Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s recent ban on the manufacture and sale of pan masala, gutkha, khaini and other food items containing tobacco or nicotine was projected as a strong public health intervention. However, ground realities suggest that the move has exposed a major loophole, allowing other equally harmful smokeless and traditional tobacco products to flourish unchecked, particularly…
Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for commuters, the Odisha government has withdrawn its controversial “No PUCC, No Petrol” directive following strong observations by the Orissa High Court, which questioned both the feasibility and legality of the move. In an affidavit submitted before the court, the state clarified that while petrol pumps may ask motorists to…
Bhubaneswar: In a major milestone for Odisha’s agricultural sector, fresh strawberries grown in Dhenkanal district have been exported to London for the first time, marking a new chapter in the state’s horticulture history. A total of 52 kilograms of fresh strawberries cultivated in Neelakanthapur village under Bhuban block and Ramei Khamar village under Gandia block…
Bhubaneswar: The 11-day Adivasi Mela, one of Odisha’s largest showcases of tribal culture, began in Bhubaneswar on Sunday with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating the event and urging members of the tribal community to become educated and aware of their constitutional and legal rights. The annual fair highlights the lifestyle, art, craft, cuisine and…
Bhubaneswar: Nuapada district in Odisha witnessed an unprecedented community mobilisation as more than 1.42 lakh people participated in a large-scale cleanliness and plantation drive, turning the spotlight on grassroots-led environmental action. In a coordinated effort lasting just two hours, residents from across the district—including school students, shopkeepers, women self-help group members, volunteers, and non-governmental organisations—joined…
Bhubaneswar: State-owned energy major GAIL India Limited has expanded the reach of clean cooking fuel in Bhubaneswar by commissioning Domestic Piped Natural Gas (DPNG) connections at two major residential societies under the National PNG Drive 2.0 initiative. The first phase of commissioning was carried out at Cosmopolis Residential Society in the Khandagiri area, where piped…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and child-centric urban environment, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and UNICEF Odisha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop child-friendly public spaces across the city. Under the initiative, 16 locations in different parts of Bhubaneswar will be transformed into safer, greener, and more…
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, authorities in the national capital have implemented an unconventional yet effective strategy to reduce the risk of bird strikes during aerial rehearsals and the main flypast on January 26. The Indian Air Force (IAF), in coordination with the Delhi Forest Department, is distributing more than 1,270 kilograms of…
Packaging, Production and Sale Curbed as per FSSAI Guidelines and Supreme Court Orders Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has imposed strict restrictions on the manufacture, packaging, supply and sale of pan masala, gutkha and khaini across the state, following guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and in compliance with Supreme…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a complete transition of the Ama Bus service from diesel-powered vehicles to a fully electric fleet, marking a significant step towards clean and sustainable urban mobility in the state. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said all existing diesel buses will be phased out in a planned…