Bhubaneswar: In a move to address the growing issue of coconut waste in public spaces, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a toll-free helpline number (1929) for residents to report discarded coconut shells across the city. The initiative aims to ensure quick collection and scientific processing of coconut waste dumped in markets, temples and…
Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a move aimed at boosting public awareness and participation through creative outreach. Known for his globally acclaimed sand art, Pattnaik is expected to use his medium to educate citizens about the importance…
Bhubaneswar: Kusunpur village in Kendrapada district of Odisha is set to be transformed into the state’s first smart village under an ambitious initiative led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), functioning under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The project aims to convert the village—home to around 130 families and a population…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has directed district administrations across Odisha to take immediate and coordinated action to eradicate the practice of child begging. In an official directive, the Commission instructed key officials—including police authorities, municipal commissioners and district child protection officers—to intensify efforts to identify, rescue and rehabilitate…
Bhubaneswar: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday called for greater collaboration between the government and private sector to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem and enhance the country’s presence on the global sporting stage. Addressing a gathering during the Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup Final in New Delhi on March 15, the minister said the government is…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of India continues to strengthen financial support for small entrepreneurs through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), which provides collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh to micro and small enterprises across the country. Launched in 2015, the scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment by enabling easy access to institutional credit…
Bhubaneswar: State governments across India have stepped up enforcement measures to curb black marketing and hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with authorities carrying out continuous raids and surprise inspections at LPG distributorships and retail outlets. According to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, state administrations are playing a…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to expand its Rice ATM initiative to four more districts following the success of its pilot project in Bhubaneswar. The move is aimed at strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS) and making the distribution of subsidised food grains more convenient for beneficiaries. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissionerate has launched a new traffic initiative titled ‘Left Zone Free’ in Bhubaneswar to ensure faster movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles through the city’s busy roads. The campaign was rolled out at 40 traffic posts across the capital, where motorists are being urged to keep the left lane clear at…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has intensified preparations to tackle the upcoming summer heatwave, announcing a series of preventive measures across the state. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed the state’s Energy Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during peak summer, stressing that power cuts must be avoided as temperatures begin to…