Six arrested in Odisha's Balangir for duping man of Rs 78 lakh in stock market investment fraud
CUTTACK: The Cyber Crime and Economic Offence police on Sunday arrested six persons from Balangir for allegedly duping a man of around Rs 78 lakh on the promise of receiving high financial returns by investment in stock market. The accused have been identified as Bijaya Meher (28), Bishwambhar Kharsel (27), Rajesh Tandi (20), Anil Naik (21), Sritam Meher and Dipak Dharua (24), all belonging to Balangir. Briefing mediapersons, DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said the victim filed a complaint on April 24 stating he had come in contact with a trading company named Spreadex Global Ltd through a Telegram channel in the name good_priya in February this year. During the course of their interaction, the fraudsters allegedly convinced the victim to invest in stock market by promising high financial returns. Eventually, the victim transferred money to the tune of Rs 78 lakh in multiple phases from February to April. Though the fraudsters initially paid him back some money to win his trust, they later stopped it. On realising that he had been cheated, the victim then lodged a complaint, police said. The group meticulously planned the cyber crime, gathering bank accounts and phone numbers of individuals across India, and used these details to route and collects the defrauded funds. Efforts are underway to nab the others involved, the DCP said.
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 []
Odisha constitutes high-level committee to probe bridge mishap in Cuttack
Cuttack: The state Works Department has constituted a high-level technical committee to probe the accident that took place during the construction of a bridge over Kathajodi River at Khannagar in Cuttack, an official said Sunday. As many as three workers died while two others sustained serious injuries due to the fatal accident that took place []
Odisha Government Forms Three-member Probe Panel on Cuttack Bridge Collapse
The mishap took place on Saturday evening at the construction site of a new bridge over the Kathajodi river in Cuttacks Khannagar locality. According to officials, a prefabricated concrete slab was being hoisted by a crane when the machine reportedly malfunctioned, causing the slab to fall and crush five workers, including an engineer and two labourers
Odisha: 3 dead as slab of under-construction bridge collapses in Cuttack
The officials said that the cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
Orissa HC tells govt to reappoint staff disengaged with SIET closure
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to reappoint 15 employees who were disengaged from their services with the closure of State Institute of Educational Technology (SIET) in 2013. The SIET had been functioning under the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for promotion of primary and secondary level education through audio visual programmes since 1980. The state government conferred it autonomous status on January 1, 1990 on suggestion of Centre. Prior to coming into being of SIET, the Central government had sanctioned creation of 120 posts. The state government had created 118 posts under the INSAT scheme at different times. However, the state government decided to close down the SIET on April 29, 2013 and disengaged several employees. A batch of petitions were filed by 15 of the disengaged employees on May 7, 2013. The disengagement was highly discriminatory as 63 other employees were relocated in various departments of the government by treating them to be on deputation, the petitioners submitted. Disposing of the petitions on April 25, Justice Sashikanta Mishra directed the state authorities to adjust the petitioners against available vacancies in any department or directorate granting them continuity of service and other service benefits. Necessary orders in this regard should be passed within three months from the date of communication of this judgment or production of certified copy thereof, Justice Mishra added. Justice Mishra held that the petitioners having been appointed against substantive posts created by the government after January 1, 1990, and continuing in service for more than two decades cannot be disengaged by treating them differently from employees appointed before January 1, 1990. The petitioners and the 63 employees stand on the same footing except for the condition of their appointment being co-terminus with the scheme. If the 63 employees were adjusted against different posts by applying the legal fiction of deputation, there is no reason why the petitioners should also not be appointed in similar fashion, Justice Mishra observed.
Central University of Odisha to appoint contract lecturers as assistant professors
CUTTACK: In a relief for the lecturers on contract who were relieved from their services by the Central University of Odisha at Koraput nearly six years ago, the Orissa High Court on Friday ordered for their appointment as assistant professors in their respective posts. The lecturers were engaged from 2012 with their service renewed from time to time with increase in their monthly remuneration. But the University issued a fresh advertisement on July 1, 2019 for empanelment of guest faculty for 25 posts in 10 departments after relieving them from their services on June 30, 2019. Then a batch of petitions challenged the advertisement and also sought regularisation of services in the sanctioned posts against which they were engaged as lecturers on contract. In interim orders issued in July 2019, the high court had directed maintenance of status-quo with regard to the posts held by the petitioners and said the selection process may continue pursuant to the advertisement, but no final decision shall be taken without permission of the court. While disposing of the batch of petitions on Friday, the single judge bench of Justice BP Satapathy said, Taking into account the fact that the petitioners were all engaged as lecturer on contract against sanctioned regular post in terms of the selection process and since the petitioners possess the required qualification to hold the post of Assistant Professor on regular basis, this Court is of the view that the petitioners are eligible and entitled to get the benefit of absorption in their respective posts. Justice Satapathy directed the University to issue appropriate order in that regard within a period of two months from the date of receipt of this order. Till such order of absorption is issued, petitioners be allowed to continue as Lecturer on Contract in their respective departments, he added.
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.
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.
Kalinga Super Cup 2025: FC Goa beat Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in final Bridge slab collapses during construction near Kathajodi Ring Road, Cuttack Devotees offer water to Lord Shanis idol at Ashtashambhu Temple in Chandini Chowk, Cuttack, on Shani Jayanti Idols of five Pandavas being taken boat ride at Narendra Tank, []
Three, Including Engineer, Killed as Concrete Slab Collapses In Cuttack
The deceased were identified as Soumya Ranjan Behera, Subhankar Patnaik, and Subash Bhakta
Bridge slab collapse in Cuttack: Three killed, two injured
Cuttack: At least three persons, including an engineer and two workers, died after a concrete slab fell on them during the construction work of a bridge over the Kathajodi River here Saturday, police said. Two others suffered critical injuries in the incident, they said. Locals and police personnel rushed to the accident site and rescued []
Two dead, three injured as under-construction bridge collapses in Cuttack
Cuttack: Two people died and three others were injured after a slab of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Khannagar area of Cuttack Saturday, a source said. According to the source, two of the injured were brought to SCB Medical College and Hospital in an ambulance, while the others were rushed to the hospital in a []
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 []
Odisha sees 96% pass rate in Class-X board results
Cuttack: More than 96 per cent of the students who appeared for the Matriculation (Class-X) examinations-2025 under the Odisha Board of Secondary Education (BSE) cleared the examinations, School Mass Education Minister Nityananda Ganda said Friday. The 10th Board examinations in Odisha are conducted under three streams the High School Certificate Examination for Regular students, []
Odisha Class-X board exam results announced; heres how to check
Cuttack: Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Odisha announced the Class X (matriculation) examination results Friday at 4pm, including results for the State Open School Certificate Examination and the Madhyama Examination for Sanskrit students. Notably, students will be able to access their scores from 6pm onwards via the boards official websites: www.bseodisha.ac.inand www.orissaresults.nic.in. Students can check []
Matric results 2025: BSE Odisha to publish scores online tomorrow 4pm, heres how to check
Cuttack: The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, will announce the Class-X matriculation examination results for 2025 May 2 at 4pm, officials said Wednesday. The results will be officially released at the BSE headquarters in Cuttack. Students will be able to access their scores from 6pm onwards via the boards official websites: www.bseodisha.ac.in and www.orissaresults.nic.in. []
Odisha Unveils Sahayog Initiative To Deliver Welfare Schemes Directly To Urban Poor
The initiative will be rolled out in 44 urban areas across eight districtsKhurda, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanjin its first phase.
Metro rail to run till SCB medical college instead of Trisulia in Cuttack, confirms Minister
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra Thursday said that the metro rail project will be extended up to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack with support from the Centre. Speaking to media persons, Mohapatra said the previous BJD government had planned to roll out metro rail from Biju Patnaik International []
Odisha govt jobs: OPSC ASO notification out; heres all you need to know
Cuttack: The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has issued a notification for the recruitment of 29 Assistant Section Officers (ASOs) in the Office of the Advocate General, Cuttack. Interested candidates can apply online through the official OPSC website (https://www.opsc.gov.in) from May 9, 2025, to June 9, 2025, until 5pm. No applications will be accepted after []
Over 85% traffic signals in Cuttack out of order
Cuttack family who survived Pahalgam attack gives statement to NIA
Cuttack: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Tuesday recorded the statements of a Cuttack-based family who survived the Pahalgam attack, officials said. A three-member team of the NIA met the family of Ranjit Bhol (69), who, along with his wife Sashi Kumari Nayak (65), younger son Sandeep (35) and daughter-in-law Lelina Subhadarshini (33), were in Baisaran []
NIA Questions Odisha Family That Narrowly Escaped Terror Attack in Pahalgam
A three-member NIA team questioned the family upon their return to Cuttack. Ranjits wife had reportedly sustained multiple injuries during the incident. Sources revealed that the family provided crucial information regarding four terrorists they claimed to have seen during the attack.
CB arrests seven in separate cases of duping pilgrims and investment fraud in Odisha
CUTTACK: The Cyber Crime unit of Crime Branch on Monday arrested seven persons - two for their alleged involvement in swindling money from pilgrims by creating a fake website, and the other five in separate cases of investment fraud. Briefing mediapersons, special DG, Crime Branch Vinaytosh Mishra said in the first case, police arrested accused Anshuman Sharma (24) and his aide Aravinda Kumar (35), both Uttar Pradesh natives, for allegedly defrauding gullible pilgrims seeking accommodation in Puri, through their fake website www.neeladribhaktanivas. The matter came to light after Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, filed a complaint in this connection on March 10. As per the complaint, the fraudsters had been asking pilgrims to deposit money online to get accommodation at Neeladri Bhakta Nivas in Puri. A laptop, mobile phone, SIM card, details of the fake website Niladri Bhakta Nivas, Aadhaar card, PAN card, hosting details of Niladri Bhakta Nivas and the SIM card used for registration of website have been seized from the accused persons, he said. Meanwhile, five other miscreants have also been arrested in separate cases of investment fraud. In the first case, the Crime Branch nabbed one Hiteshbhai Patra (39) from Surat in Gujarat for his alleged involvement in an investment fraud of Rs 1.28 crore. Police said Patra originally belongs to Balasore but works as a website developer in Surat. He is the first layer account holder and Rs 27 lakh was seized from his bank account. Six bank cheque books, 31 debit and credit cards, 13 rubber stamps of different fake companies, 12 mobile phones, SIM cards, four pen-drives, and eight government and non-government ID cards were seized from his possession, said Mishra. Similarly, CB has arrested 25-year-old Parth Parmar of Ahmedabad in connection with another case of investment fraud amounting to Rs 7.5 crore. He is the first layer account holder and a sum of Rs 25 lakh was directly deposited to his account, Mishra said. In another case, Thakkar Karsanji Sobhaji (48) of Thakkarbhas in Bhavar and Kureshi Mohammed Aslam (31) of Kapadvanj in Gujarat were arrested in connection with investment fraud of Rs 87.80 lakh. Both are the first layer account holders and a sum Rs 9.3 lakh and `6 lakh respectively were seized from their bank accounts. The CB team has also arrested Akash Kesharwani (33) of Arail More under Naini police station in UP in connection with an investment fraud of Rs 1.4 crore. He is the second layer account holder and Rs 3.7 lakh has been transferred to his account.
Seven affordable housing projects in four cities in Odisha scrapped for delay in execution
BHUBANESWAR : Failure on part of three urban development authorities and an urban local body to take up affordable housing projects in a time-bound manner under their jurisdictions has resulted in cancellation of seven projects under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). As per sources, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) and Jatni Municipality have failed to take up construction of about 3,400 affordable dwelling units sanctioned by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) under two verticals - Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) and In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) - of PMAY (U) between 2017 and 2021. However, since PMAY (U) has been closed in the state, these urban bodies have now been asked to submit cancellation proposal for the same within 15 days. While the AHP under PMAY (U) provided central assistance to economically weaker sections (EWS) beneficiaries for owning a pucca house, the ISSR facilitated redevelopment of slums using land as a resource and provided houses to eligible slum dwellers through private investment. Sources in the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM), the nodal agency for implementation of PMAY (U) in the state, said the 3,400 affordable housing units were supposed to be taken up by three development authorities and Jatni Municipality under seven projects - six AHP and one ISSR project. While the BDA was supposed to take up an ISSR project with 400 dwelling units at VSS Nagar, CDA was to take up two separate AHP projects of 288 EWS units and 540 dwelling units at Nimpur and Tulasipur respectively. Similarly, RDA was entrusted to execute three AHP projects for construction of 420 dwelling units at Pradhanpali and Basanti Colony, 800 EWS houses at Chhend and another 360 affordable housing units near Chamber of Commerce at Chhend. Meanwhile, the Jatni Municipality had also been granted an AHP project to construct 600 affordable houses at Ramachandrapur and Sandapur. OUHM officials said the project was sanctioned long back, between 2017 and 2021, under PMAY (U) but couldnt be executed by the development agencies till date. As PMAY (U) has now been closed and PMAY (U) 2.0 rolled out in the state, these urban bodies have now been asked to submit the cancellation proposals within a fortnight, an official from the OUHM said. He said, in case there is a fresh demand for affordable houses under AHP vertical in the jurisdictions of these urban bodies, they will have to take necessary steps to prepare plan under PMAY (U) 2.0 and follow procedure as per its guidelines.
Cuttack duo escape terrorists by hiding under rags
J-K terror attack: Army, Odisha police meet; Bhubaneswar railway station on high alert
Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the evolving situation across the country following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army and the Commissionerate of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Monday held a strategic meeting and became familiar with each other to jointly face any eventuality, if any. This was stated by top officers of both the Army and the Commissionrate []
Hid behind garments rack: Quick thinking helps Cuttack family escape Pahalgam terror attack
CUTTACK: Sometimes, quick thinking and staying calm during moments of adversity can help save life. This is exactly what happened with this family of four from Cuttack which had a close brush with death during the terrorist attack at Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on April 22. Sixty-nine-year-old Ranjit Kumar Bhol, his wife Sashi Kumari Nayak (65), younger son Sandeep (35) and daughter-in-law Lelina Subhadarshini (33) had gone to Kashmir to celebrate the latters marriage anniversary and visited Baisaran on the fateful day. Just like others, the four were immersed in the beauty of the place, when they heard the first firing sound. This was followed by chaos from other tourists and more firing which is when they realised something terrible had happened. Narrating their harrowing experience, Ranjit said they reached Baisaran valley at around 2 pm. My son and daughter-in-law were clicking pictures which is when we heard the first firing sound. Without thinking much, my son asked us all to hide. Luckily there was a garments display rack and we hid behind it. Peeping from behind, we saw four terrorists emerge from the jungle and asking male tourists to recite Kalma. Whoever identified as a Hindu and failed to recite Kalma was immediately shot dead, Ranjit said. He further said that they saw the terrorists shoot three people dead in front of their eyes. We were, however, lucky to survive. The terrorists were just 4-5 metre away from where we were hiding. One terrorist killed a womans husband and when she asked him to kill her too, the former told her to narrate the incident to PM Narendra Modi. I will never forget what I saw, said Sashi, who has sustained a fracture in her wrist while attempting to escape through the muddy terrains. Ranjit and his family made their way back to Cuttack on Saturday night.
Printing error in question papers leaves Odisha Civil Services aspirants worried
CUTTACK: Chaos ensued during the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) main examination on Sunday after the candidates writing the optional paper anthropology found that questions intended for paper-II were included in paper-I and vice-versa. The incident has caused resentment among aspirants who appeared for the said paper across the state. As per sources, candidates had to write two papers for their optional subject anthropology - paper I and paper II. While paper I was scheduled in the first sitting from 9 am to 12 pm, the second sitting was scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm. However, when students went through the questions of paper-I in the first sitting, they found that they were from the syllabus of paper-II. On being intimated, authorities of the OPSC, which is conducting the exam, acknowledged it as a printing error and asked the candidates to appear the exam. Issuing a notice in this connection, the OPSC said that it would take a final decision on it after opening of the question-cum-answer booklets of anthropology paper-II in the second session. Meanwhile, when students went through the question-cum-answer booklets in the second sitting, they found that the questions were from syllabus of paper-I. The concerned candidates have already been instructed to appear the optional paper as the question-cum-answer booklet of anthropology paper-II contains question from syllabus of anthropology paper-I, stated the second notice of OPSC. Terming it as a printing mistake, OPSC chairman Arun Kumar Sarangi advised candidates not to be worried. Apart from seven compulsory subjects, there are total 36 optional subject having two papers. It is nothing but a printing mistake in paper-I and paper-II questions of anthropology subject. It will not affect the examination in any way as the candidates appeared the examination on anthropology paper-II in first sitting from 9 am to 12 pm and paper-I in second sitting from 2 pm to 5 pm, said Sarangi.
Residents suffer waste stink as Cuttack Municipal Corporation discontinues collection vehicles
CUTTACK: City residents are a worried lot as the abrupt discontinuation of door-to-door garbage collection by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has left them with no other option than to dump their household waste either on the roadside or in drains. While dumping garbage on the roads poses both environmental and health risks, their disposal into drains leads to clogging which again worsens the waterlogging situation during rains. Residents of ward no 52 in Subhadra Nagar said earlier, the waste collection vehicles came to their localities twice or thrice a week. But the civic body has suddenly stopped door-to-door garbage collection in our locality for the last two months as a result of which we are having to dump them on the roadside, she said. Echoing similar concerns, residents of ward no 2 in Bidanasi area said they had taken the matter to the CMC but the latter is yet to sort the issue. Local corporator Pushpita Mohanty said questions in this regard were raised in the council meetings several times but the concerned authorities have done nothing to streamline the waste collection system. Similar complaints have also been coming to the fore from various other localities in the city. A corporator, requesting not to be named, alleged there is no permanent officer to head the sanitation wing of the CMC. Three officers (deputy commissioners) who were in charge of the sanitation wing of the CMC so far, have been changed in the last three months. Now the city engineer is in charge of the sanitation wing as a result of which the waste management system is in complete disarray, he added. CMC commissioner Anam Charan Patra could not be reached for a comment on the matter. Sources said, the CMC had engaged both light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and battery-operated vehicles (BOVs) for collection and disposal of garbage in the city. While the agreement with the agency that had been providing the BOVs has reportedly lapsed a year back, sources said the civic body has currently engaged around 150 LCVs for waste collection and planning to engage 70 diesel-operated vehicles soon.
Triple riding proves fatal for two youths, another critical in Odisha
BHADRAK: Two youths died and another suffered serious injuries after the two-wheeler on which they were travelling crashed into the guard wall of the Bonth chowk over-bridge on National Highway-16 here on Sunday. One of the deceased was identified as Asad Ali (23) of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal. Police are yet to identify the two other youths and believe that they are also residents of the same area in West Bengal. Police sources said the three youths were en route to Cuttack when they lost control of their motorcycle at Bonth chowk and crashed into the protection wall of the overbridge. Due to the impact, the trio was thrown off the bike and landed on the road. While two of them were killed instantly, the third youth suffered critical injuries in the accident. Locals rushed the injured youth to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital (DHH). On being informed, police reached the mishap spot and seized the bodies. IIC of Bhadrak Town police station Sudhanshu Sekhar Mishra said the bodies were sent to the DHH for postmortem. A case has been registered and efforts are on to identify the remaining two youths and inform their families. Further investigation is underway.
Odisha: Two persons from Bengal killed, another injured in road accident
Bhadrak: Two persons were killed and another injured after their motorcycle crashed into a protection wall of a bridge on NH 16 in Odishas Bhadrak district Sunday, police said. According to police, three persons from West Bengal were travelling towards Cuttack on a motorcycle. The bike crashed into the protection wall near Banta Chak, throwing []
Cuttack court dismisses domestic violence plea of Varsha against Anubhav
Odisha government asks 12 Pakistani nationals to leave by April 27
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government on Friday directed 12 Pakistani nationals residing in the state to leave India by April 27. The instructions came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with all the chief ministers asking them to identify Pakistan nationals in their respective states. A top police official said the 12 Pakistani nationals holding long-term visas had registered themselves with police stations of different districts. The 12 Pakistan nationals staying in Odisha on long-term visas have been directed to leave the country by April 27. Currently, there are no Pakistani citizens in the state staying on short-term or medical visas, said a senior officer at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack. Due to security concerns, police did not divulge further details like gender classification and place of stay of the 12 Pakistani nationals. Out of the total, a few Pakistani citizens stay in Khurda and Cuttack districts, said the sources. Those in possession of long-term visas (over six months) are required to register with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) or Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of their arrival. In areas without dedicated FRRO/FRO offices, the SP serves as the registration officer. All existing visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27. However, the medical visas will be valid for an additional two days. Meanwhile, Odisha Police has tightened security in all the sensitive areas of the state to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Sources said police are on alert in districts like Sambalpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Patrolling as well as intelligence collection has been intensified to prevent any law and order situation in the state.
46 new civil judge courts set up in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has established 46 new civil judge courts in different parts of the state, officials said Friday. Five courts have been set up in Balasore district, while four such courts were established in Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts, three in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal and Ganjam and two in Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack, the []
History-sheeter injured in police encounter in Odisha
DHENKANAL: A history-sheeter was injured in an encounter with Sadar police at Saunlia forest near Mangalpur village in Dhenkanal in the wee hours of Thursday. The accused, Debashis Behera (29) of Godisahi village within Kamakhyanagar police limits, suffered injury in his leg and has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Behera reportedly has 18 robbery and attempt to murder cases registered against him in Dhenkanal district. Additional SP Suryamani Pradhan said police were informed that Behera along with two associates was planning to attack and rob a businessman at Saunlia forest. A police team led by SI Pradip Ranjan Patra rushed to the spot at around 4.30 am and found the trio at a secluded place in the forest. When asked to surrender, Behera took out his pistol and shot at the police. The SI retaliated and Behera suffered bullet injury in his right leg. However, his associates managed to escape, Pradhan added.
Kansbahal irrigation project: Odisha HC asks Government to pay compensation to displaced
CUTTACK: Expressing displeasure over the inordinate delay in disbursement of compensation to 339 families who were displaced by the Kansabahal Irrigation Project in Sundargarh district more than three decades ago, the Orissa High Court has directed the government to ensure its payment by May 13. A petition was filed by in 2021 by 12 persons, who were among the displaced families seeking direction to the authorities concerned to release the compensation amount with interest to the families belonging to Badanuagaon, Dungajhore, Ranipia and Maldihi villages in accordance with law within a stipulated period. The petition also sought direction to extend the benefits as per the Rehabilitation Policy formulated by the state irrigation department in 1990. Advocate Sanjeev Udgata, representing the petitioners, pointed out that even though the amount was deposited way back in 2014 and clarification was sought on what rate the rehabilitation assistance would be paid, no such clarification has yet been received by the Sundargarh collector, for which there is inordinate delay in disbursement of the compensation. Taking note of it, the division bench of Justices Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Sibo Sankar Mishra directed the director of Resettlement & Rehabilitation (Water Resources department) to immediately give the clarification sought by the district collector. The bench posted the matter to May 13 and further ordered for disbursement of the compensation amount by then. The case records showed that the executive Engineer, Sundargarh Irrigation Division had deposited `4,38,89,000 in 2014 for disbursement to the displaced families as per sanctioned estimate and rules in force. Later, on February 5, 2014, the district collector had in letter to the director of Resettlement & Rehabilitation sought clarification in connection with rehabilitation assistance to the project-affected persons.
11 families from Cuttack cancel trips
Orissa HC issues interim stay on 2 clauses of new guidelines for SHG restructuring in state
CUTTACK: In a significant development, the Orissa High Court has issued an interim stay on two clauses in the new guidelines issued by the state government on restructuring of community organisations under Mission Shakti. The commissioner-cum-secretary, department of Mission Shakti issued the new guidelines to all the collectors on January 22, 2025 for carrying out the restructuring process in their respective districts and complete it within four months. Baitarani Mission Shakti Federation at Patna in Keonjhar district filed the petition seeking intervention against two clauses (5.10 and 5.11) of the new guidelines on April 15. Advocate Rajiv Kumar Mahanta made submissions on the petitioners behalf when the petition was taken up on April 17. He alleged that the two clauses were arbitrary and illegal. Acting on it, the single judge bench of Justice Sashikanta Mishra issued notice to the state government to file counter affidavit and posted the matter to May 15 for further consideration. As an interim measure, it is directed that letter dated 22.01.2025 of the commissioner-cum-secretary to government, department of Mission Shakti, in so far as it relates to Clause No 5.10 and 5.11 of the guidelines on restructuring of community institution under Mission Shakti in Odisha shall remain stayed till the next date, Justice Mishra ordered. The provision 5.10 says, no member can be an office-bearer for two consecutive terms while provision 5.11 stipulates that in any executive committee (EC) at any community institution-level (CLF, GPLF, BLF and DLF), only one member from a family shall be eligible to become the member. Other family members, members of extended families or close relatives of such families shall not be eligible to become EC member of the same community institution. The new guidelines circulated to the district collectors were related to women SHGs and their federations starting from village up to district-level. They were supported by Mission Shakti, a flagship programme of the previous BJD government, which aimed at empowering rural women by organising them into SHGs. These SHGs are involved in microfinance and livelihood generation, skill training and entrepreneurship and community welfare activities The new guidelines claimed that the comprehensive restructuring process would lead to 1.24 million new office-bearers at the SHG-level and 1.15 million executive committee members at the CLF-level assuming leadership positions. Overall, more than 3.5 million women members across various institutional levels will get the opportunity to hold leadership roles in SHGs and their federations.
Bhubaneswar cops rescue kidnapped boy in six-hour operation; 7 arrested
Bhubaneswar: The police Tuesday rescued a kidnapped minor in a six-hour operation and arrested seven people, including the boys private tutor, in connection with the crime, an officer said. At around 10.30 am, a complainant from Panchagaon village reported the kidnapping of his nine-year-old son at Airfield police station here, the officer of BhubaneswarCuttack Police []
Two police personnel killed, one injured after sand-laden Hyva truck rams into PCR van in Cuttack
CUTTACK: Two police personnel were killed and a home guard sustained critical injuries after a speeding sand-laden Hyva truck rammed into a Police Control Room (PCR) van on the Mahanadi embankment road near Gatiroutpatana under the CRRI police limit on April 22. The deceased have been identified as Jagannath Mahali (40) of Kishan Nagar locality and Lokanath Sabar (38) of Gunupur in Rayagada district. Mahali was reportedly driving the PCR van. Deceased individual Sabar is a member of the Odisha Auxiliary Police Force (OAPF). Home guard Pabitra Mohan Sethi (45) of Chhatia in Jajpur district was seriously injured in the mishap. He was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital. His condition is stated to be critical. The tragic incident occurred when the PCR van of the CRRI police station was conducting routine patrolling at around 4.45 am. Sources said the speeding sand-laden Hyva truck hit a stationary PRC van, which fell from 30 feet height in the road behind the Hanuman temple. After hitting the PCR van, the sand-laden truck lost balance, skidded off the road. On being informed, a team of police personnel rushed to the spot and initiated a rescue operation. A JCB machine was engaged to remove the sand from the Hyva truck. Later, with the help of another rescue vehicle, the Hyva truck was lifted. The fire service personnel were pressed into service, and the bodies of the deceased were recovered. The injured home guard was rescued with the help of a gas cutter from the badly mangled PCR van. The driver of the Hyva truck, Singhu Soren of Sansoi Road in Jamshedpur has been detained. He is being interrogated in connection with the incident, said a senior police officer.
Two policemen killed as dumper rams into PCR van in Cuttack
Cuttack: Two policemen were killed after a dumper rammed into a PCR van in Odishas Cuttack district in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place near Gatiroutpatna on the Cuttack-Paradip highway around 4.30 am, they said. Odisha Auxiliary Police Force (OAPF) constable Lokanath Sabar and home guard Jagannath Mahalik were killed []
Two Police Personnel Killed, One Injured As Truck Rams PCR Van In Odisha
The PCR van, attached to the CRRI Police Station in Cuttack, was on routine patrol around 4:30 am when the collision took place
Odisha adds three more districts for rabi paddy procurement under MSP
BHUBANESWAR: The state government has decided to procure rabi paddy from three more districts of Bhadrak, Kandhamal and Sundargarh under minimum support price (MSP) in the 2024-25 marketing season taking the total districts to 20. The decision of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department came a fortnight after completion of farmers registration for sale of surplus paddy to state government agencies under price support system. Earlier, the government had decided to procure rabi paddy from 17 districts comprising Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Balangir, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Khurda, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur and Sonepur. The last date for mandatory registration for these districts was March 31. As the three districts are late entrants in the procurement system, the FS&CW department has asked the district collectors concerned to complete the farmers registration in campaign mode within a week. A special campaign needs to be undertaken by the participating societies, and the field functionaries of Cooperation department shall monitor the activities especially the process of registration of farmers willing to sell their paddy. Farmers registration shall be completed within a week, said an official communication from the department to the three district collectors. The other activities that are required to be taken are installation of paddy procurement automation (P-PAS) software in primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) and identification of mandis. Selection of eligible millers and their tagging with the procuring societies should be completed immediately. The district administrations have been asked to prepare an action plan for rabi procurement within three days. As the procurement is scheduled to start from May 1, it will be a herculean task to complete the process as there is very little time in hand, said an official of Kandhamal district where milling capacity is very insignificant. For selection of custom millers in procurement process, the district collectors have been asked to take instructions from the managing director of Odisha Civil Supplies Corporation. The state government has set a target to procure 14 lakh tonne paddy in the rabi season. It has already procured 73.8 lakh tonne of kharif paddy against a target of 77 lakh tonne.
Cuttack Corporation panel to review drain desilting work, locals allege it is an eyewash
CUTTACK: Facing backlash for its failure to swiftly clear waterlogging which reportedly worsened due to clogged drains, following the heavy downpour on Tuesday, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has constituted a sanitation committee to take stock of the drain desilting work in the city. The rains in the city on Tuesday left several residential and market areas severely waterlogged. However, what irked the local residents was that the civic body could not effectively clear the waterlogging even on the next day despite deployment of dewatering pumps, since most drains were clogged. After facing backlash, the CMC on Friday constituted a sanitation committee comprising two executive engineers, junior engineers, ward officer and sanitary inspectors to oversee the drain desilting works in the city. CMC commissioner Anam Charan Patra has instructed the committee to inspect and submit a detailed report on progress of the drain desilting work by April 30. However unconvinced by this move of the civic body, local residents alleged it is a mere eyewash. City-based senior advocate Amarendra Mohanty alleged the CMC engineers and ward officers were hand-in-glove with the three outsourced manpower agencies engaged in sanitation and desilting work and passing their bills without inspection, supervision or physical verification. This apart, while all the sanitary inspector posts are lying vacant, the multi-purpose health workers are executing the job in their absence. Under these circumstances, how can we expect a real report on the drain desliting work? he questioned. He further suggested involving engineers of other departments besides local corporators to get a genuine insight into the situation. A corporator said there are several instances where BMC engineers are passing false bills to the outsourced agencies without execution of work. Citing an instance, he said the CDA locality has very few drains but despite that, the CMC has supposedly engaged tractors for removing silt. It should be investigated. Similarly, though there is no drainage system in ward no 56, 57, 58 and 59, bills have been passed for drain desilting works, he further alleged. CMC commissioner Patra could not be reached for a comment on the matter.
CWC begins probe into sexual assault of minor at Cuttack JNV hostel
CUTTACK: The case of alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old student by a labourer inside the boys hostel of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Mundali has been taken up by the district child welfare committee (CWC), which has started its probe into the incident. The CWC chairman Pramod Acharya on Saturday said the victim along with his parents will soon be presented before the panel for recording his statement. The victim will also be facilitated with counselling and other necessary measures to overcome the trauma, he added. Expressing severe displeasure over the conduct of the principal in such a heinous crime, Acharya said he will be summoned to appear before the CWC to clarify why he did not intimate the matter and file the FIR on behalf of the victim. It is a serious matter and we will take it forward. A thorough probe will be conducted to ascertain under which circumstance the labourers, who had come from outside, were accommodated in the boys hostel of the JNV. Necessary legal action would be initiated against all the persons responsible for the unfortunate incident, said Acharya. The victim had gone to the toilet at about 9.30 pm on April 10 night when one of the labourers who was standing near the gate came inside, locked the gate and sexually assaulted him. The boy had informed his parents who filed a complaint with Baranga police the next day. The accused labourer, who along with others had been engaged by the principal for colouring the office and buildings of JNV, had been arrested on April 12. However, the incident had been hushed up and came to light on Friday after a local social activist Saroj Kumar Sahu submitted a petition to the commissioner of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) alleging gross misconduct of the school authorities in the sensitive issue.
Pay relief to widow of pharmacist who died on Covid duty: Orissa HC to government
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has ruled that the widow of a pharmacist on duty at a drug distribution centre in a government hospital who died due to Covid-19 infection is entitled to financial assistance. The division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice BP Routray quashed a single judges order rejecting her petition to declare her husband as Covid warrior. Initially, E Meerabai Patro had applied for financial assistance mandated for Covid warrior after her husband Ashok Kumar Patro while serving as a pharmacist in the district headquarter hospital, Rayagada, died on September 11, 2020, due to Covid-19 infection. He was diagnosed with the virus and hospitalised on September 3, 2020. But the state authorities rejected it on the ground that the deceased was drafted for routine duty at the drug distribution centre. The widow challenged the rejection order in the high court in the same year. On February 8, 2024, a single judge held that since the deceased was not drafted for Covid management duties, he doesnt come under the purview of the guidelines. Hence, his case cannot be declared as Covid warrior. The widow had then filed an appeal against the single judges order. While disposing of the appeal recently, the division bench of Chief Justice Tandon said: The Single Judge has failed to appreciate the duty discharged and assigned to the deceased before his infection and death, and the impugned judgment is set aside accordingly. The bench said, Even if the contention of the state authorities is accepted to the effect that the deceased was deployed for duty at drug distribution centre then also his exposure to contact with Covid-19 infected patients cannot be ruled out in course of discharging his duties as he had to distribute the drugs/medicines to different persons either at the centre or by going to different places of the hospital including the patients wards. The bench also took note of the fact that the CDMO Raygada had certified that the deceased was drafted for Covid-19 work, and directed the state authorities to extend the benefits in favour of the widow providing financial assistance to her as per Government of Odisha Finance Department Resolution dated August 4, 2020.
KEONJHAR: Mahendra Hembram, one of the convicts in the 1999 high-profile triple murder case of Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, was released from Keonjhar jail in Odisha on Wednesday after serving 25 years. Now 50 years old, Hembram was released from prison on the grounds of good behaviour during his incarceration. Hembram has been released following a decision by the State Sentence Review Board. The prison directorate informed about it in a letter on Tuesday. He has been released after 25 years because of good behaviour in accordance with the rules, said Jailer Manaswini Naik. Jail authorities gave Hembram a cordial farewell, garlanding him as a 'mark of recognition for his good conduct' during his prison term. An official said Hembram was handed over a bank passbook, where his earnings from prison labour had been deposited. I spent 25 years in jail after being falsely implicated in an incident related to religious conversion. Today, I have been released, Hembram told reporters outside the jail. Hembram and Bajrang Dal leader Dara Singh, alias Rabindra Pal Singh, were convicted of the brutal murders of Staines and his sons -Philip (10) and Timothy (6) -who were burned alive by a mob led by Singh on the night of January 21, 1999. A mob led by Singh attacked Staines and his sons while they slept in their station wagon and then set the vehicle on fire. When they tried to escape, the mob, armed with lathis, prevented them from getting out, leading to their deaths. Their skeletal remains were later recovered. Staines and his wife Gladys worked with the Mayurbhanj Evangelical Missionary organisation and cared for leprosy patients. A total of 14 persons, including Singh and Hembram, were accused in the gruesome case. However, 12 of them were acquitted, while Singh and Hembram were sentenced to life imprisonment. Hembram, hailing from Manoharpur village, was arrested in 1999, while Dara Singh was picked up on January 31, 2000, by then Mayurbhanj SP Y B Khurania, who is now the DGP. Initially kept as an undertrial prisoner at Jharpada Jail in Bhubaneswar, Hembram was sentenced to life imprisonment on September 22, 2003. Over the years, Hembram was incarcerated in several facilities, including Jharpada, Jamujhari Open Air Jail (Bhubaneswar), and jails in Cuttack, Berhampur, Baripada, Anandpur Sub-Jail, before being transferred to Keonjhar Jail on September 28, 2011. He remained there until his release. During the trial at the CBI court in Bhubaneswar on February 1, 2002, Hembram reportedly lost mental composure and declared himself the sole culprit and claimed that others were innocent. Trial started on March 1, 2001 at the District and Sessions Court in Khurda, which was designated as a CBI court. Evidence against Dara Singh was confirmed when one of the accused persons, Dayanidhi Patra, told the trial court that he was present when he (Dara Singh) set fire to the vehicle. The trial concluded on August 18, 2003, with Judge Mahendra Patnaik sentencing Dara Singh and 12 others, while acquitting Anirudha Dandapat, alias Andha Nayak, for lack of evidence. On September 22, 2003, the court awarded Dara Singh the death penalty and sentenced 12 others to life imprisonment. However, in 2005, the Orissa High Court commuted Singh's death sentence to life imprisonment, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court. Dara Singh, currently serving a life sentence, filed a mercy petition in the Supreme Court in August 2024 seeking release. Another mercy plea was also submitted to the President of India. Meanwhile, on March 19, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to take a decision on the remission plea of a epenting Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who continues to serve his sentence for the murders of Staines and his sons.
Train services resumes on Cuttack-Nergundi rail section in Odisha after derailment
Trains resumed normal movement at reduced speeds as restoration work continued, and speed limits will be gradually increased as the situation stabilises
1 killed, 30 hurt as train derails in Odisha; reports suggest track defect in maintenance work area
A derailment of the Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express near Cuttack resulted in one death and over 30 injuries. The incident occurred on Sunday due to suspected track defects during maintenance work. Compensation has been announced for victims, and rescue efforts are underway. The derailment follows Odisha's major railway disaster in June 2023, which had higher casualties.
One killed as train derails in Odisha
In Odisha's Cuttack district, eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed, causing one death and three injuries. The accident affected services on the Howrah-Chennai route, diverting 21 trains. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed no casualties from Assam and that the injured are out of danger. Investigation is ongoing.
Bengaluru-Kamakhya Superfast Express train derails in Odishas Cuttack, no casualties reported
SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya express train derailment: 1 killed, 7 injured
Cuttack: One person was killed and seven others injured as an express train derailed in Odishas Cuttack district on Sunday, officials said. Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway Ashok Kumar Mishra said. Cuttacks District Collector Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
7 injured as Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derails in Odisha
Cuttack, Mar 30: Seven people were injured as an express train derailed in Odishas Cuttack district on Sunday, officials said. Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway Ashok Kumar Mishra said. Odisha Fire Service Director-General Sudhansu Sarangi said seven injured people have been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. The maximum number of injured persons should not be more than [] The post 7 injured as Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derails in Odisha appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Express Train Derails In Odisha's Cuttack
Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am.
SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya express train derails in Odishas Cuttack
Bhubaneswar: An express train derailed in Odishas Cuttack district on Sunday, an official said. Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway Ashok Kumar Mishra said. There is no injury or casualty reported till now, he said. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
11 coaches of Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derail in Odisha (VIDEO)
Eleven coaches of Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derailed near Nirgundi railway station in Cuttacks Choudwar here on Sunday.
Silver for the goddess | Why Cuttacks GI-tagged Tarakasi art form is facing a precarious future
March is when the Rupa Tarakasi craftsmen of Cuttack begin work for Durga Puja, but the artisans of this 500-year-old art form are struggling to stay afloat
Former Union Minister, veteran BJP leader Dr Debendra Pradhan passes away at 84
BHUBANESWAR: Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan passed away on Monday in New Delhi after a brief illness. Dr Pradhan was 84 and is survived by his wife and two sons. He breathed his last at the official residence of his son Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Born on July 16, 1941, Dr Pradhan got his MBBS degree from SCB Medical College, Cuttack in 1966. He started his career as a medical officer from Talcher. He, however, quit the government service to pursue social services and agriculture. One of the major pillars in building BJP organisation in Odisha, Dr Pradhan, joined the saffron party in 1983. He was appointed as president of the party's Talcher Mandal the same year, a post which he held till 1985. Dr Pradhan entered electoral politics in 1984. The party nominated him from the Deogarh Lok Sabha seat, which he lost.He was assigned the job of president of the undivided Dhenkanal district in 1985. He was elected as BJP's state president for two consecutive terms from 1988 to 1993. His third term as state unit president was from 1995 to 1997. A close associate of BJP veteran Kushabhau Thakre, Dr Pradhan,after two defeats in 1991 and 1996,tasted electoral success in 1998 from Deogarh parliamentary constituency. The same year, he became the Surface Transport Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He again won the 1991 election from Deogarh and went on become Union Minister of Surface Transport and Agriculture in the Vajpayee government. Dr Pradhan was national vice president of BJP from 2001-02. His electoral politics came to an end after he lost the 2004 Assembly election to Pallahara. He, however, continued to guide the party as a Marg Darshak. Condolences started pouring in after the news of Dr Pradhan's demise broke.Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects to the mortal remains of Dr Pradhan at the residence of Dharmendra Pradhan. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had paid a visit to Dr Pradhan on Sunday. Majhi who returned from the national capital last night, in his condolence message, said he is deeply saddened to hear about the demise of the former Union Minister. He was a popular leader and a skilled parliamentarian who dedicated his life to serving the nation and the state of Odisha. As the president of the state BJP, he played a crucial role in the rise of the party in Odisha. His contributions to the development of the state and the welfare of its people will always be remembered, the CM said. The country and the state have lost a distinguished public servant. His dedication to the well-being of the people and the development of the state will always be cherished, he said. I extend my deepest condolences to his son, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the entire family. May God give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace, Majhi said.
Eminent Odia Poet Ramakanta Rath Passes Away at 91
Born in Cuttack on December 13, 1933, Raths life was a harmonious blend of administrative excellence and creative brilliance
Outrage in Odishas Cuttack after man allegedly electrocutes stray dog to death
A man in Cuttack electrocuted a stray dog with an electric fence, triggering outrage. Authorities cut his power, and an investigation is underway
26th Sub-Junior National Fencing Cship trials from March 8
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 1: The Fencing Association of India will host the 26th Sub-Junior National Fencing Championship (Boys & Girls) at Cuttack, Odisha, from March 27 to 30. To select the J&K team for this prestigious event, the J&K Fencing Association (JKFA) will conduct selection trials on March 8 and 9 at the Indoor Fencing Hall, MA Stadium Jammu. The trials are open to all eligible fencers born on or after 1st January 2011. Participants must bring a [] The post 26th Sub-Junior National Fencing Cship trials from March 8 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Advanced AI Cameras to Enhance Security in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
Currently, Bhubaneswar, designated as a smart city, has about 1,000 CCTV cameras at key junctions.
The committee is investigating allegations that Nepalese students protesting the death of fellow student Prakriti Lamsal were assaulted and forcibly sent back to Nepal from Cuttack railway station
Nepalese students fear returning to KIIT campus after row over student's death
BHUBANESWAR: Nepalese students on Wednesday expressed fear about returning to the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) campus here after events that took place following the alleged suicide of a 20-year-old student from the Himalayan nation. Around 1,000 Nepalese students studying at KIIT were issued suspension notices and asked to leave the campus immediately on Monday following protests after the body of a student, Prakriti Lamsal, was found hanging from the ceiling of her hostel room on Sunday. However, following the intervention of the Centre and the state government, the KIIT authorities tendered an apology and requested the Nepalese students to return to the campus. But the harrowing experiences encountered by the Nepalese students, including being shunted out of the campus and left at Cuttack railway station and alleged incidents of being roughed up, have left them scarred and many are fearful to return, the students said. We were forced to vacate the hostel without any fault of ours. The students from Nepal were agitated over the death of Prakriti as her previous pleadings with the authorities (over alleged blackmail by her former boyfriend) were ignored. She died by suicide out of frustration, Preeti, a student from Nepal, told reporters. Narrating the harrowing experience encountered on Monday, Preeti said, We were forcibly taken on a bus and dropped at a place near the railway station where there was no shop or water. What was our fault? Now they (dean and other officials of KIIT) are affectionately asking us to return. Can anyone believe them?. Five KIIT employees , including directors of the institute, were arrested on Tuesday for harassing the Nepalese students but the Judicial Magistrate First Class-2 court later in the evening granted them bail. A 21-year-old KIIT student was earlier arrested on charges of abetting the woman's suicide. Sources said the body of the deceased will be flown to Nepal during the day. Her father Sunil Lamsal and other family members have been camping in the city for the last two days. Odisha's Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj had earlier said that 100 Nepalese students are currently on the campus and nearly 800 are in other places. They might have gone to Kolkata, Patna or Ranchi. It is the responsibility of the KIIT authorities to bring them back. They are our guests, the minister said. Sources said that most of the Nepalese students have returned to their homes in the Himalayan nation. However, neither the state government nor the KIIT authorities shared information about the number of students who have returned to the campus so far. The Odisha government had on Tuesday released the action taken report in connection with the alleged crackdown on students following the unnatural death of the student. It has formed a high-level committee headed by the additional chief secretary, home, to probe into the circumstances of the alleged suicide and the shunting of Nepalese students out of the campus by the varsity authorities. Meanwhile, several students, youths and political organisations continued their agitation outside the campus over the incident. Taking to X, KIIT stated, Deeply mourning the untimely passing of our beloved student, Prakriti Lamsal. Today, all senior functionaries of KIIT gathered to express our heartfelt condolences and stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and the student community. We are committed to ensuring justice and support for all. May her soul rest in peace.
Over 5,200 beggars Identified in Odisha; Cuttack tops the list
To address the issue, the state government has launched several initiatives aimed at eradicating begging. Two key projects, Neeladri Nilaya in Puri and Ekamra Nilaya in Bhubaneswar, as part of a broader rehabilitation programme have been introduced.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has demanded the resignation of Odisha Sports Minister Suryavanshi Suraj on moral grounds following the floodlight failure at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack during the second ODI between India and England on February 9.
Kohli is worlds best player regardless of form: Chris Gayle
New Delhi, Feb 11: Virat Kohli may have been going through a poor run of form but the senior Indian batter remains the best player in the world, feels former West Indian swashbuckler Chris Gayle. The 36-year-old Kohli endured yet another poor outing as he was dismissed for just five runs in the second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday. But Gayle, who has played alongside Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL, remains unperturbed by the Indians [] The post Kohli is worlds best player regardless of form: Chris Gayle appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rohit breaking the shackles of self-doubt in typical Hitman fashion
After a series of international outings with little to show, the skipper found form with a stunning hundred in Cuttack; this bodes well for the Men in Blue, whose Champions Trophy campaign gets underway in 10 days
England's Bethell ruled out of Champions Trophy
Bethell, who scored a half-century and took a wicket in the first ODI at Nagpur, missed the match at Cuttack due to a hamstring injury
I understand what is required of me: Rohit Sharma
New Delhi: India captain Rohit Sharma backed his strong mindset after gaining his form back with a century in the second ODI against England at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. The opener was under immense criticism for his underwhelming form in the last two Test series against New Zealand and Australia, respectively. The 37-year-old Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
BCCI Has All The Power But No Currentthe Internet
Tech issues, Buttler distraction: Kohli's second ODI dismissal sparks controversy
Kohli, who missed action in the first game due to knee issues, departed for a meager 5-runs at Cuttack
Rohit Sharma: It was just another day in office, one knock doesnt change anything
Cuttack, Feb 10: Rohit Sharma remained unfazed after his 32nd ODI ton helped banish a poor string of scores for the India captain, calling it just another day in office and adding one knock doesnt change anything. Rohit blazed his way to a 90-ball 119 with 12 fours and seven sixes to set up Indias four-wicket win over England in the second ODI here on Sunday, with the victory also giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match [] The post Rohit Sharma: It was just another day in office, one knock doesnt change anything appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
That's Where I Prepared My Plan: Rohit On Century In 2nd ODI vs England
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said on Sunday that he enjoyed scoring a hundred for the team, and attributed his century to him reaking down his batting approach in Cuttack on Sunday.
Rohit powers India to ODI series win over England
India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the one-day international series against England after Rohit Sharma's superb century in Cuttack.
Rohit Sharma delivered a masterclass, scoring 119 runs off just 90 balls, which included 12 boundaries and 7 sixes.
Floodlight failure halts India-England ODI for 35 minutes
Cuttack: In a major embarrassment for the BCCI, a floodlight failure interrupted play in the second ODI between India and England for about 35 minutes at the Barabati Stadium, here on Sunday, February 9. India was cruising at 48 for no loss in 6.1 overs in a chase of 305 when one of the eight Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
BCCI Left Red-Faced, Play Gets Halted For Bizarre Reason In 2nd ODI
Play had to be halted due to a major technical failure during the India vs England 2nd ODI in Cuttack.
After a brief pause, play resumed momentarily before the lights failed again, leading to another stoppage.
Root, Duckett fifties guide England to 304 against India
CUTTACK, Feb 9: Veteran batter Joe Root and opener Ben Duckett scored fifties to lead England to a competitive 304 all out against India in the second ODI here on Sunday. India are leading the three-match series 1-0 after their victory in Nagpur. Root (69, 72b, 64) got some good support from Duckett (65, 56b, 104) and skipper Jos Buttler (34, 35b, 24), with whom he had a 51-run stand for the fourth wicket. Liam Livingstone made a 32-ball 41 [] The post Root, Duckett fifties guide England to 304 against India appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rohit Sharma joined MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in an illustrious list of captains during the 2nd ODI of the three-match series against England in Cuttack.
Varun Chakravarthy becomes second-oldest Indian to debut in ODI
Varun Chakravarthy makes his ODI debut at 33 years against England in Cuttack, becoming the second oldest Indian to debut in the format. With the Champions Trophy approaching, the mystery spinner's inclusion is timely. Captain Rohit Sharma praised Varun's unique skills, hinting at his potential inclusion in the final Champions Trophy squad.
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Ravi Shastri inaugurates MGM T20 Championship 2025 in Odishas Cuttack
Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun inaugurated the four-day T20 tournament, which features teams from the MGM School of Sports and the Coaching Beyond Cricket Excellence Centre from Chennai, Hyderabad, and Vadodara.
Kohli fit for 2nd ODI, Rohits form not a concern: Kotak
Cuttack, Feb 8: Star batter Virat Kohli is good to go in the second ODI against England, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed on Saturday and downplayed concerns about skipper Rohit Sharmas prolonged lean patch. Kohli had missed the first ODI due to a sore right knee. India had won the series opener in Nagpur, where the hosts secured a four-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has come [] The post Kohli fit for 2nd ODI, Rohits form not a concern: Kotak appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
2nd ODI: Rohits lean run, Kohlis return in focus as India eye series win over England
Cuttack, Feb 8: The barren run of skipper Rohit Sharma and the selection conundrum that Virat Kohlis possible return poses are the towering obstacles in Indias quest for a series win against England in the second ODI here on Sunday. India had taken a 1-0 lead after their four-wicket win at Nagpur, but Kohli getting rested owing to a sore right knee had raised concerns about his fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy later this month. However, vice-captain Shubman Gill [] The post 2nd ODI: Rohits lean run, Kohlis return in focus as India eye series win over England appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kohlis knee swelling is not serious, will be back for 2nd ODI: Gill
CUTTACK: India vice-captain Shubman Gill has allayed fears around Virat Kohlis fitness, saying the batting stalwart is fine and should be fit for the second One-Day International against England here on Sunday. Kohli, 36, was forced to miss the ODI series opener in Nagpur due to swelling in his right knee, leaving the team in a spot of bother as it went into the final dress rehearsal for the ICC Champions Trophy, beginning in Pakistan and Dubai on February 19. [] The post Kohlis knee swelling is not serious, will be back for 2nd ODI: Gill appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
