Bhubaneswar: A controversy has surfaced during Odisha’s ongoing Matriculation examinations after a handwritten question-and-answer sheet — purportedly containing answers to the Social Science paper — began circulating on social media in parts of Western Odisha. The viral content has raised serious concerns among students, parents, and education observers, prompting calls for an immediate inquiry into…
Bhubaneswar: The decision to tighten security arrangements was announced by the Director General of Police (DGP) following a high-level review meeting at the State Police Headquarters. All district Superintendents of Police have been placed on high alert to ensure law and order during the upcoming festive period. The Cyber Cell has been assigned round-the-clock monitoring…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that Jharsuguda district recorded the highest conviction rate in the state in 2025 at 89.5 per cent. In contrast, Kendrapada district reported the lowest conviction rate at 3.1 per cent. According to official data shared by the Chief Minister, several other districts — including Angul, Berhampur,…
Bhubaneswar: A powerful explosion during the illegal assembly of a crude bomb in Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar claimed the lives of Shahnawaz Malik (26) and his mother Lizatun Bibi (51), while three others sustained critical injuries, police said. Malik, described as a repeat offender with prior explosives-related charges, was allegedly assembling the device at his…
Bhubaneswar: The latest annual report of the Odisha State Commission for Women, revealing 2,064 cases of crimes and grievances against women in 2024–25, is both a statistical snapshot and a moral indictment. That Bhubaneswar alone accounts for 298 cases, followed by Cuttack and Khordha, should compel policymakers and society to confront an uncomfortable truth: urban…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant policy overhaul aimed at curbing monopolies and controlling prices, the Odisha government has notified new rules for leasing minor minerals, including sand and stone, replacing the earlier auction-based system with a computerised e-lottery mechanism. Under the revised framework, mineral leases will now be allotted through an online, transparent e-lottery, a move…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards transparent and citizen-centric governance, the Odisha Revenue Department is set to launch a 24-hour WhatsApp-based service to address land-related complaints and applications, significantly reducing the need for physical visits to tehsil offices. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced that citizens will be able to submit grievances and applications directly through…
Bhubaneswar: A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been stolen from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, a suburb of Melbourne, triggering concern among the Indian diaspora and authorities. The statue, which held significant cultural and symbolic value, was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and was unveiled on…
Bhubaneswar: The Railway Ministry has proposed a 40-kilometre underground rail corridor between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani stations to strengthen passenger, freight, and defence logistics in the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor, officials said. Under the proposal, railway tracks will be laid 22–24 metres underground, while existing surface infrastructure will be expanded to four lines, creating…
Bhubaneswar: An unusual case of illegal cattle smuggling was reported from Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Sunday, where traders allegedly used an oil tanker to transport cattle in an attempt to evade detection. According to local sources, residents intercepted the tanker near Barikpur Chhak on National Highway-16 after suspecting illegal activity. The vehicle, originally meant for…