Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has clarified that UPI payments will remain free for ordinary users, amid growing debate over proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the possibility of introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain transactions. The government categorically stated that consumers making payments through UPI will not…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has directed that ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung before the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ at all government functions and in government as well as government-aided schools across the state. The directive follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. The School and Mass Education Department has…
Bhubaneswar: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday accused the Opposition of deliberately disrupting Parliament and obstructing legislative business, alleging that it was unwilling to allow the House to function. Speaking to reporters on the Parliament premises, Ranaut claimed that Opposition parties continued to stall proceedings regardless of the significance of the issues being taken up…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rise as a leading sports destination received global recognition after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Bhubaneswar’s rugby initiative while addressing the Indian diaspora in Auckland, New Zealand. Referring to the India–New Zealand Rugby Coaching Programme held at Kalinga Stadium in May, the Prime Minister described it as “a great start” towards deeper cooperation…
Bhubaneswar: A proposal to establish a National Commission for Men has reached Parliament after Ashok Kumar Mittal introduced the National Commission for Men Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The proposal cites the recent Ketan Agarwal case as a reminder that men can also become victims of crime and may require dedicated institutional support. According to…
Bhubaneswar: India’s gold market has witnessed a significant shift, with domestic gold demand reportedly falling by more than 70%, according to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association. The slowdown is being attributed to a combination of policy changes, declining prices, and changing consumer behaviour. One notable trend is that many Indian households are selling old…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has clarified that it spent approximately Rs 21 crore on outsourcing the printing of newly revised textbooks for Classes I to VIII to private printing presses, amid growing controversy over numerous factual, grammatical and typographical errors found in the books. The clarification was issued by the Directorate of Textbook Production and…
Bhubaneswar: Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on the Palau-flagged commercial vessel MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, prompting a strong diplomatic protest from India and renewed concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the region. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the…
Minister Dilip Ghosh inaugurates the West Bengal branch of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti will work for peace, harmony, and development in Bengal – Vinod Dugar Comprehensive development is possible only through peace and harmony – Acharya Lokesh The principles of Indian culture are a source of inspiration for peace and harmony – Swami…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards improving child nutrition and early childhood development, the Odisha government has increased financial support for supplementary nutrition provided to severely underweight children and pre-schoolers under its Anganwadi services. Under the revised provisions, the daily nutrition support for severely underweight children aged 6 months to 6 years has been increased…