New Odisha Age

Ash-Laden Water from NTPC Ash Pond Enters Villages and Farmland After Breach in Angul

Bhubaneswar: A breach in an ash pond operated by NTPC Limited at Derang in Kaniha led to ash slurry flowing into nearby villages, agricultural fields, and a playground after heavy rainfall on Thursday night. According to reports, a portion of the ash pond embankment gave way under the impact of continuous rain, allowing ash-laden water…

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Cooked Food Banned on Puri’s Bada Danda Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026; Only Dry Food Distribution Allowed

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…

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Kapadaganda and Linga Motifs of Niyamgiri Earn Global Recognition, Preserving Dongria Kondh Heritage

Bhubaneswar: The traditional Kapadaganda textile and Linga wall motifs of the Dongria Kondh from the Niyamgiri Hills have gained widespread recognition for preserving one of Odisha’s oldest living tribal artistic traditions. The recognition of Kapadaganda with a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag has helped showcase this indigenous craft on national and international platforms while strengthening efforts…

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Odisha Government Cracks Down on Doctors’ Strike, Orders Salary Withholding and Warns of Contract Terminations

Bhubaneswar: Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha has initiated stringent disciplinary action against medical professionals participating in the ongoing statewide health services boycott. In an official directive issued on July 2, 2026, the department ordered authorities to withhold the salaries of striking government medical officers and warned that contractual doctors who continue to…

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FSSAI Issues Notices to Eight Food Companies Over Allegedly Misleading ‘Healthy’ and Product Claims

Bhubaneswar: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to eight food business operators for allegedly using misleading brand names, trade names and product claims that may violate provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related regulations. The regulator announced the action through its official social media platforms,…

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Bhubaneswar’s New Charcoal Plant to Turn 18,000 Tonnes of Green Waste into Valuable Resources Every Year

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards sustainable urban waste management, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to establish a 50-tonne-per-day (TPD) charcoal production facility that will convert green waste into smokeless charcoal and other value-added products. The initiative addresses a growing challenge faced by the city. Every day, Bhubaneswar generates hundreds of tonnes of…

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Odisha Among States with Lowest Out-of-Pocket Hospital Expenses, NSS Survey Finds

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as one of the most affordable states in India for hospital treatment, with patients incurring significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenses compared to the national average, according to findings from the latest National Sample Survey (NSS). The survey, conducted under the 80th round of the National Sample Survey, covered 5,288 households across…

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FSSAI Prohibits Use of Newspapers for Food Packaging and Serving, Cites Health Risks

Bhubaneswar: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all food business operators across the country to immediately discontinue the use of newspapers for packing, wrapping, or serving food, citing significant health and safety concerns. In a fresh advisory, the food safety regulator warned that newspapers are not suitable for direct contact…

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Centre Waives Customs Duty on Cotton Imports Till October 31 to Support Textile Industry

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…

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Centre Considers Using Air Force Aircraft to Transport NEET-UG Retest Question Papers

Bhubaneswar: The Central government is reportedly exploring the possibility of using aircraft of the Indian Air Force to transport question papers for the upcoming NEET-UG retest, as part of efforts to prevent leaks and ensure maximum security during the examination process. The proposal comes in the aftermath of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy that led…

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