Page 6 - Odisha Government

Odisha govt presents Rs 2.65 trn budget for FY25, renames several schemes

The BJP government in Odisha presented its maiden budget on Thursday with a total estimate of Rs 2.65 lakh crore for the 2024-25 fiscal, laying emphasis on agriculture and women empowerment. The size of the budget for the current financial year was around 15 per cent more than the budgetary estimate of Rs 2.30 lakh crore for the 2023-24 fiscal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said in the assembly. Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio, modified and renamed several popular schemes like KALIA, 'Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana' (BSKY) and 'Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana' (BPGY). He proposed an outlay of Rs 33,919 crore for agriculture, which is about 36 per cent more than the allocation made in the previous year. Of the total budget estimates, programme expenditure was pegged at Rs 1.55 lakh crore, administrative expenditure at Rs 97,725 crore and an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore for Disaster Risk Management Funds, he said. To ensure the speedy empowerment of women, as promised by the BJP in

Odisha govt asks transport officers to seize vehicles without fitness

The Odisha government has directed the transport authorities to seize vehicles, which are plying on roads without valid fitness certificates, and file cases. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur has issued a circular, asking officers to take action against owners of vehicles which are being operated without valid fitness and registration certificates, an official statement said on Tuesday. The directions have been issued to not only impose fines but also to seize such vehicles and file cases as per the law, it said. All deputy transport commissioners and regional transport officers (RTOs) have been instructed to intensify the process for inspection of fitness and registration certificates throughout the state. According to the Central Motor Vehicles Act 1988, transport vehicles must have valid registration and fitness certificates, and for non-transport vehicles to have valid registration documents. Despite repeated awareness campaigns, some vehicle owners have been found violati

Nothing wrong in UP police diktat to display names of shopkeepers: Manjhi

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday asserted that he saw "nothing wrong" with fruit sellers along the 'Kanwar Yatra' route in Uttar Pradesh being asked to display their names at their stalls. Manjhi was responding to journalists' questions about the controversial UP police directive, which has faced criticism from the opposition and some BJP allies, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Union Minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha, said, "I cannot speak for other parties, but I see nothing wrong with such an order. What is the harm if people involved in businesses are asked to display their names and addresses prominently?" "In fact, such display only makes it easy for buyers to spot a favourite stall. It is wrong to view the episode through the prism of religion", said Manjhi, who made his parliamentary debut, at a ripe age of 79, in the recent elections. Manjhi's stance on the issue differs

BJP govt renames Biju Patnaik Sports Award to Odisha Rajya Krida Samman

The newly elected BJP government has renamed Biju Patnaik Sports Award as Odisha Rajya Krida Samman'. Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department on Friday issued guidelines for the Rajya Krida Samman' which will be awarded in eight categories annually, subject to availability of suitable candidates. The cash rewards remain unchanged. According to the guidelines, the lifetime achievement award for promoting sports will carry a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, while Rs 2 lakh will be awarded for outstanding performance in sports, and Rs 1 lakh for excellence in coaching. Similarly, a cash award of Rs 1 lakh will be given in each of the following categories - best contribution to sports promotion, excellence in sports journalism, para-sports person of the year, upcoming athlete of the year (junior category), and sports technical official/support staff of the year. The award recipient must be a resident of Odisha and free of any criminal convictions. It will be conferred only once per lifetim

Puri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar opens after 46 years: What's inside?

Ratna Bhandar is the treasure trove of the 12th-century Puri-based Jagannath Temple that has been in much discussion since the recently concluded Odisha Assembly elections

Former Odisha minister Surendra Nath Naik passes away at 87 due to illness

Former Odisha minister and senior BJD leader Surendra Nath Naik died here on Friday morning, his family said. He was 87. Naik was suffering from age-related ailments and died at his residence here, his family said. He was elected to the Odisha Assembly seven times from the Kakatpur constituency on Utkal Congress, Janata Dal and BJD tickets between 1971 and 2009. Naik had served as the minister of several departments, including excise, revenue, agriculture, school and mass education and panchayati raj under the leadership of Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Speaker Surama Padhi and several others paid floral tribute to the politician in the state assembly. Majhi said Odisha has "lost a tall leader and the vacuum created by his demise will remain unfilled". He expressed condolences to the bereaved family of Naik. In a post on X, Singh Deo said, Heartfelt condolences on the passing of

Govt forms panel to oversee reopening of Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple

The Odisha government has formed a fresh high-level committee to supervise the reopening of Ratna Bhandar of Puri's Jagannath temple for repair and inventory of valuables stored inside the treasury. Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, in a press conference on Thursday night, said that the panel has been formed in accordance with the direction of the Orissa High Court in this regard. In March this year, the previous BJD government had formed a 12-member committee led by retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Arijit Pasayat, to supervise the inventory of jewellery and other valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar. The BJP government has dissolved the Justice Pasayat-led panel and formed the fresh committee. "A high-level committee is hereby reconstituted, under the chairmanship of Justice Biswanath Rath, to supervise the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in carrying out the inventorisation of valuables including jewelleries stored in the Ratna Bhandar," a ...

Odisha CM Majhi urges Jaishankar to establish UAE consulate in state

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for a UAE consulate in the state. Majhi raised the demand while meeting Jaishankar at his residence in New Delhi. The meeting was also attended by Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Since many people from Odisha are working in Dubai, a UAE consulate will be very helpful, Majhi said. He also drew the attention of Jaishankar to the eight people from Odisha stranded in Dubai and sought his support for their safe return. Jaishankar promised the CM that he would take urgent steps in this regard, the statement said. Majhi also discussed measures to attract foreign tourists to the state, including the setting up of an international tourism centre. Later, the CM met Union Health Minister JP Nadda, whom he urged for setting up medical colleges in those districts of the state that don't have one. Expansio

Odisha govt asks collectors to be prepared for possible flood situation

The Odisha government has asked all district collectors and municipal commissioners to remain fully prepared for probable flood situation in the monsoon season. In a letter to all collectors and municipal commissioners, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu on Monday said IMD has forecasted that an intense spell of rainfall due to active monsoon would occur throughout the state from June 26. "As a result, there may be instances of flash floods, flood like situation, waterlogging and landslides at different locations. Keeping this in mind, you are requested to take immediate action," Sahu told the collectors. He said the field-level functionaries should not leave the headquarters and they should be deployed in strategic locations of flash flood or waterlogging and ready to meet any eventuality. As low-lying areas in urban pockets may have waterlogging and roads may be submerged, the SRC directed the urban local bodies (ULBs) to keep the drains and storm water channels ..

New Odisha govt seeks higher allocation of funds for infra development

The new BJP government in Odisha has submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking the expansion of Paradip port, a second AIIMS at Sambalpur and higher allocation of funds to further accelerate infrastructure development in the state. The memorandum was submitted by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo who attended the meeting of finance ministers of the states before the Union Budget. The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday. The Odisha government memorandum sought higher allocation under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SACI), 2024-25 to further accelerate infrastructure development, an official release said. Apart from the demand for the establishment of a second AIIMS at Sambalpur, the state government also sought expeditious completion of National Highways, specifically the Coastal Highway and Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) projects, in Odisha. The new BJP government in Odisha also .

Odisha CM Majhi asks officers for timely completion of irrigation projects

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed the officers of the Water Resources department for timely completion of the ongoing irrigation projects. Holding a meeting with the top officers of the department, the chief minister also directed them to manage water efficiently during the delayed monsoon period. He advised the officials to be in a state of preparedness for managing possible flood situation during the ensuing monsoon, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a statement. Stressing that the improvement of the status of the farmers of the state is a top priority of his government, Majhi said that the Water Resources department has a key role to play in making water available to farmers, it said. He further exhorted all the officers of the department to work with utmost sincerity, transparency and dedication to ensure greater benefit for farmers. Development Commissioner Anu Garg, who is also the additional chief secretary (ACS) of the Water Resources ...

Will ensure medical help to boy suffering from rare disease: Odisha CM

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday asked the district administration of Bhadrak to provide immediate health assistance to Babuli Barik, a minor boy suffering from a rare disease. Majhi also told officials concerned to provide Rs 30,000 from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to his family members, according to an official statement. Babuli, 14, is suffering from a rare disease called Traumatic Neuro Motor Disorder and his parents are unable to pay for proper treatment of the minor, it said. As per the direction of Majhi, a team of doctors went to Babuli's village in Madhapur for a check-up, following which he has been referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for further treatment, the statement said. The district administration has also been asked to be in touch with the family.

Odisha CM Majhi allocates portfolios to ministers, keeps home, finance

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday allocated portfolios to his council of ministers, keeping home, finance and several other departments to himself, according to an order issued by the Raj Bhavan. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo was given the charge of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment and Energy departments. The other deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, a debutant MLA and the lone female in the 16-member council of ministers, has been assigned Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism department. Majhi was sworn in as the state's first BJP chief minister here on Wednesday. The other departments which are also held by the chief minister are general administration and public grievances, information and public relations, water resources and planning and convergence. Veteran BJP leader Suresh Pujari was allocated Revenue and Disaster Management, while Rabi Narayan Naik, a farmer leader, was given Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking ...

CBI probes alleged certificate forgery in Odisha postal recruitment

Searches at over 67 locations have been conducted across various districts of Odisha, including Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak

News updates: US Fed leaves interest rates unchanged at 5.25%-5.5% again

From the oath-taking ceremonies scheduled in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Pakistan's annual budget, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

BJP legislature party to meet today to choose Odisha's new CM: Leader

A week after the announcement of the assembly poll results in Odisha where the BJP got a majority in the 147-member House, its legislature party in the state is all set to hold its first meeting on Tuesday to select the chief minister, a saffron camp leader said. Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi said the meeting will take place at 4:30 pm at the BJP's state headquarters. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav reached Bhubaneswar to attend the meeting as observers, he said. On June 4, the BJP secured a majority by winning 78 of the 147 assembly seats. As Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan became a minister in the third Narendra Modi government, the focus is now on Suresh Pujari, who was elected from Brajarajnagar assembly seat and BJP's Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal, another party leader said. Even though Samal was defeated in the assembly elections in the Chandbali seat by a margin of 1,916 votes, his name was being considered for the chief minister's post as he contribu

BJP appoints Rajnath, Bhupendra Yadav to oversee selection of new Odisha CM

The BJP has appointed Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav to oversee selection of the new chief minister of Odisha, a senior leader said on Monday. The saffron party on June 4 secured a majority by winning 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly. However, the party is yet to choose a leader who will be at the helm of the state. According to Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, the BJP's Odisha in-charge, the legislature party meeting will be held on Tuesday and the new government will take oath on June 12. Experienced leaders led by newly-appointed observers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav will hold a discussion with the legislators, MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, told reporters on his return from New Delhi on Monday. While the chance of senior Odisha MP Dharmendra Pradhan becoming the next chief minister of the state seems bleak after his induction into the Modi 3.0 government, the focus is now on Brajarajnagar MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, who returned from New Delhi on Monday. Beside

Puri firecracker explosion: 2 more succumb to burns, toll mounts to 11

The death toll in the explosion of a stockpile of firecrackers in Odisha's Puri mounted to 11 after two of the injured people died, a senior official said on Sunday. Nineteen people are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Altogether 30 people were injured in the explosion that happened during Lord Jagannath's 'Chandan Yatra', a ritual, on the night of May 29. Two more persons died in the tragedy in Puri. The total death toll increased to 11. Presently, 19 patients are under medical treatment in different hospitals, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said in a statement. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP's Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra met family members of the deceased on Saturday evening. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered an inquiry into the accident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The Puri collector has taken steps for the payment of ex-gratia,

LS polls: BJP candidate arrested for allegedly vandalising EVM in Odisha

A BJP candidate was arrested in Odisha's Khurda district for allegedly vandalising an EVM as he had to wait in queue for a long to cast his vote because the machine malfunctioned, officials said on Sunday. Prashant Jagdev, the BJP MLA of Chilika, has been fielded this time from the Khurda assembly segment. The incident happened on Saturday at booth 114 in Bolagad block's Kaunripatna in the Begunia assembly segment where he is registered as a voter. Jagdev went to the booth along with his wife, but as the EVM malfunctioned, he had to wait for some time to cast his vote. Soon, a war of words broke out between him and the presiding officer, amid which he allegedly pulled the EVM from the table, as a result of which it fell and broke, officials said. Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said the MLA was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the presiding officer. A court later sent him to judicial custody, and at present, he is lodged at the Khurda jail, officials said. Bes

Odisha has made up mind for change, difficult for BJD to survive: PM Modi

Eyeing major gains for the BJP in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he is witnessing a high intensity of anti-incumbency against the state's ruling Biju Janata Dal, making it very difficult for the regional party to survive. In the eastern state for another day of hectic campaigning, Modi told PTI Videos in an interview late Sunday that people have made up their mind for a change in Odisha, where the assembly polls are being held alongside the parliamentary elections. People will vote positively for the BJP in choosing a government at the Centre, he said, adding that a section of society will do negative voting due to the anti- incumbency for the state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Modi said, "We will win the elections on the basis of people's faith. Even though we don't have a big face, we are still the second largest party in the Assembly. In Lok Sabha also, we have been at number two. My party has worked very hard in the last five years to reach ...