Page 2 - Odisha Government

BJD MLAs disrupt Odisha assembly over alleged 'fertiliser scarcity'

BJD MLAs created ruckus in the Odisha assembly for the third consecutive day on Saturday over alleged fertiliser scarcity across the state, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings till 4 pm. The party MLAs, holding placards and banners highlighting the fertiliser crisis and farmers' distress in the state, trooped into the well of the House and demanded a full-fledged discussion on the issue. Meanwhile, the House made an obituary reference to former MLA George Tirkey, who died on Friday night. The opposition members continued to raise their voices against the state's BJP government and blamed it for the farmers' distress. Unable to run the House, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the proceedings till 4 pm. The BJD members demanded that the Speaker cancel all the business of the House, including Question Hour, and hold a detailed discussion on the alleged fertiliser scarcity in the state. They claimed that the alleged fertiliser scarcity was due to black marketing and hoardin

CM Manjhi launches 27 major industrial projects worth ₹25,308 crore

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday virtually performed the ground-breaking ceremony for 27 major industrial projects, which will bring a total investment of Rs 25,308 crore and generate 52,000 jobs. He asserted that Odisha was moving from "promise to performance, potential to prosperity". The projects would come up in 12 districts -- Angul, Rayagada, Jajpur, Cuttack, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Khurda, Puri, Bhadrak, Koraput, Jharsuguda and Ganjam. "Our industrialisation is inclusive as 27 of the 30 districts of the state now have industries," Majhi said. Majhi, who became the chief minister 15 months ago, claimed that his government, in the last 165 days, laid the foundation stone for 84 industries and attracted investment of Rs 5 lakh crore, of which Rs 2 lakk crore-investment has been materialised so far. He also claimed that employment opportunities have been created for 77,894 people, of whom 56,859 or 80 per cent are Odias. "No one can raise fingers at the state

Scarcity amid surplus: The paradox of India's fertiliser shortage

The urea 'shortage' reveals deeper problems: Supply mismanagement, black markets, and panic-driven demand surge

Odisha identifies 1K acres for semiconductor cluster; work to begin soon

Odisha govt to set up a 1,000-acre semiconductor cluster near Bhubaneswar airport, housing SiCSem and 3D Glass units; foundation stone for SiCSem to be laid in October

TCS to manage Odisha govt's AI-enabled integrated financial system

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Odisha government to design and implement Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) 3.0. The company has been working with the state government since 2005, beginning with the integrated Odisha Treasury Management System. This collaboration progressed through the implementation of IFMS, followed by IFMS 2.0, culminating in the launch of IFMS 3.0 the third generation of the solution, TCS said in a statement. As part of this programme, TCS will also implement its AI Workbench, an open-source solution designed to support AI/ML projects in designated operational areas, including model development, monitoring, and retraining, it said. This enables IFMS 3.0 to apply analytics and machine learning to decision-making and operational processes, with features such as multilingual chatbot interactions to enhance user experience. The assistant is developed to address FAQs, automate service desk procedures, and carry out functional tasks

Odisha 5th in green mobility in India, aims to expand e-bus fleet beyond 1K

The Odisha government on Friday said that the state ranks fifth in the country in green mobility, and the authorities have set an ambitious target to enhance its electric bus fleet to over 1,000 in the coming years. According to data, 14,329 e-buses are currently in operation across India, of which Delhi has the highest number of vehicles at 3,564, followed by Maharashtra (3,296), Karnataka (2,236), and Uttar Pradesh (850), according to an official statement. Odisha is in the fifth position among all states in the adoption of electric buses. Odisha has outpaced the neighbouring states in this field West Bengal (391), Andhra Pradesh (238), Chhattisgarh (215) and Jharkhand (46), it claimed. The central government, under various schemes, provides financial assistance to states to roll out e-buses. Odisha's Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has been proactive in leveraging this support, while also preparing for an ambitious expansion of services to Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar

Odisha govt nominates ex-CAG Girish Murmu, nine to Jagannath Temple panel

The Odisha government on Tuesday nominated 10 people, including former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Girish Chandra Murmu, to the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC). The appointments have been made under the provisions of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 (Odisha Act 11 of 1955), according to the notification issued by the Law department. The administration of Lord Jagannath's temple in Puri is under the Law department of the state government. The Gajapati Maharaja, the titular king of Puri, Dibya Singh Deb, is the permanent chairman of the SJTMC. The SJTMC is considered the apex body of the 12th-century shrine, and the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), who is an IAS officer, is the secretary of the SJTMC. Apart from Murmu, Chartered Accountant AK Sabat and eminent culture researcher Mahesh Kumar Sahoo have been nominated to the SJTMC. The other members nominated to the SJTMC are: Dr Siddheswar Mohapatra, ...

Odisha Governor meets ex-CM Naveen Patnaik, enquires about his health

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Monday visited the residence of BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik and enquired about his health. Patnaik, the 78-year-old leader, was released from a hospital here on August 20 after recovering from dehydration. The governor's visit to Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar was primarily aimed at enquiring about Patnaik's health and overall well-being, following his recent stay at a private hospital in the city, a statement released by Raj Bhavan said. They engaged in a cordial conversation lasting around 1520 minutes, it said. Patnaik, the leader of opposition in the Odisha assembly, shared updates on his health, and the interaction remained friendly and informal, the Raj Bhavan statement said. Taking to X, the Raj Bhavan said, Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati paid a visit to @Naveen_Odisha Leader of the Opposition, at his residence and enquired about his health. He offered prayers to Lord Jagannath for his speedy recovery, goo

Cabinet clears ₹9,814 cr projects for Kota-Bundi airport, Odisha ring road

Union Cabinet approves Rs 9,814 crore for new greenfield airport in Kota-Bundi and six-lane ring road connecting Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in Odisha, boosting infrastructure in Rajasthan and Odisha

Patnaik slams Odisha govt's decision to cancel Bhubaneswar Metro project

BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the Odisha government's decision to cancel the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project initiated during his tenure, saying the move will push the city 10 years back in terms of urban mobility and development. Patnaik's reaction came hours after it was reported that the state's BJP government had scrapped the Metro rail project contract with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Taking to social media on Saturday, Patnaik said, "Shocked to know that Bhubaneswar Metro Rail contracts have been cancelled by BJP led #Odisha Govt. It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world-class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world-class city." Stating that the project would have reshaped the way the state capital moves with Mo Bus and other last-mile connectivity, ...

Miscreants set 15-yr girl on fire in Odisha, victim undergoing treatment

A 15-year-old girl was set on fire by unidentified persons in Odisha's Puri district on Saturday, officials said. The girl was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a critical condition, and she has suffered 70 per cent burn injuries, but she is able to speak, they said. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is in charge of the Women and Child Development Department, said the government will bear the expenses of the girl's treatment and that the police have been asked to arrest the culprits as soon as possible. The incident took place at Bayabar village in Balanga police station area around 9 am when the girl was going to her friend's house. Preliminary investigation revealed that three unidentified motorcycle-borne youths intercepted her, forcibly took her to the banks of Bhargavi River, sprinkled an inflammable substance on her body, and set her on fire, a police officer said. The spot of the incident is around 1.5 km from her house at Nuagopalpur Bustee and around 5-7 km from Bala

Odisha observes bandh over Balasore student's self-immolation case

Shops remained shut and traffic was disrupted in many areas, including Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. In Bhadrak, markets were closed and public transport was affected

Odisha planning to include yoga in school curriculum, health schemes: CM

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said the state government is taking initiatives to include yoga in the school curriculum and public health programme as this helps create a healthy, self-reliant and efficient India. Addressing a state-level programme on the occasion of International Yoga Day at Kalinga Stadium here, he said yoga is not just a physical exercise but something that keeps the body, mind and soul active. The programme, organised by Odisha's Sports and Youth Affairs Department, was attended by over 10,000 people, including ministers, lawmakers, bureaucrats, students, women and others. In Odisha, we are making yoga available to everyone. We organise awareness campaigns on yoga in schools, colleges, hostels and sporting centres. We can also include yoga in school curriculum and public health programmes, the chief minister said. Majhi said that the awareness programmes on yoga teach people to maintain a healthy life. Though yoga has been practised in In

Schools to stay shut in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack due to PM Modi's visit

The Odisha government has announced a school holiday in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on June 20, 2025, due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to ensure smooth proceedings and events

Mohan Charan Majhi's govt puts industry on fast track, jobs trail in Odisha

While speaking to the media on June 10, Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to filling 150,000 vacant government positions over the next five years, in line with the BJP's election manifesto

Odisha govt suspends IAS officer Dhiman Chakma accused of taking bribe

The Odisha government on Tuesday placed IAS officer Dhiman Chakma under suspension, a day after he was sent to jail for allegedly taking bribe from a businessman, officials said. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered suspension of Shri Dhiman Chakma, Sub Collector, Dharamgarh with immediate effect, an official release said. Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, was on Sunday caught by sleuths of the vigilance department while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the businessman at Dharmagarah in Kalahandi district. It is further ordered that during the period of suspension, the headquarters of Shri Chakma is fixed at the GA&PG Department, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, and he shall not leave the said headquarters without prior permission, a notification issued by the General Administration Department said. He was arrested on Monday, and produced before a court, which rejected his bail petition. Chakma was sent to jail at Dharmagarh, but later shifted to a hospital .

Heavy rains lash Odisha, more downpour expected till May 30, says IMD

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha under the influence of a well marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, and more downpour is forecast in the state till May 30, the IMD said on Wednesday. It issued an Orange' alert (be prepared to take action) in five districts Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput and Rayagada where lightning and thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely during the period. The low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast became well marked over the same region at 0530 hrs IST of today. It is likely to move slowly northwards and concentrate into a depression during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. Under the influence of the weather system, Odisha will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till May 30, it said. The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea between May 29 and June 1. Rainfall is likely in all Odisha districts, said ...

Odisha aims to be India's growth engine over next 25 years: CM Majhi

Asserting that Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next 25 years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said that the state aspires to become a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Majhi said this while speaking at the NIITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. "I assure you Sir (PM), Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next twenty-five years," Majhi was quoted saying in a press release issued by the chief minister's office here. Noting that India's economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent in 2024-25, Majhi said: "During the same period with the double engine push, the state has grown at 7.2 per cent. I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister for visiting Odisha five times in the last 11 months which shows his commitment to the development of Odisha." While thanking the Centre for ...

Odisha govt sets 15-day deadline for fire safety inspection in hospitals

The Odisha government has asked officials to complete the fire safety inspection of government-run healthcare facilities in their respective areas in 15 days in the wake of fire incidents in some government and private hospitals during the past few months. Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S issued the instructions to fire officers, electrical inspectors, engineers of the roads and building department, and chief medical and public health officers during a meeting held last evening, a health department official said on Tuesday. During the meeting, Aswathy directed the officials to prioritise operation theatres (OTs), intensive care units (ICUs), special newborn care units (SNCUs), and heavy power load installations such as CT scan or MRI machines which are more prone to electrical incidents. She also directed to ensure proper and safe connections of the generators with the electrical wiring system in the buildings to prevent any possible short circuits. In the meeting it w

Odisha govt clears Rs 3,898 cr investment projects to create 7,400 jobs

The Odisha government on Friday approved 19 projects worth Rs 3,898 crore, which are expected to generate employment for over 7,400 people. According to an official statement, the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, has given its nod to the proposals spanning various sectors such as steel, iron & ferro alloys, industrial gases, logistics, food and beverage, agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, chemicals, metal downstream, and apparel and textile. The projects are proposed to be grounded in Angul, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Khurda, Koraput, Sambalpur and Sundargarh, it said. The state has approved the proposal of Sree Metaliks Limited to expand its integrated steel plant in Keonjhar with an investment of Rs 885 crore, it said. The proposal of Tata Steel to enhance its crude steel capacity from the proposed 6.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) to 7.1 MTPA with an additional investment of Rs .