Bhubaneswar: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a major regulatory shift mandating plastic-free packaging for pan masala, gutka, and similar products. Under a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Packaging Regulations 2018, these products would be allowed to be packed only in eco-friendly materials such as paper, paperboard,…
Bhubaneswar: In a unique initiative, the Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has started playing soft, soothing music at 32 major traffic intersections across Bhubaneswar to ease commuter stress, especially during long waits and ongoing heatwave conditions. The system operates through Public Address Systems integrated with CCTV networks and is centrally controlled. Along with music, authorities are also…
Bhubaneswar: Saudi Aramco is expected to continue its suspension of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports into the coming month following significant damage at a key export facility in late February, according to a report by Bloomberg. The disruption has tightened global LPG supply chains, increasing pressure on importing countries already facing reduced shipments from the…
Bhubaneswar: Serious concerns have emerged over safety and management standards at the district-level Subhadra Shakti Mela in Jharsuguda, an event organised under the state’s Mission Shakti programme to promote women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Major Safety Breach ReportedIn a significant lapse, a heavy transport vehicle was reportedly found parked inside a vendor stall area meant for…
Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in Gujarat’s civic elections, winning control of all 15 municipal corporations across Gujarat. The outcome reinforces the party’s strong urban base and organisational dominance in one of its key political bastions. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had earlier made inroads in urban centres…
Bhubaneswar: A quiet agricultural village in Odisha is making headlines for an impressive farming transformation. Kundhei has earned the nickname “Taiwanese Watermelon Village” after local farmers shifted from traditional crops to cultivating a premium variety of Taiwanese watermelon. The results have been remarkable. Within just three months, the village has collectively generated around ₹1 crore…
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the closing ceremony of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sikkim’s statehood at Paljor Stadium. On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹4,000 crore across the state. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening connectivity, infrastructure, and public service delivery….
Bhubaneswar: Oil companies have introduced temporary limits on fuel sales across Odisha, directing petrol pump dealers to restrict petrol supply to 50 litres and high-speed diesel (HSD) to 500 litres per customer. The move is aimed at preventing industries from purchasing diesel in bulk from retail outlets, which could disrupt availability for regular consumers. Officials…
Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will organise a National Deliberative Summit on “Harmonizing Administrative Data for Governance” from April 29 to 30 in Bhubaneswar. The summit is being held as a follow-up to the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in December last year, where the need for better integration…
Bhubaneswar: India and New Zealand are set to sign a bilateral trade agreement today, with nearly 70% of Indian goods expected to receive duty-free access to the New Zealand market. The agreement is poised to open significant export opportunities, particularly for MSME-driven sectors. Industries such as leather, handloom, and handicrafts—especially from Agra and across Uttar…