Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) will organise a two-day National Workshop on the preparation of Panchayat Development Plans (PDPs) on May 4 and 5, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. The workshop will be inaugurated in the presence of Vivek Bharadwaj and Ashok K K Meena, who are scheduled to deliver keynote…
Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of International Workers Day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled a series of labour welfare measures in Odisha, including a hike in daily wages and new social security initiatives. The government announced a ₹10 per day increase in variable dearness allowance, effective April 1, leading to revised wage rates across different…
Bhubaneswar: Saudi Aramco is expected to continue its suspension of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports into the coming month following significant damage at a key export facility in late February, according to a report by Bloomberg. The disruption has tightened global LPG supply chains, increasing pressure on importing countries already facing reduced shipments from the…
Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in Gujarat’s civic elections, winning control of all 15 municipal corporations across Gujarat. The outcome reinforces the party’s strong urban base and organisational dominance in one of its key political bastions. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had earlier made inroads in urban centres…
Bhubaneswar: The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly late Monday night passed a resolution advocating 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, to be implemented after the delimitation process. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and adopted through a voice vote following a prolonged nine-hour debate. The session witnessed sharp exchanges between…
Bhubaneswar: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended Srinagar–Katra Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The train, which earlier operated between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run up to Jammu Tawi. The extension brings India’s flagship semi high-speed train directly to the region’s largest city…
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the closing ceremony of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sikkim’s statehood at Paljor Stadium. On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹4,000 crore across the state. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening connectivity, infrastructure, and public service delivery….
Bhubaneswar: Several states across India are providing financial assistance ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh to couples entering inter-caste marriages, as part of efforts to promote social integration and reduce caste-based discrimination. At the national level, the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages supports such unions, particularly those involving a Scheduled…
Bhubaneswar: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay led an industry engagement session in Agra ahead of the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Officials highlighted that the agreement is being positioned as a comprehensive partnership extending beyond tariff reductions. It will cover…
Bhubaneswar: India and New Zealand are set to sign a bilateral trade agreement today, with nearly 70% of Indian goods expected to receive duty-free access to the New Zealand market. The agreement is poised to open significant export opportunities, particularly for MSME-driven sectors. Industries such as leather, handloom, and handicrafts—especially from Agra and across Uttar…