Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday showcased its ongoing efforts in wildlife protection, ecological restoration and community-led conservation during the state-level celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity held at Lok Seva Bhawan. Organised around the global theme “Acting Locally For Global Impact,” the programme focused on strengthening local conservation initiatives and promoting sustainable…

Bhubaneswar: With preparations for the annual Rath Yatra gathering pace, the Odisha government on Friday held a high-level coordination meeting to streamline arrangements for the smooth conduct of Lord Jagannath’s world-famous chariot festival and related rituals in Puri. Chairing the review meeting at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has engaged more than 1.18 lakh undergraduate students in internships and community service programmes during the 2025–26 academic session as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. The initiative, undertaken by the state’s Higher Education Department, aims to provide students with practical exposure…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Japan are moving closer towards establishing a formal institutional partnership, with the state government initiating detailed discussions for a Friendship Agreement with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. The proposed collaboration was discussed during a high-level meeting between Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Consul General of Japan in…

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is steadily moving towards achieving universal rural pipe water connectivity, with the state government reaffirming its target to provide piped drinking water to every village by March 2027. Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Thursday reviewed the progress of ongoing drinking water projects and rural water supply…

Bhubaneswar: Seeking to modernise marine fisheries governance and strengthen coastal livelihoods, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved repeal of the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and cleared a proposal for a new legislation aimed at sustainable development of the sector. The proposed Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026 will introduce a broader…

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday reviewed the progress of industrial projects, investment promotion activities and ease of doing business initiatives during a high-level meeting of the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) chaired by Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain. The meeting focused on accelerating industrial growth in the state through improved…

Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at simplifying business procedures in the petroleum sector, the Odisha Cabinet has approved repeal of the decades-old “Odisha High Speed Diesel (Dealers’ Licensing) Order, 1979”, eliminating the requirement of a separate Retail Sale License (RSL) for sale of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) in the state. The decision was taken following an…

Bhubaneswar: Senior supply officers from across Odisha gathered at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday for a State-level conference aimed at reviewing procurement operations, strengthening the public distribution system and improving implementation of consumer welfare schemes across the state. The conference of Chief Civil Supply Officers (CCSOs), Civil Supply Officers (CSOs) and Additional Civil Supply Officers…