leadership of Tata Steel, Shapoorji []

Six held for cyber fraud in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The police have arrested six people for their alleged involvement in a Rs 78 lakh cyber fraud case in Cuttack, an officer said Sunday. The accused are residents of Bolangir district and all of them were arrested from there by a police team of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police, the officer said. A person []

Digha temple row: Odisha govt will write to Bengal, says minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan Sunday said that the Odisha government will write to West Bengal over naming the Digha temple as Jagannath Dham. Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar, Minister Harichandan said, I will apprise Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, after his return to Odisha, about the issue and a letter will be []

Three of family members killed in accident in Odishas Jajpur

Bhubaneswar: Three members of a family, including a teenager, were killed after a tractor carrying them overturned in Odishas Jajpur district, police said Sunday. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Bahadur Nagar within the jurisdiction of Balichandrapur police station of the district when they were travelling back home from their farmland, []

Odisha Raj Bhavan to run fully on solar power soon

BHUBANESWAR: The Raj Bhavan in Odisha is spearheading a transformative shift to net-zero energy consumption by installing a 150-kilowatt solar power plant on its premises, with an additional 400 kW set to be put up soon. Informing this to mediapersons here, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said both the state and central governments are offering subsidies for installation of solar rooftop facilities up to a maximum capacity of 3 kW under various schemes like PM Surya Ghar Yojana. He informed that to further the green mission at the Raj Bhavan, a fleet of Made-in-India electric vehicles has been introduced, ranging from official cars to two-wheelers, which signals a decisive move towards sustainable mobility. Every ride now contributes to a quieter, cleaner and more responsible tomorrow, said the Governor, while underlining the need for adopting eco-friendly practices including solar rooftop facilities. Appreciating the state government for providing an additional subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, Kambhampati said it will encourage more people to adopt solar energy. He urged people across the state to take advantage of such initiatives and transition to renewable sources of energy not just for personal benefit but for greater good of the environment.

Govt draws up modalities to ensure regular health check-up of CCI inmates across Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to ensure regular and quality healthcare services for children residing in child care institutions (CCIs) across the state. The departments of Women and Child Development (W&CD) and Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) have jointly laid out specific directives to be implemented through convergence at both the state and district levels. As decided, all CCIs in the state will be mapped to the nearest health facilities such as district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, urban primary health centres (UPHCs), or Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). This mapping is aimed at ensuring easy and consistent access to healthcare services for all children in institutional care. CCI staff will coordinate with these mapped facilities to facilitate regular health check-ups for every child. Health department sources said, each child will be issued an individual health card documenting immunisations, growth monitoring, medical check-ups, treatments, and referrals in order to track health outcomes effectively. These records will be updated during every health visit and reviewed periodically by government officials during institutional inspections, she said. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will provide teleconsultation services through a hub and spoke model, connecting community health officers and medical officers with specialists at secondary and tertiary hospitals. CCIs will be encouraged to use this facility whenever necessary. This apart, mobile health teams under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), which are currently engaged in screening school-aged children, will extend their services to CCIs and include these institutions in their visit schedules. Keeping in mind the mental health needs of children in institutional care, CCIs will be linked with the district mental health programme (DMHP) teams for regular assessments and counselling support. The state government has directed district collectors and CDMOs to facilitate convergence and coordination between the district child protection units and the district health administrations. A joint orientation session will be organised for CCI staff, DCPUs, and local health officials to train them on using health facilities, teleconsultation portals, and mental health support systems. The government will review the initiative at the district level with compliance reports submitted to the state authorities.

Four Held in NEET Admission Racket Ahead of Exam: Police

SRINAGAR: Four members of an alleged interstate gang were arrested in Bhubaneswar for collecting money from NEET aspirants in exchange for promises of medical college admissions, police said on Saturday. According to Press Trust of India (PTI), the accused, two of whom are from Odisha were apprehended by the Bhubaneswar Special Crime Unit a day [] The post Four Held in NEET Admission Racket Ahead of Exam: Police appeared first on Kashmir Life .

4 Persons Arrested For Taking Money From NEET Aspirants For Medical College Seat

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Police arrested four members of an interstate gang here for allegedly taking money from NEET aspirants for admission to medical college, an officer said. The four persons including two from Odisha were arrested by Bhubaneswar Special Crime Unit on Saturday, Commissioner of Police, S D Singh said. The Police commissioner said the gang used to take money from medical aspirants by promising them admission to medical colleges. The gang had plans to engage dummy candidates to write [] The post 4 Persons Arrested For Taking Money From NEET Aspirants For Medical College Seat appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Vedanta uses AI, drone tech at Jamkani for mine safety

BHUBANESWAR: Leading aluminium producer Vedanta has integrated a wide range of advanced technologies including AI-powered drone-based surveillance system in its Jamkani coal mines to elevate safety standards of mining operations for its workforce at the site. The drone-based surveillance system enables the company to secure realtime aerial monitoring of a 500-metre blasting zone in the mines by automatically detecting and recording the presence of humans, animals and vehicles. Launched in collaboration with Vedantas Spark Innovation Programme, the drone system supports two-way audio communication between officials, drone pilots and the blasting officer, improving coordination and operational efficiency. It facilitates live streaming and instant alerts in case of unauthorised access or anomalies, ensuring swift and proactive corrective action. The company has also designed a fatigue monitoring system which is designed to enhance driver safety by providing realtime alerts as a first line of response in cases of drowsiness, mobile phone usage and other distractions. For vehicle safety, a proximity-based collision avoidance system detects blind spots and issues realtime alerts to drivers. Reaffirming companys commitment to the safety and well-being of mining workforce at the site on the occasion of National Coal Minerss Day, Vedanta Aluminium CEO Rajiv Kumar said safety and well-being of the workforce is a non-negotiable priority of the company.

No EVs, no passes to enter secretariat: Dy CM KV Singh Deo to govt staff

BHUBANESWAR: All government employees coming to the state secretariat in vehicles will have to use electric vehicles (EVs) or else they may not get the requisite passes to enter, said deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo on Saturday. He said the state government has taken a policy decision to phase-out petrol or diesel vehicles following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a just energy transition. All government employees who come to the secretariat should opt for EVs. Otherwise, passes will not be issued to them to enter the secretariat. Some kind of initiatives will be taken to make people come forward to replace their old petrol-diesel vehicles. This will be the first step that the government is trying to implement, he told mediapersons. Singh Deo, who is also the Energy minister, said Odisha has started moving fast for smarter adoption of renewable and green energy. All government offices are being converted to solar power. We are also in the process of putting in place ACs and other equipment run by renewable energy, he said. The state government is also contemplating to formulate a new EV policy with a focus on infrastructure and incentives to both sellers and buyers for promoting the electric vehicles. The Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy-2021 that provisioned the incentives for two-wheeler, three-wheeler and four-wheeler owners is applicable for the policy period up to 2025. As per the policy, two-wheeler owners will get subsidy up to Rs 20,000 and three-wheelers will get a flat Rs 30,000 subsidy. Four-wheeler owners will get the subsidy up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Although the state government had targeted 20 per cent adoption of EVs out of its total registered vehicles of 26.22 lakh, including 21.45 lakh two-wheelers, 1.84 lakh light motor vehicles and 80,480 three-wheelers, the response has been lukewarm due to various factors. So far, around 1.35 lakh EVs including two-wheelers, have been registered in the state. Officials said lack of a robust and widely available charging network has affected sale of EVs and dampened the confidence of consumers. The new policy will focus on EV infrastructure and other aspects that will help promote faster adoption of EVs in the state, said an official. The deputy chief minister also announced that solar panels would be installed on the roofs of all government buildings and quarters. Both the Centre and state government will provide incentives for the initiative, which will help promote green energy, he added.

Rare pancreatic surgery saves migrant worker

Bhubaneswar: A 27-year-old migrant worker from Berhampur has defied the odds after undergoing life-saving treatment at Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar. Rohit (name changed), who had moved to Qatar to secure a better future, experienced severe abdominal pain just three months into his job. He was diagnosed with necrotising pancreatitis and a pseudoaneurysm, both life-threatening conditions that []

Nodal Officers review meet on ORTPSA held

Bhubaneswar: A review meeting of Nodal Officers from 32 departments on the implementation of the Odisha Right to Public Services Act (ORTPSA), 2012 was held at the State Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhawan here Saturday. The session, organised by the Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI), was chaired by CMGI executive director Vineet Bhardwaj. []

Radio Namaskar wins National Community Radio Award

Bhubaneswar: Radio Namaskar, Odishas first community radio station, has once again been recognised for its remarkable contribution to community media and its efforts to make community radio sustainable. At the National Community Radio Sammelan held Saturday at the Jio Centre in Mumbai, the station was honoured with the National Community Radio Award by the Ministry []

This Waste-to-art sculpture near Kalinga Studio in Bhubaneswar honours Akshaya Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR: Amid the monotonous hum of city life and concrete jungle taking over, a new presence quietly commands attention at Kalinga Studio square here. Carefully crafted from scrap, stands tall an art installation that is not just art but a tribute to the man whose voice was, and still is, an emotion for every Odia - Akshaya Mohanty. Made using scrap materials of old vehicles and other industrial waste, what makes the structure even more unique, is that it not only commemorates the music legend but also repurposes an unused corner near the busy Kalinga studio square, into a vibrant cultural landmark. Created by the Odisha Progressive Artist Group (OPAG), the 12-feet-tall face installation of Mohanty, fondly known as Khoka Bhai, has been built with 12 tonne of vehicle scraps, especially unused metal parts of two-wheelers and four-wheelers and unused materials from construction sites over a period of one month. The structure is part of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC)s initiative of transforming unused spaces in the city with creative waste to art drive during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave in January. Sculptor and OPAG member Priyaranjan Baral, who led the project, said, The sculpture is more than just an artistic display. Its a homage to a man whose music still lives in our hearts. He said when BMC approached them for the art installation project near Kalinga studio, they proposed the legendary Odia playback singers name among a few others considering the location that carries its own legacy of Odia filmmaking. We used a clay model and plaster of paris (POP) mold as base to build the statue at our workshop. Later it was taken to the repurposed site for installation, he said. Born on October 12, 1936 in Cuttack, the late legendary singer who also wore the hat of a composer, actor, filmmaker, lyricist and writer, has a long list of hit songs in Odia to his credit. Mohantys first playback song was Gori Gori Gori from the 1959 Odia film Maa. He had also recorded his first song, Gadiala Bhai Dharichhi Sura Re, in the 1950s. Welcoming the transformation, Pratyush Rout, a college-goer, said the site, once just an unused corner, has become a cultural hub offering people a space to remember Khoka Bhai and taking pride in his heritage. BMC deputy commissioner for sanitation N Ganesh Babu said, Apart from offering heartfelt tribute to the legendary Odia singer, lyricist and writer, the sculpture also sensitises the public about conscious and sustainable waste management practices. Officials of the civic body said they have likewise also transformed at least 10 unused spaces in the city with waste-to-art installations, displaying the blend of creativity with environmental awareness, to inspire the next generation.

Governor urges citizens to embrace renewable energy

Bhubaneswar: In a strong push for environmental protection and sustainable living, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati urged citizens to embrace green energy to reduce pollution, safeguard the planet and save much-needed foreign exchange by reducing the import of crude oil. Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhavan here Saturday, the Governor emphasised the importance of transitioning []

Three killed, two injured as slab falls during bridge construction in Cuttack

CUTTACK: At least three persons were killed and two others critically injured after a concrete slab fell on them during construction of a bridge near Khannagar on Saturday evening. The construction has been going on for the six-lane road conversion from Kathajodi riverside of NH-16 to Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT). The deceased have been identified as site engineer Soumya Ranjan Mallick (30), workers Shiba Sankar Patnaik (28) of Balasore and Subhas Chandra Bhakta of West Bengal. Two other workers Arun Barik and Bikal Jena who were injured in the collapse are undergoing treatment in the SCB medical college and hospital. The incident occurred at about 5.45 pm while the site engineer and workers were engaged in lifting of the readymade concrete slab for setting it on the pillars with the help of two parallel cranes. Sources said, the hoisting wire of one crane got suddenly detached as a result of which the slab collapsed on the crane which then trapped the site engineer and four labourers underneath. All the five persons were rescued and rushed to SCB MCH where doctors declared three of them dead. Lack of inspection and supervision is said to have caused the mishap. The hoisting wire of the crane should have been inspected and verified before being used for lifting, alleged a city-based engineer while demanding a high-level probe into the incident that took three lives. Sources said, the bridge construction is being carried out by a Bhubaneswar-based company under the supervision of Roads & Building wing of the Works department. Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan visited the injured workers at SCB MCH. He said a probe will be conducted into the incident and necessary action will be initiated if any lapse is found. A three-member team headed by special secretary-cum-EIC Laxmikant Padhi will conduct probe and submit report within 15 days. Necessary measures will be taken to prevent recurrence of such type of incidents in future, Harichandan told mediapersons adding that treatment cost of the two injured workers would be borne by the government.

KIIT death: Nepalese students last rites conducted by family

Bhubaneswar: The last rites of 18-year-old Nepalese student Prisa Sah, who died at KIIT, were conducted at Swargadwar in Puri in the presence of her family members Saturday, officials said. According to tradition, the deceased girls father, Shyam Pd Sah lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in the holy town. Prisas mother, Pinky Sah, []

Medical seats for sale at Rs 30 lakh; four arrested

Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough on the eve of the NEET-UG 2025, the Special Crime Unit (SCU) of Commissionerate Police Saturday arrested four conduits of an interstate racket who were allegedly duping medical education aspirants with a promise to secure their admission in top private colleges by making dummy candidates appear for the test. Addressing []

Subhasish Bose named Mens Player of the Year at All India Football Federation Awards 2025

At the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Awards 2025, Subhasish Bose was named the Mens Player of the Year, while Soumya Guguloth took home the Womens Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season at Bhubaneswar last evening. Reacting to his win, Subhasish acknowledged the challenges of the season. Khalid Jamil was awarded Best []

Sarpanchs husband, father-in-law murdered over family feud

4 ashram school officials showcaused after student drowns

15 orphaned Gajapati students triumph amid adversity

FC Goa crowned Super Cup champions

Tension in Phulta after bomb hurling incident

Couple among 3 held for duping bizman of Rs 2.83cr

Man gets life term for raping minor

Kutra high school leads Sundargarh with stellar matric results

Defence presents evidence in parcel bomb case

Woman strangles mother-in-law to death, detained

Over 500 dogs rescued by woman in 7 years

Govt to spend Rs 11cr on Chandipur beach devpt to get Blue Flag tag

Student kills self after securing low marks in matric

HC quashes termination of 15 employees of closed SIET

Thunderstorm, hail throw life out of gear in twin cities

3 killed, 2 injured as slab collapses at bridge construction site

4 arrested for operating inter-state medical admission scam

Nine arrested in Jajpur for electric wire theft

HC asks CUO to appoint lecturers on contract relieved from posts as asst profs

Nepalese student cremated in Puri

AIIMS seeks 100 acres from state govt for expansion

Community radio station in Konark wins national award

Govt to come up with new EV policy to encourage shift to green vehicles

Raj Bhavan to run fully on solar power soon: Governor

Jagannath Dham row deepens, SJTA begins probe into alleged use of Puri wood in Digha temple

Bhubaneswar: As tensions rise over the West Bengal governments portrayal of a newly constructed temple in Digha as Jagannath Dham, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has launched an official probe into allegations that sacred wood from the Puri Jagannath Temple was secretly used to craft idols at the Digha shrine. State Law Minister Prithiviraj []

KIIT suicide case: Grieving parents arrive at mortuary in Bhubaneswar

The parents of a Nepalese student, found dead at KIIT Bhubaneswar, arrived at AIIMS as the University Grant Commission (UGC) formed a committee to investigate alleged suicides at the institute. Bhubaneswar police suspect suicide in this case, the second death of a student from a neighboring country in three months.

Governor asks Odisha government to form taskforce on Forest Rights Act, PESA

BHUBANESWAR: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has urged the state government to form a high-level task force under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to ensure better coordination and effective implementation of PESA, the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and various schemes of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare department. Chairing a review meeting of the department with ST & SC Development minister Nityananda Gond on Friday, the Governor said a dedicated task force will help streamline coordination, enable joint planning and resolve challenges in implementation of PESA, FRA along with other related initiatives. He also took stock of the status of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC), pricing and market linkages for minor forest produce (MFP), implementation of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) recommendations and other key legislations such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, and the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Expressing concern over the delay in framing the rules for PESA implementation in Odisha, the Governor urged officials to expedite the process. He also emphasised the need to convene meetings of the TAC twice a year, as mandated by the Constitution. He sought updates on market linkage for Koraput Coffee and provision of entitlements to families relocated from the Similipal Biosphere area. Drawing attention to infrastructure deficits in tribal regions, Kambhampati pointed out challenges in transporting equipment for mobile connectivity and stressed the need for targeted development in remote areas.

CM unveils two waiting centres

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Thursday inaugurated two waiting centres for labourers here and announced that more such facilities would be opened across the state for the welfare of workers. During the state-level International Workers Day-2025 function here, he unveiled the two waiting centres at Dumduma and Kalpana areas in the City. Each centre []

Odisha signs MoUs with four corporations to boost farmer support in 2025-26

BHUBANESWAR: The department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment on Friday signed MoUs with four corporations for support to farmers in 2025-26. The MoUs were signed with the Odisha Agro-Industrial Corporation (OAIC), Odisha Agriculture Promotion and Capital Investment Corporation Limited (APICOL), Odisha State Seed Corporation Limited (OSSCL) and Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (OSCDCL) in the presence of deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo. Official sources said OAIC has set a target to purchase 45,000 tonnes of fertiliser, organic fertiliser and pesticides worth Rs 20 crore, 7,000 tractors, 1,000 power tillers and other agricultural machinery, 5,200 electric-powered small lift irrigation projects, 4,800 solar water tank projects and 1,000 shallow tube well projects. A total turnover of Rs 1,000 crore has been targeted for corporation which will assist the farmers. The APICOL aims to create 6,500 business enterprises and provide subsidies worth Rs 250 crore. Of the total, Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY) and Rs 50 crore for Cold Storage Support Scheme. Under this collaboration, both the parties will work together to promote seed replacement and varietal improvement through a coordinated farmer awareness campaign. A turnover target of `56 crore has been set for the corporation for this. OSCDCL will take up 500 hectares of hybrid cashew replantation programme and maintenance of trees in over more than 1336.22 hectares. In addition, it has a target for production of 35 lakhs hybrid cashew grafts from its existing 20 clonal nurseries. The deputy chief minister said the Agriculture department is one of the prominent departments that has spent 94.7 per cent of the approved budget.

AI has its advantages, but human touch still vital in journalism

Bhubaneswar: The advent and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has redefined newsroom dynamics, and emerged as a major force reshaping reporting style and content presentation. As the world marks the World Press Freedom Day celebrated globally to underscore the evolving relationship between technology and journalism May 3, the spotlight this year falls on []

Sudarsan Pattnaik seeks CMs intervention over Digha temple Jagannath Dham row

BHUBANESWAR: Eminent sculptor and former Srimandir managing committee member Sudarsan Pattnaik on Friday sought Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhis intervention into the controversy surrounding Jagannath temple at Digha. In a letter to the chief minister, Pattnaik said the use of word Dham by the West Bengal government for the temple has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees across the world. According to sacred scriptures, there exists only one Jagannath Dham, which is located at Puri. Associating any other temple with the title Jagannath Dham may lead to religious confusion and contradicts the long-standing spiritual and Hindu cultural traditions, he wrote. Pointing out that a few sevayats from Puri have reportedly claimed that brahma has been established in the stone idol of Lord Jagannath at Digha temple, Pattnaik said the concept of brahma in Mahaprabhu Jagannaths idol is deeply sacred and unique aspect of Srimandir, tied to centuries of tradition and ritual secrecy. Seeking an investigation, Pattnaik alleged that the findings of government inquiry into Brahma Parivartan (soul transfer) delay in 2015 Nabakalebara is yet to be made public.

Metro rail to run till SCB in Cuttack: Min

Bhubaneswar: State Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra has said that the metro rail project will be extended up to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack with support from the Centre. Speaking to media persons Thursday, Mohapatra said the previous BJD government had planned to roll out metro rail from Biju []

Nagin dance: Cobra cameo turns Odisha wedding celebration into wildlife crime scene

A wedding celebration in Chhedak village, Bhadrak district, took an unexpected turn when live cobras were brought to the dance floor for a Nagin dance performance. Forest officials intervened, seizing three cobras, while the snake charmers fled. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal wildlife practices disguised as tradition, sparking concerns about conservation efforts.

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