PM Modi conferred with Guyanas The Order of Excellence, dedicates it to people of India

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Guyanas highest civilian honour, The Order of Excellence, by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations. While accepting the award, PM []

US charges billionaire Gautam Adani with defrauding investors, hiding plan to bribe Indian officials

New York: Indian businessman Gautam Adani who is one of the worlds richest people has been indicted in the US on charges he duped investors by concealing that his companys huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with []

Adani Group buys 112.86 acre land near Gandhamardan hills

Bolangir: Adani Group, through its subsidiary Mahanadi Mines and Minerals Pvt. Ltd., has acquired 112.86 acres of land in Bolangir district reportedly for compensatory afforestation. The land spans three locations 18.39 acres in Bharuamunda mouza under Khaprakhol tehsil, 61.2 acres in Bhalujori mouza under Patnagarh tehsil, and 33.27 acres in Dudukamal mouza under Belpada []

Six gangrape accused sentenced to life term

Bhawanipatna: A local court in Kalahandi district sentenced six persons to life imprisonment after convicting them in 2019 gangrape of a woman in Ghana jungle near Banamalipur village under Junagarh police limits. Dharamgarh Additional District and Sessions Judge Suresh Chandra Pradhan passed the verdict after examining the statements recorded by the witnesses, police chargesheet and []

Lady Tarzans fight for forest preservation

Bhubaneswar: In a world racing against time to save its dwindling green cover, Jamuna Tudu has emerged as a fierce advocate for Indias forests, dedicating her life to this cause. Born in Odishas Mayurbhanj district, Tudus environmental journey began in Jharkhands Potka village, where she witnessed the destruction of forests at the hands of the []

Organic date palm jaggery shines at IITF 2024 Odisha Pavilion

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odishas organic date palm jaggery, known as Odisha Khajuri Guda, has emerged as a major attraction at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024 in New Delhi. The GI-tagged natural sweetener has quickly become a best-seller at the Odisha Mandap, located in Hall Number 2 of Bharat Mandapam. The stall showcasing this []

Collective behavioural change must tackle climate crisis says UN-resident coordinator Shombi Sharp

BHUBANESWAR: UN resident coordinator for India Shombi Sharp on Wednesday said there needs to be a collective change in the behaviour of the citizens across the globe to tackle climate change. There was earlier a perception that climate change is a very technical subject. However, this impression changed over the years due to vigorous awareness activities. Citizens are now conscious but the problem is the change in their behaviour is not taking place, said Sharp. The change in behaviour is very crucial to accelerate individual actions to combat climate change and its impacts across the world said Sharp during an event organised by Bakul Foundation on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability here. Sharp said children and youths can play a major role to influence the behaviour of adults and convince them to fight climate change together. Children have a strong influence at their homes and should discuss with their parents and siblings about what they are learning regarding climate change. This can have a long and lasting impact on the minds of adults, he said while praising India, especially Odisha, for enhancing disaster risk preparedness. Bakul Foundation founder Sujit Mohapatra was present.

Uncle held for raping 6-yr old

Barang: A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by his uncle in Trisulia area Tuesday evening, police said Wednesday. Cuttack DCP Jagmohan Meena Addressing the media said the minors condition is critical. He also informed that the accused had been arrested. She is currently undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College []

Odisha HC seeks status of probe in cases regarding Bharatpur PS incident

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday decided to close and pass appropriate orders and directions on the PIL on Bharatpur police station incident involving an army officer and his fiance after taking stock of the status of investigation in the criminal cases registered in this connection. The state police had come under heavy criticism after the army officer was allegedly tortured and his fiance sexually assaulted in Bharatpur police station on September 15. After public outcry and Indian Armys displeasure over the incident, the state government had ordered a Crime Branch inquiry and a judicial probe. The division bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho fixed Thursday for further consideration of the PIL and directed the state counsel to take instructions, especially regarding the status of investigation on the criminal case registered against the army officer, by then. The high court had suo motu registered the PIL on September 23 on the basis of a letter received from Lieutenant General PS Shekhawat, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding and Colonel of the MECH INF REGT, Madhya Bharat Area.

Plans to equip marine police with more boats for sea patrol, says Odisha DGP YB Khurania

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to enhance security along the states 480-km-long coastline, Odisha Police has planned to strengthen patrolling in the sea by adding more boats to the fleet of Marine police stations. DGP YB Khurania said 18 marine police stations in Odisha are equipped with only 13 boats which have also become old. As per guidelines, marine police stations are supposed to carry out patrolling in the sea up to 12 nautical miles. To enhance our presence, a proposal has been submitted to the state government to take at least 10 mechanised boats on rent for patrolling purposes. Khurania said he is hopeful that discussions on strengthening the infrastructure of marine police stations will take place when the supplementary budget is placed in the Assembly and the required funds provided to them. Once the funds are allocated, efforts will also be made to launch drone surveillance over the states coastline. The DGP said Odisha Police is also planning to procure new interceptor boats and a proposal in this regard will be sent to the state government. Under the Coastal Security Scheme of the Centre, 18 marine police stations were sanctioned for Odisha to strengthen security along its entire coast. The aim and objective of such police stations is to check export of illegal arms, contraband articles through sea route, infiltration of unauthorised persons, entry of anti-national elements, illegal/unregulated fishing and to guard against attack on vital installations along the coastline. However, the marine police stations of the state face a major hurdle due to shortage of the required funds. Odisha Polices coastal security wing does not even have a command and control centre or a jetty of its own. It also does not have a permanent office and is functioning on the premises of the old building of the Crime Branchs Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

8.76L workers in Odisha delisted from MGNREGA in April-Sep period: Report

BHUBANESWAR: Between April and September this year, Odisha saw deletion of 8.76 lakh workers from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Implementation of the Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) is stated to be a significant factor behind this, a report released by LibTech India says. Employment generation too plummeted across all districts in the period compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the report MGNREGA in Odisha: A Mid-year Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities added. The number of registered workers in the state from April to September was 95 lakh. In the first six months, an average 8.7 lakh workers were removed from MGNREGA rolls. This placed Odisha as one of the top-three states in the country with the highest net deletions in the six-month period. During the same time, 1.3 lakh new workers were added but these additions were outpaced by 10.1 lakh deletions. The report attributed the deletions to the Ministry of Rural Developments push for ABPS which led to exclusion of many genuine workers. Field investigations in many districts like Koraput and Balangir revealed numerous cases where eligible workers were mistakenly deleted due to administrative lapses or technical mismatches. In January last year, the MoRD mandated an Aadhaar-based payment system for MGNREGS. A study by our team revealed that under pressure to meet ABPS eligibility targets, officials resorted to deleting workers from the MGNREGA database when they could not fulfill the technical prerequisites for ABPS. This practice has been linked to various cases of wrongful deletions, leaving many genuine workers unable to access their rightful benefits, said Chakradhar Buddha, a researcher at LibTech India. At present, nearly 6.7 per cent of all MGNREGS workers in the state remain ineligible for ABPS. The analysis also pointed to a whopping 48.4 pc drop in employment generated under the scheme. After an increase in person-days generated from 10.4 crore in the financial year 2022-23 to 11.3 crore - an 8.6 pc rise - a significant decline is observed in the current financial year (first six months), with persondays dropping to 5.8 crores (a 48.4 pc decrease). The number of persondays generated would have been even higher had the wrongly deleted workers been reinstated. This highlights the substantial reliance of workers on MGNREGA. This observation emphasizes the consistently high and growing demand for employment opportunities under the scheme, Buddha added.

Odisha HC declines to interfere in SBI loan recovery

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has declined to interfere in the loan recovery process adopted by State Bank of India for cancellation of sanctioned one-time Settlement (OTS) scheme as part of loan recovery process in the case of a person who had availed loans from its Udala branch in Mayurbhanj district. The bank had sanctioned the OTS scheme under which the person was to pay Rs 60 lakh in three instalments of Rs 20 lakh each by July 26, 2023. The bank cancelled the sanctioned OTS on December 1, 2023 after the petitioner failed to pay the entire Rs 60 lakh. Dismissing a petition in this regard, the single judge bench of Justice SK Panigrahi said, In the present case, where the petitioner has failed to honour the terms of the OTS scheme, this court is of the view that judicial intervention would set an undesirable precedent. Moreover, courts should support the process of loan recovery by avoiding unwarranted interference in matters where the lender has acted within the bounds of law.

Centre assesses Adarsh Gram scheme, seven in Odisha under review ambit

BHUBANESWAR : A decade after the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) was launched, the central government has begun an exercise to assess the progress and impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet initiative. The move comes in the midst of ground-based reports that much has not changed in the villages adopted by the MPs under the scheme in terms of their all-round development. The MPs were tasked to pick a village each under their constituency and ensure its holistic development, including basic amenities like proper roads, water supply and sanitation along with other infrastructure and facilities. Official sources said in Odisha, seven-gram panchayats in Angul, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Bhadrak, Khurda, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh districts have been included in the nationwide study that will continue till November 27. Those included from the state are Andharua GP (Khurda) adopted by Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra, Bhatangpadar (Kalahandi) adopted by former RS member Sujeet Kumar and Lunahandi (Angul) adopted by former MP Nitesh Ganga Deb. Other panchayats selected for the study are Arana (Jagatsinghpur) adopted by former MP Rajashree Mallick, Ambaroli (Bhadrak) adopted by former MP Manjulata Mandal, Badakumuli (Nabarangpur) adopted by former MP Ramesh Chandra Majhi and Rasanga (Nayagarh) adopted by former MP Achyutananda Samanta. The assessment will include how the villages have been transformed after adoption by their MPs under SAGY. If there has not been much improvement, it will seek reasons and fix accountability. The study will find out the bottlenecks in the implementation of the programme which will ultimately help devise new and effective strategies. Wherever it has been a success, the best practices will serve as models, sources said. The study team will also ascertain why the MPs were not identifying GPs at the desired pace even though they are aware of the benefits of the scheme. They will collect suggestions for revision of the scheme and explore solutions to remove investment barriers and promote private investments in such GPs, the sources said. As per the SAGY portal of the Ministry of Rural Development, as many as 1,440 panchayats were selected in 2014-19 and 1,921 panchayats in 2019-24 while more than 2.29 lakh projects have been completed under village development plan (VDP). Odisha is placed at 16th position among states and UTs in terms of progress of VDP with around 72.86 per cent projects getting completed. Gujarat and West Bengal topped the chart with 100 per cent completion rate.

CM Majhi wraps up visit, gets Singapore interested in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday wrapped up his maiden foreign visit to Singapore on a high note with several investors evincing interest for collaborations in semiconductor, green energy, ship-recycling and container manufacturing as well as port-led industrial development in Odisha. The high-level delegation led by Majhi attended a series of G2G and G2B meetings with the government of Singapore and leaders in technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Citing the states rich mineral resources, skilled workforce and investment-friendly policies, the CM showcased Odisha as a burgeoning hub for industries. Odisha is committed to providing a seamless and transparent business environment. Our visit to Singapore has been highly productive and we are ready to partner with global players for new avenues in Odishas transformative journey, he said. The CM and the team Odisha held discussions with promoters of PEP Innovation Private Ltd, a prominent player in Singapores semiconductor ecosystem, and explored opportunities to leverage the companys expertise to enhance Odishas electronics and semiconductor infrastructure. Majhi interacts with Odia Diaspora, outlines vision He also met CEO and co-founder of Ecosoftt Marcus Lim on innovative sustainable water solutions and potential integration into Odishas industrial and urban ecosystems. The delegation had a meeting with Rene Pill Pedersen from AP Moller Maersk Group on prospects of ship-recycling, container manufacturing, and port based industrial infrastructure development. The delegation visited Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre, a globally renowned venue that exemplifies Singapores thriving MICE industry. It also held meetings with Phan Bach, JERA, IHI Corporation, Masan High Tech Materials Corporation and Ace Gases on investment opportunities in equipment manufacturing, cold storage and cold chain, green hydrogen and green ammonia, critical minerals, and industrial gas sectors. Our engagements during the visit have set the stage for future global collaborations, said Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain. Later, the chief minister addressed an interactive session with Odia Diaspora and outlined the states vision for a globally connected Odisha. More than 400 members of the Odia Diaspora who attended the event pledged their support in promoting Odisha on international platforms. They were handed over invitations to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January. CM invites Singapore President to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha during his upcoming visit to India in January next. We have invited Tharman to visit the state in January. The invitation was conveyed during the CMs meeting with senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, said an official statement.

MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo claims assault, robbery by BJD workers

JAJPUR: Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo was allegedly attacked by a group of BJD supporters near the bridge on Budha river in Jajpur Town on Wednesday evening. The MLAs vehicle was reportedly damaged following the attack. Reports said, Sahoo was on his way to Jajpur town in his vehicle to attend a meeting at the deputy director of mines (DDM) office. His vehicle had to stop as a few locals were staging a road blockade near the bridge by burning tyres on the Kuakhia- Jajpur Town road. During this time, a few miscreants rushed to Sahoos vehicle and vandalised it. They also allegedly attacked Sahoo with an iron rod and snatched his gold chain. I was going to Jajpur town to attend an urgent official meeting at the DDM office this evening. When I reached Budha river bridge, my vehicle got stranded due to a road blockade by the locals. As I was waiting for clearance, some unidentified miscreants armed with lethal weapons rushed to my vehicle and vandalised it. They also attacked me and my personal security officer and snatched my gold chain. The attackers claimed they are the supporters of BJD former organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, said Sahoo. He said the attackers told him that Pranab had sent them to kill him. As news of the attack on Sahoo reached the Dharmasala area, hundreds of his supporters reached the spot and there was a face-off between the legislators supporters and those who it is alleged were supporters of Pranab. Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal rushed to the spot to rescue the MLA. Shrimal said action will be taken against the perpetrators. However, no reactions were received from Pranab and the BJD over the allegations.

Eye on middlemen during paddy purchase across Koraput: Collector Keerthi Vasan

JEYPORE: The district administration will keep an eye on middlemen at mandis during the kharif procurement process across Koraput district, said collector V Keerthi Vasan. He said CCTVs will be installed in border areas of the district to keep a watch on movement of middlemen. Addressing the district-level paddy procurement meeting, Vasan said paddy will be purchased at 111 mandis from around 39,000 farmers from across the district. At least 20 PACS, 20 self-help groups and three pani panchayats will participate in the process. Each mandi will be supervised by a nodal officer and the administration will install CCTVs in border check posts of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to prevent illegal paddy transactions by middlemen, Vasan said. Only FAQ standard paddy will be procured in the mandis. The administration will open the mandis for paddy procurement from December 11. Around 21.25 lakh quintal paddy will be procured in the district. Among others, Pottangi MLA Ramachandra Kadam, Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha, Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra and chief district CSO PK Panda were present.

Paddy purchase begins amid hopes, apprehensions in Odisha

BARGARH: Paddy procurement for kharif season commenced in Bargarh district on Wednesday. This time, the farmers will be given a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 3,100 per quintal, which was a key campaign promise of the BJP during the elections. Civil Supplies minister Krushna Chandra Patra performed a few rituals and felicitated several farmers at Kalapani mandi on the day. He assured the farmers that the procurement process will be transparent and their payments will be directly credited to their bank accounts on time. The procurement started in three mandis at Bargarh, Attabira and Godbhaga on the day. It is nothing less than a festival for farmers as we are going to fulfil the promise of procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal. Bargarh supplies maximum paddy to the state pool and we are glad to start the procurement from here, said Patra. He said farmers would not face any deduction from their paddy stock this year. Moreover, adequate steps have been taken to ensure that paddy from other states do not enter the mandis. The farmers will get the right price for their produce, he added. Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal said, The paddy procurement began from three mandis on the first day. Adequate infrastructure and testing equipment have been ensured in mandis. A nodal officer will be deployed in every mandi to ensure smooth procurement. For the ensuing kharif season, as many as 1,55,366 registered farmers have been verified for selling their paddy. Target has been set for procuring 23,54,347 quintal of paddy from Bargarh which is considered to be the rice bowl of Odisha. The farmers have been assured that the procurement will be free from the intervention of middlemen and they will not have to face deduction (katni-chhatni) like previous years. The government will procure paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal including the MSP of Rs 2,300 and a bonus of Rs 800. However, farmers will have to bring FAQ standard paddy to the mandis to get the right price. Grain analyser machines have been installed at the mandis this year to ensure the quality of paddy. However, despite the governments assurance, communication gaps have left some farmers skeptical. On the first day, irregularities in token system were reported from the district. A farmer from Kalapani, Ekadasia Sahu said, We were expecting the minister to listen to our concerns. Though he felicitated us, we did not get a chance to convey our problems. He said several farmers who had come with their paddy did not receive their tokens on the first day. On the other hand, those who are not ready with their produce have already been issued tokens. Such irregularities have become a recurring issue, he said. A large section of the farmers are also suspicious of the grain analyser machine. Farmer leader Hara Bania said, We are grateful to the government for implementing the new MSP. However, the installation of grain analyser machine has triggered uncertainty among farmers in the district. Change for better Farmers to get MSP of Rs 3,100 No katni chhatni during procurement this time Analyser machines to test quality of paddy at mandis Procurement in Deogarh from Dec 13 Deogarh: Kharif paddy procurement in the Deogarh district will begin from Barkote and Tileibeni blocks on December 13. In a meeting, collector Kabindra Kumar Sahoo informed procurement process would begin in the Reamal block from December 20. Sources said kharif paddy will be procured from as many as 19,633 registered farmers this season. The district has three rice mills. For the first time after the formation of the new government, the district has been given an advanced target to procure 5,07,029 quintal paddy. Sahoo assured that the procurement process will be free from intervention of middlemen this year. Stringent action will be taken against middlemen and brokers and they will not be allowed to enter the mandis, he said.

Youth smears orphan tribal girls face with faeces in Odisha

BALANGIR: In a shocking act of dehumanisation, a youth allegedly smeared human faeces on an orphaned tribal girl over a minor dispute at Jurabandh village in Bangomunda block on November 16. The accused, Abhay Bag lost his cool when the girl opposed him for running his tractor on the farm field where the victim had grown crops. Police said, the girl had cultivated a piece of land in the village and Bag ran his tractor over it. As a portion of the crop suffered damage, the girl confronted Bag. The argument soon turned violent as Bag pushed the girl and she fell. The girls aunt ran to her rescue but was allegedly manhandled by Bag. The matter did not end there as Bag smeared the girls face with human faeces some of which also entered her mouth. The girl lodged a complaint with police the same day and a FIR was registered. Four days since the incident, no action has been taken against Bag. Meanwhile, tribals of the village slammed the police for their inaction. They wondered if the administration and cops would sit on a complaint had the incident happened with a woman of upper caste. The girl has a sister and ekes out a living by doing daily wage jobs, said members of Adivasi Kalyan Sangha and Kandha Samaj which came out in her support on Wednesday. A member of the tribal body said police have been asked to act on the matter failing which an agitation will be staged. Kantabanji SDPO Gourang Charan Sahu said a case has been registered at Bangomunda police station. The accused is absconding and will be nabbed soon, he said. The victim said Bags act is an insult to her and her community. I want justice and punishment for him, she said. BJD slams govt Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Wednesday came down on the state government for its silence on the incident. Describing the BJP as anti-tribal, BJDs Rajya Sabha member Niranjan Bishi told mediapersons since the saffron party came to power in Odisha, tribals are being neglected. The inaction of the police or any government agency even after five days of this incident proves this, he added. Bishi said the victim and her female relative had lodged a complaint at the Bangomunda police station after the incident. However, police is yet to arrest the youth.

Seizure of 21 exotic species in AP unravels link to arrested TN ex-cop

CHENNAI: The seizure of 21 exotic species by Andhra Pradesh forest officials in Srikakulam on November 12 has exposed a well-oiled pan-Indian crime syndicate as, one of the arrested persons, Syed Liyaqath Ulla from Bengaluru, is a close business associate of S Ravikumar, the dismissed Tamil Nadu cop identified as a lynchpin of the international trade in Chennai, said official sources. This has got the Indian intelligence agencies to investigate the syndicates role in the seizure of 50 exotic species smuggled in from Thailand and Malaysia in three cases by customs at Bengaluru airport (November 8 and 12) and Hyderabad airport (November 15). One of the carriers arrested in Bengaluru is a native of Tiruchy. Several rare birds and marsupials native to Pacific Ocean islands and an alligator were part of the seizures. Liyaqath (29) was arrested with two accomplices for possession of 17 African ball pythons, three sulcata tortoises and one African serval cat which he was transporting from Bhubaneshwar into Bengaluru, where he runs Karnataka aquarium, a shop which sells exotic pets. Sources said Ravikumar, who is accused of smuggling `70 crore worth exotic species from Thailand, sold some of these as pets through Liyaqaths shop, and his Instagram handle (syed exotic pets). They also claim to have evidence showing species like poisonous snakes, a lizard, and alligators smuggled by Ravikumar through Chennai airport were sent to Liyaqaths shop in Bengaluru using public transport. Ravikumar is currently in jail after Chennai customs arrested and later detained him under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). Sacked cop used rented home in Chennai for trafficking wildlife species S Ravikumar Liyaqath was caught when he was bringing back animals sold to a buyer in Odisha who did not pay up, sources said. Liyaqaths tentacles spread far and wide, and are much bigger, a top official told TNIE. Liyaqath had told officials that this trade is legal and that he has necessary documents. On Instagram, there are several videos of exotic species sold by Karnataka Aquarium. These include iguanas, a bald eagle, and snakes. Some of the animals smuggled in by Ravikumar include marmoset monkeys, sugar gliders, lizards and several varieties of snakes, sources said. In August, officials of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and TN Forest department had discovered a house in Kolathur rented by Ravikumar where he stored these smuggled animals before selling them. The house also had several Indian tortoises and turtles which were kept ready for trafficking to Malaysia. WCCB later issued an alert linking TN wildlife smugglers to Malaysias notorious Ninja Turtle gang. Busted November 15: (Hyderabad air customs) Eastern spotted cuscus, brown plain cuscus (marsupials) from Thailand November 12: (Srikakulam Andhra Pradesh) African sulcata tortoise, African ball python, African serval cat November 12: (Bengaluru air customs) Agile gibbon, American alligator, spider tortoise, yellow footed tortoise, iguana, Aldabra giant tortoise, red footed tortoise, bearded lizard, shingleback skink, rhinoceros iguana, Albino bat from Malaysia November 8: (Bengaluru air Customs) Yellow parrot, king bird-of-paradise, flame bowerbird Ravikumar smuggles animals from Thailand and Malaysia to Chennai, sends it to Bengaluru for sale via Syed Exotic Pets owned by Liyaqath

Horoscope November 21: Scorpio likely to complete all pending tasks, while Aquarius will overcome his frustrations

Horoscope gives you glimpses into your future through zodiac signs and rules of astrology. Astrologers have analyzed the stars and aligned the cosmos to provide accurate predictions for all zodiac signs, including Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Discover what the celestial bodies have in store for you []

SICs not entitled to pension, says Odisha HC

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has held that the state information commissioners are not entitled to pension. The court said, In the absence of any rule that explicitly recognises the entitlement of state information commissioners to receive pension, there can be no legal right for them to claim such benefits. The ruling came in the case of former information commissioner Jagadananda who had challenged the order in which the state government had rejected his claim for post-retirement benefits on July 22, 2020. Jagadananda had assumed office as state information commissioner on August 7, 2008 and completed his five-year tenure on August 6, 2013. Dismissing Jagadanandas petition, the single judge bench of Justice SK Panigrahi said, The petitioner himself participated in meetings where the recommendation was made to urge the state government to establish rules for the provision of post-retirement benefits to state information commissioners. Given that the petitioner was fully aware of the terms of his service both at the time of his appointment and when he retired, he cannot now claim entitlement to pension benefits, particularly when such benefits were never extended to his post during his tenure. The courts intervention in granting pension benefits where none exists under the applicable rules would set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging similar claims and placing an undue burden on the state exchequer. Such an approach could lead to arbitrary and unsustainable financial obligations, undermining the principle that pension entitlements must be rooted in law and based on clear statutory provisions, Justice Panigrahi opined in the November 8 order, a copy of which was officially released on Wednesday.

20-Year-Old Tribal Woman Assaulted, Human Faeces Forced Into Her Mouth In Odisha

A case was registered against a man after he assaulted a 20-year-old tribal woman in Odisha's Bolangir district forced human faeces into her mouth.

GHMC razes tilted building, issues notice to owner

Hyderabad : Imdadul Islim, who is in his early 20s, was on the roads of Siddiq Nagar, Gachibowli, from Tuesday night onwards, along with around 50 other residents of a five-storey building that leaned sideways between 7 and 8 pm. The building, constructed on just 50 square yards, had 12 rooms, with 4 to 6 people sharing each room. Most residents were migrants from Assam, Odisha, and Bihar, working in nearby commercial establishments. On Wednesday afternoon, neighbours came forward and prepared a meal for the displaced residents. Civic authorities quickly sprang into action and demolished the building on Wednesday. This incident highlighted the negligence of civic authorities, who had failed to address illegal constructions that jeopardised people's lives. Imdadul Islim recounted, When the building started leaning, we heard creaking sounds, and the floor tiles cracked. We thought it was an earthquake. We left everything behind and ran out barefoot. Some people even left their stoves on. All our belongings are still inside the building. We have nothing left, and the authorities sealed the premises before starting demolition. Iqbal Hussain, another resident, said, We came to this city to earn a living. Now, all our belongings and money are buried under the debris. Since last evening, weve had no food, no place to sleep, and were still in the same clothes. The cause of the incident was explained by the buildings owner, V. Laxman, and his wife, Swapna. According to them, the immediate neighbour had begun construction on an adjacent open plot. On Tuesday, workers dug 11 feet into the ground with a JCB machine to lay pillars, damaging the foundation of Laxmans building and causing it to lean. Laxman, a car driver, said, Along with my wife and two children, I lived on the first floor. This building was constructed just two years ago. We warned the neighbours against excavation, but they continued. I sold my agricultural land in Miryalaguda to construct this building, hoping to live off the rental income. That night, I filed a complaint at the Madhapur police station against my neighbour. The incident caused panic among nearby residents, many of whom stayed awake all night fearing their buildings might also be affected. Alivelu, a neighbour, remarked, These buildings are constructed without proper permissions for rent. Even a tiny room costs over Rs 10,000, while hostel beds go for Rs 15,000. As the migrant population grew, rents skyrocketed. The lanes here are narrow, and buildings are like skyscrapers built on tiny plots. This incident once again exposed the negligence of civic authorities, who remained mute spectators as hundreds of illegal constructions sprung up. Several ongoing constructions in the area consist of five-story buildings on plots smaller than 100 square feet. Srinivas Reddy, a local kirana shop owner who supplied groceries to the migrants, added, The tenants of that building are now homeless. Their belongings are under the debris. If they want to rent another place, the deposits will be high, and their earnings are meagre. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Serilingampally Zonal Commissioner, responding to the incident, said, We have lodged cases against the building owner for constructing five floors in violation of rules. When asked why so many illegal constructions exist in the area, he replied, We will serve notices to all illegal constructions in Siddiq Nagar, where there are over 500 buildings. Similar situations exist in areas like Anjayya Nagar, Ayyappa Society, TNGO Colony, Gokul Plots, and Kavuri Hills.

Odisha tribal woman attacked, forced to eat human waste

The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the woman's agricultural land, causing damage to crops, to which she protested.

Tribal Woman Assaulted, Human Faeces Forced Into Her Mouth In Odisha: Cops

A 20-year-old tribal woman was allegedly assaulted and human faeces were forced into her mouth in Odisha's Bolangir district, police said on Wednesday.

Woman Gifts Newborn Daughter Over Poverty, Odisha Government Orders Probe

As the Odisha government began an inquiry into the incidents of the alleged sale of two children due to poverty in Rayagada and Bolangir districts, one of them was rescued from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday.

Murder case filed over mans death

Tribal woman assaulted, human faeces forced into her mouth in Odishas Bolangir

Bolangir: A 20-year-old tribal woman was allegedly assaulted and human faeces were forced into her mouth in Odishas Bolangir district, police said Wednesday. The incident happened in Jurabandha village in Bangamunda police station area November 16, they said. The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the womans agricultural land, causing damage to []

Odisha govt orders inquiry into sale of children, baby girl rescued from AP

Bhubaneswar: As the Odisha government began an inquiry into the incidents of the alleged sale of two children due to poverty in Rayagada and Bolangir districts, one of them was rescued from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday. The nine-day-old girl who was allegedly sold to a childless couple in Andhra Pradesh has been 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 .

Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo attacked by miscreants

Jajpur: Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo alleged that miscreants attacked him in Odishas Jajpur district Wednesday evening. Sahoo alleged that the attack took place near near Budha river bridge. No FIR has been filed in this regard, police said. However, the Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal said appropriate action will be taken against persons indulging in []

Odisha govt orders inquiry into sale of children, baby girl rescued from Andhra Pradesh

Bhubaneswar: As the Odisha government began an inquiry into the incidents of the alleged sale of two children due to poverty in Rayagada and Bolangir districts, one of them was rescued from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, officials said Wednesday. The nine-day-old girl who was allegedly sold to a childless couple in Andhra Pradesh has been rescued []

Man gets life term for murdering wife

2 Arrested In Odisha For Killing Leopard, Eating Its Meat

Two persons in Odisha's Nuapada district allegedly killed a leopard and ate its meat, officials said on Wednesday.

Kharif paddy procurement begins in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government Wednesday started the Kharif paddy procurement process from Bargarh district. The paddy procurement process started with Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister KC Patra performing a special puja at Kalapani market yard, a government mandi in Bargarh district. The BJP has fulfilled its promise made during the Assembly election and the []

Odisha to study root causes for migration of labourers: Dy CM

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to study the root causes for migration of labourers from the state and find solutions to address the issue. This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo after chairing a meeting of the High-Level Task Force constituted to address the migration of labourers. The government has []

Forest officials to be accountable for death of jumbos, tigers: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government said Wednesday that forest department officials will be held accountable for the deaths of elephants and tigers in the state. Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia announced this while addressing the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) conference here. The death of elephants, the killing of tigers and eating their []

India, Guyana ink 5 pacts; resolve to expand ties in diverse areas

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali have pledged to strengthen cooperation in defense, trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. The two leaders signed five agreements to facilitate collaboration in these sectors, with a particular focus on energy security and pharmaceutical exports. This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years.

Govt to bring in new rehab and resettlement policy for land losers

Angered by the noise demon, buffalo goes on rampage at Khurda fair, injures 5

Miscreants attack Dharmasala MLA, vandalise car

Niramaya centres to remain open 24X7:Min

Kharif paddy procurement begins from Bargarh

HC rejects pension claim of ex-SIC

Adani land near Gandhamardhan hills sparks political row

Singapore visit opens new avenues for Odishas growth story: CM

Prez Murmu set for 5-Day visit to state, starting Dec 3

Sarpanch blames hooch behind death of 2 in Jagatsinghpur, cops deny claim

Annual HS (Plus 2) exams from Feb 18

Balangir newborn, sold by mom, traced to pvt hosp in Cgarh

How NCERT Is Introducing E-Content Guidelines to Enhance Online Education for Disabled Children

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched new guidelines aimed at developing e-content for children with disabilities, which will apply to school education. The government shared this update with the Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of ensuring equal participation for disabled students in online classes. These guidelines are part of a broader initiative to improve digital education accessibility for children with disabilities. The NCERT has also been conducting in-person training programs for teachers and other stakeholders in various states during the 2022-2023 academic year. This move follows a petition by the Javed Abidi Foundation, which urged the Supreme Court to issue specific guidelines that would allow disabled students to take part in online learning on an equal footing with their peers. The affidavit filed by the government in response to the petition highlighted the importance of these efforts. The Supreme Court has been actively hearing related cases and has previously ruled that the government must implement accessibility standards in education. In response, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities created an inter-ministerial committee to develop guidelines for inclusive education, which involves key educational bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). These efforts aim to foster an inclusive digital education environment across the country, ensuring that no child is left behind due to disability. Centre Introduces Guidelines to Combat Misleading Ads by Coaching Centres Odisha to Implement NEP-2020 in Higher Education from This Academic Year Canada Implements Stricter Rules for International Students Switching Schools

Odisha to construct grand ring road connecting major commercial hubs across state: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan Wednesday said the government will construct a six-lane grand ring road connecting all major commercial hubs of the state. This six-lane road will connect Mottu in Malkangiri district to Tiring in Mayurbhanj district. It will reduce travel time across Odisha to just 26 hours, linking all commercial hubs, Harichandan []

Support of Odia diaspora crucial to strengthening global outreach: Majhi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Wednesday emphasised that the support and engagement of the Odia diaspora are vital for enhancing the states global outreach. Majhi was addressing an interactive session with over 400 members of the Odia diaspora in Singapore on the concluding day of his visit to the island nation. During the []

Two arrested in Odisha for killing leopard, eating its meat

Nuapada: Two persons were arrested in Odishas Nuapada district for allegedly killing a leopard and eating its meat, officials said Wednesday. The forest officials of Komna forest range Tuesday seized the severed leopard head, skin and meat and arrested two persons from the spot. Principal Chief Conservator of Forst (PCCF) Susanta Nanda said that the []

Central team to visit Odisha for assessment of damages caused by Cyclone Dana

Bhubaneswar: A seven-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is scheduled to reach Odisha November 24 for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Dana, informed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Wednesday. As per official sources, this visit aims to evaluate the ground realities and provide critical insights for relief and recovery measures. []

UN authorises 1st mpox vaccine for children in attempt to control outbreak in Congo

Geneva: The World Health Organisation has authorized the first mpox vaccine for children, a decision experts hope will help make immunizations more widely available to one of the hardest-hit populations during the ongoing outbreaks of the disease in Congo and elsewhere in Africa. In a statement late Tuesday, the U.N. health agency said it had []

Odisha couple allegedly sells newborn girl for Rs 20k, citing poverty

Sources revealed that the newborn was the couples second daughter. Facing dire economic challenges, they allegedly handed her over to a family from Andhra Pradeshs Manyam district

Google introduces Air View+ new AI feature to curb air pollution in India

New Delhi: In a bid to combat the rising air pollution woes of India, tech giant Google on Wednesday launched Air View+ an artificial intelligence-based solution that can help the government and the people with useful hyperlocal air quality information. Air View+ is powered by Google AI and works in collaboration with local climate []

Video journalist mowed down by speeding luxury car in Chennai

Chennai: A video journalist of a private Telugu television channel here was mowed to death by a speeding luxury car on the Maduravoyal-Tambaram bypass here, police said Wednesday. The victim who was riding a motorcycle was flung about one hundred meters away from the accident spot when the BMW car on high speed knocked the []

This movie is a must-see: Hardeep Puri praises Vikrant Masseys The Sabarmati Report

Mumbai: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has heaped praise on the Vikrant Massey-starrer The Sabarmati Report. The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, took to X, formerly called Twitter, to share his thoughts after attending a special screening of The Sabarmati Report. He wrote: It []

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds talks with Chinese counterpart in Laos

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart in Laos. The meeting followed the recent disengagement of troops at two disputed border points. Both sides agreed to resume patrols after years of halted activity. The meeting took place during a security summit hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Govt plans to procure 85k MT of paddy from Kendrapada farmers

Odisha: Minor girl abused, accused held after search

Odisha police arrested the prime accused in an 8-year-old girl's abuse case in Cuttack after an intense search operation

Picturesque coffee trail set up on Koraput collectorate premises

OHRC recommends govt to pay Rs 3L to kin of woman killed on witchcraft suspicion

Odisha chief minister invites Singapore president to visit state

SINGAPORE, Nov 20: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during his visit to India in January 2025 and said Singapores petrochemical industry and port models will be adopted in the development of Paradeep Port in the coastal state. We have invited president Tharman to visit Odisha in January, he said, listing out studies he and his delegation carried out during their four-day tour to Singapore. Jurong Island Petrochemical Industrial base and Tuas Port models [] The post Odisha chief minister invites Singapore president to visit state appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Odisha: Govt employee suspended for demanding bribe from cyclone victims

Bhubaneswar: A Village Agriculture Worker (VAW) from Bhatapada Panchayat, under Chandbali block in Odishas Bhadrak district, has been suspended for allegedly demanding bribes from farmers affected by Cyclone Dana to facilitate government assistance. The Chief District Agriculture Officer suspended the VAW, identified as Bhagabati Kisan, after a video showing her demanding bribes went viral on social media. The suspension order, issued under Rule 12(i)(a) of the Orissa Civil Service (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962, stated: Whereas a disciplinary proceeding is contemplated for acceptance of an undue advantage in order to perform a public duty Smt. Bhagabati Kisan, Village Agriculture Worker, Bhatapada Circle of Chandbali block, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect. The suspension letter also specified that during her suspension, Kisans headquarters would be at the office of the Agriculture District Officer in Dhamnagar. She has been instructed not to leave her designated headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority. Additionally, Kisan will receive subsistence allowance equivalent to 50 per cent of her pay, along with the usual Dearness Allowance (DA), as per Rule 90 of the Orissa Service Code. This allowance is sanctioned for a period of six months or until her reinstatement, whichever comes earlier. The Odisha government had announced financial relief of Rs 8,500 per hectare for farmers whose crops were damaged by Cyclone Dana. However, Kisan reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs 500 per hectare and Rs 300 per acre to process the assistance applications, according to sources. This incident has sparked outrage, highlighting the plight of cyclone-affected farmers and raising concerns over corruption in relief distribution.

Six-year-old girl raped, admitted to hospital in critical condition in Odisha's Cuttack

CUTTACK: In a shocking incident, a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped after luring her on the pretext of providing the minor 'kurkure' in the Trisulia area under the Barang police station, police said on Wednesday. Sources said, with severe haemorrhage, the minor girl is battling for her life at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, popularly known as Sishu Bhawan, in Cuttack. The accused Kaliash Sonar (22), who is a related uncle of the victim, took the girl from her house on Tuesday evening to a nearby shop luring her to buy Kurkure. He allegedly raped her on the way while returning. Unable to bear the pain, the victim told her parents about the incident following which they admitted her to Sishu Bhawan and lodged a complaint in Baranga police station, the sources said. DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed the incident and said the parents of the victim hailing from Jharkhand are working as labourers at a brick kiln in Trisulia. The accused also belongs to their nearby village and works as a driver at the brick factory. A case has been registered after the victim's father lodged a complaint in connection with the incident. The accused has been arrested following a preliminary investigation, he said. Meanwhile, the victim is undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit at Sishu Bhawan. Her condition is stated to be critical. As there is no gynaecology treatment facility in Sishu Bhawan, we have informed the police to shift the victim to SCB Medical College and Hospital,' said a treating doctor.

OHRC orders compensation for witchcraft accusation victim in odisha

The Odisha Human Rights Commission has ordered the state government to compensate the family of a woman killed by villagers who suspected her of witchcraft. The commission recommended a payment of Rs 3 lakh to the family of Jasoda Singh, who was killed in 2018.

Odisha: Poachers eat leopard meat after killing it with electric trap

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking and unprecedented incident, poachers in Odisha's Nuapada district have reportedly consumed leopard meat after killing the animal with an electric trap. Two suspects, identified as Pustam Chinda and Hrusikeh Chinda, have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, while a third accomplice remains at large, according to reports. Local authorities, including Komna Forest Range Divisional Forest Officer Debadutta Sutar and Assistant Conservator of Forest Sanjeev Vangola, have launched a thorough investigation into the case. The poachers allegedly set an electric trap near the Deodaha Drinking Water Project on Sunday, aiming to capture wild boars. However, a leopard from the nearby forest fell prey to their deadly design when it approached the water project to quench its thirst. Rather than fleeing after the accidental killing, the poachers reportedly skinned the leopard and cooked its meat. They later abandoned the animal's severed head, skin, and other body parts along the bank of a local river before leaving the area. According to forest officials, the leopard died instantly after coming into contact with the electrified trap. The poachers, instead of reporting the incident, decided to eat the meat. They dismembered the animal, separating its skin, meat, and bones. Authorities have recovered the leopard's severed head, skin, and other remains, which have been sent for forensic examination. The death of the leopard at Deogaon follows a similar tragedy in Sambalpur district, where three elephants were killed in an identical manner just days earlier. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of wildlife in Odisha and the increasing prevalence of poaching in the state. We have apprehended two poachers, and they have confessed to the crime. An investigation is underway to determine if others were involved, forest officials stated. The cases in Nuapada and Sambalpur highlight the persistent challenges in combating wildlife poaching in Western Odisha. Conservationists and authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of anti-poaching laws and heightened surveillance in vulnerable areas to protect endangered species.

Odisha's Top Maoist Leader Wants To Pursue MA From Jail

Top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, currently in Odisha's Berhampur circle jail serving a life sentence, expressed his interest in pursuing MA in Public Administration through the Odisha State Open University (OSOU) this year, a prison official said.

Odisha HC directs PCCFs appearance in elephant death case

CUTTACK: Taking serious note of the death of three elephants due to electrocution in poachers trap at Naktideul under Rairakhol forest division of Sambalpur district, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday directed personal appearance of PCCF-Wildlife on November 26. Initiating suo motu proceedings on the matter, the division bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho said, The PCCF-Wildlife is required to be present online and furnish to the court the number of deaths of elephants in Odisha reported from 2020 till date disclosing the known reasons for their deaths by way of an affidavit. He shall also disclose in the affidavit the steps taken to investigate the cause behind the death of the three elephants reported in todays (November 19) newspapers. The bench posted the matter to 2 pm on November 26 for further consideration while directing to list along with it the three PILs highlighting the deaths of elephants that are pending in the court. Three elephants including a calf were electrocuted after coming in contact with electric trap that had been laid by poachers to hunt wild boars in wee hours of Monday. While the adult elephants, both females, were aged between 35 and 40 years, the male calf was around three to four years old. They were part of a herd of 11 elephants that had been roaming around the Naktideul forest range since the last few days. The elephant carcasses were first spotted by villagers near Buramal forest at around 5.30 am. The joint task force (JTF) has taken up investigation into the three elephant deaths. Earlier, during the adjudication on the three PILs, the state government following orders of the court had constituted the JTF to look into cases of poaching of tigers and leopards and illegal trade of pangolin apart from the death of elephants in August 2022. Subsequently, on court orders, a comprehensive action plan (CAP) was drafted and approved by the state government in March 2023. The CAP included 17 long-term, 10 medium-term and 158 short-term measures for human-elephant conflict mitigation, elephant habitat, corridor and connectivity and wildlife health management.

Vigilance arrests Odisha sub-collector, OSPHWC DGM

BHUBANESWAR: The state Vigilance on Tuesday arrested two government officials including Kamakhyanagar sub-collector Narayan Chandra Nayak for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Vigilance officials said the Kamakhyanagar sub-collector was arrested in the DA case after he was found in possession of assets to the tune of 130 per cent of his known sources of income. The assets of the OAS officer included two triple-storey buildings in Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak, one double-storey building in Bhadrak, 14 high-value plots, Rs 37.5 lakh deposit, Rs 1.48 lakh in cash, 366 gram gold and other household articles worth Rs 15.5 lakh. The deputy general manager (civil) of Odisha State Police Housing Welfare Corporation (OSPHWC) Subash Chandra Panda was found in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of 303 per cent of his known sources of income. The assets of the officer posted at Berhampur division included two multi-storey buildings in Bhubaneswar, payment of Rs 66 lakh to a realtor to purchase a 4BHK flat at Kalinganagar, 870 gram gold, five high-value plots, deposits of over Rs 1.84 crore and Rs 13.47 lakh in cash. Investigation in both the cases is in progress, the officials said.

Millet products by Banki women instant hit, Rs 50K earned in three days

CUTTACK: Millet-based products being sold by rural women of Banki block at the national-level Pallishree Mela in Balijatra, are witnessing a massive demand from visitors this year. Set up by the Dulanapur producer group of Banki, the stall is selling various millet-based products like cookies, cakes and mixtures etc. It has been able to make remarkable sale proceeds of Rs 50,000 in just three days, thanks to the state-run Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) for providing support to empower the rural women of the producer group. Joint CEO, ORMAS Cuttack, Bipin Rout said ORMAS not only facilitated formation of the Dulanapur producer group but also provided financial assistance for procurement of machinery and institution-building. The women members underwent rigorous training in making millet value-added products under the guidance of the experienced Dibyajyoti self-help group of Sundargarh. This collaboration exemplifies an innovative model of knowledge transfer between community-based organisations across districts, he added. Priced between Rs 20 and Rs 200, millet-based products make for a healthy, delicious and easily affordable option for all. Visitors were seen making a beeline to the stall and showering praise on the producer group for offering quality products. I tried the millet cookies. They are not only delicious but also a healthy alternative to junk food and snacks, said a visitor. Known as nutri-cereals, millets have several health benefits. Rich in fibre, protein and essential minerals like iron and magnesium, they aid in digestion, help manage diabetes and promote heart health. With most people opting for a healthy lifestyle these days, the demand for millet-based products is soaring. Participation of the Dulanapur producer group has not only showcased its entrepreneurial spirit but also highlighted the potential of rural women-led enterprises in contributing to sustainable development. The initiative by ORMAS stands as a testament to how skill development and inter-district collaboration can bring about impactful change, Rout said.

Revellers raise a stink over poor sanitation at Balijatra in Cuttack

CUTTACK: Lack of proper sanitation at Balijatra and poor condition of road to the fairground have left revellers disgruntled. Balijatra is being organised on over 8.5 acre land on the upper ground and 34 acre land on the lower ground. Though a private agency has been assigned the cleaning and sanitation work at the fair, lack of supervision by the officials concerned of the district administration has left sanitary practices in shambles. Visitors complained while garbage is lying scattered all around, toilets are also not being cleaned properly rendering them stinky and unusable. On the other hand, spraying of excess chemical-mixed water on the route from Mahanadi Ring Road to the lower Balijatra ground to control dust, has left it muddy and slippery. The situation is such that bricks have been laid at some stretches to facilitate walking. Though spraying of water will help control dust, excess spraying has left the road slippery. If one is not careful, they may fall down and get injured, said some visitors. Efforts to elicit response from the district collector and the additional district magistrate on the issue proved futile.

BJD demands action against officials for mismanagement in Balijatra

BHUBANESWAR: The Opposition BJD on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government for the mismanagement in Balijatra alleging this has shown Odisha in a bad light. Addressing a media conference here, BJD spokespersons Lenin Mohanty and Ipsita Sahoo alleged that inability of the organisers to arrange carts for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for which he had to walk to the stage was unpardonable and strong action should be taken against those responsible for it. They alleged the name of the chief minister was also missing from the Balijatra invitation cards. Cuttack mayor gives the welcome address at the inaugural ceremony of the Balijatra. But this year, BJP MLA from Cuttack Sadar Prakash Chandra Sethi was assigned the job and his speech has become viral for all the wrong reasons, they said. The BJD leaders also demanded that Balijatra be declared as a national festival like the Kumbh Mela. The state will receive central assistance if Balijatra gets national festival status. They also demanded compensation of `20 lakh for the family of the boy who died of electrocution in the fair on Sunday.

500 weather stations, 6k ARGs to power Odishas disaster fight: Minister Suresh Pujari

BHUBANESWAR: The government is in the process of installing around 500 automated weather stations and 6,000 automated rain gauges (ARGs) across Odisha to strengthen the early-warning system and impact-based forecast to tackle disasters more effectively, said Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday. The technological advancement in weather prediction and rain forecast will help the government in dealing with cyclone-induced flooding and urban flooding more effectively. Pujari said while addressing an event on Early Warning to Early Action: A multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder approach learning from ecosystem here organised by the Reliance Foundation in collaboration with United Nations (UN) India. The minister said the state government is already in the process of implementing Odisha State Capability Resilient Growth Programme (OSCRGP) which focuses on strengthening the multi-hazard impact-based forecasting along with the early warning dissemination system through Satark application. Modernisation of the GIS cell at Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) as well as the state and district emergency operation centres is also in the pipeline, he said. Pujari said Odisha is home to more than 60 indigenous tribal groups who lead a sustainable life. It is now time to use these indigenous knowledge systems for the forecasting of extreme events and adopt them as a lifestyle, he said. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre director Manorama Mohanty said IMD is also planning to provide impact-based forecast at traffic level to make weather forecasting more location-specific. The localised impact-based forecast at present is generic. Making it area-specific will help in a number of things including better traffic management and road diversion during heavy rains, Mohanty said. She, however, said the project might take some time as it needs integration of data from different departments and stakeholders to make the forecast accurate. Reliance Foundation CEO Jagannatha Kumar said, As climate change drives more extreme weather events, there is a need to strengthen impact-based forecasting to ensure it translates more effectively to local action. UN resident coordinator for India Shombi Sharp on the occasion said the United Nations, through its various agencies, will continue to work and support the efforts to strengthen early warning system in Odisha and other parts of the country.

Baby trampled over by drunk parent, dies in Odisha

CUTTACK: In a bizarre incident, a six-month-old baby boy died after one of his parents allegedly trampled over him in an inebriated state late on Monday night. The incident took place at Munda Sahi within Choudwar police limits. The infants parents have been identified as Raju Hembram and Sombhari Hembram. Apart from the son, the couple has four daughters. As per their neighbours, Raju had brought some of his friends home late on Monday night. His wife Sombhari too, joined in and all of them consumed alcohol. After having dinner, the couple went to sleep. However, locals found the couple hurriedly burying their baby in the wee hours of Tuesday. Suspecting foul play, they immediately informed the police. A team reached the spot, exhumed the babys body and sent it to SCB medical college and hospital for postmortem. The neighbours alleged that the death of the baby was caused by the couple. When the couple went to sleep next to the baby, one of them allegedly slept over the latter under the influence of alcohol. When they woke up at around 4 am, they realised the baby had died, the neighbours alleged. Police took the couple for interrogation. On being quizzed, they refuted the neighbours allegations and claimed he was suffering from viral fever and had other heart-related diseases which caused his death. Inspector in-charge (IIC) of Choudwar police station Biswa Ranjan Sahu said the couple was sent back home after questioning. An unnatural death case has been registered and postmortem report awaited to decide the further course of action, he added.

Odisha Deputy CM orders probe into baby sale in Khaprakhol

BALANGIR: Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo ordered a probe into the alleged sale of a newborn by a poor family in Sangurjibhata village under Balangirs Khaprakhol block after he met the babys mother on Tuesday. Singh Deo went to the village and interacted with Aruna Bati Nag, the mother, who claimed that she had gifted her newborn to some unidentified persons because she was unable to raise her six kids. It was during the interaction, the deputy CM enquired from the ANM about the child, bringing to light new facts on the whole episode. While Aruna Bati asserted she was helped by ANM Mamata Bhoi, the latter said the woman herself took the decision to send the newborn away because her impoverished condition did not allow her to raise her sixth child. Singh Deo said he had learnt about the incident from media and directed the administration for an enquiry. During our interaction, the mother said she was unable to raise six children which is why the family decided to give away the youngest one, he told mediapersons. The incident took place two weeks ago but came to light after members of the Childline lodged an FIR over the alleged sale. Aruna Bati, mother of five including two sons, had given birth to her sixth child at Sunamudi health centre on November 2. The same day, she is reported to have given away her child allegedly for adoption. It was after the ASHA visited her house and reported the matter to child development project officer (CDPO), the matter came to light. On November 13, the child welfare committee visited the village and directed lodging of an FIR. Till then, no action was taken on the matter. During Singh Deos visit, Aruna Bati said she gave away the child through the ANM. However, Bhoi said, the mother expressed her inability to take responsibility of the child and contacted her. I am not at fault. Aruna Bati contacted me. It was her decision to give away the newborn, Bhoi said. After that Bhoi is believed to have contacted a couple of Rampur village through one Alok Agrawal. The couple took the baby. When the deputy CM asked the ANM who allowed violation of the adoption norms, the latter said she was unaware of the rules. The baby, currently, is in a private hospital in Raipur. Patnagarh sub-collector Sunil Meher, Khaprakhol block development officer Bibekanand Sadangi and SDPO Sadananda Pujari accompanied Singh Deo to the village.

Odisha couple sells newborn for Rs 20,000, cops recover baby from Andhra Pradesh - The Times of India

Odisha couple sells newborn for Rs 20,000, cops recover baby from Andhra Pradesh The Times of India

Odisha districts struggle with high UDID card application backlog

BHUBANESWAR: Ten districts in the state have the highest number of applications pending when it comes to generating unique disability identity (UDID) card for persons with disabilities (PwDs). The districts are Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak, Balangir, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, Nuapada and Rayagada. Around 1.33 lakh applications are pending across the state and the majority are from these districts. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerments department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is implementing the Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities project to create a national database for PwDs and issue UDID card to each person with disabilities. The card delivers government benefits and travel concessions, to the person with disabilities. Disability certificates issued only through UDID portal by competent medical authorities are accepted throughout the state. Disability certificates issued in favour of PwDs in manual mode are no longer accepted. According to reports of the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department, out of 11,90,223 registered UDID applications, 7,16,205 cards have been generated to date. At least 1,33,935 applications are pending for the generation of these cards. Balasore has the highest of 22,960 applications pending followed by Ganjam (13,474) and Cuttack (7,137). Odishas UDID pendency rate stands at 11.25 per cent since the project was launched in 2019. As per the 2011 census, there are 12.44 lakh PwDs in the state and 10.14 per cent of this population faces multiple disabilities. Even for getting a medical certificate which is important for submission of UDID application, one has to wait for several months. Without this card, there is no way of getting any benefit that the government has provisioned, said Satya Behera, a Bhubaneswar-based student who faces locomotor disability. Officials in the SSEPD department said the pendency was reviewed recently. Collectors of the 10 districts have been asked to focus on the issue of UDID card generation and bring down the pendency to below five per cent by November 30 this year.

Jaleswar woman arrested for brown sugar trade, parents-in-law detained

BALASORE: Jaleswar police on Tuesday arrested a woman and detained her parents-in-law for their alleged involvement in brown sugar trade. The accused, Ruksana Bibi, is a resident of Sheikhbad within Jaleswar municipality limits. IIC Ranjan Kumar Sethy said acting on a tip off, a team comprising 15 police personnel raided Ruksanas house and seized 55 gram brown sugar from her possession. Ruksana procured the brown sugar from West Bengal with the help of her relative who is a resident of the neighbouring state. She sold the contraband at different places in Jaleswar area on a scooter. The womans parents-in-law were reportedly supporting her in the illegal trade. Sethy said Jaleswar police was on the lookout for Ruksana who managed to evade the cops several times in the past. The accused womans husband was arrested by the special task force of Kolkata police in an NDPS case 20 months back. Ruksana will be produced in court on Wednesday. Police are interrogating her parents-in-law to ascertain their involvement in the illegal trade, the IIC added.

Couple gives away baby girl to AP couple due to poverty

BERHAMPUR: Battling acute poverty, a couple of Rayagada allegedly gave away their nine-day-old child to a family from Andhra Pradesh, in Nuapada Sahi village under Chandili police limits of the district. Even as the alleged baby sale incident in Balangir hogged the headlines, the Rayagada story has now come as another shocker. A notarised deed of adoption which facilitated the childs change of custody said it was carried out without any force, fraud, coercion and influence. The deed, however, was severely flawed. The natural mother Kumud Ganta (22) and her husband Rahul Dhanbadi (25), a driver by profession, allegedly gave away the newborn girl to a couple from Pedapenki village in Andhra Pradesh on November 11, nine days after her birth on November 3. On the day, the Rayagada district child Protection unit, along with social worker Satyapriya Pradhan visited the family and enquired about the incident. The child welfare committee (CWC) and the Women and Child Development (WCD) department also began a probe. We had information the baby was sold off. This, however, appears to be a case of illegal adoption caused by poverty. We are instructing the couple (from Andhra Pradesh) to present the child before the CWC. If the natural parents cannot take care of the baby, they must hand her over to the government, said Pradhan. Kumud claimed since her family does not have a ration card, it was deprived of PDS rice and other government benefits. The 22-year-old said acute poverty forced her to stay at her brothers house and buy rice from outside. My baby was not sold off. We gave her away because of our inability of raise the kid. The family adopted her, she said. Due to financial constraints, Rahul said, it was difficult on his part to manage the family with two children. Thats why I agreed to give away my newborn, he added. The source said, a woman of Kottapeta village in neighbouring AP came to know of Kumuds family and made the move for the alleged adoption. The woman frequents the Chandili area. When Kumud shared her familys hardships, the woman suggested they hand over the newborn to a childless relative of her. Accordingly, a deed of adoption was prepared in Rayagada. The natural parents of the infant and the couple from AP have been asked to be present before CWC on Wednesday.

Odisha Police trace lodge murder accused in prison of Kerala

BERHAMPUR: Nearly a year after the decomposed body of a 35-year-old woman was found in a lodge in Ganjams Baidyanathpur, Berhampur police has solved the murder mystery by tracing the accused in a jail of Kerala. Berhampur SP Sarvana Vivek M said the murder accused, Sameedmon AS (42), was lodged in a Kerala jail in connection with an NDPS case. A team of Baidyanathpur police brought Sameedmon on a two-day remand to Odisha on Monday. On Tuesday, the accused was taken to the lodge where he recreated the scene of the murder in presence of police. Sameedmon, a resident of Kerala, also revealed the chilling details of his crime. The SP said the body of Kamanapalli Krishna Veni of Visakhapatnam was found in the lodge in a decomposed state on November 25, 2023. On being questioned, the lodge manager said Veni accompanied by a man had booked the room two days back. When the man went missing without paying the rent, the lodge staff reached the room and found the woman lying dead on the bed. Subsequently, police sent the body for autopsy and registered a murder case basing on the circumstantial evidence. During investigation, police identified the man as Sameedmon but could not trace him. Last week, the cops came to know that the accused was lodged in a Kerala jail after being arrested in a NDPS case around four months back. A team of Baidyanathpur police then went to Kerala and brought Sameedmon to Odisha. The SP said Veni and the accused were divorced but living together. During mid-2023, the womans 19-year-old son from her first marriage was arrested by Visakhapatnam police in an NDPS case. Believing that her son was arrested because of Sameedmon, who was also involved in illegal drug trade, Veni used to fight with the accused regularly. Fearing that Veni might tell police about his involvement in drug trade, Sameedmon hatched a plan to eliminate her. The accused brought the woman to Berhampur on some pretext and killed her in the lodge. After committing the crime, he returned to Kerala and became involved in ganja trade till he was nabbed by police around four months back.

Two arrested for electric trap death of three elephants in Odisha

SAMBALPUR: Acting swiftly, forest officials on Tuesday arrested two persons for their involvement in the electrocution death of three elephants in Rairakhol. The accused, Sanjit Kumar Behera (50) and Gopi Basantra (18) of Ghosramal in Rairakhol, will be produced in court on Wednesday. The three elephants, two females and a calf, were electrocuted to death after coming in contact with an electric trap laid by poachers to hunt wild boars near Buramal in the Naktideul range under Rairakhol forest division on the wee hours of Monday. Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Rairakhol Arabinda Mohanty said, During the investigation, we had detained four persons. After interrogation, the two accused were arrested. The duo has confessed to have laid the electric trap for poaching wild boars. Further investigation is underway to ascertain involvement of others in the crime. The DFO said two forest guards have also been suspended in connection with the incident. Besides, the Forest department has issued show cause notice to the local power distribution company and sought a report. On the day, Wildlife PCCF Susanta Nanda visited the spot of incident to take stock of the ongoing investigation. Autopsy on the dead elephants was conducted and the carcasses disposed of. While the adult elephants were aged between 35 and 40 years, the male calf was around three to four years old. The jumbos were part of a herd of 11 elephants that had been roaming around Naktideul forest range since the last few days. The carcasses of the dead elephants were first spotted by villagers near Buramal forest at around 5:30 am on Monday. Negligence of forest staff, as well as the electricity department, is being attributed to be the cause of the incident.

Two held for poaching leopard, eating its meat in Odisha

NUAPADA: Forest officials on Monday arrested two persons for their involvement in poaching a leopard in Nuapada. The accused, Pustam Chinda (58) and Hrusikesh Chinda (40) of Deodhara within Komna police limits, reportedly cooked and consumed the leopard meat after poaching the big cat. Forest department sources said the accused and their accomplices had laid a trap to hunt wild boars near the forest in Deodhara village. On November 16, they managed to trap a leopard in it. Subsequently, they killed the big cat, de-skinned it and cooked the meat. On a tip-off, forest officials raided the location of the poachers on Monday and nabbed two of them. However, two other accused managed to escape. The officials seized the leopard hide, head and some meat from them. Assistant conservator of forests (ACF) of Khariar territorial division Md Mustafa Saleha said the accused duo is likely to be produced in court on Wednesday after investigation is completed. A manhunt has been launched to nab the two accused who are absconding. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of others in the incident, he added.

Remittances from Kerala make Norths rural pockets rich

PERUMBAVOOR: Its a hot Sunday afternoon at the Gandhi market in Perumbavoor, a town which is home to a large migrant population, mostly from West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha. Hundreds of migrant workers, who work in and around this small town near Kochi, have thronged the market to spend their weekly holiday -- purchasing cheap dresses, recharging their mobile phones, shopping groceries for the new week, or just catch up with their friends and relatives. But, perhaps the biggest business in the market is something else -- cash transfers. Tucked in a corner of the markets entrance is Mijanur Travels, an ordinary-looking shop run by Mijanur Rahman, in his 40s. Sunday is the busiest day in the week for Rahman, who hails from Murshidabad, West Bengal. People come here with the cash earned during the week gone by, and send it to their spouses or relatives back home in Guwahati, Nagaon, Bhubaneswar or Murshidabad. On a Sunday, I transfer anything between Rs 2-3 lakh for customers. There are some Sundays when Rs 4 lakh or more is transferred, he says. The remittances range from Rs 1,500 to 5,000, and even Rs 10,000 in some cases, and the small size of transactions means there could be as many as 100-150 such money transfers on a Sunday. Rahman charges Rs 12 per Rs 1,000 remittances -- Rs 8 for the services provider (Pay World, BharatPe, Paytm. etc) and Rs 4 as commission. Abhijul Islam of Assam Mobile Shop, a native of Nagaon, has been running a similar money transfer outlet inside the market for nearly three years. He says Assamese workers, who mostly work at plywood factories in the region, deposit the cash on a weekly basis while the Bengali workers, who are engaged in daily wage jobs in construction field, farms or other low-skilled works, deposit the money once in two or three days. Explains Lijin J, who runs a train and air-ticket booking shop in Perumbavoor: For the migrant workers, who stay along with three or four persons in a room, its not safe to keep the cash in the room. So, whenever they save Rs 3,000 or more, they immediately transfer the money back home. Mijanur Rahman helping a customer with transaction at Mijanur Travels, which is also a money remitting shop. There could be at least 30 shops in Perumbavoor engaged in money transfers. The business is booming, thanks to the high daily wages in Kerala and the shortage of workers in almost every sector that requires unskilled or semi-skilled workers. A 2021 study on In-migration, Informal Employment and Urbanisation in Kerala by Dr Jajati Keshari Parida of Department of Economic Studies, Central University of Punjab, and Dr K Ravi Raman, member, Kerala State Planning Board, found that about Rs 7,500 crore is going out of Kerala annually as remittance to other states. Binoy Peter, executive director of Perumbavoor-based Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), reckons this figure is a gross underestimation. As per our conservative estimates, the migrant population in Kerala could be remitting at least Rs 17,000 crore per annum to their home states, he says. According to CMIDs calculation, there are over 35 lakh migrant workers in Kerala, who are earning a total of Rs 49,000 crore here. On a conservative basis, we have to assume that a migrant worker is earning Rs 700 per day, 20 days per month, for 10 months, he explains. Dr D Narayana, economist and former member of the Kerala Public Expenditure Review Committee, was involved in the first comprehensive study on migrant population in the state, in 2012. His report found that there was a 25-lakh strong migrant population during that time, growing at 8 % per year. The migrant population in Kerala could be at least 48 lakh now, he says. There are no sectors where migrant workers are not present in Kerala, from construction to plantation, hotels to resorts, fisheries to grocery stores, and barber shops to high-end saloons. Many sectors in Kerala would come to a standstill if migrant workers stop working, Dr Narayana says. Adds Planning Board member Raviraman: While they are in Kerala, they become integral to what I would call right making/state making process. According to Benoy, the resilience shown by rural India is due to the remittances by the migrant population, not just in Kerala, but also in other states. Significantly, the robustness of the informal Kerala economy is mainly due to the spending power of the migrant population on local goods and services here. While most of the Kerala households now depend on shopping malls or use e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart for their purchases, and commute through Uber or their private vehicles, the small grocery shops, hotels, the private buses and autorickshaws largely survive on the spending by the migrant population here, he says. Going by CMIDs estimates, the migrant population could be spending anything between Rs 30,000 crore to 32,000 crore in Keralas informal economy. Social remittances are as important as financial remittances. The migrants see boys and girls, without discrimination, going to schools here. They dream about providing better education and jobs for their kids. There are village heads in north Indian states, who have been migrant workers here. Obviously, they will try to replicate this in their villages, says Benoy Peter.

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Bhubaneswar: In view of public demand, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Tuesday announced the extension of the historic Bali Jatra in Cuttack by one more day, while BJD demanded national festival status for the annual event. Majhi, who is on a business trip to Singapore, said in an X post that Bali Jatra will []