Bhubaneswar: In a relief to vehicle owners, the Odisha government has decided to suspend the imposition of fines for pollution norm violations at toll gates until April 1, acknowledging the practical difficulties faced by motorists in obtaining valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed the State Transport…
Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly condemns the BJP government’s grossly mismanaged handling of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate enforcement in Odisha, which has caused widespread hardship and inconvenience to ordinary citizens. The sudden announcement of the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule from January 1, 2026, without adequate preparation, led to chaos across…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has approved the establishment of three new skill development campuses across the state, aimed at strengthening sector-specific training and enhancing employment opportunities for youth. The approved campuses include: Campus II, Bhubaneswar: Focused on advanced sectors such as semiconductors, IT/ITES, and aerospace, catering to emerging technology-driven industries. Campus III, Berhampur: Dedicated to…
Bhubaneswar: As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat reform agenda, the Government of India has undertaken far-reaching labour reforms aimed at formalising employment, improving working conditions, and extending social security coverage across sectors, including Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Under the Social Security Code, 2020, MSEs have been brought within the ambit of statutory social security…
Bhubaneswar: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being observed to recognise the immense contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to India’s economic growth, global standing and cultural influence, even in the absence of a major convention this year. India’s diaspora continues to play a critical role in strengthening the country’s economy, with…
Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate’s raids at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office in Kolkata have triggered a sharp political escalation in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launching a direct attack on the Centre and the BJP. The development comes at a time when the state is slowly moving into campaign mode ahead…
Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to strengthening Odisha’s school education system in line with the vision of ‘Samruddha Odisha’ (Developed Odisha) by 2036. He emphasised that the Narendra Modi-led government remains fully committed to supporting the state in transforming its education landscape and preparing future-ready generations. Pradhan made…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar is set to host the mega rural fair Sisir Saras–2026 from January 10 to January 18, bringing together artisans, weavers and self-help groups (SHGs) from Odisha and nearly 20 other states under one roof. Organised by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) in collaboration with Mission Shakti, the fair aims to…
Bhubaneswar: In a strong push to tackle worsening air quality, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued stringent new guidelines to control dust pollution from construction activities across the city. The directives, issued through an office order on January 6, have come into effect immediately. The decision follows a high-level review of the city’s air…
Bhubaneswar: Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika Lake, is set for a major ecological and economic revival as the Odisha government rolls out a ₹1,500–2,000 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) aimed at restoring the lake’s fragile ecosystem while enhancing sustainable livelihoods and tourism. Officials said the ambitious plan goes beyond cosmetic intervention and focuses on…