 "Hemant Kumar Rout")
Hemant Kumar Rout
Hemant Kumar Rout
With a strong command over public policy and governance, he writes extensively on economy, industry, infrastructure, defence, politics, science and technology, environment and health, bringing clarity and context to complex issues. He has an experience of over 20 years across print and online media. Currently, he is working as an Associate Editor at Business Standard. He has previously worked with The New Indian Express Group, The Times of India, The Statesman, Sahara Time, Indo Asian News Service and regional media.
With a strong command over public policy and governance, he writes extensively on economy, industry, infrastructure, defence, politics, science and technology, environment and health, bringing clarity and context to complex issues. He has an experience of over 20 years across print and online media. Currently, he is working as an Associate Editor at Business Standard. He has previously worked with The New Indian Express Group, The Times of India, The Statesman, Sahara Time, Indo Asian News Service and regional media.
Hemant Kumar Rout
Odisha raises R&R assistance, but land losers seek fairer compensation
Revised assistance covers relocation, housing, farmland and maintenance until March 2028, but affected families say increases fail to reflect land values and livelihood loss
 "Odisha raises R&R assistance, but land losers seek fairer compensation")
Two Chinese vessels join search for 22 missing from MV Ocean Winner
Questions mount over cargo safety checks and MV Ocean Winner's ageing condition after an emergency beacon and an empty lifeboat are recovered during search operations
 "Two Chinese vessels join search for 22 missing from MV Ocean Winner")
Haldiram's plans to invest ₹1,000 cr in new manufacturing plant in Odisha
Balaji among firms lining up major food-processing investments in Odisha
 "Haldiram's plans to invest ₹1,000 cr in new manufacturing plant in Odisha")
Hopes fade for 22 missing crew as experts suspect cargo liquefaction
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank within about eight minutes with 24 crew aboard; experts say excess moisture in its iron ore fines cargo may have caused liquefaction
 "Hopes fade for 22 missing crew as experts suspect cargo liquefaction")
Sher roars as AK-203 goes 100% Indian; army trials next month
Country's first fully indigenised rifle test-fired
 "Sher roars as AK-203 goes 100% Indian; army trials next month")
Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 crew members missing
Two of the 24 crew members aboard MV Ocean Winner have been rescued from life rafts so far, while search-and-rescue efforts are underway to trace the others
 "Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 crew members missing")
Odisha's ₹72,100 crore capex target at risk as state fast-tracks projects
With just 15.7% of its record FY27 capital outlay spent by July, Odisha is pushing departments to fast-track projects and unlock central capex incentives
 "Odisha's ₹72,100 crore capex target at risk as state fast-tracks projects")
Haldiram, MCL lead as Odisha clears 14 projects worth ₹2,780 crore
Odisha has approved 14 projects across 10 districts, spanning food processing, textiles, chemicals, electronics and steel, with potential to create 14,104 jobs
 "Haldiram, MCL lead as Odisha clears 14 projects worth ₹2,780 crore")
₹2,008 cr investment push for Paradip port to speed up cargo movement
Seven projects worth Rs 427.8 crore were inaugurated, while concession agreements for three mechanisation projects involving around Rs 1,580 crore were signed
 "₹2,008 cr investment push for Paradip port to speed up cargo movement")
Green signal for blue water fishing: The permit could be a game changer
Under the new guidelines, introduced in December last year, an Indian vessel can fish in the high seas only if it has a Letter of Authorisation
 "Green signal for blue water fishing: The permit could be a game changer")
Centre clears ₹9,450 crore for 410-km rail projects across four states
Four multitracking projects across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will add nearly 410 km to the railway network and ease congestion
 "Centre clears ₹9,450 crore for 410-km rail projects across four states")
Nalco launches pilot plant to recover value-added products, rare earths
The facility, developed with IMMT and KIIT, will focus on recovering ferro-titanium alloy, metallic iron and rare earth elements, including scandium, from industrial residue
 "Nalco launches pilot plant to recover value-added products, rare earths")
Odisha govt unveils ₹1,000 crore relief package for flood-hit districts
Package covers crop, housing, livelihood and infrastructure losses as floods across five river systems affect more than 18 lakh people in 22 districts and claim 13 lives
 "Odisha govt unveils ₹1,000 crore relief package for flood-hit districts")
Odisha records 5,721 lightning deaths in 18 years, mineral belts hit hard
Researchers found higher fatalities in several mineral-rich districts and a strong link between population density and lightning mortality, calling for targeted mitigation
 "Odisha records 5,721 lightning deaths in 18 years, mineral belts hit hard")
Congress threatens Odisha Bandh over MMDR Bill, seeks special House session
The Congress alleges the MMDR Amendment Bill threatens Odisha's fiscal autonomy and mineral rights, and has sought an all-party meeting and a special Assembly session
 "Congress threatens Odisha Bandh over MMDR Bill, seeks special House session")
Why do Laxmanananda Saraswati and Dara Singh matter to the Odisha BJP?
Why do Laxmanananda Saraswati and Dara Singh matter to the Odisha BJP? Hemant Kumar Rout analyses
 "Why do Laxmanananda Saraswati and Dara Singh matter to the Odisha BJP?")
MMDR amendment sparks revenue fears, Odisha may lose over ₹1 trn dues
Industry and state-level estimates suggest Odisha could lose around Rs 12,000 crore in annual mineral-related revenue and over Rs 1 trillion in outstanding dues
 "MMDR amendment sparks revenue fears, Odisha may lose over ₹1 trn dues")
Naveen seeks special Assembly session over MMDR Bill, flags revenue risk
Naveen Patnaik has sought an all-party meeting and a special Assembly session, warning that the MMDR amendment could weaken Odisha's fiscal autonomy and mineral revenues
 "Naveen seeks special Assembly session over MMDR Bill, flags revenue risk")
Odisha offers 25% additional capex support for ISM-backed chip projects
The amended policy extends incentives to semiconductor equipment, chemicals, specialised gases, advanced materials and other critical supply-chain components
 "Odisha offers 25% additional capex support for ISM-backed chip projects")
Odisha Cabinet approves ₹12,458 cr to expand irrigation coverage by FY31
The Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Project will create additional irrigation potential of 262,275 hectares through 161 schemes across all districts of Odisha
 "Odisha Cabinet approves ₹12,458 cr to expand irrigation coverage by FY31")