Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has criticised the Odisha government’s proposal to introduce a biometric attendance system for college students, describing it as an unnecessary and intimidating measure. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty questioned the proposal, pointing out that biometric attendance has not yet been implemented for teachers and other college staff. He termed…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has advised principals of government-run and aided colleges to reduce the use of cooking oil in hostel and canteen food as part of efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable food practices. In a directive issued by Deputy Secretary Ramesh Chandra Behera, colleges have been asked to remove high-oil breakfast items…
Bhubaneswar: Devotees and relatives of those affected by the devastating flash floods offered prayers at the Mahakaal Shani Bhagwan Temple on the occasion of Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The prayers were held amid grief following a devastating natural disaster in central Nepal. An ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border…
Bhubaneswar: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s financial inclusion drive since its launch in 2014, significantly expanding access to formal banking and other financial services for underserved communities. According to the latest figures, the number of PMJDY accounts has increased from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09…
Bhubaneswar: The historic Kataka Bali Jatra festival is scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 1, with preparations underway for the annual cultural and trade fair. The Cuttack district administration has proposed organizing the festival across both the upper and lower grounds of the Bali Jatra field, subject to approval from the state…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has been shifted from Lok Seva Bhawan to Kharavela Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. According to an official directive issued by the department, all departmental operations will now be conducted from the first floor of Kharavela Bhawan in Unit-V, Bhubaneswar. Earlier, the Health and Family Welfare Department was functioning…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant push towards digital and inclusive lending, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to facilitate faster and data-driven access to credit for MSMEs through the Unified Lending Interface (ULI). The partnership will enable API-based data…
Bhubaneswar: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, which involves visiting government schools to highlight infrastructure and other shortcomings, has run into legal trouble in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In Latur, Maharashtra, police registered an FIR against CJP founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke and others following a complaint by a teacher at a Zilla…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards promoting cleaner mobility, the Odisha government has exempted battery-powered electric, methanol-fuelled and ethanol-fuelled transport vehicles operating in the state from permit fees. According to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department, the move aims to encourage the use of environment-friendly vehicles and support the transition towards a…
Bhubaneswar: Kerala has officially been renamed “Keralam” following President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11 and the Rajya Sabha on August 12 before receiving presidential assent. The legislation amends the First Schedule of the Constitution to replace “Kerala” with…