The department officials recovered as many as 156 bags containing cash during the raid at Sudapada in Bolangir district on Friday. BHUBANESHAWAR: The Income Tax department on Friday found 156 bags of cash during search for the third consecutive day in places linked to an Odisha-based distillery group on charges of tax evasion, officials said. From the bags, Rs 20 crore were counted till now, taking the total amount so far recovered to Rs 220 crore. The department officials recovered as many as 1

Preliminary police investigation suggested the petrol was stored in a drum in thatched house which caught fire leading to the blast. KENDRAPARA: A three-year-old child was charred to death and five others suffered burn injuries when a petrol container exploded near a wedding venue in a village under Kendraparas Pattamundai, on Thursday evening. The injured included a 14-year-old boy who was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in a serious condition. The incident took place in

Welspun Living has proposed to invest Rs 200 crore for setting up a textile facility in Kendrapara which will provide jobs to 2,000 people. BHUBANESWAR: The state-level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA) on Thursday approved 19 projects including Rungtas paint manufacturing unit in Dhenkanal district with an investment of Rs 991 crore. The meeting chaired by chief secretary Pradeep Jena also cleared the proposal of IMFA for setting up of ferrochrome plant of 2.2 lakh tonne production cap

Pradhan further informed that the process of submission of proposals for grants-in-aid under the PM-USHA scheme has already started through the dedicated portal launched on October 21, 2023. BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday once again asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in the state without further delay. In his second letter on the issue within a span of five months, Pradhan reminded the chief minister

The institute will be set up by Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal Trust over 40 acre of land given by the state government. BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday laid the foundation for Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) at Infovalley in state capital. At least 30 per cent seats will be kept reserved for students of Odisha on merit at the institute. Stating Odisha in recent times has made significant strides in various socio-economic parameters, the chief minist

The 5T chairman also asked different agencies to expedite sewerage work and complete it within the time frame. BHUBANESWAR: Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha VK Pandian on Thursday asked authorities concerned to ensure Daya river remains free of pollution. Chairing a high-level meeting, the 5T chairman directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take immediate steps in this regard. He said Daya river gets polluted as Gangua nullah, which

The state government also asked collectors and SPs of coastal districts to cooperate with DFOs concerned for protection of Olive Ridley turtles. BHUBANESWAR: The state government has urged DRDO authorities to restrict missile testing off Odisha coast during the mass nesting period of Olive Ridley sea turtles that usually takes place during February-March. Sources said discussions in this regard were held at the high power committee meeting chaired by chief secretary PK Jena here on Thursday wher

AOBOA claimed the Commerce and Transport Minister, during a meeting on October 26, had assured it to maintain the status-quo with regard to the operation of Mo Buses in the state. BHUBANESWAR: The All Odisha Bus Owners Association (AOBOA) has opposed the state governments decision to launch Mo Bus service and buses under Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) on new routes in the state. The Housing and Urban Development department has launched Mo Bus services on new routes from Biju

The Opposition BJP and Congress corporators also trained guns at the CMC authorities on the expenditure in Baliyatra and alleged gross corruption in its conduct. CUTTACK: Baliyatra over, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has once again come under fire over alleged irregularities and corruption in conducting the fair with even the ruling party corporators and leaders demanding a probe into it. BJD corporator Pradipta Khuntia, who is also the chairman of CMC public works standing committee,

On Sunday, Dileswar was returning home after watching a cricket match in Gopalpur. At Haripur chowk, four unidentified miscreants assaulted him, leaving him critically injured. BERHAMPUR: An Army jawan of Ganjams Chamakhandi area who suffered critical injuries after being attacked by unidentified miscreants, succumbed during treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday night. The deceased jawan was identified as J Dileswar (23) of Kalipalli village within Chamakhandi police limits

The crocodile did not show aggression but that does not mean, anyone and everyone will go close and disturb the animal, wildlife enthusiasts reacted to the posts. KENDRAPARA: In a daring yet perilous incident, some youths of Daharaganda village under Marsaghai block in Kendrapara district were seen posing for selfies close to a saltwater crocodile near the Gobari river bank on Wednesday. The photographs which were uploaded on social media went viral but simultaneously drew criticism from wildlif

In September this year, the Health department made recommendation to shift the centre to either Bentakar or Tangi community health centre in Cuttack. JAGATSINGHPUR: Normal life was hit in Jagatsinghpur town on Thursday due to the 11-hour bandh called by various organisations and political parties demanding establishment of a medical college and hospital (MCH) in the district and opposing the decision to shift the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) to Cuttack. Members of the outfits under the ba

Due to the weather condition, the district administration declared school closures but since the announcement came late, some students reached schools only to return home. ROURKELA: Sundargarh district experienced a sharp drop in temperature and disruption of normal life as the low-pressure system induced by cyclone Michuang triggered uninterrupted light rain over the past 48 hours.Rourkela city, along with the rest of Sundargarh, witnessed deserted streets and marketplaces. Due to the weather c

Incessant showers for over three days damage standing and harvested paddy stocks UMERKOTE/JEYPORE: Farmers of Nabarangpur and Koraput districts are in the throes of a crisis as incessant rains for over three days in a row have damaged standing and harvested paddy crops besides vegetables. In Nabarangpur, continuous heavy rains for two to three days has led to the complete soaking and destruction of harvested paddy in the fields, leaving the financial stability of many farmers in jeopardy. With r

The experts at the conclave pointed out that as per projections the population aged 60 and above in the state is set to surge from 3.9 million in 2011 to 8 million in 2036. BHUBANESWAR: The share of children, aged 0-4, as well as school-going population, aged 5-14, in the states demography will decline by 20 per cent by 2036 implying investment on childcare and school education needs to be more on quality than quantity, opined experts here on Thursday. Speaking at the fourth edition of biennial

The court wanted PMCs response to the compensation sought by the petitioner along with what steps were taken by the civic body to address the grievance of the parents of the child. CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday reserved judgment on a PIL seeking Rs 10 lakh compensation for the death of a four-year-old boy who was killed by a pack of stray dogs in Puri on December 1, 2016. Bibhuti Charan Mohanty, a resident of Puri town, had filed the PIL seven years back. The division bench of Acti

Head of indirect taxation Ashok Kumar Patro and deputy head of taxation, direct and indirect, Karan Kumar Agarwal received the award on behalf of Vedanta Aluminium. JHARSUGUDA: Leading aluminium producer Vedanta Aluminium has been conferred the Best Exporter Award by the state government recently. Industry, Energy and MSME minister Pratap Keshari Deb presented the award at the Odisha State Export Awards function for Vedantas Jharsuguda-based smelter plants exceptional performance as the largest

It will provide privacy, empower women to take decisions sans force BHUBANESWAR: With the population bomb ticking and Odisha witnessing a significant drop in the use of male contraceptives, the state government on Wednesday rolled out two new contraceptives for women and launched a roadmap-2030 for family planning. Four districts from Odisha are among the 40 in 10 states of the country where the new contraceptive options - subdermal implants (single flexible rod) and subcutaneous injectable cont

Paddy crops over vast tracts of land affected due to the rainfall SAMBALPUR: Incessant rainfall in the last 48 hours has damaged kharif paddy crops, leaving farmers of Bargarh and Sambalpur districts in a lurch. Farmer leader of Bargarh Hara Bania said harvesting was picking up pace in the district as most of the farmers had already received their tokens to participate in the procurement process. However, the rains have played a spoilsport. Paddy crops over vast tracts of land have been affected

In the state, except Kalahandi, Sambalpur and Gangadhar Meher universities, none of the public universities have complied with these UGC guidelines so far. BHUBANESWAR: Despite repeated reminders, a majority of the public universities in the state are yet to come up with provisions related to student grievance redressal committees on campuses. In April this year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) notified a new set of regulations for the redressal of students grievances under UGC (Redressal

The RPDACs have also constituted sub-committees for redressal of the individual cases consisting of the local MP, MLA, collector and SP of the district concerned. BHUBANESWAR: The Centre on Wednesday admitted that 4,473 families displaced by mining projects of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) are yet to receive settlement benefits. Responding to a query from Sundargarh MP Jual Oram on rehabilitation and resettlement of families displaced by projects of national public sector undertaking Nationa

The RMC may utilise the generated power or explore selling it to TPWODL, with final modalities being ironed out, he further stated. ROURKELA: Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) is on the verge of launching Odishas first-of-its-kind bio-methanation-cum-power generation plant. The innovative facility, located at Sector-14, aims to generate 400 units of power and 800 kg of organic manure daily from the scientific disposal of approximately five tonne of municipal organic waste, predominantly cattl

The deceased youth was identified as Benudhar Mandal (27) of Kamata village. Benudhar lived in Koraput town where he owned a food stall. JEYPORE: In a cruel turn of events, a 27-year-old youth died after a tree branch fell on him while he was performing the last rites of his father at Kamata village within B. Singpur police limits under Borigumma block in Koraput district on Wednesday. The deceased youth was identified as Benudhar Mandal (27) of Kamata village. Benudhar lived in Koraput town whe

The sheds will be completed before December 25 and made operational from January 1. PURI: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday initiated work to install air-conditioned (AC) sheds for devotees waiting in queues within the barricades to enter Srimandir. Puri sub-collector Bhabataran Sahu said sun sheds 84-metre in length and 12-metre wide will be installed over the barricades from Marichikot square to provide relief to devotees from the harsh weather. The AC sheds will no

He interacted at an anganwadi centre in Turang, held discussions with self-help groups, visited Baji Rout Chhatrabas, and inspected key projects. ANGUL: As part of his three-day official visit to the undivided Dhenkanal district, Governor Raghubar Das participated in a series of programmes in the Angul and Talcher districts on Wednesday. He interacted at an Anganwadi centre in Turang, held discussions with self-help groups, visited Baji Rout Chhatrabas, and inspected key projects. At the Anganwa

We also saw the leachate flowing from the trash hill after rain, is also contaminating the soil and ground water, Mohanty said demanding an immediate solution to the issue. BHUBANESWAR:Continuing its agitation for the ninth consecutive day over waste dumping at the temporary transit station (TTS) near Sainik School, the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday demanded an immediate visit of the technical team to the site to check contamination of groundwater and piped water supply

Sources in the department said searches were carried out at over half a dozen firms including M/S Shiw Ganga and Company, Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd over alleged tax evasion. BHUBANESWAR:The Income Tax (IT) department on Wednesday seized Rs 200 crore during raids on property linked to various alcohol manufacturing firms in the state. Sources in the department said searches were carried out at over half a dozen firms including M/S Shiw Ganga and Company, Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd over alleged tax ev

Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said reports have been sought from districts to ascertain loss of life or property, if any, due to the rains. BHUBANESWAR: The Odishagovernment on Wednesday directed collectors to carry out a loss assessment as retreating cyclonic storm Michaung triggered rains across the districts fuelling fears of damage to kharif and horticulture crops. Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said reports have been sought from districts to ascertain loss

On being informed, Korai police reached the spot and seized the body and sent it for post-mortem. JAJPUR: In a shocking incident, an under-trial prisoner (UTP) allegedly died by suicide in Ragadi sub-jail in Jajpur district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Balaram Behera. According to reports, Behera who was housed in Ragadi sub-jail under Korei police limits in the district reportedly hung himself with a towel in the newly-constructed medical facility on the prison premises on

The decision, issued by the Higher Education department on November 30, has sparked concerns and protests. BARIPADA: Bhanja Sena, a socio-cultural outfit in Mayurbhanj district, has submitted a memorandum through the district administration, urging Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to intervene in the merger of five regular departments from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo (MSCB) Universitys second campus in Keonjhar with the newly formed Dharanidhar (DD) University. The decision, issued by the Hi

The seized cocaine has been submitted to the court for sample collection, and the National Forensic Laboratory will conduct testing under the NDPS Act 1985. PARADIP: The Customs department, on Wednesday, produced the 22 kg of cocaine valued at Rs 220 crore before the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court at Kujang, seized from the Panama-registered MV Debi at Paradip port. However, the investigation has hit a roadblock as the 21 Vietnamese crew members aboard face language barriers, hinde

This is for the second time this year, ESMA has been invoked in the state. The prohibition was first imposed in April. BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Wednesday invoked the Orissa Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) prohibiting strikes by nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, technicians and other class-III and class-IV employees in the health sector to ensure medical services across the state are not disrupted. A notification issued by the Home (Special Section) department said the act

Apart from the engaging discussions, fun-filled activities on an increased awareness of SDGs, leadership and team-building exercises were conducted under the guidance of OSD PHDMA Amruta Priyambada. BHUBANESWAR: The second edition of the three-day-long annual festival Soch Vichar of the Poverty and Human Development Monitoring Agency (PHDMA), concluded on Tuesday after deliberations on various development-related issues, livelihood, economy, and climate resilience measures. At the concluding eve

Traffic was disrupted for several hours owing to waterlogging on several busy roads including Buxi Bazaar main road and Cantonment road. CUTTACK: Several low-lying areas in Cuttack were waterlogged after moderate rains lashed the city from 11 am to 3 pm on Wednesday.Areas like Patapola, Sutahat New Colony, Makarabag Sahi, Dagabar Sahi, etc are still reeling under waterlogging making residents life miserable. This apart, traffic was disrupted for several hours owing to waterlogging on several bus

This was announced by the Odisha Bigyan Academy under the Science and Technology department, on Wednesday. BHUBANESWAR:Scientist Prof Pravat Kumar Mohapatra from Sambalpur and Prof Bidyut Kumar Das of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack will be conferred the prestigious Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence for 2021 and 2022, respectively. This was announced by the Odisha Bigyan Academy under the Science and Technology department, on Wednesday. Different other awards for scientist

The amendment also aims to provide for reimbursement of stamp duty and land conversion premium for entrepreneurs. BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal for development of a utility corridor between Gopalpur port and Tata Steel Industrial Park at Gopalpur with a cost of Rs 128.88 crore to provide logistics facilities for existing and upcoming industries.The cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, approved 10 proposals of different departments during its me

Gajapati administration had announced closure of schools and anganwadi centres on the day, while the districts had also kept their administrative machinery ready to deal with any possible eventuality. BHUBANESWAR: In a major respite for the state, severe cyclonic storm Michaung that ripped through Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday afternoon moved northwards reducing the chances of rain havoc in Odisha districts. Parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Nuapada may, however, receive a good amo

In 2019, the number of cases registered under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act was 22 and it was 24 in 2020. BHUBANESWAR: Even as the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has pointed out a spurt in the number of missing children in Odisha, as per the Crime in India-2022 report, the number of child marriages has come down in the state. Sources said the state had witnessed 64 such weddings between 2020 and 2021 which was the highest in the last one decade. According to the report, the number

The review revealed that 44,730 quintal of maize had been collected by the FPOs by the end of November. BHUBANESWAR: Maize production in Odisha has increased by around 51 per cent under the Mukhyamantri Maka Mission (MMM).This was revealed from a review of the progress of MMM taken by 5T and Nabin Odisha chairman VK Pandian here on Tuesday. He also reviewed schemes implemented for the benefit of betel leaf, kia and lemon grass farmers basing on the grievances received by him during his tours acr

The child sex ratio of Odisha has been showing a declining trend since 1961. BHUBANESWAR: Alarmed by low sex ratio at birth, the Odisha government has swung into action and prepared a roadmap to arrest the declining trend and improve the situation.At a stakeholders meeting here on Tuesday, director of Family Welfare Dr Bijay Panigrahy urged the district officers to take proactive and effective measures to promote the save the girl child initiative and combat the heinous menace of female foeticid

The state also was among the top three in achieving conviction. BHUBANESWAR: As state government adopts zero tolerance towards corruption, Odisha Vigilance topped the chart in terms registration of cases of disproportionate assets (DA) in the country last year.The latest National Crime Records Bureau report says the state registered 85 DA cases and was ahead of other states in chasing public servants who accumulated disproportionate wealth. The anti-corruption agency also registered 84 cases for

The higher rate of pendency is attributed to the process of documentation by the police and specialised wings such as EOW. BHUBANESWAR: At a time when economic offences rise exponentially, the pendency of trial of such cases in the courts stands at 98.8 per cent in Odisha. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report-2022, Lakshadweep topped with a 100 pc pendency rate, while Manipur stood second with 99.2 pc and Uttarakhand and Bihar at 99 pc each, followed by Odisha. Around 25,532 ec

A large number of landless families in Bhubaneswar and Jatni tehsils will benefit from the decision of the government. BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to the Odisha Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983 to resolve long-pending land issues of Puri municipality and lease of land for homestead purpose in Bhubaneswar and Jatni tehsils of Khurda district. Land given on lease to individuals and different organizations including business establishments by the Puri municip

In 2022, the Pallishree Mela had registered total sale proceeds of Rs 24.56 crore. CUTTACK: The historic Baliyatra festival concluded here on Tuesday with traders registering record business this year.The open-air trade fair, initially scheduled for eight days, was extended by a day by the state government on the civic bodys request. Sources said the ORMAS which had set up 470 stalls including 30 food outlets at its national-level Pallishree Mela, registered sales of around Rs 36 crore by the en

This would keep very old vehicles out of the road and benefit defaulting vehicle owners who were unable to pay taxes. BHUBANESWAR: The cabinet approved a proposal of the Commerce and Transport department that allows one-time waiver/concession in arrear of motor vehicle tax and penalty. The proposal was moved after it was noticed that motor vehicle tax arrear and penalty are pending against more than 50,000 vehicle owners. Despite tax recovery notice and conduct of special drives, arrear tax has

Odisha is among the top six states so far as crime against children is concerned. BHUBANESWAR: With the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) presenting a grim crime scenario of Odisha, the BJP on Tuesday asked the state government to publish a white paper on the situation with specific reference to missing children and women in the state. Coming down heavily on the state government for the rise in crime rates and low rate of conviction, state BJP spokesperson Sonali Sahu said it is a matt

The delegation led by BJP Krushak Morcha president Maheswar Sahu said farmers of the state are still committing suicide due to lack of irrigation and cold storage facility. BHUBANESWAR: A delegation of the BJP met Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary at his official residence in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum against the anti-farmers policy of the BJD government. The delegation led by BJP Krushak Morcha president Maheswar Sahu said farmers of the st

Several leaders have reportedly demanded that the Jagannath temple issue be completely dropped from the partys campaign as it will not be beneficial for it. BHUBANESWAR: Amid a hurting loss in three states despite playing a soft Hindutva card to counter the BJP, Tulasi Yatra, a similar attempt by the Congress to play up the religious sentiments in Odisha, has come under scrutiny within the party. A powerful section of the party has expressed doubts if Congress can gain confidence of the people b

Consequently, rail communication between Visakhapatnam towards Koraput and neighbouring Jagadalpur was impacted. JEYPORE: The train service connecting Kirandul in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam faced disruption as a mild landslide occurred near the bordering Aruku area of Andhra Pradesh during Tuesday evenings cyclonic rain. Sources said boulders fell onto a running goods train between Tadya and Sivalingampuram railway stations, blocking the rail track with debris. Fortunately, no damages to the

Sources said the Maoists organised meetings and paid tributes to fallen comrades in police encounters during this week. BOUDH: Panic has gripped residents in remote areas of Boudh district as Maoist posters from the KKBN (Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh) division were found pasted across various locations on Tuesday. In the posters, the Maoists have urged villagers, particularly in Sagada police limits, to observe the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) week, from December 2 to 9. Source