Odisha Govt

Odisha govt clears ₹1.65 trn investment proposals, to create 50K jobs

The Odisha government on Thursday approved 10 investment proposals, including those of Vedanta Ltd and JSW Steel, worth over Rs 1.65 lakh crore, having the potential to create over 50,000 jobs, a statement said. The approvals were given at a meeting of the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Among the projects for which approval was given was Vedanta Ltd's two projects in the Rayagada district. The mining major will invest Rs 50,537 crore for setting up a 6-mtpa alumina refinery, and Rs 40,991 crore for a greenfield 1.2-mtpa aluminium smelter. The HLCA approved JSW Steel Ltd's Rs 35,000 crore investment proposal for a 5-mtpa integrated steel plant in Keonjhar. It also approved Shyam Steel's 1.5-mtpa integrated steel plant worth Rs 5,200 crore in Bhadrak. Approval was also given to OCL Iron and Steel Ltd's Rs 3,000-crore integrated steel plant, which has a capacity of 1.2 mtpa, in Keonjhar. Orissa Thermal Energy Ltd's 2,400-mw (3 x

Odisha reports 3 child marriages daily, Nabarangpur dist leads: Govt data

Odisha has reported at least three such cases every day during the last six years, despite several initiatives taken by the administration, according to government data. Activists working in this field attribute tribal practice, dowry, migration of labourer families and parents' fear that daughters may elope to this startling figure. The data reveals that 8,159 child marriages have taken place across Odisha from 2019 to February 2025. Of them, 1,347 cases have been reported from Nabarangpur, the highest among all 30 districts of Odisha during that period. While Ganjam district is in the second spot with 966 cases, Koraput comes next with 636. It was followed by Mayurbhanj (594), Rayagada (408), Balasore (361), Keonjhar (328), Kandhamal (308) and Nayagarh (308). The lowest of 57 such instances have been found in Jharsuguda district in those six years. Social activist Namrata Chadha said, Child marriage cannot be fully stopped overnight. We have to create such an environment and soc

CM Majhi sets 85% expenditure target for Odisha in 2024-25 fiscal year

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has set a target of spending 85 per cent of the budget estimates for 2024-25 fiscal against an expenditure of 81 per cent achieved in 2023-24, an official statement said. Majhi, who also holds the Finance portfolio, set this target while reviewing the expenditure of different departments on Thursday. Though the expenditure was affected due to the elections, government transition, and budget presentation in September, Majhi said spending was apparently satisfactory. "To meet the target, Majhi advised ministers to approve expenditure proposals and clear pending payments under welfare schemes", the statement issued by the CMO said. Stating that Odisha's 6.1 per cent allocation of its Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) to capital expenditure is the highest in the country, the chief minister said programme expenditure and capital expenditure were crucial for the overall growth. The statement said the expenditure was good in the departments of ...

Iron structure collapses in Odisha cement plant, workers feared trapped

Some workers were suspected to have been trapped under the debris after a coal hopper, a big iron structure, collapsed inside a cement factory at Rajgangpur in Odisha's Sundargarh district on Thursday, police said. The incident occurred in the factory when over a dozen labourers were working near the site, a senior officer said. After getting information, local police rushed to the spot and helped remove the debris. The coal hopper suddenly fell down. We are at the spot now. The debris is being removed with the help of cranes. So far no casualty or injury has been reported. But, we suspect that some workers might have been trapped inside the debris as labourers usually work under the structure, Rajgangpur Police Station inspector-in-charge Manaranjan Pradhan told PTI. Soon after the incident, workers and family members of those who were working at the site gathered outside the plant. The family members of some workers alleged that the labourers were not responding to their ...

Odisha joins Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme, signs MoU with Centre

The Centre's flagship health scheme will run in convergence with the state's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY)

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 .

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

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

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 ...

PM Modi to attend all India DGP/IGP conference in Odisha's Bhubaneswar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the all India conference of director generals/inspector generals of police in Bhubaneswar for two days starting Saturday. The Prime Minister's Office said the three-day conference, which begins on Friday, will include deliberations on critical components of national security, including counter terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, coastal security, new criminal laws and narcotics. The conference, it said, will provide an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators in the country to freely discuss and debate diverse national security-related issues besides various operational, infrastructural and welfare-related problems faced by police. Its deliberations will include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control, and law and order management, besides internal security threats. The statement noted Modi has encouraged organising the annual confere

Odisha govt rejects IAS Sujata R Karthikeyan's leave extension application

The Odisha government has rejected an application of senior IAS officer Sujata R Karthikeyan for extension of child care leave (CCL) and asked her to join the duty, an official said on Wednesday. Karthikeyan is the wife of V K Pandian who was a close aide of former chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The General Administration and Public Grievance department through a letter on Tuesday informed Karthikeyan to join duty on Wednesday as her application for an extension of child care leave has not been accepted by the government, the official said. "I am directed to invite a reference to your letter of dated 04.11.2024 (sanction of extension of CCL for six months from November 27) and say that after careful consideration, your leave application for extension of CCL is not acceded to. You are, therefore, requested to join on 27.11.2024 i.e. after availing of the CCL from 31.05.2024 to 26.11.2024," said letter issued by Manoj Mohanty, additional secretary, General Administration and Public .

Subhadra Yojana's third phase to launch on Nov 24: Odisha dy CM Parida

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the scheme will be launched in Sundargarh district, highlighting that it will benefit more than 2 million women

Odisha govt approves investment of Rs 3,353 crore in various sectors

The Odisha government on Friday gave its nod to 15 new industrial projects with a total investment of Rs 3,353 crore, which is expected to generate 4,637 jobs. The approvals came during a meeting of the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. These projects cover a wide range of sectors, including Chemical/Renewable Energy, Steel, Aluminium, Food Processing, Manufacturing, Textile & Apparel, Tourism, Pharmaceuticals, and Cement. They will be implemented across several districts, such as Koraput, Khurda, Baragarh, Puri, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda. In the chemical/renewable energy sector, Reliance Bio Energy Limited will set up a compressed bio-gas and organic manure plant in Puri with an investment of Rs 121.21 crore. The project is expected to create 69 jobs, officials said. In the steel sector, Beekay Steel Industries Ltd. plans to invest Rs 750 crore in Cuttack, expanding its operations with sponge iron, billets, ferro alloys,

News updates: Modi govt committed to building terror-free India, says Amit Shah

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Majhi unveils web portal for Odisha vision document, seeks people's opinion

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has unveiled the logo and web portal for the state's vision document and urged people to give suggestions and opinions for development. The realisation of a dream of building a developed Odisha will play an important role in making a developed India by 2047, he said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country today is progressing on the development path. Special emphasis is being given to Odisha as part of the Mission Purvodaya, Majhi said. The CM on Wednesday unveiled the web portal Bikasita Bharat pain bikasita Odisha (developed Odisha in developed India) that sought inputs from people for the vision document. Our government is requesting intellectuals, organisations, educators and non-resident Odias to give their suggestions and opinions for the development of the state. Their opinion will be included in the vision document in the coming days and will be discussed, he said. The proposals will be assessed and ...

Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in Odisha's 14 districts from Oct 23-25

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in Odisha in the upcoming week as Cyclone Dana is expected landfall on October 24

Rising food prices cuts lunch options for poor school kids in India: Poll

A case in point is 8-year old Ranjit Nayak, who lives in Ghugudipada village, 150 kilometres from Bhubaneshwar, the capital city of the eastern Indian state of Odisha

Boundary walls to washrooms: Odisha issues new safety policy for doctors

In response to the Kolkata rape and murder case, the Odisha government has introduced new safety measures at hospitals, colleges, and hostels

Illicit drug trade not only domestic but a global challenge: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the illegal narcotics trade is not only a challenge for India but also a global issue, stressing that the country can fight the menace if it pursues with determination and strategy. Addressing a meeting at a hotel in Nava Raipur on the scenario of narcotics substances in Chhattisgarh, Shah emphasised the need to adopt four formulas of drug detection, network destruction, culprit detention and addict rehabilitation in achieving success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to make the country drug-free in 2047 when the 100th year of the country's independence will be celebrated and gradually the resolution has become the resolution of the 130 crore population. I believe that the resolution of a drug-free India is very important in making a prosperous, safe and glorious India, Shah said. The illicit drug trade is not only a challenge for India but also a global issue, he said, pitching for the need to raise awareness of this menace. If

Upholding pride, Odisha to reach pinnacle of development: CM Majhi

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said the state has embarked on a journey for change and development while upholding its Ashmita' (pride). After hoisting the Tricolour and taking a salute from the security forces during the Independence Day celebration at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here, Majhi also announced several development programmes. Today is a very important day for Odisha. The state has embarked on a path of change. The people of Odisha have left the path of propaganda," the chief minister said. This is the first Independence Day function under the BJP government in the state. While paying tribute to the great sons and daughters of the soil who sacrificed for the nation, Majhi said, Odisha has vowed to reach the pinnacle of development with Asmita (pride) and Swaviman (self-respect)." Noting that he does not believe in showing big dreams to the people, Majhi said he is committed to fulfil promises made to the state. For the sake of my land, I know how to