Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to convert vacant government buildings into affordable rental housing units as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0, aiming to address housing needs of the urban poor and migrant workforce. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has directed various state departments to identify unused or…
Bhubaneswar: In Bisimatri village of Odisha’s Puri district, a group of nearly 50 rural women has transformed eco-friendly craftsmanship into a sustainable livelihood, building a successful jute-based enterprise that has brought financial independence and social empowerment to their community. The initiative began in 2015, when artisan mentor Amiya Poddar introduced local women—many of whom were…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has urged the Odisha government to clear outstanding dues of ₹28.54 crore owed to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at the earliest. Emphasising BSNL’s critical role in delivering telecom connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas, Scindia said the public sector telecom operator continues to support government…
Bhubaneswar: Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India have collectively collected over ₹8,000 crore in penalties from customers for failing to maintain minimum balance requirements over the last three financial years, according to official data. Among the 12 PSBs, Punjab National Bank (PNB) accounted for the highest share, collecting more than ₹1,500 crore, nearly 20% of…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards safer urban mobility and women’s empowerment, the Odisha government is set to introduce a women-only bus service named ‘Subhadra Bus’ in Bhubaneswar. The initiative aims to enhance safety, comfort, and representation of women in public transport. The Subhadra Bus service will be exclusively for women passengers and will be…
Bhubaneswar: India is set to host a global Women in Agriculture conference in March, bringing international attention to the often under-recognised role of women in farming and agri-food systems. Women constitute nearly half of India’s agricultural workforce, yet their contributions frequently remain invisible in policy, data, and decision-making. The conference will bring together over 500…
Bhubaneswar: The Centre has announced targeted support for agarwood cultivation in Assam and other North Eastern states, aiming to diversify farm outputs, enhance productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and generate new employment opportunities in the region. Making the announcement in her Union Budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would…
Bhubaneswar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday responded to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Union Budget, saying she was unclear about the “course correction” he was referring to and asserting that the Indian economy remains fundamentally strong. “I don’t know what course correction he is referring to. The economy…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Budget 2026 has announced a significant expansion of government support for Ayurveda and India’s broader AYUSH ecosystem, signalling a renewed emphasis on traditional medicine systems alongside modern healthcare. As part of the initiative, the Centre has proposed the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, aimed at scaling up education,…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s renowned Pattachitra paintings were showcased on the global stage at the International Institute of Democracy and Election Management Conference (IICDEM-2026) held in New Delhi, marking a proud moment for the state’s rich cultural heritage. The high-profile conference witnessed participation from delegations representing over 70 countries. As part of India’s cultural outreach, exquisite Pattachitra…