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: Odisha’s capital has reported its first COVID-19 case of the year, with a 50-year-old man from the Baramunda area testing positive, according to reports. The patient is currently undergoing treatment in the isolation ward of a hospital. The development comes nearly a month after Odisha reported another COVID-19 case, when a 54-year-old woman from…
Bhubaneswar: NITI Aayog organised a stakeholder consultation on “Transforming Vocational Education in India: Vocational Education in Schools”, bringing together policymakers, educators, industry representatives and other stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen vocational learning across the school education system. The consultation was chaired by Dr. Joram Aniya, Member, NITI Aayog. Representatives from the Department of School…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to establish 24×7 help desks to assist beneficiaries in accessing healthcare services. The directive is aimed at ensuring that eligible patients receive timely information and support while availing themselves of benefits…
Bhubaneswar : Bajaj Finance Limited, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has taken its financial literacy initiative ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ to rural Odisha, with programmes organised at the Baliput and Sutan Gram Panchayat offices in Puri district. The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s pan-India financial…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning to establish wayside amenity centres at intervals of around 50 kilometres along National Highways, Expressways, State Highways and other major roads across the state. The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, with the focus on improving safety, convenience and comfort for people…
Bhubaneswar: The Department of Sports Management at iLEAD, Kolkata, successfully organised “United Through Sport – Celebrating the Spirit of the Commonwealth Games 2026,” bringing together leaders from diplomacy, sports administration, and inclusive sport for an engaging and thought-provoking interaction with students. The event was graced by Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner for East…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to designate the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, where plans were discussed to enhance…
Building on a record-breaking inaugural edition – 638 proposals from 55 countries – the 2026 campaign’s new Top 20 Mentorship Program pairs finalists with industry experts to turn innovative concepts into practical, market-ready solutions, and invites even more innovators worldwide to apply. Bhubaneswar: : Following the global launch of the “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” campaign…
Bhubaneswar residents may soon have to pay ₹5 to use BMC-managed public toilets, as the civic body plans to introduce a user fee to improve cleanliness, maintenance and sanitation services. The proposal follows a directive from the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, asking urban local bodies to levy user charges for the operation and…