Bhubaneswar: The Central Government has announced a temporary exemption of all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, to augment the availability of cotton for the domestic textile industry. The decision is aimed at ensuring adequate raw material supply for textile and apparel manufacturers while addressing concerns over cotton…
Bhubaneswar: The Central government has highlighted the transformative impact of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, describing it as a major initiative that has helped street vendors transition from survival to self-reliance through access to formal credit and financial inclusion. According to the government, the scheme has significantly strengthened business sustainability and…
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has ruled that candidates appearing for NEET cannot claim “dual educational privileges” by combining academic credentials from different educational boards to secure eligibility benefits for MBBS admissions. The court dismissed a petition filed by a candidate who sought to combine marks obtained from the Odisha State Board and the National…
BHUBANESWAR: Fish and seafood prices have witnessed a sharp increase across Odisha as the annual fishing ban imposed during the breeding season continues to restrict marine fishing activities along the state’s coastline. The prohibition, enforced every year from April 15 to June 14, is aimed at protecting fish breeding and ensuring sustainable fish production in…
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its forecast for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season, predicting that India is likely to receive rainfall amounting to 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). The forecast was issued as part of the weather agency’s second outlook for the Southwest Monsoon. The revised estimate is…
BHUBANESWAR: An expert appraisal panel of the Union Environment Ministry has recommended environmental clearance for Vedanta Limited’s proposed bauxite mining project in the Sijimali region of Odisha, subject to a series of conditions and regulatory approvals. The panel has stipulated that mining activities cannot be undertaken on 709.72 hectares of forest land until Stage-II forest…
Bhubaneswar: Renovation and beautification works at the Gundicha Temple are progressing rapidly, with the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) aiming to complete all restoration projects before the upcoming Ratha Yatra. SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee reviewed the ongoing development works at the temple premises along with senior officials on Tuesday. The team inspected various infrastructure…
Bhubaneswar: The South East Central Railway has installed water misting systems at several major railway stations to provide relief to passengers during the ongoing heatwave conditions across central India. The cooling systems spray a fine mist of water across station platforms, helping reduce surrounding temperatures and improve comfort levels for passengers waiting for trains, particularly…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in Public Distribution System” (SARTHAK PDS) as an umbrella scheme aimed at strengthening and modernising India’s public distribution network. The scheme focuses on improving food grain transportation, enhancing support for fair price shops and accelerating…
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to bring all bus stands currently managed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the jurisdiction of the Commerce and Transport Department as part of the newly approved “Atal Bus Stand” (ABS) scheme aimed at modernising and standardising public transport infrastructure across the state. According to a recent resolution issued…