Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the commencement of the new academic session, the Odisha government has launched a statewide fire safety preparedness drive covering schools, colleges, coaching centres and skill development institutions, directing authorities to conduct immediate inspections and strengthen emergency response mechanisms. The initiative has been undertaken by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) following…

Bhubaneswar: Recognising the growing role of women in agriculture and the need for more inclusive policy frameworks, the Odisha government has intensified efforts to integrate gender perspectives into agricultural planning through a two-day Capacity Partnership Workshop organised under the Gender Responsive Cell (GRC). The workshop was jointly organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’…

Bhubaneswar: With an emphasis on strengthening rural livelihoods and improving operational efficiency, the Odisha government on Wednesday outlined a future roadmap for the Kendu leaf sector during the Kendu Leaf Chintan Shibira 2026 held at Aranya Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The state-level deliberation brought together senior forest officials and field functionaries to review achievements, discuss field-level…

Bhubaneswar: Reinforcing its focus on women-led economic growth and community entrepreneurship, the Odisha government on Wednesday announced financial assistance worth more than ₹347 crore for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and women’s federations at the State-level Subhadra Shakti Vision Summit held at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The summit brought together around 330 Executive Committee members of…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has taken another major step towards expanding its clean energy ecosystem with the signing of a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with NLC India Limited to develop renewable energy projects with a cumulative capacity of 1,000 MW across the State. The collaboration is expected to strengthen Odisha’s renewable energy ambitions while creating the foundation…

Puri: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the Odisha government has announced a special access mechanism for residents of Puri town to enable smoother entry and darshan at the Shree Jagannath Temple during the peak festival period. The decision was announced by Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan following the second coordination meeting held to review…

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich legacy of literature, education and traditional art received national recognition on Tuesday as three distinguished personalities from the state were conferred with the Padma Shri during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact in…

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha prepares for rapid urban expansion and emerging climate challenges, the State has intensified efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and build future-ready cities through knowledge-driven governance and sustainable planning. In this direction, the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) hosted a strategic interaction with noted urban governance expert Dr. O.P. Agarwal, Member of the Committee…

Rayagada: The Odisha Police has escalated its response to the mob assault incident in Rayagada by bringing the case under the ‘Red Flag’ category, a move reserved for cases requiring heightened monitoring and urgent investigation due to their serious and sensitive nature. The decision was taken on Sunday following directions from Director General of Police…

Bhubaneswar/Keonjhar: With concerns over possible weather disruptions during the upcoming agricultural season, the Odisha government has intensified field-level monitoring and preparedness measures, with Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo reviewing ground conditions and interacting directly with farmers in Keonjhar district ahead of Kharif-2026. During his district visit, the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds…