Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)–based Public Distribution System (PDS), marking a major step towards digitising welfare delivery for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Under the system, programmable e-Rupee tokens will be credited to beneficiaries’ RBI-linked digital wallets. These…
Bhubaneswar: The Isha Yoga Center marked its 33rd annual Mahashivratri celebrations on February 15, drawing thousands of devotees for an all-night spiritual and cultural gathering. The event featured powerful yogic practices such as Pancha Bhuta Kriya, midnight consecrations, and a series of cultural performances. Spiritual leader Sadhguru addressed participants, highlighting the significance of Mahashivratri as…
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to examine the feasibility of front-of-pack warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, calling it a globally accepted public health practice. A bench asked the food regulator to submit a status report within four weeks, signalling that…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance transparency and prevent land-related fraud, the Odisha government is set to introduce QR code–enabled land pattas for property transactions, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced. Under the proposed system, the Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code that can be scanned to instantly access verified land…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Higher Education Department has decided to advance the admission and academic calendar for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses for the 2026–27 session to ensure timely commencement of classes and examinations. According to officials, the registration process for UG and PG admissions will begin early, with classroom teaching scheduled to start on…
Bhubaneswar: The Electronics and Information Technology Department will start hearing grievances related to Aadhaar services from February 16, officials said. Citizens facing issues related to Aadhaar can register their complaints through the OCAC portal (http://ocac.in). After registration, complaints will be reviewed and addressed by the concerned authorities during the grievance hearing process. The initiative aims…
Bhubaneswar: An anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Kendrapada district has recorded near-zero attendance for three months after villagers boycotted the facility over the appointment of a Dalit helper-cum-cook, officials said. Sarmista Sethi (21), a graduate and the only applicant from the village, was appointed on November 20 with a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000. Following…
Bhubaneswar: The 20th Toshali Swadeshi Mela will commence on February 14 at Janata Maidan, bringing together artisans and weavers from 20 states to showcase India’s handloom and handicraft heritage, officials said. Organised by the Odisha Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, the fair will feature 905 stalls, including handicrafts, handlooms, MSME products and a dedicated food…
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to ensure piped drinking water reaches every village in Odisha by March 2027, stressing universal and equitable access, especially in tribal-dominated regions. Calling the initiative a mission-mode priority, the CM said no revenue village should be left out and urged the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to combat rising cybercrime and financial fraud, Odisha Police will establish 20 new cyber police stations across the state, officials said after a high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. The move comes amid a surge in cyber fraud, digital financial crimes, and online…