Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at ensuring administrative continuity and academic stability across state-run universities, the Odisha Government has issued the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance significantly enhances the authority of the Chancellor, particularly in the interim appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs), under the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. With several universities witnessing the completion…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), popularly known as the DIAL-112 scheme, for another five years—from 2025-26 to 2029-30. The continuation of the scheme has been sanctioned with a substantial budgetary allocation of ₹2,260.89 crore. The ERSS serves as a unified emergency helpline, integrating Police, Ambulance,…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has approved the provision of free hostel facilities for students residing in non-KGBV Type-IV girls’ hostels of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs). The decision is expected to benefit more than 45,000 students, particularly those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds, who face challenges commuting to school due to long distances. Until now, students staying in…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet has approved key amendments to the Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) Recruitment Rules, 2011. The move is aimed at making the recruitment and promotion processes within the ORS cadre more merit-driven, uniform, and transparent. Under the revised rules, the government has scrapped the ‘selection’ route of recruitment, which earlier allowed 10% of the…

Bhubaneswar: An inter-ministerial committee meeting to review the progress and roadmap for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project was held today at the Lok Seva Bhawan Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. The meeting followed the formation of a dedicated sub-committee directed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to…

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government’s flagship pilgrimage initiative for senior citizens — the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) — continues to make spiritual journeys possible for the elderly across the state. Launched on February 1, 2016, the scheme has enabled more than 37,555 senior citizens to visit renowned pilgrimage sites across India, offering them a…