Bhubaneswar: In a major move to enforce discipline and boost participation in Parliament, the Lok Sabha has introduced a strict digital attendance system for Members of Parliament (MPs) starting with the 2026 Budget Session. Under the new system, MPs must mark their attendance through biometric devices installed at their designated seats, replacing the traditional physical…
Bhubaneswar: Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking the renaming of Cuttack as ‘Katak’, citing it as the city’s original and historically authentic name. In his letter, the Mayor referred to archival records preserved at the Records Department of Ravenshaw College, which, he said,…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced that the government will soon launch the ‘Create in India’ mission, calling it an industry-focused, employment-driven and future-oriented initiative. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Vaishnaw said the upcoming mission aims to strengthen domestic innovation, boost industrial growth, and create large-scale job opportunities by promoting…
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is establishing two new waste processing facilities to strengthen solid waste management and promote sustainable recycling practices in the city. A construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plant will be set up at Pandra, with a processing capacity of five tonnes per day. The facility will convert debris into…
Bhubaneswar: India is set to build its first underwater twin-tube road and rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River, linking Assam with Arunachal Pradesh in a landmark infrastructure project valued at ₹18,662 crore. The 34-km integrated corridor will feature a four-lane highway and a railway line, with cross passages every 500 metres to ensure emergency evacuation…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance transparency and prevent land-related fraud, the Odisha government is set to introduce QR code–enabled land pattas for property transactions, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced. Under the proposed system, the Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code that can be scanned to instantly access verified land…
Bhubaneswar: The Electronics and Information Technology Department will start hearing grievances related to Aadhaar services from February 16, officials said. Citizens facing issues related to Aadhaar can register their complaints through the OCAC portal (http://ocac.in). After registration, complaints will be reviewed and addressed by the concerned authorities during the grievance hearing process. The initiative aims…
Bhubaneswar: An anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Kendrapada district has recorded near-zero attendance for three months after villagers boycotted the facility over the appointment of a Dalit helper-cum-cook, officials said. Sarmista Sethi (21), a graduate and the only applicant from the village, was appointed on November 20 with a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000. Following…
Bhubaneswar: A nationwide Bharat Bandh on February 12 could lead to partial disruptions in banking, transport and local services, though essential services are expected to operate normally. Public sector bank unions have announced participation in the strike, which may affect branch-level banking operations, even as branches remain open. Public transport, including buses and taxis, could…
Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Residents in several areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are likely to face temporary power outages on February 11 as Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) undertakes scheduled mechanical upgrades, repair works, and electrical maintenance. According to TPCODL, electricity supply in Bhubaneswar will be disrupted at different time slots between 6:30 AM and 5:00…