Bhubaneswar: State-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has paid one of its largest-ever financial penalties—₹4,364 crore—for illegal and excess mineral production, raising serious concerns over regulatory compliance in Odisha’s mining sector. The penalties arise from violations of key environmental and forest laws, including the Environment Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act, as well as breaches…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a new category of high-end liquor outlets—‘Super Premium FL OFF shops’—as part of its latest excise policy, aiming to modernize retail and cater to premium consumers. The outlets will be set up in six major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Puri. According to the policy, these…
Bhubaneswar: The proposed world-class cruise terminal project in Odisha’s coastal city of Puri has gained momentum, with Chief Engineer of Paradip Port Authority, Himanshu Sekhar Rout, conducting a detailed site inspection on Saturday. The ambitious ₹1,000 crore project, announced earlier this year, will be developed at Sipasarubali and includes plans for a sprawling 1,500-acre modern…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has delivered an outstanding performance at the national-level IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26, emerging as the overall champion by securing a total of 57 medals, including 15 golds. The successful participants were felicitated on Thursday at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida during a special ceremony. Congratulating the winners, Odisha’s Skill Development and Technical…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s iconic Bomkai handloom, a centuries-old weaving tradition from Ganjam district, is facing a severe crisis, with artisans warning that the craft could be on the brink of extinction. Once a thriving cottage industry supporting nearly 60 families, Bomkai weaving in parts of the district has now reportedly dwindled to just one surviving family,…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are set for a major transition in household energy use, as authorities push for widespread adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) under the City Gas Distribution network. Ambitious Household Coverage In Bhubaneswar, the target is to provide 1.25 lakh household connections, with around 19,000 homes already connected. Meanwhile, Cuttack has made…
Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shankar Mahadevan, and India’s Top Retail CEOs Converged at Great India Retail Summit 2026 Bhubaneswar: India’s retail industry gathered its biggest names under one roof next week at the Great India Retail Summit this week at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Themed ‘India’s Blueprint for the World’, the event is set…
Bhubaneswar: In a unique outreach initiative, Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation has launched redesigned premium milk packets to promote awareness about the upcoming census exercise. The new packaging features the official Census logo along with a public awareness message, and was inaugurated by the Director of Census Operations as part of efforts to encourage…
Bhubaneswar: Iran has announced a dramatic escalation in its maritime posture, declaring that select vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be charged a steep $2 million transit fee (approximately ₹18.7 crore). The move, reportedly already implemented, was confirmed by Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the country’s parliamentary national security committee, in…
Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for the food and hospitality industry, the Government of India has increased the allocation of commercial LPG to up to 50% of the estimated demand, aiming to stabilise operations across the sector. The latest 20% hike in supply is targeted at supporting restaurants, dhabas, hotels, canteens, dairy units and community…