Bhubaneswar: India has introduced Bharat Taxi, a cooperative taxi service aimed at making urban travel more affordable by eliminating surge pricing and high commission charges. Unlike app-based aggregators, Bharat Taxi is owned and operated by drivers themselves, allowing them to retain a larger share of earnings while offering passengers more stable and transparent fares. Officials…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to decolonise military traditions and honour India’s own heroes, the Indian Army has renamed 246 roads, buildings and facilities across the country, replacing British-era names with those of Indian war heroes and icons of valour. The newly renamed infrastructure now commemorates legendary soldiers such as Param Vir Chakra awardees Arun…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant policy overhaul aimed at curbing monopolies and controlling prices, the Odisha government has notified new rules for leasing minor minerals, including sand and stone, replacing the earlier auction-based system with a computerised e-lottery mechanism. Under the revised framework, mineral leases will now be allotted through an online, transparent e-lottery, a move…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved a ₹100-crore ecotourism development project at Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, aimed at creating world-class tourism infrastructure while safeguarding the region’s fragile ecosystem. Official sources said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been cleared, with a total estimated investment of ₹99.75 crore, fully funded by the state government. The project is…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has urged the Odisha government to clear outstanding dues of ₹28.54 crore owed to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at the earliest. Emphasising BSNL’s critical role in delivering telecom connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas, Scindia said the public sector telecom operator continues to support government…
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: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that the launch of the Technology Development Board (TDB) First Call under the Research Development Innovation (RDI) Fund marks one of the first initiatives of its kind, where the government is directly funding the private sector rather than relying on traditional models of philanthropy or CSR…
Bhubaneswar: India has announced plans to establish dedicated Rare Earth Corridors across Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s position in the global critical minerals landscape. The corridor-based approach is aimed at building an integrated ecosystem for the exploration, processing, and downstream manufacturing of rare earth elements,…
Bhubaneswar: India is set to host a global Women in Agriculture conference in March, bringing international attention to the often under-recognised role of women in farming and agri-food systems. Women constitute nearly half of India’s agricultural workforce, yet their contributions frequently remain invisible in policy, data, and decision-making. The conference will bring together over 500…
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…
