Bhubaneswar: In a major step toward boosting women’s financial independence, the Odisha government has extended its interest-free loan scheme for women’s self-help groups (SHGs), allowing eligible groups to borrow up to ₹10 lakh without paying any interest. The decision, approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, will see the scheme continue through the financial year…
Bhubaneswar: A 2-year-old boy who was abducted from near the Ram Temple in Bhubaneswar during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations was safely rescued by Commissionerate Police within 48 hours. The accused, Kedarsan Panda (27), was arrested from Puri, while the child was recovered from the Khantapada area of Balasore district. The dramatic rescue followed a desperate search…
Kendrapada: In a bid to protect marine biodiversity during the critical breeding season, the Odisha government will enforce a 60-day fishing ban along the state’s coastline starting Tuesday, April 15. The restriction, which lasts till June 15, aims to conserve marine life by preventing large-scale fishing activities during spawning. Under the ban, all mechanised fishing…
Bhubaneswar: A landmark reform in Odisha’s higher education landscape has taken shape with the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 officially coming into force. The Act received the assent of the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati, on April 12, 2025, following its passage in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on April 2, 2025, after extensive…
Bhubaneswar: In a concerted push to strengthen the irrigation infrastructure and ensure efficient water management across the state, the Odisha government has outlined a roadmap to construct 80 new Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) and 3,000 Check Dams over the next five years. Presiding over a high-level review meeting held at the Department of Water Resources…
Dhenkanal: In a major boost to India’s renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem, Inox Solar, a subsidiary of Inox Clean Energy, has been allotted land by the Odisha government in Dhenkanal district for setting up a state-of-the-art 4.8 GW solar cell and 4.8 GW solar module manufacturing facility. The project, with an estimated investment of Rs 4,000…
Bhubaneswar: With unstable weather conditions brewing, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an Orange Alert for multiple districts in Odisha, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds. The alert, issued for April 12, urges residents to remain cautious as intermittent rain and thunder activity are expected to continue across the state until…
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, joined by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, visited the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) today and proposed the expansion of the institute’s footprint across Odisha to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in the petrochemical sector….
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, reviewed the ongoing redevelopment work at the Puri Railway Station today, underscoring Indian Railways’ commitment to upgrading key infrastructure under the Amrit Station Scheme. During his evening inspection, Vaishnaw expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and directed officials to fast-track…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards digital governance in the irrigation sector, the Odisha government is set to implement sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor Community Lift Irrigation Projects (CLIPs) across the state. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and real-time monitoring of irrigation infrastructure. A high-level meeting on the proposal was…
