Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has issued a strict warning against forced ‘chanda’ collections during the festival season and directed police to take immediate action against those involved in extortion. The warning comes amid reports of alleged extortion incidents in different parts of the state. In Jajpur district, a contractor was allegedly assaulted…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a new mechanism to ensure timely payment of court-ordered maintenance and alimony to wives and children. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed that maintenance amounts owed by State Government employees who fail to comply with court orders will now be deducted directly from their monthly salaries. According to…
Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Local Self-Governance Day, the Odisha government inaugurated more than 590 infrastructure projects worth around ₹323 crore across 62 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state. Odisha Housing and Urban Development Secretary Usha Padhee said the projects include both small and major infrastructure works aimed at improving the quality of urban…
Bhubaneswar: : Heavy rainfall and flooding in Nepal have raised concerns across northern Bihar, with authorities closely monitoring water levels in rivers originating in Nepal and flowing into the state. Districts along the India-Nepal border have stepped up preparedness amid the possibility of rising river levels and flooding in downstream areas. The districts under close…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police conducted a major night enforcement drive across Cuttack and Bhubaneswar on August 26, targeting drunk driving, illegal liquor, drug-related activities, modified silencers and other offences. In Cuttack, police detected 90 drunk-driving cases and seized 90 vehicles, including 21 four-wheelers and 69 two-wheelers. During the operation, police also detected two Excise cases and…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has advised principals of government-run and aided colleges to reduce the use of cooking oil in hostel and canteen food as part of efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable food practices. In a directive issued by Deputy Secretary Ramesh Chandra Behera, colleges have been asked to remove high-oil breakfast items…
Bhubaneswar: Salman Khan and Nayanthara’s upcoming action entertainer ‘Monster’, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, is expanding its cast with actors Ronit Roy and Seema Biswas joining the project. Ronit Roy is reportedly set to portray a positive and larger-than-life character, while details about Seema Biswas’ role are being kept under wraps. The film is currently being…
Bhubaneswar: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s financial inclusion drive since its launch in 2014, significantly expanding access to formal banking and other financial services for underserved communities. According to the latest figures, the number of PMJDY accounts has increased from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09…
Bhubaneswar: The historic Kataka Bali Jatra festival is scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 1, with preparations underway for the annual cultural and trade fair. The Cuttack district administration has proposed organizing the festival across both the upper and lower grounds of the Bali Jatra field, subject to approval from the state…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has advanced the Geographical Indication (GI) tag applications for three traditional Odisha food products — Sambalpur Sarpotia, Manikpatna Dahi and Dhenkanal Pala Baurali — in an effort to promote the state’s distinctive culinary heritage on national and international platforms. OUAT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul…