Ambulance booking through Odisha Yatri soon

BHUBANESWAR: People in the state can soon book an ambulance through the ride-hailing mobile app Odisha Yatri. The Odisha government is planning to integrate the ambulance services with its homegrown cab aggregator app. The Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department, in coordination with the State Transport Authority (STA) and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), is working on modalities to onboard ambulances on the ONDC-based platform to improve access and last-mile healthcare delivery. Odisha Yatri is a direct-to-driver app implemented by the state government. There is no commission or middle-men and the users pay goes 100 per cent to the owner of the vehicle. Officials said the Health department will coordinate with CRUT, the licensed aggregator of the app, to ensure seamless tech-enabled access to ambulances. Once implemented, patients will be able to locate, book, and track ambulances directly through the mobile application, a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of emergency transport across the state, said a health official. The initiative comes close on the heels of the governments decision to regulate private ambulance operations. As decided, a campaign-mode registration drive has been launched to bring all private ambulances under a single, standardised platform. At a recent high-level committee chaired by principal secretary of Commerce and Transport department Usha Padhee, it was decided that the technical committee of the STA in coordination with the Health department will soon finalise ambulance hire charges. The Transport and Health departments will jointly conduct awareness-cum-surveillance camps around AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar to raise public awareness and ensure enforcement. Help desks will also be set up near major hospitals to facilitate ambulance bookings in a prepaid format with predefined and standardised rates, the official added. In order to ensure compliance with safety and quality norms, regional transport officers (RTOs) have been instructed to examine no objection certificates (NOC) issued by Health officials and MVIs to verify adherence to AIS standards before granting or renewing registrations of ambulances. All registered ambulances will also be mandatorily integrated with the vehicle location tracking system (VLTS) to enable GPS-based monitoring and faster emergency response. The tracking devices will be compatible with the central application deployed by the authority, with technical inputs being sourced from STA to ensure interoperability. Ambulance operators who comply with the new regulatory framework will be incentivised through exemptions in statutory taxes and fees. The STA has been asked to issue detailed guidelines.

Six recipients of Prof Ghanashyam Dash scholarship felicitated

BHUBANESWAR : Six students who have been selected for the prestigious Professor Ghanashyam Dash scholarship for higher education were felicitated by the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) here on Saturday. Instituted in 2005 by IMFA, the scholarship honours the legacy of renowned scholar and historian late Prof Ghanashyam Dash, father of late Ila Panda. The scholarship will support the meritorious students in pursuing professional degrees in engineering, medicine, STEM and liberal arts by covering 90 per cent of academic fees and eligible expenses for their four-year degree, amounting up to `6 lakh per recipient. The students include Sandip Subhrajit Sahoo of IIT-Hyderabad and Tarini Prasad Mishra of IIT-BHU, Varanasi. Four others are pursuing MBBS - Satyajeet Parida and Alok Kumar Sahoo at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Dibya Jyoti Jena at SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack, and Ariyan Sahoo at FM Medical College & Hospital, Balasore. Speaking on the occasion, managing director of IMFA and trustee of the foundation Subhrakant Panda said education is a powerful catalyst for social transformation and economic progress. Through the Professor Ghanashyam Dash scholarship, we invest in future leaders who will drive innovation and change in our society and the mentorship component reflects our commitment to nurture the holistic development of these bright young minds and help them achieve their full potential, he said. Under the mentorship component, all scholarship recipients will be paired with executive mentors from IMFAs employee volunteer scheme. The mentorship will provide students with professional counselling, moral support, academic guidance and networking opportunities, helping them unlock their full potential and chart a well-planned career trajectory.

Odisha: PPL workers stage dharna in front of plant over colleagues death

PARADIP: Tension prevailed after mysterious death of a contractual worker prompted staff and family members to stage a dharna in front of the main gate of Paradip Phosphates Ltd (PPL) on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ramesh Lenka (40), a resident of Rangiagarh under Paradip Model police limits. He was seriously injured while working in the plant on Friday night. As per sources, Ramesh was engaged as a contractual worker at the Gypsum plot of PPL. He was seriously injured in an accident while on duty and was shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack. His family members were apparently not aware of the mishap. A member of the contract agency where Ramesh was employed informed his family about the accident. Shocked by the news, the family members rushed to the hospital only to find that Ramesh had succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning. The exact cause of death has not been confirmed, leading to suspicion among the family members. Following the news of his death, angry workers along with family members locked the main gate of PPL plant by placing the body on road. As a result, residents of PPL township were unable to leave the premises, and plant employees failed to enter the site to carry out their duties. The protesters staged a dharna demanding adequate compensation and a job for Rameshs family. As the situation escalated, additional SP Smruti Ranjan Kar along with other officials rushed to the spot and managed to pacify the agitators. The protest was called off in the afternoon. Inspector-in-charge of Paradip police station Kabuli Barik said, PPL authorities gave Rs 1 lakh as initial compensation and assured a job to Rameshs wife. An unnatural death case was registered and the body was seized for postmortem.

Deliver verdict on IPS officers deputation dispute: Orissa HC tells CAT

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Cuttack bench, to deliver judgment on senior IPS officer Satish Kumar Ishwardas Gajbhiyes petition. The Tribunal had reserved after the final hearing on May 9. The vacation court issued the direction on Friday while disposing of a petition filed by Gajbhiye, presently posted as Inspector General of Police (Communications) in Cuttack, challenging a central deputation order. The bench comprising Justices AK Mohapatra and MS Raman directed Gajbhiye to approach CAT with a certified copy of the HC order within 10 days. The bench directed CAT to deliver a final decision within 10 days of such filing. The bench further added In the event the petitioner approaches either the Union of India or the state with a prayer to allow him to join in any of the post befitting to his seniority and status, the same shall be considered by the concerned authorities independently in accordance with the applicable rules and circulars holding the field within a period of 10 days from the date of such approach without being influenced by any other factors. According to case records, applications were invited for central deputation at the IG level on April 16, 2024 and Gajbhiye has applied. But the Ministry of Home Affairs issued order to the state chief secretary appointing him on deputation in the rank of deputy inspector general, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on December 6, 2024. The state government issued notification placing him on deputation as DIG of Police, CRPF on December 12, 2024. He had then approached the CAT, which has reserved the order after completing hearing. Appearing before the vacation bench on Friday on Gajbhiyes behalf, senior advocate Subir Palit submitted that if CAT reserves an order after hearing, the judgement is to be pronounced within three weeks from that day. If the judgment is not delivered within the stipulated time, the matter is required to be reheard by the CAT, Palit contended seeking the HCs intervention. Gajbhiye had challenged his posting in the CAT stating while pay protection may be available, it cannot be used as a justification to post an officer at a lower rank, especially when such a decision adversely impacts the dignity, facilities and command responsibilities associated with the higher IGP post.

Jajpur admin cancels official leaves amid diarrhoea outbreak during Raja festival

JAJPUR: On high alert over the diarrhoea spread in Jajpur, the district administration on Friday cancelled leaves of all government officials during the three-day Raja festival. Leaves of all officers have been cancelled from June 14 to 16 in view of the diarrhoea outbreak in different parts of the district in the last four days. In a letter, Jajpur collector P Anvesha Reddy said all offices in the district will remain open as usual and services of employees will be utilised in case of exigency. No leaves are allowed on these three days without prior permission of the undersigned (collector and district magistrate). Leaves allowed earlier stand cancelled, stated the letter issued by the collector. Meanwhile, the death toll in the diarrhoea outbreak rose to five in Jajpur after one more fatality was reported from Korei block. Chief district medical officer (CDMO) of Jajpur Prakash Chandra Bal confirmed the death and said a 45-year-old woman undergoing treatment at Korei community health centre succumbed to the water-borne disease. Over 750 people across the district have been affected by diarrhoea in the last four days. Among them, nearly 300 patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the district. At least 450 patients have been discharged after treatment. The CDMO said the diarrhoea situation is improving as patient inflow in hospitals has decreased. Over 450 patients have returned home after treatment in the last three days. Around 20 new patients were admitted to different hospitals on Friday. Bal further said 30 critical patients are undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The administration is hopeful that the situation will come under control within next three to four days, he added. Food safety officials are actively engaged to identify the source of the contamination. Reddy has directed all line officials to disinfect water bodies in the 10 blocks and two local urban bodies of the district on a war-footing. Emergency situation Over 750 people affected by diarrhoea in the last four days 300 patients undergoing treatment at different hospitals in district 30 critical patients undergoing treatment at SCB MCH in Cuttack

Odisha clears Rs 3,878 crore investment proposals, over 10,584 jobs across 11 districts

BHUBANESWAR: The state-level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA) of the Odisha government on Friday approved 17 investment proposals worth Rs 3,878.86 crore. The proposed projects are expected to generate 10,584 employment opportunities across 11 districts. The SLSWCA headed by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja cleared the projects that span a wide-range of sectors including plastics, textiles and apparel, technical textiles, electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), food processing, power and renewable energy, tourism, logistics and infrastructure, chemicals and steel. The plastic sector continued to draw strong investors interest with six major proposals getting the nod. As proposed, Greenwave Circularity Pvt Ltd will set up a recycled flakes, pellets, and resin manufacturing facility with a capacity of 4.04 lakh tonne in Khurda at an investment of Rs 650.23 crore. Gurumaharaj Mining and Industries Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 239.07 crore to manufacture underground pipelines with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh mtr in Khurda. Supreme Industries Ltd will establish a unit for plastic products in Cuttack at an investment of Rs 175 crore. Similarly, Lucro Plastecycle Pvt Ltd will set up a post-consumer plastic recycled granules and products unit in Jagatsinghpur with an investment of Rs 100 crore. Royal Touch Fablon Pvt Ltd will manufacture PP woven sacks, bags, and yarn liners with a capacity of 9,600 TPA in Balasore with an investment of Rs 60.78 crore. In the textiles and apparel sector, MAS India Clothing Pvt Ltd will set up a textile processing unit (fabric mill) in Khurda with an investment of Rs 885 crore, generating 1,700 jobs. Isolloyd Engineering Technologies Ltd will establish a unit for ceramic fibre and related products in Jajpur with an investment of Rs 51 crore. While Iron Triangle Ltd has proposed to invest Rs 310.75 crore to set up a 200 MWh battery energy storage system in Balangir district, Samaleshwari Ferrometals Pvt Ltd is planning to expand its sponge iron plant into a 0.5 MTPA integrated steel plant in Sambalpur with an investment of Rs 400 crore. In the tourism sector, Raysons Enterprises Pvt Ltd will set up an eco-resort Mayfair Hideout at Balukhand under Gop block in Puri district with an investment of Rs 53 crore. Special Blasts Ltd will invest Rs 54.99 crore to set up an explosives and accessories manufacturing unit at Talcher in Angul district. Other investments Bhubaneswar Logipark Pvt Ltd - Rs 218.8 cr Alpha Coal Beneficiation and Infrastructure LLP - Rs 217.4 cr Heraeus Technologies India Pvt Ltd - Rs 188.46 cr Addsoft Technologies Pvt Ltd -Rs 112 cr Ranisati Green Biofuels Pvt Ltd - Rs 110 cr Ganesh Consumer Products Ltd - Rs 52.38 cr

Six arrested in cyber frauds totalling Rs 3.34 crore; victims include ex-minister, Balasore resident

CUTTACK/BHUBANESWAR : Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha Police has arrested six cyber criminals in separate cases of investment and digital arrest frauds amounting to Rs 3.34 crore. In the first case, the agency nabbed a woman from West Bengal for her alleged involvement in a Rs 74.10 lakh investment fraud case. The accused Anushka Mitra (24) of Bardhaman district was brought to Odisha on transit remand and produced before SDJM court in Bhubaneswar. According to CB sources, Mitra along with her associates posed as trade analysts and duped the complainant, a resident of Balasore district. CB had registered a case in August, 2024. In another development, CB arrested two more accused persons from Gujarat for allegedly cheating a minister in the previous BJD government of Rs 1.04 crore on the promise of providing him higher returns on his invested amount. The agency had registered a case in January this year and 11 persons have been arrested from different parts of the country in this connection till date. Similarly, CB apprehended another Gujarat native for his alleged involvement in investment fraud by cheating a Chhatrapur native of `50 lakh. The agency had registered a case earlier in February. While two more Gujarat natives were held for their alleged involvement in digital arrest fraud and cheating a Bhubaneswar resident of `1.06 crore. A case was registered in August, 2024 and six accused have been arrested so far.

Odisha to expand e-bus network, launch Ama Bus service in five new cities

BHUBANESWAR: Going ahead with its plan of promoting green and sustainable public transport in urban areas, the state government will launch electric buses (e-buses) under Ama Bus service in five more cities and further expand the service in Berhampur city. It has initiated the procurement of 200 more e-buses for the purpose. Officials in Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), that manages the Ama Bus service, said the e-buses will be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, while the existing fleet of e-buses under Ama Bus service in Berhampur will be increased. The e-bus service is available in the Capital region and Berhampur at present. Tender has been invited recently for the introduction of 200 more electric buses under Ama Bus service. The service will start in the identified cities once the procurement process is complete, said CRUT managing director N Thirumala Naik. CRUT has planned to purchase medium-sized electric buses for expansion of its e-bus service. The agency has decided to purchase 50 e-buses each for Berhampur and Sambalpur and 25 e-buses each for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul and Jharsuguda. The fresh procurement will increase CRUTs existing Ama Bus fleet from 560 to 760. The e-bus fleet will also go up from 180 to 380. With Berhampur already having 20 e-buses, the fresh procurement will take the number of e-bus fleet in the city to 70. Officials said the bus operator to be finalised for procurement, operation and maintenance of these buses, will be engaged for at least a decade. Apart from the 200 e-buses, they will also be managing 400 e-buses soon under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme. Under the scheme, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department plans to run at least 100 e-buses each in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela and 50 in Sambalpur. They added that implementation of the proposal has been delayed owing to legal hurdles and is expected to be implemented soon after the matter is resolved. The Centre will procure and handover the e-buses to CRUT under the scheme. Sustainable urban mobility 200 e-buses to be procured for six cities e-bus service to be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul,Jharsuguda and Sambalpur; expanded to Berhampur 400 e-buses also to be brought under PM-eBus Sewa scheme

Firearms Smuggling Racket Busted in Bhubaneswar; Five Arrested

Describing it as a significant breakthrough against organised crime, police officials revealed that the arrested individuals include criminals from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odishas Cuttack district.

BJP, BJD trade barbs over womens welfare schemes in Odisha

Cuttack/Jajpur: Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Friday held separate public meetings and claimed credit for championing womens causes in the state. The BJD accused the saffron party of betraying women by making false promises before the elections in 2024, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi countered the []

Wife criticising husbands physical infirmity is equal to mental cruelty, says Orissa HC

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has upheld a Family Court judgment granting divorce in a case in which the wife had repeatedly made disparaging comments to her husband regarding his physical infirmity, which in the lower courts view, constituted mental cruelty. In the case, the marriage was solemnised on June 1, 2016, but the wife is staying separately in her parents house since March 25, 2018 after her constant remarks on her husbands infirmity resulted in serious disputes between them. Subsequently, on the husbands petition, the Family Court, Puri, granted decree of divorce dissolving their marriage on grounds of mental cruelty by wife without any alimony. The wife filed an appeal in the high court against the judgement of the Family Court on July 10, 2023. In her appeal, the wife claimed that she was forced to leave the matrimonial home and was residing with her parents since 2018. She further argued that the charge of cruelty was unsubstantiated and the Family Court erred in granting the divorce without awarding permanent alimony. However, the division bench of Justices BP Routray and Chittaranjan Dash dismissed the appeal recently observing that the aspersions made by the wife on the husband amounts to mental cruelty. On such ground, we are satisfied that the requirement in terms of Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act is attracted to grant the decree of divorce. We thus confirm the impugned judgment granting the decree of divorce between the parties dissolving their marriage, the bench ruled. The bench also noted, A person is expected to give respect to another person in general and where it comes to relationship of husband and wife, it is expected that the wife should support the husband despite his physical infirmity, if any.

All-out efforts on to strengthen foundation of developed Odisha by 2036: Minister Harichandan

CUTTACK: Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Thursday said the double-engine government is making all-out efforts to strengthen the foundation of Viksit Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Bharat by 2047. Addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House here on the occasion of the first anniversary of the BJP government in the state, Harichandan said, a new era has begun both in the state and the country due to good governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The good governance of 11 years of BJP rule at the Centre and one year in the state will be etched in golden letters in history, he said. Harichandan said the BJP government has provided employment to around 42,000 youth and women in the last one year. It has appointed engineers by resolving controversial issues in the employment sector. There is a plan to provide employment to more than one lakh people in the coming days, he added. The Law minister further said that development activities are being undertaken in all sectors for formation of a developed Odisha. Special focus is on development of rural infrastructure necessary for all-round development of Odisha. Efforts are on to improve the agriculture sector and welfare of farmers. Now, Odisha is on the path of prosperity and progress, he asserted. The minister also presented a detailed report on the development and welfare activities shouldered by the BJP government in the last one year.

Open-heart surgery resumes at MKCG MCH after 36 years

BERHAMPUR: Open-heart surgery has resumed at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after a gap of 36 years, marking a significant milestone for cardiac care in southern Odisha. A 26-year-old woman underwent the procedure on Wednesday. While hospital authorities declined to share detailed information, they confirmed that the woman, who had a small hole in her heart, underwent surgery that lasted over three hours. She has since been shifted to the ICU, where she remains on ventilator support under strict medical supervision. The last open-heart surgeries at MKCG MCH were performed in 1990 by then surgeons Dr Suresh Mishra and Dr Sachi Mishra. Since then, no open-heart procedures had been conducted in the hospital despite the availability of necessary equipment. The primary hurdle was the absence of a trained perfusionist, a specialist essential to operate the heart-lung machine during such surgeries. The long-standing issue was finally addressed after the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) deputed a perfusionist from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack to MKCG MCH. The perfusionist joined two weeks back, allowing the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department to become fully operational. The CTVS department, located on the fifth floor of the multi-specialty PMSSY block, was established about five years back with modern facilities and advanced machinery, including a state-of-the-art heart-lung machine. Being the referral hospital for southern districts, MKCG MCH has long received patients with cardiac ailments. However, many of the patients had to be referred to hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Visakhapatnam for complex procedures. We had the infrastructure, but lacked expert handling of the machinery. With the perfusionist now available, the problem has been resolved, said Dr Sarada Prasanna Sahu, associate professor and head of the CTVS department. In recent months, the department has already performed two critical thoracic surgeries, one to remove a knife lodged in a mans chest, and another to extract an arrow that had pierced dangerously close to the heart. With open-heart surgery services now restored, four more patients have already been shortlisted for upcoming procedures in the MCH.

Two more die of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur, toll rises to four

JAJPUR: The death toll due to the recent diarrhoea outbreak in Jajpur district reached four with two more persons succumbing while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, health officials confirmed on Thursday. Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer (CDM&PHO) Dr Prakash Bal said Pabitra Das (45) of Baruan and Sebati Ghadei (75) of Malapada under Jajpur block were shifted from Jajpur to SCB MCH while their condition deteriorated and they died during treatment. More than 100 people are still undergoing treatment at Jajpur district headquarters hospital. Several other patients admitted to Dharmasala, Jajpur Road, Korei and Danagadi CHCs are also recuperating. Health teams are camping in the affected blocks where sporadic cases are emerging, he said. Diarrhoea situation grim in Jajpur, over 500 affected The diarrhoea situation continued to remain grim in the affected and surrounding areas of Vyasanagar municipality, Dharmasala, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks with the waterborne disease affecting over 500 people in the last three days. The highest number of cases has been reported from Dharmasala, which reported the first diarrhoea outbreak on Monday night following a community feast. A day later, more diarrhoea cases were reported from several villages in the neighbouring blocks, prompting the Health department to depute two state-level rapid action teams to the affected areas. Although no exact cause of the outbreak has been ascertained, local health officials said, community feasts, consumption of rotten mangoes and jackfruits and water contamination could be the primary reasons. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said food and water samples have been collected from the affected areas and sent for tests. The test reports are awaited. Efforts are on to provide immediate treatment and control the outbreak, he told The New Indian Express. Dr Mishra, along with two rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and the joint director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, visited the areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the CDM&PHO. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur are looking into the treatment of the critical cases, while six medicine specialists from SCB MCH have also been deputed to the district. Separate teams comprising ASHA and anganwadi workers have been engaged to conduct door-to-door surveys and distribute ORS pouches, halogen tablets, medicines and awareness materials in the affected villages. The teams of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) wing have been engaged in disinfection of drinking water sources.

Diarrhoea situation grim in Jajpur, over 500 affected

JAJPUR /BHUBANESWAR: The diarrhoea situation remained grim in Jajpur with the waterborne disease affecting over 500 people in different parts of the district as on Wednesday. The disease has so far claimed two lives in the district. The worst-hit areas are Dharmasala, Jajpur, Danagadi, Korei and Rasulpur blocks where local hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by the sudden spike in number of patients showing gastrointestinal symptoms. Sources said over 95 patients are undergoing treatment in the district headquarters hospital (DHH) followed by 55 in Dharmasala community health centre (CHC). Similarly, 50 patients have been admitted to Jajpur Road CHC while 25 each are undergoing treatment in Korei and Danagadi CHCs. Madhuban CHC has nine patients. Over 200 patients have been discharged from hospitals after treatment in the last two days. Officials said 20 critical patients were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced care. The superintendent of SCB MCH has been asked to remain alert about proper treatment of the referral cases. Dharmasala, which first reported the diarrhoea outbreak on Monday night, continues to report the highest number of cases. Nearly 150 patients from 12 villages have received treatment in the local CHC since Monday night. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra along withtwo rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and joint director of integrated disease surveillance programme visited the areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the chief district medical officer (CDMO) of Jajpur. Dr Mishra said all patients and sporadic cases emerging from adjoining places are being attended to by the rapid action teams constituted at district level. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari medical college and hospital, Jajpur are looking into treatment of the critical cases while six medicine specialists from SCB MCH have also been deputed to the district. CDMO Prakash Chandra Bal said the state-level medical teams are conducting door-to-door surveys in the affected villages. Accompanied by ASHA and anganwadi workers, the teams are meeting families of patients and collecting water and stool samples to help determine the outbreaks source, he said. The Health department has also deployed separate teams of doctors in the affected and surrounding areas of Vyasanagar municipality, Dharmasala, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei. Besides, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) teams have been engaged for disinfection of drinking water sources. Food inspecting and disease surveillance teams are working at the ground level to combat further outbreak of the waterborne disease. On the day, Jajpur collector P Anwesha Reddy visited the DHH and Jajpur Road and Danagadi CHCs to review the preparedness in view of the rising number of diarrhoea patients. Reddy appealed to the public to only consume boiled or disinfected water.

Devotees congregate at Padmabana Pitha in Odisha's Nemalo for Snana Purnima

CUTTACK: Over one lakh devotees thronged the Padmabana Pitha at Nemalo village on Wednesday to observe the Sunya Samadhi Divas of 16th century poet prophet Panchasakha Mahapurusha Achyutananda Das, and seek blessings of Lord Jagannath on the occasion of Snana Purnima. The village is located around 40 km away from Cuttack. Legend has it that Lord Jagannath visits the place once a year on this particular day of Jyestha Purnima popularly known as Snana Purnima. As per the ancient folklore, Achyutananda had gone to Puri to witness the Mahasnana Utsav, the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, when he was assaulted for being a Gaudiya Baisnab. Pained, Lord Jagannath had assured him of visiting Nemalo during the Snana Purnima day every year. Balimela was also organised on the banks of Chitroptala river. Bhajans, kirtans and religious discourses went on throughout the night and Pedi Bhoga prepared by the Chari Baithaka was distributed after Jamuna Snana Utsav. Interestingly, both Hindus and Muslims jointly worship the tomb on this day. This has been a tradition since the time Achyuta Khan became one of the principal disciples of Mahapurusha Achyutananda. Till now, the successors of Achyuta Khan come to the tomb for their share of Kotha Bhoga, on the occasion. Elaborate security arrangements were made by the district administration for the smooth conduct of the festival.

Orissa HC grants bail to 23 in WhatsApp trading fraud

CUTTACK: In a high-value financial scam case, the Orissa High Court has granted regular bail to 23 persons accused of being involved in laundering defrauded funds through their bank accounts. The scam surfaced with a retired person lodging a complaint that he was duped of Rs 6.28 crore after being added to a WhatsApp group named as an Investment Club, administered by a person using a US number. Posing as investment advisors, the group lured him with daily stock discussions and fake IPO deals. Falling for the fictitious profits, he invested his retirement corpus into shares of a fake company and was shown massive gains. However, repeated demands for hefty service charges and withdrawal fees led to further losses. Finally, he was removed from the group, the app was deactivated, and no funds were returned. Acting on the complaint, the state CID-Crime Branchs cyber police station in Cuttack registered an FIR on August 24, 2024, and arrested 23 persons in connection with the fraud. The vacation court took up the bail petitions of the 23 accused on Monday following the Supreme Courts direction on May 30 to the high court to consider them on June 9 and decide them expeditiously. One of the accused had sought the SCs intervention against the delay in adjudication on the bail pleas f i led in December and thereafter. The bench of Justice AK Mohapara observed, It prima facie appears that the present petitioners were used to loot the defrauded amount by alluring them a small portion of the money transferred to their account as commission. Thus, it appears that the bank accounts belonging to the petitioners have been used as mule accounts to syphon of the money belonging to the informant. In the case of all petitioners, the money which was initially transferred to their accounts have been subsequently retransferred to the accounts of other persons. The bank statement of the accounts belonging to the petitioners reveals that except the present transaction there are no other high value transactions, Justice Mohapatra further observed. The judge opined that there was no need for them to continue in judicial custody and granted bail to all 23 accused persons in a single order with varying conditions.

Waterlogged Cuttack stretch irks commuters

Raids in Cuttack med shops over illegal sale of abortion kits

As BJP govt gets set for first anniversary, Odisha CM deploys ministers for district reviews

BHUBANESWAR : AHEAD of the first anniversary of BJP government in the state on June 12, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has despatched his cabinet colleagues to the districts to undertake a comprehensive stock-taking exercise on implementation of programmes and delivery of services to the people. Each of the 15 ministers, including two deputy chief ministers, have been assigned two districts besides their own. They have been asked to visit some of the key projects under implementation, review the progress and remove bottlenecks if any in consultation with MLAs, MPs and the district administration. While Majhi during his visit to Kendrapara district on Monday held a performance review of the district administration in presence of all MLAs, deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo has already completed the same in Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts. The objective of conducting the review is to get first-hand information on the status and progress of projects sanctioned for that particular district, and set targets for the second year. Apart from developmental works, departmentwise review is also being conducted on implementation of planned programmes and welfare schemes of state and central governments, Singh Deo said. These review meetings provide an opportunity to interact with district officials and elected representatives who bring public issues to the table, he said and added, instructions were issued to departments concerned to take immediate action to resolve them. The deputy CM also said all ministers have been assigned the job of holding press-conferences at district level to highlight the achievements of the state government in one year and 11 years of Narendra Modi government at the Centre. School and Mass Education minister Nityananda Gond said another objective of district visits by ministers is to establish connect with the public and display the pro-people face of the government. The ministers will also inform the people about the promises made by the BJP before coming to power and how many of them have been fulfilled in just one year, he said.

Man held for duping car buyer of Rs 1.08 crore

BHUBANESWAR : Police on Monday arrested a man for allegedly duping a businessman of Rs 1.08 crore on the promise of providing a luxury car. The accused, 32-year-old Sambit Panda of Sailashree Vihar, was working as a car showroom manager in Cuttack. Police said Panda had come in contact with a businessman, Rohit Roshan Mohanty, in March 2023. The accused claimed he was a freelance car broker and manager of an Audi car showroom in Bhubaneswar. Panda took the money from Mohanty in different phases on the promise of providing him a luxury car within a month. However, the accused neither provided the car nor refunded the complainants money, police said. Mohanty then approached a court and lodged a complaint against Panda. On the courts direction, Infocity police had registered a case in September last year and launched an investigation into the matter. After registration of the case, Panda managed to secure anticipatory bail from the high court. However, as the court did not extend the bail, he was arrested, said an officer of Infocity police station. Sources said Panda is the son of a former police officer.

Defunct school to be turned into rural industrial park in Odisha

CUTTACK: The Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS) in collaboration with ITC Ltd has planned to turn the defunct Balarampur UP School at Khentala in Isani Brahmapur gram panchayat under Nischintakoili block into a rural industrial park (RIP) for production of incense sticks. Sources said around five community-based organisations (CBOs) are currently operational in Isani Brahmapur GP where over 500 women are engaged in making incense sticks. The initiative was started in 2009 to facilitate supply of hand-rolled incense sticks through the CBOs. However over time, with advancement of technology, the agarbatti production process evolved from hand-rolled techniques to pedal machines, and eventually to automated machines. Responding to ITCs growing procurement needs and recognising the strength of five CBOs engaged in incense sticks production in the region, the Cuttack administration came up with the decision to set up the rural industrial park at Isani Brahmapur GP. The rural industrial park aims to ensure sustainable economic growth of the CBOs facilitated by ORMAS. The cluster will be provided dedicated infrastructure for the entire value chain of agarbatti production - from raw materials procurement and automatic machine-based processing to packaging and supply of finished products. The park will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with ITC, which will provide capacity-building and marketing support, said joint CEO, ORMAS, Bipin Rout. The park is expected to contribute to the procurement target of 40 metric tonne set by ITC, to be supplied by this cluster, Rout said. Further, considering the agro-horticultural potential of the area, collector-cum-district magistrate, Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde has directed the Horticulture department to establish a solar-powered cold storage unit on the premises of the rural industrial park to reduce post-harvest losses.

Orissa High Court affirms civil courts jurisdiction in land title disputes

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has held that the state government cannot determine ownership in its favour and proceed with eviction through summary proceeding as the proper and competent forum for declaration of right, title, interest and possession is the civil court. The ruling came while the vacation court set aside the eviction order issued by the tehsildar (Dhamnagar) under Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972 and the subsequent orders by appellate authorities - sub-collector (Bhadrak) and collector (Bhadrak) endorsing it. Dinabandhu Behera had filed a petition challenging the eviction order claiming that after the abolition of the estate, the ex-intermediary submitted an Ekpadia in favour of the petitioners father, in whose name the tenant ledger was opened. His father thereafter paid rent to the government. Behera came into possession of the suit land after his fathers death. Contrary to these facts, the land was erroneously recorded in the name of the state during the Hal settlement, a factual inaccuracy which led to the initiation of encroachment proceedings against him, the petition claimed. In a recent order, the vacation bench of Justice SK Panigrahi said, Upon careful analysis of the facts and circumstances, this court finds that the core issues raised involve a bona fide dispute concerning the right and title to the suit property, a matter beyond the jurisdiction of the encroachment proceedings initiated under the Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972. The revenue authorities, who conduct summary procedures, are not competent to adjudicate such complex disputes of title. Therefore, where a bona fide dispute exists over the title to property, summary proceedings by revenue authorities cannot constitute the proper forum for adjudication. Such disputes fall within the domain of civil courts, which have the jurisdiction to determine rights, titles, and other consequential reliefs, Justice Panigrahi observed. Earlier, the petitioner approached the civil court seeking a declaration of his right, title and interest in the suit property. He also sought a declaration that the encroachment proceedings initiated by the revenue authorities were not maintainable, as a suit was already pending before the Civil Judge, Junior Division, Dhamnagar.

Hot and humid weather in Odisha to subside from Tuesday: IMD

BHUBANESWAR: Citizens can expect some relief as the hot and humid weather is likely to subside in the state from this week, said the IMD. Though sweltering conditions will prevail in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Monday, there is no such warning from Tuesday onwards. Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Manorama Mohanty said, Hot and humid weather will prevail in parts of the state in the next 24 hours and thereafter it is expected to subside as there may be an increase in the rainfall activity. The met office has forecast thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speeds reaching 30 kmph to 40 kmph in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack and 14 other districts on Tuesday. The monsoon is also expected to pick up pace from this week onwards as a system is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD said a cyclonic circulation/low pressure area is likely to form over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal after June 13.

Four children swept away in Mahanadi, one still missing

Banki: Four children were swept away while bathing in Mahanadi river in Banki area of Cuttack district Sunday, a source said. The incident took place while they were accompanying their uncle for a bath in the river. According to the source, the group included three boys and a girl. Three of the children were rescued []

Odisha fire services personnel to be trained on tackling blaze in high-rise buildings

BHUBANESWAR: Delhi Fire Services and Mumbai Fire Brigade officers will on Sunday provide training to Odisha Fire and Emergency Service personnel on ways to tackle fire in high-rise buildings. The special session is part of the two-day Assistant Fire Officers Conference which got underway at Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy here. Inaugurated by DG, fire services Sudhansu Sarangi, the first-of-its-kind conference is aimed at enhancing leadership and operational preparedness among the states fire officers and personnel. Addressing the event, Sarangi emphasised the strategic role of fire officers in field operations. In todays complex risk environment, our fire officers must be equipped not just with courage, but with competence, clarity and compassion. This brainstorming event marks the beginning of a leadership journey focused on those ideals, he said. Considering that Delhi and Mumbai fire services are one of the most advanced in the country and have required expertise to handle fire in high-rise buildings, they will give a presentation on their major case studies and also share the experience on how to tackle blaze in such buildings, sources said. Currently, Odisha Fire Service has six specialised fire trucks equipped with hydraulic platforms for firefighting and rescue operations. They are deployed in major cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Sambalpur. However, many more of such specialised fire trucks are required considering the rapid development the state has been undergoing for the past few years. The high-rise buildings are now not limited to cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. Recently, CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a six-storey district headquarters hospital in Deogarh. There is a need to enhance our skills and equipment to effectively deal with fire in high-rise buildings, said a senior fire officer. Former chief secretary PK Jena spoke on how to effectively and swiftly respond to a disaster and maintain inter-departmental coordination during untoward incidents. Organised by Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, the event also hosted a technology exhibition featuring equipment of leading fire safety and disaster management solution providers.

Odisha's H&UD Minister saves lives of accident victims

CUTTACK: In a show of compassion, Housing and Urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Saturday rescued a family of four who met with an accident on NH-16 near Telengapenth, and ensured their smooth transportation to the hospital. After meeting with the accident, Ananta Kumar Sahu, his wife and their two children were in a distressed condition when Mahapatra happened to pass by the area. Seeing them in such a helpless condition, the minister immediately halted his convoy and took charge of the rescue efforts. Acting swiftly, he ensured that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital by using his escort vehicle. Not only that, Mahapatra personally reached the hospital and instructed the authorities and staffs to provide necessary treatment to the victims. The ministers prompt and selfless act not only saved the lives of the four but also underscored his extraordinary act of compassion and public service.

Legal battle over GATE norm for 621 AEE posts reaches SC

CUTTACK: The Supreme Court has admitted a special leave petition (SLP) challenging the January 15 Orissa High Court order regarding the process of selection of candidates for 621 posts of assistant executive engineers (AEEs) by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), while refusing to grant a stay on the recruitment process. The OPSC had in an advertisement for 2023-24 invited applications for posts of AEEs in civil (580) and mechanical (41) branches on December 28, 2023, with the last date of submission being February 26, 2024. Under the Odisha Engineering Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2023, the objective written test was replaced by selection on the basis of the highest of the valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score obtained by the candidates in the three years preceding the date of advertisement (including the year of advertisement). On January 15, 2025, the high court, acting on a batch of petitions, directed the OPSC to extend the application deadline to enable candidates who were otherwise eligible by age and educational qualification as per the original cut-off date to apply after appearing in the GATE examination. Complying with the direction, OPSC on April 11, 2025, notified rescheduled dates allowing submission of applications for the posts from April 22 to May 8. However, one Ritesh Kumar Mohapatra filed the SLP against the January 15 HC order in the Supreme Court. The SLP was taken up on June 3. After a preliminary hearing, the two-judge bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masir said, Issue notice (to state government) returnable in the week commencing August 11. However, there shall be no stay on the recruitment process. Meanwhile, in a related development, a batch of petitions filed in the Orissa High Court have questioned the rescheduled dates notified by the OPSC for submission of applications for the AEE posts. The petitioners approached the court claiming that they were deprived of an opportunity to appear in the GATE-2025 examination as the last date to apply had already lapsed by the time the HC issued its judgment on January 15, 2025. The vacation bench of Justice AK Mohapatra in an interim order on May 26 directed OPSC to continue with the recruitment process. However, a post befitting the qualification of each of the petitioners shall not be filled up till the next date. The matter is now scheduled for the week beginning July 7, 2025, with OPSC and state government directed to file counter affidavits in the interim.

PM Modi to attend BJP governments first anniversary celebrations in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on June 20 to take part in the mega celebration of the first anniversary of BJP government in the state. Originally scheduled to be held on June 12, the date on which Mohan Charan Majhi government completes one year in office, the programme had to be reworked following confirmation from the prime ministers office about his attendance on June 20. Informing this to mediapersons here, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said the state government has planned a series of programmes across the state to mark the occasion but the main function will be held in Bhubaneswar on June 20 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending it. The venue of the state-level function is yet to be finalised, though. We had requested the prime minister to visit Odisha on June 12. He, however, gave time for June 20, so the change in schedule, Pujari said. He said the chief minister during his recent visit to Delhi had extended formal invitation to the prime minister, Union Home minister Amit Shah, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, BJP president JP Nadda, others Union ministers and leaders of the party to take part in the anniversary celebrations on June 12. Earlier, the BJP government had decided to organise a series of events from June 11 to 13 to mark the first anniversary with the main function to be held at Janata Maidan here on June 12. As per the tentative revised schedule, a seminar on Viksit Odisha will be organised at different places including the state capital on June 10. This will be followed by a state-level Vikas Mela, an exhibition on development works undertaken by the government in the first year, which will be organised at Baramunda Ground. All departments will showcase their achievements through exhibitions, thematic discussions, cultural events, book fairs, information booths and art shows. The state government has also planned four mega conventions in four regions of the state to mark the occasion. A Nari Shakti Samavesh will be held in Cuttack city on June 13 to demonstrate the success of the Subhadra Yojana. A similar convention for farmers has been planned at Balangir on June 17. An Adivasi Shakti Samavesh will be held at Baripada on June 18 and a Yuva Shakti Samavesh at Berhampur on June 21. All the ministers have been assigned to visit districts to present the Majhi governments first-year report card to the people, official sources said.

Worker falls off under-construction bldg in Cuttack, dies

Jajpur locals gherao police station demanding arrest of all accused in villagers murder

JAJPUR: Hundreds of locals gheraoed Jajpur Sadar police station on Friday demanding immediate arrest of all the accused involved in the murder of a 32-year-old fellow villager. Victim, Tapan Lenka, was allegedly assaulted by Chandan Nayak of Kacherigaon village and his associates over sand lifting from Kharasrota river on May 27. Villagers said Chandan was involved in sand smuggling for past couple of years. On May 27, Tapan went to the river bed to collect sand for personal use when Chandan arrived with his brother, father and two associates to prevent him. Tapan opposed this, saying the sand ghat was not leased to anyone, following which the accused and his associates thrashed him, injuring him critically. Tapan was rescued by his family members and rushed to the district headquarters hospital. He was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated but he succumbed on Wednesday. Though the deceaseds family members filed a complaint and named five persons in the FIR, police arrested only Chandan two days after the incident while four others remain at large. Jajpur SP Yash Pratap Shrimal and SDPO Prasant Majhi rushed to the spot and held discussions with the protesters. The protest was withdrawn after the SP assured them of the arrest of all accused involved in the crime. We have formed a special squad to arrest all accused involved in the crime. We are on the job and will arrest them soon, said Majhi.

Orissa HC directs govt to revise gradation list of secretariat ASOs

CUTTACK: In a significant judgment,the Orissa High Court has directed the state government to revise the seniority list of assistant section officers (ASOs) in the Odisha Secretariat Service, resolving a major dispute over inter-seniority within the cadre. The dispute involved two batches of ASOs - direct recruits appointed through two separate advertisements and between promotees and direct recruits. The vacation court gave the verdict on June 3 after analogous hearing on 10 petitions categorised into two groups. The first group, comprising seven petitions, involved a dispute between two sets of direct recruits, one recruited under Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)s Advertisement No. 06 of May 14, 2015, for ST category candidates (140), and another (811) under Advertisement No. 08 of October 6, 2012. The second group of three petitions involved disputes between promotes and direct recruits. The bench of Justice AK Mohapatra noted that although Advertisement No. 08 was issued earlier in 2012, appointments from this list were delayed until October 2016 due to legal hurdles and administrative delays. In contrast, candidates under the 2015 advertisement were appointed on January 27, 2016 and May 18, 2016. Justice Mohapatra endorsed the principle that seniority in government service should be based on the actual date of appointment, not the date of the recruitment advertisement or recommendation, unless a rule explicitly states otherwise. While providing relief to candidates who were appointed earlier but placed lower in the seniority list, Justice Mohapatra ruled that the ASOs appointed earlier in 2016 under Advertisement No. 06 must be placed above those appointed later the same year under Advertisement No. 08 in the final gradation list published on June 11, 2020. The judge further ruled that promotees must be treated as en bloc senior to the direct recruits of the same calendar year and directed the Home department to revise the ASO gradation list in line with the courts directives, ensuring that seniority reflects the actual date of appointment. He also ruled that promotees must be treated as en bloc senior to the direct recruits of the same calendar year.

Odisha HC directs govt to revise gradation list of secretariat ASOs

CUTTACK: In a significant judgment,the Orissa High Court has directed the state government to revise the seniority list of assistant section officers (ASOs) in the Odisha Secretariat Service, resolving a major dispute over inter-seniority within the cadre. The dispute involved two batches of ASOs - direct recruits appointed through two separate advertisements and between promotees and direct recruits. The vacation court gave the verdict on June 3 after analogous hearing on 10 petitions categorised into two groups. The first group, comprising seven petitions, involved a dispute between two sets of direct recruits, one recruited under Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)s Advertisement No. 06 of May 14, 2015, for ST category candidates (140), and another (811) under Advertisement No. 08 of October 6, 2012. The second group of three petitions involved disputes between promotes and direct recruits. The bench of Justice AK Mohapatra noted that although Advertisement No. 08 was issued earlier in 2012, appointments from this list were delayed until October 2016 due to legal hurdles and administrative delays. In contrast, candidates under the 2015 advertisement were appointed on January 27, 2016 and May 18, 2016. Justice Mohapatra endorsed the principle that seniority in government service should be based on the actual date of appointment, not the date of the recruitment advertisement or recommendation, unless a rule explicitly states otherwise. While providing relief to candidates who were appointed earlier but placed lower in the seniority list, Justice Mohapatra ruled that the ASOs appointed earlier in 2016 under Advertisement No. 06 must be placed above those appointed later the same year under Advertisement No. 08 in the final gradation list published on June 11, 2020. The judge further ruled that promotees must be treated as en bloc senior to the direct recruits of the same calendar year and directed the Home department to revise the ASO gradation list in line with the courts directives, ensuring that seniority reflects the actual date of appointment. He also ruled that promotees must be treated as en bloc senior to the direct recruits of the same calendar year.

Close shave for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra as car hits mixer truck

CUTTACK: Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra had a close shave after his car was involved in a head-on collision with a concrete mixer vehicle at Sandhapur square under Baranga police station on Friday. According to the police, the accident took place at around 9 am when Patra was returning to Bhubaneswar after an event in Dhenkanal. When his car reached Sandhapur square, a concrete mixture-laden truck which was coming from opposite direction collided with it, damaging the cars right side bumper. However, no one was injured in the accident. On being informed, Baranga police rushed to the spot and arranged another vehicle for the minister. The truck has been seized and its driver, Bhagirathi Ray of Dhanmandal under Govindpur police limits detained.

Woman files FIR against pvt hosp in Cuttack for med negligence

RPF constable saves passenger from getting run over by train in Cuttack station

CUTTACK: Prompt action by a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable helped save the life of a passenger who slipped while trying to board a moving train at Cuttack railway station here on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at around 8.05 am on platform no 1. Forty-four-year-old Md Mujahir of Mirjapur in West Bengal was attempting to board the departing Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh train when he lost his footing and was lodged in the gap between the platform edge and the train. Constable Tulu Behera, who was on routine platform duty nearby, rushed to the spot and pulled him to safety. Soon after, the video clip of the entire incident started featuring on social media platforms, showcasing Beheras act in realtime. The footage has drawn widespread praise, highlighting the crucial role played by ground-level personnel in ensuring passengers safety. While DGP YB Khurania announced a reward of Rs 2,500 for constable Behera, ADG coastal security and railways, Arun Bothra lauded his courage and presence of mind.

Odisha HC dismisses plea challenging public auction of flats by LIC

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has dismissed a petition challenging Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)s public auction of flats, which were first allotted to policy holders through a draw of lots and then cancelled in 2014. In early 2014, the LIC launched LICs Policy Holders Housing Scheme for the allotment of 75 flats at Jeevan Bima Nagar, Phase-II, Chandrasekharpur in Bhubaneswar. Policy holders could submit applications depositing Rs 1 lakh. A policy holder who was among the successful applicants after the draw of lots before cancellation of the allotments the same year had filed the petition. The petition alleged that LIC is now attempting to profit from the same flats by hiking prices to Rs 80.54 lakh from the earlier Rs 58.10 lakh, which amounts to arbitrary and exploitative conduct unbecoming of a state entity. The LIC submitted that the cancellation of allotment was compelled by the governments instruction not to register flats without record of rights (ROR). The ROR was unavailable in 2014 and was only obtained in 2024, after due mutation and reclassification of land. After obtaining legal possession and clearances, LIC reinitiated sale through public auction as required for fair disposal. Given the time lapse and cost escalation, the current pricing reflects present-day market and construction realities, it claimed. The petitioner sought direction to LIC to execute the necessary conveyance deed and transfer possession of the flat originally allotted to them in 2014. However, Justice SK Panigrahi said, The court cannot ignore the practical realities of urban development, land classification, and escalating construction costs. It is not open to a writ court (HC) to freeze pricing or enforce historic transactions when the statutory and legal framework has significantly changed over a decade. LIC, being a public authority, is entitled to re-value and dispose of its assets in a lawful, transparent manner, and no malafide can be imputed to its decision to conduct an e-auction in 2025, Justice Panigrahi ruled in a recent judgment. Justice Panigrahi also ruled that without a sale agreement, registration, or part-performance beyond a token application fee, no enforceable legal right vested in the petitioner. He had, at best, an inchoate interest that lapsed upon lawful cancellation, the judge added.

Odisha Constable Saves Man From Falling Under Moving Train in Daring Rescue

Tulu Behera hailed as hero after pulling passenger to safety at Cuttack railway station; DGP announces reward.

Be prepared to manage waterlogging: CM Mohan Majhi to officials

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday raised concern over waterlogging in the state capital and asked officials to remain prepared to deal with such situations during monsoons. Addressing the revenue officers workshop here, Majhi said, It rained so heavily in Old Town area of Bhubaneswar yesterday that the road got damaged and the water couldnt be drained out. This has happened when Asadha month is yet to begin, the chief minister said, while underlining that there could be urban flooding and damage to infrastructure due to heavy rains during monsoon and SOP should be followed to deal with it effectively. Heavy rain on Tuesday evening caused substantial damage to the Badagada Canal road in Old Town area of the city disrupting connection to the main route. Locals raised strong concern over the matter and also complained about the same to mayor Sulochana Das during her visit to the site. As it is, the CM has already asked BMC authorities to complete the ongoing drainage and desiltation works by June 20. Majhi, who had chaired a high-level meeting with authorities of H&UD department last week, has sought adequate measures to address the problem of waterlogging near Iskcon Temple, Cuttack road, Ahalya Nagar, Ayurveda College and other vulnerable areas of the state capital.

Fake lubricant making unit busted, two arrested

CUTTACK: Police on Wednesday busted a fake lubricants manufacturing unit at Sunaribana in Jagatpur and arrested two persons in this connection. The accused were identified as Prasanta Kumar Sahoo (41) and Krishna Agarwal (36). Acting on a tip-off regarding manufacturing and selling of duplicate lubricants and shock absorber oil by M/S Golakha Enterprises at Sunaribana, a police team headed by IIC, Jagatpur Anirudha Nayak along with officials of Legal Metrology and CT&GST department raided the area and nabbed the duo. Investigation revealed, the manufacturing unit was being operated by one Babaji Charan Sahoo and Prasanta. The unit was recycling used and burnt engine oil collected from garages and repackaging it under the labels of reputed brands to deceive customers. The accused were indulged in transporting those duplicate lubricants to different districts of the state, the IIC said adding, the unit was sealed.

Six die within hours in Koraput medical college, government orders probe

JEYPORE/BHUBANESWAR : At least six patients of Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLN MCH) in Koraput perished in a span of hours late on Tuesday, prompting the state government to order an inquiry after kin of the deceased brought up allegations of medical negligence. Sources said five patients, aged 27 to 45, suffering from cancer, stab and head injuries, died during treatment on Tuesday night while another died on Wednesday morning. Four of the five were admitted to the ICU of surgery department and the remaining two were in the wards. Family members of the patients admitted to the ICU alleged that they developed serious complications minutes after a nursing staff administered an injection and died in a quick succession. The deceased were identified as Sukra Majhi (Semiliguda), Rukmi Penthia (Ambaguda), Phulamati Majhi (Kalahandi), Bhagaban Paraja and Jagannath Pujari (Borigumma) besides Bati Khara (Koraput). The deceased included a road accident victim, a cancer patient and two liver patients, besides two others, who were admitted following a stabbing incident. Sources said the ICU patients were administered Norepinephrine injection, which usually helps stabilise blood pressure. My brother died nearly 15 minutes after he was administered the injection, alleged Jagannaths brother. As soon as the news spread, irate relatives rushed to the hospital and demanded a probe into the sudden deaths of patients. Director of medical education and training Prof Santosh Mishra said a team has been formed with specialists drawn from SCB MCH at Cuttack and MKCG MCH at Berhampur to probe into the allegations. The team has been asked to find out whether there were any adverse complications due to administration of the injection and submit a report within two days, he added. Medical superintendent Dr Susanta Kumar Sahu denied the allegations of wrong treatment. The patient, who was undergoing treatment in the surgery ward, died of septicemia and another had liver disease, he claimed. There is nothing unusual in the deaths. While two others had serious stab injuries in their abdomen, one was suffering from cervical cancer in the fourth stage. Another road accident victim had head injuries, he said. Dr Sahu said he has verified the treatment details and preliminary investigation revealed no negligence on the part of the treating team. The injection is administered to raise blood pressure in patients with acute hypotension, he said. Meanwhile, the district administration has provided an assistance of Rs 10,000 each to the kin of the deceased from the Redcross fund.

Two held as fake lubricant manufacturing unit unearthed in Cuttack

Cuttack: Police in Odishas Cuttack Wednesday busted an adulterated lubricant manufacturing unit in Jagatpur area and arrested two persons. Acting on a tip-off, a raid was conducted at the facility located at Sunaribana in the city, and a large quantity of counterfeit, pre-packaged lubricant and grease bottles bearing labels of various reputed companies was found []

Bhubaneswar police bust vehicle theft gang, arrest two

Bhubaneswar: The police Wednesday busted a vehicle theft gang and arrested its two members, an official said. The police also recovered ten stolen vehicles from the two, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said. We are interrogating the duo to find out any other persons involved in the theft cases, Singh said. He said []

Probe ordered after five patients die at Odisha hospital due to alleged medical negligence

KORAPUT: Two investigations were ordered after five patients died due to alleged negligence at the state-run Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Odisha's Koraput, officials said on Wednesday. Two men and three women died on Tuesday night within a short period. Their families alleged that they were administered injections, following which the patients died. The deceased persons were identified as Shukra Majhi, Rukuni Pentia, Phulmati Majhi, Bhagaban Parija and Bati Khara. SLNMCH's superintendent Susanta Kumar Sahu said a departmental inquiry has been ordered. We have convened a meeting of all departmental heads. The patients who died on Tuesday night were admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. Prima facie, the deaths seem not to have been caused by any wrong injection. However, we will inquire into the allegations, he said. Sahu said the patients in the ICU were in a serious condition and were administered the injection to control their dropping blood pressure. He said two of the five deceased patients suffered abdominal injuries, while another suffered from liver perforation. We suspect they died due to bleeding and septicemia. The fourth patient was being treated for stage 4 cancer, and the fifth was an accident victim, who was referred from Jeypore, he said. Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) Santosh Mishra also ordered a separate inquiry into the allegations. A five-member team, comprising three doctors from MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur and two from SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, will probe the allegations, he said. The team has been asked to submit the report by Thursday, Mishra said. The families of the deceased held a demonstration outside the hospital, following which police were deployed. The bodies were handed over to the families after post-mortem examination. Each family was given a cheque of Rs 10,000 from the district Red Cross fund. Arrangements were also made to transport the bodies to the villages of the deceased patients, a district official said. Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam demanded Rs 25 lakh each as compensation for the families of the deceased.

Abducted by gangster 4 years ago, Odisha woman rescued from Mumbai

CUTTACK: Almost a week after dreaded criminal Mirza Akhbar Baig alias Dukha was killed in bomb explosion in a shop at Mangi Gada in Nemalo, police on Tuesday rescued a 20-year-old woman whom the former had kidnapped four years back, and held captive at his house in Mumbais Shivaji Nagar. Police sources said the woman, belonging to the Nemalo area, was kidnapped by Dukha when she was 16. She was handed over to her parents. Meanwhile, six of Dukhas associates - Mirza Faizal Baig, Mirza Hakim Baig, Sk Matlub Alli, Debendra Choudhury, Mirza Jahid Baig and Niyaj Khan, belonging to various places of Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur, were also arrested on the day. Around four kilograms of explosive materials, illegal firearms, a sword, four motorcycles and as many mobile phones were seized from their possession. Cuttack SP (rural) Prateek Singh said that after Dukha was killed while preparing bombs on May 28 here, a special police team was formed to trace his associates. A dreaded criminal, Dukha of Nahalpur village was involved in a series of criminal cases and residing at Shivaji Nagar in Mumbai. Dukha had come to his village on May 25 and the same night, he along with his associates set afire an ambulance in Kakudiapada village to create panic among local residents. A separate case had been registered at the Nemalo police station in this connection. Police said, after the incident, Dukha had gone back to Mumbai and returned again on May 27. He was staying at the back side of the shop belonging to Mirza Faizal Baig at Mangi Gada, and preparing explosives. During the investigation, police also found out that he had been attempting to extort Rs 2 crore from a Mumbai-based businessman. On May 27 and 28, Dukha and his associates had again threatened the businessman to give them the money else they would bomb his house and kill his family members, police said. They were preparing the bombs for the purpose when one exploded rendering Dukha severely injured. He was rushed to SCB MCH where he succumbed during treatment. The shop had also been completely damaged in the incident. Police said Dukha and his associates had already extorted around `1 crore from the said businessman in the last two to three years but he had not reported the matter out of fear.

Odisha CM launches 55 road safety projects worth Rs 576 crore

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched 55 road safety programmes and projects worth Rs 575.77 crore covering all the districts of the state. Inaugurating the Zero Accident Day and Road Safety Week programme here, the chief minister said accidents not only affect individuals and families but also have a significant impact on the states economy. He said road accident-related deaths have become a significant problem in India with 75.2 per cent of such fatalities caused by speeding. Drivers often forget the golden rule of driving: Speed thrills, but it also kills. Wrong-side driving, drunk driving and using mobile phones while driving contribute to accident-related deaths. People should be cautious and avoid these mistakes to ensure safety of their lives as well as others, he said. The Zero Accident Day campaign will continue till June 28. It is being conducted in collaboration with IIT-Madras. On this occasion, Majhi launched 11 automated driving testing systems (ADTS) in various districts with an investment of Rs 24 crore. He also launched the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project worth Rs 215 crore, which will cover 485 km of national and state highways. He also laid the foundation stone for the third phase of the project, which will cover 1,007 km. A second registered vehicle scrapping centre was also inaugurated in Jajpur district. Majhi launched the states first automated vehicle-testing centre in Cuttack and laid foundation stones for 20 more facilities across the state which will be set up at an investment of Rs 211 crore. He also launched 15 Volvo buses on various routes, including Puri to Ayodhya, Tirupati, Ujjain, Hyderabad, Bhilai, Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam, Bhawanipatna to Hyderabad, and Rayagada to Hyderabad, under the brand name Shri Jagannath Express. The government has invested Rs 27.3 crore in the buses. The CM also inaugurated three Atal Bus Stands in Bhadrak and Balasore districts along with the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation.

Odisha: Todays pics

Heavy rain lashes Bhubaneswar CMC workers demolish illegal encroachments along Makarabagh Sahi Canal Road in Cuttack Shoppers gather around stalls near Madhusudan Sangrahalaya in Cuttack

Three more Covid cases reported in Odisha, tally goes up to 15

BHUBANESWAR: Covid-19 tally in Odisha touched 15 on Monday with three more persons testing positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, informed officials of the Health and Family Welfare department. On Sunday, the state reported three Covid cases while a total of nine such cases were recorded in May. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Khurda are among the places where the cases have been detected so far. However, director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said unlike other states, there has been no major surge in Covid infections in Odisha so far. The state government has also not received any guideline from the Centre till now. However, the standard guidelines for preventive measures already exist, he added. Though an 85-year-old Covid patient with comorbidities died recently, Dr Mishra said no other report of Covid death has been received so far. Health officials said, ahead of Rath Yatra, a meeting is likely to be conducted in Puri to review the preparedness of the Health department for the grand chariot festival.

Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra reviews drain cleaning work in Cuttack, stresses expeditious completion

CUTTACK: Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Monday inspected the ongoing drain cleaning and desilting work in the city and instructed officials to ensure their speedy completion. The minister took stock of the box drain cleaning work after which he visited Patapol, Rausapatna, Chhatra Bazar, Matru Bhawan, Kalyan Nagar and Nua Bazar areas to inspect the condition of the drains. He stressed cleaning of the main and branch drains in all these areas on war-footing by deploying additional manpower and equipment. The minister held a review meeting with CMC and CDA officials at the CDA conference hall here and directed them to resolve the issues of drainage and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Regarding the unorganised dumping of garbage, construction debris and household waste in Chhatra Bazar, Buxi Bazar localities etc., the minister directed their immediate clearance. Mahapatra also directed officials to issue notice to cleaning/desilting service providers intimating them about deduction on bill for non-performance, followed by blacklisting for being repeated defaulters. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, the minister said instructions have been given for completion of drain cleaning and desilting work in the city within next three to four days. Action will be taken for negligence or lapses next time, if any he added. The meeting further decided that CMC will lift construction waste from the premises on payment basis.

AOBOA opposes Odisha government's proposal granting additional powers to police for checking motor vehicles

CUTTACK: The All Odisha Bus Owners Association (AOBOA) has strongly opposed the proposal for delegation of additional power to the police department for checking of motor vehicles in the state. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, AOBOA general secretary Debendra Kumar Sahoo said though the police were given similar power by the previous government, the purpose had failed owing to increase in corruption and misuse of authority. Citing that delegation of more power to police would lead to harassment, corruption and unnecessary defamation of the government among the public, Sahoo urged the chief minister to reconsider the proposal.

Hot, humid weather makes comeback as monsoon loses steam

BHUBANESWAR : Hot and humid weather has made a fierce comeback as the southwest monsoon lost its steam despite reaching Odisha on May 28, almost two weeks ahead of its usual date of June 12. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast sweltering weather conditions to intensify in the next four days. While Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts will likely experience hot and humid weather on Tuesday, similar conditions are expected to prevail in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Wednesday. The national weather forecaster has issued such warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Thursday and Friday. On Monday, Balasore was the hottest at 39.8 degree Celsius, followed by Bhubaneswar 39.6 deg C and Cuttack, Baripada, Talcher and Paralakhemundi 39.4 deg C each. The high humidity level made the prevailing weather even more unbearable for the citizens. In coastal areas like Gopalpur, humidity was 80 per cent on the day, followed by Puri and Paradip 77 pc each, Chandbali 62 pc, Bhubaneswar 61 pc, Cuttack 55 pc and Balasore 52 pc. Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Manorama Mohanty said, As of now, conditions are not favourable for further progress of monsoon in the state for which the hot and humid weather has returned. Some places in the coastal districts are witnessing above normal day temperatures. The mercury level is also expected to rise by 2 deg C to 3 deg C in parts of the state in the next three to four days, she added. Experts said the progress of monsoon may remain stalled until a fresh weather system forms in the coming days.

Min inspects drainage system in Cuttack

Odisha weather: Yellow Warning issued for next five days as hot, humid conditions persist

Bhubaneswar: India Meteorological Department (IMD) Monday issued Yellow Warning for hot and humid weather in many districts of Odisha over the next five days, even as isolated light to moderate rain is likely in some interior regions. From June 3 to June 7, districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam []

Recycle queen Kamala Maharana dies at 67

KENDRAPARA: Kamala Maharana, who had earned Prime Minister Narendra Modis praise for transforming waste into artistic creations, passed away on Saturday night. The 67-year-old woman had suffered back injuries after accidentally falling at her residence in Khairabad village on Wednesday night. She was initially admitted to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital (DHH) and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where she succumbed. Popularly known as Waste to Best lady of Kendrapara, Kamala was running a successful self-help group (SHG). Launched with a few women in 2016, the group now consists of around 50 members who eke out a living by converting waste materials to beautiful items. Condoling Kamalas death, BJP national vice-president and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda said, Without her novel idea to convert waste to best, she would have ended up like large numbers of rural women who toil from dawn to dusk to make ends meet. She also helped many women earn money. She was a torchbearer of Swachh Bharat Mission. Her death is a great loss for us. BJP leader and Mahakalapada MLA Durga Prasan Nayak said many village women under the leadership of Kamala turned waste into wonder. Recycled craft has finally come of age and finds a place in the market, thanks to her sincere efforts. Apart from earning money, these women are cleaning the environment of the area by using waste as best items. Kamala will be remembered for her good work to clean our environment, he added. Prime Minister Modi had first highlighted Kamalas work in the 98th episode of his Mann Ki Baat programme on February 26, 2023, praising her for making beautiful items out of waste. During a public meeting in Kendrapara on May 29 last year, Modi had touched her feet in admiration of her work. Kamala had also sent a rakhi made from waste materials to the PM during last years Raksha Bandhan. She was invited by the Union government to attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi this year. Kamala is survived by her husband, five daughters and a son. Her body was cremated at her village on Sunday.

Submit report in Gondia custiodial death case: NHRC to state

BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served a notice on the state government seeking report on the death of a person due to custodial torture in Dhenkanals Gondia, in 2022. Acting on a petition filed by civil rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel has asked the chief secretary to send the forensic science lab (FSL) report, viscera and other reports relating to the death of Niranjan Pani (32) of Bhadrak district, within four weeks. Niranjan, a native of Basudevpur, had died while undergoing treatment at SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack on November 5, 2022. His mother alleged that the police picked him from home on October 23 that year on not finding his elder brother.

EVs to ferry devotees from Talabania during Rath Yatra this year

BHUBANESWAR: With lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri for the upcoming Rath Yatra, the State Transport Authority (STA) has initiated comprehensive preparations to ensure hassle-free transportation and public convenience. At a high-level coordination meeting chaired by transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur recently, it was decided to issue special permits to vehicles, especially buses operating on other routes to facilitate additional services to Puri. The STA has assured that the application process for interested bus owners will be simplified. Special emphasis is being laid on increasing the frequency of buses from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to Puri to accommodate the expected surge in passengers. It is expected that 1,000 buses will ply in these routes during the Rath Yatra period. The bus owners association has been urged to strictly monitor fares, ensuring that no passenger is overcharged. It has been decided that all buses and autos operating to and within Puri will display fare charts prominently. Both Puri police and the local RTO will maintain a close vigil to prevent any arbitrary fare collection or harassment of passengers, said Thakur. To support devotees, temporary restrooms will be established at bus stands and basic amenities arranged. As passenger safety remains a key focus, security will be beefed up at transport hubs. CCTV surveillance will be installed at Talabania and anti-social elements strictly dealt with. Special teams will monitor passenger facilities at major bus stands in Puri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other towns. Buses will be equipped with first-aid kits and ORS solutions, to be supplied by the STA. A 24-hour control room will also be operational at the Puri RTO during the festival. Since all buses will be restricted at Talabania square, it has been decided to deploy at least 100 battery-operated vehicles and autos for ferrying devotees from Talabania to the high school field free of charge during the festival period, Thakur added. In a collaborative move, support from various private companies will be sought to provide on-the-spot vehicle repair, crane services, and ambulance facilities. The administration is also preparing for efficient traffic management, especially on routes prone to congestion. Special regulations will be enforced along the Konark-Puri route, and a dedicated team will oversee high-traffic areas on the national highways.

Viral surge: Three new Covid cases take tally to 12 in state

BHUBANESWAR: As Covid-19 cases continue to surge across the country, Odisha reported three new infections in last 24 hours taking the total number to 12 on Sunday. Confirming the new cases, director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said the patients are in home isolation and their condition is stable. He, however, attempted to allay fears over a reported Covid-related death in the city. The elderly person, who tested Covid positive a few days back, died on Saturday while undergoing treatment at his home. Field units have been tasked to find out whether any Covid positive patient has died and if it is directly linked to the virus or has resulted from other underlying diseases, he said. While officials maintained that the situation is under control, health experts raised concern over the state governments cautious communication strategy, which some alleged is aimed more at suppressing facts than ensuring transparency. Even as reports emerged a day earlier about the death of an 85-year-old Covid patient with comorbidities, the department is yet to verify the fatality. This delay in confirmation is not an isolated case. Five of the initial Covid cases detected in May from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khurda were reportedly uploaded on the national Covid dashboard after much delay, raising allegations of under-reporting. Experts argued that such gaps dilute the publics ability to grasp the seriousness of the situation. The state, which had reported nine cases in May, has now got two Omicron sub-variants - LF.7.9 and XFG - confirmed through genome sequencing. Amid the global spike, the number of active Covid cases in the country has reached 3,758 with 363 new infections and death toll rose to 28. Kerala remains the worst affected with 1,400 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (485), Delhi (436) and West Bengal (287). Dr Mishra reiterated that the current infections are being caused by mild sub-variants of Omicron, and urged citizens not to panic. We are implementing the updated guideline as suggested by the Centre, he added. However, experts said the governments attempt to contain panic by downplaying figures and delaying confirmation may not be the right strategy, especially when other states are relatively maintaining transparency.

GSTAT judicial member selection: Orissa HC bars Centre from taking decision till June 30

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court barred the Centre from taking a final decision on selection of judicial member for the Goods and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) till June 20. The vacation bench of Justices KR Mohapatra and MS Sahoo issued the interim order on Friday while issuing notices to the central government on a petition challenging the procedure adopted by the search-cum-selection committee in evaluating and recommending the name of the candidate for the post. Advocate Pranaya Kishore Harichandan (62), one of the shortlisted candidates who had attended the personal interaction (interview) as a shortlisted candidate in Kolkata on August 3, 2024, filed the petition. He sought the courts intervention when he came to know that the search-cum-selection committee had issued fresh intimation to few candidates from among those who appeared interview earlier, to appear before it for further personal interaction on May 31, 2025. After a preliminary hearing on Friday, the vacation bench said, We feel that the matter requires consideration. Hence issue notice. As prayed for (by deputy Solicitor General PK Parhi), put up on June 20, 2025. Instructions, if any, shall be obtained in the meantime positively. Since finding a prima-facie case in favour of the petitioner, we have issued notice in the writ petition, we feel it proper to make an interim arrangement. Hence, as a purely interim measure, we direct that the selection of judicial member of the GST Appellate Tribunal may continue but no final decision shall be taken in the matter till the next date, the bench ordered.

57-year-old Odisha woman arrested for burning alive her 72-yr-old partner

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur police has arrested a 57-year-old woman on charges of burning alive her 72-year-old landlord, with whom she allegedly was in a relationship for several years. The accused, identified as Sudeshna Jena of Amrutulu village under Sorada block in Ganjam, had rented the ground floor of the house owned by Harihara Sahu, the victim, in Subash Nagar area of the city. Sudeshnas husband had died around six years ago and she had moved into the city after that. Harihara who retired as a revenue inspector and also a widower, lived on the first floor of the house. According to the investigation, Sudeshna allegedly poured kerosene on Harihara while he was asleep and then set him on fire. She also attempted to destroy evidence by discarding his mobile phone into a well in the courtyard and burnt the kerosene container. Police began investigation after a case filed by Hariharas daughter, Madhusmita Sahu, who stays in another part of the city, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said. In her complaint, Madhusmita stated Sudeshna informed her on Thursday that Harihara was seriously injured and admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. When she reached the hospital, she found her father had suffered serious burn injuries. Harihara was then referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where he succumbed to his injuries. However, before his death, Harihara reportedly told Madhusmita that someone had doused kerosene on him and set him afire at around 2 am. Basing on Madhusmitas complaint, police launched an investigation. Since Sudeshna was the only person present at the house at that time, she was called for questioning. She initially claimed that two persons had sprinkled kerosene and set Harihara on fire. However, her changed versions raised suspicion and she later confessed to have killed Harihara, following which she was arrested. Baidyanthapur IIC Suchitra Parida and SI Priyanka Sahu took Sudeshna to Hariharas house to recreate the crime scene on Saturday. Preliminary investigations revealed that Sudeshna and Harihara had been in a relationship for approximately five years. However, differences reportedly arose between them after Harihara allegedly prevented Sudeshna from visiting her daughter in Hyderabad and coerced her into meeting his demands, the SP said. Sudeshna also is believed to have harboured intentions of taking over Hariharas properties and other assets. Although Sudeshna confessed to committing the crime alone, we suspect the involvement of others. Further investigation is underway, the SP added.

Odisha reports first Covid death of the season

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha reported its first Covid-related fatality of the season after an 85-year-old man from the capital city succumbed at his residence on Saturday. Sources said swab samples of the elderly man was collected and sent for tests after he developed symptoms and fell sick. His test reports confirmed that he was positive for SARS-CoV2. Odisha has reported a total of eight Covid cases in May. The tally includes five from Bhubaneswar, two from Cuttack and one from Khurda. Other patients are in stable condition and are recovering well, sources said. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said he has been informed of the death and has asked officials to inquire into it. An audit will be conducted to ascertain whether the elderly man had comorbidities, and the primary cause of his death, Mishra told TNIE. So far, 3,395 Covid cases and 22 deaths have been reported in May in the country. In Odisha, recent genome sequencing has identified LF.7.9 and XGF as the dominant sub-variants in circulation. WHO has classified these as variants under-monitoring. Health secretary Aswathy S urged people to remain vigilant but not panic. She emphasised that the circulating variant has not led to any serious complications among patients so far.

OPSCs plea against HC order to pay Rs 10 lakh to OJS aspirant rejected by SC

CUTTACK: The Supreme Court has dismissed the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)s special leave petition (SLP) seeking intervention against the Orissa High Court order to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation for procedural lapses that resulted in non-evaluation of an answer to a question in the case of a candidate who appeared for the Odisha Judicial Service (Main) examination. In the order on Friday, a SC bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Bijay Bishnoi said, Having regard to the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, we are not inclined to interfere with the cost amount awarded by the high court in favour of the respondent - a young law graduate, who is aspiring to become a judicial officer. According to the case records, Jyotirmayee Dutta had appeared for the OJS Main Exam 2022. The results were declared on December 4, 2023, but she could not qualify for the next stage by a narrow margin of five marks. On August 27, 2024, she filed a petition in high court alleging that a question in the Law of Property paper was left unevaluated, and its marks were not added to the total. If her answers had been properly scrutinised, she would have qualified for the next stage. The high court then ordered for her answer script to be independently assessed by experts from three reputed universities. Though non-evaluation of a question was confirmed and marks were awarded for the question, the petitioner did not achieve the necessary marks to pass the examination. Accordingly, the high court dismissed the petition on February 13 this year, but ordered, However, considering the mental trauma and financial burden the petitioner has endured in pursuing this case to highlight the said lapse, this court deems it appropriate to award compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the petitioner, which shall be paid by the OPSC within a period of 60 days from the date of this judgment. However, the high court clarified, It is made clear that the compensation is awarded to acknowledge the procedural flaw brought to light and to serve as a reminder for OPSC to maintain stricter scrutiny in its evaluation processes.

Meghalaya shines at 9th Open National Taekwondo Cship

By Our Reporter Shillong, May 31: In a historic achievement for the state, the Meghalaya Taekwondo Team bagged a record number of medals at the 9th Open National Taekwondo Championship held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha. Led by Mr. Jadumani Singh, General Secretary of the Meghalaya Taekwondo Association (MTA), and Mr. [] The post Meghalaya shines at 9th Open National Taekwondo Cship appeared first on The Shillong Times .

LF.7.9, XFG sub-variants of SARS-CoV2 detected in Odisha as cases surge

BHUBANESWAR: Amid growing concern over a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country, Odisha has detected two of the latest SARS-CoV2 sub-variants raising fresh public health alerts, especially during the monsoon that sees spurt in flu cases. Of the five samples sequenced so far in May, sources at the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said, the state has recorded two cases of LF.7.9 cases and three cases of XFG, both descendants of Omicron, which had led to long Covid waves in 2020-22 killing millions of people. The two sub-lineages, now fuelling cases in the country, are specifically traced back to JN.1, the variant behind global waves in late 2023 and early 2024. Odisha is among the first few states which have detected the new strain XFG. While the LF.7 is now under observation along with two others - NB.1.9.1 and PL.8.1 by the WHO as variants-under-monitoring, the studies are underway to determine the transmissibility and potential impact of XFG. Though these variants do not appear to be causing severe disease so far, they are marked by higher transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. Their spike protein mutations may enhance their ability to bind to human lung cells. But vaccine-induced protection against symptomatic and severe disease will remain effective, a scientist associated with the genome sequencing told TNIE . Health experts have warned people to remain alert as lab analysis has indicated that the new sub-variants have lower pseudovirus infectivity compared to earlier strains and they could spread more easily, especially among vulnerable populations, including the elderly persons and people with comorbidities. Meanwhile, Cuttack has reported two new Covid-19 cases pushing the total cases in the state to seven. Both the patients had no travel history. While a 44-year-old is in home isolation, another 71-year-old is undergoing treatment in a private hospital. He was suffering from cold and fever. Covid-19 is endemic now and not causing severe disease. But the virus continues to evolve. With the early onset of monsoon that witnesses a spike in flu and influenza-like illnesses, people need to remain prepared and consult doctors once they develop Covid-like symptoms, said public health expert Dr Niroj Mishra. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said the state government is closely monitoring the situation. There is no reason to panic as the sub-variants are already in the circulation and not known for severity, he said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveils VIMSARs new super-specialty block in Odisha

SAMBALPUR: The much-awaited super-specialty building of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences And Research (VIMSAR), Burla was inaugurated by Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday evening. Developed at a cost of approximately Rs 125 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the super-specialty block is equipped with 272 beds including 58 ICU ones. It features nine super-speciality departments of urology, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and clinical haematology. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan emphasised the need for doctors trained in Odisha to serve within the state. If our medical students choose to stay and work in Odisha, only then can the state become a leader in healthcare. He announced addition of 50 more seats to VIMSARs current intake and said the state is mulling to redevelop the medical institute through a comprehensive master plan. The government has already announced the establishment of a unified dental college on VIMSAR campus in the current budget. Hinting at introduction of multidisciplinary programmes through collaboration between VIMSAR and VSSUT to develop medical and technical education, the union minister said plans are underway to introduce cutting-edge facilities such as MedTech, Biotech and AI-enabled treatment as part of a larger commitment to quality education, good governance, and healthcare innovation. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said VIMSAR is the third major super-specialty medical institution in Odisha after Cuttack and Berhampur. Odisha government has approved establishment of four new medical colleges in the state along with four dental colleges in Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Balangir and Berhampur. Under the Ayushman Bharat and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, beneficiaries will soon receive an integrated pan-India health card usable across over 29,000 hospitals in the country, he added. Among others, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabinarayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal, district collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, SP Mukesh Bhamoo, SMC commissioner, Vedbhushan, VIMSAR dean Dr Pradeep Mohanty, and medical superintendent Prof Lal Mohan Nayak were present. The super-specialty block of VIMSAR has been developed with a funding ratio of 70 per cent from the Centre and 30 per cent from the state government. The facility is expected to benefit people of Sambalpur and 13 districts of western Odisha besides neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Odishas only free bone marrow transplant service at SCB on death bed

BHUBANESWAR: After the liver transplant fiasco and a struggling kidney transplant unit, the highly successful bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit at SCB medical college and hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack seems to have been pushed to its death bed. The state-of-the-art facility, which had the distinction of being the first government-run centre in the country to offer free bone marrow transplants, is gasping for survival for the last few months, thanks to the political and bureaucratic apathy. The last transplant performed at the unit, in February 2025, was a milestone in itself as it was the first paediatric allogeneic transplant in the state. Since then, the lights have dimmed, and the life-saving care has come to a grinding halt. People privy to the development attributed the sudden downfall of the unit to severe crunch of transplant specialists and the failure of the state government to retain experts. The unit is virtually defunct due to non-renewal of the contract of Prof RK Jena, former head of the department, who was continuing as the chief BMT physician post-retirement. The government had in April last year extended him a four-year contract with annual renewal. With the renewal not forthcoming, Prof Jena has stopped attending duty, which has pushed the unit to a complete standstill as there are no other qualified BMT specialists in the department. While around 35 patients, all having cleared their pre-transplant evaluations, are now waiting in limbo, 160 others are struggling without adequate follow-up care post-transplant. Plagued with inadequate faculty and lack of political will, the unit is now staring at an uncertain future as Prof Jenas exit has dealt a body blow. It is shocking that the government let go of someone who was central to the functioning of such a vital facility, sources said. Started in April 2014 with autologous transplants, the unit has so far successfully conducted 180 transplants with a high survival rate. Sources said, the post of professor and assistant professors in the clinical haematology department remain vacant. The study of six DrNB (super speciality) students has also been stalled due to a lack of specialist faculty, which is a worrying sign for the future of haematology training in the state. The SCB BMT unit had earned national acclaim for conducting complex procedures free of cost. In 2021, the centre began performing allogeneic transplants. Patients from across the country, including those referred from reputed institutions like Vellore, AIIMS, and Tata Memorial, have been treated here free of cost. The procedure costs over `30 lakh in private facilities. But the governments apathy may leave the facility to rot and push thousands patients to the brink. Health minister Mukesh Mahaling did not respond to calls and messages from TNIE.

Rath Yatra: Onus on bus owners for fair charges

Cuttack: In a bid to ensure smooth and harassment-free transportation of pilgrims during the upcoming Rath Yatra, a coordination meeting organised by State Transport Authority (STA) here Friday took a host of decisions including fixing of responsibilities on bus owners association for any kind of exorbitant fares imposed on passengers. The meeting held at the []

Cuttack: 44-year-old man tests positive for Covid-19

Cuttack: A 44-year-old man tested positive for Covid-19 at a private clinic in Cuttack Friday, Health department officials said. Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Prashanta Kumar Hota said that the patient, from Thoriasahi area, had visited a private hospital in the City for treatment due to illness. Based on his symptoms, doctors advised a []

District Court Cuttack Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 69 Junior Clerk Cum Copyist, Salaried Amin Posts

The District Court Cuttack has released an official notification for the recruitment of 34 Junior Clerk Cum Copyist and Salaried Amin posts, and interested and eligible candidates can apply offline through the official District Court Cuttack website by 19-06-2025, with this article providing complete details including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and offline application form.

Cuttack: Two Arrested for Alleged 'Pro-Pakistan' Sloganeering

The duo are accused of promoting enmity between different communities with the intention of provoking hatred, disturbing public peace, and threatening religious harmony

Cuttack Intellectuals Rally Against Government Apathy

In a remarkable show of solidarity, intellectuals and civic leaders from across Cuttack have come together, voicing collective concern over what they termed as persistent government apathy towards the citys development.

Odisha Government To Extend Bhubaneswar Metro To SCB Medical College In Cuttack With Centre's Support

Three killed, others injured in Cuttack bridge collapse at Khannagar during construction work

Three, Including Engineer, Killed as Concrete Slab Collapses In Cuttack

The deceased were identified as Soumya Ranjan Behera, Subhankar Patnaik, and Subash Bhakta

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.

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.

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

Graham Staines' murder: Bajrang Dal activist's aide released from prison on grounds of 'good behaviour'

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

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 .

Eleven Coaches Of Bengaluru-Kamakhya Superfast Express Derail In Odisha's Cuttack

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