Odisha’s First Fully Solar-Powered Villages Inaugurated in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards clean energy adoption and sustainable rural development, Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi villages in Cuttack district have been inaugurated as Odisha’s first fully solar-powered villages under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Implemented by TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), the project involved the installation of rooftop solar power…

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India’s Past Decline Linked to Neglect of Security, Says NSA Ajit Doval at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue

Bhubaneswar: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday cautioned that India’s historical decline stemmed not from aggression but from a failure to adequately safeguard its security, urging young leaders to remain constantly vigilant to protect the nation’s sovereignty and future. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam, Doval addressed over 3,000…

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Odisha Issues Directive to Check Prolonged Absenteeism, Strengthen Child Protection in Schools

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to safeguard child rights and ensure continuity in elementary education, the Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), Odisha, has issued a fresh directive mandating proactive intervention in cases of prolonged student absenteeism. As per an official notification dated January 8, 2026, all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs)…

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Odisha’s Kanya Bibaha Yojana Ties Up with Utkalika for Marriage Gift Support

Bhubaneswar: In a move that combines social welfare with the promotion of local livelihoods, the Odisha government’s Women and Child Development Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Utkalika, the state’s apex handicraft and handloom marketing corporation, for the supply of marriage gift items under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana. Under the flagship…

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BJD Slams BJP Government’s Mismanagement of PUC Enforcement, Stands with People of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly condemns the BJP government’s grossly mismanaged handling of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate enforcement in Odisha, which has caused widespread hardship and inconvenience to ordinary citizens. The sudden announcement of the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule from January 1, 2026, without adequate preparation, led to chaos across…

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ED Raids, Political Rhetoric and a Charged Run-Up to Bengal 2026

Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate’s raids at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office in Kolkata have triggered a sharp political escalation in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launching a direct attack on the Centre and the BJP. The development comes at a time when the state is slowly moving into campaign mode ahead…

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Raksha Mantri Commissions ICGS Samudra Pratap, India’s First Indigenously Designed Pollution Control Vessel

Bhubaneswar, India: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap, the first of two Pollution Control Vessels built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), in Goa on January 05, 2026. The commissioning marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and maritime capability development. With over 60…

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Orissa High Court Seeks State’s Response on ‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ Policy

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Odisha government over its decision to deny petrol and diesel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) and sought the state’s response within two weeks. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice…

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Odisha Finalises 24 New NACs, Issues Draft Notification for 5 Municipalities

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has finalised the establishment of 24 new Notified Area Councils (NACs) across 14 districts and has also issued draft notifications for five new Municipalities, marking a significant step towards strengthening urban governance and planned urbanisation in the state. Officials said the initiative is aimed at extending formal civic administration to rapidly…

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