Bhubaneswar: Odisha is looking to raise sugarcane productivity and improve farmers’ returns by promoting modern cultivation practices, precision irrigation and high-yielding varieties, with a two-day state-level workshop underway in Bhubaneswar to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. Organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment under the Technology Mission on Sugarcane Development (TMSD), the…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has stepped up its efforts to prevent industrial accidents with the launch of ‘Surakshya Setu: Industrial Safety & Risk Management Manual’, a practical guide aimed at helping factories identify workplace hazards, manage risks and adopt safer work practices. Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Labour & Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia…

Bhubaneswar: With 71 government schools recently upgraded to the higher secondary level, the Odisha Directorate of Higher Secondary Education has started orienting their heads on the systems and responsibilities needed to ensure a smooth transition to higher secondary education. The Directorate organised a one-day orientation programme for the Head Masters-cum-Principals-in-Charge of the newly upgraded institutions…

Bhubaneswar: Unsafe buildings across Odisha, including privately owned structures, will come under closer scrutiny as the state government steps up inspections and prepares to initiate action against structures that pose a threat to life and property. Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the government has ordered a fresh assessment of potentially…

Bhubaneswar: Travel time between Rayagada and Kereda in southern Odisha is expected to nearly halve with the state Cabinet approving the four-laning of the 25.166-km Rayagada-Kereda Road (MDR-48B) in Rayagada district. The project, estimated to cost Rs 186.19 crore, will be executed at a tender value of Rs 126.94 crore, awarded to Ashribad Engineering &…

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to expand irrigation in water-deficit parts of Odisha, the state Cabinet on Monday approved an Rs 8,653.04-crore scheme to install 1.5 lakh deep borewells across 26 districts, with the government targeting irrigation coverage of 7.5 lakh hectares over the next five years. The scheme will be implemented from 2026-27 to…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to invest Rs 650 crore over the next five years to conserve its historic irrigation infrastructure and develop heritage water sites as tourism destinations, with the state Cabinet approving the Building Odisha’s Irrigation (Project) Tourism Amenities (BOITA) scheme on Monday. The programme, to be implemented from 2026-27 to 2030-31, will be…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to strengthen its agriculture administration with more officers at the senior, district and block levels following the state Cabinet’s approval of a restructuring of the Odisha Agriculture Services Cadre. The restructuring will expand several supervisory positions while reducing the number of entry-level posts, without changing the overall sanctioned strength of the…