Page 6 - Odisha

BJD to raise Odisha textbook errors, govt's failures in monsoon session

The BJD will raise Odisha textbook errors, alleged failures of the BJP government, price rise, law and order, coal royalty and MPLADS utilisation during Parliament's monsoon session

Gopalpur special economic zone emerges as eastern India's green energy hub

Driven by Tata Steel SEZ, Gopalpur industrial park has attracted over Rs 65,000 crore of investments across green hydrogen, solar, specialty chemicals and advanced manufacturing

Odisha ranks 5th among states in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index

Odisha has been ranked fifth among states in NITI Aayog's recent Investment Friendliness Index, which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Maji termed a reflection of his government's commitment to transparent governance, industry-friendly policies and efficient service delivery. With an overall score of 52.4, the state is placed next to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa in the "top performers" category. According to an official statement, the NITI Aayog report identifies these five states as leaders in fostering a conducive investment environment. The Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) is India's first comprehensive, evidence-based framework for evaluating the investment ecosystem of all states and Union territories. It assesses performance across eight critical pillars -- infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health and environmental resilience -- to benchmark states and promote competitive and ...

Odisha targets recovery of 60,426 acres of land, eyes ₹10K cr temple corpus

The state has directed officials to expedite land cases, verify historical records and settle eligible encroachments to create a Rs 10,000 crore temple corpus

Odisha signs IFC agreement to build ₹20,000 crore PPP project pipeline

The state will work with the World Bank Group's private-sector arm to develop around 20 bankable infrastructure projects across key sectors through the PPP model

Women cash transfer schemes: Bigger budgets, but are outcomes also better?

As more states roll out cash transfer schemes for women, a new study shows the real question is not how much they spend, but what outcomes they deliver

One dead, many ill in crowd surge during Rath Yatra in Puri

One person died and many others fell ill in a temporary crowd surge during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Odisha's Puri on Thursday, official sources said. In an unrelated incident, another person died of cardiac arrest, they said. Lakhs of devotees joined the annual Rath Yatra festival in the seaside temple town. The 'Pahandi' ritual, the ceremonial procession of the sibling deities -- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath -- is currently underway. Health department officials were yet to react to the death and injuries. Inspector General Fire Services Umashaknar Dash said there was a heavy rush of people at Grand Road or Bada Danda on which the chariots roll down to Shree Gundicha Temple, considered the birthplace of the deities. "So far, we have rescued almost 100 people who felt suffocated in the crowd. We have taken them to temporary hospitals and ambulances. That has given relief to devotees," Dash told reporters. Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik said he w

CCEA clears ₹3,907-cr railway expansion projects in Odisha, Jharkhand

The CCEA has approved two railway expansion projects worth Rs 3,907 crore in Odisha and Jharkhand to enhance line capacity, ease congestion and improve freight movement

Odisha clears new farm market law to widen buyer access for farmers

Odisha has approved a new farm marketing law to create a unified statewide market, expand buyer access, promote digital trading and improve price realisation for farmers

Odisha clears ₹32,000-cr rural infra push ahead of 2027 Panchayat polls

The Odisha Cabinet has approved a ₹32,000 crore package for rural roads, bridges and connectivity, covering 35,000 km of roads and 3,167 bridges over five years

Ex-SCERT chief held in Odisha textbook case; Crime Branch pegs ₹175 cr loss

Crime Branch arrested former SCERT director Manoj Kumar Padhy over alleged negligence in publishing error-ridden NEP textbooks, pegging the loss to the state at Rs 175 crore

Odisha secures ₹1 trillion Hudco term loans for urban transformation

Hudco will extend term loans of up to Rs 1 trillion over five years to support housing, urban infrastructure and sustainable development projects across Odisha

Odisha cracks whip on iron ore grade manipulation, 65 mines served notices

The Odisha government has issued show-cause notices to 65 mining leaseholders after inspections allegedly found large-scale iron ore grade manipulation, causing revenue losses

Odisha panchayats face fiscal reset as state adopts 16th FC reforms

Officials said the proposed measures intended to improve the financial health of local bodies and help them undertake development works with greater financial independence

BJP or BJD? Odisha's investment surge rekindles the battle for credit

Odisha's investment surge has revived debate over whether it reflects the BJP's execution or the BJD's long-built industrial foundations

CM Mohan Majhi orders crime branch probe into Odisha textbook fiasco

The move comes two weeks after the government suspended four officials of the directorate of TE and SCERT, including the then director, and initiated disciplinary proceedings against six others

Aditya Birla Group proposes ₹12,000 cr expansion of Odisha alumina refinery

The fresh investment will expand Hindalco's greenfield Kansariguda alumina refinery in Rayagada from 1 mtpa to 3 mtpa, taking the total project cost to ₹20,000 crore

Odisha gets first in-house genomics lab to advance precision cancer care

IMS and SUM Hospital becomes first in Odisha to set up a comprehensive in-house genomics laboratory, enabling advanced cancer diagnosis and precision medicine without patients travelling outside state

Growth will be driven by project execution, not announcement: Odisha CM

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi says the state is shifting from attracting investments to executing projects, with manufacturing and jobs driving growth

Rising thermal hotspots threaten productivity, public health: IIT study

Researchers warn expanding heat hotspots driven by industrialisation and land-use change could threaten public health, productivity and long-term economic growth without targeted climate adaptation