BHUBANESWAR: The rising cost of fuel and cooking gas is putting additional pressure on household budgets across Odisha, with transportation expenses increasing by nearly 10 percent and triggering a sharp rise in the prices of vegetables and other essential kitchen commodities. Traders said recent increases in petrol, diesel and LPG prices have significantly raised transportation…
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 launched two major rural development initiatives — the Model Village Mission and the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana — aimed at transforming villages through improved infrastructure, better public services, and enhanced livelihood opportunities. The initiatives seek to bridge the rural-urban development gap by ensuring the availability of urban-level amenities and integrated…
Bhubaneswar: Maruti Suzuki India Limited is set to launch India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle capable of running entirely on 100 percent ethanol (E100) on June 5, marking a significant step in the country’s clean mobility and alternative fuel transition. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said the…
Bhubaneswar: The second BRICS Technical Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by India, will be held in Puri from June 3 to 5, 2026, bringing together disaster management experts and officials from BRICS nations and partner countries. The high-level meeting will focus on strengthening international cooperation in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, climate resilience, and emergency…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made it mandatory for all state government departments to purchase only electric vehicles (EVs) from June 1, in a major push toward clean mobility, fuel conservation, and sustainable transportation. Under the new directive, all government offices and departments will be required to procure only electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers for official…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich Jagannath tradition is set to reach a wider national and global audience through an ambitious animated feature film titled Mahaprabhu Jagannath, which will release across more than 300 screens in India. The multilingual film, scheduled for release in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu, will mark the launch of the proposed “Sanatan Universe” —…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded its highest-ever electricity demand as the ongoing severe heatwave pushed power consumption across the state to an unprecedented 6,739 megawatts (MW), surpassing last year’s peak demand of 6,447 MW. The sharp rise in electricity usage has been primarily driven by increased cooling requirements during extreme summer temperatures affecting large parts of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest department has launched caravan tourism facilities at several prominent eco-tourism destinations across the state in a move aimed at promoting sustainable travel while preserving ecological balance. Under the initiative, caravan tourism will be introduced at seven eco-tourism sites, including the Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park, two of the state’s…
Bhubaneswar: Prices of essential commodities may rise further in the coming days, raising concerns for middle-class and lower middle-class households already struggling with inflationary pressure. According to traders’ associations, the prices of daily-use items such as potatoes, sugar, edible oil, and pulses could increase by up to ₹10 per kilogram due to rising supply and…