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…
Bhubaneswar: Mumbai Police on Friday night arrested actor and film critic Kamaal Rashid Khan in connection with an incident in which shots were fired outside a residential building in Lokhandwala earlier this month. The firing incident occurred on January 18 at Nalanda Society, prompting an investigation after residents reported bullet marks on the building. According…
Bhubaneswar: Courts across the country have passed a series of significant orders over the past three days in cases involving governments led by opposition parties, drawing attention to ongoing legal scrutiny of executive and investigative actions. On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and granted interim relief…
Bhubaneswar: In a relief to vehicle owners, the Odisha government has decided to suspend the imposition of fines for pollution norm violations at toll gates until April 1, acknowledging the practical difficulties faced by motorists in obtaining valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed the State Transport…
Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly condemns the BJP government’s grossly mismanaged handling of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate enforcement in Odisha, which has caused widespread hardship and inconvenience to ordinary citizens. The sudden announcement of the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule from January 1, 2026, without adequate preparation, led to chaos across…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended Sri Ashok Kumar Nayak, a Forester of Gulumi Section under Muribahal Range in Bolangir district, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a farmer. According to Vigilance officials, the bribe was demanded to grant permission for the transportation of timber, including one teak and one sal tree,…
Bhubaneswar: The Gujarat government has placed IAS officer Rajendrakumar Patel under suspension after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 2 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials confirmed on Saturday. The suspension has been ordered in accordance with All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, which provide…