New Odisha Age

Cooked Food Banned on Puri’s Bada Danda Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026; Only Dry Food Distribution Allowed

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…

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Ragpicker Swept Away in Open Stormwater Drain Near Vani Vihar Amid Heavy Rain; Search Operation Underway

Bhubaneswar: A 35-year-old man was swept away in an open stormwater drain near Vani Vihar during heavy rainfall on Saturday, prompting an intensive search and rescue operation by the fire services and police. The missing man has been identified as Anil Singh, a ragpicker who lived in the nearby Patharabanda slum. According to eyewitnesses, Singh…

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Odisha Signs ₹67,000 Crore Green Energy Pact with Japan’s IHI Corporation and ACME Group

Bhubaneswar: The Industries Department, Government of Odisha has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with IHI Corporation and ACME Group to develop three major green energy projects in the state, attracting a combined investment of ₹67,000 crore. The agreement covers the establishment of: A 0.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) green ammonia plant at Gopalpur….

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Odisha Mandates 500-Metre Drug-Free Zones Around Colleges

Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha has directed all colleges across the state to establish a 500-metre drug-free zone around their campuses to promote a safe, healthy and conducive academic environment for students. Issued in accordance with the guidelines of the Narco Coordination Centre, the directive aims to shield students from the influence…

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First Low Pressure Area of the Season Brings Heavy Rain to Odisha; Koraput and Malkangiri on Red Alert

Bhubaneswar: The first low pressure area (LoPAR) of the 2026 southwest monsoon season has triggered widespread rainfall across Odisha, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a Red Warning for Koraput district and Malkangiri district, where extremely heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days. According to the IMD, the weather system remains active…

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Odisha Introduces New School Management Committees to Strengthen School Governance

Bhubaneswar: Government of Odisha has directed all government and government-aided schools across the state to constitute new School Management Committees (SMCs) under the SMC Guidelines 2026, with 75% of members comprising parents or guardians of enrolled students. Under the revised framework, the earlier dual system of School Management Committees (SMCs) and School Management & Development…

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Odisha Government Cracks Down on Doctors’ Strike, Orders Salary Withholding and Warns of Contract Terminations

Bhubaneswar: Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha has initiated stringent disciplinary action against medical professionals participating in the ongoing statewide health services boycott. In an official directive issued on July 2, 2026, the department ordered authorities to withhold the salaries of striking government medical officers and warned that contractual doctors who continue to…

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Odisha Extends Deadline for Teachers to Acquire TET Qualification Until August 2028

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has extended the deadline for in-service teachers to obtain the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification by one year, providing additional time for eligible educators to meet the required standards. Under the revised timeline, in-service teachers who are yet to acquire TET qualification must do so by…

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Speculation Grows Over Sujata Karthikeyan’s Possible Entry into BJD; Political Circles Await Official Announcement

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s political landscape is witnessing intense speculation following reports that former IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan may soon join the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The buzz gained momentum after a meeting between BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and senior party leaders at Naveen Niwas. Political observers believe the discussions may be linked…

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Odisha Clarifies Rs 21 Crore Textbook Printing Cost Amid Controversy Over Errors

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…

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