Bhubaneswar: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s financial inclusion drive since its launch in 2014, significantly expanding access to formal banking and other financial services for underserved communities. According to the latest figures, the number of PMJDY accounts has increased from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09…
Bhubaneswar: The historic Kataka Bali Jatra festival is scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 1, with preparations underway for the annual cultural and trade fair. The Cuttack district administration has proposed organizing the festival across both the upper and lower grounds of the Bali Jatra field, subject to approval from the state…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has been shifted from Lok Seva Bhawan to Kharavela Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. According to an official directive issued by the department, all departmental operations will now be conducted from the first floor of Kharavela Bhawan in Unit-V, Bhubaneswar. Earlier, the Health and Family Welfare Department was functioning…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant push towards digital and inclusive lending, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to facilitate faster and data-driven access to credit for MSMEs through the Unified Lending Interface (ULI). The partnership will enable API-based data…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has advanced the Geographical Indication (GI) tag applications for three traditional Odisha food products — Sambalpur Sarpotia, Manikpatna Dahi and Dhenkanal Pala Baurali — in an effort to promote the state’s distinctive culinary heritage on national and international platforms. OUAT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul…
Bhubaneswar: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, which involves visiting government schools to highlight infrastructure and other shortcomings, has run into legal trouble in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In Latur, Maharashtra, police registered an FIR against CJP founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke and others following a complaint by a teacher at a Zilla…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling has highlighted the state’s move towards digital healthcare, including the use of digital prescriptions and secure online storage of medical records. Mahaling said the initiative is being pursued under the broader digital-health framework associated with Aarogya Setu 2.0, which includes a “Scan and Share” facility. The system allows patients…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards promoting cleaner mobility, the Odisha government has exempted battery-powered electric, methanol-fuelled and ethanol-fuelled transport vehicles operating in the state from permit fees. According to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department, the move aims to encourage the use of environment-friendly vehicles and support the transition towards a…
Bhubaneswar: Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. Ltd. has marked the official retail debut of the Google Pixel 11 Series and Pixel Watch 5 with an encouraging opening-day response across its showroom network. The launch adds another globally recognised technology portfolio to Bhajanlal’s premium retail canvas, while reaffirming the company’s larger philosophy: technology is best experienced, understood and ultimately valued in an…
Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has claimed that the state’s financial position was in poor shape when the BJD came to power in 2000, but the party left behind an additional revenue of ₹50,000 crore when it was voted out in 2024. Patnaik attributed the achievement to what he described…