Bhubaneswar: The Central Government has announced a temporary exemption of all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, to augment the availability of cotton for the domestic textile industry. The decision is aimed at ensuring adequate raw material supply for textile and apparel manufacturers while addressing concerns over cotton…
Bhubaneswar: The Central government has highlighted the transformative impact of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, describing it as a major initiative that has helped street vendors transition from survival to self-reliance through access to formal credit and financial inclusion. According to the government, the scheme has significantly strengthened business sustainability and…
BHUBANESWAR: Nabarangpur district has recorded the highest prevalence of child marriage in Odisha, highlighting the continued challenge of ending the practice despite sustained government interventions and awareness campaigns. Official data indicate that child marriage prevalence in the district stands at 39.4 per cent. Authorities have been actively working to prevent underage marriages, stopping hundreds of…
BHUBANESWAR: The rising cost of fuel and cooking gas is putting additional pressure on household budgets across Odisha, with transportation expenses increasing by nearly 10 percent and triggering a sharp rise in the prices of vegetables and other essential kitchen commodities. Traders said recent increases in petrol, diesel and LPG prices have significantly raised transportation…
Bhubaneswar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday defended the resilience of the Indian economy amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, asserting that criticism surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to conserve foreign exchange was being misrepresented by critics. Responding to concerns over rising global crude oil prices and economic uncertainty linked to geopolitical…
Bhubaneswar: Maruti Suzuki India Limited is set to launch India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle capable of running entirely on 100 percent ethanol (E100) on June 5, marking a significant step in the country’s clean mobility and alternative fuel transition. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said the…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made it mandatory for all state government departments to purchase only electric vehicles (EVs) from June 1, in a major push toward clean mobility, fuel conservation, and sustainable transportation. Under the new directive, all government offices and departments will be required to procure only electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers for official…
Bhubaneswar: Petrol and diesel prices have been increased once again across India, marking the fourth fuel price hike in the last two weeks as state-run oil marketing companies continue revising rates amid rising global crude oil prices and mounting financial pressure. With the latest revision, petrol prices have gone up by ₹2.61 per litre, while…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified efforts to promote rural and experiential tourism through a large-scale curated homestay initiative aimed at generating local livelihoods and offering tourists authentic cultural immersion experiences across the state. Under the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025, the Tourism Department has identified 61 gram panchayats across 19 districts for the development of…
Bhubaneswar: Prices of essential commodities may rise further in the coming days, raising concerns for middle-class and lower middle-class households already struggling with inflationary pressure. According to traders’ associations, the prices of daily-use items such as potatoes, sugar, edible oil, and pulses could increase by up to ₹10 per kilogram due to rising supply and…