Page 3 - Odisha Government

Odisha CM Majhi disburses Rs 900 cr to 1.8 mn women under Subhadra scheme

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday disbursed Rs 5,000 each to over 18 lakh women beneficiaries under Subhadra Yojana in the 4th phase of the first instalment in the state. Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Majhi disbursed about Rs 900 crore through direct bank transfer (DBT) system at a function held in Jajpur district. With this, a total of over 98 lakh women have received Rs 5,000 each under the Subhadra Yojana launched by the BJP government in Odisha. Fulfilling the promise, the people's government has provided direct assistance to the beneficiaries through DBT, which has played a significant role in strengthening their financial condition, he said. The chief minister said this scheme is fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the mother power of the state and is helping to build a prosperous Odisha. I believe that all the beneficiaries can empower themselves and strengthen their economic status through sm

Odisha govt to construct 15,000 km of roads every year, says PWD minister

The BJP government in Odisha has set a target of constructing 15,000 km of roads every year, Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said. A total of 75,000 km of roads will be constructed in the state over the next five years, he said after chairing a meeting of the department on Friday. A policy on improvement of road communication will also be formulated and address various issues, including reducing road accidents, he said. Harichandan said that to address the problem of roads being dug regularly for laying water pipes, electricity lines, telephone and internet cables, special utility corridors will be built. The policy will also address concerns regarding cutting trees for road construction, he said. It will also mention construction methods and standards for short, medium and long bridges, the minister said. "As problems arise in land acquisition while building roads in rural areas, there will be a special financial provision to resolve this," he said. "Not only new r

Odisha looks beyond temple tourism, sets eyes on destination weddings

Looking beyond temple tourism and Buddhist circuits, the Odisha government is now eying to promote the state for destination weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism. The state has a lot to offer when it comes to the tourism sector. It has a long coastline, beautiful temples, wildlife, natural beauty, ecotourism destinations, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and dams. Domestic tourists visit these sites around the year, an officer said. As the state seeks to evolve beyond its traditional offerings, it is positioning itself to become a premier hub for high-profile weddings and business events, rivalling the likes of Rajasthan's royal cities, Goa and Kerala, the officer from the state tourism department said. The department has decided to promote popular beach towns such as Puri and Konark in Puri district and Gopalpur in Ganjam district as sites for destination weddings, big meetings and conferences, tourism director Samarth Verma told PTI. "These plac

12 suspected Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter, total 36 in 2025

The Odisha Police suggested that the actual number of Maoist casualties could be higher and confirmed the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition

Our goal is to make Odisha prosperous state by 2036, says CM Majhi

He emphasised that the state government is fully committed to achieving these objectives

Odisha, Singapore sign MoU to establish FinTech hub in Bhubaneswar

The Government of Odisha's Electronics and IT Department and Singapore's Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) signed an MoU to establish a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneshwar to foster FinTech collaboration, with a focus on developing an inclusive and sustainable InsureTech and related areas.The MoU was signed during the official visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha on Friday, according to a press release by GFTN. Tharman is on the State Visit to India from January 14 to 18. The initiative marks another positive step commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore in 2025.Commenting on the MoU, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, Odisha aims to leverage GFTN's global expertise and resources to drive innovation and create tailored Fintech solutions in the state."Odisha has emerged as a leader in India's IT sector and now aims to diversify its services sector. The state is fostering innovation and ...

Odisha to sign eight MoUs during Singapore President's two-day visit

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is scheduled to visit Odisha for two days starting Friday, during which at least eight MoUs will be signed between the island country and the coastal state. The Singapore President's visit is coming to Odisha just days ahead of the business conference 'Utkarsh Odisha: Make-in-Odisha conclave', slated for January 28 and 29. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, MPs, and officials, President Shanmugaratnam will arrive in Bhubaneswar at 11.30 am. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, other ministers and senior officials will meet him in a hotel later. In the afternoon, he will attend signing of the MoU seeking to extend cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to further enhance the skill development ecosystem, particularly for the semiconductor industry in the state. Another MoU will be signed between Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development (IDCO) and Sembcorp, Singapore. For the

Odisha govt issues notification for implementation of NEP in schools

The Odisha government on Wednesday issued a notification for implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in all schools of the state. The government also decided to adopt the National Curriculum Framework with local contextualization. After careful consideration, in the interest of strengthening the educational system in the state, the government is pleased to order that the National Education Policy 2020, as issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, will be implemented in the state of Odisha, read the notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department. Notably, the state government had, in November last year, announced the implementation of the NEP in all state-run universities and affiliated colleges from the current academic year. The state Higher Education Department had issued a notification for implementation of the NEP in all undergraduate (UG) courses offered by higher education institutions under the administrative control

We have sanctioned investments of Rs 2.5 trn, says Odisha CM Majhi at PBD

We are organising a Make In Odisha conclave, they are in touch with us that they will invest in Odisha, CM Majhi said

PM Modi launches Pravasi Bharatiya Express; check route, destinations, more

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express tourist train for the Indian diaspora was launched today. Connecting the diaspora with their historical and cultural roots is the goal of the project

Odisha aims to be a leading aviation hub, focus on MRO facilities: Official

In a bid to establish Odisha as a leader in India's aviation industry, the state government has started consultation to develop maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities here, an official said on Tuesday. A high-level stakeholder consultation, hosted by the Commerce and Transport Department, was held on Monday and attendees deliberated on the development of MRO in the state. Our goal is to establish Odisha as a leader in India's aviation industry. We are developing bespoke policies and offering substantial incentives and skill development programmes to empower local talent and ensure sustained industrial growth. This initiative is a pivotal step towards achieving the vision of a Viksit Odisha, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, who presided over the meeting, said. The focus has been on innovation, infrastructure and industrial growth to create a robust aviation ecosystem, he said. Commerce and Transport Department Principal Secretary Usha Padhee said the effort is made to bring .

Double-engine govt a 'double blow': Patnaik slams BJP over price rise

Patnaik criticised the BJP governments at both the state and Centre. He accused them of failing to control the sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities

Will return money of Urban Cooperative Bank's depositors, says Odisha CM

He said the government has decided to take up 54 programmes under the cooperative sector

NTPC to establish green hydrogen infrastructure in Odisha under MoU

State-run power giant NTPC on Monday said it has signed an initial pact with GRIDCO and CRUT to set up green hydrogen infrastructure in Odisha. NTPC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GRIDCO, a Government of Odisha undertaking for Energy and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), the public transit agency of the state government, on Monday, as per a statement. The tripartite MoU intends to further green energy technologies in Odisha, especially green hydrogen mobility scheme. As per the MoU, NTPC will set up a green hydrogen fuelling station in Bhubaneswar, along with hydrogen buses for short-haul and long-haul operations. This will open an option of phasing out fossil fuel buses in favour clean and green fuels, bringing decarbonisation and energy security. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has contributed partially for setting up of the project in Bhubaneswar. The NTPC is operating the green hydrogen blending project in Surat for the last two years and has

Odisha 2nd in India for max increase in green cover inside forest area

Odisha has ranked second in the country for maximum increase in green cover inside recorded forest area, according to the latest India State of Forest Report-2023. Published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, the report, which was released by Union forest minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday, provides a detailed assessment of the nation's forest and tree resources. According to the report, Odisha reported an increase of 118.17 sq km of forest inside the recorded forest area, while Mizoram was at the top position with an increase of 192.92 sq km. Karnataka recorded an increase of 93.14 sq km of forest, West Bengal (64.79 sq km), and neighbouring Jharkhand's growth was 52.72 sq km. In combined forest and tree cover, the state recorded a growth of 558.57 sq km and secured third position in the country. Chhattisgarh topped the list with an increase of 684 sq km, followed by Uttar Pradesh (559.19 sq km). Rajasthan was in fourth position with a 394 sq km rise, th

Raise voice against BJP's 'anti-people' policies: Former Odisha CM Patnaik

Ahead of BJD's 28th foundation day on December 26, its chief Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged members to remain dedicated to serving the people of Odisha, while the party announced a mass demonstration in Bhubaneswar on January 6 to highlight the price rise of essential commodities and other issues. Patnaik asked party supporters to "raise voice against the BJP government's 'anti-people' policies" and also highlight the impact of high inflation, which hits the poor and middle class. "The party leaders and workers need to create awareness among people on the state BJP government's failure in checking price rise of essential commodities and in fulfilling the promises made to the people," the BJD president said. In an open letter to all the party functionaries, Patnaik said the BJD's 28th foundation day "will be observed in all the assembly constituencies." Noting that the regional party is "totally dedicated to the service of people of Odisha since 27 years," Patnaik said though the

Singapore High Commissioner Wong meets Odisha CM Majhi to discuss ties

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is expected to visit India in January, during which he will also visit Odisha

59,000 fell victim to online trading fraud in Odisha over 6 yrs: CM Manjhi

More than 59,000 people became victims of online trading frauds in Odisha during the last six years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly on Monday. In a written statement, Majhi said 769 online trading fraud cases were reported in the state between 2019 and November 2024 and 59,437 people were victims of such frauds. Most of the online trading fraud cases reported in 2023 and 2024. Altogether 190 cases involving cheating of 18,994 people were reported in 2023, while 40,270 people were cheated in 472 cases the next year, the chief minister said in question of Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati. In 2023, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha police registered four online trading fraud cases against cyber criminals, who allegedly cheated 18,804 people, he said. Similarly, the EOW has registered three such cases in the current year, in which 40,219 people were cheated during online trading, Majhi said. Stating that steps have been taken to control online trad

Odisha Govt deploys special teams to check illegal paddy inflow into state

The Odisha government has deployed special enforcement teams in various districts to curb the illegal inflow of paddy from neighbouring states during the procurement season, the state government said on Friday. So far, 84 enforcement teams have been deployed in various districts, including 10 in Bargarh district and 21 in Sambalpur district, it said. While the central government's minimum support price (MSP) for paddy is Rs 2,300 per quintal, the state government has announced an additional Rs 800 per quintal as assistance to farmers. This has triggered concerns that some traders may attempt to bring paddy from other states to sell it in Odisha at a higher price. The government has set a target of procuring 80 lakh tonnes of paddy during the current Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25. According to the statement, the teams will monitor vehicles entering Odisha with paddy from neighboring states, as well as vehicles moving from mandis (paddy procurement centres) to mills and ...

DGP conference: Odisha Police on high alert over possible security threats

Odisha Police has made extensive security arrangements to tackle any potential threats ahead of the three-day All India DGP/IGP conference beginning here on Friday. The national conference is scheduled to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other dignitaries, officials said. In response to queries about a purported threat issued by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to disrupt the meet, Additional Director General (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar told PTI, "We are aware of all the threats and have made extensive security arrangements. We will ensure that no untoward incidents take place." On the specifics of security measures, Kumar said around 80 platoons (1 platoon consists of 30 personnel) of Odisha Police, along with 10 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), including CRPF and BSF personnel, have been deployed at key locations. "The meeting venue and other important places are secured with three-tier security, while