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: The Orissa High Court has ruled that candidates appearing for NEET cannot claim “dual educational privileges” by combining academic credentials from different educational boards to secure eligibility benefits for MBBS admissions. The court dismissed a petition filed by a candidate who sought to combine marks obtained from the Odisha State Board and the National…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has launched the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) 2025 portal aimed at strengthening digital governance and improving the delivery of online public services across the country. The National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment framework evaluates the depth, effectiveness and quality of online service delivery platforms operated by States, Union Territories…
Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Ayush has announced that Kolkata will host the main national event for the International Day of Yoga 2026 (#IDY2026), with this year’s theme finalised as “Yoga for Healthy Aging.” The announcement was made during the 25-day countdown programme to International Day of Yoga held at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, where thousands…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in Public Distribution System” (SARTHAK PDS) as an umbrella scheme aimed at strengthening and modernising India’s public distribution network. The scheme focuses on improving food grain transportation, enhancing support for fair price shops and accelerating…
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to bring all bus stands currently managed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the jurisdiction of the Commerce and Transport Department as part of the newly approved “Atal Bus Stand” (ABS) scheme aimed at modernising and standardising public transport infrastructure across the state. According to a recent resolution issued…
Bhubaneswar: The ongoing severe heatwave in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) is taking a serious toll on birds and stray animals, with veterinarians and animal rescuers reporting a sharp rise in cases of dehydration, heatstroke, infections, and exhaustion. With temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius in several areas, extreme heat and dry conditions have…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched two major rural development initiatives — the Model Village Mission and the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana — aimed at transforming villages through improved infrastructure, better public services, and enhanced livelihood opportunities. The initiatives seek to bridge the rural-urban development gap by ensuring the availability of urban-level amenities and integrated…
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: Odisha has recorded its highest-ever electricity demand as the ongoing severe heatwave pushed power consumption across the state to an unprecedented 6,739 megawatts (MW), surpassing last year’s peak demand of 6,447 MW. The sharp rise in electricity usage has been primarily driven by increased cooling requirements during extreme summer temperatures affecting large parts of…